Happy Halloween Ya'll

Funny Bunny:

Ladybug Keagan and Kellie. Don't you like Makell's costume? She refused to wear one. In her own words, "that's a waste of time".
She said she was dressed as...wait for it....Kellie:

The Good Witch:

Ladybug Riley and Sam:

The Chinese Ladybugs. So cute you could just squeeze 'em:

Trick or Treat All Ya'll!

Because I Said I Would

It's been one of those mind-numbing, never-slow-down weeks thus far. I still have 2 more over scheduled days to go. Peaceful solitude looks like an illusion from where I sit. These kinds of weeks just happen to all of us. More often than we would like. Over the last few days, I have felt as if I'm quickly spinning from one thing to the next, without really accomplishing anything. Again, it's mind-numbing. Soul depleting.

After working late last night to finish preparing patriotic vests for Addie's class program, I was at the school by 8:30 am to volunteer in 5th grade for Makell. I didn't leave until 1:00 pm (with more volunteer items loaded in my arms). From there I drove to a visiting teaching appointment. While in my car, I was tired and I wondered to myself, "Why do I do this?" The answer came to me quickly...."Because you said you would."

My thoughts then turned to something I have had on my mind--how I'm treated as a mother. I seem to do, and go, and love, and care for this family, and there are moments when it all feels like wasted effort. Makell slapped me this week. On my face. She had been in a really grouchy mood, and I was tickling her to try and snap her out of it. She got frustrated and slapped me. I was so stunned that I sat still and couldn't say anything. I'm still stunned actually.

That moment has stayed with me and made me examine what I do and how it is received. So, this week I have wondered, "Why do I do this?" My answer...."Because I promised I would." When I looked into each newborn's eyes, I promised. If I had known then what I know now, I still would have promised. To love, to care, to be treated with disrespect, to feel that all I do is invisible to those around me, to do homework with a child who is yelling at me, to read a book with a daughter when all I want is to sit in a quiet spot. Yes, I would still promise. Because of my infinite love for this family of mine. I promise, promise, promise.

So on those days, those moments, or those weeks where I wonder, "Why do I do this?", I hope I can always remember that "I said I would". May those words carry me through all that seems to make me stumble.

Handy Planner

Sam comes home every day looking like this:

And every day, I ask her "Why?" She tells me that she will forget what homework she has, so she writes it on her hand. It is then that I remind her that she has 2, count 'em, 2 planners. Her laptop has a program to track her homework and she also has the one I bought her. It's the planner that she stomped, moaned and wailed for in the isle at Walmart. The only thing she has currently written in it, is birthdays.

I have suggested countless times that she write her homework in her planner instead of on her hand. "You're already using a pen. Why don't you try paper instead of flesh." It's just so logical that I open my eyes wide for emphasis. Sam simply looks at me like I just flew in from Venus.

I think I'm going to start using her other hand to write her messages. During the night I'll use a permanent marker to remind her not to write on her hand. That should do the trick. I really think she'll thank me for it in the end.

As Of This Moment

STATS: 38, married, long eyelashes, mom of 3, aspiring writer.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE: A teacher.
WHAT'S YOUR SIMPLEST PLEASURE: An extra large cupcake served on a plate with a fork.
IF I HAD A FREE HOUR, I WOULD: Finish painting the playroom.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR WARDROBE: The black, patent leather shoes my mom just bought me.
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GOOD AT: Complaining.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FEATURE: My keen ability to talk about my life in such a way to make other's grateful for theirs.
WHAT WORRIES YOU THE MOST: If the world were to be drained of all it's sugar.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE: That I shouldn't be forced to live on a budget. It makes my heart cry.

For Girls Only

I have started making button barrettes for my girls. This genius idea came to me one day at Walmart. Usually my Walmart epiphanies consist of, "large men should never wear denim overalls without a shirt". But this time, I saw these buttons and I just knew they would make cute hair clips. Here's how it's done:

You can find these buttons in the fabric section. I have also found really cute ones at Joann's. You also need to buy a coordinating ribbon. Make sure you buy the really, really thin ribbon. At Walmart it's $.50.
String the ribbon through the button. I use a toothpick to edge it through the button hole. Leave a loop at the base.

You can use these plastic barrettes or the metal clips. The only place I can find these white barrettes here is at Michaels. They are in the ribbon section.
For this part you have to use all your fine motor skills while you hold the button and the barrette at the same time. It helps your coordination if you stick your tongue out slightly.

Place a dab of hot glue on both sides of the ribbon, directly on the barrette. Then, immediately press the button onto the barrette and pull the ribbon tight. Hold for a few seconds while the glue cools. Tie the ribbon in a knot. Then, I place a small amount of clear nail polish on the ends of the ribbon (so it doesn't fray) and on the knot (so it doesn't come undone).

Wa La. Six new hair clips for less than $5. Feel the style.

Shield Your Eyes

I know I have talked about my love of frosting. I heart buttercream so much I can't find the words to describe my feelings. I could spread it on toast and wear it as lipgloss. The only time I've considered getting a dog is when I realized I could possibly name it Buttercream. I love, love, love frosting. To defile it is sacrilegious. I'm pained when I see it abused in any way.

I discovered this desecrated cake while cleaning the kitchen one night. I stood mute while I stared at this horror. Who would do such a thing? Surely not anyone carrying my DNA. I carried this cake pan to each family member until I found a match to the handprint. A lengthy discussion on frosting reverence followed.



This frosting atrocity I simply have no words for. While at a school function she scoured the tables for the darkest frosting possible. I think she found it. When I finally got her to wipe it off her lips, they were stained black. Well deserved.



The twins dug into their birthday treat with delight. Watching the frosting get slathered on their bodies wasn't as hard for me as I thought it was going to be. When I took Riley out of her chair to clean her off, I had to summon all my willpower not to suck the buttercream right off her arms.



This wild child started flinging the frosting. She would crazy shake her hands while frosting went flying. Simply not tolerable. Keagan and I had a little one-on-one discussion. "We do not giggle or fling frosting while we eat cake. Dessert is treated with respect." She took it well.

From here on out I think I'll type up a Frosting Contract. It will require everyone to eat with etiquette and appreciation. If you don't sign, you can not partake. That's my final offer.

Sing, Sing, Sing

Sam had a choir performance this week at her school. Choir is serious business here. Specific hair, uniforms and shoes. She wrote down all of her instructions on her hand. In black Sharpie marker. I'm sure it will still be there for the Christmas concert.

I love listening to this girl sing. It's majestic. Sometimes I look at her and wonder where her voice came from. I wish it could sound as lovely when she rolls her eyes at me and repeats for the 1,325th time, "that's totally not fair".

When my dad was sick and even months after his funeral, I would ask Sam to sing for me. She knows a song from Little Women, and it's my favorite. When I was sad, I would ask her to sit with me and sing it. Even now, I ask her to sing that song at least once a week. Time slows down and life feels more peaceful when I listen to her.

The choir performance was a family affair, which means I spent the entire time holding my breath that Makell and Addie wouldn't do something to get us banished from all future school activities. Fortunately, the visible cupcakes and plastic gory finger were enough of a distraction.

Thank you for your voice Sam. It's my gift from heaven.