Sisterly Love

Usually I do a "Monday Mumbles" on Monday.  But not today.  Not a whole lot has happened this past week.  At least nothing you would be interested in hearing about.  Unless you're interested in hearing about how many times I've been thrown up on in the past 6 days.

But you don't want to hear about that.

And I don't really want to relive it (or I should say, continue to live it).

So today I'm just going to share this cute thing that happened today.

Katie is into looking at the photo albums of her or Patrick or Josie when they were born.  Today after school she was sitting on the floor looking at Josie's album and Josie walked up and sat down next to her and Katie started to tell her the story of "The Day You Were Born."  It was quite interesting to hear her version, but so sweet.

Here's Katie showing Josie about when she was born. (By the way, Josie hadn't wet her pants, she had just spilled some water on herself--I put dry pants on her right after this).

Josie was very interested in it.

After they had looked through the whole book Katie closed it, sighed, and said to Josie..."I love you so much baby sissy."

And this is what Josie did.

I hope they will always have that sisterly love.  I sure don't know what I'd do without my big sister.  How blessed my girls are to have a sister (and their wild brother).

I'm Tired

As most of you know, I'm a very, very optimistic person--"the glass is half full" type of gal.  I've even had a person or two ask how I stay that way in the midst of my chaotic life and our crazy world.  "God" is my answer, I truly believe that my strong faith and trust in God is what causes me to have a peaceful life.  I have peace because I know God is always with me.

But I'm human.

And this human is tired and kind of frustrated.

I'm tired of sick kids and being thrown up on every night.

I'm tired of changing beds several times a day.

I'm tired of having a sore throat and headache.

I'm tired of fighting my kids on whether they're going to eat what I fix.

I'm tired of tripping over toys.

I'm tired of never being able to catch up on household chores.

I'm tired of feeling guilty when I call in to work because of sick kids.

I'm tired of trying to be all things to all people.

I'm tired of second guessing or feeling guilty about the decisions I make.

I'm tired of trying to keep it all together with a smile on my face.

And I'm tired of being...well....tired.

There's about 101 more things that I'm tired of, but I think you're getting the gist of it.

I know this is all a normal part of motherhood and life and that there are so many other people/children/families who are dealing with life altering situations.  I know that.  And I know that my blog is probably not the place to vent my frustration, but where else am I going to do it?  I'm among friends here and isn't that the reason we have friends...so we can vent.

I promise that tomorrow will be a new day and that I'll be back to my regular posts on our crazy life and my crazy kiddos.

Even though I'm tired and frustrated, I'm at peace.  I'm still a happy, optimistic person (I'm just a tired, happy, optimistic person).  I'm at peace because I know that all this is just a tiny, insignificant drop in the bucket of life.  

And I'm at peace because of the grace of God and His presence in my life.

Praying with a Preschooler

Bedtime at our house is always, ALWAYS chaotic. Baby Lam is still at the age where she gets tired, starts getting fussy and we put her to bed...usually pretty easy. But Patrick and Katie can find any excuse under sun on why it's not quite time to go to bed. But eventually we get there...we read our books...say what our favorite thing of the day is...then get to our prayers. That's where the fun begins. I'll break it down so you can see the differences between the two:

Katie:

Now keep in mind that Katie goes to a private school where praying isn't just accepted at school, it's encouraged. I feel at peace with my little girl at a school where it's okay if Katie just bows her head or folds her hands and says a little prayer if she feels like she needs to talk to God. That being said, she's a 'seasoned' pray-er, and her prayers go a little something like this:

Me: Katie, let's say our prayers.

Katie: No, you say it for me.

Me: No, I don't know what you would like to tell God, just tell Him what you're thinking about and if you are worried about anything or anyone.

Katie: (sigh)..."Ok...'Dear God, thank you for my mom and dad and Josie and Patrick and my teacher and all my school friends and all my ballet friends. Thank you for the green grass and the beautiful flowers and the rain this morning. Please help all the children who don't have mommies and daddies and help them to find a mom and dad who will love them and take care of them, and help all the children who are sick or scared. And please heal my friend Micah (that's her friend from pre-school who has leukemia and is going through chemo). Thank you God for keeping me safe and healthy. I love you God, you are in my heart. Amen.'" Then she perfectly recites the Lord's Prayer.

