Christmas: the cliff notes

I'm going to get around to a Christmas-post (complete with pictures)... one of these days. We had a MAGICAL Christmas with one wide eyed 3 year old, a clueless Chinese 2 year old and a 10 day away from being 2; 2 year old. Once we got over the barfing... Santa got to presenting and mommy was so excited, she woke up at 5:30am Christmas morning. After enjoying presents, a birthday cake for Jesus and a slight delay in getting out of the house (fyi.. don't take short cuts when dealing with barf soaked car seats. Just suck it up and wash the whole dang thing!), we hopped in the van and went to BeBe and Paw's for Christmas day and a few extra to boot.

We got back last night (with a completely exhausted mommy) and all I could do was lay on the couch and watch The Sound of Music in a semi-comatose state. The 5 of us got up this morning ready to hit the highway so that we could visit Ikea... I've got a bee in my bonnet about re-doing our bathroom and getting some storage units for all this new Christmas crap. HAVE YOU BEEN TO AN IKEA?? Oh my word... the walking. And the free kids' lunch. Too good to be true. Currently, Steve is assembling storage containers, floor lamps and a shoe rack. Oh, the Christmas joy keeps on giving.

Did I mention I got my hair cut today too? I went from blond to brunette as well. Call it the winter blues, who knows, but I needed a change. Shorter was too permanent. Blonder was too summery. So brunette it is. Its a nice change.

Pretty much this whole post is drivel. But it is a summary that is my life. Pictures to come. More drivel to follow.

Turn that sleigh around

I was planning on treating myself to a little blog time after the kids were in bed, Santa delivered presents and Steve and I sat down to watch the Nativity Story. But low and behold, life with 3 kids 3 and under hijacked my plans. On the way to church tonight, Turner threw up ALL OVER THE CAR so we turned the van around and here we sit at 10:P14 pm and he *just now* had a dry heave. Santa has yet to come, the milk is getting warmer by the moment and no movie to be watched; and I'll tell 'ya what, Santa was hoping to hit the hay early tonight... all that sleigh riding wears a person out.

So, there are fun pics, a surprise date last night to celebrate 7 years ago Steve asking me to marry him. But now its time to carry a boat load of presents down from the attic, eat some cookies/carrots and reflect on some sweet memories of a Christmas Eve with little ones that may not have gone according to plan, but was one I want to bottle up and savor nonetheless.

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Here's to a barf free Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

I couldn't resist (again)

My skills stink so bad, I just wanted to pull up the pics that are on our card so you can see them better (I'm just nice that way.) I posted some of the pics a week or so ago but I didn't include these pics on purpose... 'cuz I knew we were using them on our card.

We've gotten a ton of compliments on this family photo. And you know that Steve and I and the kids always stroll the neighborhood and smooch along the way. That's just who we are and how we roll. I do have to say, the fact that Shannon caught O looking up at us is PRICELESS! There is not a sucker big enough we could have bribed her with to get that shot. It must have been the Lord :)

Anyhow, that's it from here. I just put on Barbie and the Diamond Castle (at Turner's request shhh.. don't tell his daddy), a load of laundry is in the dryer and I've got some cleaning to do before our Christmas Eve open house tomorrow. Later....

Cookie lessons, I knew there had to be such a thing!

Because we already sent out 200 Christmas cards (not an exaggeration) I couldn't send it to everyone. If you got skipped this year, sorry. Consider yourself not skipped. However, my scanning abilities leave little be desired, right?

Last night Steve and I took the kids out on what I plan to make a Christmas tradition. I loaded up 5 plates of cookies, signed a few more cards and bundled up the kids for a walk around the neighborhood to deliver the treats. It was a cold night but we didn't go too far. And each kid got "paid" with a cookie to join us.

It was really fun to knock and see the surprised neighbors' faces. No, we did NOT sing, because then I'm sure the look of delightful surprise would have turned to horror. We're not exactly what you would call a musical family. Talk about surprised, you should have seen the lady who had the "incident" last month when she opened the door. I'm pretty sure everyone in the neighborhood is keeping their distance from her right now. She thanked us for our prayers following her house fire and the incident and even asked where we go to church and said she might like to join us some time.

A new young couple moved in across the street, so this was a good excuse to go meet them and welcome them to the neighborhood. It turns out the husband cut most of his finger off last week on a home project. Hopefully, Steve will be able to pop over again and see if he needs anything.

The guy who lives with us (we have a one bedroom rental unit in our house) was surprised and even embarrassed to see us at his door. "But I don't have anything for you guys." Well, Jim... that's not the point!

We got home and warmed up and Olivia said, "But nobody gave us anything, mom." YES!!! What a perfect teaching moment for my little three year old. "I know, Olivia. The thing about gifts is that you give them not to get something back. You give them to make the other person happy." She looked at me and then thoughtfully said, "Yeah. We've got enough stuff around here anyway." Ahhh.. I wonder where she's heard that one before?

All in all it was a sweet family memory that I hope to re-create many more times in the future. So, I guess all of the baking really did pay off. Not to mention, I'm glad to be getting all that temptation off my back porch (which has been my temporary freezer since there wasn't enough room in my real one.) Next time you're in the neighborhood, swing by and help yourself!

It never ends

This past weekend was a flurry of activity. Friday night, I can't even remember what happened Friday night! But Saturday we woke up to a bit of snow, worked out, and then I baked. And I baked and I baked and I baked. Because for some crazy reason I feel like it is such a great idea to give out baked goods to neighbors, childcare workers and aerobics teachers (oh the irony of that one.) And once upon a childless time it was a good idea. Now its just kinda stupid. And a real pain in the neck. Yet I still managed to crank out 6 different kinds.

We went to church Saturday night and then Steve and I got to business. I wanted to get all the wrapping out of the way. In theory (and in retrospect) a great idea. In the moment... pure back breaking (literally) hell! Luckily, Elf was on. Elf makes all things better. THREE hours later, we are nearly done. I still have Steve's gifts to wrap and there is a certain Disney make up table that has yet to be assembled. You just know that thing is gonna be a bear. Thankfully, not my job!

Sunday, I did just a *bit* more baking (its the last, I swear, unless of course, its not.) We were suppose to have our small group from church over for a ham dinner. I baked an 8 lb. ham and then found out that only 8 people (which included one vegan) were coming. Oops. If you're in the mood for a ham sandwich, come on over.

