Merry Christmas....

Had a Jolly Christmas, as jolly as it can be without Mr.Claus home.We decided to go with a very economical, and responsible Christmas(as usual) but especially this year.Because we have so many children....so many why did I say it like THAT.Because we have more than one to buy for, I am accustomed to buying things early.My favorite is Wally World when they have the discount toy isle.There is where I get started.I buy here and there.So the bulk of the toys that were gonna be bought were already bought.The funny thing is buying them while the children are present.This usually involves the aid of the older children.Grabbing the item, paying for the item, and dashing to the truck.

So what were we gonna do this year for Christmas?Our children have or has had every electronic known to man.If they don;t have it, they don't need it.So I got the brainy idea to do room makeovers this year.It was time.Some people needed beds, they all could use matching comforters, painted walls and the like.We could not see ourselves spending like nuts knowing that some people are homeless and hungry , more so than ever this year.

So operation room make over without them knowing began.The hardest part was getting them to CLEAN THEIR ROOMS.Fred Sanford junior, was the worst.I have never seen a pack rat as young as he.The object was to get them to clan, declutter, so all I had to do was decorate and paint.Simple plan.Well sure enough, the girls was done.It was a bit hairy at times having Gemini depart from her 16 years of hall passes, emo journals, and God knows what else.She thanked me later, stating she would have never decluttered without my help.I mean the child had ONE glove...where was the match?Empty or darn near empty lotion, soap, you name it...

Then there was Allyn.The guy that sat around looking like he was doing the same, only to find out, he stuffed everything in his closet OR made up an excuse as to why he needed the EMPTY fish tank in his room.Or the stereo that does not work, yet he wants to take it apart.

OHHH come on people, don't you know what I am trying to do here..for you...lol

Well after shopping, sorting, wrapping etc...Christmas eve got the best of them.They all turned 2 all of a sudden.You know the old adage, if you go to sleep early, Christmas will come.

So you have Gemini freakin out caus she can;t sleep in her bed.Calling the larger of the two couches in the basement.Allyn stokied cause he doesn't have to sleep in his room, and have it be discovered , until its too late that he has not cleaned it.Cerah so excited, sh can't sleep, yet she wants to.Peanut was out first, and the babies....I don't know how they go them to sleep.Although the boy was up pretty late.He ended up holding them hostage with Cailou.

The makeovers were welcomed and best of all, when asked for a list of things they wanted,, Cerah wanted a room make over, and Gemini concurred on her list.Along with a lap top, ANOTHER coach purse, Christian Dior glasses, a laptop, clothes, purses,jewelry, ipod touch, Rant phone, .....the list was massive......yet remains so small and insignificant in her brain...

The makeover is complete(walls need to be finished)Whose idea was it to paint circles on half the wall anyway?I willpost pictures as soon as we are done.

Daddy, we missed you , and as you know the day was NOT the same without you here.Tinkering with training wheels, and eating play food, and loading music, and playing with drum sets, and radios, and turn tables, sitting next to me on the coach chillin as we enjoy them playing with their toys, making the holiday calls, and enjoying the holiday meals.The kids enjoyed everything, especially the makeovers.We love you and miss you, and see another holiday's passing as one day closer to you being home...."See" you New Years!

New Years

Innauguration

Valentines

Winter Break

Spring????*fingers crossed*

My Birthday...heaaaaaay

Mother's Day...You KNOW what I want and where I go to get it...yep there...

End of School Year...."Schoolz out for Summer!"

Fourth of July

RR....sheesh...Finally...

First Day of School

Our Anniversary

And you should be home riiiight about now....lol.

As The Donut Change

So I broke down and got the donut!Not the kind one can consume in about two bites.But the one that it takes at least 12 months to get through...in the case of deployment.You see , me and the donut(most people for that matter) have a love hate relationship with the donut.He tells you like it is at the onset of deployment.Usually it is not welcoming.As time goes by, he raises your level of expectancy, and excitement to the point where you begin to adore him.Ahhhh the donut!


The most memorable thing about him, is his uncouth and sometime blunt way of telling you,"you have a long, long, way to go".....This is what you don't want to see.Soo, what you usually do is check it monthly, and if you belong to a message board, or forum for other donut haters...you post your donut status as of the last day of the month.Those rounding the tail end of deployment are usually first to post, in all caps, and neon colors.And not to mention, the cute saying at the bottom......"Leaving on a jet plane"....Arrrh....I ...musn't hate on the person posting their joys of and ending deployment.THEN you have the people that post,"I HATE the donut...Ughhhh when will it change..."Yeah...it is torture, and yet another thing to help us get through a year, or six month, and even fifteen months of separation from loved ones.


What is the donut?


The donut is an excel program created by military members that helped them track their deployment over seas.Along with tracking the time you left, and the "tentative " date to return, the excel program also calculates and gives a pie chart as well as the percentage of time past as well time to go.All this while having whitty sayings at every stage.


Well I happen to be at " Still have a long, long, long time"


Really?Thanks, didn't know that.Rest assured the saying get funnier, and promising as time goes by.As stated before, the one most people like to read it "leaving on a jet plane", and something to the effect of boots on ground.


So while I am hating on the donut right now, I will be cherishing it in a few months.Waiting for the 50% milestone, the saying to change , then RR(I need to get another one for RR specifically)

So tune in to the next time to As The Donut Change...

As my World Turns With All My Children

So as one can imagine...I am a pretty busy woman.(exhibit A...i wrote this awhile ago,,,why isn't it posted?)One question still remains unanswered concerning our children is, Who is the quiet on?Ok really every family has a quiet one.You know that one where when you are making introductions you might say, "and this is (insert name).....she's our quiet one."....well in our household....we got jipped.We had our sights on Radiant, because when she was a baby she NEVER cried and when she did it was soooo soft, you had to lower the volume on everything and listen intently to see if it were her.So I knew , I hit the jackpot with that one.Her older brother was not even in the running.That boy began talking at an early age and has not stopped since.He may PRETEND to be the quiet one....but I have Eddie Haskell's number...Don't let him fool ya.Then along came Cerah, she always cried...lol.She was the first girl, and when her Daddy came home from Korea, he made up for the year he missed of her life.And so that was that.I have been asking this question for a long time.Then we have Shantelle....now I really knew she was the quiet one....ROTFLOL......ok, when we brought her home she was a whoppin 6 lbs.I remember having to pad her car seat.She hardly cried, and was always serious...until she saw one of her siblings or her Daddy.But she was not a loud baby.So I had my hopes on her being the quiet one in the household of dramatics...actors and actresses...So yeah...that was until she decided to talk....We thought Shantelle has a speech delay, and when we got her evaluated the lady may as well had said, " you idiots, aint nothing wrong with this girl, she is the baby of the family and yall are saying and doing everything for her, so why else does she need to talk...she can point like she is doing!"But she was sooo nice about it.She observed her, and heard her talk and watched how she interacted with the family, and she said, you know I think she is ok speech wise, maybe you all should wait another year.Maybe you should encourage her to talk and ask for things before one of you get it....well that ended THAT....she has been talking, mothering, and fussing ever since.
Sooo no quiet one....
So the 9 year old has taken up the smart mouth's ....lol.She is the actress of the bunch, and I think she channels one of the characters she sees on Disney, and in turn has to get in trouble for the smart mouth stuff she says.She had a good fit the other night...lol.Because she could not take a ride.Well , ok...I understand disappointment, but when I got home, my mother was standing guard over her, and told her to apologize etc....well come to find out Radiant must have thought she was auditioning for the best actress role in a melodrama....maybe it would be called,"Suicidal Rage"...My mother said for minutes this chick rolled on the floor, yelled, screamed all kinds of crazy stuff, and rolled some more, she went there with the I hate yous and all.So much to the point she scared the little...and you know NOTHING scares them...well most things.Needless to say, I didn't have much to do but accept her apology for something I was not aware of happening, but its good for her nerves anyway....And then after ALL that, she settled down and .....you guessed started humming and sucking her fingers...what the world?!

