stravinsky, stromboli, or something like that

So two years ago (or so), we noticed one of Princess's eyes turning in slightly, especially when she was looking at something up close or was very tired. Being the no one's going to the doctor unless it's broke or bleeding precautionary, responsible parents that we are, we promptly took her to an opthamologist to check things out. Turns out, she has stravinsky or stromboli or something like that which makes the muscle do weird things and allows her eye to turn in slightly. I had the same thing as a kid and needed surgery to correct it.

Strabismus! That's what it's called. I can never think of it when I need to.


Well.


Translation? "Your daughter needs glasses, and they are going to cost a lot of money."

Well, ok. Nothing but the best for Princess, right? I mean, these are her eyes we're talking about. They are pretty important.

So Princess and I hop in the van and travel to our local big retailer-one stop shop kind of place where our son has been fitted for glasses in the past. We are in search of cute frames. Very cute frames. Because although she is young, she is a girly girl and slightly vain and will want cute frames. After trying on several frames every frame in the store, she settles for some cute little pink ones that were not that expensive as I recall.


Yeah.


The FRAMES were not that expensive, but the lenses? Goodnightnurse! We always bought Rufus what we call a-pair-and-a-spare because you know, kids are kids and they lose, break, sit on, throw away or ultimately demolish and destroy things that they shouldn't. However, we could not afford to buy her a spare pair because we could have bought three of Rufus's for what her one little pair was going to cost...at the local big retailer-one stop shop kind of a place.

Turns out they were bifocals. That she only needs to wear while reading or doing school, you know, close-up stuff.

I know! Weird, huh? I have never in all my born days seen a seven year old with bifocals, but apparently, that's what she needed.

So bifocals she needs? Bifocals she gets.

Well.

I notice yesterday that Wild Man is making his way down the stairs much, MUCH slower than usual, and this is what I hear, "I neena, I neena wear Sissy's gwasses." He talks like that sometimes. You know, like Foghorn Leghorn...I say, I say.

Anyway, this is what I see stumbling down the stairs.


Poor little thing. He's lucky he didn't just somersault his way down, what with wearing bifocals and all.

I convinced him that he really didn't need glasses and he handed them over. They must have hurt his eyes because he never ever gives in that easily.

Her platinum-plated (you know I jest) spectacles now look like THIS:




because she didn't keep them in THIS:



And I know Wild Man didn't do it because I haven't seen her in them for a while now, and I found them the other day UNDER a huge stack of books she is reading.

Am I happy that we are raising a bibliophile? Yes, indeed, I really am. However, there must have been some misunderstanding about the actual placement of the specs. See, they are really more beneficial when placed ON your face, rather than BENEATH your giant mountain of heavy, hardback reading material.

Perhaps we weren't clear. But the next pair is coming out of her allowance or what remains of her college fund, most of which we've donated to the pediatric dentist.

But that's another post entirely.

I think I'll have a stromboli and call it a day.

Ciao.

All he got for Christmas

wuz his two front teeth.

A fever.

RSV.

An ear infection.

Bronchiolitis.

A viral rash.

A trip to the walk-in clinic.

A breathing treatment.

A near-miss on a hospital stay.

Antibiotics, steroids and Albuterol.

Lots of naps and liquids.


Yeah.

Poor baby.


You know what's worse than having a sick baby on his first Christmas?

Having a sick baby on his first Christmas while traveling out of town.

He was a real trouper even though he was sick for our entire visit home. He is so good-natured that he still tried to be happy when he, I'm sure, felt like one of his poopy diapers. I am just so thankful that we took him in and that the RSV was only in the beginning stages. It can be so dangerous for babies.

Anyway, he's on the mend thanks to prayers and medicine, and we'll follow up with his pediatrician here at home this week to make sure nothing further needs to be done.

Here he is enjoying some "liquids." Get a load of those eyes, would ya? Yummy!

I got carded...

No, I wasn't trying to buy a six-pack at 7/11. However, if I were a drinkin' woman, I might have considered it after riding eight hours between a tired toddler and a cranky baby.

Anyway.

I got carded by Briggie over at There is Power in Prayer through Yeshua Ha’ Mashiach!

