and baby makes 6!

Yesterday I baked some whole wheat bread for my family. I love the whole process of mixing, kneeding and baking. I took the loaves out of the oven before I left to pick up the littles from school. When we got home and walked in the door, the house smelled of yummy baked bread. The [...]

“It was written that I would love you, from the moment I opened my eyes. And the morning when I first saw you, gave me life under calico skies. I will hold you, for as along as you like. I’ll hold you, for the rest of my life.” ~ Paul McCartney, Calico Skies Художник

I have hundreds of pics of Billy. I am not sure why I love this one so much. It’s blurry even! This day, I stood watching him sleep for a long time before I snapped a pic. Just taking each part of him in. Individual parts that make a whole. We were fresh from the [...]

2011 was the year that we stopped going to church on Sundays. It was not something that we schemed or thought out. It just happened. Bill was working very hard over the spring, baseball was going full speed ahead and Sunday became the only day where we had an opportunity to sleep in and catch [...]

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Answering a page. I am a PITA. Tormenting him is my life’s work. ;*)

And yes, that is a buzz cut he is sporting. Unlike Samson, he did not lose his strength. Wonders never cease.

Exploring. Sunshine. Clear water. White sand. Quinn: “It’s like a deserted island”. Yes, places like this still exist.

Happy Fathers Day. Treat your husbands/fathers like kings today!!!

Each summer that we have been here, we rescue baby red eared sliders from the herons and gulls. The poor little things don’t seem to have a chance, so we grab 2-4 and bring them to the safety of our home. They seem to acclimate no problem. They enjoy their little vacation from predation by [...]

There was a time in my life that running, swimming and biking were a daily activity. Training for a triathlon was easy, even with a full time job because all there was to worry about was Bill and I and the next race/ride. We did 100 mile bike rides, bike races, triathlons, sailboat races or [...]

I’mma do the things That I wanna do I ain’t got a thing To prove to you I’ll eat my candy With the pork and beans Excuse my manners If I make a scene I have never been much of a conformist.  I don’t follow the crowds.  I don’t buy the latest fads.  Growing up [...]

We kicked off the Christmas season here on Friday night. Normally, I save all the activities for the week the kids get out of school, and never seem to have enough time to fit in all that we want to do. So, this year, I started a bit earlier. The goal was to have a [...]

The surf has been up here, and when that happens, our lives revolve around it. That and football. And marching band. And swim team. But mostly surfing. Surfing, surfing, surfing. My upper body has really benefited from this, and I have shed so much weight that none of my clothes fit. This is a good [...]

I am pretty sure the best way to view the original Frankenstein movie is on the lawn of the local haunted mansion. My kids were totally fascinated by the story….if not a bit scared of the ominous backdrop behind the screen. I am not sure what that says about us that they can sit through [...]

I watch the western sky, The sun is sinking The geese are flying south It sets me thinking I did not miss you much I did not suffer What did not kill me Just made me tougher. When my beloved father died, my son was 35 weeks inside my womb. There is a joy and [...]

I wanna have the same last dream again The one where I wake up and I’m alive Just as the 4 walls close me within My eyes are opened up with pure sunlight. I’m the first to know, my dearest friends Even if your hope has burned with time Anything that’s dead shall be regrown [...]

I think this is one of the best pictures I have of all 4 of my kids together. Please ignore the fact that I had them climb all over a very expensive bronze sculpture to get my shot. The light, the moment….it all came together, and when they started hoisting each other up onto the [...]

These two together make me feel……………..a feeling that literally has no word for it in the English language. I want to squeeze them. And I might have. I just might have run up behind them and squished them together and kissed ‘em. Ya never know.

Remembering and being forever grateful for strong leadership in the years that followed…both via President George W. Bush and the people of America. Do not let the torch be passed on to complacency. We will never forget, nor will we allow anyone foreign or domestic to take away our freedom. Bravery is in each and [...]

They were so tiny and sweet. I wanted to reach my hands up and cup my palms around them. Their little peeps and tiny chirps were almost inaudible. I picture one of those miniature artists, with a tiny brush, painting on tiny feet and the spots under a beak as small as a sewing needle. [...]

The lodge where we stayed would leave us wood and kindling every evening so we could have a camp fire. The kids LOVED this. I look at these pics and see my family, cozy and alone together. I love my family alone together. No phones. No X-box. No neighbors. No one but the 6 of [...]

One of the things that pull me to Colorado, among the many, are the flowers. It is just amazing the colors, abundance and randomness of them. They grow from cracks, crevices, behind waterfalls, on rocks. They literally make up peoples front yards. And they grow wild along the gentle streams. I do believe the flowers [...]

Exploring a river at sunset is amazing. Problem is, when you are 8, sometimes you get left behind your big brothers. My boys are dare devils, as is their father, so I left them in God’s hands for most of the trip. I mean, there is only so many times you can scream “Get away [...]

We took the kids to Colorado to show them some of the joy that we experienced on our honeymoon 19 years ago. I can’t quite put to words some of the magical moments we had, but one in particular really captured my heart. We hiked part of the Continental divide up at Wolf Creek Pass. [...]

He protects. One father holds his daughter, the other Father holds his heart. Body and soul. It was hard not to feel the majesty of God at the top of the world.

The cliffs and crevices in Colorado can swallow small children whole, but they also hold little secrets. Secrets that had me stifling my fears so I could hang myself and camera into some precarious positions just to get that hidden shot. This was shot on manual, is SOOTC…… and I barfed afterwards.

Image taken on my phone I love my sweet husband. He loaded my van up with surfboards, put towels in and told me to go get the new board and spend the day at the beach getting it wired…….he would stay at home and hang with the kids. So I did. Am the proud owner [...]

It has come to my attention that our President has decided to rescind a law called the Conscience Clause.  The Conscience clause, originally called the Church Amendment, was put into effect shortly after the Roe vs Wade case, and is supported by both political parties. It allows for medical personnel to refuse to participate in an abortion [...]

The first Christmas that we spent together, Billy set the standard tradition. We were in Fort Worth, and it was the second time for him to meet my parents. As quiet as he is, I imagine he was a bit overwhelmed with the Italian loudness and fun. Christmas Eve at my parents house means an [...]

***edited to add a link to the Laura Recovery Center’s list of those reported missing from Hurricane Ike. I believe this list is updated daily. _____________________________ I am posting this list of names copied from the KHOU website and I ask if you would please pray that they are found safe and sound very soon. [...]

The good news is, all of our family members are safe and sound.  Aunt C arrived here last night, tired, but well.  We are so blessed, as Billy’s cousin (Aunt C’s daughter) decided to ride the storm out in her house…….the house that is just a few blocks behind the Seawall.  They were lucky and the [...]

It is Friday, and things have been very tense here.  Tides are up, and the entire coast will be getting slammed with winds up to 100 mph.  We have been anxiously waiting for word from all of our family members in Galveston.  As most of you know, that is our home town, and most of our relatives live [...]

We are feeling the pull of summer here. The days are consistently warm now, and in spite of old man winter trying one last time to lay his hand on us at the coast, the sun is out and bathing suits, baggies and tanks have taken over our town. With the warmth and gorgeous weather [...]

I sing to your spirit…………………..we have named her. Enjoy. Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What makes me amazed about this picture is the fact that I took it while on a boat, in 20mph winds, with the boat swinging in a wide arch at anchor, and without a tripod. I used the 70-300 lens with Vibration Reduction, and I have decided I want to marry this lens and have [...]

What I love about these pictures is how comfortable my kids look on the boat.   They are relaxed and at home on the water. It is their playground.  How cool is that?

….at least for about 5 minutes. That is about all my perfectionist husband could take of going round and round in circles. I cannot believe the fat roll I am exhibiting here. Happiness makes the gut grow larger, right?  Reminder to do more sit ups!

What would a gorgeous sunrise on the deck of your boat be without a warm cup of cappuccino in hand? Yes, I swear. I figured out how to make a fantastic cup of steaming espresso loveliness on a boat. I am a freak of gigantic proportion. As Bill was rowing the dog to shore for [...]

Some dogs just never figure out being on a boat. They are afraid of the water. They don’t get their balance. The unfamiliar surroundings paralyze them with fear. And they never figure out how to potty on a boat. This last issue can be the deciding factor on whether a dog will ever acclimate to [...]

To get back and forth to the island, we rowed the dinghy. I use the term “we” loosely. It is more like “I” sat in the back of the dinghy sipping coffee, while watching “we” row it. I had the best seat in the house. Um, yeah. Flex, relax, flex, relax. I may have even [...]

There are two ways to cook on a boat. With a gimbaled propane stove inside, or with a propane grill out on the deck. We have not purchased a grill yet for the boat, as they cost as much as a nice backyard grill, so that leaves us with the stove inside for now. Obviously [...]

The sun sets, you put your camera away, and after a bit of cabin time, you ready the kids for bed. Tired does not describe the way you feel. It is more like your brain is shutting down, and you need to sleep to stop it from dying. There is really nothing like sleeping on [...]

After dropping anchor and checking out our surroundings, I went below and organized the mess that was the cabin. Last summer we went from living in a 2100sq ft house to a 300sq ft 5th wheel. It was really interesting to see that how one felt about the confines of space was relative to the [...]

Lordy, the prep time for a trip on the water is unreal…well, at least it is for me. Bill threw some cutoffs, hats, and bathing suits into a bag for himself and the boys and was READY. Woot. Let’s go! Me? I had the task of planning food for 6 people without the ability to [...]

We loaded the boat with supplies, and took off to find our own slice of paradise. And find it we did……. We anchored in the cove of this little island and spent the weekend. I will be posting about our little cruise during the week.  For now, here is a shot of our boat at [...]

“In sailing , heaving to (also heave to) is a way of slowing the boat’s forward progress, fixing the helm and foresail position so that the boat doesn’t have to be actively steered, thereby allowing the crew to attend other tasks. It is commonly used for a “break” while waiting out a storm, or by [...]

I mean, paleeeease.  I do believe he showed more interest in the top of his Fresca can than all the sunshine, blue water, white sails against a gorgeous sky and dolphins……..we are killing him. Right?  Mean, mean parents.

  The toddler years are officially over at our house.

Somebody is turning 4 very, very soon.  She is growing up, and as much as that pains me, it also makes me feel so much joy that it squeezes my heart and has me dazzled.  It is like living with an actual fairy.

The other day Quinn decided that since the water was warming up so much, it was time to be towed behind the boat again. As hot as it was on the deck, I was still doubting the ability of his skinny little self being able to tolerate the cold water. Needless to say, after a [...]

If I did not have an SLR camera, this whirlwind child would rarely be caught “on film” for me to ponder some years in the future. I want to remember everything about him. How long his eyelashes are. The sand dollar necklace that he wears with love swinging from his small neck. How he inherited [...]

She was taking a little break from the sun.

Swim, swam, swum.

The temp is supposed to reach the upper 70′s today, edging its way into the 80′s tomorrow, and climaxing on Saturday with sunny skies and a temp approaching 90. The last part of that sentence made me feel all hyper and giddy. Water temps are hovering around 65 degrees. Still chilly, but maybe with temps [...]

She loves her fans. Really, she does. But it is hammock time folks, and she and her Ponies have embraced la buena vida.

In another effort to grasp the endless summer, changes are going on here at And Baby Makes 6! The most obvious being appearance. I am not one to like things to stay the same for very long. All you have to do is count how many homes we have owned in the last 13 years [...]

Bill and I were sitting in our room yesterday, talking randomly, and I said. “You know what I can’t wait for?” And he replied “A warm beach” without missing a beat. Those were the exact words floating in my head. Sometimes it is a bit spooky how much we know each other. There seems to [...]

When I first walked through the den, all the My Little Ponies were standing upright, my daughter making wee little Pony voices for them. They seemed happy and as colorful, bulky and awkward as ever. The next time I walked through, I found this: Hmm. What happened in Ponyland??? Did they: a. ride one too [...]

It is strange sometimes to see how animals slide into our lives, bringing love into it that is just nothing short of magical. Our little dingo like creature has stolen everyones hearts, including my husbands. She is the first one to great him when he comes home, and his stance on “Animals must be outside [...]

I’ll walk in the rain by your side I’ll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand I’ll do anything to help you understand And i’ll love you more than anybody can And the wind will whisper your name to me Little birds will sing along in time Leaves will bow down when you walk [...]

Do you like this photo? Or this one? I am learning how to do photo enhancements etc, but have to wonder if sometimes just the raw photo is best. Is it cheating to enhance your pictures? What do you think?

I imagine this has other names, but this is the concoction that we came up with one day when we were out of rum (gasp! Never run out of rum at the coast). -Frozen Bacardi Real lime Mixer (or frozen lemonade) -gin -ice -lime seltzer water (or lemon) -lime sugar (or lemon…I am sure you [...]

The compass that is. One more thing a child can learn on a boat.

I am trying very hard to turn loose of my frustrations and not allow them to jack with my life. But, damn, Thursday was rough. Nothing in particular happened. That is the absolute beauty of hormones. Nothing has to happen to make me feel like this. It just comes out of the blue and slam [...]

Just a quick update before the weekend on the status of Miss Mimi Smartiepants and her arm. In answer to a couple of questions….she is doing great and yes, she did break it jumping on the couch. Thank you for asking in comments and via e-mail. All I can say is, ugh. She was flinging [...]

The teacher with her students. Class dismissed!!!

I love pelicans. They are so strange and prehistoric looking. I enjoy photographing them in all their ancient weirdness. Look at the feathers on these white pelicans, all fluffy and white. Can you see each feather…each strand of down? Oh, you can’t see them that well. Here, let me help…. Your old eyes still need [...]

Photography just got more interesting for me. I have discovered the world of “no flash required”…..anywhere or anytime. Ignore the food on her face, and the bug bite on her lip….focus instead on counting her eyebrow hairs….or her freckles…or possibly her skin cells. This was taken using a new Nikon 50mm 1:1.8 D lens, fresh [...]

If you have not already, you really need to make this adorable meal for your kiddos. We made this for the kids Valentines Day meal, and they loved it. Easy to prepare and so fun. I followed the recipe, save for the baking part. I just added the cheese and milk while the noodles were [...]

In case you were wondering, the Heineken was for me.

Getting old is hell on the body. I experienced another birthday a few weeks ago, and with it a new resolve to get fit this spring. I have lots of incentive……a long boat trip in which I had better have some upper body strength in which to haul and trim sails with. And beach weather. [...]

Thursday night has a new tradition……invented by mom and dad. They get to plan, shop for and prepare the family meal on Thursday nights. Last week they made Pad Thai. Even the little ones contributed by squeezing some fresh lime. They even get the honor of washing all the dishes while mom and dad kick [...]

Dingos know to always wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD (personal floatation device) while sailing.

When should you REALLY give up coffee? When you make the perfect cup of cappa, sit down to browse the net, and knock the perfect cappa over onto your new laptop. How do you know that you have your priorities in order and money means nothing to you? When, instead of rushing to remove the [...]

Mia: I want something to eat. Me: Please. Mia: Get me something to eat! Please. Me: Do you want an orange or an apple? Mia: No! I want you to get me something to eat. Me: Well, I need you to tell me what you want? Mia: I want that thing that we had last [...]

Watch out, these are so sweet they will make your teeth hurt.

When the screaming, whining and overall noise level in your house reaches a point in which you are quite certain dead people would be begging for Valium, enter your husband…home from work early, with a fresh, creative mind that has enough sense to know that mom is about to blow, and moves the chaos to [...]

I have had a cooking bug lately. It must be the coming of spring that is bringing it on. Or the fact that my friend Pam sent me The Mediterranean Light cookbook for my birthday just a couple weeks ago. Pam is a real life friend who I have known my whole life. We are [...]

There are times in life where something significant happens, and you do not recognize it until hours later when you are in bed, pondering the event. Much talk has been going on via the internet about purging and letting go of all the “stuff” in our lives. I am a big fan of this idea, [...]

For the last few months Bill and I have been able to take an evening to ourselves each month. The babysitting situation is premo….it only costs $15 for the entire evening. The cost of finding a baby sitter was what had kept Bill us from wanting to do it more than, say, once a year. [...]

We went, we saw, we did..and it was cold. I think that the next time we go to the beach and work with plaster of paris, I will wait until it is a more comfortable 98 degrees outside….or 100. Apparently the cooler it is outside, the slower plaster dries. We found this out…this little fact……and [...]

We did a craft this morning. It involved paint and glue guns, and lots of paper towels. And patience, which surprisingly I had even after 2 espressos (my sin is out….I am back on the beans). Can you guess what it was. Yes, we actually cut that square piece of felt…and also glued felt to [...]

