Bye Bye

Ok, I'm officially addicted to MySpace. I'm going to keep my blog going there...
www.myspace.com/jenthegreatarranger
See you there!

Family Code

At three o'clock this morning, we couldn't take being kicked in the arms anymore. A queen bed is very small for more than two people. Fred said, "Well, I have to get up soon, and I'll take one back. Do you want to keep the small one or the big one?" I replied, "Why don't you take the medium one and put him in bed with the big one? He's more likely to stay there until morning." To that, with eyes closed, Freddie mumbled, "I want to go in my bed. I don't want to go in Quin's bed." We both shook our heads and smiled. He's getting so big...

Snack Tray

Genius! Some article in one of the thousands of Parenting magazines in the world said to put out a nibble tray for kids to graze throughout the day. It's not the best thing for the floor (crumbs!) but for me it serves 2 purposes: 1) I don't have to keep serving morsels every time I turn around and 2) Macy eats the same thing as the others, which I think helps her a lot. Of course that means everything on the nibble tray (we just call it "snack tray") has to be dairy-, milk-, egg-, nut- and soy-free, but that's easy.

Today's tray includes plain "Ritz" type crackers (dairy-free,) snap pea crisps, dried banana chips, sea salt & pepper rice crisps and fruit snacks. Yes, I know...but they do enjoy little Spongebob and Princess shaped rubber things every once in awhile. Guess what, though?! Macy reached for the rice crisps first, and Freddie went for the crackers. Neighbor Brooke went to the fruit snacks first, but I caught her trying a snap pea crisp (I'm not sure if she's had them before?) How cool, huh? I was proud of my kids for not grabbing sweets first!

Today I'm grateful for: the fact that my kids eat vegetables...all three of them like asparagus!

The Toothbrush Theory

I can tell you how your day will be before it even starts. Of course, you must use an upright toothbrush holder in order for this to work. Before you pick up your toothbrush, look at it carefully. If your toothbrush is standing up straight, it's going to be a terrific day for you! If it's angled downward, a bad day is looming. If its bristles are facing upward, call a friend for advice. The toothbrush theory also can be used to make predictions regarding your love life. If the two brushes are embracing, love is in the air. If they are facing away, be careful what you say today. If the bottom halves are crossed, give them their privacy! lol

Today I'm grateful for: good friends who remain so despite the fact that I'm not very good at calling back and the invention of ear tubes

Eyes to the Sky

Despite the fact that the temperature will inevitably rise too high for me today, I feel like autumn is almost here. The morning sky was dark and cloudy, and the air was crisp and heavy. If I had no paperwork to do, no calls to make and no cleaning to accomplish, I would sit in a chair and watch the clouds move. Nothing is more relaxing to me (...well, except maybe a long backrub from a cute guy with strong hands.)

Cloudy days make me want to ride roller coasters.

Today I'm grateful for: getting to spend time with Lisa last weekend.

I've been looking forward to Thursday all week, and it's finally almost here! I've sent the little people to grandma's, made arrangements for the eldest to get to/from school, and I'm ready for a getaway! The best part is I'll get to see Lisa!

Life is good. Life is good. I'm inspired. The giant hand is reaching down from the sky, pushing me in a new direction again...I feel compelled to oblige. I feel alive again, renewed and recharged. I also feel disconnected, confused and "all over the place." The challenge right now is to be brave and bold and explore new things. I'm going. I'm taking a chance. I wonder what level of happiness I will find myself experiencing? I may come back unchanged, disappointed, sad or feeling guilty. But I might come back feeling stronger, new, ready to DO SOMETHING and take charge of my life again. There is always the feeling that more is around the corner. Maybe someday I'll be satisfied; maybe I'm living an unrealistic fantasy. But it's mine.

Today I'm grateful for: times when things fall into place and choices are made clear and we feel hopeful

I've been thinking a lot lately about women and men and how they respond to relationships. I've always thought that women are much quicker to form an emotional attachment with someone. Recently, though, a friend suggested that men can get emotionally attached very quickly, too. Are women truly more emotional?