I swear Man man and Mouse think they are teenagers.They want to stay up with them, eat with them, speak like them, etc.I must admit, to be so young , they can hold their own.For the most part.

23 to Life.....................

Ahhhh I bet you think I am talking about a sentence someone got for a crime committed....nope....lol.I am talking about I am 23 lbs away from my first weight loss goal! I am giving time to me...to get these final 23 lbs off...and I am living now, and will continue to have life and have it more abundantly. There is NOTHING like setting a goal and achieving it.When I started this journey, I was 205 lbs....I was still reppin the big girls, lookin cute and maintainin' my sexy, but um....I was not healthy...I felt it.fatigue, shortness of breath, and fueling my body with empty carbs and sugar....and just as sedentary as I wanted to be....lol. When I started this journey, it was a dare...I always get to a certain point and quit.Whether it is a dress size( I surpassed it), or a poundage on the scale(surpassed it)...but this time, I told myself I HAD to do it...and finish it...for me....for my health.I take care of sooo many people, and am there for many more...and I need to be a better , healthier person for me, and others will reap the benefit for it as well. I remember preparing for a message on day, and I was struck by a thought, I am encouraging others to get over their fears, and inhabitions, and overcome through discipline lifestyles and things that besets them from achieving what they want in life.And as clear as day I heard," but you don't do it yourself...."I thought, how am I gonna say that, and I don't want to tackle this FAT demon....oh what a demon....lol.For you, it may be lieing, or stealing, or procrastination, but for me, it was the snackin on junk, sugar is my friend, fried foods oh my,I ain't exercising let alone liking it so leave me alone...FAT DEMON!So I challenged myself to set a goal(the same one I have had for years...and meet it....regardless...) So now I am months later, a smaller portion eating, sensible snacker, exercising daily...and loving it....HEALTH NUT...lol. It has become a part of who I am now.When I don't workout, I miss it.When I miss a day, I actually make it up, and or work harder the next workout....lol...What in the world...Its all good though. I have not concentrated on the scale...because I can become obsessed.I have not obsessed on dress sizes, because I know that size is up to to the interpretation of the designer....So I focus on how healthy I feel.The energy I have, and the power to endure. Right now I am mad at the treadmill because I have upped my workout, and my legs are aching again...it a good ache though...you know?Its telling me....I'm are working and making a difference... So I encourage ANYONE reading this blog....don't give up on any goal.Start small...challenge yourself, and keep on keepin on. So yeah I have sentenced myself to 23 to Life....Life as I knew it before has changed.23lbs to a met goal.23 lbs to even more confidence in knowing I can do what I set my mind to.23lbs farther away from horrible diseases...23lbs lighter in order to LIVE*LAUGH*LOVE.

Let It Snow...Let It Snow....Let It Snow....

Sooooo it seems that the snow will not end.The Farmer's Almanac has predicted that this was gonna be a snowy winter.Winter has not even gotten here yet, and it has been ALOT of snow!It all started about a week ....well no the week of Halloween...and has not stopped since.
I had family coming in for Thanksgiving,with great anticipation of snow, they were excited to come and visit Northern New York.They are from Miami, the place where snow is not an issue.People in Miami buy boots, for fashion.I remember growing up and having boots on with jeans and a shirt, in the middle of 80 degree weather.The winters there are VERY mild, and usually, a day where it gets down to 50, calls for long johns and a coat.Not a thick coat though, we don't have them down there.
That reminds me of when we first arrived here, and I was preparing my children for the "harsh" winter months.I very proudly went out and bought the light, fashion boots that I was accustomed to in Miami, and one pair of fleece gloves.I was set.They had a coat...( I knew to get a thick one) and their fashion boots...and A PAIR...of fleece gloves.Well my neighbors and friends that had been in snow, and experience specifically the snow here in NNY...laughed at me for weeks, days, and we still laugh about it.First of all, the fashion boots do no good for their feet in sub zero weather.I was so proud though.But naww we had to save them for the milder winder days.Then it was the issue of the gloves ....one pair per child...including the infants...My friend had to school on the fact that gloves go to the same place socks go to....and never return.And as a result of that it is always wise to have a few pairs of hats and gloves for the children.
How quickly I learned that one has to be more than prepared in this winter.I am usually armed with a shovel, brush, and de-icer for my vehicle, and I have several cubbies and closets full of hats, coats and mittens.Mainly for the younger children.
Something has to be said about the teen-agers and their need to be fashionable over warm.It is very common to see these kids walking around here with no gloves and sometimes no hat.All for fashion...HA....I don't think so!
.........................So yeah ...back to my family.....they actually prayed for snow and a white Thanksgiving...they got it....alot..even up to the day they left.SNOW!...Now my issue with this is....it has not stopped snowing since.I made a call to my people, and told them...look...you really can stop praying for snow now....we got it...we have ALOT of it here, and it looks as if it will not end.AND it is not officially winter yet????
Two hour delay today, and a winter warning tonight, and another one til Saturday night.This has been the pattern.We may have had one day off, but it remain steady..whether light or lake effect, it has been coming down.
Well somewhere in the cycle of life some farmer, animal, someone somewhere is happy, because the snow is helping them and their way of life.So...as the Bible talks about seasons and times, I am reminded that this is a season in the four season rotation.We live in a climate that has all four seasons...which I love....and as things are dying, and hibernating,and hunkering down..one day , they snow will melt, the sun will shine BRIGHTLY, and we will hear the birds begin to chirp,and the signs of Spring will appear.So as much as I would love to join in the complaining brigade..I choose to enjoy the snow.I have learned to enjoy the silence of the falling snow on a cold winter's night(it is a very eerie sound to hear...when you look out your door, and see snow for days, but hear no sound),I pause for the little bunnies, and what nots that I see in the back yard, and I am still amazed at the sight of the Northern Lights that sometimes are displayed here....awesome!
So just as sure as my name is Melissa, and as the Earth remains, the seasons will come and go, some longer than others, some milder than others, but in the end it will accomplish what it was suppose to.When you complain about it, it seems longer and harsher, when you embrace it and ride it out, Life doesn't seem so bad!

Thank God it's Friday!

This week has been an emotionally draining week.Not in a bad way, or emotionally Debbie Downer way, just a week where I REALLY had to think, and reason, and .......do things...lol.One day this week, I didn't get to sleep til about three, only to have to wake up at five.For no apparent reason, just surfing the net, playing games, then watching tv.I am the type that once I pass the 1:00 hr. I can stay up all night.Yeah, so it's FRIDAY!!! I get to sleep in tomorrow...if I choose.I know I am gonna go work out, but not sure what else after that.Same thing for tonight.

VanTelle had a bout of the poops and sore throats this week, so they did not go to school twice this week.They are home today.It is amazing how quickly they and you as well can adjust to a new schedule.
Those two are still as comical as ever...and busy as ever.The newest thing with Vannell is upon bedtime, naptime, or anything related to sleep....he is hungry.He could have just eaten something....don't matter.He wants a snack, a bar, a cookie...and my favorite...milk....but not the white one, the red one...(Kool Aid).So lastnight, I layed them down, and told them good night etc....and he was off..the whining, and crying, and screaming.....lol.So I had an idea...ok...are you hungry, go get carrots...NOOOOOOOO!...lol.i was like well get some cheese, or salad....Nooooo! was his response....lol.Well that didn't take long to difuse..But then he took on a new form of expressing displeasure....yelling to the top of his lungs.Great!Iyts Thursday, and I am tired, sore from working out, and just somply annoyed....and now he wants to start.Did I mention all this took place while in MY bed....again.So needless to say, he was kicked out and put in his room, in a matter of seconds.