THE RULES:

1. Each player starts with 5 gifts that they would want for Christmas.
2. People who are “CARDED” need to write their own Blog about their 5 things & post these rules.
3. At the end of your Blog, you need to choose 5 people to get “CARDED” and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a COMMENT telling them they’re “CARDED”, and to read your Blog.


My Materialistic Wish List:

1. To be moved into our new house...renovations complete, boxes unpacked, pictures and curtains hung, critters relocated.

2. To wake up in the morning to find my stretch marks have magically disappeared.

3. To write and publish a book one day. Oh yeah, a few sales would be nice.

4. To own all the DVD's and CD's that I would love to watch/listen to over and over.

5. To be 5'11", weigh 130 lbs. and be disgustingly, nauseatingly gorgeous.

(don't judge me people...if you're gonna wish, wish BIG!)


My Spiritual Wish List

1. To make my relationship with Jesus and spending time with Him my #1 priority.

2. To be more disciplined. Period.

3. To be the best example for my children so they will grow in their relationship with Jesus and realize how precious and REAL it is.

4. To be a more godly wife to my husband.

5. For all of my family to know Christ and to live for Him.


The People I Have Carded

1. Misty at McGregor Blessings

2. Christie at Smiling at Tomorrow

3. Miss Paula at Gathering of Friends

4. Shannon at Shades of Shannon

5. Jen at Raise Mine Ebenezer

It's Christmas at Our House

Yep. You read right. It's Christmas at our house today. Why, you ask?

Well, because:

1. We travel eight hours to go out of town every year because we are insane love our relatives, all 406 of them. That's a rough estimate only.

2. They won't come here.

3. Our family keeps growing has STOPPED growing but is large enough to merit help from a bonified moving company to transport all our crap belongings, and that's without transporting gifts for our own kids that they will rip open in .08 seconds and that we'll have to keep up with for the next 6 days before transporting them and a whole new menagerie of presents and sundry loot back home again.

*Sigh*

I dread the drive even though I am looking forward to spending time with our family who we don't get to see very often. But I just wish something were different. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's that I wish our kids were more grateful. Maybe I wish we could stay home. I don't know. Maybe I just need a nap. Honestly? I just think that in the midst of all the chaos, we are losing sight of what Christmas is all about in the first place. I don't want Christmas to be about the latest, greatest whatchamacallit. I want it to be about family, creating memories, and most importantly this:

God's Divine Promise

It happened, oh, so long ago,
One cold and starry night,
A special child named Jesus
Was born to bring us light,
Great joy and understanding
And profound faith in Him--
The Savior God had promised
To cleanse away our sin.
He changed the world forever
With messages divine,
With hope for all believers
And love for all mankind.
His words are filled with promise
Of the glory yet to be
The day we enter Heaven
And find eternity.

Vi B. Chevalier

Ok. So now that we've been reminded what's important, I'll leave you with this.

I'd like to share with you a little buyer's remorse, if I may. My son received a game this morning that was on his list. Rated E-you know...for Everyone! Purchased by my husband. *smiling* I'll give you the short version. It's about these crazy rabbits. Yeah. "Raving Rabbids." One activity involves "anesthetizing" (I know--Big word for stupid game) crazed bunnies by hitting them with sausages until they fall asleep. Another called F@rt Wars, in which you race your opponent with a colored stream of gas shooting from your rear end. I know! Why, oh why? Did I mention my husband bought this game? Still another which calls itself "Chess" and instructs you to concentrate by holding the controller and nunchuck beside your head. That's it. That's how you win! Oh yeah, and there's "Timber!" where you move the controller back and forth in a sawing motion in an attempt to saw off the limb on which you are standing.

Yeah.

Do you feel dumber yet? I am normally completely impressed with the whole computer/gaming programming industry...programming of any kind really. These guys are so way smarter than I am. I struggle with basic HTML to be perfectly honest. That being said, whoever came up with this concept had to be either completely *shnockered* after a night at the frat house or smoking crack. I really do not see any alternatives here. I am not dissing programmers here, people. I'm talking concept. CONCEPT. Some poor schmo had to turn this idea into a real live game. God love him.

Oh, enough. Here are some pictures. I was really just wanting to say I'll be away for a while for the holiday and the move, and there will be plenty of junk great new material to read in January. Please check back then or keep coming back and reading the old stuff. Your choice. Leave me a comment so I'll know you are still out there.



Everyone's pile'o'stuff.



Everyone else's pile'o'stuff.



