and baby makes 6!

It’s over yonder and some random bits

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 list! How ingenious!

-A bit of housekeeping…is the new template here working for everyone? Is anyone having trouble logging on or commenting? I thought I got all the bugs out, but maybe not. Let me know if there are any issues.

-According to my kids, there is no food in the house. This usually translates into “there is no milk.” How we went through 2 gallons of milk, and 2 half gallons of Rice Milk since Monday just boggles my mind.

-’I am bored’ has set in here. It is 8:52 a.m. and I have heard it 2x already. To combat this, I have hired a circus clown, a ball pit and a giant water slide for our backyard. I thought I might even learn how to juggle.

-Because I have no milk in the house, I cannot make my second cup of coffee. Mommy….NEEDS….her….CAWFEE!!!!!!!!! Mental note to self to get out of jammies and go one block to store for milk. Oh, Lord, the effort.

-Does anyone know why my daughter thinks that for me to hear her, I must have my face turned to her and be 1 inch from her face? If I am not, she will drag a chair over, and grab my face and forcefully jerk it over so I am looking at her. This happens when I am washing dishes, talking to anyone else but her, or am otherwise detained. My neck hurts.

-Why the heck do I buy plants that need water..in Texas?

-Does anyone know why I am having PMS 2 weeks before my period? With my luck, I will have it now, and again in 2 weeks. Or maybe it will even last 2 weeks. Oh goody.

-And last but not least, I will be enlisting your expert advice on what to put on my backsplash….the same backsplash of mismatched boards that has not been renovated for the 4 years we have lived in this house. Will it be tile or beadboard. Photos to follow.

We’re going natal

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 is, we did not do this the first time it was viewed. We premiered it in the 5′er for the kids, just in case it was too much for Quinn. In that case, Bill would exit the Little House with Quinn and head on inside the stick house.

Well, the part with the natives came on in the movie, and we were not fast enough to extract the little one, so he got more than a glimpse of these creepy, spooky people that looked like a heroin trip gone wrong. Have you seen it? Okay, so you know what I mean.

For quite a while, Quinn could not go in a room without the light on, or the “natals” would get him. He could not go outside after dark, for fear of the “natals”. What happens if he woke at night and had to walk down the hall by himself? That’s right. The natals would be lurking and get him.

He is over it now, and knows that natals like the ones on King Kong do not really exist (at least in this hemisphere).

All is well that ends well. Parents make mistakes, and I will admit that full on.

Having said that, this summer is the summer that we went “natal”. While we were in Port A, the 6 of us together used less than a basket of laundry. We showered in the outside shower, and even used soap once or twice that week.

Since we have returned, we continue to follow the natal way. We wear bathing suits all day, and the kids use the same clothes over and over. I have done 2 loads of laundry since last week…..and that is all there was. For those reading who have a large family, this is unreal.

Are you still with me? Are you completely grossed out and can’t be my friend anymore? I promise I still shave my underarms. We are clean and shiny, since I must sterilize myself with a steaming bath once a day, as well as the kids. But, oh my, how liberating it is to be a natal. No schedules, no appointments, no nothing.

One thing I discovered while in Port A is that my face stopped breaking out because I discontinued my cleansing routine. I immersed myself in sea water for several hours a day while surfing, so there was no need to use soap on my face. Not. One. Zit. All. Week! So, I continued my poor hygiene here at home with the same results. I was over cleansing my face! Go figure.

Mia has gone natal as well. She is potty training and it is going very well. We abandoned the adult toilet, as it was “scawy”, so she uses a little, antique wooden childs potty………..and she does not wear clothes at all anymore. It is futile to put them on her, as 10 seconds later they are peeled off and strewn across the floor. She has embraced the natal way with zeal.

We at Chez Jody2ms highly recommend going natal. No laundry, no hassles, no worries, mon!

Now I must go, as the natals are getting restless and need to be put to bed….but first, a few parting shots of some in their natural environment.

Guitar

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 write music like that. I feel it welling up inside of me, but I lack the talent to form the notes and words.