Pretty good for a 5 year old.

Patrick (after hearing his sister's prayer):

Me: Ok, Patrick, can you say your prayer?

Patrick: Ok...'Dear God, thank you for my new dinosaur I got at the shoe store and thank you for my cars and thank you for my race track and thank you for my frog and my dinosaur book and for Lightning. That's all."

Me: Is there anyone you want God to help?

Patrick: Oh yeah, 'Dear God, please help me be good. Amen in the name we pray.'

Obviously Patrick has his priorities are a little different than Katie's. It always cracks me up to hear what he'll have to say. And you know what, God doesn't care, He's just glad to hear that little voice talking to Him. God knows that we'll get there...these are just stepping stones.

As the song says "Jesus loves the little children..." and I'm sure that the biggest smiles on God's face are put there by sweet children saying their sweet prayers.

Now, speaking of prayer, please keep this family in your prayers. I don't know them, they don't know me, but I've been following their blog for a while now and their little guy is very sick. God works miracles and He works in mysterious ways.

Have a blessed day--and as I've said in the past 'Be thankful for your blessings.'

What's Your Style?

Since we've started talking about upgrading to a larger house, I've decided to find out what my decorating style is. Click on this fun little website to find out what your style is. Mine is...

60% Nantucket
40% Classic Nantucket Style: Oh how you love the beach! Who doesn't, right? And so your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town, or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house.

I would say that's right on, I like light open spaces and I LOVE the beach. That photo above is exactly my style--I love that room (even though I know it would be ridiculous for me to have white furniture with 3 little ones). I took the quiz a couple times and each time Nantucket was my top hit--sometimes as high as 90% (lowest was 60%).

Go take this quiz...it's fun. Then 'comment' and tell me what your style is. I love hearing everyone's different styles. It's what make the world unique (wouldn't it be boring if everyone and everything were the same)?

Happy Tuesday!

Monday Mumbles

Because I know you all are just waiting on the edge of your seats all weekend long for the next installment of Monday Mumbles, I figured that I might as well get to it earlier in the day than normal.  I'm feeling motivated!  

Not really...Baby Lam is sleeping so it's easier to work on the laptop without her little hand mysteriously appearing and giving the keyboard a good whop.  In other words, now is my chance to get this thing posted.  Also it makes me feel better about the huge pile of unfolded laundry on the couch, at least I'm doing something productive rather than just sitting here ignoring it.

So here's what we've been upto...

Spring Break--last week was Katie's spring break so grandma (my mom) and one of my nephews came down to see us. What fun we had!  My 4 year old nephew that came down is the oldest of my brother's three boys.  As you can imagine, their house is filled with all things trucks, cars and other boyish items.  So I love it when he hangs out with Katie--the girly girl of the century--it forces him to play with girly things...like Barbies and princesses.

Like this...

Now it's out there on the world wide web, for all the world to see that he played with a Princess Barbie--and liked it.  Oh--I also sent home an OU shirt with him (they live in Kansas).

The Art of Boys--We went to Philbrook's Second Saturday a couple weekend's ago.  Patrick's never been a big art guy.  He doesn't really like to just sit and color or paint or anything.  He likes Play-Doh, but not for the extended amounts of time like Katie does.  But he insisted that he wanted to go, so Katie and I took him along.

Just as Michael Jordon would stick out his tongue when he was concentrating on a slam dunk, Patrick sticks his tongue out when he paints.

 

In One Ear (not so much Out the Other)--Baby Lam got ear tubes on Thursday.  She did great and as I said last week, thank you to all who covered her in prayer on Thursday morning.  It's never easy on mommy no matter how minor.  She came out of recovery super quick and hardly cried, so we were home before we knew it.  And have I mentioned how much we love her ear doctor? He came to the pre-op area so he could personally carry her to surgery--we felt extra special.  But, hey, Baby Lam IS extra special.  And the "pediatric cocktail" that they gave her to help her relax, well, not so much.  She was HILARIOUS...definitely had some effect on her, but not the relaxing effect.  It was too funny.