Today Fred and I have been married for four years. It's hard to imagine that some people go four years and still don't have children. I wonder what we would have done all that time without the kids to keep us busy? I guess we have four extra "empty nest" years down the road alone to spend as we see fit.

Friday I leave to go to scrapbook weekend. It will be weird not having Cara sitting across from me. I know most of the other women who will be there, but I'll be rooming by myself. Of course, I'm looking forward to the alone time and the swimming visit that Fred and the kids always make to the hotel. But I know myself well enough to say that at 1:00 a.m., I'm going to be lonely in that room by myself. As much as I love time away, I don't like to sleep alone. I truly believe that I'm the product of serial long-term relationships. I'm just used to having someone to cuddle up next to. I am anxious to get to work on the kids' albums, update my nieces' albums, begin our portrait album, continue my vacation album and finish off the kids' baby books, first year albums and first year calendars.

Today I'm grateful for: the card waiting on my bathroom vanity, the long-stemmed yellow roses delivered to the house today, and the babysitter he arranged for tonight so we can go have dinner without rushing- Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Quin is so cute when he runs around without a shirt. He's such a cool, big kid now, you know.

Freddie is so funny- "Mommy, we saw a star in an apple today!" Ahhh, the simple wonders of childhood.

Macy drew tattoos on herself with a green marker. She did the tops of both feet and her cheek. I like to think she's a little more like me everyday!

Life is good. Enough said about that. I had a good day!

Today I'm grateful for: my courage and spontaneous personality.

Be Careful With That Baby's Head!

Today I spent cleaning out the kids' rooms, moving around furniture, tossing junk and secretly putting many of the unnecessary toys in the donation box. It's such a good feeling to know that their rooms are neat, organized and clean. Today's biggest surprise, however, wasn't the dirty pajamas and underwear wedged in the back of the closet or the long-lost Nintendo power cord. I found some books that Quin had taken into his room from the basement bookshelf. The one that caught my eye was "How I Was Born," a real picture book with age-appropriate information regarding pregnancy and childbirth. I asked him about it and he turned bright red. After quickly convincing him that I was glad he found it, we talked about the pictures and the process. His response was "The should really take the legs out first. What happens if they accidentally rip the head off?" (I suppose it was the angle of the baby's head being turned during delivery that elicited his response.) I called his father later to let him know that it might be time for a bit more elaborate "talk." I reminded his father that my school provided a video, discussion and opportunity to buy the "Growing Up and Liking It" packet for all fourth grade girls. I'm sure the boys had something similar done for them. It's strange to think of my baby being old enough now that a girl or two in his class will likely start her period this year. Wow. His dad couldn't believe that some girls actually get their period in fourth grade :)

Today I'm grateful for: the fact that mom always was so "matter-of-fact" about sexuality, because I can talk openly about sex with almost anyone and that's helpful when you have kids

The Awakening

The Awakening by Kate Chopin is one of the few books I've actually read cover to cover in my adult life. In 1899, it was shocking. Today, I think it would be considered normal. I'm going to read it again. The ending never fails to bring me to tears. I'm going through somewhat of the same thing as Mrs. Edna Pontellier. I'm not sure I'll mimic her actions, though. Have I sparked your interest??? Don't worry, it's a quick and easy read.

On a different note: Jewel Osco has reusable grocery bags for $1.00 now! I got five- they are quite big and I'm feeling very proud of myself for making such an effort. With the insulated bag from Whole Foods and now these five canvas Jewel bags, think of all the plastic I'll save!

Tonight I'm grateful for: Kate Chopin, who helps me justify my thoughts without intending to do so

One Sexy Man

Like most families with three young children, our days run together with the "same old routine." We needed that date night last weekend! Isn't he a hottie?!

