Spanx and Nyquil... its not as interesting as it sounds.

Its one in the morning, the babies are sleeping and I should be too.

Instead I am reading blogs, checking facebook, and eating an Ice cream bar...
and a nutter butter,
and a diet pepsi,
(don't judge me)

I'm going with my sister in law to a wedding three hours away tomorrow,
I don't know either of the people getting married nor will I know any other guest in attendance other than my sister in law... who has seen me in labor and delivery...
there must be something really wrong with me because I am still planning on wearing spanx.

I care way too much what strangers think of me.

But obviously not enough not to write about my underwear here.
The irony.
Anyway.
I'm having a bit of an aching heart feeling. This will be the first time I have ever left my husband and all my kids overnight.... ever...
It is the first time in five years that I will be neither a wife nor a mother for over twenty-four hours.
(why do I keep saying "nor"?)

I left Tom for a weekend once but Isabella came with me...
I didn't mean that how it sounded...
I didn't leave him leave him. We went to my cousins for the weekend.
I missed him deeply and constantly and I had every intention of returning from the beginning... I swear.

And I've been away with Tom quite a few times since Bella was born, at least once a year.

But being the dutiful wife and mother I am... I have never left them all.

I will miss them, but I am interested to see who it is I am now...
you know when I'm on my own...

This is me before I was a mommy at midnight or any other time.

I'm afraid I'll get a little giddy being away from the kids (and almost anyone I know)
and do something ridiculous.
Let's just all take a moment to be thankful that I don't drink anymore.

Amen.

Well....that is if you don't count the Nyquil I took right before I wrote this.
Okay... I think that's enough damage for one night!
I'm going to go dream Thelma and Louise type dreams...
minus the bar scenes,
the felony's,
Brad Pitt
(happily married, sorry Brad!),
and the suicide... but I will take the convertible!

Fat Friday

This time I didn't make it to weigh-in because I am sick....

at least its a nice change of pace huh?

Oh well.

Never surrender right?

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

~Abraham Lincoln

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.

~George Edward Woodberry

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm

~Winston Churchill

I am Woman, Watch Me Bake.

I am feeling so much better today!

Thank God!

I discovered this morning that we are almost out of bread and the thought of trying to take them all to walmart made my skin crawl...
so I'm making Easter Bread.

I found this recipe on Tasty Kitchen.

I made it for the first time last week. My Aunt had mentioned something to my mom about wanting easter bread, I had never heard of it so I thought I'd look it up. I made it without the eggs baked in. 

It was awesome! My first real attempt at making bread, not bad. 

But they are serious about the milk mixture only being warm,

it was hot in my first batch and I think it killed the yeast. 

Anyway, right after I made that first batch (seriously Right after, the bread was in the oven!) there was an article on Yahoo about the top 5 rules of baking...

follow the recipe EXACTLY was the basic rule... repeated in 5 different ways...

The first batch was more like pretzel dough, very heavy,
great for dipping in coffee but not light and fluffy like I wanted,
so I tried again, and followed carefully this time.

And it was awesome :)

Every time I have a new culinary success I hear the song "I am woman hear me roar..." in my head.

 Oh the irony...

Feminists everywhere are rolling their eyes. 

The career of motherhood and homemaking is beyond value and needs no justification. 

It's importance is incalculable.  

~Katherine Short  

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, 

but backwards and in high heels.  

~Faith Whittlesey

The smell of success is cleaning products?

I am sick.... aching, sore throat.... blah!

I loath illness,

it is (possibly) the worst part of motherhood,
you can't call in sick.

Everything grinds to a halt, 

any progress I was making is immeadiatly un-done, 

and then when the smoke clears I am further behind than I thought possible.

Behind on what you ask?

Well.... laundry in the practical and immediate sense.

And then there are the things that are only in my head.

My own personal "yardstick" of accomplishment.... or something like that.

What makes a good day?

Is the floor clean, that is a big one... how clean is clean,
swept?
mopped?
vacuumed? 

When all the floors have been cleaned I somehow sleep better.

Is the mudroom organized,
are the coats hung, or are they laying on the bench seat?

Are the shoes on the shelves or are they in  a pile?

I enjoy blogging much more when this mess is cleaned up.

Are all the toys put away at the end of the day?

You know the day has been hectic if my babies are sleeping in a minefield of toys.

Speaking of the sleeping babes, take a sniff.... do they smell like soap and fresh laundry?

Or dirt, cheese, and  playdough?

If its the former rather than the latter, probably a good day. 

Or I was just desperate enough to bathe them even though it was an hour past bedtime and I was exhausted...at least I can say I did something.

Its almost like I can't relax at the end of the day if the sink is full of dishes and the hamper is over flowing.

If lunch is still on the floor.

If my bed isn't made... or worse yet is covered in laundry.

I love love love a clean house... I want my kids to love it too.

