chaos reigns

A little chaotic around here tonight. Andrew is entertaining his first sleep over guest. His friend Jake is here. Talk about abounding energy. They are currently playing on the trampoline. I guess as long as there is no blood or crying things are good. I love the sounds of children laughing. Don't you? So innocent and playful. I remember those days.

some days

Some days you just need to sigh, say WTF and find the Xanax followed by a Cosmo Chaser

Am I on a roll? 2 days in a row!!!!!

do you know why I love being a SAHHSM (Stay At Home Home SChool MOM)? Mornings like this one. It was kind of cold and drizzly and we woke up abut 730 or so. Scott and Drew talked for awhile and when I rolled out of bed Drew decided he wanted waffles for breakfast. Fine by me. I pulled out the waffle maker, mixed up some batter and we had home made waffles on a rainy Thursday morning. There is no rushing to get up, get dressed, get breakfast, make lunches, run out the door in different directions. We had a nice leisurely morning. School starts about 10. Done by 1 or so. Then off for an afternoon of fun.

I actually have 2 Tastefully Simple Parties booked. Hopefully a third on the horizon. If you don't live around Sacramento I can always arrange the worlds simplest catalog party. Tastefully Simple makes it easy to have a catalog party anywhere in the country and the new summer line is amazing. Questions - let me know.

been very neglectful

Yes I know. everyday I log into follow everyone else but don't seem to find time to update my own blog.

Where to start?

Scott came through surgery fine. 3 more weeks and he should be able to drive as well a get back on his bike. He is walking everyday and is very happy to be maintaining weight. He is still working from home and appears to be happy doing so. I love it most days.

Phil and Betsy are still dating. Phil told me the other day he had been named to the Greek National Honor Society. Not bad. He is doing better and better every semester.

Drew has offically been diagnosed with Autism. Not a shock but still felt like a kick in the ASS when the told us. They have said it is EXTREMELY high functioning autism but still autism just the same. He is doing remarkably well being homeschooled. We all like it. He is finally reading. I love Hooked on Phonics. It is a god send. We start Math U See after Spring Break and I am hoping Andrew is as successful at that.

I am starting to sell Tastefully Simple. I went to a party a few weeks ago and fell in love with the products. Every time I mentioned to a friend that I was having a TS party they all said "make sure you invite me" or "send me the link I need to order some stuff" That got me to thinking. Why shouldn't I profit from this?

I love being a SAHM. But I never have felt like I have contributed enough. I know I contribute by parenting the kids, taking care of bills, cleaning house, supporting Scott, etc but I always feel like I should be contributing monetarily. Infact while I was typing this TS called and gave me my consultant number so my site will be up and running shortly.

My dad was here last weekend and we had a wonderful visit. Like he says great to see them come - great to see them leave.

Oh the big news it that we are planning a trip back to Disney World for December/Jan of this coming year!!!

I promise to pay more attention to my blog and update soon.

Time Marches On......

South moves north, North moves south
A star is born, a star burns out.
the only thing that stays the same is everything
changes, everything changes.

It has been a couple weeks since I have had time to blog. I miss it but time marches on.

We have finally found a medicine that works for Drew and it works wonderfully. We are not having the emotional frustrated outbursts. He is able to do his school, work stay on task etc. I know every kid is different and we have tried several medications before putting him on Abilify. If things continue at this rate we will be working with the docs to get an ADHD drug in addition to the Abilify. We met with the Elk Grove School District and listened to what they offered to do for Drew. We are declining their offer. We have met with South Sutter and they didn't even blink in offering Andrew services to help him succeed. He is in a homeschool co op and doing well. I love the Co op. It gives me some time to be with other moms and Drew a chance to be with kids and socialize. He won the Pine Wood Dreby last weekend. HE won the Tiger Division, had the fastest car of the day as well as breaking a 2 year track record!!!!! Pretty amazing.

Scott has to have surgery to repair his shoulder in a couple weeks. While I am not relishing another recovery period I want him well and not in pain. The past 18 months have been really hard on him physically as well as emotionally hard on all of us. I am blessed to have wonderful friends to step in and help.

Phil made the Dean's list. That was a shock but a pleasant shock. He is liking his classes, working hard and has a wonderful girlfriend.

See things are changing but staying the same. Time just marches on....

