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This Amazing, Crazy, sometimes Tragic, Wonderful LifeAs a Mom of 5 kids and a stroke survivor my world is a busy place.
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8/17/2008 SO READY FOR SCHOOL!!!Uniforms? check! New trombone?
yes! Insane long list of school supplies? yes! Cheer uniforms fit and routines ready for football games? yes!
School clothes for those not in uniforms? yes! Schedules ready? yes! Carpool?
yes! Mom ready? YES!!!! Summer was awesome with our Washington DC and Beach visits. I loved every minute but I am so ready to send my kids off. I am not ashamed of it either. They are ready too. No one can be more excited in the world...School begins tomorrow!!!  I am a Mom for 17 years. I was one of those Mom's who did not have kids one after another but spaced out 3 years...2 years....a little surprise when my 4th entered kindergarten. I have not been alone for 17 years. I had my few moments on Mother's Day out but most of the time, I had an infant. I sent off one to kindergarten with a screaming newborn in the car several times. No time to cry for Mom as one goes into the school world. I even had to home school for 3 years when my oldest had the terrible hair pulling (contributed to OCD) and anxiety issues. It was hard but it was the best back then. Little Scooter now 4 is not ready for Kindergarten but he has been in therapy for a year and a half with 4 days, 3 hour sessions, quite far from home and it has turned my whole upside down. I spent most of the days getting and staying near that place. I am so thrilled that they recommended him to a real preschool last Spring. They will continue to work with him at school and these therapists through the public schools will see him each week. He is continuing to improve and really, he is the sweetest little guy. Finally, he calls me Mom and uses his words. It was stressful the last few years as I worried. I still worry because he is still behind but the progress he is making is great. It gives me hope. Once I get him settled at preschool, I will have the biggest relief of sigh! He has 3 days and that means 3 days for Mom to be alone. I truly cannot remember being alone in a long time. I may get back to some scrap booking at least once a month again. I will be cleaning out closets, doing some investment cooking, paying bills alone, having lunch with friends, going shopping every once in awhile. Next year, Scooter will be in kindergarten and this will get even better. The days that Scooter is home, we are going to make the most because I am not ready for this every day. We will visit the library and the park weekly on our days off. Hopefully I won't be as busy when he is not home and he will have more quality time with Mom. Back to school blessings! 8/1/2008 Small Things can make a differenceI am pretty excited that I walked 3 nights in one week. One of my daughters walked with me twice this week and motivated me. The second evening, she noticed that I walked up the hill easier and my breathing was less. Hmm? She was right. Just small things can make a difference I told her that and I do know that. It tickles me that I still forget that at times. I read something recently in black and white print...the Sunday
paper I believe. Yes carbonated sodas, can weaken your bones!!! As a broken bone survivor in 2007 (broken left ankle and leg
with a plate and screws), I have sworn away diet coke for life! I may
have one when I have a special meal out but otherwise, it is tea or
water. I drank a lot of diet soda over the years. I figured if I did
not drink as much as a lab rat, I would not have bad side effects like cancer. I
never thought my bones would weaken. Yikes!!! I think it is important enough for others to notice. I had a bone scan last May and I was in the early stagesof osteopenia (borderline) on my hips and just on the beginning of osteoporosis on my back. I am 43!!! I have had a healthy diet, should have not walked enough over the years, have taken diet supplements and I drank a lot of diet soda. I believe it. I have spent a good bit of reading about bone health. What I do to improve my bones is #1 WALKING (best thing to do) and diet...milk, broccoli, supplements and I find calcium every bit I can. Osteoporosis is reversible. That is the good thing.