Wow...right now they are taking delight and joy in smellng eachother's under arms as well as Radiant's.....lol."I smell goooood!".....I washed up all by myself" says Shantelle.Now the voice of reason, for once...Radiant just said," ok guys we dont have to annouce it.

So yeah this week we had sore throats,diarhea, and a teething baby....yaaaaaay!

Did I mention the snow???????
Oh yeah....so my family came in for Thanksgiving and they REALLY wanted it to snow.Well it did, and they go to play in the snow...and it snowed the next day, and the next, and even the next.All the way until the day they left(the Monday after Thanksgiving)Well a week later, I had to call them and have to retract their request to God for snow.It has not stopped snowing since they left.We get a break ...minor, but a small break here or there....but for the most part daily, even if its a dusting, we got it.so that makes for sloshy treks to school and back.Shoveling,and just plain ole...ugh....why?I really am wondering who it was that thought it was funny and or acceptable to assign us to Fort Drum after Hawaii....not funny.I must admit though, I am past the complaining part and have adapted to the snow, the cold, and the deployments.It is what it is, complaining does nothing but make all of the above drag on, and appear worse than they really are.

So yeah...its Friday, and I intend to enjoy the rest of my day, as I have the begining of my day!
Looking forward to my workout, and coming back home and chillin out.It's gonna be one of them nights....diet pepsi,a good movie or book, warm pj's and a sensible snack.....Nothing more, and nothing less.

Soooo, you may be wondering what kept me from updating my blog.I started off posting daily with stories, updates and things that were useless, but funny.Well all I can say s life.While I intended on posting daily,and having a funny daily, I knew in the back of my head that it was not gonna happen.So now that reality has kicked in I will start where I last left off.

One thing I do want to say in recognition of the laughter post is is that we need it, and need to do it often.Laughter makes things better, and ok.I loved the quotes about laughter, and life.What would life be without laughter....?????I do it often, sometimes at others, I crack myself up the most though!

Well my household is coo coo as ever.The babies have rested their argument for bringing their book bags home daily.Now it's a slight shrug of the shoulders, and ,"no...I want to leave my book bag here." Well isn't it funny how when you don't make a big deal out of something, the matter doesn't matter anymore.Don't get tooo happy, because now the argument is about snow boots, mittens and whether a sweater matches an outfit....what the world?(you are 3 years old....one soon to be 4)Daily I have a discussion with Man Man about why he cannot wear those snow boots (that double as astronaut in training boots) with his regular outfits.I cannot allow this dude to be decked out to the nines and then down to the feet, THE MOON WALKER BOOTS....awww come on.....You know how the story ends .....he ends up wearing them to school, and not changing into his regular shoes...lol
Well today, I got him to wear his shoes and carry his MOON WALKER BOOTS.We will see what tomorrow holds...as it is promising buckets of snow!
*****Shantelle is still the mother of the bunch....lol .The funniest thing happened the other day, well funny to me.And if you knew Ms.Thang you would lol as well.As you may know she is known for fussin and correcting all the other children in our family, and those that are not a part of the Berrien immediate family.Well during one of her funny moments of telling others how much they don't "run things"/......her little body let out the loudest , air bubble, poot, fart as we call it.It was hilarious because first of all, she does not do that out loud(little lady) , and she was sooo busy getting on them, she was interrupted with the very thing that caused her little self embarrassment.She paused....and looked up, through those bangs(that needed to be cut) ....and tried to hold it in....but with the laughter of others int he room ...she burst out in the most heartiest laugh.It was sooo funny....cute ....and funny.
*****Gemini, is Gemini , not a thing has changed with her.She comes home, eats , sleeps, maybe calls her sisters, eats, does a little homework, naps and snacks, then sleeps...lol.That pretty much sums her day up.UNLESS she has a moment to expound her vast knowledge ooooooof ...anything...lol.She makes it a point to point out a fact about anything we may be discussing as a family....lol.The latest thing was when Cerah was rehearsing the classification...methods ...as I called them...Well Ms.Gemini, HAD to not only give the definition of a method, but submit unto us that, genius, order, etc, etc...was something other than the methods of classification.......whatever...lol
*****Cerah is excited about being 12....a pre-teen.She continues to be smitten by this lil cool kid...who shall remain nameless...lol.Well she turned 12 a couple of days before Thanksgiving.I remember giving birth the day before Thanksgiving, during a Texas ice storm, while my husband was deployed to Korea....yeah I have some stories for ya...She is growing up to be such the little lady.We still have to work on some grace.I think when she grows into that body of hers she will be fine...heck she is fine now...she's mine...
She is stoked about trying out for the chorus, and she has a concert soon.She actually made chorus, and auditioned for a solo.The kid has guts...more than I ever had at her age.She is the one that tries everything, and does not care if she fails.....tries again.She is the one that teaches herself to ride a bike, swim, read, and write in cursive....a real go getter!
*****Radiant.....all I have to say is where id Disney casting...in NY...really...she needs a show, a stage, lights , camera, action...really...I am serious...lol
*****Allyn, Eddie Haskell is making his parents proud right now, he is making excellent grades and is behaving in school.Well he has always behaved, but ya know....there is always something...
He is looking forward to something...ohh Christmas....which I am not discussing right now.I need to get that tree up....maybe tomorrow!

Vannell is doing well in Iraq.We have the Internet and web cam, and phone calls, so I will not. we shall not complain....My update pictures are motivating him to loose weight.He has actually.he looks good. He had the chunky persuasion going on for a while...lol


I have been hittin the gym hard....harder than ever!I added strength training, and walking longer at a swifter pace.I average 2.5 miles...in 40 min...I don't know or care if that is "good or not, but it good for someone who was not and did not like to workout.I am loving the energy, the weight loss, and the way I am able to clear my head on that treadmill.I can get on there tired, mad, aggravated etc...but after a good workout, a warm shower....its all good....I love it.It is helping get though the stress , strain, whatevers and what-nots of daily life, and deployment.Emotionally sound....i didn't say sane...lol....just sound...lol.....no I am ok...sometimes it does get hard...when things coming at you all at once, but i know that GOD IS IN CONTROL...and like one of my favorite songs says...His eye is on the sparrow...so i know he is watching over me.If God takes care of the birds,fish, I know he will do the same for us!
So this is a mini recap until tomorrow.I have to update on Thanksgiving, my family coming in, the VLadies...etc...so there if definitely more to come!

Remember:With everything going on in the world today.Breeding fear, hate, uncertainty, we have to find a solid ground to stand on.Solid principles, solid moral convictions, and a solid base for family.People are loosing their minds it seems.Doing things out of fear, and hate and straight up impulse.I thank God for my faith.I always say it...and will continue.It is faith to believe in a God we cannot see, It is faith...I got it...I believe....I see the evidence.But what I will say and continue to say is that , i'd rather believe in God, and his love than anything else.Where is the LOVE today?Where is the PEACE today.I pray daily for peace and that I see God's love daily.It is not easy always.I was QUICKLY humbled today as I had been thinking about having to pay this, and give here, and buy that.....and was quickly reminded how blessed i am.Blessed to have a husband that was alive.Money to be able to pay bills.Cabinets of food, transportation, healthy children etc.Leaving the kids school today, I noticed that a father , whom I thought had deployed to Iraq with Vannell was back.After speaking about the deployment, and he dropped a bomb like....bam...(we were speaking to the teachers about Man Man's attachment issues at home, and how he was ok, at school...etc...) well the Dad went on to say, "well at least your husband is not home for the reason I am home....he went on to say noone should be home for that reason....Well since he had a band aide on his forehead, I assumed he was injured and concurred, he was like...i was not injured...I'll never forget getting that knock on the door...so I assumed the worst, a IEd, a blast whatever...well something just as bad happened...his home on post burned down....nothing left.....wow...I was humbled immediately.All I could do is ask him what I could do to help.forgetting about what I need, and want, I had to ask him...is there anything I could do for him....his reply..I am thankful that I have my family....we can't complain..we will take whatever.....And I have the nerve to be in a tizzy about Christmas, and a Winter Ball and the fact that my husband is alive and well.....but in Iraq......NADDA....

ohh Shoot Maam..I always forget about Maam.She would probably say right now...that's ok...just put the old lady in the corner and forget about her...lol.Well I do...sometimes.Maam is busy with work etc.Nothing new and or indifferent.With the characters I have here, it is soo easy to forget about her....they offer the comedy relief

Untile we "meet" again!