Hey guys, Mary from Owlhaven is holding a blanket party on her site today. She is raising money to purchase blankets for newborns in Ethiopia. Just imagine not having a blanket to wrap your newborn in. Just so very humbling. Please head on over and help her reach her goal of $500!!

Quinn and I have been having a battle of wills when it comes to sitting down and doing his school work. Everything is much more interesting to him…playing tag with the dog, his gecko, the sun shining outside…..it was getting to the point that instead of being fun like I had hoped, it was becoming [...]

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com ….and some rare footage of Quinn waxing philosophical. Please folks, ignore my amazingly high pitched, annoying voice. Lord, do I really sound like that?

…and a very curious dolphin.

My son took this photo of me. It is a rare instance when I am in a picture, as I am always the one behind the lens. Bill doesn’t like to take photos. He lives in the moment, as it should be. Me? I like to document things. I want my kids to pour over [...]

Little Miss Mimi is not one for heading below deck when out sailing. She wants to be right where the action is. She frequently tries to take the helm from Bill, and does not appear to be afraid of hanging on the foredeck (the front of the boat….when Bill and I crewed on racing boats, [...]

In a mad rush we loaded the car, as we do every weekday morning, to drop off the big kids at school. Mia was still in her pink satin nightgown, no shoes, wrapped in a warm blanket. Honey was in the front seat, enjoying “Bye, Bye”….no collar, harness or leash. She was “naked” as the [...]

My life is never boring. Well, sometimes it is, but Bill always comes in and shakes things up a bit. I had in my head the numbers 2009 as the year we would sail offshore and expand our exploration of the Gulf coast to include Florida and Mexico. I targeted May 2009 as the goal [...]

This is the time of year that brings fog to the coast regularly. The water is cool, and the air tries to heat up, and all hell breaks loose. It usually burns off midday, but the chill that it brings in the morning just makes your bones rattle. Trying to find inspiration to lug my [...]

One Garmin 440 GPS Chartplotter The man is in heaven. Now our navigation station is essentially complete. We can find our way through any waters in the US, Virgin Island, Bahamas, Alaska and Hawaii. Mia, our onboard navigator, thinks it is soooo cool, and will enhance her knowledge of celestial navigation quite well. Now if [...]

The little Diva fishing. Love the mouth action here as Bill tries to set a hook. You would think he landed a shark or somthing. The poor, transparent, nervous bait. And guess who caught the best fish of the day??? As soon as she figured out she had a fish on her Disney Princess’ fishing [...]

20 minutes on one of these is just brutal. Brutal and addicting.

We went on a “field trip” today.Cuando un jugador de everest poker diferente del mano de o tome naipes por error, la jugada se mantendra en el caso de que ya se haya pronunciado, y en la jugada siguiente se pasaran los naipes al jugador de baccarat al que correspondan. Can you guess where? I [...]

We are simply devouring books here at our house. I cannot recommend Sonlight high enough. We are doing Core 1&2, and it is a blast. I am learning as much as my kids! We are using Saxon Math 2 (which has a bunch of review, so we are working fast through the first half of [...]

We’ll call this PE, s’ok?

This morning I tried to call my husband on his cell phone, only to discover that he had left it on his bedside table along with his pager. I called him at work and asked if he needed me to bring them to him, and the answer was “no, I will be home early and [...]

Did you miss me? I’m back from freezing my tail end off in Ft. Worth for a week. Sheesh, how do you northern people do it? I mean, the temps were in the 20′s-30′s for most of the trip, and my kids were simply going ape from being cooped up inside. It was a Runescape [...]

Mia and Cody are playing together and Cody drops something. Cody: “Oops” Mia: “I don’t say ‘Oops’. I say ‘dang it’ because I am big now.

You know, Christmas was so great. It was so nice to make a Christmas memory in our new town, so I really think the kids feel at home here now. We all had such a wonderful time, and it is one of those things that I don’t want to talk about. I just want to [...]

Christmas Eve would not be complete without a gorgeous platter full of these fresh, raw babies.

Scallops with Key lime sauce, crab claws, shrimp, steamed Little Neck Clams with anchovy sauce, fish in foil, and raw oysters.

Making sugar cookies with Great-Grandma’s cookie cutters.

So, I look forward to a Christmas party and guess what happens. I get a cell phone call from my 10yo and he tells me that Quinn woke up from a nap feeling ill….apparently sick to his stomach….and head…and “by God just get thee home because he is sick”. I ask if they have reported [...]

Moments before we got back into the car and she barfed all over the seat from drinking too much sea water.

That cold front that Chris sent down to us got here, and mama it was cold…..for at least 12 hours. Sunday morning it was some God awful temperature, like 38 degrees. The palm trees were all “what’s up with this?” Bill decided that, of all days, he was needing to get outside or he would [...]

Dear Mia, This afternoon we did something that I have been longing to do most of my adult life. Something that I had once thought would never happen. It is funny how things turn out. You see, I can admit it now. The pain has abated. The sadness and anxiety from the miscarriages has been [...]

I have been less chatty here lately, letting the pictures speak for themselves. I know, lazy. Dull. I hope the new format is working well for you guys. I am trying my hand at hosting my own pictures. You may have noticed that my archives photos all disappeared one day, thanks to Flickr, so I [...]

A dress, the ever present pink shoes, and sequins…..never forget the importance of sequins on a sailboat.

Lots of wind and enjoying things from a different angle.

It has been a very long time since Bill and I had time alone together. I really miss his 6 days off. If I were to say what the biggest adjustment with our move has been for me, it would be Bill changing jobs, hands down. He has a great job. We are both thrilled [...]

Is it a dog, or a deer?

Kicking off the holidays on the coast involves boat parades Seaside games, such as finding pirate treasure in the sand and loads of yummy, fresh seafood such as raw oysters, shrimp and flounder. Tonight we will be making ornaments for our tree. Seashells, starfish, and red coral garland will deck our halls, and many of [...]

First you must find them.

I am a bit clumsy. A bit i say, but Bill would throw his head back and laugh at that. I tend to do lots of goofy things. Like the time I bent down to pick up something I dropped while doing a blood draw on a patient, and on the way down hit my [...]

Bill says “No” to most everything I ask for. This is not because he is mean or evil. It is because he is cheap and practical. I don’t say that to be ugly. I love my husband, and even he admits those particular characteristics. So, over the years I have learned that if I really [...]

There is illness in our house. Fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches. Bill has had it, Mia, and now Cory. I am exhausted. Bill has been sleeping in Mia’s room because he is so miserable. His stroke symptoms come back with glee when he is ill, so he feels double rotten. Last night I awoke [...]

Last night, I let my 2 oldest sons watch Saving Private Ryan. I heard that…….that collective **gasp** from the internets. “Why would she let her 10yo see such a movie?” “What kind of mother are you?” Well, I am the kind of mother who has 3 sons who like to play war. Unfortunately, we live [...]

A little too early. She is jazzed. Mom, not so much. She is carrying her tooth fairy box around and will not put it down. That and the dollar Quinn gave her and the dollar the tooth fairy actually remembered to leave. I will miss her little, crooked front tooth. The tooth that I lovingly [...]

We have been talking about it. We have argued back and forth. I was for it. He was against it. I gave up and realized that what he was afraid of was the unknown. Homeschooling. So I ordered the curriculum to do after school. I was excited about diving into the adventrue with them, even [...]

Last year, when I was in the middle of full-time working hell, I went to see a doctor. See, I was having some chest pain when I inhaled, and it had gotten quite bad. This doctor wanted to do some serious testing. Thalium stress test and cardiac echo. Bill and I both agreed this was [...]

Least ye think all is perfect and wonderful at Chez andbabymakes6….. Yes, it is good, but…. My kids scream at each other. They hit each other. They lock each other out of the bedrooms. Bill and I bicker about stupid stuff. I get bad PMS. Mia spends most of her free time screaming and whining. [...]

Have I ever told you how much I love Texas? Well, I do. I love that I can wear a bathing suit in November. I love that I can wear a bathing suit in November on a boat. I love that I can wear a bathing suit in November and sweat on said boat….because it [...]

When I first started sailing with Bill many many moons ago, I read a book that absolutley captivated me. It was Maiden Voyage, by Tania Aebi. I have since read her second book and was thinking “Man, after sailing solo around the globe, how could she return to everyday life and not want to….you know….. [...]

I stood staring at the broken glass and the explosion of red, Valentino hot sauce all over my pantry floor. The jar had fallen off the shelf, and was now dripping off the walls and soaking into the tile grout. It was 6:15 a.m. and I was still in my nightgown. I wanted to take [...]

When 4 kids on a boat seems a bit crowded, well, throw them overboard. Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com Sunday we took the boat out for the first time since the move. It was a fabulous day, and dolphins were everywhere. They came right up to the boat where the boys were swimming and [...]

We are alive. We are well. We have landed and I am busy building a new nest for my family. The house is amazing. Bill, the kids and I are all happy and healthy. We closed on our old house yesterday, so thankfully we only own one home as of today. More very, very soon. [...]

Cory took off on his bike with my old c8080 camera and headed down the road to photograph the gator. I think he did a pretty amazing job, don’t you? I also think he got a little too close for my comfort. He swears it was the zoom lens. Cruising gator Approaching the edge of [...]

Tonight my son went fishing and caught this: ………….right down the road from where we are living. Yes, that is an alligator. He said he decided not to catch it with his bare hands because it might be too dangerous. I nodded agreement, and then he added: “What I really needed was a top-jaw rope”. [...]

We had the boat hauled a few weeks ago….dry docked and they sanded down the bottom and repainted it. The above picture is right after the first sanding. The bottom is rough and raw. That is how I am feeling. Raw. I can’t cry anymore because my eyes are so swollen, the tears won’t come. [...]

After spending 6 hours….yes, I said 6 HOURS….with the house inspector the people buying our home hired, I was thinking things could only get better from there. They didn’t. We went to a friends house for a birthday party, and at about 7p.m. Quinn fell from the jungle gym and hurt himself. After questioning him, [...]

We lived through TS Erin. Rain, wind…. and the trailer? It was a rockin’ with the wind….among other things. There were many relatives agitated with our decision, but come on, it was a tropical storm for Pete’s sake! I have no intention of leaving the semi-tropics for a whimpy tropical storm. Shesh. We have lived [...]

Head thee north, dudes Prayers and positive thoughts for safe travel for the Hell’s Half Acre family as they dodge Dean.

……sailor take warning.

We went home to get the house ready for sale this weekend. Have I ever told you how much I hate to pack? well, I do. It is a suckie job, but has to be done. We cleaned and cleaned and I signed a listing agreement with our local real estate agent on Sunday. He [...]

” Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We are doing it. In less than 30 days we will be coasties again. This morning we made the final decision…the decision to move to the coast. It was agonizing, as you all know. After all, you have been dragged along during the process, and at times probably wanted to strangle me. We love our [...]

I switched the colors around for fonts and background. Is this easier to read? And added more posts per page. I aim to please. On the house front, we are in the middle of finding a lender who will not charge us $8700 in closing costs. Someone quoted us that and I swear I felt [...]

We found a house. Photos and details to come. I know, boooooring. Pfft. Tease. And all that. But! Right now I am busy watching “Barbie: Magic of the Rainbow” and eating popcorn in bed while my sweet daughter puts every clip she owns in my hair. I am going to go bald taking them out, [...]

Today my husband and 2 oldest are bringing Das Boot along the ICW (Intra-coastal Waterway) to it’s new home in….another harbour. It is a long trip, and I totally regret my decision not to go. It would have been a beautiful sail. The dog….she must pee during the day, and I was not sure she [...]

And they are very large snags. A. It seems that with lots of rain, the main road that my husband must take part of to get to work, well, it gets a bit wet. Like in real wet. Like, buried in wet. Non-passable wet. B. We have to move the boat from the marina we [...]

Dude, I have such a cool story to tell. It’s all about synchronicity. We went flip flop shopping, and ended up in a remote surf shop here. After shopping, the kids were starving, so we decided to walk to the diner across the street. There were pictures of children on a sail boat all over [...]

….because everyone knows Mia needs more shoes. (cough)

I am sorry. I know. No updates. Just a song post. What good am I? The fact is, I am diving head first into life here, and just have not had much time to post. I made some changes to the site, and will continue to tweek and mess with themes until I am where [...]

So many nights I just dream of the ocean… God, I wish I was sailin’ again. Oh, yesterday’s over my shoulder, So I can’t look back for too long. There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me, And I know that I just can’t go wrong.

Sailing was awesome today. The wind was just perfect. It wasn’t too hot. Animals of all kinds were out, and we had dolphin escort us home. I took a ton of photos…….too many to post here, so head on over to Flickr if you would like to see the rest. Surfing the waves, and our [...]

Hey guys. I have changed the URL to my site, and it is now: www.andbabymakes6.com You can still have access to the blog via the old URL (www.jody2ms.com) because it is being automatically redirected, but if you could update your blogrolls with the new addy, that would be great. (Also updating your feed reader, be [...]

I have been on a mini-weekend with some friends……on another bay along the Texas coast. I do believe that the sun, in all of its vain glory, puts on a show for us when it tucks itself in behind the bay. What do you think?

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We took the boat out. We motored, as the winds were way, way to strong to hoist sails. I will be posting some video later, if I can get it to upload…grrrr. For now, a couple of shots…and of course, the rest are up at Flickr so click through one of the pics to see [...]

To say my kids are sheltered is an understatement. The town we are from is as Norman Rockwell as it can get. Not just in its picturesque setting, but the whole attitude and lifestyle. There is almost no crime, and on the rare occasion that you have to call the police, they are there in [...]

Yah! The internet. It is back. And now I can post about the bug man, and the child hater next door to us. The guy that fogs for mosquitos came to our little park today. He took us by surprise, and proceeded to drive by, spraying the mass amounts of bug fog ALL THE HELL [...]

This is a blow and go post. Internet connection is down, and I have to haul the ‘puter down to the bayfront (poor me) to get a connection. It is hard with 4 kids to do that, so instead I am lazy and completing the withdrawls from 3 days without connection. I am now quite [...]

We are having a good time. How good of a time you might ask? Well, a good enough time to say that we might be, very likely, most certainly, maybe, (oh my God are we talking about this????) probably that we might live here……….in the trailer for now……………..Kathy, please, pinch me…………could this be the most [...]

Remember when I told you that I thought we would have a clear title and maybe a boat this week? Well, the title was cleared through the FDIC, but when they sent the documents (which was supposed to be by overnight but the clown sent it by snail mail….so tack on 5 more days to [...]

Could there be a more enjoyable thing than laughing with your family? We attempted to go out to eat at a restaurant last night. I have been jonesing for this one place, and Bill finally agreed. We requested to sit outside on the deck, and the hostess said something like “Sure, go ahead”. We were [...]

Yesterday was my father’s birthday. He would have been 80 this year……if cancer had not killed him. I started to write a letter to him yesterday, but I just could not do it. Even after almost 13 years, his loss is still so fresh for me. Like a wound that keeps breaking open. I did [...]

Here we sit…waiting. Still. For the release of lien on the boat. The owners are leaving for Mexico on Thursday, and will do something called a dry closing. Meaning they will leave the keys and title at the funding company, sign all the paper work, and the $$ will be deposited into their account when [...]

Remember how I told you that buying a boat is stressful? If you could measure stress on a scale of 0-10 with 10 being the highest, I would be at around a 448……. Part of the process involves a title search. With a boat, the lender searches on the state level, and on the national [...]

Here I sit, with my ice cold Tecate, and the whirrrrr of the vacuumm cleaner is filling the house. No, Bill isn’t home. The kids are cleaning the house today, and I am recovering from the nightmare of trying to get all the paperwork to the finance company for the boat closing next week. And [...]

I totally want one! For myself! Speaking of beer. I have bought a couple of 12 packs, and have loaded them into the trailer. Limes are in the fridge, and today I have to do some grocery to stock the cabinets, fridge and such. There is so much to do, and I am running out [...]

During the summer, I get really lax about baths etc. When we go swimming, I count that as a bath. Hey! They get submerged. The dirt gets washed off. At our pool, because of the amount of chlorine added, my kids even come out nice and bleached. Here is evidence…… Half the time, when the [...]

Just a quick note to give you a great tip. When making your evening, frozen lime daiquiri (limeade, rum and ice, blended smooth), substitute Cruzan coconut rum for the Bacardi. Pour into a glass, and sprinkle with fresh coconut. That is where we are tonight. It’s a boat party of sorts. Todo bueno!!

Well, just got word that the survey is complete. All checked out well with the Dehler. Some minor stuff that needs to be repaired, but the bottom of the boat looked good, the motor was great, and everything seemed sound. It was a wet and cold sail. Heavy rain followed them to the boat yard, [...]