Today I had to run out during my Monday babysitting time to finish up some last minute Christmas errands. Now I SWEAR I'm done. I wanted to scratch my eyeballs out at Michael's. The line was ridiculous and the funny thing was that most people were checking out with Christmas decorations in their baskets. I found it odd... since all the clearance stuff will be next week and this is Christmas week. Are people just late? Or early? As for me, I needed a roll of art paper and some chalk for an easel that O is getting.

Next stop, Target. Promise me that if you find out I've been to Target any more before Christmas day, you will reach through the blogosphere and slap me silly!! Honestly, my car is on autopilot to the big red bulls eye at this point.

Then I was off to Wallgreens (I felt like I should be wearing a scarlet letter as I cheated on my beloved CVS) for some cheap chocolates and some picture re-prints. I'm worn out! Tonight after dinner, there is a family drive planned. We are going to cruise some neighborhoods to look at lights. One of my favorite nights of the year. The boys are super into ooooing and ahhhhing over lights right now too. Which could prove to be really cute or really annoying... we'll see.

Despite the whiny attitude of this here post, I really am enjoying the holiday season. Just don't make me shop or bake anymore, k? Thanks.

Just paint a big L on my forehead

Santa came early to my house this year... in the form of Stanley Steamer (or his ugly step brother whom, by the way, was tons cheaper.) Am I really that old (or big of a dork) that seriously, all I wanted for Christmas was to have my upholstery professionally cleaned? I laugh in the face of fancy jewelry or expensive electronics! Just give me a poop and barf free couch any day! So, Merry Christmas to me, and a Happy New Year to all who come to my house and sit on my sofa and chair.

As for other news around here, Olivia was invited to her first school friend party. I was a bit taken aback and have to say, am glad that we have plans to go out of town, otherwise I would have been in quite a pickel.

O has a "best friend" at school. And seriously, the semester without Rain might have been a disaster. But she and Rain have become fast friends. I was in the pick up line at school Wednesday behind Rain's mom. Rain came out of the school and she and her mom had a short conversation that I didn't pay any attention to, until I heard Rain say, Olivia Koproski. My ears perked up and then her mom said, "Well, we'll have to wait for her mom." Ummm... I'm standing right behind you, plus, we've been picking up our kids for 4 months together, how do you NOT know I belong to Olivia? whatever.

So I spoke up, "That's me." Rain's mom ran to her car and grabbed an invitation to a party. I got all excited because my daughter had been one of the chosen ones. I assumed it was Rain's birthday party. I got to the car and read over the invitation. Not a birthday party, a New Year's Eve party.

My 3 year old daughter had been invited to a party from 7pm until midnight (or I could pick her up the next morning if I wanted to, stated the invitation.) All from a mom who doesn't even know what I look like! WHAT THE FLIPPITY FLAP?

I don't even get invited to New Year's Eve parties. My girl goes to bed at 7:30; 8:00 if we're feelin' crazy! NO WAY is she staying up to watch the ball drop. She doesn't even have the courage to sleep in her own room if the fan isn't on, her 12 animals aren't with her and I don't run through my list of 17 good nights and I love yous. Could this mom be serious???

And so it begins... a future of mommy cop and no's that will break my kids' hearts. Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me I'm a lamo mom (and not just because I don't get invited to parties any more) and tell me how you would handle such a situation.

artistic license

Hey, you never know, there *might* have been a vulture near the stable. All those mice and all.

And I know the Bible mentions wise men, but there may have been a construction worker or two who dropped by on their way home from the census. Just because it was omitted, doesn't mean it didn't happen, right?

All I know is, I walked into the living room the other day and found this sweet nativity scene lovingly arranged by a creative 3 year old.

I do love her attention to detail, with Mary gazing at the baby Jesus. It was nice of Noah to show up as well. After all, the Creator DID save him from that flood.

Brings new meaning to, "Mary, did you know?" don'tcha think!

A funny thing happened on the way home from school today

Today I experienced Christmas. Don't hear me bragging about myself, because believe you me, I'm caught up in the commerical trappings just as much as the next American. It just so happened that this morning I must have had a moment of clarity in all of the Christmas crazy, because I got out of my holiday frenzy enough to help out a neighbor.

I know I've mentioned that Olivia's school experience is not exactly the same as most of our friends'. She attends a school where we are probably one of the more financially privileged. The other week the school sent home a flyer about Toys for Tots. I got excited because I love buying toys for others (especially since we are up to our eye balls in stuff around here) and when I read it more closely, I realized that it was explaining how we could be a recipient from Toys for Tots. Oh my, what a reality check. Some of O's classmates surely qualify.

There is a sweet little girl, Li'Asya, in O's class. She and her mom walk to and from school each day. Her mom and I usually arrive to pick up the girls at the same time each day. I've had a chance to small talk with her mom, Lee, for the past few months. I know that she just moved here from Cincinnati over the summer. She has custody of her nephew. And I'm not sure if there is a dad in the picture. I have enjoyed getting to know her.

Today it was 17 degrees out when I arrived to pick O up from school. Lee and Li'Asya were about to walk home and so I offered them a ride. They said sure and I drove them home. It was just a few blocks but I whine and complain when I have to walk to my garage when its 17 degrees just so that I can get in my luxury vehicle with a bun warming feature in my leather bucket seat. (Gag!) I dropped them off at a pretty shabby yet sweetly decorated home for the holiday. As they got out, Olivia screamed wildly out the window, "BYE, LI'ASYA!!!!!" My heart smiles that Olivia and Li'asya are friends. She mentions her nearly every day.

I thought of Jesus today. NOT because of my measly action of driving 3 blocks out of the way. But because I realized, once again, how the real meaning of Christmas is that a GOD of infinite power and love, humbled himself to a lowly state of becoming a human. But not even just a human, a human of poor and humble circumstance. He didn't live in a palace fit for royalty (which he certainly would have qualified for!) He didn't even live in a nice suburban home with a finished basement and a large yard. He probably lived in a shabby house, sweetly decorated for a holiday. He probably lived on a side of town that I would not in my normal life visit. He rode on a donkey, and NOT the XLE model, either. And my Jesus chose that situation.

I'm thankful that God gave me Lee and Li'asya today. I don't know why they walk to school every day. I don't know if they have a car and just choose to walk. To make assumptions would be judgemental and elitist of me. Instead, I'll just keep offering them rides and try to get to know them and love them. Because they are my neighbor. And THAT is the true meaning of Christmas.