Here she is in her little surgery gown.  She kind of has that goofy "I'm somewhat sedated" look on her face (and it was probably about 6:45 a.m.).

And Baby Make 7--My little bro and sis-in-law announced they are going to have a baby!  Whoopie!!!  I'm so excited--when this little bundle arrives that will mean I have 7 nieces and nephews (on my side of the family).  

So that's about it...for now.  Don't bother me tonight...remember my fave show ever is on!  Katie and I will have some dancin' to do!

Happy Monday--have a great week!

I Knew a Woman

...who had a snazzy sense of style

...who could get any baby to sleep at anytime

...who could talk to anyone from the President to the homeless woman at the Salvation Army

...who loved to dance and was good at it

...who was taller than me--nearly 6' tall

...who looked like Gina Davis when she was young

...who was very proud of her Irish heritage

...who could grow beautiful tomatoes and would eat them right off the vine

...who loved her family with every ounce of her being

...who has traveled around the world

...who didn't have the easiest life but didn't let the scars of her past ruin her present

...who was the reason I moved to Tulsa

...who I called Dommie

...who I miss very much

Me and my Dommie on my wedding day (sorry the photo quality stinks, it's the best I could do with what I had to work with).

Today is the day that my grandmother passed away.  Six years ago today.  And while it's been awhile, sometimes I miss her like it was just yesterday.  I was 7 months pregnant with Katie when my grandma died and I remember picking up my grandma's hand as she lay unconscious n the hospital and putting it on my swollen belly--hoping that the baby would feel her presence.  There isn't a day goes by that I long for her to know my children.  She would've appreciated Katie's love of dance, Patrick's love for the Sooners (my grandma was a HUGE OU fan), and she would've thought that Josie's high-spirited personality was a hoot.  I just know that she would have loved them so much.  My grandma and I were very similar in personality, therefore, we had some head-on collisions, but we loved each other so deeply.  Words can't express how I feel about my grandma and what she meant to me.  I still drive by her house (quite often) and just look at it and wish.

My grandma lived life large and had fun doing it!  

I miss you so much grandma, I wish you knew my kiddos, but I see glimpses of you in them all the time and it makes my heart smile.

I love you Dommie!

Oh--this is my grandma that also told me on my wedding day that I should be sure to get up every morning and make a big breakfast for my husband.  Sorry WM, I bet you wished I had followed that peice of advice.

I Should've Known Better...

I should've known better than to follow a suggestion given to me by Baloney.  That girl is trouble with a capital T.  :)  She tagged me in this "needs" thing going on in the blog-world where you type your first name and the word "needs" in the Google search box and then type the first 10 things things that come up.  So I did that..........apparently there's a skankorilla with my name that has got some not-so-girl-next-door type things going on out in cyberspace.  Also, apparently Alyssa Milano went through a somewhat risque period.  

So, because this blog is family friendly and rated PG, I can't give you my top 10, but I'll give you the top 10 that I think are appropriate.  (Let me give you an example of what the #1 search result was...."Alyssa needs....to learn to Be a Better B#$%@."  And let me tell ya...that was mild compared to some of the others).

1.  Alyssa needs....help (um, yes, that is true)

2.  Alyssa needs....a good plumber (again, true, my washing machine has been backing up)

3.  Alyssa needs....housing (yes, I could use a bigger house)

4.  Alyssa needs....an exorcist on video (no, I really don't need this)

5.  Alyssa needs....to lose clothes and score (oh my...again, read the above disclaimer)

6.  Alyssa needs....to grow up (nah--keeps me young)

7.  Alyssa needs....a tech makeover (I could use a little assistance with my new MacBook)

8.  Alyssa needs....more than stars (I don't really even understand that)

9.  Alyssa needs....medicine (no, I'm good, thanks)

10.  Alyssa needs....to be 5 years old before getting her first pony (this one is my favorite because it's so cute.

What it really should say is "Alyssa needs....to figure out how to make her posts not be centered."  I've been trying people...I just can't figure it out.