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God;
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

psalm 100

I have taken much grief over the years because I have always been a "jail house" singer. Can't find the key and behind a few bars. But I LOVE to sing. It brings me such joy. My mom had a beautiful voice and I always wanted to sing like her. But I couldn't when my kids were young I loved singing to them. It didn't matter what I sounded like. I was their mommy and it was special. Over time I was asked to stop singing by them and too them. It was the most horrid feeling in the world. It was not a gift that God chose to grant to me. He has given me a great many other gifts and for that I am grateful.

My husband takes every opportunity to tell me how horrible my singing is. I have cried myself to sleep wishing God had given me the voice of an angel. But it was not in His plan. He gave me the gift of theatre - and I love to act. I have participated many times in the skits the Quest team does at church. And the director loves my ability. God gave me the gift of humor. On many occasions friends have called and said I am sad can you cheer me up. I gladly do so. God has given me the gift of organization. And I at every opportunity step up and help organize events for church, school, community.

tonight was the annual meeting at church. People noticed I sang with enthusiasm. Shannon asked me again to join the choir. I told her Scott would not let me because I could not sing. He had explained my lack of talent to her before. Shannon and several members of the choir encouraged me to come and sing anyway. Against my better judgment I accepted. Julie told me if it was too bad they would adapt to my voice and no one would know the difference. What mattered was that I came and enjoyed doing something I have loved. I am scared, I am nervous, what if I am so bad they ask me to stop coming? Hopefully my husband will be supportive encourage me as I have encouraged him in all of his hopes dreams and goals.

What I lack in tune I certainly make up for in enthusiasm and isn't that what truly matters when praising God?

and it starts again!

I knew this day would come. I lived thru years of torment while Phil was in Scouts. It was a great experience for him and a wonderful way for Scott and Phil to bond when Scott came into our lives. I on the other hand could never set foot into a Scout meeting and live a very fulfilled life. Tonight, I entered round 2 of Scouts. I knew it would happen. and I would NEVER deny Andrew the opportunity that Scouting provides. I promise to smile thru all of the Pine Wood Derbys, I will duly hit all my friends up to buy popcorn from Andrew. In return I will have to buy what everyone else's munchkin sells with a happy heart and a lighter wallet. I Promise to look into finding the glue to put patches on the uniforms because I don't want tales of my past sewing misfortunes to haunt Andrew (or me ) for the rest of my natural life.

On the camping note however I will do so will with a smile on my face and my massuse's phone number on speed dial. I am currently checking into what latest camping gear offers. you have to understand in my first go around with scouts I had a 3 room tent, with an oversized queen blow up mattress that my sheets would fit. I had my pillows from home. The tent was big enough to hold 2 folding chairs with cup holders. I got rid of it years ago. My friend Joan and I would head for the nearest mall on the yearly canoe trips. I will go camping again but only with updated versions of my previous camping life. Scott and I had been married a month and almost divorced over an ill fated canoe trip. I swear the paddle could save itself as I was going under. it was every paddle for itself.

I will do it with a smile as I did the first time. I promise.

plagerism. Thanks Elaine

find something to believe in. Believe in a higher power, believe in karma, believe in your partner, believe in the regeneration of life, believe in mercy, or believe in anything else. But I do hope you find something to believe in. It'll provide you strength when you're not certain you have it. Second, a smile can go a long way.

This is from my friend Elaine's blog. this was advice she gave her son in her monthly letter to him. Elaine is an extremely eloquent writer and these are certainly words to live by. (for the record her older sister and my sister were best friends when they were young and I used to babysit them. ) Who knew that little moppet could teach me so much as an adult.

I love your blog Elaine and miss it when you don't post. You are a remarkable mom and human.

Oh here is the link to her blog.

Why?

Why is it the United States people are more concerned about who got screwed in the fight to host the Tonight Show than they are with their fellow humans who are fighting for their lives and existence in Haiti?

quiet

THe house is strangely quiet and feels very large and empty right now. It is amazing how the presence of one person home on break or their returning to college can change the feel of things so much.

off again

Well tomorrow we are headed back to Disney for another mini trip. Phil has never been to Disneyland so we thought we would head down for a couple days. Last trip for a while. Scott has a couple business trips coming up and Phil will be back in March with fraternity bros. Dad will be here in MArch as well. Nothing on the horizon for me until June when we head back to Kansas for our class reunion.