Disturbia

Oh my word, I took a bloggy break and didn't mean to! Tis the season to be lazy, I guess. Sorry about that, I'm going to try harder this week. I was up to my eyeballs with all things Christmasy but it looks like things are slowing down a bit this week, which hopefully will afford me more time to devote to this here blog.

While I was in my car last night (alone... my personal Christmas miracle!) I saw a sight I've never seen in my whole long 37 years. I jumped on the highway last night in the midst of rush hour traffic to hit Sam's club for a couple hundred diapers, tons of chicken pot pies and a rotisserie chicken (don't laugh, its delicious!). As I was cruising along at nearly 65 mph I looked to my left and I kid you not, I saw a lady PAINTING HER NAILS ON HER STEERING WHEEL, while driving- in rush hour traffic.

I nearly had a heart attack. What the? I slowed down and thought I might try and get her attention and shake my finger at her and mouth, "are you crazy? shame on you!" I live with the king of "teaching people lessons" and am always scolding him because you never know whose high, drunk or packing heat (do people still say that?)

Instead, instincts kicked in and I decided to step on the gas and get the heck out of the way. Boy am I glad I did, I looked in my rear view mirror and about 10 seconds after I got plenty ahead of her she wove into my lane and back out. Now, I've never been one for multi-tasking. Its just not who I am, but I deeply admire those who can/do. This, however, is not admirable. Its just STUPID. C'mon lady, like a second coat couldn't wait 'til you got home?!

Then, not 1/2 mile down the road something else odd happened. A large Canadian goose had been splattered all over the side of the road. Whatever. The sadness of the actual death was not what was so weird to me, but rather, how did it get hit? Then about 5 seconds later, another bird was dead on the side of the road. Within 30 seconds more there were TWO more birds dead on the side of the road. 4 birds in a mile. Weird. I live in Ohio and its not surprising to see a deer here or a stiff raccoon there. Even an opossum or a skunk are fair game. But a bird? and FOUR OF THEM? Weird!

Anyhow, you can imagine I was all too happy to get with in the safe walls of Sam's club and snuggle up with a sample of bean soup and a bite of chimichanga! That's its own brand of disturbia, but it's my kind.

I couldn't resist

I just had to show you guys the amazing work that our friend, Shannon, did with our family pics.

We were just hoping for one decent pic we could slap on our Christmas cards.

Instead....

She's left us in an incredible dilemma. What to do with all these great pics!

Tough problem to have, right?

You might even wonder why I posted so many.

You actually got lucky! There were 192 to pick from

I especially loved the ones of the kids by themselves. We were about to go to one of the shops at the mall and I'm SO glad Shannon stopped me.

It's going to be SO FUN to have these more "real" shots of the kids as they grow up.

I'm sad I forgot to tell her to crop ME outta this one because I want to use this one as Quinn's portrait.

The look on his face is PRICELESS.

She took several ones of us walking down the sidewalk in front of our house. I love all of them (except of the ones of us walking away... no 37 year old wants a pic of her rear) but they are the sweetest shots. And our neighborhood is so photogenic, even if you have to crop the SWAT team out of the pic.

So anyhow, a big shout out to Shannon. If you're in our area, I'd highly recommend you looking her up. And a shout out to YOU too for humoring me. If Simon Cowell were here he'd probably call me "self indulgent," which reminds me.. the countdown to American Idol is ON! What a glorious time of year. Even if it is a bit pitchy.

While visions of sugar plum (faries) danced in her head

I'm snuggled up in my home, as the winds blow 50 mph gusts past me. There are flurries in the air and I'm taking a much needed break after yesterday!

Oh my goodness, what a fun and exhausting day. And for the sake of keeping it interesting I thought I'd re-cap in rewind mode.

At the end of the rainiest Christmas on Campus, EVER, we ran into these girls. Our intention was to see them on stage, but due to some typos (or something) in the schedule, the hour got late and the rain got harder, so we were making our way back to the car. Just when these young ladies were about to take the stage. Olivia got to meet them (which was probably better than watching them dance.) She got all shy and stuff but talked about them the whole rest of the night. "Why did those ballerinas want to be so nice to me and take their picture with me?" So sweet.
Because we wanted to be on campus when things got started, we left our house at 5 and skipped dinner. Pretty much, Olivia's entire diet yesterday consisted of sugar. In various forms. Candy, cookies, hot chocolate and punch. Don't judge me. What can I say? I'm a firm believer in 'tis the season.

Our friend, Katie, who is a senior this year (and follower of this here blog... hi Katie!) joined us as we walked around campus. It was fun because along the way we picked up 4 other of our student friends and had quite a little entourage for some of the night.

This experience for Olivia is really unique and a highlight for me as a parent. I love exposing Olivia to so many quality role models and I think it also, in turn, blesses the college students as they are away from their families.

I just wish it hadn't been raining cats and dogs last night. I ended up needing to carry O back to the car because the puddles were like small ponds. (About a 10 minute walk. Ugh.) She insisted on wearing her sparkly red Christmas outfit shoes. Never let your 3 year old pick out their shoes when you know they should really wear boots and be done with it. Another practical lesson on "Whose the mama?"

We began our ride on the crazy train yesterday with the cookie exchange.

I made a bunch of appetizers, hosted about 15 girls and laughed a lot.

Each girl brought a batch of cookies, impressively, most handmade. We stood around the table and each person took a turn telling the story of how their particular cookies came to be. It was fun and interesting. I highly recommend adding this element to a cookie exchange if you are hosting one. Several girls stayed for an additional hour and just hung out.

Since having kids, I've struggled between campus ministry and being a mom. This year I've allowed God to stretch me as I've tried harder to integrate the two.

You know what, it has been super fun for our family and I think for the college students too.

The noise and chaos at our house tend to make me want to run for the hills but I forget that's mostly because I don't get a break. Most of the students are craving a little family kind of chaos and welcome the break from their dorms and drama.

Well then, by all means, come and join our drama. There's more than enough to go around!

fa la la la losing it

Holiday madness is in full swing around here. Friday night was a Christmas party with the women I work with, Sunday night we hosted a leaders' meeting with the students we work with at UD. Last night was our annual student party on campus (something that is a highlight for me every year.) There was an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Life did not afford me time to hit a thrift store, so I wore antlers instead.