When Bill and I were at the ranch a few weeks ago, we were sitting on the swing at dusk, drinking lovely drinks and talking about everything under the sun. Bill is a man of very few words, but that evening the bourbon was flowing and the beauty of that place was just consuming us. He was opening up and gabbing, which is extremely unusual for him.

Cory came out to sit with us, and we got on the subject of music. That kid is musically gifted. He loves the coronet, and wants to play the guitar. He asked if he could get one. I will never forget what Bill said:

“Cory, I think some people are given the gift of making music. Some the gift of appreciating it. I wanted to play the guitar so bad when I was younger. I tried and tried to learn it, but I could never do it. I was so frustrated. I was just not talented enough to play. So I listen to it instead. You have the gift of being able to play music. I think a guitar would be great for you.”

I never knew that about my husband. I know every curve of his body, every birthmark, every mole. I know that every morning his alarm goes off, he hops out of bed, and I can listen and anticipate every move he makes in getting ready. The slide of the medicine cabinet door. The sound of the lid twisting off and the tumbling of pills as he shakes out his morning vitamin. I know precisely when the shower door will open, and the sound of the water being turned on. I can predict it all, down to him sitting on the side of the bed next to me to put on his socks.

But I never knew that he wanted to play the guitar.

What he described to Cory was exactly how I feel, and it made me think………..when you meet someone, and click with them, much of what attracts you to one another is a mystery. The puzzle fits together so perfectly, but you don’t know why. There is a hidden magnet. Thoughts and emotions that you share, but are unaware of.

I am in awe that after almost 19 years with this man, the mystery of his mind is still unfolding for me. I want to know everything about him. I want him to tell more stories like that. The little things that make him who he is today. I want to know the way his mind works.

This morning I went to get milk and the paper. On the way I turned on the CD player, and I listened to “Good Riddance” by Green Day. When I pulled back into the driveway, I gazed up at our house, and I heard:

“So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it’s worth it was worth all the while ”

and I cried because it was all just so amazing. Our life. What we have done. Where we have gone. The hardships, the joys, the sorrows. This new test that we are going through right now. It is all just too much to fathom. What we have created together is enormous. These kids, friends, and all the love. The music was saying everything I feel. It was worth it. Every bit. If I lost it all tomorrow, I would have all the memories tattooed in my mind. God has been trying to teach me that since the day that Bill reached across the table to me, to tell me something was wrong with him.

And then I remembered something else Bill said to me that night at the ranch. We were talking about his stroke and how we need to cut loose more often. With tears in his eyes he turned to me and said, his voice cracking with emotion, “Our life is changing again.”

“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
It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time

It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life ”

Galveston, Oh Galveston

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? Every day brings a new post or two, so be sure and bookmark!

So, I just got back from spending 3 days in my old stomping grounds. We have not lived there for 10 years now, but it will always feel like home to me. So many wonderful memories Bill and I made there! Bill was BOI, or Born On the Island. So was our first son. We still have close family on the island, so I feel like I am coming home as I drive across the causeway to my past.

What is more fun than staying at a house directly on the bay? Well, that would be staying at a bay house for free with 3 of your best friends and their kiddos……13 kiddos to be exact. In a 2 bedroom house. It was wild, chaotic, hilarious and just plain fun. The kids ranged in ages from 15 months to 11 years. The mothers drank margaritas and frozen pomegranate martinis in the evenings. It was necessary, because our ears were bleeding and we had to dull the pain.

What was a day at the beach with 13 kids like? Mind numbing. Very fun, but mind numbing. Especially the part where my son was surfing about 10 feet from a shark that was feeding on some schooling mullet. I calmly waded out and told Cory to move down the beach about 20 feet. He asked why, and I told him “Jelly fish”. Sharks are just a fact at the beach. I have surfed among them most of my adult life, so I usually don’t get psyched out by them. My friends, however, were a bit more impressed and their kids exited the water. Later I told Cory about the shark and he said “Coooool!!” Thataboy!

If you ever make it to Galveston, do not miss a visit to Moody Gardens. It is fabulous, and the aquarium is a must.