So far they do, Isabella actually complains on the rare occasion we go to bed without picking up toys.

I think that's good, order is her normal.

But I'm trying to use another "yardstick" 

On this one good days are measured in how many books we read together, 

how many hugs were given and received, 

how often we said I love you or spoke of the things of God, 

Did we find time today to bake some cookies?

Did we play outside?

Did we laugh till it hurt?

Did we dance?

Did we sing?

Did we make something, create, draw, paint?

Did we cuddle up for a movie together?

Did I make the most of the time I am privileged to have with my kids?

So many mom's only get the weekends to do the things I can do everyday.

I think that is so easy to forget in the day to day drudgery of housework.

I'm primarily in charge of the house, but that is not my primary work

Kids first, cleaning later.

Well... Dayquil... then kids.... anyway..

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.  

~Charles R. Swindoll

 It kills you to see them grow up.  

But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't. 

~Barbara Kingsolver

Excuse me.... uh.... your Ego is showing...

My husband and one of his younger brothers are sprawled out on my bed playing video games. 

Our TV is in the master bedroom, we just have a small one in the living room for the kids.

We never get to watch unless they are sleeping so we though it would get more use in our room.

Plus I have a thing about watching movies in bed...  I love it.

It feels so much more cozy that way... 

a million pillows, 

a big comforter, 

plenty of room for everyone to sit or lay anyway they want.

Best of all I can fall asleep and not have to get back up!

Anyway.... it's after midnight and I want to go to bed, but I don't want to be a killjoy.

Who does?

So... here I am trying to entertain myself.

I have watched the last thirty minutes of a movie I started the other night...

Eaten a bag and a half of popcorn....

taken a bubble bath...

read a chapter of a new book...

found some new blogs I like.

checked facebook... nothing is new because my friends who are parents are (wisely) sleeping, 

and my friends who are not just went out for the night :)

I'm out of ideas so now I will bore you by re-posting and filling out this quiz about myself.

I love it when its all about me... 

 don't lie you love it too...

If you take the time to read it you need to re-post it too!!! 

Unless you have better things to do...

like laundry, 

or sleep, 

or write nice blog posts about your children 

or husband 

or something worthwhile.

Otherwise enjoy!

Hi, my name is: Laura Lee 

*My eyes are: Blue... and shutting involuntarily.

*I want to have kids: who are fun, compassionate, thoughtful, and have a strong faith in God.


*I wish I was: sleeping... obviously...


*Currently I am: making a recipe scrapbook, wanting to have more pound cake, wondering what I will wear to church....

*I love: my life.

*Never in my life have I been: so content, busy, or as comfortable in my skin as I am now

*My favorite animal is: Jack :)

*My Favorite Color is: impossible to nail down, I like green a lot.

*My Pet Peeve(s): the total lack of common sense and good manners seen in the majority of Americans.... which is sort of like saying I have to many to list here. 

More pointedly, I hate when people let there kids run wild in public places, we are all tired, we have all been there... but seriously??

*Right now, I am listening too: silence and the occasional outburst of laughter from upstairs.

Well... now that you made me think of it I have turned some music on... that's better

*When I'm nervous I: talk a lot and try to take control of the situation.


*The last song I listened to was: Is currently "You belong to me" Jason Wade.

*If you were to get married today your maid of honor/best man would be:Julie... just like every other day :) friends come and go but she is stuck with me! (It is this sisterhood thing that will keep me going having babies till Isabella gets her sister!)


*My hair is: in its usual messy ponytail


*When I was 17: I had the best birthday week ever, I think I went to a party or concert every night for 5 or 6 days.... even to a bar with my best friends parents where the band sang "she's only 17" just for me!

Good times, good memories...


*Last Christmas: was not like any Christmas before, it was all about the kids. 

*I should be: on a beach somewhere with my toes in the sand, sipping somthing frozen and sweet....

or in bed.... obviously...

*When I look down: I see sweatpants, half of the word Aeropostale, my wedding ring, my keyboard...

*The happiest recent event was: watching Cinderella in my bed with Bella and Tommy, 

watching her eyes light up....It is her favorite movie, and we don't own it. 

We own a million but I don't want to buy that one because I'm afraid if we watch it to much it will lose its magic. Also i never let her watch it alone...its the only movie I always watch with her.


*My current annoyance is: a pesky stomach bug the kids all have.

*There's this girl I know: who deserves all the happiness and good things the Lord has to offer.


*The thing I want to buy: anything to use in our house renovations, Lord give me strength... Its about to begin!

*Most recent thing I've bought myself: a slip, my sister gave me an awesome white skirt but it is very see through! I don't think I've owned a slip since I was eight.


*Most recent thing someone else bought me was: a trunk to keep on the deck and put the outdoor cushions in

*If I was an animal I'd be: unable to type... unless I was a monkey... so I guess I pick monkey?