Knowing that I love a good travel blog, Kathy offered up a few with a new twist…..sailing travel blogs. Really Kathy, like I am not slacking on my domestic duties enough, now you have Bill and I obsessively reading sailing travel blogs. Evil, I tell you. What? You want links? Fine. But don’t blame me [...]

Miss Mimi is prepped and ready for some sand. She got her own mini pedicure and manicure, after I got mine. It was priceless watching her face as the lady painted the flowers on her toes. When I told Bill, the first thing out of his mouth was “How much did THAT cost?”** I replied [...]

What good are you people if I can’t show you my cool toe art!! Next time, I think some sand dollars or shells are in order, no?

I am completely confident that I was born in the correct era. I never would have survived living in a log cabin, in Texas, with no central air conditioning. I would have sucked at being a prairie mom. My kids would have starved due to my lack of gardening skills. Or, upon ordering them to [...]

There comes a time in life when the parents must get away. We did that this past weekend. We loaded up into Bill’s truck and took off with nary a kid in sight. They were in good hands, which made it a bit easier for me to leave Mia with someone other than Billy for [...]

After 96 hours on in the ER, nothing says welcome home like a broken air conditioner…..in Texas. Good thing the blender is working without any kinks. The margaritas are flowing tonight, baby!

Linkin Park – What I’ve Done Wow. This is a powerful video. Watch it.

I am working my way through the list in my last post, crossing things off as they are done. I may not have accomplished much on paper, but there was one thing I did today that outweighed anything else. I turned off the computer! and took my daughter to an orchard to pick peaches and [...]

I have too much that needs to be done. I must: -make plane reservations for 2 trips *Blogher (I swear Chris, I am doing it this morning) *California, Disney etc -make hotel reservations for Bill and I for our escape -I need to get boat financing….Bill has asked no less than 31,256 times in the [...]

We celebrated a day early by heading down to the coast to spend the day with Bill. A wonderful lunch, some fishing, and more love than I ever dreamed possible. Happy Mothers Day to everyone. **more photos here on Flickr.

On Tueday Bill, Mia and I hit the road after dropping the boys off at school. The destination was Kemah, Texas and we had a list of boats to check out. It turned out to be a gorgeous day, but very hot and humid. We crawled around on several gorgeous boats, and we were in [...]

The large, pretty snake we found the other day was gratefully released into the wilds….not until she made it known that humans sucked, and she was not going to put up with out bullroar for one more minute. Cory got nabbed, and she drew blood. He came in LAUGHING after the smelly snake bit him. [...]

Picking dewberries is wonderful. a> Eating them warm, straight off the vine is pure heaven.

While sitting on the Strand in Galveston last weekend, Bill and I watched a mighty load of interesting folks while enjoying a couple of beers. In the course of an afternoon, we watched a woman stand up from her meal and start whacking her male companion repeatedly over the head and across the face. Spanish [...]

Taking the road less traveled…..it has always been his way.

He would rather be doing this than anything else in the whole world. Cory is 4’8″ Dingos think snakes are wacky and interesting, as long as someone is holding it. Her coloring is just fabulous! The minute Cory saw her he said it was a Texas Rat snake, confirmed by a herp dude on Flickr.

My kids got out early today from school. I remembered this fact 2 minutes prior to needing to be there. I really do need to take some memory enhancing vitamins. When we returned home, we found the dog barking hysterically at the bushes off our back porch. Upon further investigation, we found a rather large [...]

Way back at the beginning of the year, I can’t even remember when, my Vibiemme got sick. She decided that it was too dang much effort to signal her boiler to heat up the water required for espresso, and that was that. I was devastated. After months of putting it off due to dread of [...]

See my little linkies to the Blogger Choice awards….down there on the bottom right. Black Belt Mama nominated me for Best Parenting and Best Photography blog. If you haven’t voted, would you be so kind as to cast a vote for me? That is, if you like me. Or think I am a little okay. [...]

As usual, I could see Bill ahead of me, his legs moving smoothly and strongly. We were on a bike ride and it was a beautiful day. Not a bright,sunny, blue skies burning kind of beautiful. It was actually cloudy, hot and muggy. Texas coast muggy. The beauty was in how vivid all the colors [...]

Hanging with that ER dude, so will a picture story work today? I hope so, because here it is: Air show….and why saving for an SLR is a must. Speeding jet at a distance…..taken in “action mode” while tracking the very fast jet. Same picture magnified. Another shot at a distance. Magnified Nothing says excitement [...]

I really hesitate these days to post on my down days. I am not sure if it is that I don’t want to document my fears and have to read about them in the future, or that I just simply am afraid to verbalize them. Maybe it is that I want to keep things happy [...]

The weather was a bit to be desired this weekend…cloudy and windy, windy, windy. So, what do we do?

While on a bike ride together… me: I am so loving this! Bill: Loving what? me: This being together stuff. Bill: Oh me: So, is this like, more important to me than you? Bill: What do you mean? How would I gauge that? me: Well, okay, then I will re-phrase…How important to you is it [...]

A bluebonnet for Lammyann Pure white Down the lane Texas hills Natures paintbrush Along the fence Cows Sunset Bright pink Bill

Sleeping cats are fair game to itchy fingers that want to play with their new toys while the rest of the house sleeps. Is that a run-on sentence? I am the proud owner of a Nikon D80 with 18-135mm lens, purchased almost in full with my ad revenue, which makes it all the more sweet. [...]

We wake early at our house. It doesn’t matter if it is a school day or not, we rarely sleep past 6:30. When we do, we feel hung over and funky all day long. The kids are up, dressed, fed and ready for school by 7:15, and because Bill’s motto is “If you are on [...]

I tortured myself today and took the kids on a wildflower photo shoot. After todays session, I know that I will go to heaven, because I have already served my time in hell. Eh, it wasn’t that bad, but it was frustrating. I did get a handfull of nice shots, but not with all 4 [...]

Not that kind of screwdriver…getcha mind outa the gutta and read on. My whole life I have been very independant. Fiercly so at that. I did everything myself, and even though my brother was 5 years older than myself, I went everywhere with him. It drove my mother up the wall. All she had to [...]

Today we went to Easter service and the annual egg hunt our church hosts. Mia was decked out in a dress of such princess splender, well, it was splendid. The boys wore blue jeans and a dress shirt. Hey, there were no holes in the knees and I am quite certain Jesus was not concerned [...]

How cool! I received an award! Lammy Ann awarded my post Scrubs for the Thinking Blogger Award. Thanks so much! I, in turn, must nominate 5 Bloggers with this honor. Hmm. Let’s see….. 1. Amalah and her post “On having a boy”, because, yes, boys are fabulous! By the time Mia came, after her 3 [...]

They say that it comes in threes. We are re-defining that little phrase, and I can only pray that it stops…as of yesterday evening. Please, already, STOP! In 9 days time: -Bill locked his keys in his truck while he was at work and spent hours fishing them out with a coat hanger because the [...]

Tonight, I have discussed the topic of Blogher with my husband. The vote was: GO!! Things that must be considered in the future: -how to bring a blender in my suit case during post 9-11 lockdown -since Chris is highly allergic to bananas, and we are sharing a room, do we go with lime, or [...]

Quinn, upon seeing Mia’s pictures in my last post: “She is smiling because of a washrag? She is weird.”

My daughter loves pink. But not just any pink. It must be hot pink. So imagine her delight when we opened a small package from Baby Dagny, one of my sponsors at the right, and found a fuchsia washcloth inside! I have to back up to the packaging….adorable! I am not sure if all of [...]

Yesterday my husband put on a pair of scrubs. He went with my friend the anesthesiologist to the hospital to intubate people. If you are the primary practitioner in an ER, you must be able to intubate. Airways are very, very important and must be kept open….always remember; airway, airway, airway. Learning to intubate on [...]

Yes. She always looks at him like that.

Mia turned 3 yesterday. She told me when she was 3yo she would be a big girl and would not drink boobies anymore. It has been a week now since she last nursed, so it looks like that phase of our life together is over. I have asked her if she wants to nurse several [...]

Do you want to see what I won??? I really, actually won something, which never happens to me! I won a pair of Vincent Shoes for my daughter! I was browsing at the wonderful Boutique Cafe, and I saw this post. I left a comment, and I won! Next thing I knew, I got an [...]

Bill and I are not touristy type people. We prefer our hikes to be in secluded areas and to be more like survival marches. We have a history of pushing things to the very limits of our endurance. Like sailing in a sailboat race during a hurricane, because, God knows how fast we might go [...]

Sometimes I feel like I am writing into a void. Sort of like that old saying, if a tree fell in the woods and no one was there to hear it, did it make a sound? Why take time away from my family, home and such to keep up my site? What is the purpose [...]

For everyone with snow, I must apologize in advance. There will be references to temps in the 90′s, sun, blue skies etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. We are in the midst of Spring Break, and the kids have been liberated from the nuns and priests (not your typical nuns and priests. The nuns are really [...]

Bill and I would like to share our new favorite drink with you. After drinking it, in the future, 5pm will not come soon enough. :*) Gin Freeze -1/2 blender full of ice -4 oz Gin -3 Tablespoons Frozen Bacardi Real Lime Mixer Blend until very smooth. Coat rim of rocks glass with lime flavored [...]

My son had a friend come spend the night, and having discussed between themselves what they wanted to do while here, I was informed a visit to the creek was in my future. Complete with toddler in tow. It was sunny, warm and a perfect afternoon for a hike! I grabbed the backpack, the camera [...]

HALLO! How are ya? I feel alot like I have had a gag in my mouth this week, computer wise.  Real life has been like, I don’t know, maybe a bit on the side of fanflippintastic, if not a bit weird. I mean, Bill and I wake up together, get the kids off to school as usual, [...]

Life through the wardrobe is every freakin’ thing it was cracked up to be. The smile on his face says it all.    We had a day together today.  Alone.  Just he and I. It was simply radical.

Love is, a day at the beach with your friends.   The laundry can always wait, ya know. But life, it just breezes by so fast.   So, make bad choices…. But only if they involve views like this   and this   Love you girls.  The day was the best. 

…..is directly related to how bright, cloudless and caribbean blue the sky is today.   Running, listening to music, and feeling good.  A rare self portrait for you all on this amazing, 80 degree day.

At noon on the 23rd, my husband will come home from an 8-5, M-F job, and on Monday morning, will still be home.  It is his last week of work, and as he closes that door behind him, another one has opened in front of him.  A door leading to a good job, with great [...]

In an effort to try my hand at homeschooling, this semester I started doing some supplimental science projects with my kids.  I ordered a dissection kit and each week we are tackling one marine creature. This week it was the squid. My background is in marine biology, so I was jazzed when the big box came…..several [...]

Bill gave me a lovely Valentine card.  It was very sweet and thoughtful.  Sort of mushy and such. It was how he signed it that made me LOL and have the strong urge to bottle him and sell him to those less fortunate. Happy Valentines Day! Thanks for being such an Awesome Good wife and mother! Love, [...]

Cody, one year of age.   His fingers, toes, those rolls of fat everywhere….and those giant cheeks!  That child was scrumptious.  Like a big, giant popover muffin. Smothered in strawberry jam.  And butter. I can still remember how he felt in my arms.  Like a 20lb butterball.  Like a piece of a puzzle.  Perfect. **We [...]

I put Pig tails in my daughters hair.  Bows too.  I thought that she looked adorable. So, what did my daughter do?  She cried.  Alot. And she said “Mom, I don’t want these curly things in my hair. They are awesome dumb”. Add bows to the list of “things that must never touch my daughter or [...]

He looks so young and wonderful.  I want to climb into that hammock with him and run my hands through his hair….or nibble his neck. I promise I will get back to posting very soon, but my family broke or something.  It is like Pharaoh still won’t freakin’ let His people go and the plague [...]

Dude, you are mine!  

My oldest had the flu all weekend…..then he missed 3 days of school because he was so ill. Then the middle one got fever, sore throat.  Aches. Now I sit here with Quinn sleeping on the floor of the bathroom so he can make it to the toilet in time to barf. The school called [...]

Awesome. Amazing.  Beautiful. Go see for yourselves.  Bring a tissue.  

The day I learned that I really could lay down my life for another human being  

Teenage Bill, surfing in Hawaii   And I wonder why my kids are so naturally thin.

I have another kiddo down with the flu and he is feeling pretty bad, so photos will work, right? We really enjoyed our weekend away.  It was a delayed b-day celebration for me, having been sick last week. Kemah/Clear Lake was the destination.  Having fun and looking at boats was the goal.  We scored on [...]

In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five pound note. This weekend will mark the first official weekend that Bill and I actively begin the quest for the perfect sailboat. This is also where the problem begins. See, my idea of what a sailboat [...]

Thank you for the shoes Chris!

Mrs. Viera I am sure has never seen a Tea Party birthday quite like this. We have a woderful place here that is an antique shop, art shop and a bar all rolled into one.  The owner has it set up with wonderful little tables everywhere, and intimate little groupings of furniture.  You can grab a [...]

Bill’s last official day at his old job is slated for February 23rd. Just a bit more than 3 weeks away!  That date holds so much promise for me.  Promise of more time together.  The ability to chase the sun along the coast.  Lazy days in the trailer.  Surfing, surfing and more surfing.  Walking down the [...]

In a world full of people placing importance on some of the most ridiculous things, I find is so heartening and such a blessing to see how many people came and left a post for a worthy cause.  I sat here this evening and watched the comments reach 109.  I am floored.  I have to [...]

So, we are up to 27 awesome comments!  You guys are wonderful.  But you know me.  So hard to satisfy.  Would you like to help me reach my private goal?  I would like to see 100 comments. Because, you know, that would be 300 smackeroos that will go to the foundation, not to mention all the [...]

That is where I wanted to go on Thursday when I found myself smack dab in the middle of the influenza virus.  The real McCoy, and I ought to know, as I am a real McCoy via my grandmother. Mia was at her Nannies, Bill was at work and the boys were at school.  At one point [...]

Importance of a 5-Point Harness Carseat I have posted about Kyle before, and Chris has as well. I just can’t tell you how much his story has touched me. Since I last posted his video, the Miller family has started a non-profit foundation in honor and memory of Kyle. The webpage is: http://www.kyledavidmiller.org Their mission [...]

My newest post is up over at Larger Families.  The topic is “cabin fever”, and boy did we have it bad last week.  So, if you have a sec, go read, leave a comment and tell us about how you deal with cabin fever….or how you don’t deal with it.  And watch for flying tricycles. :*() 

When Bill had his stroke, our life was turned upside down for a bit. Illness does that, and it just can’t be helped. It changed how we look at things…things such as time, quality of that time, and family. Our focus on God remained strong..we realize that we could take the situation and make it [...]

Yes, here is proof that Hell froze over this weekend. For someone who hates the computer with the zeal of a Viking, it sure came in handy while looking for sailboats. Yes, you heard me. A sailboat. He now wants a sailboat. Not long after I had Mia, I had a dream that all 6 [...]

It is cold here. The temperature gauge outside my window is hovering at around 35 degrees. Tonight will be a hard freeze, which means I will probably sleep in the trailer so that the heat can run all night and protect the pipes etc.. This is not a problem for me, for, as those who [...]

I had the most surreal moment. I was sitting at the computer, IM’ing with a friend when I hear a song drifting out of the den where my daughter was watching TV. It was the Wonder Pets singing a song about a puppy that was trapped indoors and needed to get outside to pee. The [...]

When my daughter was much younger, I loved dressing her.  Girl clothes are just adorable and I was satisfying years of pent-up “pink lacy, twirly things” yearning.  To put it bluntly, I bought up the entire internet of girlie stuff, and pretty much cleaned out the Quicksilver outlet of all things Teenie Wahine.  I single [...]

Dingo’s love lounging in the sun, originally uploaded by jody2ms. She’s out of jail and loving it.

Last night we watched the movie “How To Eat Fried Worms”.  Great movie, by the way.  Having a husband who is fun can be dangerous to your health.  After the movie, Quinn said “What’s the big deal, worms are not so bad.  I would eat one!” Remember, we have many pet amphibians in our house…..who [...]

In early December of 1987 I went out on a date with this really sweet, surfer guy. He had blond hair, amazing blue eyes, and after dating for only one week, he bought me a gorgeous outfit from The Limited. And it fit. And it was cute. Holy cow, a man with good taste! He [...]

Spiders On Drugs I would be the caffeine spider. Found via John at www.foryourentertainment.com

2006 was a year filled with challenges. Big ones, small ones, heartbreak, and hearts filled with joy. I don’t want to re-live 2006 by writing it here. I have done that already, and you can browse the archives if you would like to. What I do want to say is: -there are things in life [...]

Hey you.  Wanna see 8 kids play at a place called Goose Island, even though I haven’t seen one goose yet?  Mom placed a clicky thing here. Umm, by the way, what’s a goose?