7/21/2008 A Great Vacation We returned from our Florida/Washington DC trip last
night. We were gone for 3 weeks and it was relaxing and fun. I am
happy to be home again. Picked up the dog, washed the bugs off the van
windshield, stocked the fridge again and new activities
already...Vacation Bible School and Tumbling Cheer Camp. I made a quickie slide show on Photobucket with some of my favorite's. We have 3 Birthday's in the next week and then it time to purchase school supplies and uniforms. Why is the Summer so fast?! 6/21/2008 Happenings I have hated been away from my blog the last month or so. I think something clicked in me and I realized I was not getting enough done around the house. I just stepped away from the blog, worked more on things. I know Summer keeps me busy with kids 24/7 so I may just have to settle on a few blog postings over the months and then settle into my weekly postings once School begins again. This Spring I just felt anxious all the time. I actually felt sick. I thought I was sick but then I realized it was stress! I really had to search why and I found it. Basically, I was overwhelmed but worse more, I was procrastinating! Thankfully, my anxiety is much better and I am glad to get some projects done. I have had to put other things on the side like blogging. I miss the reflective side of me...and I need that. I sure I will return when the kids get back to school and things are quiet once more. I have spent June planning my vacation for my Washington DC. I am so excited to bring the whole family seeing all the Monuments, the museums and maybe even the President! My kids are in such a sheltered place (think hillbilly's and no big cities) and they must see some different places. I actually grew up near DC so I can't wait to go again. I have planned and planned and it is going to be fun. We will stay right in the middle of DC for several days and then off to the Florida beach to visit extended family. In May, I was mentally drained. My Care left the cheer team and wanted to tryout a Senior Coed team. We left the friends and we have new friends. I miss the Mom's that I came to know. It is for the best and there are rumors that both teams may actually merge. Care was getting to old and is pleased to be on a more challenging team. I do not have a carpool so more driving for me. Also in May we purchased a smaller car...an Elantra Hyundai and I pleased. My gas hog, Astrovan was horrible. I spent almost $90 to fill up and I was doing that every 5 days. Now I fill up for half. We only use it on Sunday for Church and trips. I buzz around all town in my little car and eventually my teens will drive it. I pray they drive this year and I can stop driving so much! I never thought I would pray for this!!! My wonderful salesman hubby negotiated a free sun roof. I am enjoying the added fun and clouds above me! Every week, every day, things are rocking...it truly is an Amazing, Wonderful, Crazy Life...I wish you only knew! Have a great Summer and I am sure I will return in late July. 4/29/2008 Good and bad things about my POTTY!The GOOD...I replaced all 3 of my toilets over a month ago because they did not flush powerful enough. The great thing is that I saved 5000 gallons of water this past month doing that. I saved $30 on my water bill! Woohoo!!! If you ever wondered about high efficiency appliances, I am a believer. I put in a new larger washer a year ago and I saved $20 monthly on my water bill as well.  The BAD...even though I have these beautiful new potty's from Lowe's...my Scooter who recently potty trained this year loves to flush anything in them. He has clogged one badly. The first time it was everyone's toothbrushes and then his sister's retainer case. He has been in big trouble because of this and I think my handyman needs to put a lock in the bathroom drawers soon. The plumbing bill last time to unclog was about $75.  Despite the repairs...kids can still destroy new things as well. This has not been a surprise to a veteran Mom! 4/23/2008 Hungarian Cabbage Soup I am adding this recipe is for my Mom. She knows that my kids enjoy this. I discovered it in a magazine. I added up the points on my weight watchers etools and if you use light sour cream, the points are 3. It is a healthy, delicious soup. I love the fact that I have had caraway and paprika for years and never used them. Now I have to restock it! Hungarian Cabbage Soup 6 chicken broth cubes 1 c. chopped onions 2 T. paprika 1 tsp caraway seeds 4 potatoes, peeled, cubes 1 lb. cabbage, shredded 8 oz. kielbasa (I use turkey smoked sausage) 1 can stewed tomatoes 1/2 c. sour cream Bring 7 cups water, broth cubes, onion, paprika, caraway seed to boil. Add potatoes and cabbage, return to boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until tender. Stir in kielbasa