So now I'm supposed to tag people to do this and since 2 of my followers have already done it, I have to just give you what I've got so here's who's getting tagged:

Manning Memo

Susie's Zoo

Viva Cuervo

I'm sure that Cuervo's will be good!

And finally....

Thank you to all who covered our little Josie in prayer today.  Her little surgery was a total breeze and she did great.  Didn't even cry that much when coming out from being under anesthesia.  She's a little stud.  I will post more on it later.  But thank you all for remember her.  It may have been minor surgery, but no surgery is minor to the mommy.

Happy Thursday!  Enjoy the March Madness! 

Oh What a Year Can Do

Nothing really too terribly exciting has happened in our lives over the past year.  Last summer we got a new dog, but that's probably about the highlight.  Years come and go...New Years, Easter, summer, birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, etc., etc., and sometimes I don't think we take the time to stop and look at what's going on around us.

Of course I look at my children and think "my gosh, they really are growing."  But yesterday I kind of had an eye opening experience about how fast time is flying.  I was downloading photos of the kiddos in their green St. Patrick's shirts and came across last year's photos.

St. Patrick's Day 2008

St. Patrick's Day 2009

I literally stopped in my virtual tracks and stared at that photo for 5 minutes.  How is that possible?  How in ONE year could they grow up THAT much???  At first I thought, "oh, that's from 2 years ago."  But then I did the math and remembered that Josie wasn't born two years ago.  Sometimes that happens when your kids are so close in age.  Sometimes...not all the time. (More times than I'd like to mention, though).

If nothing else, it was that little reminder, or as I like to call them...God Whispers...to remember to keep things simple and slow and to not rush to have my kiddos grown up.  Time goes to quickly and soon they'll be grown and gone and I'll wish they were little again.  Shoot--even now I sometimes long for those days of holding them when they were tiny little squirts, rocking for hours at a time.

One more thing...

Tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. if you could just say a little prayer for little Josie, I'd appreciate it.  She's having ear surgery that is totally, totally minor and no big deal at all, but still...I'd like her to be covered in prayer when she's 'under.'  I know there are tons of babies and families out there that are very, very sick and/or hurting that need our prayers way more than Josie, but I'm preeeeeettttyyyyyy sure that God has enough room for one more little prayer.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

YAY!!!  The day is finally here!!!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, but at our house we're Irish the other 364 days of the year.  I'm one of those few who actually know what county in Ireland their family is from, my mom and grandma sang us Irish lullabies to put us to sleep--the same ones I sang to my kiddos to put them to sleep--and hopefully they'll do the same.

Patrick has been looking forward to this day for months.  He thinks it's his "other birthday" because as he put it:

"Mommy, today is my day because it's 'Patrick's Day'."  Makes sense to me.

However, when his big day came...this is what we got.

'Charmer'?  Not so much this morning.

So, here's a Happy St. Patrick's Day from these three little leprechauns...and the mommy leprechaun, too!

Bracketology

I have to admit that I kind of like the NCAA basketball tournament.  I really like when I can find a bracket pool to join so I have a reason to be watching all the games going on.  Why else would I watch a game such as....oh, I don't know, say....Wake Forest v. Cleveland St.  But if you got a little (and I emphasize little) money on the game, then that game becomes much more interesting...sort of.  Like I said, I really do kind of enjoy the whole tournament.  I like college basketball.

If there is one word I find more annoying than 'stimulus' or 'bail-out', it's "Bracketology".

I seriously can't handle it...bracketology, that's just the dumbest thing I've every heard.  Come on now, just let the committee throw that bracket together and call it good.  "Here you go folks, this is what it looks like for '09"--that's all it should take.

But no...

We have to over analyze and talk about each and every team; argue with fellow sportscasters; discuss 'teams on the bubble' and 'Cinderella seasons.'  It's just plain annoying to hear about it for THREE HOURS!!!  Surely ESPN has something else it can show...rugby or maybe even curling?  I'd be up for a good game cricket or Australian-rules football. 

So here are some new terms I've come up with for "Bracketology."