Can you guess which one Mia made?  

It is 8pm, and our bellies are full.  We made it through 5 of the fishes, and were too full for 6 and 7!  The scallops and shrimp will have to wait until Tuesday night. I loved this day.  I started cooking at around 2pm and we nibbled antipasto until around 7pm.  The food was [...]

Climbing the walls in a small town

  Yes….I finally took the kids Christmas pictures.  Tonight.  As in this evening.  Do you think this counts as late? Whatevah! If I print, address and mail them tomorrow, they might get there by the 12th day of Christmas. It’s all good. Christmascardapalooza 2006 is up at Flickr.  Enjoy!  I know I did…..

I want to share a couple of pics with you.  They are not spectacular in their quality.  But the subject matter makes me feel like we just might be doing something right with these kids. The photo is blurry, but Quinn has his arm around Mia, and she has her head resting on him as [...]

I made it through the office parties.  Large crowds of people that I do not know always make me feel anxious.  Especially since I do not like to dress up.  After combing through my closet and determining that I could not dress up the glittery Roxy shirt no matter how hard I tried, I finally [...]

Hard to get   Demure   I’m yours   Just wait until my leg is better, Chuck baby.  Great shirt, Dooce.

-Have your credit card in your hot little hand. -Call the online store that has the exact guitar your son found in Fredericksburg, but only $100 cheaper.** -Ask a few questions about the guitar. -Listen in disbelief as the salesman is a cranky ass, who obviously does not care that I am about to spend [...]

Kitchen renovation continues at the jody2ms house, and is nearing completion.  We actually have a backsplash!  And textured walls!  And it only took us…5 years! Loving the zoom lens   Before   After Things that remain to be completed, but it might take a bit since it is my part of the job: -sanding, staining and putting [...]

Learning to love chocolate even though her mother does not.    

Chris wrote a fun piece about Holiday Traditions of her blog In The Trenches Of Motherhood and invited everyone to share their traditions as well. Our family is such a melting pot of traditions.  Being of Italian descent, one of our traditions is a large Christmas Eve dinner.  My grandmother used to make a “pizza” with [...]

We are in the kitchen. Dinner is cooking on the stove. The kids are wild. In 1 more day St. Nick will come and fill their stockings. They are running through the house, sliding on the floors and laughing. Running ’round and ’round the kitchen. Bill is sitting in a chair at the table, thumbing [...]

I have a bunch of friends here.  People I love very much.  People who are so good to me that it hurts.  It hurts because I feel lost in their midst.  The flurry of lunches and teas and shopping and trips to get your hair done.  Girlie things. They are wonderful, beautiful people that I am so grateful [...]

Mia spilled an entire carton of blue cheese crumbles on the kitchen floor.  The 76 or so year old kitchen floor with the gaps between the floor boards wide enough to lose a small child in. As I was cleaning the mess up, the crumbly, smooshed mess that required a knife to scrap the cracks [...]

Satanic pin out, feeling better, but still jailed.  It is going to be a long 4 weeks for the dingo dog.  

Honey thinks she is a cat.  She curls up on the sofa with us in our laps. She leans up against our legs all the time.  When I am standing at the sink washing dishes, watering the yard or taking her for a walk.  She also gets on the window ledge outside the kitchen.  This [...]

  Moving on to red and green soon.   

We have made a few blenders of these   and some fish tacos to munch on. Friday night is so damn fine.

I grew up in a neighborhood full of children. Most of the families had 1 or 2 kids, what one would consider a small family. The two large families consisted of mine, with 3 children, and the family at the top of the hill with 4 children, all boys. It was a lively neighborhood, and [...]

I will never ever claim to be a writer. I may write a thing here and there, but, a writer? Naw.  I have neither the talent nor the time. Last year I started the NanoWrite thing.  50,000 words in a month.  I, um, did not get anywhere near the 50,000, but I did actually finish [...]

I spent 2 years trying to carry a pregnancy to term.  I endured 4 miscarriages, progesterone shots, patches, medicine that made me have PMS every day of the month, and mood swings that make me surprised that anyone would still want to have me in their life. My daughters birth was considered a miracle by [...]

Today was day 10 of rabies quarantine.  Honey is not foaming at the mouth.  She loves water. And the effects of the dip are long gone and Honey is delightful!  No rabies shots for Mia.  :*) ___________ We were supposed to get the hell out of Dodge today for a weekend away in the Little [...]

I am drawing a complete blank.  My mind, it seems like, has gone completely to “white out”.  I will try to put something here, but it will not be a “Perfect Post” or one of those posts that gets gushing reviews on other blogs.  The words are swirling in my head like a Picasso painting.  I [...]

Let’s see…..where to begin. I’ll just jump right on in! The dog nipped my daughter in the face this morning.  It is minor, and it was not an aggressive nip.  But, you know, we don’t know Honey from Adam.  As the day wore on I started to think about it and worked myself into a [...]

We had Buddy for over a year, and things were just not working out with him. He grew by leaps and bounds, and was just huge.  The kids could not go in their own backyard without Buddy knocking them down in his innocent attempt to shower them with love. Buddy is a wonderful dog.  He [...]

You know that you have dropped one of the balls (or several) that you have been juggling high in the air when:  1)  After doing 6 full assessments on the medical surgical floor, you admit 2 OB patients, labor one of them, deliver her, move to next room, assist delivery again, sit down to chart in a sea of paperwork, [...]

Looking out   Looking in  

On Friday we had to pick up the kids early from school so we could head on down to G-town for our cousins funeral.  When Cory got in the car, Bill noticed that he had a scratch and bruise on his face, so he asked him how he got it. Cory replied “T tackled me, [...]

My husband was home for 2 weeks prior to starting his new job.  He took over all home responsibilities, including laundry, cooking, cleaning and nurturing.  In addition to the usual, he painted the walls, rearranged furniture, carted the kids to here and there, and in general was fanflippintastic as a stay-at-home dad.  And Mia fell [...]

If I can get the kitchen walls painted today, we might be able to hang the beadboard this weekend. So far, the ugly paneling in the kitchen is GONE!! Whoo hooo! In the photo below, the beadboard will go behind the shelves, and the backsplash.     The backsplash will be painted beadboard.   What you [...]

Guesstimation works for me! We found this clock on the Strand in Galveston after having sampled a few imported beers.  It is sooo me.  The beers were delicious, and we were LOAO over this clock……it was one of those “you had to be there” moments.  We both spied it at the same time and started [...]

My job, that thing that has been eating me alive, is finally becoming what I had hoped it would be.  For the past few months, I have been running my ass off on the medical surgical floor, going back and forth between it and OB, and trying to remember things that I have done in the [...]

This has to be the smallest snake I have ever seen.  It is obviously a baby, but dayum.    I am thinking it is a very, very newborn garter snake.  For everyone out there who officially has the heebie jeebies and will NEVAH enter my house….it was actually found in the front yard.  Yah!! for [...]

Larger Families is in the news!!  It is on Fox news, MSNBC, etc. etc. via the Associated Press.  My latest post is up over there as well. Late, but finally up.  The site has had over 3300 hits this morning.  Whew!  So, now I suppose I need to get something up here???? I hear the makings [...]

Pumpkins and spice….so nice!       And a little smooch from Mama Mia  

You wanna know what I need? I need a weekend away with my family in the trailer. I feel like I cannot breathe. I feel like hiding. I need some space……………….yes, the trailer gives me space.  When I am in it, I can breathe again. I find myself wandering out to it daily.  I sit, [...]

Mia is prepared for the ice age.  She has her UGGS now, and is ready for global warming to reveal itself.   I am confident that we will be waiting for a long while here in South Texas.  We are prepared though, and we know Mia’s feet will be safe and warm. “Hey, you! Don’t even [...]

Horses have made their way into our home.   What is it with little girls and horses?  We now play “barn” several times a day.  I love watching her move the horses around, and feed them.  I want to gobble her up in one big gulp. Can your heart explode from watching too much cuteness?  If [...]

My guess now is, never. I started keeping a journal about my dream here.  I was bad about updating it.  But you get the jest.  I felt like I had my mouth taped shut.  I wanted so badly to tell everyone about our plans, but I couldn’t.  As soon as we have some time to [...]

My newest post is up over at Larger Families.  The topic is “chaos”. Come take a peek. Do I need to add that I am totally kidding in the post?  Well, sort of.  ;*)

I have so much to write about, and so very little time.  Work continues to suck the life out of me, and my time at home goes 100% to my family.  On my days off, I take some time in the morning to read blogs, chat with a friend (the UGGS got here….they are to [...]

At work today, I had the honor of being present while someone, who has walked this earth for more than 7 decades, took their last breath. I am so very humbled. 

She can go from this:     To this: Henna Feets, originally uploaded by nirakara.

Yesterday at work, I cared for a boy much the same age as my son Cody. He had to have emergency surgery, and while caring for him post op, all I could think about was my son. I pictured him in the same situation, and so I tried to care for him as if he were my [...]

I am very saddened my this news. My kids are so sad.  We watched his shows religiously. What a freak, freak thing to happen.

In honor of our 16th anniversary, and the 3 weeks after in which Bill and I rode mountain bikes all over hells half acre, I will be writing some entries about our life together before kids. Here is a post that I wrote many moons ago, and I am resurrecting it for those who are [...]

Never Die Young James Taylor We were ring-around-the-rosy children They were circles around the sun Never give up, never slow down Never grow old, never ever die young   Synchronized with the rising moon Even with the evening star They were true love written in stone They were never alone, they were never that far [...]

I feel so scattered and out of control.  Like I can’t do one thing right.  I want to be a wonderful mother, loving wife, and a competent RN…. an angel of mercy. Instead I find myself yelling at my kids, feeling annoyed at my husband, and inadequate as a nurse. And then there is this blog.  I am [...]

Do you know how very fragile life is?  The miracle of how a human body forms, takes its firt breath, cries and begins the process of being alive is so damn unreal. I could attend one million births and it will never cease to amaze me how miraculous it all is. As humans, we just [...]

That’s what little boys bring home to my house. Colorful snakes   (No, not a coral.  Remember….Red on yellow, kill a fellow, red on black, venom lack.) Isn’t my life interesting?

I made it until 2pm, and couldn’t stand to wait another second.  I had to call Bill and see how the morning went with me gone.  Mia had had a rough night, and had acted like her throat was hurting, so heading off to my first day of work was stressful. Me:  Hi hon.  I [...]

We took a day trip to Port A on Sunday.  It was a gorgeous day, complete with some little waves.  Heading to the beach   Sunkissed face   My middle man   My little man   Skimming for fish   My man, heading for the water. He was not posing….he was looking up the beach and was pissed at something Cory [...]

Dear Captain Morgan, We love you blended with ice and Bacardi Real Lime Mixer………..even if you aren’t a real Captain.  Love, Bill and Jody

Yesterday was the first day of school.  On August 10th. The peak of summer, and my kids were going to school.  I think that should be against the law.  Heck, it didn’t even feel like back to school.  No fall colors.  No leaves on the ground.  Only a temperature of 98 and cicadas screeching in [...]

I just don’t get it. This article states that 25% of all BabyTalk readers were offended by the cover picture of a boob and a baby nursing on it. It is called “BabyTalk” for crying out loud. What the hell do you think is going to be on the cover? Strategic missiles? Nursing is what [...]

I heard crying and my daughter came running in. She said “I fell down. Whhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa” I hugged her and kissed her, and she stopped crying. I wiped the tears from her eyes and she said in an adorable, pouty voice, with an expression that brought to mind pink frosted, angel food cake: “Mommy, the ground [...]

Since I have been a menstruating adult, I have had to go to the salon, turn over my husbands paycheck and our firstborn child, to get the blond that I so desire. Yes, the summer sun would give it a glimmer here, and a glimmer there, but nothing substantial. I always had to go for [...]

Last year, for Cody’s 8th birthday, one of his best friends found the perfect gift to give to him. He had caught, at his house, a green tree frog, and was totally jazzed about presenting it to Cody. He knew that Cody was a tree frog fanatic. Talk about the gift of giving! It pleases [...]

Father, daughter Born by the water Surf’s up, sun’s down Life in a beach town Shells sink, Dreams float Life’s good on our boat *Delaney Talks To Statues by Jimmy Buffett

Several people have e-mailed about our forays to the beach, wondering how our days are, and what we do. “Do you ever get tired of going to the beach?” “How do you keep the kids from getting too much sun?” “How do you afford it so often?” The beach, for Bill and I, is like [...]

Home from a long trip. Tired. More later!

Yesterday I went to my first day of work after being home for more than 3 years. It was surreal to be in something other than shorts, and to talk with someone without them grabbing my face and yanking it around. People got up and went to the bathroom and I didn’t hear shouts of [...]

I have decided that the only relationships I am interesting in having anymore are with my husband and kids. Anything else is too draining. I just have to wonder if anyone in this world is genuine anymore? I try to be. What you see is what you get. It may not be perfect, but it [...]

My daughter….the one that I have longed for all of my life. The one that I went through miscarriage hell for. The one that I love with all of my heart and soul. She is driving me up the ever loving wall. Do ALL female children talk this much? After coming from 3 boys, who [...]

We are blowin’ and goin’, so I am sorry if my posts are short, boring and non-existant for a bit. I am reading your blogs in between outings, as I can’t bear to get too far behind on your lives! Addiction at its best. We were at the in-laws this weekend, and had a great [...]

Yesterday evening, we got a babysitter and went for a bike ride. This was the first time I have ridden since the end of April. I don’t feel out of shape, as we have been surfing so much, but I asked Bill to be kind to me none-the-less. He has been riding at least 3x [...]

So, today at the pool I saw a friend that lives down the street. She came over and said, “I have a story to tell you about your son”. Apparently, her husband volunteered a day and night at Boy Scout camp, where Cory is this week. When he came home, this is the story he [...]

Pizza Rustica Dough: 2 packages dry active yeast 2 cups whole wheat flour 3 cups ubleached white flour 2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees F) 6 tablespoons olive oil Ground rock salt to taste In a large bowl, combine yeast and 1 cup of each of the flours. Stir in hot water and olive oil. [...]

I announced in the afternoon that I would be making pizza for dinner. It was met with cheers, hugs and general excitement. Until they saw the pizza. “That isn’t pizza!” “Where is the cheese?” “It has broccoli on it” “Is that spinach?” “Why is the crust brown?” In an effort to reduce Bills genetically and [...]

Is this a girl thing? I mean, I did nawthing. She potty trained herself. The boys? They were sawmthing else altogether. I brought down the little wooden potty from the attic, and turned her loose on it. Oh, and I popped this tape into the video player And now she uses the potty every day.

This would be a paternal trait. Bill usually obsessively vacuums with his clothes on, though.

The other docs were off all weekend, so Bill was stuck working. We soooo wanted to head to the coast in the Little House, but it just didn’t work out that way. So, we got up super early Tuesday morning and drove to the coast to spend the day. There was a storm system pushing [...]

I have squealed, clapped, gawked in wonder at, and praised more turds in the last 2 weeks, many more times than I would like to admit. The wonder of the poop! Potty training at its finest! Go Mama Mia! Cheer song to come……complete with Rah! Rahs!

…………for the crabs, that is. 1/2 of the Alaskan King Crab leftovers:

There was a different kind of parade that went down Main Street this afternoon. There were no crowds lining the street to watch. There were no drums. No trumpets. No music of any kind. Cars slowed, looked at the participants, then drove on. A few people came out onto their porches to watch as the [...]

They pass with our hands on our hearts The long parade Curls and floats It is going to be one hot day

My newest post is up over at the Larger Families blog. This week is about relationships outside of your immediate family, so I wrote about life in a small, Texas town and the friendships here. Come on over and check it out. Leave a comment and let me know what you think! And drumroll………a bullet [...]

My kids love the movie King Kong. The only problem with it, aside from half the cast being killed by giant insects and dinosaurs, is the part where the characters encounter the natives on Kong’s island. It is very creepy and scary. So, in parental fashion, we fast forward through the native part. The problem [...]

I love listening to good music. Be it anything from Pachabel to Green Day, if it inspires me or brings out emotion, I have it in my CD player. Sometimes I listen to a song, and the words are so perfect, they fit my feelings to a tee. I wish so much that I could [...]

First off, my new post is up over at Larger Families, and this week the topic is “Siblings”. What? You haven’t been there yet? Well, what are you waiting for? There are tons of fun posts to read by some amazing writers. So, go on, get. Go read. I can wait……….(tapping fingers and humming) See? [...]

Laughing, goofiness, Root Beer, Bourbon and 7 for the adults and a good time had by all: The family that plays together, stays together. So durn true!!!!