But this is my friend, Anne, she won the contest with this dress she made herself. It was a doozey.
We always do a white elephant gift exchange at the party. With college students, you never know what you're gonna get. This year the hot ticket item was a hobby horse. This freshman guy became the *lucky* owner. Its always a good chance for Steve and I to unload some crap from our attic. This year was no exception! We really need to move so that we can get rid of some of the stupid stuff we've accumulated over our lives. Either that or have a Christmas party with college students every week!

This afternoon I'm having 20 student girls over for appetizers and a cookie exchange. It's going to be super fun but I need to clean, set up, prepare appetizers, pick Olivia up from school and get the boys lunch all before they get here at noon. Yet, here I sit blogging. Ahhhh... priorities.

Right after the party I have a chiropractor appointment and then I'm turning around and heading back to campus for a super fun event I'm taking Olivia to. They call it Christmas on Campus, and it's mostly for inner city school kids. The college student *adopt* a kid and buy them a gift and then take them around campus where there are tons of things to do. Crafts, snacks, games, performances etc. They school bus the kids and then bus the kids back to their schools where their parents pick them up. The event is also open to people who work there and their kids. But they don't get to be taken by the college students. So I'm taking Olivia and some of our student friends/babysitters are meeting us to walk with us.

Then the week goes on with more parties and Saturday, the Nutcracker. Its a busy week, but filled with super fun things.

By the way, the pictures on Friday went really well! Shannon did a great job. I'll probably post a few of the pics here in a few days. We are using a few of them for our Christmas cards and have a few to use for our kids' portraits. Yay!

Wish me luck

This afternoon, our friend Shannon is coming over to take some family pictures. And I've got my panties in a wad! The house is a mess, I've got a party tonight that I've got to bring a "dish to pass" to, what will I wear? - for the pictures not the party. What will the kids wear? My hair needs highlighted (or is it highlit?) Oh the pressure. I'm just not sure I can take it.

But you see, we are desperately behind on our Christmas card thing. Steve really wants to send out a picture card. I'm always a bit concerned. Are we really fridge worthy? I find it hard to throw away some one's Christmas card when it has their picture (or worse yet, just their kids' picture) on it. But lets face it, some people just aren't fridge worthy. Not YOU! No, you for sure are fridge worthy! I'm talking about other people.

Back to this afternoon though. We've had several attempts since Quinn's joined the family at getting a picture of all of us. Not a lotta luck so far. Forget the goal of everyone smiling. I'm over that one. I'm just hoping that everyone will be looking in the same direction. And that no one (and by no one I mostly mean Olivia) is screaming/crying/throwing a tantrum.

Here's hoping we get a decent photo, without a very large dust bunny rolling through the shot and that Sam's Club or Target or some equally large entity can print up our card in time for us to get 'em out by the first of the year. You won't mind getting it a little late, right? Yeah, that's what I thought. Just be kind and don't tell me when you throw us out!

Smoke and mirrors, my friends

As you glance at these pictures it will appear that our Thanksgiving weekend was calm, cool and filled with small children getting along. But don't let my slick photography skills fool 'ya! 5 kids, 4 and under just doesn't end up that way.

I was shocked, though as I looked over and realized that 3 of the kids at the "kids" table were actually mine. I mean, wasn't it just a few years ago that I was at the kids table? Geez!
I almost didn't put these Thanksgiving day photos up because by the time the holiday is nearly a week past, it just seems pointless. But then I had a moment of clarity. It occurred to me that I am still making up for lost bloggy time. Even this morning I remembered that I hadn't checked in on McMommy and her family yet. I raced home from our weekend away to see how Kelly and Melanie had fared over their holiday.

I talk of these ladies as if they are my friends. But sadly, they are not. I'm pretty sure at least 2 of the 3 would really like me if they met me. Even if I am a Yankee. (I have an odd obsession with blogs written by Southerners.) Go figure.

So I figured, if I had a *need* to check out their holiday pics, someone out there (can I get at least one hand?) might want to see a picture of my boys looking at a ceramic tree (which they promptly broke several minutes after this picture was taken.)

My love for spying (its surely not voyeurism!) began in college as my roommates and I discovered an addictive little show called The Real World on MTV. I know you know it! There were Saturdays my roommates and I didn't even get dressed because we would be enthralled in a Real World marathon. If you don't know what that is (bless your heart) it is when MTV decides to own you for a day and show backtobacktoback episodes of the show *in case* you missed a few along the way. After 8 hours of tv watching, your mind becomes utterly useless and its time to go to the bars to help bring some clarity back.

NOT some of my finer hours. In fact, I remember the cloud of depression that hit the day I realized, I was in fact, now too old to apply to be on the show (I think you can be no older than 23 or something like that. Go figure.)

Anyhow, I was reminded of my start to reality obsessions last night when Steve and I had some friends over.

Somehow (our friend Scott was roommates with a guy on The Real World, Philadelphia) we got to talking about the show and how certain people on the show become *friends* and yada yada yada.

I might have divulged my college obsession and found that Scott and I had a similar affinity toward the second season where they lived in L.A. (can I get a witness?)

At which point, Scott whips out his cell phone and scrolls down to Jon Brennan's phone number. (It's another long story of how he got it and I won't go into it. Suffice it to say that his ex-roommate, the Philly Real World guy comes in handy!)

Somehow, I reverted to my 20 year old self and may have let out a short but deafening scream. YOU HAVE HIS NUMBER???!!!

And then, with my husband sitting across the room, I may have also yelled, "Ohmygosh, let's call him!" And then I belly laughed like I haven't for a long time. Because I think I might have been serious for a few seconds.

Well, all of that to say, I have a deep rooted illness with all things reality. Blogging is just my 37 year old, stay at home mommy version. But hey, if MTV wanted to move me to a mansion in some sah-weet city with other SAHM's I'd totally be up for it.

So, MTV...call me, okay?

Comedic update

Apparently when you're a 3 year old diva...
THIS is what funny looks like!

(Can you hear my sigh of relief from there?)

And then can you hear my best fake laughter quickly following? She'd better stick with the career in dance, 'cuz comedy may not be her thang.

A blind eye and a deaf ear

My daughter is yelling down from her room that she has "done something funny." If its *funny* "haha" then I'm cool with that if its *funny* "naughty" not so much.