*Last night I was: at our church's young adults coffeehouse!

*Tomorrow I am: going to church and helping Tom get some stuff down around the house... that means I will sit on a chair and tell him what he's doing wrong, while keeping tabs on the kids.

*Tonight: is good.

*My favorite piece of jewelery is: My engagement and wedding rings.. sorry I am a predictable hopeless romantic.


*My favorite shoes: are my ridiculous high heels I got for Christmas that kill my feet but are soooo hot. 

On the norm... any flip flops are awesome


*I am looking forward to: summer, sundresses, lightening bugs, swimming, Daniel walking... 

*The one that knows the most about me is: Tom...

*If I could tell my friends one thing it would be: you are all so lucky to know me :)

ok.... now I'm gonna go be a killjoy... Good nite all!

Manic at McDonald's

Fast food is bad for you physically but did you know that it can also be bad for you mentally?

Drive-thru's make me twitch.

Even on a good day, it never fails that you pull out and they have forgotten something. 

Ketchup, 

Sandwich...

Toy!

Heaven forbid we forget that 35 cent piece of junk that will inevitably cause more fights than anything they have ever gotten from an actual toy store....

that will get broken or lost in the first 48 hours we own it causing a constant stream of questions about its location, and a need to verify whose toy is it that remains??? Since they are usually identical....

 that if it survives our home beyond the first night will somehow end up on the path between my bed and the bathroom, for the sole purpose of causing me mind numbing pain as I stumble through the dark at 3 am.

But this is not what made me crazy just a few days ago at the drive-thru.
They remembered everything...

"What then was it that caused you such mental anguish?" you say...

Allow me to set the scene first.
It was our big shopping day, and I needed to take all the kids with me. So first we hit Aldi's, then Walmart.
I made that sound simple but in reality it took 3 and a half hours, one diaper change, one bottle, and two extra strength Tylenol for me.
And my mom was helping for part of the time!
I have done it by myself before...
I want credit for that...
and I don't want to talk about it anymore...
 my therapist says it could take years to recover from the trauma and I shouldn't rush myself...

Anyway....
The kids ate lunch at Walmart and when we headed home I realized it was after lunch and I had so many bags to unpack it could take me until dinner time.
I thought I'd go through McDonalds and get something to eat as I drove. So I could get right to work when I got home.

I waved a lady on ahead of me as I left one of the two order box's.
Big mistake.
There are lots of people in front of us, plenty of time to count her money... but no,
she waits until the other cars are gone and its her turn and she sits about two feet back from the window and counts her change... for a good minute or two!!!
I was admittedly tired.... but this was rude.
Still I waited,
finally she pulled up and paid... she starts to pull ahead so I can go.... plenty of room...
then she stops... for no reason I can see, and she is just far enough back that I can just barley not get up to the window to pay...
Then I see that she is sorting and putting away her money.
At this point I am praying for her air bag to suddenly deploy... I want justice.
So she finally moves up... I pay... move up...
Its her turn.... she moves up....sooooo slowly...

Ok... then she gets her order.
One coffee.
I almost cried.
She either has a very complicated cup holder or she was taking the time to put in cream and sugar right then and there.
Finally she begins to move, and once again to my complete disbelief she stops again!
The hood of my car is next to the pick up window... and I can't go any farther
I am finished
furious
indigent at this woman's lack of forethought and manners.
So with out thinking I lay on the horn....
and scare the living daylights out of the poor girl at the window
and the girl at the drink machine,
and the boy beside them.
The girl at the window actually shreiked!

"uh... what was that you just said about forethought... and manners?"

Not now I'm telling a story.

She left, I pulled up and began to explain and apologize, and the girl said,
"don't worry about it, we can't stand her either!"
and the boy behind her actually thanked me....

I don't know what the moral is here....
If you are me the moral is stop eating fast food or you will end up fat and crazy....(er)
If you are the woman i am writing about its, check your rear view mirror!
... and don't bother going to the drive-thru for one coffee!
Do you know how many places you can get a free coffee without holding me up?? Do you??
And they don't like you either... what if they spit in it!?

If you work at McDonald's the moral is wear ear plugs.
 

Fat Friday....on Thursday??

Once again I have failed to make it to my meeting.

Once again I have an excuse.

All three of my kids have a stomach bug.

 I won't go into details... it would be very icky...

If you are feeling a deep sense of pity for me right now, that is normal and appropriate.

I'm going to start a charity project for you to donate to if you feel so inclined.

I'm calling it "Send mama to the Bahama's!"

There will be cute posters with my children's desperate, pleading adorable faces.

 In the back round of the shot you will see me looking disheveled, wearing stained gym clothes, and lying face down on the couch. 

I'm OK... just resting...

Won't you please think of the children?

I will be such a better mother once I've read a few books, gotten some sun, and spent a few days in the spa.

Not sold?

Ah well... it was worth a try.