Laughter

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. ~Jean Houston
Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. ~Bob Newhart

Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit. ~Author Unknown

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. ~Kurt Vonnegut

I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth." ~Quincy Jones

With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die. ~Abraham Lincoln

Whoever said "laughter is the best medicine" never had gonorrhea. ~Kat Likkel and John Hoberg, My Name Is Earl, "Robbed a Stoner Blind," original airdate 16 November 2006
even days without laughter makes one weak. ~Mort Walker


A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip


Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo


[L]aughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. ~Hugh Sidey


Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. ~Josh Billings

One Step at a Time!

Step by Step
One Day at a Time
Moment by Moment
Bit by Bit


All sayings that we say from time to time indicating the need to slow down and deal with what you can accordingly, and not worry or deliberate about the future.One step at a time.Usually when I say that about things I have to do or someone else responsibility, it is said because of the overwhelming response to a task at hand.Well ....this week has been a week from somewhere other than my brain...lol.I have dealt the truck(again), inspections, inspectors, parents, just STUFF, different things that in an isolated incident would be fine to handle.But as some of know, when it rains, everything around it gets wet...So I began to think ahead to ward off the effects of some of the STUFF.Well ...that does not work...you end up loosing sleep, getting sick,and becoming ineffective.So, by Tuesday, I called it quits, and a night..EARLY.I recall "speaking" to two people, but I don't recall our conversation.(sorry Glynnis...lol)I remember nothing...lol.My girl just hung in there as I uh huh'd or just said something silly, or random.I do remember breaking down and having VanTelle in the room with me.They were doing their rendition of circle time....FUN!!!
So yeah, by the time yesterday hit, I needed OUT...lol.So I went to the gym and to WALMART.That place is a safe haven for stressed out moms.Well I wasn't really stressed. just done.Like a Thanksgiving turkey.....done....spent....over it all....work, bills, daycare, people.....
So as I was walking through Walmart, I began to hear the song and sing it, One Step at a Time, by Jordan Sparks.And I began to think about life, and how we should and need to take things one step at a time.Me being the Queen of Contingency, I tend to go into worry wart mode about somethings.Or tend to want to fix, think ahead or plan for....ahhh let's see...next April....lol
ok...not that far ahead, well depends....you get my point though.
I realized that I have to take this deployment, life, work, everything, one step at a time, moment by moment.That does not mean I cannot plan ahead etc, but as far as fixing, dealing....deal moment by moment.It took me till last night to figure out that I am carrying quite a load.The children, the home, my job, church, deployment...yadda yadda....I didn't REALLY know that.Keeping it all together and tight can be stressful...if I am not taking it bit by bit...moment by moment ! So I am gonna continue to slow down and take it one step at a time.Do what I can and can what I can't!I sometimes think so much about the next step, moment, decision, that I am loosing it.One thing I do know is that God has everything in his hands, and I need not worry ....about anything.
The Power of the Webcam.....
Soooo Vannell was the first to get the discipline via web cam.Yesterday, he decided he wanted cookies for snack, instead of the snack being served.Well in true Vannell fashion, when he does not get what he wants, he began to yell..." I waaaanaannnt my daaaadddddyy!!.."....yeah...so....that gets old real quick.Don't get me wrong, I know he misses his dad, but I also know he knows that that may get him what he wants.So yeah, Vannell was on the yahoo, and heard him and was like...let me speak to him.He did the ole Daddy 1,2,3...and Vannell shut right up.......*insert hallelujah music here*...he shut right up....and did his infamous sniff, as if to say, i'll be quiet now....but wait till tomorrow....after school...by the cubbies.
Radiant is taking to mimicking everything I do.ahhhh annoying at best.Between that and her random questions, I am sooo ready to adopt another 9 year old to keep her busy.It's so weird, you'd be watching tv, and she will just come up and say,...mommy...um......I just want you to know that I am taking a showere.Ooooook......hmmmm!Or.....something like I am eating five cookies...or ....you get it....?!Random and my favorite was during and inspection she asked something really crazy about gym or something.Do you see that I am busy???....lol.So had I a discovery, a JOB...I pay her to put away clothes.hey, I get stuff done and she gets money.Most of all it gets her busy with something.
Bless her heart, she is being home schooled now and that means spending more time with me.Which means more time studying me, and while I thing imitation is a high form of flattery, it can be annoying.ROTFLOL....she has learned to suck her teeth (as to clean them) as I do at times when I have a piece of meat in them.This may be tmi , but I have a cavity,and at times meat gets stuck and I have to clean it, well if I don't feel like getting up, I have learned how to kid of flush is out with my tongue.Which causes a little sound...well she has mastered the sound.Nothing in her teeth, but she has it down pack.And you know when your kids know they are getting on your nerves on purpose, and they have THAT look,well she does it when she is cleaning out her teeth...lol...funny....NOT.
Well i look forward to tomorrow.I don't know what my plans are this weekend.I guess we are suppose to get snow...fingers crossed.I love weekend snow...
Well the house is quiet now, besides my napping music.All are sleep....yaaay so I am going to catch up on some work before its time to get ShanVan, or is it VanTelle???

Sooo with a day like today, who needs bad days???I am not one to label my days as as horrible, of awful, crazy or just plain doozey, but today was all in one.It felt like a snowball effect of things .It went from being 5:45am to 6:00pm in a matter of moments.
ToDaY
If today was a dish it would be Gumbo
If today was a song, it would be the Macarana
If today was a book, it would be Ripley's Believe it or Not
If today was a car it would be a race car
If today was a piece of clothing it would be be a girdle
If today was a sport it would be track and field...ALL events....
If today was a magazine it would be MAD
If today was an emotion it would be exhaustion
If today was a pace it would be SSSSSSssssssssssssspeed
If today was a bag it would be a backpack...no a fanny pack
If today were a piece of jewelry it would be a toe ring
If today was a television show it would be Survivor
Today was a scripture...it read,
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Tonight is a chapter ....it reads