Concurrently (oooo, doesn't that make me sound smart?) my second arrived (can't say born) son is up in his room yelling, "mama, mama, get down." I've turned the monitor down as low as it goes, but I can hear him when in the kitchen making dessert for dinner tonight. Sound proof walls, that's what I'll put on my Christmas wish list!

It's only 2:11 and I'm not ready for naps to be over. I've slowly been losing ground over the past month or so. And I'm fine to institute *rest time* rather than nap time. Good thing, since that's pretty much all I get from O these days. But I just need an hour and a half to maintain my sanity.

Which I'm pretty sure is gone, just like Turner's shoe and the Snow White Halloween costume. Shoved in a drawer somewhere. Sanity will turn up someday when I least expect it. Much like the shoe. By then both will be outgrown and I'll be loving my room at the funny farm.

If all I get is one hour of "me" time, is that really so bad? The challenge is to figure out what is my highest priority for that hour. (It used to be 2 1/2... ahh the good 'ole days.) Apparently, today's priorities included: cleaning my bathroom, putting away toys - the ultimate definition of insanity, they are bound to wind up all over in about 5 minutes-, make a chocolate/peanut butter pie and blog. Of course blog. Because the Internet is where sanity is found! Thank you for keeping me sane. It's a big job but some body's got to do it!

I'm off to discover which brand of funny is happening upstairs. Wish me luck.

stupidist thing I've done as a mom version 2.0

I woke up this morning and remembered I still have a blog. Oops. Sorry about the slight bloggy break. I'm sure you were too busy enjoying food, family and store wide savings to be bothered with my silly ramblings anyways.

Anyhoo.... our Thanksgiving was great. Exhausting and full of traveling and assembling and disassembling pack n plays about 26 times per our 4 days gone. Just what a good Thanksgiving should be.

And to top off our Thanksgiving festivities I pulled my all time, "I'll never do that when I'm a mom" boneheaded feats!!! Yes, its true, I really topped myself this time.

I WENT OUT ON BLACK FRIDAY. At 4:30 in the morning.. to TARGET. Somebody shoot me in the head, please.

I wasn't intending to. In fact, I'm pretty sure somewhere along my 37 year journey called life, I have declared I would never set my alarm for an hour that begins with a 4... but I did. It happened because I *just for fun* checked out the Target add on Thanksgiving day. And there IT was. The ONLY toy that Olivia has consistently asked for and wants from Santa. For a $50 savings. A $100 toy for $50. There's not much in life that would make me get up and leave my bed at 4:30 am, but apparently a $50 savings is my price.

I stumbled out of bed, put on some warm sweat pants and opened the door to, wait for it, SNOW. Oh yes, if you got out of bed at a normal hour you would have never known it because by the time the sun actually rose, it was a beautiful sunny and dare I say, warm day. But at the ungodly hour called the middle of the night, it was snowing.

So when I pulled up to the Target parking lot and saw the line wrapping all the way down the strip mall (from one end to the other) I made the executive decision to stay in my car until they opened the doors at 5 and then jump in line once it was moving. Well, my adrenaline finally got the better of me, because by 4:55 I just couldn't sit in my car any longer. As I strolled to the back of the line, I heard someone yell to the very first guy in line, "Hey, what time did you get here?" Crazy first in line guy yelled back, "9:00 last night." Hmmm... hope that t.v. is worth it, buddy.

As I made my way to the back of the line I realized the circular said the first 500 guests in line got a free reusable tote bag. Yep. didn't score one of those. So by 4:55am there were over 500 people in line. By the time I made it to the doors (the girls behind me timed how long it took us to get to the doors- 4 minutes) the crazy first guy in line came strolling out with a satisfied grin on his face and a large t.v. in his cart. Good job, crazy guy.

What about me? I made my way, quickly- but without running-, to the toy aisle. I asked the Target worker where I could find the Disney Princess Vanity mirror on sale for $49.99? She pointed to an empty shelf and said, "Well, they WERE right there. Guess they're gone." With a *wee bit* of sarcasm in her voice, unless I was just feeling sensitive. No, I'm pretty sure it was sarcasm! So when I looked at my watch as I headed out the door it was 5:14am and I was empty handed. I climbed back into my warm van and was snuggled up under my covers by 5:30. Stupid!

Well, lesson learned. Unless I'm willing to put in the really hard and really stupid work of pulling an all nighter at the local Target- which I'm NOT, Santa is just going to have to fork over full price and deal with it. Except P.S. there is an amazing thing called Cyber Monday and I'll have you know that I was able to order FROM THE WARMTH OF MY OWN HOME a very similar Little Mermaid vanity mirror for $49.99, thankyouverymuch. So take that you Disney vanity mirror, revenge is mine. Until Christmas eve and there is *some assembly required* but that's what daddy's are for, right!?

I'm dreamin' of a wide Christmas

Because that's what I'm going to be, now that I've found a place nearby that serves Funnel Cake FRIES! Couldn't believe my eyes when I went with a friend to pick up a pizza one night and discovered THIS. She couldn't believe HER eyes when I whipped out my camera from my pocket and snapped a photo. *Clearly* Amy needs to read my blog more often... then she would have fully understood my obsession with all things funnel! (You really can't expect anything less from a pizzeria called, "Between the buns!") Ohio really IS the heart of it all!

But even more important than finding a source to get my funnel fix, I brought out the Christmas decorations over the weekend. I feel like I got off on a technicality (since I don't normally decorate until this coming weekend) by NOT putting up the Christmas tree. Because there are 2 rather disobedient/mischievous boys and 1 REALLY bad dog living in our house, we have a table top Christmas tree (which goes against all things good and right in the world, but hey, it works for this season of life) and I will wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to put that up.

But in the meantime, I lugged all 9 of the 50 lb. Rubbermaid containers from the attic to the downstairs so that I could re-decorate our house for 5 weeks.

Isn't it really just the stupidest thing ever? WHO DOES THAT? Americans, that's who! As I was muttering under my breath about all the work (even the plates get changed around here for the month... stupid) I was secretly LOVING it.

Maybe even more this year. Because for the first time I had a little apprentice. Olivia was in heaven. As I got certain things out of boxes she would gasp in excitement, "Mom! I remember THAT." Or "Look mom, its the Nutcracker toy Bebe got me" (I had certain words reserved for that toy myself, but I kept them to myself... curses on your head, Bebe!) She was riding high for a few days!