and tomatoes. Increase heat to medium and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in sour cream. Believe it or not...my kids love this soup! This week I am in the middle of deciding what to do with our cheer teams. We probably need to move to a new gym since Care is older and wants a senior team. This is probably a good thing for me. The travel will be less, tuition is less and even the uniforms are less. I am really going to miss the parent's on our team. I enjoy traveling with them. It is a loss for me. Things just never stay the same. We are still wondering if we will move in a year or stay for many more. 4/18/2008 I yove you Mommy! My little guy melted my heart this morning. He was so cute on the sofa with all his favorite stuffed toys. I looked at him and said I love you Honey...he looked into my eyes and said I YOVE YOU TOO! He can't say L's yet. It is so adorable. He has had a limited vocabulary but was only delayed because he is improving in a fast rate. Finally, I am hearing those sweet words that I dreamed of. It makes my heart soar. Lately, I am just fixing one thing on to another. I am not finding the joy I usually have. God reminds us to slow down and say I love you to our family and friends. This weekend, I am doing some reflecting on my diet blog. Tonite is busy for me. We have 3 different parties for each of my kid's this Friday night. Hubby went back to the ER in Cinci while he traveling. They finally figured out his chest pains...obviously it is still a problem...a intercoastals chest issue, extra ibuprofen for 30 days, not his heart. He is relieved it is not his heart. I had a flat tire yesterday. I have to say thank you to a complete stranger! He must have been a guardian angel because I was in traffic en route to pick up kid's from school. He told me my tire was really low. I would have been stuck on the interstate with my 4 year old. I was able to put air in it and go over to the Walmart. Hubby was not picking up his cell (apparently he was in the ER and I was unaware) so I made a command decision...I want 4 really good tires because I am tired of wheel problems! 4/7/2008 Reflections of a few busy weeks... I have not blogged in awhile and I hate that. Spring Break kept me away from my computer, keeping the kids entertained. I have continued my home repairs with the ceiling repair last week. My router had to be replaced as well. I had my cable guy fix it for me. I may cancel my MSN account and switch to another blog outfit. Thinking of it. I do enjoy MSN but I would like to stop paying for a subscription. Took the dog and
the cat to the vet. That was an interesting experience. I will share
it soon on another post. Briefly, I bought pet meds online and they
were not kosher so to say. The vet directed me to meds that would work. The pets no longer scratch!  Time
is flying...it is almost tax time again. Ouch. I know we paid to
National but returns from the State so we came out even. Not what I
really wanted. I would like to have a refund but as my Hubby always
says, it is our money, the government does not need to keep it all
year. Hubby has an opportunity to stay in town for another 2 to 6 years more in this little town. This will be great for the kids except that he works constantly. Financially it would be better to not move for awhile. So we are weighing the options. Already we have had cheer and dance tryouts for Junior High for next school year. Care decided to go on Dance team...what she dreamed of and made it. She wants to continue with the competitive cheerleading team as well. She is serious about a College Scholarship cheering. Bella is improving her tumbling too and wants to continue cheering. I begged the coach to not put us on planes to Nationals every year. The expense is crazy. I think she is listening. Teacher conferences for MJ and Bella were great. No problems and no worries. Linz is working hard on classes. We told her we would get this collector's doll from Japan if she pulled up her grades (crazy yes but it is working). She is still struggling with the depression but it is better. The doctor switched her to prozac last month. Not sure if it is meds or not but she is not tolerating it well. He wants to take her off meds for a week or so except for anxiety meds and reassess. I asked about hypnosis for the hair pulling. Crazy? Linz is complicated. I rarely explain it but she pulls her hair. It waxes and wanes but she will pull it all out until she is practically bald. She wears a wig. No medication has helped after 5 years. My Mom has heard of someone who overcame it with hypnosis. Here goes another odd experience...after I rear 5 kid's, I think I will have done it all. Scooter is rocking the potty scene!  