Psalm 23

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

ToDaY

Today was one of those days you laugh at once it winds down, and you are able to collect your thoughts.If It was gonna try and break , it did today.If there was any day for a rat race, today was mine.
Trying to register a car, in Clark Hall with Kids in tow...in the frosty cold...oopps...we forgot to tell you you needed more points of id.......GREAT.Back home I go...OFF POST....hop back in line, ready to pay...oh that price we quoted.....uh add more money.and of COURSE, I can't find my bank card.....Then of course that is not enough....its not over......back at the truck, the dog on hatch wont close...the latch wont connect to the latch catcher...(is that the name of parts ...don't check the Chevy manual...I own the manual that has those parts in them..)after fixin that once I get home.....hmmm lets see....its almost time to get VanTelle....always fun to do, when Sarah doesn't get her nap out, and I don't have a moment of quiet time before we go get them.If you have a three year old,,,double that...and you are definitely feeling me!To add to my wonderful day, I had to calm a very panicked Baby Sarah with a sucker, because the thought of her gloves being off, and her baby being left in the truck....was not cool.If she could talk she'd probably say, I don't care what you are goin through woman, keep my gloves on when I want them on, take them off upon request, and for heavens sake...let me bring my baby with me!
Children picked up......, the truck decided to stall...twice....GREAT....(insert sarcasm)off to my favorite dealership....of course they want to keep.it ...give her a rental...GREAT...I want my truck fixed, and for yall leave me alone.... we get to the rental car store ....no license or military id...major card.....if you help me find it, I can use it(forgot to tell that part..I cant find my cards to either banks...In a calm panic, I begin to inventory my purse.Which has everything in it diapers, Ipod, cotton, bows, (lemme look)....papers from the dmv, papers from the kid's school,receipts from like 9 years ago, broken sunglasses,my camera, enough crumbs to make a bread puddin, hmmm lets see(lookin)a pacifier, pens ,scissors, and expired mil Id...coin, medicine,empty Mentos gum bottle, a spray bottle top.......so yeah .....ALL this in my purse , and I am looking through it looking for my two ids.....and no...i didn't have a corner in the rental place...I was at the front counter.All the while saying...I know I had...where could it be.Going through my day, thinking about where I had visited and used my id., didn't help, because it(my day) was soo frantic, that i could not figure out where I could have left them.(I used them in every stop I made today)...called around...nope....not here or there....so we hop back in the rental ....back to the dealer...i check the truck, and nope nothing.....so I go back, check through my junky purse.......again....nope not there.Well I just quieted my spirit, and said, where is it...where could it be....and it came to me....you changed jacket to a hoodie...it in the jacket....and u guessed it...it was in my jacket.So not only is my day madness, but now I have to include Maam in it....she , bless her heart brought my ids to me.
Yall know that I am totally paraphrasing the day.(puts on my virtual udder costume)Vannell had a fit...because he decided today was a good day to miss his dad.And yell I want my Daddy in the middle of the parking lot of his school.Him and Shantelle capitalized on my distracted mind....where did the grapes go??????Allyn is still running his pretend family...stressin these poor kids out.Gemini needed help with homework...whats wrong with kids these days...having a hard time ....with symbolism and deeper meanings to things/ life.Perhaps its because everything they see, want need is right there in their face, no need to look deeper, or think harder.Radiant...though all this was more worried that her lips were well lubricated with lip gloss.Big Sarah, didn't care, and still don't .She find the humor in it all!She did manage to be a little blessing today and do a chore that I did not ask her to do.My Shantelle was a little extra clingy, hugs here and there...she must have known I needed huggies.....Don't get it twisted though, she still running the house...or at least thinking she does.

Soooo here I am....its 11...and as much as I want to go to bed, I want and need to work out.I am proud because I did not consume a pint of Rum Raisin, or devour some chips.More significantly, I didn't go to the mall or Walmart. I dealt with what I could and nixed the rest.I had an engagement tonight, but I folded...enough was enough.....lol
So I got my music going now, I am getting motivated, and I am hitting the treadmill!
I look forward to tomorrow...a new beginning!

Happy Thump Day!

Well, since Wednesday is usually "Hump Day", and today feels like a hump day, but its not Wednesday, I am gonna name this Thursday Thump Day!This has been a long week, but relatively short.I guess the oxymoron is a good description of the week as I see it as a result of the holiday.SO that being said, I am as tired today as I am on a usual Wednesday.My mind just hasn't comprehended that we just have one more day in this work week.....I bet it 'll get it tomorrow.....lol

Sooo today began unusually early for me. I had awaken to a knock at my door.Now I had already responded to my alarm, I was in the the whole :set the alarm early, and snooze for as long as possible state.....Then I heard the knock, a persistent knock, as if I was slack/ in my responsibility to my daycare parents....promptness.I KNEW I had at least 10 minutes left.....hey...that's a lot to a Ante Meridian challenged person.If I could, as stated before, I would sleep til at least 2....2 would be like my early morning.I could sleep all day...easily....So yeah, I get to the door, and surprise I got an early, unplanned drop off.Normally, not quite as early.So yeah.....Thank God bad hair days are out, not sure about the dragon..... I asked her what are you doing here?I got a reply , something about traffic, and needed to some early.OK...sooooo why didn't you call first?Or last night.I am starting to think some people think of Daycare Providers as children think of their teachers.LIVES at school, ready to teach, all about teaching, this perfect wonder woman disguised as a conservative, yet animated librarian type.Why don't some people think about other people when they are making decisions that will effect more than themselves?.SELFISH...and they don't think beyond their wants, needs or desires.
Now I am NOT saying she is a bad person, or even that I was mad.A little annoyed, but not mad.In my many years of daycare, I have learned that common since ain't always so common.So while I would have called last night , and made sure that it was ok with my provider to drop of my child 30 min early....thinking of her.I mean does she think I stay awake 24 hours a day....waiting on an opportunity to receive a child for daycare.I REALLY don't think the worst of this individual, and hope that it was an over site.
There is nothing worse than providing a service for someone, and they not appreciate who you are as a person, not the provider of the service.
...Now I will admit, I am not always the best when getting a service....well mainly when I get bad service.....while dining....yes.....I am the type that likes good service, and when I get less than, I get annoyed.Basically wondering why people would go into service related jobs and be nasty to customers...a non people person.Other than that I appreciate good service, and the tip and my attitude reflects it.One thing I will not let go un-noticed is bad service,the server, and the manager will know about it.On the other hand I will let managers as well as servers when i received good service.(yes I am that person)....but hey, at least I am not rude about it....it usually starts with me asking the server etc...if they need a lunch break....lol
Regardless, I manage to get my point across, without being rude.
So anyway, at pick up, I asked her what was up with the early arrival?(I told yall it takes all day for things from am to download)She explained, and I explained and we were and are good. I have stipulations in place for things like this, and she will be reminded of them.
It's quite frosty out today, and getting ShanVan dressed is always an event.Things went smooth, until the hat and gloves episode.I don't even remember specifically what happened .All I remember is emotional melt downs over unisex gloves that were "just for girls"....again, I try and ward off these things by having PLENTY of gloves, scarfs etc for them to choose from.That doesn't matter, of course....if they want to have a fit...they will...if they want to be stubborn, they will....really not caring about the consequences.
I didnt post about the incident yesterday when I was picking ShanVan up from school.And how Van was really being stubborn, and all of a sudden, didn't want to leave school.So he stood there.......ok...well we are leaving.....fully dressed in his winter attire....he fell out and was in the start position for snow angel making....quiet...looking straight up as if her were getting instructions from tSpirit of Tantrums.....I was like...oh no he didn't.In is defence, the school picked NAPTIME to do a fire drill.Great for regulations, not so great for the kids, teachers, and parents.So I knew he was tired, but he didn't have to lay there in the MIDDLE of the floor.Did I mention he was in front of the...you guessed it...cubbies.(read past posts)So you guessed it, I, with my two infant in tow, Sarah and Shan headed to the truck.Thankfully,his teachers were there to convince him to follow suit.He did, and ShanVan was cranky the rest of the night....
Then you have Shan cornering some unsuspecting lady, and telling her that her daughter's backpack was "duuurty"...Now that lady did not ask her that, and I didn't tell her to sat that.That was not part of circle time, music time or Sunday School.Where do children get it from.....They call what they see....The lady never saw it coming.Santelle said it to her as the lady was politely saying an extended goodbye to her.Well she didn't hear Shantelle, because they had said something simultaneously....so the lady said..."yes sweety, what did you say?....Shantelle said, :I said, that's a durrrty backpack..I could have melted like the wimpy trash bags against HEFTY.Are you kiddin me?????It was funny......yes Glynnis, it pd to be the one that speaks clearly...
Even funnier was Debbie Downer and Eddie Haskell at the gym.I go to the gym for respite, its my time to think.And whether I work out on my treadmill, or at the gym, I use it as my time.....uninterrupted, solitude.So when Debbie and Eddie asked to go to the gym..I was like..yeah.Yall deserve to get out of jail...I mean respite as well.Well when I go, I go to work out.I think those two were under cover equipment inspectors.Debbie more so than Allyn...but he had his fair share at equipment hopping.So i'd look up and he'd be on the elliptical, then the bikes, the treadmill, then weights, then they were talking about the gym,....I mean all over the place...lol
Allyn jogged a little, Debbie a little something...not much...don't push it.
As tired as I am , I cannot imagine working out tonight.I can afford (not deserve)a break today, but do I want / need one?I'll more than likely workout, and attend to the things I have to do around here.......yeah...imma go ahead and knock this out....