"I wish I had aaaa...PONY!"



"Yay! A cute picture frame!"



"Smile Rufus! What's that?"



The mama and the teething, feverish, grumpy, but very cute baby.


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all ten of you who visit.

PS There's something new coming after the first of the year. Can't tell ya. No, I can't. You'll have to wait.

Toddler Talk

Conversations this week with my little parrot 2 year old.


while sitting on the stairs playing with toys...

Wild Man: "I hate this toy!"

Me: (a little surprised at *hate*) "What sweetie?"

Wild Man: "I HATE this toy!"

Me: "Aw, that's not very nice. I thought you liked that toy."

Wild Man: "Yeah, I wike it. See my belly button?"

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. This one falls squarely in the hands of older siblings. Ex: "I HATE doing dishes!"


later that day...


Me: "Are you ready for lunch?"

Wild Man: "I want pizza."

Me: "I don't have pizza. I'm making you a sandwich. Want some goldfish too?"

Wild Man: "No. You being mean to me."

Me: whuh? "I'm being nice to you by making your lunch, silly."

Wild Man: "I want pizza."

Me: "You're having a sandwich today."

Wild Man: (slightly under his breath) "Meany."

Again, credit here to big brother and sister who when asked to clean their room, do a chore, ANYTHING they don't want to do, usually reply, "You're SO mean!"


*Yeah, then why don't you cook your own meals and wash your own laundry you ingrates?! Your room looks like you share it with a herd of wild boars. And theirs is the clean side! And while you're in there changing your clothes, see if you can change your attitude!*


I'm sorry, I was daydreaming for a minute. I'm back.


Wild Man: "What's 'Wijah' eating?"

Me: "Baby food. Let's see, garden vegetables and bananas."

Wild Man: "Wemme twy it."

Me: "Ok. Here ya go." (making sure to give him a good taste of it)

while swallowing hard and squinting

Wild Man: "That's nasty!"

Me: "Elijah likes it."

Wild Man: "That's uh-scust-ing!" (disgusting)

Again, credit goes to 'Bubba' and 'Sissy'


That's it for today. Tune in next time for more Toddler Talk.

i should be packing...

...but i don't wanna. i know. i know. just enjoy the pics and stop looking at me like that. i'll pack tomorrow.

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wordless wednesday

faith like a child...

Joseph, Mary, a Shepherd, and Baby Jesus (played by a puffalump)

"...you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

mad mad dancin' skillz

Rather than bring you the usual posts of spiritual enlightenment, political prowess, cutting-edge journalism and meaningful insights...

Wait, that's not my blog That writer, whomever she is, doesn't exist is on hiatus.

Instead, we bring you the usual something completely new...

Mindless drivel! Or in our house dribble.

Check out our Christmas elves!

it's time to change my pants

O.K. So I'm driving on the interstate this morning on my way to work on our never gonna be ready to move in next week no matter what we do to it, latest money-pit, lovely brick home with loads of potential.

I'm jamming to some Christmas tunes on the radio, enjoying the quiet of my van because I am alone. I'm almost giddy because I'm rarely alone. Being alone sounds sad and lonely, but when you have four children, being alone has nearly the same effect as eating large amounts of chocolate that you don't have to share or spending a day at the spa. Let me say it again while I bask in the beauty of the words themselves...I'm alone! Eeeek! Fantastic!

I hired a babysitter for the day in order to actually get some work done which inevitably includes running to our neighborhood home improvement type store for "stuff" and being the lunch-getting person to feed our friends who come and volunteer their time because they feel sorry for us, are biding their time until they can find better friends, they love us and just want us to finally settle. Somewhere. For the love of God and all things holy, could you just get somewhere and stay a while, they plead? But I digress.

So I'm driving on the interstate and notice a blue truck up ahead, pulled rather far off the shoulder of the road in a semi-gully. Hmm. Wonder what he's doing down there.

Well.

As I get closer, I see that he is changing his clothes. His pants to be specific. Right there on MY side of his blue truck. The side where all the cars with PEOPLE in them are whizzing by.

After I realize I've just been half-mooned by some stranger wearing tighty-whities, I begin to laugh. Out loud. For a long time. I am once again glad I'm alone. I begin to think about why someone would choose to change their pants on the side of the road because that's just the kind of gal I am. And I continue to laugh. Why? Because y'all, it's just funny.