"I-Like-To-Hear-Myself-Talkology"

"Waste-Of-My-Timeology"

"No-One-Really-Caresology"

"I-Get-Paid-Too-Much-By-ESPNology"

"Start-the-Games-Alreadyology"

Ooooo...if I don't win any of my bracket pools because I haven't studied up on my Bracketology...maybe I'll get a bail-out!

I'm going for the Jayhawks...who are you going for?

Fast Friday...Quick Reading

This is going to be short and sweet, because it's Friday and by the end of the week my poor mommy brain is done, done, done.  

However, I was going through my photos today and it made me question....

...how can the girliest girl of girls go from this...

...to this...

...in a matter of an hour?

I think it has something to do with her dad.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!!!!

My Kids are Weird

Let me start this by saying I LOVE MY CHILDREN!!! More than anything on this earth--I don't know what I'd do without them and I can't remember what life was like before them. But...sometimes they are a little strange. Take this video for example, here's what makes them weird:

1. Josie insists on dancing with no clothes on. And she dances like a bird trying to take flight.

2. Katie is dancing around with a baby doll tied around her waist...?????

3. Patrick is laughing in the background like he's hyped up on something.

4. Note Katie's quote at the very end of the video..."you got it." Seriously, where'd she get that?

Now, if that video didn't convince you that my children are a little strange sometimes, maybe this will:

"Do I smell like a pickle?"

WHAT????? Do you smell like a pickle? No, you don't.

Why on God's green earth does he think he smells like a pickle? Because he's weird!?!?!

Lawsy mercy--help me when these kids are teenagers.

And remember that I love my kids--LOVE, LOVE, LOVE 'em!

Oh--and please, please, please disregard the piles of (albeit folded) laundry in the background. Somedays mama is just too tired to put it away.

The Coolest T's Ever

As you can see on the left side of my blog, I am a fan of The Pioneer Woman.  See, I like to brag that I know her, I've been to her house.  My Katie even gave her youngest son a stuffed animal when he was first born and in the NICU.  I feel like I have the right to say I'm her friend.  But really I'm not so much.  She wouldn't remember me.  But I AM friends with her sweet, darling, cute little sister Betsy.  "Betzer" as I like to call her and I used to work together.  Betzer even convinced me to drag my rear out of bed and go run with her at 5:00 a.m.  We were crazy (and this was pre-kids for both of us).  So anyway...I love and miss my Betzer--who moved out of state when she decided to get married to her sweetie Matt.  The nerve of that girl. 

Anyway...so I was reading Pioneer Woman and she was talking about this super great t-shirt company.  I'm always looking for quirky, unique t-shirts.  And boy...have I hit the mother load on this one. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these t-shirts.  You must go visit this site.  I've already picked out three that I'm going to order.  Along with sporting a super cute tee, I also get to share the word of God.  Pretty good deal, huh?  

Go check out their site!  

Monday Mumbles

Here's the latest installment of The Monday Mumblings (a.k.a. a random bunch of nothingness).

Today we took Josie to the ear doctor.  She's had an ear infection, actually a double ear infection, since mid-December.  She's been on every antibiotic out known to man and none of them are doing the trick.  So she will be getting tubes in her ears on the 2oth.  I have great hope this will solve all our problems and my baby girl will feel back to 100% and won't have to take any more medicine.

I'm so super excited...the new season of Dancing with the Stars is on.  It's my fave show.  FAVE!  I will be giving periodic updates and my thoughts on this season's contestants and how I think I can dance better than most of them. :)  Also, don't bother me on Monday nights--I'll be busy.

Should I be concerned that my 3 year old son's favorite movies are the Waterboy and Talledega Nights?

I saw the forecast on the news this evening...let's just say I'm going to be really ticked off if what it says comes true.  I've been lovin' this weather.

And finally, please pray for this family.  They are going through heartbreak on top of heartbreak.  They really need prayers.

Happy Monday, all...remember to count your blessings.

Perfect Pictures-What Does it Take?

As you can read in my post below, I decided to take my three Little Lams to the park to take their photos.  Just me...and the little Lams.  No one else, I was attempting this on my own.  It was a beautiful day, the flowers were blooming, the birds were singing...I could feel it in my bones, this was really going to happen.  My children were going to cooperate and I was going to get some great photos!!!  Here they are:

 

"Mommy, it's too sunny."