***Grasshoppa, I just saw the comment you left!It ALMOST made me cry...I was close...but naaaww.Thank you for your kind words girlfriend!***

Well I am off to see who is using the floor and a means to keeping time to the song ...in their head, then imma go hit it....
Happy Thump Day

Ohhh I forgot to say something deep and profound...yeah in regards to considering others before we do things, make decision, and say things;Consider others.Life is more than what you can get and do for yourself.Decisions effect you and those around you.Consider that Pvt behind the desk, that new employee, that little old lady who lives in the yellow house, who has soo many children....you get my point...Do we need to consider thinking about others when we make decisions?
“The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you” Grenville Kleiser

America..Fred Sanford Got Deployed.....

And his junk yard was overtaken by Declutters R US!
It is with VERY tired eyes, and fingers that I write this post. I want to tell you about a soldier that shall remain anonymous, Army's Finest....let's call him Fred....Sanford if you nasty....so yeaaaah , Fred is in the Army, has been for like 15 years.In the 15 years that I have known him, he has been known to "collect " stuff".For what?I don't know.Why do most pack rats collect stuff???....In hopes that we will be prepared for a nuclear fall out, and a blizzard, and just in case six people show up the house at the same time needing a step stool.That has to be the reason why Fred has 6 step stools.Fred is very eclectic in his collection.He LOVES brief cases, and bags.I hear his wife does to.(But that's different)She also has a collection of shoes....(that's essential...)He collects coffee makers, filters, furniture.....what ever you name it, he'll fix it, need it, and has to have it...and like 5 others like it.I must have counted like 7 to 10 electronic cords...you know the kind with green, yellow and red.Really????how many tv's and vcrs does Fred need to hook up...that already isn't hooked up already?Fred....*shakes head* Fred ...I know your wife and you know clutter makes her a little wound*sigh* ....I
am not sure if he is gonna be mentally prepared for the declutter project that took place when he left.The thing is, I hear his wife does this EVERYTIME he leaves.She knows its prime time to get rid of stuff... that he has not seen or used ...and if he didn't take it to war...then ....he doesn't need it.Or at least the other 9 replicas of it.
So I hear Fred took it very well when his wife showed him the pictures of the garage.that must mean he is use to it....he has to be.....lol.So this time I understand his wife promises not to throw away clothes, or his Mr Rogers shoes he LOVES to cut grass in.She will not make concession for the many camel backs, or the collection of "stuff"....I am too tired to even name it...lol
So yeah, if we hear a report on Newzjunky, or news 10 NOW, of a irrational soldier named SGT SANFORD, then you know why.....he may be unstable.Call the president, Secretary of Defence, and even Al Sharpton if you have to....he may be very hard to maintain!In the mean time yall look out ,and be prepared for a neighborly visit, or a friendly request from like 6 people asking for step stools, 3 of them may score and get a hammer each.9 others may show up needing a drill.......and even more important is the mad rush of like 6 people asking to use jumper cables.....hey Fred is prepared for it.
Hey ...I ain't mad at Fred.... he's Prepared!

Your Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Our Minds.....where is it?Really???Can we touch it, can we locate it on an anatomy test?Perhaps you can, but I have not been able to.It makes for a new way to look at the phrase,"I gave her a piece of my mind!What does the mind do, and why did God give us each a mind?A different mind.Our minds are all so different.From the contents,(he's an air head, hard head) the packaging of(he's a fry short of a Happy Meal), to the way that it down loads and processes information.(He's a human calculator,shes a little slow)We have soo many ways to try to comprehend the complexity of our minds.I believe we haven't touched the surface.My minds is like a fast forwarding film.I can literally hear one word or phrase,"hot dogs"....and it will flash , in a matter of seconds from hot dogs, to a visual of one with mustard , to when I craved them when I was preg with Allyn, to morning sickness when I was pregnant with Allyn, to my grandmother's sickness, to when we use to shop with her, to......you get my point.By the time 3 minutes are up, I will more than likely be thinking of something totally unrelated to the hot dogs....lol.This is why for ME...long prayers are not good......I have to fight to stay focused.Sometimes when I am praying but especially when others pray.I guess I am a thoughtful person...always thinking of something.Some people mistake, my quietness, as snobbishness, or and attitude, actually I am observing,processing and thinking about random stuff.(I guess that's where Cerah gets it from!)Always in thought and because I am always in thought I am always listening .That quiet, still tap in my being gives me an answer to a dilemma, lets me know what Debbie Downer or Fabio is up to, helps me find my cell phone, and quite often giving insight to the questions I have about me, life, and human nature in general.See......... a poopy diaper regulator caaaan be a little deep?Never underestimate the power of the poopy diaper regulator!"Power to the PDR!"
What I find most amazing is how our minds are easily made up, good , bad or indifferent.I know for me, if I don't like it, want it, or not interested, unless I "change my mind", I will not budge.Convictions.....a made up mind on the positions of moral and personal issues, formed through personal relationship with Christ.(Melisters Dictionary...again don't try Borders I own the only copy:)The Bible says,"Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus."....where does it say that?....you find it......lol......What is the mind of Christ?Am open mind, a determined mind, and made up mind , an adaptable mind!The ability for our mind to adapt and change , I think, is one of the most underestimated gifts of our bodies that God gave us.Some stress about a mole on a cheek, or the lack of the perfect nose, DD's or no letters at all.But when was the last time you had a talk with a friend and was like,"Man, I want my mind like yours...made up, adaptable..." or "Man, your mind looks so good on most days...I am having a bad mind day." Ever heard someone say,"Is your mind real?" or" boy your mind is purky !"...I know I am around kids most of the time, but I have never heard that before.Not in the context of what I am saying......
So my mind's made up...about a lot of things, and I cannot and will not go back!"whatchu talkin bout Willis????
Well the CONSISTENT, gym going, treadmill using(instead of using it as a clothes hanger), Pilate's doing, calorie cutting ,WATER DRINKING....person you see now, was not always here.I never had a weight problem and developed a serious one after my last baby.Mr. weighed a whoppin 10 lbs.( 1 ounce shy...heck with a quick labor, no meds(too late), and about 5 pushes, I think I earned the right to say he was 10 lbs.He was huge...oh my goodness...ok stay focused....*bows in the moon light position*ok I am not suie if that is really a yoga position...but it sounds good.Where was I...reading back...oh ok...Yeah so, I weighed a whoppin 200 lbs after i had him.Thus the start of a lax cycle of weight loss/ never really gained.A flimsy routine os on the treadmill a day, and to the gym for 10 min here, and walkin at a snails pace there.There was a time, that I would HATE to workout.And water forget about it....but something happened .....I got tired of feeling sick, tired of feeling drained, not fitting my clothes(yes that too...).Now you know Imma rep da big girls...or let me say I USE to....ok stay focused....made up mid.So yeah.I told myself this was something I had to do.For health reasons first and foremost.Secondly I wanted to feel good about myself and feel good about life...the clothes rewards comes along for the ride.So i was able to tell my mind...we are gonna do this and FINISH and MAINTAIN...its a lifestyle.No more excuses.I sometimes have to talk to myself into excerzing daily....its funny...because like I said before, I do answer myself!So after a long day, I am tired, I want a shower and bed...thus begins the conversation:"Man I miss my workout...I know!!!...I actually crave working out....I cant believe it...well if I don't go I will regret it......yeah you don't want to do that....I knooow....well I wonder if i lay here( in bed)and do sit ups, will that count.....you need to get up...where are your shoes....ok my shoes are over there..oh gosh I need to make sure my music is on point, because I need t get through this...ok i am dressed, looking good...haaaay,
ok imma get on here, and I am walking slow....(and it goes on from unmotivated, to a high intensity workout and before you know it I am done! Happy and done!The amazing thing is that I am able to talk myself into doing what I don't like, or want to.. but is good for me.Tell me our minds aren't awesome!
What a powerful thing it would be if we would do that with HALF the things in life, our relationships, finances, or profession...etc.I think that the world would probably be a better place.Everyone would be about doing better regardless of how they feel about it.Who says doing better and maturing is suppose to "feel good, taste good, or look good"When the going gets tough, the tough get going,.....not running away, but get going joggin that mind to remain focus on the mission at hand!
Think of the things we would get accomplished, on time....lol
Think of the many people we would inspire to do the right thing ....Think about how much further in life you or I would be.If only we would have made our minds be changed and do that very thing we are running from doing...We tell ourselves many things to get by.for example...Like 3 years after Peanut was born, I was still carrying a little "baby fat" and not the jeans...I would say,I don't look bad...i just had a baby....lol..... three years later ...are you kidding me??? But we tell ourselves stuuf to make the decisions we make seem ok.Hey I can have this piece of cake, and ice cream....I deserve it.
On a lighter note I have to constantly tell this mind of mine that today ....(yesterday by the time this posts) was / is not Saturday.My mind is having a time comprehending the whole...holiday in the middle of two work days thing.I mean it is like the calendar is playing monkey in the middle with the holidays.