Mayan moon was burnin’ We saw visions Of the past returnin’ On the shore The band was playin’ We all heard What the moon was sayin’ The world keeps closin’ in It has before It will again A voice beyond the wind Says we must go Beyond the end So follow Beyond the end A [...]

King Mackerel were running in the shipping channel. We loaded up the truck and took off for the jetty. Bill and Cory threw in their lines, and not much later Bill hooked this beautiful fish Within minutes, Cory was fighting one as well. He brought it in all by himself, with proud Bill looking on. [...]

A perfect beginning to a perfect vacation

We are taking off today to go here to do this with this in this It will be a nice, long, much needed break for us. The house has a sitter, the animals will not be lonely, and we are not looking back. Internet access continues to dodge me at the beach, so I leave [...]

I said yes to something today and it is going to change our lives somewhat. Some for the better, some for the worse. I was offered an amazing job opportunity and after discussing it with Bill, we decided I should take it. I will be working as an RN, full time, at a hospital that [...]

Mia, as she pulled out the Swiffer from the closet: “Mommy, I want to clean!!!” Knock yourself out, baby. Oh, and don’t forget behind the doors.

It’s alive. Икони

Date night was great. Date night was fine. Date night was fulfilling and satisfying. We saw the movie “RV” and folks, if you want to LYAO, go see it. We both laughed so hard we were crying. Then we went on to Chili’s and had a beer at the bar. Bill was unusually quiet. We [...]

I have a date with my husband in 30 minutes. No children will be in our presence all day and evening. How weird is that? I wonder if we can survive without this for a day..

Okay, it is official. I miss them. (sniff)

Remember the oldest children we have? The 11, 8 and 5 year old? They stayed behind for A WEEK….OR MORE! Bill and I are on our own with Mia. The silence is deafening, but much welcome. We sooooo needed some quiet time. Now come closer and I will tell you a secret………………….that’s it……………just a bit [...]

Peek a-boo Then she gazed off at the never ending view

Some call it weaning……I call it having my heart ripped out. It is happening here, and I am swinging like a pendulum, back and forth, between being ready for it, and not wanting to let go of that phase of our life together. I will remember, even when I am 90, the times when she [...]

This is a photo story on how we spent Memorial weekend. This was where we enjoyed our morning coffee This was our view And this And this This is the new house on the hill that is so amazing, words can not do it justice. Ceiling beams that are 150 years old, stained cement floors, [...]

I look forward to Thursdays. My husband gets off work at 4pm. I feel like I am in high school, waiting for the bell to ring, anticipating seeing and brushing past him in the halls between classes. Or watching the clock, eager for him to come pick me up for our first date. I wonder [...]

Because I am a baby shoe whore, I ordered Mia some more Pedoodles They shipped out and were in my mailbox in 2 days….free shipping. I bought her Frank the Fish in First Steps, Flower Power, Pink Runners, and Ruby Janes in the Next Step Collection (The Ruby Janes are to die for. So soft [...]

Because Oshee asked, here is my life before kids. I trained Dolphins, Sea Lions and exotic birds. Photos curtosy of my Dad and fellow trainers. Dolphins playing basketball Fish jump….yes, that is me with a herring in my mouth. Swimming with Connie. Ring toss with Sammy the sea lion Playing detective with Sam Waving goodbye [...]

Crack me up! I did a Google search on Sea Arama and found this web site. I am in several of the pictures. LOL!! The faces were blurred to protect the innocent???? Go to Photos, and click on “Dolphins” (page 2, Dolphin Trainers pose with Hastings-I am the first one on the left) and “Sea [...]

Okay, recipe time. In an effort to help Bill’s Crestor be all that it can be, we are all about fish, chicken and pork (the other white meat) at our house these days. Last night I made fish tacos, and they were incredible! I substituted Mahi Mahi for the fish and baby spinach for the [...]

This is how my boys used to sleep. In my mind, I will always remember them little like this, all curled up together.

I am beat. Do you mind some bullet points? Bill finally allowed me to get him to a specialist for a second opinion. He had no choice. It was either go to the doctor, or die from the brain trauma that I was inflicting on him with my constant crying and pleading. That and having [...]

I mentioned last week that my kids have a unique doctors kit. It is a combo of Bob the Builder tools and play doctors instruments. Being from medical parents, my kids also have actual medical instruments to enhance their play. Included in this wide array of tools is a tenaculum, real reflex hammers, suture kits, [...]

Driving home in the van after picking up Quinn from school: Quinn: “Is Daddy home?” Me: “He will be in a few minutes.” Quinn: “I miss him when he is at work.” Me: “I know. You really love him, huh?” Quinn: “Yeah, I love him the most.” Me: “Me too, honey.” Quinn: “More than I [...]

Butterflies in my stomach. Adrenaline. Sinking feelings. If I didnt know any better, I would have to say I was on a roller coaster ride at Disney World. We have good days and bad days. Friday was a great one. Bill felt better, the tingling was gone, and all he was left with was a [...]

Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair Shining, gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen Give me down to there, hair! Shoulder length, longer (hair!) Here baby, there mama, Everywhere daddy daddy Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaair! Flow it, Show it, Looooong as God can grow it, My Hair! My boys had a run in with a father armed with electric [...]

Because I am still fatigued from my illness, and just too durn lazy, I am cutting and pasting something I wrote in an e-mail to a friend. Things are good. “Bill went to a neurologist on Tuesday, and to make a long story short, it was a waste of time. He told Bill that the [...]

In the last 48 hours, I have: ~my husband is averse to second opinions. ~realized that 104 degrees is not just a temperature in Texas. ~when my daughter has a fever, she has a major appetite for breast milk ~My boobs can only tolerate so much ~mastitis is debilitating ~mastitis is not for the weak [...]

Bill had a visit to the cardiologist on Thursday. He had an echocariogram, a stress test, and this morning a doppler of his carotid arteries……all of which where normal. Officially. At this moment, he is seeing a neurologist. I was supposed to go to this appointment….instead, here I sit, with Mia in my lap running [...]

“Yum, can I have some more spinach? This is really good!” “Please pass the squash.” “Mom, will you get me some tomatoes?” “You didn’t make enough chicken.” “Can I put some more basalmic vinegar on my spinach?” Then the heavens opened wide, and a chorus of angels sang a never ending hymn of gladness. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh [...]

7:00am Me: How do you feel honey?” Bill: “Buwa bu, na gee ni”. 9:00am Call to Bill at office: Me: “You feeling okay?” Bill: “Well, I am not dead yet.” 11:00am Me: “How are you feeling?” Bill: “How are you feeling?” 12:30pm Calling from the car after picking up his MRI films in another town. [...]

I think I am officially depressed. Yesterday was franitc and crazy. Today I just feel blah. This morning I asked Bill if he was having any other symptoms, other than the tingling, and he replied “Just a very, very slight headache above my right eye”. I look at him and see a walking time bomb. [...]

Warning: You will not be getting funny today from me. If you want funny, you must go here. Be sure and wear a Depends. What I know that I didn’t know last night: -the stroke is in the white matter of his brain -my 48yo husband has 36% chance of having a major stroke in [...]

It is not MS………………my husband had a stroke. And I quote the radiologist: “There is a subcentimeter lacunar infarct in the lateral posterior portion of the right centrum semiovale.” I don’t know enough to elaborate on it. I had literally 2 minutes with my husband before he had to wisk one of the boys off [...]

If you think someone could possibly have a blocked artery, a bulging aneurysm, or MS, and to see such pathology one would need to do a CONTRAST (where they inject dye into the vein) MRI, do you think that MAYBE you might want to give the FLIPPIN’ patient the MOTHER FLOCKING DYE?????????????? That is all.

Wishfully spoken “maybe nothing” Wish granted Prayer answered. Thank God. The last 24 hours have literally killed me. As you read, Bill approached me Monday and told me his symptoms and how concerned he was about them. He got right in that morning with Dr. R, and an MRI was ordered. The problem was that [...]

Weekend away Aging mother Sweet Priceless Return home Husband greeting Wonderful evening Morning comes Cappucino steaming Across the table Glasses off Bomb dropped Eyes locked Sinking stomach Soft touch Symptoms given Tingling skin Hemiparesthesia Face Arm Torso Leg Doctor visit Waiting waiting Phone ringing Sweet voice in my ear Lunch time Curled up Mouse-like Strong [...]

It appears there will not have to be a drawing in the “Digging for Dollars in Poop” contest. Jana is the only one who guessed correctly!!! As much as I hate to disappoint Jodi, yes, I dug the money out of the poop, cleaned it and placed it in Bill’s change tray. What he doesn’t [...]

I would like to ask each of you to do something for me. It is simple and only good can come from it. Tell your husband you love him, right now. Call him on the phone, drive up to his office and have lunch with him, seek him out and specifically tell him how much [...]

How do you know that you are a total and complete cawfee addict…..a freak of giganticus proportions? When your 2yo daughter does not immitate you cleaning, but knows the sequence one must follow in order to produce the perfect cup of macchiato because she has seen it more times than she has seen you clean [...]

You know, the photo montage down below that I posted a few days ago……..there is a little snip in the middle with some video of a little skateboarder. It seems slightly out of place with the photos. Well, that was Quinn. The significance of it is that he was using his clubfoot to push himself. [...]

He did not get them from me.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun it is to be with my husband. He is such a good time. Surfing, swimming, soaking up the warmth and laughing ’til our faces hurt. I feel lucky to still be so damn deep in love with my husband after almost 19 years of togetherness. [...]

Now you know where Mia and Cory get their aqua eyes.

Another turning point a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don’t ask why. Its not a question But a lesson learned in time. It’s something unpredictable, but in the end its right. I hope you had the [...]

Okay, so! If you answered “C”, you may move on to Part II! As much as I would like to say that my daughter did not play in her poop, you can only imagine my relief that she did not eat change. She had raided the boys piggy banks and there was a pile of [...]

“Don’t worry Mom, we climb down this way every time. Just watch for snakes.” said to me by my oldest as I peered down into the vine and brush filled slant toward the creek. After sliding down the leaf strewn hill, this old chick and her 2 boys climbed along the ground under a barbed [...]

Our Easter was simply mawvelous, dahling. Simply mawvelous. How about yours?

Please turn the volume up on your computer and visit this site. May your Easter weekend be filled with the love of Christ. Much love to you all, Jody, Bill, Cory, Cody, Quintin and Amelia

This will be a 2 part question. I will post Part 1 today. Part II will be posted after everyone has had a chance to guess at Part I. You must answer correctly the multiple choice question below to move on to Part 2. My daughter came into the room while I was writing an [...]

I have been tagged by Black Belt Mama for the Weird Meme. Meme’s are new to me. I used to make fun of them, but this one was fun to read from others, so I did it…..I’ve actually completed it before, but can easily find 6 more weird things about myself, so here goes…6 weird [...]

It is not our anniversary. Nor is it his birthday. Nothing special. I am just thinking about him. He is my heart and soul. I love him more than I will ever be able to show. I wait with excitement for him to come home. I catch myself staring at him. I WANT to be [...]

Moving from Cub Scout to Boy Scout. Is there anyway to slow this ride down already? My son is growing up so fast. It pains me with pride and joy. So bittersweet, this mom thing is.

It was time. Time to hit the stores and venture down the Easter section at Target, Walmart and Walgreens. I had avoided it long enough. If I waited any longer, my kids would be getting the combed over remnants, which included sugar free chocolate rabbits (the horror) and Peeps (gagamaggot, this years new Peep is [...]

Our water heater started leaking……..actually, it has been leaking drop, by drop for at least a month. The boards were wet under it, and it was slimy and icky. Bill extracted the heater yesterday afternoon, bought a new one and installed it. It leaked too. Then he had to go into work for a meeting…..then [...]

Today Cody had his first baseball game of the season. I brought my camera along to try and get some good action photos of him on the field. I present to you Cody, doing……well? All I can tell you is he was not watching and about to catch a pop fly. That would require the [...]

You want to do something fun for your kids this week that does not involve paint, scissors or glue? Make some playdough with this recipe. This will make 4 good size balls of dough*: 3 cups flour 1 1/2 cups salt 6 tsp cream of tarter 3 cups of water 3 tablespoons oil ( vegetable [...]

I am picking up, picking up, picking up, picking up, picking up all of the adorable kitchen play stuff that Mia got for her birthday. I find it all over the house, and by the time I finish, and head back to the kitchen, it is everywhere again. Today was especially bad. The boys had [...]

I told you that this weekend I talked to my 2 older sons about the birds and the bees. This isn’t something new. I have talked to them before about the differences between girls and boys etc, but never in such….depth…as we did on Sunday. The questions were flowing from the 8yo, and I had [...]

Or you will gobble her up whole. I have seen Dooce, Jana, Heather, Chris and tons of other blogs using YouTube, so I thought I would try it too.

When you drop your laptop, use anything to make sure it does not hit the floor. Even if that means sticking your leg out and catching it with the top of your foot. It will hurt like hell for over an hour. It will cause you to curse and limp, but the alternative is unthinkable………. [...]

I am having a love affair with some baby shoes. Adorable baby shoes that are well made and soooo worth the $. Mama Mia has a few (snark) pairs of these and has had them for almost a year and is just now outgrowing them! So, time to order new ones. Specifically Kimberly Kitty, Frank [...]

In my freaking HOUSE people!!! Internet, meet the freaky, blind, pink snake that was found swishing its body side to side doing its best, tiny, little Ray Charles impression on my BATHROOM FLOOR. See its little blind, beady eyes???? It is about 2 inches long. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles [...]

I have kept a secret from everyone. I have sooooo wanted to tell you all, but it is not something I could blurt out over the internet. We are mulling some plans over. Nothing is written in stone, but serious consideration is taking place. Discontent has settled in. I don’t know why or where it [...]

Another wonderful weekend under our belts. The trailer has proved, yet again, as our best idea to date. The hiking was magnificent. The kids did REALLY well. Saturday, we all did a 4 mile loop, baby included. She actually walked a great deal of it, spending very little time in the sling or on shoulders. [...]

Yesterday my baby turned 2. As hard as it is to see her grow up, I am entranced with each stage she is going through and looking forward to the next! She just has all of us under her spell. The boys, who would not be caught dead with a doll, suddenly find themselves playing [...]

Modeling her pretty, pretty dress, originally uploaded by jody2ms.

Birthday girl, originally uploaded by jody2ms. Happy Birthday sweet, sweet girl. You bring all of us so much joy and happiness. Celebrating your birthday with you was such a blessing. We love you!

Bill surfing, Port Aransas The perspective is kind of off in this picture. He was at the top of the wave, charging down, and there was a wave in front, so you can’t see the wave much. If you look in the back, left of the photo you can see the size of the waves. [...]

Silver light Sunrise sea, Dancing, prancing Look at me. Waves cresting Tidal flow Splashing, laughing All aglow Bright dazzle Start of day Jumping, leaping Sprites at play

Cory, using Dad’s board and liking it! The kid can rip. Yes, we are home. Tanned, tired and totally happy with our trip. I could not find a signal while there, so having no computer for 10 days was like going off of crack cold turkey. Now that I am thoroughly detoxed, it will be [...]

In just a few more hours we are off to the beach with the Little House……for 10 days. WHOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Bill is carting it down as I type this (to snag a spot) and the kids and I will follow after I pick them up from school. The kids and I are staying for the whole [...]

The large family topic yesterday was about comments people make to those of us with larger families. Mine include, but are not limited to: – Like Carmen, I have been told that “since you got your girl, you can now keep your legs closed”. This was said to me by my cousin, who I love [...]

For all my wonderful computer friends who left sweet messages about Mia’s boo boo….thank you, thank you, thank you. The swelling seems to be going down a bit. You can see in the photo above the swelling and mottling in her left cheek. The angle of the picture makes it look pretty good, and it [...]

When she is hormonal and her children are falling apart left and right like little, fragile ice statues that someone is taking giant toothbrushes to, well, that’ll do it. Yessiree Bob. But……. Do you really want to know what else can makes a grown woman cry? HTML The new four letter word.

It is not a good practice to allow your children to run through the house with a toothbrush. Especially with said toothbrush in their mouth. The child could fall and jam it into her cheek, cut it badly, and cause a hematoma the size of large walmut. Bacteria could enter the cut and mix with [...]

Sandy, you may be the only reader who will like this as much as I did: El Salvador Don’t those waves look fun?!!

Sunday the sun came out. The REAL sun. The one that makes everything all bright and toasty warm. Including the amphibians. It was not a day to be spent indoors, so the 2 oldest boys and I took off for the creek to go herp’ing (looking for amphibians and reptiles). The “I” in this trio [...]