And so weird, but the boys LOVE this snow globe that plays piano Christmas music. Pretty sure my mom got it off QVC a few years ago. Worth it's weight in gold I tell ya.

I know the next stop on the holiday train is Thanksgiving. But a girl can't get too excited about the whole holiday season, right?! And although this picture of Turner in no way shape or form has anything to do with anything, I had to include it because isn't it just the cutest thing??!! The kid found these glasses in the toy chest. They used to be O's when she was a toddler and he wore them around for about 20 minutes. Hey, when you get a laugh, you gotta ride that wave!

Life currently is presenting some challenges, but all in all I have to say... 'Tis the season to be jolly!

If I had only known!

These photos are from Olivia's last ballet class of the last session on Halloween. The parents are not allowed to be in the studio during class except for the last class of the session. So I snapped some pictures.

If I knew then what I know now I would have done several things differently (ahhh.. the story of my life!)
First thing would have been to NOT sit in on that lesson. Because little did I know that sitting in on that lesson would be the end of O's ballet career.
The next session began the following weekend. Interestingly enough, there were more boys than girls this session. There is a short tumbling portion of the class right at the end, but honestly, most of it is ballet and jazz. Call me sexist, but it seems like most 3 and 4 year old boys would not want to do that.

I don't know if having more boys than girls was intimidating for her but the second week of the new session, O clung to my leg and refused to go into the studio. I dragged her in and the teacher let her sit on the floor and watch. So I spent 45 minutes waiting for her to get done sitting on the dance studio floor. Very frustrating. She *insisted* she was sick (without any actual signs of being sick.)
Fast forward to yesterday where she, once again, protested like crazy. Clung to my leg and refused to go in. She said she wanted me to go and sit in her class with her. (Thinking here that the class on Halloween ruined my independent dancer.)

I turned into *ballet mom*. I gave her a lecture about how she loves ballet and how I don't understand how she marched into the class for 8 weeks with enthusiasm and now she's scared. I also lectured her with how mommy and daddy paid for the class and have sacrificed time for her to go. I was mad/embarrassed and waving my finger. Oh, lord, how I hate the finger wave. But I swear that finger had a life of it's own yesterday morning.

I gave her a choice. She could either go in and dance by herself or we could go home. She chose to go home. Crap. Choices backfired on me that time. So, we left. I huffed and I puffed all the way to the car. Then I looked in the backseat to a crestfallen little girl.

Then it dawned on me, I was behaving like the 3 year old! I let Olivia know that I love her when she does ballet and I love her when she chooses not to. I decided that if she doesn't want to do ballet, she doesn't have to, she's only THREE for Pete's sake. I appologized for yelling at her and asked her to forgive me. Then I had to deal with my own issues.

You know what I discovered? Disappointment. I enjoyed watching my little girl love something. I enjoyed going and being a mom of a "big kid". I enjoyed getting a cup of coffee and having 45 minutes TO MYSELF on a Saturday while I waited for her to be done. The disappointment was some for her (because I know she loves to dance and all things ballet... it really is a mystery this whole regression thing) but mostly for myself. And that is crazy talk.

Why pigeon hole my kid into something when she's 3? She has her whole life to dance. I'm going to look around and see what other classes I can expose her to while her interests are still varied. The sky is the limit for my talented and bright little girl.

As for me? I'll have to just treat myself to a cup of joe somewhere and get over myself!

Because some days are random

I just sat here for 20 minutes listening to my two little boys in their beds yelling, "Go Buckeyes" at each other. For 20 minutes! I had to laugh. And then I had to turn down the monitor. Turner is totally a sport lover already and Quinn, well, he just loves whatever everyone else loves. So today, he loves the Buckeyes.

This has been the barfingest week and our house, and I'm ready to move on.

I did the adoption webcast last night and it just re-confirms my philosophy of life... perfection is over rated. I'm REALLY glad that I didn't spend *too much time* preparing because I was on the phone for about 5 minutes and NOBODY asked me any questions. Maybe if I had planned, my story would have been much more riveting, begging people to ask for more. Probably not. So, I'll just keep sliding by in life.

Steve and I are going on a date tonight, thanks to our church that is offering FREE BABYSITTING to anyone. I'm anyone, so I qualify. 6-midnight. Sounds great, right? Except my kids go to bed between 7:30 and 8pm and we might get crazy tonight and not even pick them up until 8. Looks like we're gonna paint the town red!

I'm getting my hair cut at a fancy-shmancy salon tomorrow morning. My girl, Aimee, is still doing it but she can't come to my house, so I get to go and be pampered. Don't be too jealous, I have to take O with me. It's gonna be hard to enjoy the surroundings with a 3 year old who will most likely cry when I go to the shampoo bowl.

Just a few more days until Thanksgiving... and I can't wait. I'm breaking my own cardinal rule of THOU SHALL NOT PUT UP YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS UNTIL THE WEEKEND AFTER THANKSGIVING
this year. Since we'll be gone that weekend, I hate to wait a whole other week, so I'm doing it early instead of late. If I'm gonna break my back "redecorating" we're gonna enjoy it, by golly.

Hope your Friday isn't so random.
Go Buckeyes!

It's my story and I'm stickin to it

It's kind of weird but tomorrow night our adoption agency has asked me and Steve to be on a webcast where potential adoptive parents can call in, here our story and ask us questions. In some ways I'm kind of looking forward to it (even if it IS right in the middle of Survivor!) and in other ways I don't really know what to say.

In fact, I just looked across the room where Quinn was playing with his cars. (He SHOULD still be taking a nap, but that's for a different post.) He was telling me that Olivia and Turner are sleeping. He just held up his shoe and said, "MY shoe!" He jabbers on ALL DAY LONG in English. He even loves our dog (and he *might* be the only one in this family who does.) When he first arrived he screamed bloody murder at the sight of him. He has a funny little dance he does to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star that he must have learned at the orphanage, because he didn't learn that from me. He is my little boy and he is full of contradictions and delights rounded out by a few annoying traits. As I took it all in just now and thought about that call, I got a bit overwhelmed with what the heck will I share to people contemplating adoption?

We didn't adopt because of infertility. We didn't adopt because we have this righteous cause for saving orphans. We didn't adopt because we had extra money we didn't know what to do with. We didn't adopt because we wanted more kids. We didn't adopt because its the sexy new cause. We adopted because God told us to. And for some people, that's weird as heck.