So anyway, I think that my, our mind is one of the most underestimated parts of our body.We tend to focus on the part of the body that is tangible, or that you can "see " functioning.What have you told yourself that you couldn't do?Would never do?Where do you allow your mind to go?What have you adapted your mind to compromise with?What situation or relationship have you allowed your mind to be made up about that is contrary to what you know is right?
Think on these things.....

Lake Effect Snow and Poopy Diapers...

Make for a wonderful Monday.
Last night, the weather report was the highlight of the news.Lake effect snow warning posted for our region.For those of you that don't know, that's like the mother load of snow.Its like the 75% going out of business sale of all sales.Its responsible for snow days,black outs ,limited visibility, power outages, and a butt load of snow.I really look forward to the possibility of a snow day, or an essential personnel only on the road days.A two hour day isn't that bad either.If I am lucky I get to sleep in an hour later.So this time, we were let down miserably.We got some hail, and we may have gotten a small band of lake effect that lasted for 5 min if that.Other than that , we got no real snow.I know I am asking for it now...sort of like a little kid asking for medicine.Because when it finally comes, its gonna come, be nasty and not stop.
The winters here are like that.As the season approaches it teases you.We get cold summers, compared.I remember being happy it got in the 70's this summer.We got a couple of really hot days, but that's it.So isn't it like the North Country to wait til October to snow.Right before Halloween.poor kids....butterflies in winter coats.Ever seen a devil wear a winter coat?....lol.Now we are in November, and I don't know what to expect.We got really nice days last week.I always use to pick on the winter/ the coast is clear flip flop wearers. You don't know who those people are?...........Those are people, usually in the North Country, that break out the summer clothes at the sight of the sun, and Lord help them if the temps reach 60 degrees.Its time to go to the beach.Well I became one of them last week.It was sooo nice.I had on Capri's, and flip flops....in WALMART.I became a winter/ the coast is clear for a min flip flop wearer.You know you live in an unpredictable climate when in the summer you don't pack away the winter clothes and in the winter you don't pack away the summer clothes.Its like leaving the ham and cheese out, as you eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Communication
As I am doing my duties as the resident poopy diaper regulator.I am also mastering(involuntarily) the art of deciphering the underdeveloped human language.That is the spoken words according to those under 4 years of age.If you had ANY interaction with Shan, then you know she communicates well, quite well.So much so, she has even ventured and mastered the words and tone of a little old lady that lives in a shoe...who has soo many children she doesn't know what to do.She is the littlest person in the house armed with an extensive vocabulary, and an attitude!
Then there's "Baby Sarah". Encouraging the big girl stage, I also call her Lizzy or Pepperment Patty.She looks just like her...lol.Sarah , has gone from communicating with one words, to using two to three word sentences.Now I didn't say it was clear.And Lord help us all is she is having her an emotional break down, nothing is clear.For the most part, if you listen reeaaaaaaal hard, you can get what she is saying.Sometimes you get one word, sometime you get a full sentence.Depends on how she feels at that moment.She is still at the stage where her emotions get the best of her, so that maybe all you get from her...emotion.heeeey...she's 2 ...work with her here! Sarah also mimics.What a "fun " stage....NOT.When they get to this stage, nothing is theirs, everything is repeated.She doesn't have the cognitive development to say, hey, there's no need to repeat everything mommy says.yeah even THAT word.
Ahhhh which leads us to Alyssa.The tiniest 1 year old I know.She may be tiny, but she is also armed with and attitude and a readiness to "protect" herself.Now Alyssa says nothing legible, but says alot.Not just says it, but says it FULL of emotion.I mean her little head rolls, hands going, and she is rolling"words" off her tongue so fast that she has spit coming flying out her mouth.When she is fussing, she looks like an old lady who took her teeth out , fussing at the kids on her lawn.It is so hilarious.We don't take her serious, and sometimes, if you "provoke " her by asking her questions like,"and what happened" or " what's up" ....that gets her going, I think mainly because she communicating as she knows how, as ineffective as it is.The fact that we are responding, encourages her to "talk more".The funny thing is, as she grows older, and develops her language, she may become an effective communicator if she couples it with the enthusiasm.
Vannell's communication is maturing, but at the drop of a dime he definitely knows how to become the very broken English speaking little person.He at times, doesn't add a c, and replaces it with a t.Or adds d's where t's go.that kind of thing.The thing is when you have alot of that, it makes for an interesting conversation.....huh Rick?Then again,I have heard him switch to big boy mode.I am not sure, but I don't think he does it on purpose, I think it is when he is not thinking about it, and just talks.It may still have missed placed letters, but its not jumbled and hesitant.The funniest thing is how he communicates when he does not want to be bothered.Those of you that know me, know that I am a person of many words, but when I don't feel like talking, I don't.Its like a chore to me to have to talk if I don't want to.Its aggrivating....lol.I am like, oh gosh.....go ask someone else.Don't you know pronouncing any words right now will exert too much energy.Well Vannell has taken that trait from his mom.So when he does not feel like talking, he whispers. Like really,really,really low.Its hilarious, because clearly what he is saying is,"leave me alone, I really don't feel like talking."So it goes like this, "hey Vannell, what's going on?Where are you going?"...his reply , while he is still walking past you, "sweee sweee swee..he, heeeto da heyrje."And you're like...what?I know this lil dude did not just keep walking, or sometime he will stand there , clearly aggravated, like uh....ok...here is your answer!(it takes everything in me not to laugh at that moment...sometimes I do)So Vannell is our mass communicator.Communicating many ways, but it only works for him.
So how do you communicate?Are you clear in your intent, your tone,and does your body language compliment your communication, or contridict it?Are you the Shantelle kind of communicator?Taking conversation, by storm.Commanding a response from life.Or are you like Sarah, full of emotions, using very limited words clearly, but they are often filtered by emotions.Parroting what others say, as if you you have not developed or understand the importance of your thoughts , opinions, and convictions.Do people see emotions, and can't get to the message.....its to be expected from her at 2, but not at fortynineteenthirty years of age! Are you like Vannell, communicating in various ways, based on your needs?If a moment of maturity is needed, you find the words,but yet still not clear.Or do you allow yourself to go into "helpless" mode?Because its what you know.It kind of just rolls off your tongue before you know it, and when someone slows you down, you may just get clear!Lastly, are you like Alyssa, saying so much, and no one understands you.Rambling on, and provoking others.Picking.....seeing yourself as the smallest in the bunch...emotionally, physically, or spiritually, so in turn, you attack.Attack to keep people away, or to call them near.
These are four illustrations of some problems we may face as we navigate through life,and try to communicate to others though our body language, our tone, vocabulary,and emotional state.I encourage you to become an effective communicator.Not through words, but through deeds, body language and emotional health.Nothing is more draining than to speak to someone that does not understand you.It is frustrating no matter if the barrier is from their lack of understanding, their emotional state,or the fact that they speak another language.(you ever try to explain something complicated to a child, and get the why factor?Fun right?.......not!
The Bible says we should come to God like a child and have child like faith.A child sees no limits.That's why they are free.That's why kids say the darnest things...no inhibitions.We know as adults that is irresponsible, so developing this child like faith and spirit, is achieved through balance.Balance is the beauty of maturing.Maturing is the beauty of accepting who you are.Accepting who you are is the beauty of communication......Communication is the beauty of getting to know God and YOURSELF!