Autumn Approaches

Autumn is on it's way. I can almost smell the air and hear leaves rustling in the wind. So many people I know are energized by springtime and the promise of warmer weather. The only things that gets me through hazy summer days are thoughts of apples, pumpkins, bonfires, warm jackets and wind blowing all around me. Today I want to clean my whole house and drag out my fall decorations. Here's to autumn! Let's mix up a batch of hot cocoa, break out the fleece jackets and flannel sheets, go to Wisconsin to visit the apple orchards and put some pumpkins on the front porch. Hurry, cooler weather. Hurry, fall.

Today I am grateful for: the many wonderful times we've spent at the cabin in Wisconsin, the family memories yet to be made and my parents for the hard work they've done to make it such a cozy place to go to relax and reconnect with each other

Untitled

I don't like having to come up with titles. It seems like a chore. I'm not going to use them anymore. Enough said.

I've been unusually busy the past few days. Freddie started preschool and speech this week. I finally took Macy to her pediatrician to figure out what's making her feel so icky. Turns out it's her ears again. I don't want to give her antibiotics, but I really should help her out. Her allergies are going crazy (as are Freddie and Quin's.) The *good* things are that she has an appointment in a couple of weeks for a hearing test and consultation to schedule ear tube surgery, and our visit to the ped opthamalogist went well- her "wandering" eye doesn't require a patch or glasses at this time. My children are on-going medical challenges. I wonder what it's like to have children that have perfectly shaped ear canals, no allergies, no chemical imbalances, no constipation and can eat anything they want without getting eczema.

Did I mention that the day I get my act together, we're going to find a chiropracter close enough to us that I can commit to going 3-5 days a week for quick adjustments? We need Dr. Jeff. Most of the above were under control or gone when we were seeing him. I wish his office was closer. His method worked perfectly for us. Start going to him 5 days a week for adjustments, get re-checked a month later, maybe drop to 3 days a week, re-check again and eventually see him 1 or 2 days a week. We were in and out in 15 minutes. He charged us a low weekly fee. It was the perfect. We all felt better and I wish I could find a "Dr. Jeff" near home. In my spare time...

Fred left today for a golf trip with his dad in Michigan. I'm torn between feeling like I have some alone time and feeling overwhelmed by having the kids by myself 24/7 until Sunday morning. I actually scheduled a babysitter for Friday night for a few hours. What shall I do???

Fred and I went to Projekt Revolution, a sort of "Lollapalooza" event hosted by Linkin Park at the former Tweeter Center. It was good, juvenile fun. We and some friends ate and drank in one of the sky boxes. I fell asleep on the couch when we got home Saturday night and didn't get up until Monday morning. Yep, I was sick, sick, sick. Why is it that every couple of years I forget that I'm not a hard-partying rock star anymore? Fred was gracious enough to care for the kids all day, take them out of the house to allow me to sleep and watch Lifetime and the Travel Channel all day. He wasn't however, kind enough to remind me that after finishing the entire bottle of cabernet, it's not a good idea to throw back a couple of shots of vodka, a Mike's Hard Lemonade and several Red Bull/vodkas. Geesh, just the thought of it makes me want to cringe!

I need to post more kid pics on here. Maybe next time.

Tonight I'm grateful for: having the bed all to myself tonight- at least until Macy wakes up and doesn't feel good and needs Mama

10 years later

I just finished watching The Birdcage for the first time. My friend Lisa (my former professor) showed it during the final class during one of my college courses. She was kind enough to excuse me from class to go home and study for my GRE. Since that day, despite many recommendations, I had never felt compelled to watch it until today. It was funny, but I guess if you are not a Robin Williams fan, it's hard to love it. Sorry, Lisa.

So much for going to the gym. Fred took the kids to a local fest and I simply felt like doing nothing. It was probably more beneficial to me, too.

Tonight I'm grateful for: my friendship with my true best friend Lisa, which has spanned 13 years now

TGIF

For a few more minutes it is quiet in the house. The 4th grader will soon come bouncing in with tales of the day, which will in turn wake up the 3-yr-old, who will need to go potty and "need" help. The former will stir the toddler who will then want to ride on my hip through the rest of the evening. What they don't know, though, is that we're leaving. I've been very presumptious in my workout log (to the left) in regard to what I plan to accomplish at the gym this evening. If Fred is there also, then he can listen for a page to the child care to change a diaper or kiss a scraped knee. I think I'll even take my own car, so that I can escape to Archiver's afterward. It's August 31st, so that coupon expires today. Who doesn't get the free cardstock, right?