I am thrilled. He is dry all night, making the poops. So he was a bloomer but it was easier in the end. (no pun really!) His speech is improving. They are continuing to give him services in the next school year but they are recommending that he attend a regular preschool next school year. He is so bright, if his sensory issues won't get in the way, he will do well. He is so sweet and busy. I love this age. I had my check up recently and my cholesterol is out of control (Thanks Grandma for inheriting this). I think they will refer me to a specialist. I had more bloodwork last week to have them double check it. I have my mammogram this week. I am walking finally now that weather is better. It feels good and the dog is thrilled. My heel spurs have improved significantly using a medication that was actually given to Linz. Sam-e (over counter) helps with depression and mood but also for joints. For some reason, they are improving and I have had heel spurs for almost 15 years. Those don't just leave out of blue. I believe the Sam-e is the reason. I know my bone health is not the best either so walking is really the best thing for myself. I am doing the weekly Fosamex as well. The doctor says osteoporosis is reversible. Some good news! 3/21/2008 Easter Dinner I started cooking for the Easter dinner. Shades of the future this Spring Break. My 2 oldest daughters have been spending time with friends...one to the beach the other hanging out but it has been quieter. (I could get use to that!) I really do miss my 2 girls. We are waiting to color eggs until they came back. I made my Mom's cheesecake (her old recipe), sugar cookies out of a Betty Crocker package and red potato salad. The potato salad is so easy and I love it (red potatoes with light mayo, dijon mustard, dried or fresh dill, salt and pepper). The menu for Easter dinner will be Ham, my Mom's baked pineapple, Red Potato Dilled Salad, Curried Broccoli Casserole, a nice salad, Oyster Dressing (I have never done this so I am winging this one), fresh corn and (if I have energy) deviled eggs. For dessert sugar cookies and cheesecake with cherry and berry pie filling to top. I have to share my Baked Pineapple: I can crushed pineapple, 2 T cornstarch, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, pinch of salt, a few pats of butter. Mix all and put in a small casserole dish and bake. 1 hour at 350 degrees. This is the best with Ham and good at potlucks but most are confused as to what it is! I digged out a old recipe from my Grandma who is an extraordinary cook. Curried Broccoli Casserole 1 bunch broccoli (1 1/2 lbs.), 1/2 tsp salt, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 c. mayo, 1/4 tsp. curry powder, 2 T. lemon juice, 1/2 c. soft bread crumbs, 2 T. melted butter. Cut up broccoli, cook broccoli with salted water in microwave or steamer until just barely tender. Put in a shallow casserole. Mix soup mayo, curry, soup and lemon then pour on the broccoli. Take melted butter and mix with bread crumbs and then sprinkle on broccoli. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. ***2 boxes of broccoli can be substituted I finally talked to my Mom for the first after her surgery which was on Wednesday. They did remove a mass in her stomach (a GIST). Hopefully we will hear if it is benign or malignant. I think because it is smaller they may think it is benign. I know she is dealing with pain and nausea still and I hate knowing that. I sent a nice flower bouquet and I wish we were not so far apart (21 hours driving). It is either a confidence in the Lord that it will be fine or I am just numb. I adore my parents and I cannot imagine them so ill. 3/15/2008 Hello SPRING BREAK!!!I am definitely feeling a sense of relief knowing that there is nothing going on next week. I hope my kids are not too bored and I hope they don't mind working around here. Oh yes, they will be cleaning out the van, raking leaves, getting out the winter clothes out and organize closets. It is a continually purge around our house. I guess with 5 kid's growing, things accumulate and have to be sorted. I am sure we will have sleepovers, movies, smores out on the deck. I'm looking forward to a week to slow down and focus on Christ and Easter.  We will have more time to pray, fun with easter eggs, baking sugar cookies and much relaxation. Hubby is feeling back to normal. It was a a scary week for him because he was having so much discomfort in his chest, masking as heart attack symptoms. After heart monitoring and more doctor appointments, they realized he has a muscle pull from weigh lifting. He still has WPW syndrome but it is not a problem for now. Linz and Bella are getting better from strep infections and Scooter even needed antibiotics for a disgusting runny nose for a month. Blessings this week! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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