Did I Miss Something?

Well it is Sunday November 9, 2008.Well I thought November was the month we celebrated Thanksgiving, along with Cerah's birthday.Well unless I was out of it , I don't remember celebrating either.On the ninth day of November, I have seen a ton of Christmas celebrations.Christmas news paper circulars, and sales.It really is toooo much.I have began my Christmas shopping, and still have a bit to do.But even with that being said, This is ridiculous.I barely have my Thanksgiving meal planned, and am not sure if I will have guests over.So whhhhy am I being pressured about Christmas?Well we know the state of the economy, and department stores are feeling it...hard.So that being said, they are getting ahead of themselves on purpose.Do they actually think that the people that are experiences hardships on any level , are gonna hear the music, read the papers, commercials and be inspired to spend.Spend money that they need, that can be used in another area in their lives.The closer we get to December, I pray that those experiencing hardships and difficulties,will not fold under the pressure of the media, family, friends, and the government to spend money recklessly.



My weekend was quiet, JUST as I like it.I am about to start a petition to enforce a 4 day work week,.I am ALL over it.I think my weekends are going by way too fast.On Friday, I did my usual.I stayed up pretty late.Bored, I redid my hair...lol.Yeah you guessed it.Friday night I managed to talk to Vannell, do my hair, catch up on my MYSPACE contacts, email some people, and a host of other random things I rarely get to do.Like I said before, I seem to channel my pre mother days, back in Miami, hangin out on a Friday.Regardless of what went on during the week, hangin was top priority come Friday ,say about 5:00, or whenever you got done with the responsible grown folk business.I have never been a clubber, for personal reasons, but hanging out was a must.In Miami, this was easy to do.....sunny days and cool nights!Well since my hangin buddy is in Iraq(everyone say awwwwwwww), I find that most Fridays are spent doing random, unimportant things around the house, catching up on my DVR,doing my hair( I think its cool how the daycare kids always recognize me no matter how long, short, blond or black my hair is!), or on the computer.Whoooow somebody get this party animal to rehab...I am out of control....lol
Weeeelll Since I finally fell asleep around 4:00am I just KNEW that I would sleep in.I knew I had a little running around to do, but I thought I could sleep in at least until 11:00.NOT!!!...As a result of a routine weekly wake up time,and a strict workout regime, my body has now grown accustomed to waking up.I think I woke up about 8:30am.Waaay to early for me.I don't care how much aerobic intake I get, or how routine my wake-up time is, I will NOT like it!I refuse.
So I did my running around, and later that night chilled with the kids:
We even managed to "kidnap" Kiara and Gemini.It was hilarious!I had to run to the ,mall.OK I didnt HAVE to, but I had this cute dress, (12) ty..ty*bows*(although my weight loss is purely for health, I am lovin the dress size!)So yeah I NEEDED some boots to go with it.Ok....ok...I didn't need it, no more than Bush needs a vacation.But I wanted it....I will tell you, rain , sleet, hail, snow, day, or night, I being the fashion bug that I am, I will make a drive by fashion purchase in a heart beat.One is never too tired to shop!So yeah on the way I thought about gettin my girls and having them come with us.I had just gotten off the phone with them, and they knew I was going, but I told them know I will not take them.So at this point they were unawares...lol.Being the pranksters that we are, Allyn and I created a scheme to call the house, and demand that they be ready in two minutes.Armed with a horrible accent, and humor, Allyn called and demanded that the twins get ready in two minutes.Well the first attempt was a bust, because it was the wrong number.Here we are for about 45 seconds clowning with some poor stannger...lol.Then Allyn says, (no accent")"Isn't their number *******?" "Yes" I said back," but you have to dial 1 first....(my cell is long distance)"
Now......sigh....... Kiara answered the phone.Lord help us....between tryin to figure out what she did wrong, and deciphering through the instructions, the poor girl was loss.The instructions were clear, (insert horrible accent)"You havvva be rrrrrready in tree minu, an haffa come wit bubllle gum and pink bowette...K.....you haff your orda????"Simple right?Riding through Watertown, to their house we were having to explain to Kiara, these instructions over and over.Finally we had to hand the information to the head delinquent....lol.She managed to get the message to the girls.And in true teenage fashion(where malls are concerned) they managed to get fully dressed,have the the pink bowette, and the gum, and be to the truck by the time we pulled up.Woooow why don't they respond that fast when we say stuff like ok....get ready for church, school,or get ready to go to Aunt Martha's house, I know she smells, but.Ok...there is not Aunt Martha, but you get my point.(My kids actually like church and getting ready for it....)
Last night was cute.We did a drive by purchase.My boots are"bangin"And by the time we got back the roast was done.(Heeey...I forgot to get my ransom)I forgot to mention that I kidnapped them knowing their dinner wasn't done, and I knew we would be gone, in time enough for it to get done.Good Timez!!!!
If you have children, or are around children, when was the last time you made something fun , or did something fun with them.When was the last time you made something that usually dreadful(ever waited on food, and was hungry?) into something fun.I have these kinds of moments with my kids all the time.I pray they will never forget the silly moments.Moments where mom briefly let her hair down, and became a kid again....for a moment.Balance .I am not interested in being a teenager, or a kid.I love who and what I am becoming at 35...however, I know that to reach them and sometimes teach them , it doesn't hurt to do what interests them....their way.No animals were harmed, laws broken, and we had plenty of laughs.Well there was that time I got caught speeding over by .....ok just kidding.We ate the gum, and I kept my borette.... we laughed at the horrible accents, and laughed even harder at Kiara,.....who really was tryin to figure out what she did to get arrested.....lol.
Routine is good, and to be expected in well balanced home, Random acts of silliness is even better...it helps you forget about the pressures of routines, and appreciate each other!

(Thanks to those of you that read the blog, many follow and read daily...I appreciate it!)