Yum! This sounds so wonderfully yummy..Trinidadian Rum Punch. It is the real deal, not Hawaiin Punch with a splash of rum. Thanks for a hint of the tropics Karen! I am totally making it. Will try and use some Jarabe in place of making the sugar water. I know, cheater, and for shame……but try boiling [...]

…..live…..in my kitchen…..twirling girlies in their pretty nighties. I watched a friends 3yo little girl the other night, and she and Mia had a blast together. After baths, I put one of Mia’s bigger nightgowns on her, and she and Mia twirled and danced in the kitchen like “Derella” (Cinderella). The cuteness was unbelieveable. Enchanting [...]

On the one hand, a girl can never have enough clothes. On the other, it is expensive and indulgent. She would have it on for, like, 3 minutes and the tulle would be ripped. But it is so adorable…..and her second birthday is a month away. Photographic opportunities to the left and right. What’s an [...]

marks that it has been 4 years since my first miscarriage. The miscarriage that threw me unwillingly into the land of loss. The beginning of 18 months of sorrow, pain and spirtitual growth. The journey that culminated in the joy of Mia’s birth. I would miscarry 4 times in 9 months…..and again 2 months ago, [...]

…I am making this. Scrool down to Feb 3rd, “Boiled bread”. I hope mine turns out as pretty. And if you haven’t, dive in and get hooked on Logcabinlog. Addicting. She and Travelogue have me obsessively clicking throughout the day, waiting for their next post. Go, read, and be an armchair traveler…..or maybe even get [...]

I define that as the time between when the kids come home from school and 6pm. It is a bear. If I were to tell you one time that I can feel the stress of having 4 kids, it would be the afternoon. I am not sure why it is like this, and I would [...]

That is when I will write a post about the “Witching Hour”. You know, that time between when the kids get home from school and dinner. It is an explosion of arms and legs everywhere, wide open screaming mouth. Crying. Whining……and that is just me. House of the Rising SunNoise There is a house, in [...]

My children were born into bondage. They swear that noone else at school has to do the things they do. It sucks to be them, you know? Todays large family topic is chores. I am so not organized, so I don’t have a chore chart or anything, but from a very early age, the kids [...]

We are in the process of devouring a Halipaska’s chocolate, heart shaped cake….with gobs of yummy flowers and such. It is HEAVEN, and I am not that fond of chocolate….might just have to change my mind about that! Mmmmmm I am surrounded by love today. My husband, my 3 beautiful boys and my daughter. My [...]

There is a certain degree of gross that is encountered when there are 4 males living under one roof. I am not talking about the sweaty boy smell, or that their room smells of dirty socks. I am talking about THE grossness factor. The measure by which one rates disgusting acts or conversations on a [...]

I love it that my husband has a 1/2 day off every other Friday. I anticipate it and get all giddy as noon approaches on those days. I see his truck drive up and I tell the kids “Daddy’s home!” and Quinn and Mia race outside to great him. Yesterday, Cody and Cory also got [...]

Sleep is todays Wednesday large families topic! All of my friends here in town whose kids go to bed at a certain time, and sleep straight through the night without a wimper, all think we are crazy at the Jody2ms house. We do have a routine….and the school age kids have a bedtime. This much [...]

If you were a wingless fruitfly, that somehow managed to escape the jaws of death, and climbed out of the newts aquarium, then up the wall (because you can’t fly, being wingless and all) here are some of the things you would have heard this week at or house. I live with a whole slew [...]

This is me, I think in 1996, when Cory was around 18 mo. It is the only picture I have of myself surfing. It was such a fun day and the waves were so perfect…about waist high, or a tad bit higher. I was getting some great bottom turns and having a blast. There was [...]

When I see this picture Shelley, I want to cry and laugh at the same time. I can still remember what her voice sounded like, you know. Isn’t this a great picture (where were we going?): I want to grab these girls and tell them “Your lives are going to be so amazing, but ditch [...]

See! Lots and lots of blond curly hair! I love this picture. He just looks so young!! Is it Cory, or Bill? Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society An inner candle’s brighter than the sun. Sting I Love you Bill!

Wow. Last Thursday was the Chicken Noodle Soup Supper and annual Talent Show at the Catholic School. In hindsight, I can now tell this story without getting a headache and feel the need to throw up……..no, the talent show wasn’t that bad. But the happenings made me glad that God invented wine. I present it [...]

A Lecture screamed to me tearfully by 5yo Quinn this afternoon after a fun filled, exhausting time at the park: “Why do you make me do EVERYTHING around here. I mean, you make me shut the door on my side of the car when I get out. ” ” You make me close the gate [...]

Last night was a better night. This morning was rough, with albuterol and Tylenol needed. I think we hit the peak of the RSV, though, because this afternoon it seems she has made it ’round the bend.

Or the flu. That is the verdict. She is still wheezing and retracting, so the doc put her on Albuterol elixir. A jittery 22 month old…That should be fun. But, thank God for albuterol. Now she can breath better. Hopefully it will run its course and we will not have to head to the hospital.

Have you ever seen someone lose their mind? Well, if not, and you are curious, come on over to our house. Mia is sick. Like really sick. Like wheezing, retracting, breathing treatments and fever. I am a kook when it comes to my daughter being sick. Add to that that I am an RN with [...]

When I said you could have some graham crackers, I did not mean that you could use a scissor to cut them into shapes. I do feel that I must thank you for filling in the cracks between the wood floor planks under your chair with the crumbs. Very creative! I, personally, was planning on [...]

We do not exist in this world anymore. We exist in the world of the perpetual vacation. We hustle on Friday to pack the Little House, pick up the kids from school and get the hell out of Dodge. We have spasmotic convulsions about 20 miles from home as the toxins of day to day [...]

October, 2004

Chris and Carmen have teamed up to do posts on “The day in the life of a larger than average family” each Wednesday. Today’s topic is The Morning Routine, and everyone is invited to post their routine, then link to it in the comment section of Chris’ blog. Carmen starts her day at 5:30, as [...]

How does God answer prayers? In His time, so they say. Just one look at her and you must admit, It was time spent perfecting her smile.

Quinn was overheard singing a special song this morning. Notice the ad libbing of the 2nd and 4th verses. La cucaracha, la cucaracha, Eeny meanie miney mo; La cucaracha, la cucaracha, Eeny meanie miney mo; Can the cuteness get much better than this?

Can you inject Dawn into your arteries? I need some de-greasing. I cooked 2 pounds of bacon yesterday morning…………it is gone. After having consumed , oh, say 6 pieces of bacon yesterday morning, in the chaos of my day I failed to eat anything else until around 6:30 pm. At that moment, I was on [...]

Why, oh why do we have to have real life, with jobs, bills, cat litter, school, etc. Coming home from our little trip this weekend was about as enjoyable as having all of my eye lashes removed with a tweezer. I really love my house, so this is saying a great deal about how much [...]

Ponies on vacation, Aransas Pass, Texas

If you go to my Flickr page, be prepared to be assaulted with a kazillion newly loaded photos. It is bad….real bad. Worse than the home movies of your great, great Aunties trip to Maui. When I moved my site here from Typepad, I couldn’t believe how easy the transition was. Well, guess what! It [...]

How my daughter signals that she is finished eating:

Who are you people?? I need to know! I have had almost 50,000 hits since I moved to this domain, so I know you are there, lurking and such. I want to know who you are! I want to visit your sites! So this is the week that Sheryl at Paper Napkin has declared “De-lurking [...]

Me: “Do you want to watch Animals?” Mia: “Yesh, Amnimals” So, I place “Amazing Animals” into the video recorder. Mia explodes into a screaming, stomping mess. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Me: “What, I thought you wanted Animals on…okay, out they go” and I pop out the tape. Mia explodes into a screaming, stomping mess. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Me: “What, you [...]

I have been tagged by Jennifer! This is the first Meme I have ever done. Five weird habits of yourself: “The first player of this game starts with the topic ‘five weird habits of yourself,’ and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this [...]

1. Memory foam will not only remember a comfortable position you placed your body in, it will also remember the breast feeding contortionist position in which your spine was shaped like a section of Dead Mans Curve……it will mold around this and lull one into thinking they are in comfort, only to find inthe morning [...]

A recent search brought someone to my sight looking for hope. These simple words speak for themselves and brought it all back to me, awash in tears: -4 miscarriages hope My heart goes out to you, and yes, there is hope….I offer you proof: I have added a new category to my sidebar titled Miscarriage [...]

Just got word from Bill that they have picked up the 5′er and are on their way home! He said that the truck pulls it without any problems! Big relief to me! He said the RV is beautiful. The furniture and cabinets in it are wonderful, much better than any of the other units we [...]

It has been a frenzy of planning here. We decided on the Ameri-camp, got financing, then insurance etc. Then had to find a 5 day window in which to drive to Indiana and pick it up.* That 5 day window fell over the New Years holiday weekend. So, Bill and our 2 oldest boys loaded [...]

After months of trying to decide, we finally bought the 5th wheel yesterday!! Whoohoo! We got a brand new one identical to this, just a different interior color scheme, and ours is a 2005! The dealer is over 1000 miles away, but one of the guys that works there is coming to Texas to go [...]

Here is the pantless wonder having a spot of tea. She got the tea set from her Grandma. This is evidence that I can’t keep a diaper on this kid to save my floors. A few Christmas photos are up on Flickr….just click on the naked baby and you can view them.

Get the kids for this one!

It is official. I have taken the pledge and have joned the “I Hate Buddy” club. To become a member you must: 1. hate running down the road in barefeet chasing a deranged dog. 2. hate walking through the yard with a shovel and plastic bag picking up 15 lbs of dog poop every day. [...]

In an effort to bump the glaring reminder of another miscarriage off the front page of my blog, I bring you the bump post. Bump, bump, bumpity, bump, bump. bump. A rump, bump, bump, bump. Rump, bump, bump, bump.

While standing in the longest line in the history of Christmas, to see Santa at the park, I overheard Bill having a converstion with a man that we know remotely. It went something like this: Bill: “Wow, the line sure is long” Man: “Yeah, that’s because all of your kids are in it. Ha, ha, [...]

Good ole St. Nicholas came in the night and left some goodies for the kids. They had hung their stockings up last night, and were so excited they couldn’t sleep. They were not disappointed! St. Nicholas left candy pops, nuts, an orange, Life Saver Storybooks, and a toy for each. We are not Czech, but [...]

You know, they say that salt water is good for healing wounds, and I have to tell you that I have first hand proof that this is so true. We hit the beach on Sunday (go see Flickr), and it was soooooo much fun. We found all kinds of wonderful creatures on the beach and [...]

Whoa, I mean, talk about efficient. My body used to wrap this show up anywhere between 5-8 weeks. 4wks 1 d is a new record. It is what it is, which means that it isn’t…..going to be that is. Another miscarriage. Oh goody. Started bleeding this morning. The good news? Ummm…… lets see. There must [...]

Trucks only seat 6……….. The early time is always so scary for me, and it still very uncertain. My history makes a + pregnancy test sort of a mute point. The next 2-4 weeks will be rough for me, so prayers are sure appreciated. Now, shhhhhh, don’t tell anyone.

Things have been, well, busy here. Tomorrow Quinn gets his cast off and we will get to see his improved foot. I am a bit nervous, but I am sure it will be fantastic. We are planning on making a day of it, maybe take in some RV shopping and go see a different kind [...]

Oh dear Lord, how we love our Mama Mia Originally uploaded by jody2ms. My brain is so full of stuff related to RV’s and new trucks that not a witty, coherant post can squeeze out. But I did manage to load some pics to Flickr. Mama Mia was the belle of the ball in her [...]

We might have a few too many ponies, ya think?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!!! Well, maybe not everyone.

Okay, so this is what we have decided….we will be purchasing this tomorrow. (What do you think Kathy?) It is a used one,but it is in IMMACULATE condition. It was cleaner and in better condition than any of the RV’s we saw new at the dealership. It is loaded too. It has all of the [...]

Here is one trailer we are looking at. We are hoping to get the F321QBS. The price is really high, but we are hoping to find a dealer that can get it for much cheaper than the quotes we have had, or maybe find it used. That is basically what we are looking for. What [...]

I hate to even say it….but, okay, here goes….we are so BUUUUUUSY here! So cliche. So much going on, and not much time to post and read blogs. I can say that one of the things we are BUSY with, is researching and deciding which travel trailer we are buying. Yeah! Going back and forth [...]

First off, if you don’t read Dooce, todays post is worth catching. Okay, so Wednesday 3: 1. How many times have you yelled by 10 am? 2 2. How many Brown Recluse spiders have you killed in your bathtub, the very one your kids bathe in, this week? 2 3. How many times have you [...]

A cold front has finally made its way here. The wind is blowing and it is grey and overcast. Pecans and leaves are falling from the trees. I have the air conditioner off and the doors open for the first time in weeks. Soup is on the menu for tonight, with warm bread. Mia is [...]

Cory came home from the creek with this creature yesterday: After reading this article, it will be having a very short stay at Casa del reptil y anfibio. Exotics are out numbering the people in this house. Must……..learn……..to say…….NO! Last night found us all huddled in pitch dark around the Red Eyed frogs habitat watching [...]

So, we made it through the surgery and Quinn did so great. Thursday night at the hotel, he spiked a low grade fever of 101.2 and, well, you can just imagine how bad I was flipping out. His urticaria had returned a bit on his trunk, and FEVER dammit. His fever lasted all of 1 [...]

We are home, and trying to get settled in. Quinn is great. Sore, but great. He did not have any complications at all. As for the surgery and was it successful?…. yes and no. The doc was pleased about some things, and disappointed about others. I will get into that on Monday when I have [...]

The Benadryl worked. It has faded to almost nothing. We are off. If you would, send up some prayers for Quinn tomorrow morning! I’ll check back in as soon as I can. C’ya.

It is almost 1pm. Quinn’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. He was on the list for somewhere between 11-11:30, but one of the kids ahead of him got cancelled, so now we are scheduled for 9-9:30. Quinn is a cranky boy in the morning until he gets some food in his belly. He usually [...]

No surfing for me today. Whaaaaaaa. The lady that watches Mia is sick with a cold, and we don’t need anymore germ exposure here at Chez Jody2ms. I am already spraying Lysol on everything. Everytime I hear a cough, I want to dip the person in a 25% bleach solution and start them on antibiotics. [...]

Oh yes. Quinn said, “It looks weird. I’m fluffy.” Fluffy just about says it all.

So, if it is cold, snowy or wet where you live, you might want to skip this. It was so beautiful at the beach yesterday. It was in the 80′s, water was in the 80′s, and the sun was shining bright. I even wore my triathlon bikini! Not that I looked too great in it, [...]

Mia is talking more and more these days. We have little exchanges that are so adorable it just makes me want to eat her up whole. Todays went like this: Mia: (tugging on my shirt) Boobie, pleeeeeze. Me: Okay, but which one. This one or this one? Mia: ‘Dis one, pleeeeeze Me: This one? Mia: [...]

No, not a trip to the zoo. We have our own here, thankyouverymuch. Today it is “clean all the animal cages” day. Our zoo now consists of: -2 Red Eyed Tree frogs 2-Red Efts 1-Green tree frog 1- container of stinky, nasty crickets to feed the above 1-fish tank 1-cat 1-dog and 1 monkey, baby [...]

The lights go out and I can’t be saved Tides that I tried to swim against Have brought me down upon my knees Oh I beg, I beg and plead Come out of things unsaid Shoot an apple off my head and a Trouble that can’t be named A tiger’s waiting to be tamed Clocks [...]

My husband and I argue about the laundry. We don’t have conflict about money, or jealousy. Our disagreements are about cleaning and laundry. How many of you can say that the following has happened in your house. Raise your hand if you can relate: I walk into the room where my husband is bringing a [...]

BOO! Originally uploaded by jody2ms. We had such a great time yesterday. Lots of candy eaten, cookies devoured, haunted houses explored and a nice cold front to top off the evening. As much fun as we had, I have to say that the beginning was rocky….the kids got home from school and were so hyped [...]

….with surfing. And the beach. Checking surf reports daily. Driving for hours to catch a wave. We went to Port A. again on Sunday, and it looks like we will be hitting the beach every other weekend if the surf is up and the weather is good for beach combing. We had so much fun [...]

Well, the fever is gone. No more headache, crying or aching legs and stomach ache. Quinn woke up this morning, his usual self, and went to school. We are beyond baffled. He had fever anywhere between 101-103 yesterday afternoon, I gave him some Motrin, called the surgeon, he cancelled the surgery, the fever broke and [...]

The school called right before pick up time to tell me Quinn had a fever of 101. I picked him up, and he is sick, probably the flu. Poor little guy is miserable. He was fine when he left this morning for school. Ugh. I talked with the surgeon and he cancelled the surgery. It [...]