After moving to a less sunny location...

"I am NOT happy about taking pictures," Patrick complains.

"Me either!" replies Josie.

"I refuse to sit down, it hinders my escape plan."

"TAXI!!!"

"I'm gone...my cab is waiting."

Hey kids, let's go over by the pretty flowers...

"Here's my shoe."

Getting closer...almost there...

And there it is...

It's not exactly what I'd call the 'money shot.'  Katie has an incredibly fake smile, but after 30+ minutes and over 100 photos later, this was the best I got.  Actually, it's not too bad and I have so few photos of all three of them together, I'm pretty happy to just get one.  It's the best I could ask for.

I refuse to attempt this again by myself.  Next time I'm bringing WM or a friend along--someone to help corral the kiddos and keep their attention.  

Or maybe I'll just hire a professional.

Thoughts on a Thursday

I promised a new post by the end of the day yesterday...and I didn't deliver. Dang it, sorry. And I can't quite get it together for today, so I just thought I'd give you some random thoughts I'm having on this beautiful Thursday in Oklahoma. Hope you enjoy.Isn't this weather fantastic? (if you're living in OK). This kind of weather is what brightens my spirit. You all know how much I hate cold weather, so this weather is a beacon of great things that are on the way.

• I'm hating my car right now. The seat belts are stupid and I'm beginning to think it would safer to tell my kids not to buckle up. Because if they do, there is a real possibility that they might get stuck in their seat by a faulty seatbelt system. We've had to cut one of the seat belts already (to get the child out of the seat) and I almost had to cut another one yesterday to be able to get Patrick out. A very firm letter to Nissan is on it's way. Soon. Like today.

• Here's a new word I learned this past weekend..."Noah's Arctic." That's where Noah put the animals before the flood. In the Arctic. I wasn't aware of this, I thought it was the Ark, but no, it's the Arctic. The Arctic must have amazing wildlife and a thriving animal population. Those silly scientists have had us fooled all these years thinking there's nothing up there but ice!

• Hmmm...what's up with this? My baby girl has decided to become a football player. And a pretty fierce one by the look in her eyes (she did this to herself, no help from us).

• Did I mention I love this weather?

• The Starbucks dude (they aren't men or guys at Starbucks...they're "dudes") messed up my drink this morning. That stinks. I ordered my normal..."Grande Decaf Mocha," and I'm pretty sure they forgot to put the decaf shots in there and I ended up with just a big ol cup of hot chocolate with a bunch of whipped cream. Dang those dudes...that's about as bad as when they mess up and give me a caffeinated Mocha. Considering that I haven't had a caffeinated beverage in over 7 years, it's not so pretty when a couple espresso shots sneak into my blood stream. It makes me look like this...

• I'm setting myself up for disappointment. I'm considering taking the kids to the park tomorrow to get some photos of the three of them. I don't know why I even kid myself that this will happen. But I'm gonna try!

So that's about it for now. Maybe tomorrow something amazing will happen that I can tell you about and that you won't find totally pointless.

Have a most wonderfully happy Thursday!

P.S. I hate The Bachelor and I'm never watching it again...you're dead to me Bachelor! But I'm super psyched about the new season of Dancing with the Stars that starts on Monday. Oh--and I think that show In the Motherhood looks super funny, too.

New Post--Coming Soon (I think)

For all of you who check my site daily hoping for a minute of enlightenment, I'm sorry I have failed you.  I've been a wee bit busy.  I wish I could had super good reasons for my busyness (like Baloney), but I don't.  It's just life...having three kids ages 5 and under makes you busy by default.  But, I thought that maybe if I promised you a new post by the end of the day, that it would get done.  It's a promise out there in cyberspace--I'll have to hold up my end of the bargain.

So...new post coming later today.  And may I'll mix it up a little bit and make it on something other than my busy life, my three kids, my job, my dog, my church, my...my...my.  Hmmm, what's left to blog about?

Stay tuned and you'll find out!