Our experience was unbelievably amazing. We got a great kid with so few "issues" that I'm STILL waiting for the other shoe to drop. He has a new and improved smile and was a trooper through it all. In a heart beat I'd do it all over again. But that's not always the case with adoption for the kids or the family. I don't believe adoption is the right thing for everyone. I can't promise it will be easy and blessed and a joy.

So, I'm still trying to figure out what to tell these people. I guess I'll just go with our story and let that tell itself. It is SO good to reflect on the blessing of the past year! Because sometimes it gets lost in the day to day.

Home sweet home

I'm doing something this morning that I'm not very used to, or very good at for that matter. I'm spending a quiet morning at home with the boys. Last night we were hosting our small group from church where we hire some college students to babysit the 9 kids that attend. The group was just wrapping up when Olivia came downstairs and announced, "Quinn just threw up."

Great! Naturally, I was concerned about Quinn (he hasn't spent a day sick since he arrived home, and I even include the day of surgery and the day after) but I'll go ahead and admit it, I may have been even more concerned for myself. Did I just catapult into the role of *that mom* who has the barfing kid that launches barf fest '09 throughout my group of friends!? "I swear I didn't know he was sick before having all of your sweet little ones in his midst and sucking on his toys for the past 2 hours... sorry."

The 2am wake up call with a son raging a 103.8 degree fever. Crap, I TOTALLY am that mom. Although it was sweetly pathetic to hold a human inferno from 2-3am, selfishness was intermingled with selfless compassion. Thoughts of "Who did this while he was in the orphanage?" ran through my mind followed close behind, "Guess I won't be going to Pilates in the morning, or that really fun birthday party for our friend Sophie tomorrow."

So here I am, thinking "Gosh, I'd just now be doing my leg workout at Pilates right now" as the clock hits 10am (and I have rather mixed emotions on the subject) but realizing its just kind of good to have a quiet morning with the boys, playing with their toys, watching Sesame Street as I clean my house and am not rushing here and there. Is this what *normal* stay at home moms do? Hmmm... maybe there is something to this whole stay at home part that I should practice more often.

PS. as an added bonus of staying around the house this morning, Turner tinkled on the potty for the first time ever! He was pointing at his diaper and mentioned his bum, so I asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty. He said, UH HUH and the rest is history. I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle that one yet but the dawn is on the horizon.

House for Sale

Steve and I were packing our kids up to head over to some friends' for dinner last night around 5:15. I poked my head out the front door to see what the temperature was and this is what I saw.

I had looked out the window five minutes before and there was nothing. But when I popped out this time there were 8 cop cars, a canine unit and an ambulance. Okay, that was not normal.

A couple was walking their dogs and I stopped to ask what was up. They said a man had threatened his girlfriend with a gun one street over. I asked them to describe the house. It's the one that is across our alley and our garage backs up to theirs.
Within the next 5 minutes, most of our neighbors were out and about trying to figure out what was really going on. Our next door neighbor went to take a closer look and got shooed back into his house by an officer with a shotgun. Okay, really not good.

It became pretty clear real quick that we were going to be late, at best, for our dinner. So I phoned my friend, told her to turn on the news and see what was going on. I called back 15 minutes later when it became apparent that this thing was not going to be settled in the next 20 minutes. In fact, our alley, the street and pretty much the whole neighborhood was shut down. No one allowed in or out.

It was gorgeous weather for the middle of November so I sat in our window with it open and watched it all unfold. Within the next 30 minutes the news crews showed up and 45 minutes later the Dayton SWAT team showed up. I could hear an officer on a bull horn telling the man inside to lay down his weapon, turn on a light to let them know he was alright. I continued to listen to that same message for the next 2 hours. They also informed him they were not leaving until they talked to him.

Meanwhile, the wife/girlfriend who reported the whole thing was standing with the cops across the street from my window. We know her. She had a kitchen fire not even a month and a half ago. The kids and I were coming home after picking O up from school. We went to see if we could help. I ended up praying for her and later gave her some gift cards to some restaurants while their kitchen was out of commission. And now this; being threatened with a gun. I can't even imagine.

Because we had planned to be at our friends' house for dinner the kids got PB&J's and chips. Steve and I had nothing. I never felt like our family was in immediate danger, but I did find my knees knocking at points (like when the SWAT team arrived). I was nervous that we would hear gun shots and they would carry our neighbor/others out dead. I could explain all this other activity as the police trying to help a sick neighbor, but I didn't know how I would explain gun shots and body bags.

FINALLY 7:00 rolled around (thank God) and it was bath/bedtime. I just wanted to get the kids in bed in case this continued well into the night. I have to say because the weather was nice, it was like a stinkin' block party around here. What's with that? A bunch of boring Ohioans who don't get much excitement? Seriously, there were neighbors huddled together with wine glasses and snacks. As for me, I just sat at my perch in my window and talked with them from the comfort and safety of my own home thankyouverymuch.

Don't you know that as we were getting the kids to bed, all the cops left. By the time we got back downstairs all of the excitement was over. Just like that. I called one of our neighbors to find out what happened. She said that after all that the police decided he was not a threat, broke no laws and no longer posed danger to the neighborhood. So they left. With the crazy man with a gun IN HIS HOUSE RIGHT NEXT TO MINE. The news at 11 said he will be charged with a misdemeanor of inducing panic.

While I'm glad to say it ended peacefully, I have to say I'm not exactly thrilled that as I write this there is a crazy guy next door!

How about you? What did you do with YOUR Friday night?

The good, the bad and the talented

The good? Who else... our little trooper is healing up nicely from surgery. The bruising on his face is nearly gone. It's now just kind of a greenish hue running down the side of his face. Lovely. We go in two weeks to get the tube inside of his nostril removed. Can't wait. It remains to be a boogery, bloody mess. Gag.

Quinn continues to be a delight, although he does love to do whatever anyone else next to him is doing. So if that said someone is throwing a fit, then by golly, Quinn's gonna match it, and raise you a double. That's the kind of week its been at my house. A hair raising, whiny good time!

But one cute thing the boys started doing this week was making funny faces. They get a laugh and they know they are funny. This picture is Quinn just coming out of his funny face (he likes to squint his left eye, thus the half squint.)
And its a good thing Turner found something cute to start doing this week, because other than "Make a funny face, Turner" its been non stop, "Stop hitting, Turner." "No, Turner." "Time out, Turner." "Do you want a consequence, Turner?"