The kid is home- here we go. . .

Today I'm grateful for: the fact that my 4th grader still talks to me about his day

Trusting Bob

I'm putting my faith in Bob, whom I hardly even know. He's the musclehead at the gym who conducted my MAP test yesterday. After putting a humiliating neon green mask on my head, making me breathe through the tube for what felt like an hour and raising the incline to 14 on the treadmill, he sat me down to "educate" me. Some of his information sank in, some went over my head. I tried to listen carefully, but thoughts like "Gee, he's a big guy" and "look at the size of his hands" and "he kind of reminds me of Fred's friend Brett" kept running through my head. Then he started using phrases like "long, rythmic strokes" and "breathing hard" and "push it hard," and I had a hard time concentrating. Of course, he's not my type, but it was way too hard not to laugh. The end result of the session was a 11-week program, specifically based upon my results, which should help train my body to burn more fat and work out more efficiently. Today I started my training. I used my new heart rate monitor watch/band to keep my HR between 115 and 125 as I walked on our treadmill for 120 minutes. Yep- 2 hours straight!!!

It's my birthday. I'm 33 today. . . and I stayed on that treadmill for 2 hours. (Minus the two times I jogged over to the bathroom and the time I jogged over to help Freddie wipe after he pooped.) I'm going to bookstore and Archivers by myself tonight, and then meeting Reagan for an appetizer and a drink at TGIFridays. I think Fred's feelings may have been hurt that I wanted to escape alone for awhile, but he understands.

I cannot believe that I stayed on that treadmill for 2 whole hours. I have to do the same thing everyday for 9 more days. Then I start phase 2 for 3 weeks; then I go on to phase 3 for 6 weeks. I am very committed to this process. Sure, I could pop some pills and lose some weight, but I know it will just come back. Bob says that by training in this way I can teach my body to burn many times more fat during a workout. I guess I have to trust him.

Today I am grateful for: a strong body and my new pal, Bob

Girls are Different?

Macy is running a fever now, too. Great. I'll get to spend another day home tomorrow with sick kids. Poor things...

She just woke up and cried a bit. As I was stroking her hair and watching her fall back asleep, I just wanted to cry. She's so beautiful, perfect, sweet- and she's a girl. I never want to be away from her. Why is that? I never felt that way with Quin or Freddie at this age, at least not that I can remember. Is it because she's a girl? Is it because she's the last one I plan on having? Is it because since birth I've had to shield her from the many causes of allergic reactions? I'm so attached to her, and so protective of her. I don't care to even leave the house for very long without her. It baffles me. I'd rather sleep next to her in her twin bed than sleep in my own bed- and I usually do!

I tell her I love her 20 times or more a day. Of course, I love the boys, but it's different with Macy.

Tonight I feel grateful for: a daughter and her unselfish, ever-giving father who works hours that I wouldn't even consider so that I don't have to be away from any of the kids

The Purpose

Why would I start this, when it already seems like I don't have any free time? I'm not sure. I managed to fit the gym into my schedule 5 times a week, so maybe I'll make this a priority, too. I enjoy reading Lisa's, so I'm stealing her idea.

I wonder if anyone else remembers when Oprah did a few shows with Sara Ban Breathnach, the author of Simple Abundance and Something More. I hardly ever catch Oprah's show, but the day I saw her talk with Sara, it was like a light bulb went on in my head. Around that time (1998?) was when Oprah began her "gratitude journal." I'm thinking that one purpose of my blog will be to keep my own gratitude journal. So, in addition to journaling, which is something I've always found beneficial for me, I'm going to include the people and things I'm grateful for having in my life.

Freddie's running a fever today, so my arms are full even as I'm typing. It's a good thing preschool doesn't start until next week.

Today I'm grateful for: two strong arms to hold my kids when they're sick