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!