Time to head out. My MIL will be holding down the fort here with the 2 big boys. If you would, please send up some prayers for Quinn. They would be much appreciated. His surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am tomorrow. It should take about 2 hours. I will not be back to update until [...]

Fun with Tupperware (a bit blurry): She really has branched out with her curiosity. I can’t turn my back for a moment, as the kitchen chairs get dragged all over the house by her, allowing for some extra, special fun at Mom’s expense. Antics such as “feeding” the fish, and pouring out all of the [...]

Okay, this one is for Jen Many hugs to you, Jen!

We are back, and it was heaven on earth. It was a rocky start: But who could feel bad with this to greet their morning: And witnessing moments like this: this: and this priceless moment snapped of Bill watching his son catch a wave: Quinn left a note in the sand, that pretty much summed [...]

My brilliant, loving, amazing husband decided that what I needed was a trip to the beach to combat my worries and take my mind off of things. So, we are packing up and heading for some surf. A front blew in, so the waves should be great. We got a sitter for animals and house, [...]

Mia’s shadow Originally uploaded by jody2ms. I love this picture.

From The Rime of the Acient Mariner The moving Moon went up the sky. And nowhere did abide; Softly she was going up, And a star or two beside- By Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

Last night while lying on the bed talking with Quinn about nothing in general, he blurted out: “Mom, are they going to cut my foot off?” Will someone PLEASE pass the vodka?????

Fall is here. I go out into my backyard and swish, swish through the leaves that have vacated their place among the branches of the enormous pecan trees in the yard. My kids will grab buckets and start the search for pecans hiding in the grass. We will crack and eat as we go along, [...]

When asked what I was doing crawling on the ground with the camera, I responded: “Photographing ants.” “Why?”, asked the curious one. I answered: “Because I can.” **these are fire ants. Teeny, tiny fire ants.

Come up to me at a baseball game and ask: “Mom, can I have some money. I need it for a snow cone at the confession stand”. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, your sins are forgiven………now here’s your snow cone.

This is a picture of the guy, who when nagged to no end, consented to a good deal of $ being spent on a new electronic toy for his wife….one that I might add, she did not really need. Want, need. Yes, they are very different, but not so different when the “want frenzy” is [...]

Oh, I think this will do just fine, doncha?

La, la, la, it is here!!! Battery is charging, and I am devouring the instruction manual. While I wait for the battery to fully charge, I have a public service message. If anyone wants to keep me on their blogroll, you might want to change the link, if you have not already done so, so [...]

I sit. Waiting. For Federal Express. Much like watching a plant grow. Somewhere, on the road in my home town, the Fed-ex man has my new c-8080 on his truck. I wonder if it would be nuts to drive around town looking for the truck and see if he will give it to me? (Yes, [...]

Words just are not coming to me as of late. I just have so much on my mind. Sandy’s baby, and now Kathy’s dad………… Quinn is scheduled for surgery at the end of this month. October 28th to be exact. I have to have him tested for Von Willibrands this week so we can get [...]

Yes, Fall is here, finally, and with it came the Pumpkin Patch. We had so much fun picking out a pumpkin and the kids got their faces painted. It really made it feel like Fall. Here’s one of my little pumpkins:

Okay, so I know this is a pain, but to comment, you must register to the site. Go down the column at right until you come to the “Meta” category, then click on register. It will ask for a username and e-mail address. Type those in and send. You will get an email with your [...]

I am having fun with this site. There is so much to learn, so I am still playing around with things a bit. If you are having trouble commenting, let me know, as I am really not sure how it all works yet, and if I am doing it properly. If you have a minute, [...]

One of the things that I like most about my mother is that she is incredibly innocent.  She calls sleeping with someone before marriage an "affair", one glass of wine makes her laugh and laugh, she sings "Dance with the Dollies" to my daughter, and calls Quinn her little vagabond. As difficult as my relationship [...]

Quinn turned 5!  He is my costume lover, so of course, a Nija Turtle costume was one of his presents. He wanted a Spiderman birthday party, so that is what we had: I can’t believe my little man is 5 already!  My curly haired rascal!

The cake: The child with his cake: No need to tape the windows, but debris was scattered throughout the house.  I had to restrain Bill from vacuuming until the last child was picked up this morning. Since then, he has vacuumed 3 times.  I think I heard him maniacally laughing.

Vocabulary words and phrases for the week. Gravity.  It was bound to happen sooner or later.  Every rider experiences it eventually.  They dread it, but gravity will have its way.  Road rash.  Not the kind you get in your bike tights.  I am talking about the kind of road rash that leaves you on the [...]

Internet, meet Buddy: We are in love!

Today I had to stay home all day while I waited on Fed Ex to deliver a vial of fruit flies.  Yes, I said I wasted an entire day waiting for a fruit fly delivery.  Such is my life with boys. This was because the last one delivered was left sitting on my front porch [...]

Moms night out can really hit the spot.  There is nothing like sampling foreign beers, eating take out pizza, laughing your ass off with good friends and enjoying the unique ambiance at a local pub called Antiques, Art and Beer.  We affectionately call it Beer, Bait and Ammo, because, hell, it is easier to say [...]

Have had a long day.  Quinn had an appointment with his orthopedic doc, and the news was not the best.  I was expecting it, but it is still hurts my mind.   His foot was doing so great, then he had a HUGE growth spurt and all the stretching in the world was not going to [...]

This is a drive by post.  I am at my moms with the kids, and the barf virus is rotating through one of us every 48 hours.  I got it the night of opening ceremonies at the Games of Texas which was a real downer.  I hobbled through watching Cody swim in his events.  Thankfully [...]

On the day my daughter was born, the OR had never seen such a crew.  The usual suspects were present, but I had recruited my own OR team on top of them. Let’s see, there were two OB docs, a Anesthesiologist, a nurse anesthesis, and a PA.  I wanted to make DAMN sure there was [...]

My house is chaotic.  4yo has diarrhea, is crying at the drop of a hat, and I discovered this morning that he DOES NOT LIKE TOAST.  He liked it just fine last week.  Funny how that happens. My 10yo has a friend over, and I overheard him call my son an idiot because Cory lost [...]

Proud To Be An American…….because, well, I am.  I’m proud to be an Americanwhere at least I know I’m free,And I won’t forget the men who diedwho gave that right to me,And I gladly stand up next to youand defend her still today,‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this landGod Bless the U.S.A.

Someone came to my site while searching "automatic toilet flushes a kid" from what appeared to be a French search engine.  Désolé, excusez-moi?  Hmmm.  Please tell me that no one actually believes this could possibly happen.  "Kid flushes automatic toilet" works around here.  Maybe my kids just have big heads. We spent the 4th weekend [...]

I can’t think straight to type a coherent post, so I plan to cheat.  Here are some thoughts floating around in my head, in order of importance: *my mom was diagnosed with Von Willebrand Disease today, in addition to the essential thrombocythemia.  It is hereditary, and I will have to be tested as well as [...]

This comment follows me wherever I go.  There are many variations of it, my least favorite being "Had to keep trying ’til you got that girl". These words are mostly uttered by strangers.  People who see me out with my 4 kids.  Naturally, when they see a girl at the end of 3 boys, they [...]

We had a great weekend, and the start of the week has been wonderful!  I had a wonderful surprise that absolutely made my day yesterday evening.  (It was so amazing to hear your voice and talk IRL, my friend!!!!)  I had been having a rough day, and was walking on cloud nine afterward.    On [...]

We got the call.  The call we have been waiting for.  The call that would seal the fate of our summer nights.  Cory made the All Star team. What this means is we will be loading all the kids in the car several evenings each week, and traveling to towns 1 1/2-2 hours from here.  [...]

The RV was a big no.  It had some slight water leakage into the walls, and since it has lived at the coast, I can imagine the corrosion that is going on in the electrical wiring in those walls.  We decided that we will probably go with an ultra light trailer of some kind….something new, [...]

Our Saturday was spent at the coast.  The first part of it was at a swim meet, where my 10yo and 7yo ripped the pool up!  Cory(10) placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 3nd in his events.  Cody(7) placed 5th and 6th.  It was HOT, but worth every drop of sweat. We then loaded up the [...]

1.  Tell your husband you want to go out to dinner with the kids. 2.  Tell him it must be some place that has margaritas. 3.  Agree to walking across the street to the only restaurant in town that sells margaritas, because it is the only restaurant in town, period. 4.  Down the first one, [...]

I need to make this short, as my stress level is over the top today…. I spent some time at the hospital this morning having and abdominal ultrasound of my kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas and gall bladder.  I won’t know the results until Monday.  The test was ordered because I am having some intense pain [...]

My husband frequently tells me that my showers last too long.  When I tell him I am going to head into the bathroom for a "quick shower" he smirks and says "Yeah, right".  He says tells me that I am obsessive compulsive about cleanliness, and that it is not a shower to me, it is [...]

Well, Mia didn’t quite make it to her bed last night.  She was just so cozy and warm all snuggled next to me while I read and when Bill came in and saw her, he told me not to move her.  I think this came from the fact that we both noticed a huge, bruised [...]

No, sorry, not a sex post.  It is actually a post about sleeping with my husband, literally. A while back I posted about the size of our bed.   Yes, it is a full, and my many pleas to Bill for a bigger bed have been met with "We don’t need a bigger bed, we need [...]

They are home from Star Wars, and as they walked in I asked my oldest, "Well, was it violent"  He replied casually, "Only when Annikan caught on fire".

Yesterday my kids were out of school for the day, so we went to the zoo with some friends.  We had so much fun!  Here they are, at left, being cuter than any of the animals there.  We closed the park down, got some eats, visited with our friends, passed out Tylenol to everyone, then [...]

I can feel it rising. It feels almost like I drank too much coffee.  Okay, so I did drink too much coffee.  Let’s try that again.  I feel claustrophobic.  Like I need to get out of a small space, but I am not closed in.  I am in my home, watching my daughter play on [...]

Big bro and his lil’ sista at the pool. Eating some ice cream after swim team practice.  Yes, we are back in the swing of things with the team, and joining it this year is their youngest swimmer to be on the team, Quintin!! He was so incredibly happy.  He practiced so hard with them, [...]

Okay, if you want a great read, you must go here.  This family is living my dream.  We have talked about doing something like this for years.  We almost moved to Guam in 1998.  Bill had a job lined up and everything, but after talking with a family that lived there, decided it would not [...]

…………..back.  HUGE pain.  Large cyst.  Enormous cyst.  Right…in…the…middle…of…my…back.  Between my shoulder blades….on my freaking spine. Pain.  Hot, burning pain.  Swelling.  Immense cyst that resembles another head trying to grow out of my spine.  Imagine birth, without a vagina to pass through.  No hole in which to exit.  That is my friend the cyst. Did I [...]

I have blocks, dolls of every shape and size, pretend keys and phones, stuffed animals, a little doll house full of furniture, books and more books, several shape sorters and tons of puzzles. So what does my daughter play with this afternoon?  Monkey Mia dumped all the contents of the bathroom trash can into the [...]

I have been keeping a weblog of our bike rides.  You can find it here.  It is quite dull, unless you like to ride.  Bill has consented to be a guest journalist from time to time, so that should be worth a good laugh! We are busy with year end stuff here in regards to [...]

My bike rides have been giving me a nice amount of quiet time to think…without interruption. I get some great ideas for blog posts, only to get home and feel too exhausted to type them out. Today, I was thinking that I really like to read blogs, but most of them are blogs that start [...]

Did you know that when a baby is cutting 8 teeth at the same time, they are capable of ear piercing shrieks that can break glass?  My daughter has beaten the character in Dumb and Dumber on the ability to make the most annoying sound EVER.  It is this unbelievable sound.  "EHHHHHHHHHKKKKKK" when she wants [...]

We did that THING again……3 more times.  The competition is fun. After one ride this weekend, Bill came up behind me as I washed dishes, wrapped his arms around me and whispered in my ear "You will never beat my time, because, even though you are getting faster, I am too."  Then he kissed me [...]

We did someTHING great this weekend.  It was so satisfying, and left me exhausted. No, it wasn’t sex, although we might have done that too…..not that that is any secret, given I chart and the entire internet is privy to that info. No, that THING we did made me feel like jody2ms again.  But, I [...]

Nature is great.  I encourage my kids to get outside and explore, and they in turn, love it. One of the things the younger kids like is finding snails and playing with them.  They have snail races, make homes for them, and compare collections. Today Quinn and a friend found the mother load of snails.  [...]

I am an RN.  I do labor and delivery.  I also do med surg.  I have done a few shifts in the ER.  I see some really gross and disgusting things.  Hand me a finger in a cup on some ice that needs to be sewed back on?  No problemo.  Clean the laceration that involves [...]

Spring is officially here!  Yeah!!! One of my favorite things about this house is the big row of windows that look out into our backyard.  We have 6 huge pecan trees, and when I left last Thursday to go to see my mom in Ft Worth, they were just barely sprouting their leaves.  When I [...]

Oh, I have a blog? Hello! Everyone is over the stomach bug here.  Quinn, Mia, Bill and I all got it.  The 2 big boys escaped the wrath altogether.  It manifested itself in me as intractable nausea for 2 solid weeks.  I am so glad to be free of the constant desire, day and night, [...]

Today is re-lapse day in regards to barfing.  Mia did not puke all day yesterday.  She even ate a bit of broccoli for dinner.  What the heck was I thinking, giving the kid broccoli!!  She lost the broccoli in bed around 3am.  Then again at 8.  Then again at 9.  Oh, and breast milk/broccoli diarrhea [...]

DH redeemed himself last night after our 4yo let loose his stomach contents in his bed…..on the top bunk…..with all his stuffed animals gathered ’round to watch. Bill gave said 4yo a bath, washed the sheets, pillows and observant stuffed animals, made a little bed for him on the floor of the bathroom, and proceeded [...]

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, more completely primitive than a 12 month old with the vomit virus.  They do not understand toilets, trash cans, or bowls.  I feel like Rambo in the mountains, covered in gunk, oblivious to the smell and how hideous I look.  It has been one hell of a night and day.  [...]

I have this thing I do every evening.  I go to the outside refrigerator, get a nice cold beer and bring it upstairs.  Then I open the freezer and get out my frozen mug.  It is not just any old frozen mug, but a bright blue, miniature kid mug with water in a section surrounding [...]

Eat a huge piece of birthday cake.  Run around the house like you were just infused with epinephrine.  Tap the little miniature pincher dog, that your grandmother loves more than life itself, on the head and make it chase you.  Go ahead.  Take your shoes off so you can slide on the wood floors, as [...]

Tiny fingers, tiny toes, A rosebud mouth And button nose. Life for her has just begun. Our little Angel’s Just turned ONE!!! It was a great day.  Very overwhelming, but so much fun!  Here are a few pics to end the day with: She’s one this morning!! Mia’s cake. I’m overwhelmed, a mess, and you [...]

My mommy is here!  We are having so much fun! Tomorrow is the b-day party for my baby!  I can’t believe she is a year old!!!  Such a big girl, walking around everywhere!  My sweetheart! My daughter!  Figlia mia! Today my boys came home and Cody made a beautiful card for Mia with her picture [...]

Are you a Stepford wife, or the antichrist? 1.  Your husband calls out to you from the other room , as you clean out drawers and closets, , "The baby is crying and wants down from her highchair".  You: a.  Say "Oh, thank you for letting me know, I will be right there!" b.  Say, [...]

My kids didn’t wear green yesterday.  They didn’t pinch one another.  We did not have corned beef and cabbage. Instead, my kids went to a friends house and made Play-Doh cookies.  Apparently, it is cookie dough that looks just like Play-Doh and you can mold it into various shapes prior to baking.  It has lots [...]

Bill survived.  Spewing with broken ribs has gotta hurt.  By that afternoon he was out mowing the lawn. Not one other person in the house has come down with it……yet.  There was much rejoicing and dancing. It is spring break here, which does not mean much, except for the spring part, and even that is [...]

I awoke this morning to all the sounds of spring. The sun slowly brightened the windows in my bedroom. The birds were singing. Squirrels scampered across the roof. I stretched and yawned. My baby was snuggled next to me. I heard a few sniffles down the hall in the boys room. Then a sound caught [...]

It is official. He finally saw a doctor. X-rays do not lie. There are 2, count them, 2, broken ribs on my husbands left side. Also his clavicle was separated from his sternum. Nice.

My kids have a pet mouse.  Her name is Mousy.  Original, huh?  We have had her for almost a year now, and she really is a great amount of fun.  She is clever, and the kids love to watch her. She also has several lives.  Her first one bit the dust when one of the [...]