I wonder why Mr. Gottachangemypantsrightnow has decided to take his clothes off on the side of the road for passersby to see. Has he spilled some boiling hot McCoffee on his lap? Does he suffer from incontinence, poor thing? Perhaps unbeknownst to Mr. Gottachangemypantsrightnow, a family of ants have moved into his truck and are marching up his leg in search of a new place to conquer and call home, and Mr. Gottachangemypantsrightnow in an effort to save himself, has decided these pants have got to go. Right this instant! Or maybe he's fashion conscious and just realized that his pants just don't go with his shirt. I just wonder why, that's all.

Well, I guess I'll never know for sure. But if I may, I'd like to offer a small bit of advice to Mr. Gottachangemypantsrightnow or anyone else thinking of whipping off the side of the road for a wardrobe change.

1. Kindly step around to the side of the vehicle NOT facing all the known world.

or


2. Invest in a snazzy pair of boxers.


Thank you. That's all.

things i would never have known if it weren't for my kids

that silence for longer than .08 seconds means somebody's into something

that a 2 year old can find and then carry an almost full container of liquid detergent from the laundry room to the kitchen

that he can then open and empty an almost full container of detergent all over the floor without any accomplices his older siblings seeing or hearing anything

that a 2 year old boy drenched in liquid laundry detergent is slippery

that after a thirty minute shower, a 2 year old will remain sticky to the touch

that towels used to soak up gooey mess cannot be washed in a single load without a volcanic type eruption of bubbles cascading out of the washing machine

that each sock of a two year old boy sitting in a puddle of liquid laundry detergent harbors enough cleaning power to do one load each (this would have been good to know before washing the stupid towels)

that the kitchen floor remains a hazard up to several weeks after said incident

that in order to slide like a monkey on a banana peel glide across the floor with all the panache of an Olympic figure skater, all you do is add water

that he's lucky he's cute...it makes it easier to let him live another day

Pay It Forward Book Exchange

If you love to read and win free stuff, check this out!

Overwhelmed With Joy is hosting another free book giveaway.

Go on over and sign up. This is a fantastic way to share a new or gently used book that you've read and just don't know what to do with. Pass it on! Pay It Forward!

wassup spidey?

Happy 8 months li'l man!

It's hard to believe we are cruising at warp speed toward one year with you. You are such a joy! Your big brothers and sister love you so much, and it's so sweet to see the way you light up when they come in the room or talk to you.

Mommy and Daddy think you are the cutest, sweetest, and the most intelligent by far, eight month old we hang out with. Thank you for making our days brighter, more fun, and infinitely more meaningful just because you grace us with your presence.

And sorry about the prunes, little buddy. Somebody said it would help.

Blog Warning!

No one told me! Blogging should come with a warning!
I think of it day and night
It's the first thing I think of when I rise in the morning
I've got to go check out more sites

I'm equally addicted to writing and reading
I'm becoming more helpless each day
I find that I'm wanting, no, more like I'm needing
To post when I've nothing to say

Cute pics of the kids, videos, crazy stories
All have a place, I suppose
But we never, ever intend to be boring
A good read's what we want, heaven knows

Some make us laugh, and some make us cry
Everyone has their own style
Some make us think and question why
Others beckon us to just stay awhile

But, oh the blogs, they call out my name
"Come read me or you will miss out!"
"I'm coming my friends...be there in a minute!"
To read lots of new posts, no doubt

Because I Said So, how does she do it?
Being Mommy to all of those kids
With Pokemon cards that she auctioned on Ebay
My Word! She got how many bids?!

Mommy Off the Record is charming and witty
Sweet Alicia's just begun Renewed in Him
Finslippy wrote the. best. post about her kitty
Miss Paula's got a great Gathering of Friends

Piper of Love had a date with a real Prince Charming
You must see WouldaCouldaShoulda's Christmas letter
breed 'em and weep's "sky-diving" mice were, um, alarming
Slurping Life...aaah, it doesn't get much better!

Sgt. and Mrs. Hub with the beautiful pics
BooMama's funny stories of fallin'
Organized Doodles is worth the clicks
The rest of you--I hear you callin'

So many blogs! So little time!
New ones are birthed every day
How's a girl to just stop on a dime?
There must be a better way!

help me?