Viewing sharks through glass, instead of from the top of your surfboard

Tiny hands on glass

The moment came when I needed a group shot. The boys were less than thrilled.

Now the big question……has this become a Photo Blog, or a Travel Blog?

A night of fun

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!!!!

Beyond the end

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 sea of friends are singin’
Vaya con dios [Go with God]
Mis amigos [My friends]
We take their hopes and feelin’s
To some new world
We’ll be revealin’

Old worlds keep closin’ in
They have before
They will again
Voices call
Beyond the wind
Say we must go
Beyond the end
And follow
Beyond the end

The morning of the 2nd day

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.

It was even larger than Dad’s (by 1/4 inch, but who is counting?)

Small kids with big fish.

Always snapping pics, I tortured made the kids line up for another attempt at a group photo….not too bad. It only took about 10 photos to get a descent one! At least everyone is almost smiling!

Our home away from home

A perfect beginning to a perfect vacation

A much needed break

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 you with photos of little children and puppy dogs. And over 400 posts in archives.

jody2ms RN

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 I have been wanting to get in with. I will be doing L&D, WITH NO CALL!!! Whoo Hoo! I love L&D. It is so exciting, and I get to rock newborn babies to my hearts content.

Quinn is starting school full time in August, and Mia’s Nannie will be watching her Mon, Tues, and Wed every other week. The other weeks I will work Sat and Sun, so Bill will be with the kids.

The great news is, I don’t start until the 3rd week of August. So, I have my summer with the kids, uninterrupted.

I love being home with my children, so this was very, very, very hard for me to do. The truth is, the stroke scared the living poop out of me. Bill doesn’t have disability insurance. If he has a bigger, more disabling stroke, we are just out of luck. I need to do this, to have some peace of mind.

Mia loves her Nannie to death, so I really am not worried for her. The boys are all fine with it too, since I will be home shortly after they get home. I will be strictly days. No more night shifts for this gal.

My worries? Well, I don’t think I can go into them without crying, so I will need to save that for another day.

No contracts were signed and no bonus’ accepted, so if after 6 months I am miserable, I can reduce my time to PRN (as needed) and work as little or as much as I want. We will be shoving every cent of my salary (and I have to tell you it is an obcene amount of money for an RN….as soon as I left the meeting, I called Bill and he was freaking after doing the math) into the bank to build our account up for an emergency.

Any thoughts?

What a mom loves to hear

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.

Azul

Story time down the hall

Glowing

It’s alive.

Men

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 sat there for an hour, with me chatting away as usual, carrying on 80% of the conversation. Then he said he wanted to leave. So we took off for a restraunt called La Tejanita.

Got there, and he came out of his silence somewhat. We chatted and ate some great food. Had a couple of beers, then took off and headed for home.

There is nothing like a 50 minute drive with a very quiet man.

Me: “How do you feel?”
Bill: “With my hands”

Me: “There was this great thing everyone was doing on the net a few weeks ago…it started out “I am from” and then you added things to it, like “I am from soft sea breezes and sand between my toes” ….you know, it was neat to hear what people said.
Bill: “What was the point”
Me: “Well, it was sentimental. You know, being from Ft. Worth, I would say “I am from Cowboys and rodeos, the smell of horses and old leather” Why don’t you try it…….”I am from….?”
Bill: “Galveston.”

Have you ever had the feeling that sometimes the needle is never going to dig out the splinter, no matter how hard you poke at it? Yet, you continue to poke the needle in, because DAMMIT, you know that it is there just below that next layer of skin. He claims there is nothing there, yet you can SEE the damn splinter………..ahem.

Fast forward to the next night. We stayed home and ate a wonderful meal of homemade Hummus, broiled Mahi Mahi, homemade wheat focaccia, and angel food cake. Yum. We then made some of these:

and sipped them in my very favorite ruby red margarita glasses from Mexico

Bill turned up the radio, and didn’t stop singing, joking and visiting all night.

Date night with no kids, BOMB!

A night at home, 24 hours later, with kid….BINGO!

Go figure.

It must have been the Reposado.

Dating

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..

Where are they all?

Okay, it is official. I miss them.

(sniff)