I can say this with certainty;  the makers of fine furniture DO NOT have small children.  If they did, they would not make cabinets, book shelves, dressers, couches or beds with spaces underneath them.  Every toy in our house, every pacifier, every Lego, every ball, every puzzle piece will at some time, in it’s inanimate [...]

I think my entire family is immunocompromised.  We now all have pink eye….more like "crusty, goopy, swollen, red eye".  I am on day two of little or no sleep. And, yes, Mia is sick again.  With pink eye and gobs of snot.   And cranky as hell.  I haven’t slept in 2 nights.  She wants to [...]

I was talking with a friend recently about marriage and the subject that came up was “when is the honeymoon over”? Is it over when you fart around each other? Or is it after you have kids and the one-on-oneness is far and few between? No, I’ll tell you when the honey moon is over. [...]

How to know when your husband realizes he is not invincible: …….he takes EVERY dirt bike magazine from the house and fills a large garbage bag with them, then takes them to the curb, as you watch in stunned silence. Bye, bye Racer X, Dirt Rider, and Dirt Bike magazine.

Bill has finally admitted, after having to get a chest binder to wear so he could put on his socks and shoes, that he probably has some broken ribs. Which brings us to an interesting point in the dirt bike hobby. I was pregnant with Quinn when he bought the first one, and was NOT [...]

Nothing soothes the soul like a day outside in the sunshine.  Especially a day spent with my favorite people in the world…..my kids. Every day is precious.  Seize them all. Mia in her wonderful cherry dress.  Thanks, Karen! I have 4 kids!!!!  I still find that so amazing!

News flash!  Mia is taking steps.  Like in several of them at once.  Like, 5…to me!  My baby is walking!  She is also clapping now.  When she does something totally adorable, she looks at us and starts clapping her hands, which is, in and of itself, totally adorable.  She also drops Cheerios over the edge [...]

No word on the chest yet. He has not succumbed to my pressure to get an x-ray. He gets more sore with each day. Ugh! Men!

Oh, I loved Rachels Ten Things I Have Done That I Think You Haven’t, so here is mine: 1. Hiked out to a coral reef in the Sea of Cortez, where the tides fluctuate by as much as 24 feet.  This makes it one of the lowest low tides in North America. 2. Popped an [...]

Drive up hours early from riding your dirt bike, and walk sort of sideways as you amble toward the garage. Turn to face me and allow me to see the gash on the side of your face. Then tell me that you took a double, and wrecked as it went around for a turn. Be [...]

Here are a few pictures from the last month or so.  I am slowly transferring stuff over to my laptop.  Best friends Those eyes. My little C-man Will have a new photo of Cody in the next day or two. Oh, and those elusive house pics. 

Imagine if you will, the viral process at work.  The single virus particle, a virion, infects a single host (or hostess) cell.  Progeny are produced, the cell lyses, or breaks open, and allows the progeny viruses access to other cells.  Naked capsid viruses infect this way.  I want the naked little bastiges to GET THEIR [...]

You might notice, from time to time, that I will write a post, then it disappears a few days later.  It is not a web fluke.  I  have hind-sight delete syndrome.  It is a bothersome condition brought on by the little angel on my left shoulder.  The little red beast on my right shoulder is [...]

So, my curiosity got the best of me.  A digital readout on a pregnancy test?  Now this I have to see.  So I purchased a box of Clear Blue Easy Digital, and brought it on home.  Pregnancy tests are meant to be obsessed over.  You wait for at least 9 days post ovulation, so your [...]

Happy Valentines Day from my family to yours!  Love your family from the very depth of your souls.  Turn up the volume, click on the title below and don’t forget to let them sleep in the middle tonight.                                ~ Let Them Be Little ~ I [...]

Just a fly by post. Mama Mia got some diarrhea.  It wasn’t yella, like paella, I can tell ya.  It was kiwi colored.  But that would be due to the fact that she ate kiwi fruit and THEN had Cefdinir induced diarrhea.  Did you know that kiwi seeds can pass straight through a digestive tract [...]

Antibiotics are on board now, and my sweet baby is recovering.  She has had 2 doses, and it is amazing how much better she is.   Her fever broke, she slept last night and she smiled. I swear, praise God for drug companies.  I don’t care how much I have to pay for them.  You can’t [...]

It is marathon time here at Chateau Jody2ms. You might ask, "Oh, are you training for a marathon?" Well, the answer to that would be a rather blank stare from me, followed by a gawumpf and a sneer. No, the marathons we are experiencing are much more endurance building than a puny old running marathon. [...]

First, if you are coming to this site in search of clubfoot information, please feel free to e-mail me and I can tell you about my son, Quinn, who has left clubfoot.  I would love to help out in any way that I can. When we first found out that Quinn had severe clubfoot and [...]

Moments ago, my daughter was sitting on my lap while I read some blogs.  On one, there was a picture of a turtle.  She pointed to it and I said "turtle".  She looked at me, to the turtle, and back to me and said "turtle", clear as a bell. I am calling Mensa.

It has been way too long since my last post!  Things have been busy here, and I have been having a blast with my new, "mid-life crisis" present.  It arrived last week, and is so awesome.    I can now post from any room in the house and no longer have to share computer time [...]

For your enjoyment, I give you the Mama Mia song.  I cannot remember the origin of it, but it has been with her since her first few weeks of life, during breast milk poops aplenty.  It is even recorded on her little V-Tech phone.  Embarrassingly, my kids sing it to her wherever we are.  So, [...]

This is for Dooce: Mia will not keep a sock on her left foot.  Each time we go out, I place socks on her feet if it is cold.  When we reach our destination, I take her out of her car seat, and we head on into the store.  Within moments an elderly woman will [...]

I have become the hypochondriac mother.  Ever since the miscarriages, I am in touch with the notion that I am not so invincible.  Whoa, it happened to me?  Yeah, it sure did. So, stuff happens and you move on, right?  Well, apparently not for me. I have had some post-partum anxiety.  4 kids ages 10 [...]

"and baby makes 6" will now come to you in new, easy-to-read- with-bifocals, large, geezer-style font. Oh, and to properly celebrate 40 wonderful years on this earth, I have ordered this beauty as a gift for getting so damn old.  Now I can post from bed.  The management

Here is the little villager from the 1st grade Christmas story play:     He is such a doll.  He has been the easiest of all 4 of my children, and the most good natured.   He is gentle and soft spoken.   He cups my face in his hands and looks me straight in the eye [...]

Life is flying by right now.  Christmas and the end of school always bring so much stuff to do.  Lots of running around, plays to watch, presents to buy and wrap.  This week is especially busy, as we are baptizing all of the kids this Sunday.  Yes, all 4 of them.  We were of the [...]

Last week was a VERY busy week for us.  What with the cake on Monday, school plays and parties on Tuesday, and laundry and packing on Wednesday, I had zero time to do much of anything. Thursday morning started off with a ton of anxiety.  Bill went to get cash via ATM, and saw that [...]

My 10yo and 7yo are in Cub Scouts.  Tonight we are having a "Mommy Cake Auction".  The project was for us to make a cake and decorate it for the cake auction. We decided to do a "Winter Wonderland" cake.  It was so fun.  The boys rolled frosting snowballs (and ate more than a few) [...]

Flame went out in, well, a flame.  He was alive at 6pm, crawling peacefully on a rock.  By 8:30pm, he was floating in the water dead. He obviously had some Newtitis or something weird.  All kids were in the den watching a movie with Mom and Dad, so there was no mischief involved.  Oh, and [...]

It has been an event filled week here at our house.  In addition to proof that animal death does come in 3′s, I have learned a few things and would like to share them: crawfish have hard shells, but rocks are harder and can break them. my 10yo cries VERY hard when his animals are [...]

He loves me unconditionally He shows me in word and deed this love He would do anything for me He married me in 1990 In December of 1993 he decided that he might want a baby In 1994 he gave me a son In 1997 he gave me a son In 2000 he gave me [...]

Where is the baby going?……………………. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . could she have found something interesting?………………………………………… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mm, got any breast milk in here, Mom? . . . [...]

Things heard around my house: -Several 7yo’s in the back of the van, talking about their dogs. I hear my 7yo say “Our dog was a highly trained dog. Very smart. But she wandered off and got lost and we never found her again. ” -Oldest son, frustrated at me when I tell him ‘just [...]

I am in the midst of September “birthday blitz”. Three b-days within 8 days makes for a hectic week. I have had success with one Ninja Turtle birthday party for my now 4yo, Quinn, aka “Hombre Arana”. Next is a Pokemon/pizza party tomorrow for Cody, soon to be 7. He has invited 7 kids, so [...]

So long since I posted! I was sick with the stomach flu last week and it totally knocked me out. Then, I stumbled upon this website (if it doesn’t come up right away, try again later…they are getting huge amounts of traffic and it won’t load at times)through my March play group on FF. Please, [...]

I have a cold. A sneezing, achy, stuffy nose, fever, can’t rest kind of cold. The kind of cold that will spread like wild fire, first to Mia, then on to the rest of the family. As for Mia, all I can do is nurse, nurse, nurse her and hope some of that good breast [...]

Mia slept in her bassinet next to the bed last night. I kept expecting her to wake and cry our for me, but she didn’t. Dagger…….through……the heart. She fell asleep and I placed her in the bassinet, thinking she would wake before I went to sleep. When she didn’t, I just let her stay there, [...]

A bullet list of suggestions will bring you up to date with my week: 1) When your children are an hour late getting home from the creek, it does not always mean that they died trying to save one another from drowning…….even kids forget to update their watches to daylight savings time. Especially when they [...]

Teeth are overrated. Especially when they clamp down on nipples and send the owner of those nipples into panic ridden attempts to “pry the jaw open while not scaring the baby” antics. Teeth have no place in the mouth of a 5 month old. Especially 2 teeth. Sore does not even touch on the state [...]

Mia got her first tooth! It is peeking out on the bottom and is sharp. She has yet to bite my boob. She isn’t even 5 months yet. My baby! Yikes, is she growing fast or what?? Off to nurse miss fussy pants.

I am completely sold on Little Lambs cloth diapers. Such a great diaper. I ordered more, and am exclusively using them now. Mia seems to like them too, and they fit great under her clothes. I use the front snap AIO in the toddler size, but I do have 2 of the side snaps that [...]

Let me start by saying that I love you honey. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Mia, I am writing you today to let you know that it is okay, every so often, to be out of mommy’s arms. Mommy loves holding you, but she is beginning to look a bit [...]

Okay, so we have been OOT yet again. Sorry for the long pause. I would have said something, but I always worry about announcing on the internet that we are leaving and our house will be empty. THE GOOD……. Actually, the house wasn’t empty, as DH stayed home while I took the kids to visit [...]

Had a fun search for my site this morning. Someone came here while searching “baby surfer”. Too cute! Time to get Mia some tiny board shorts so she can shoot the curl with her dad and mom! I am sure she can do some cool bottom turns and walk the nose……well, maybe we can wait [...]

Whew! Has been great week! We took our summer vacation and have been OOT for the last 8 days. Our first stop on Thursday the 21st was the Games of Texas state swim meet. We had such a great time! Cory’s relay team did so much better! They knocked 5 seconds off of their best [...]

I am a coffee snob. Drip coffee doesn’t do it for me. I call it “broth”. To satisfy my palate, a good cup of morning brew must meet several criteria or I won’t drink it. 1) It must be made with a good, organic, shade grown, espresso roast bean. 2) It must be ground that [...]

We had such a lovely day! I picked up the boys from Sunday school and we went to the big park here in our town. It is such a beautiful place. The boys played on the playground, while I walked on the trail with Mia in her stroller. I did 3 miles, and on the [...]

Watching Lance Armstrong surge ahead, yet again, in the Tour De France. What an amazing cyclist. He’s also an amazing asshole. I have not only read both of his books, but my brother has had the “pleasure” of riding in races with him in the late 80′s, early 90′s when Jack owned a bike shop [...]

Spent yesterday at a water park. Too fun. The kids had a blast swimming, floating in the “lazy river” and going down all the slides etc. Cody mastered the water trapeze this year! He was so proud of himself! Quinn went down the slides AT LEAST 50 times! LOL. Cory swam the lazy river and [...]

Little surfer, little one Made my heart come all undone. Do you love me, do you, surfer girl, surfer girl, my little surfer girl

What a weekend! Friday we loaded the kids, bags, cooler, pillows etc into the car and took off for the Regional meet. It was about a 2 hour drive. The boys played their Gameboys, and Mia slept most of the way. That was the last calm time of our entire weekend. We checked into the [...]

If you didn’t, call him and tell him you love him because you never know what the day will bring. Get a load of this: What a wild weekend! The 4th started out with a bang….no pun intended. Friday I was on my way home from shopping in the city, and I got a phone [...]

This past weekend was another swim meet. It was actually the City Championships. We loaded up early and off we went to see if we would go on to Regionals. Cory qualified in three events!! He will go on to Regionals in 50m freestyle, 25m freestyle, and he will swim the breaststroke in the 100m [...]

Last night I dared to put Pachabel’s Canon in D into the CD of my car. It is an amazing piece of music. For me, it is extra special. First off, I walked down the aisle and married my husband to it. It was so lovely. I then bought the CD and played it over [...]

Have been having a really fun time with the diapers! I had placed all my orders and was waiting for them to arrive, when I received a package in the mail from a friend with some diapers to start with! Such a great surprise and a good head start. Also, a friend in town came [...]

OK, I am hooked….completely. A friend got me interested in cloth diapering, and I have now ordered an obsessive amount of adorable diapers and covers……it is gone way past the blanket fetish. They are not only adorable, but are much more healthy for my baby. Not to mention the impact disposables have on the environment. [...]

I have been battling the w32.donk.r virus on my computer. It was a mess and very time consuming. Word to the wise: make sure your virus definitions are up to date and get all of your critical Microsoft patches done asap or you will be in donk hell as well. Summer has such a wonderful [...]

July will have us on a trip to the in-laws ranchito again. I am planning to use bug spray this time, as Bill and the boys were covered in chigger bites when we got back home a couple weeks ago. I think we will also have the boys tent a bit closer to the house, [...]

Mia got her shots yesterday. She cried, mom cried….even the nurse shed a tear. Poor baby. She did not feel well at all in the evening. I put on my jammies early, and she and I had some serious snuggle time. I held her all night. Okay, so I do that every night, but I [...]

My friend Karen had her baby!! If you want to read the coolest birth story you have ever heard, I would encourage you to keep checking her blog for when she posts it!! It was outside in her yard under some trees!!! So incredible!!! Her baby girl is such a blessing, conceived and carried to [...]

Home again!! We spent Memorial Day weekend with the in-laws. They have a 50 acre ranch and it was soooo beautiful. Very peaceful and quiet. I was really able to unwind a bit, as I had been feeling overwhelmed leading up to the trip. Packing etc for 4 kids and myself was nuts while trying [...]

This morning, as I was making coffee for DH and I, I heard my kids in the bathroom teasing each other. They were imitating voices, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard my oldest son, Cory (9), making fun of how another child in his class talked. I stopped what I was [...]

Yesterday was a full day. I went with several of my friends on a shopping day. We had a great time looking at all the stuff and had a yummy lunch. It was our last kidless (or near kidless, as I brought Amelia) day before school gets out this Friday. I didn’t spend a cent [...]

We went shopping at the outlet mall yesterday. I only had 1/2 of my kiddos, Quinn(3) and Mia(2m), and it was tension filled, but tons of fun. Lots of breastfeeding in the changing rooms at Old Navy, Motherhood and on the bench outside of Carter’s………and lots of funny looks from people. I had several “You [...]

It stopped!!! Mia finally had a diaper with a normal, breast milk style bm in it! Thank God for a different kind of runny poop!! She seems to feel much better today, and it is amazing what an effect that has on my aching, worry filled head.

We went to pick peaches today and got a huge box of them, ripe and delicious. Mmmmm. Quinn had a blast. Mia rode in her sling and enjoyed the outdoors for a bit. She is still feeling a bit sick, but is much better than yesterday! I was so worried about her. 8 weeks is [...]

Mia slept a ton yesterday, spit up more than usual and continued her mega BM’s all day (she has been doing it since Friday….not the usual BF stools). By evening she was crying and I could not console her. That just sent me over the edge as far as stress is concerned. She started having [...]

Tonight is the wake for my friend. She has a large family, and everyone was busy with planning the funeral, so I offered to make dinner for them. I have never made lasagna for 19 people before. Ingredients: -4lb ground beef -6lbs Ricotta cheese -6 boxes lasagna noodles -6-8oz packages of grated mozzarella cheese -12oz [...]

The phone rang today at 7am, and I heard Bill talking and knew immediatly that my friend Jean had passed away. She had terminal cancer, and we were expecting the call, as she had become very ill in the last few days and the end of her struggle was near. Jean was in her 70′s, [...]