Another year coming to a close

I said i was going to attempt 170 post in the past year. I managed 86. not the number I had hoped for but it is an improvement from last year. Things were a little hectic this year with Scott's second surgery, then the car thing.

Looking back I am ready to not only close the door on this year but this decade. It plain and simply sucked donkey D****.. I am looking forward. Who knows what the future holds?

This coming year - I am making plans to go to Disney with my oldest friend from grade school. I have always wanted a girls weekend at Disney and I can't think of a better person to do it with. I have our class reunion this summer. Number 25. WOW!!!!! Phil turns 21 in May. that makes me feel just as old as going to my 25th reunion.

My goal for posts this year is 100. I think it might be more doable than 170. so I will set the goal low and feel great when I surpass it.

May your New Year be filled with all you wish for - health, happiness and love. What more is there?

new yarn

Christmas Morning in Pictures

Please see this blog

I rarely refer you to another blog but please read this and understand why we need healthcare reform

Connor and Helen Grow Up

Cathy

Polar Express

I feel like time is slipping away. It is the first time I have felt that with Phil. I am becoming aware that Christmas on Christmas may end in the next couple years and I am trying to savor every minute of this Christmas. Next year we have plans for a family vacation Christmas but I have a sneaking suspicion some one new may be joining us. (all I am going to say on that) I actually found myself crying yesterday to "slipping through my fingers" from Mama Mia.

So this Christmas I resolved to make it memorable. I was lucky enough to get tickets to the Polar Express thru one of the home school groups for the 4 of us.(there are 14000 tickets available every year and they sell out in less than 6 hours) We had lunch, toured the California State Railroad Museum, the took a train ride to the North Pole. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening.Let's get this party started

The engineer asking for directions.

My handsome boy

The chefs handing out cookies

Hot! Hot!Ooh, we got it!Hot! Hot!Hey, we got it!Hot! Hot!
Say, we got it!Hot chocolate!

Just love this picture

What can I see?

We still believe.

Listening for the magic

This is where the magic is.

Officially Happy

Phil arrived today. We all went to the airport to pick him up. As we were waiting for Phil to get his bag Drew looked at Scott and I and said "We are a family again."

What more is there to say?

just when I think he can't surprise me

Every once in a while Scott really surprises me. Today was one of those times.

I am not a big comedy fan. Can't stand most stand up comidians. There is one exception to the rule. BILL ENGVALL! That man can make me laugh so hard I fall out of bed.

He knew I would NEVER EVER spend the money to go see him so for Christmas he bought us floor seats for his show. Feb 27 can't get here fast enough.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.

I LOVE MY HUSBAND

Everybody's fine

If you happen to go to see the movie "Everybody's Fine", keep your eye out for a train scene. Scott's aunt Jayne Houdyshell has a small part. She is currently starring on Broadway with John Stamos in Bye Bye Birdie.

Christmas dinner

Shock of all shocks - I have most of Christmas dinner planned and I have 25 days to go. It will be a departure from our normal calorie laden heavy cream and butter meal. I hear my arteries unclogging as I type. I have invited our priest and his wife, Father Ray and Deb to Christmas dinner. Their kids and grandson were with them for Thanksgiving so they were going to be alone for Christmas. Can't have that so I invited them to ours.

Scott wanted something lighter than our normal fair. He wanted an Italian flair. Italian flair for Standing Rib Roast? OK let me think about it....

Gotta love Facebook. I saw my friend Judi was online. I knew her from High School and she currently lives in Italy. I asked her what there traditional Christmas dinner was. She told me on Christmas Eve they would be having Lumache. UMMMM Don't think so. Snails have never passed these lips and never will. Next suggestion.

We came up with:

Polenta with marinated mozzarella
Prosciutto with Brie and Cantelope
Butternut Squash soup with sour cream
Standing Rib Roast
Zuchinni (something) it is browned in olive oil and salt and then sour cream in added at the last minute for a nice sauce
fresh green beans

Something decadent and chocolate for dessert. Maybe mini chocolate lava cakes. or Creme brule?

Now Drew won't touch any of it so for him....Is McDonalds open on Christmas day?