Can't you just see it in those eyes? I'm pretty sure he's plotting pure evil in this picture. In fact this week he has decided he will no longer wear socks. It was a 20 minute power struggle as we were getting ready to head out to the Y this morning.

In one of my finer parenting moments I *might* have gone into the other room and used the F word. Not sure when the last time I dropped an F bomb out loud was. Seriously, I'm not proud of this but I figured that was a better route than bodily harm. Do you think someone at our house is full on into the terrible two's?! (Hey, I was talking about Turner!)
My daughter, who you may mistake for Hannah Montana in this photo (don't ask), on the other hand has turned into a dream boat.

My very own little miss lippy from two weeks ago had a break through moment the other day. She and her brothers were going to the park with Steve. It was cold outside so I said she needed to wear her winter coat. Here was her response, "I don't really like wearing that coat, but I'll say okay." And SHE DID. What the...??? She got an automatic congratulation prize for that.
She's also been a great helper recently.

Here are the two of us "couponing." She didn't get real ones, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right?
In one short week she learned to draw and to snap. Thank you Dayton Public. This is O with her self portrait. The fingers are a bit spooky, but the detailing on the dress is superb.
Since I went ahead and admitted a personal failure, is it okay if a brag for a short moment too?

Steve and I went out on a date last night and we put a major dent in our Christmas shopping. We got some awesome deals and are more than 1/2 way done. After that, we went for some Indian food. We always have an in depth conversation on where to eat without the kids... then we almost always end up at an Indian restaurant. I ordered Indian hot. Living on the edge, what can I say.

I also bought nearly all of my stocking stuffers this week. FYI, I don't know about your Target, but our Target has TONS of Princess and Hello Kitty stuff in their $1 section. I HIGHLY advise getting there soon if you have a little girl in your life who loves all things pink, sparkly and Disney. Santa's not getting caught with his pants down this year!!!

That's it from here. May the rest of your day be fun and family friendly. Wish me luck as I try and do the same.

It just doesn't add up

I've said it before and I'll most definitely say it again... I have some organizational *challenges* in life. And as of late, things are falling through the cracks left and right. If you are among the dozen or so friends who have asked me to do something lately (Stacie, sorry about that babysitting list. Susie, sorry about that 360 form) and I have TOTALLY forgotten, accept this as my public apology. It's not you, it's me.

I would blame it on my stage of life. On three little kids who literally suck the life out of me leaving me little energy at the end of the day to do little else but lie comatose in front of the idiot box. I'd blame it on 14 other things going on in my life, but the truth of the matter is, I've always had great intentions but my follow through, well, it just kinda sucks. Am I chalking it up to, "That's the way I am and I'll never change"? I don't think so. There is nothing more I'd love to do than transform into a type A, perfectionistic kind of person. But instead, we're stuck with lazy me who is *trying* to shape up.

So, why is it then, that I LOVE to do laundry??? It just doesn't make sense based on who I am. Is that not the weirdest, most go-against-the-grain kind of thing you've ever heard? I mean, probably your most reliable type A kinda gal wouldn't say she *loves* to do laundry. She may tell you her system, show you her chore chart and come hell or high water, her family will have clean undies to wear. But as for me, laundry is a bit of a release. And I'm embarrassed to say, I love it.

Maybe its because so little actually gets done, finished, accomplished in my life. Maybe its because I have so much yummy smelling laundry detergent stockpiled from my couponing/CVSing and I feel the urge to use it all. Maybe its the folding. Oh, I love the folding and the sorting part of it all. I love to fill up my little wicker basket and have it all neatly piled (God forbid one of the kids TOUCH my folded laundry.) Wrath have no furry like a woman whose had her clean laundry messed with. Maybe its that when I'm done with the load or two for the day there is an empty basket on the floor ready to be re-filled. And for those 3 hours before something makes its way into the empty basket, it makes me feel good. Really good.

Maybe I'm just a complete nut job who is in need of a hobby and some friends. Don't know. Don't want to know. Because all I know right now is, laundry makes me happy. And if laundry is my current lot in life, I may as well be happy with it.

As for you, Stacie and Susie, you'll get your list and your form... someday! But right now, I've got to go put a load from the washer to the dryer... ahhhhhh.....

W.O.R.D. Up!

So, I've included some pictures of the kids that really have nothing to do with this post, nor really have/need any explaination. So enjoy the kids and please put up with my drivel- I really need you today.

Things around here have been ridiculously good. In light of a kid who is a week out of surgery, things are business as usual. Loud. Fighting. Whining. Crying. Laughing. Singing. Eating. Stuff like that.
As for Quinn's lip... amazing. Even with all the swelling, bruising, crusty blood and boogers, he looks amazing! (Spoken like a true mama, cuz right now he's got a nose situation only a mama would think looks amazing.) I will post pictures when he is more pleasant to look at. Until then, take my word for it. This kid continues to be a walking, giggling, talking miracle.

Speaking of talking; both boys are amazing me with their linguistic skills as of late. I know I'll soon regret this statement, but it has been SO fun recently to have both boys increase their vocabulary. Turner just this morning held up his cup and declared, "Milk!" I know that shouldn't be news worthy, the kid IS nearly 2. But he is a man of few words so when he declares milk, cookie, Baxter, movie, pumpkin or NO! it is fun for me.

And then there's Quinn. He is a virtual parrot and it annoys Olivia to no end. "Quit saying what I'm saying" is her mantra these days. I keep trying to explain to her that this is how Quinn is learning English. And boy is he picking it up! His favorite new phrase this week, "Thank you, Mama." EVERY TIME I give him something (and it doesn't matter what it is) he responds with a heart melting, "Thank you, Mama." I told Steve that Quinn is liable to be 300 lbs. soon because I'll give him whatever he wants to hear that (I *might* be a tad bit emotionally needy, I'm open to that.)

The only one who is not melting my heart these days is Olivia (with her words that is. She melts me in tons of other ways.) I've recently had to soap my finger and "wash her mouth out" twice. Please don't contact Social Services on me. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And I KNOW Super Nanny would not approve. But I've been at my wit's end with Miss lippy. I warned her. And then I followed through. Let's just say, she thinks twice now about sassing back.

Well, with all the words around here, its a wonder I've got anything left to say here. But really, this is the only place I get a word in edgewise. Thanks for the adult conversation, blogosphere. I appreciate the listening ear.