2009. Reflections and lessons learned.

In 2010, I promise to.....

Eat more milkshakes.


Feed more ducks.

Do more lineups. (Much faster than individual interrogation.)

Buy more tubs of worms. Best way to spend $2.00.

Catch more butterflies.

Make my boys wear ties to church more often.

Try harder not to laugh when my children are crying for me through a glass window.

Explore more.

Chase more bubbles.

Do my best not to cry when things get covered in chocolate.

Try to regain use of my countertops and cookie sheets.

Take more naps in the sun.

Build more forts.

Belly laugh more often.

Read more.

Follow the footprints and kiss the culprits.

HAPPY 2010!

Back To Reality.

Derek is back at work and I am home with my 5 wild Indians.

Another year is almost behind us. Yesterday, the boys dismantled the tree while I tackled the thousands of remaining decorations strewn throughout the rest of the house. I saved the mantle for last. There's something about taking stockings down that makes my heart ache. I love looking at each child's stocking and thinking about the magic that it holds each and every year . Maybe I just like seeing their names so many times throughout the day. It helps me remember what to call them. Whatever the reason, I despise the task.

As I started to remove the cranberries and snowflake lights, I quickly abandoned ship. I renamed them winter lights and there they shall stay until winter is over. Mantles are meant for lights. A lit mantle = a warm home and it's my New Year's resolution this year to keep mine lit at all times. (Don't worry, mom, I'll unplug them at night so as not to start a fire). Here is a picture of my winter lights....

I was hoping for a relaxing day. The boys have more urgent things on their agendas. Evan wants to create a volcanic explosion in the kitchen sink. Luke wants to bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Jack, Logan and Wes will happily join in any activity.

Luke just told me he is asking for a "Febreze Flameless Luminary" for his birthday. Then he told me to "wash the baby, cuz he smells bad." Wes just awoke from his morning nap, and he does smell a little spitty. I love when my boys wake up after sleeping in a puddle of drool. I could kiss their slimy, spitty, after-nap cheeks all day. It's calming to me. Makes me wonder what they dreamt about.

Is that normal? Probably not. Do I care? Not really. I have more important things to worry about. Like.....what is the best possible way to create a volcanic explosion that will make my boys proud?

Christmas Eve Eve

"Christmas Eve Eve!!!!!!" is the text message I received from Declan bright and early this morning. Christmastime always brings back fond memories of when I was a child. I look at my boys and soak up the joy they share with each other. I am grateful to have shared the same things with my brother.

Last week Logan coerced Wes into opening a present from under the tree. "Good boy, baby Wes!" followed by a long rip of paper was all I heard. It made me think of times when Dec and I would peek inside our presents. We mastered the art of re-wrapping at a very early age.

The boys were thrilled this week when they received a package from Santa's special elves in San Francisco. They were even more thrilled to find the words "Don't wait until Christmas!" written on the front. Together, they opened the first gift of the season and found this:



It has quickly become their new favorite book. Every parent out there needs to buy a copy ASAP. If Santa's special elves in San Francisco are reading, I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you. Behaviorally speaking, this gift came at a time of despair and need. Unbeknownst to my children, this was more of a gift to moi, than to them. Na na na na na!!

Jack has been busy dressing like Santa from sunup to sundown. We all take turns sitting on his lap, expressing our Christmas wishes. He even hands out candy canes. Last night I sat on his lap and was told that one of my "pwesents" had been removed from the sleigh. Apparently, Santa felt I had been unfair in my attempts earlier that day to force him to nap. He told me I made him "angwy". Lesson learned.

We woke up to a fresh blanket of snow this morning. Nothing like a white Christmas! The boys were eager to play and flew into the back yard right after breakfast.

When things got too cold and soggy, they played cops and robbers in the garage. I loaded their guns over, and over, and over. The scent of the smoky caps permeated into the house. Another perk of having boys....cap gun smell. Oh how I love it.

Too small for cap guns, Wes spent the morning playing tug-o-war with the puppy. After that, he stripped off his clothes and watched the snow fall from the front window. He enjoys being one with nature.

Logan stuck a seashell up his nose during breakfast. He'll be the first I have to bail out of jail.

All this and it's only 11:00AM.

Mermy Crimmas, Everyone!

Love,

Amy

Forgiveness

It's been a rough week.

One that has made me neglect the normal routine and daily activities that my boys and I look forward to. One that has made me feel like a bad mom.

Today I thought I'd make it up to them the best way I know how. I found the biggest balls I could find. One for each neglected boy. The kind of balls that are only allowed outdoors.

Then we had ourselves a game of dodgeball....indoors.

I made sure that they stood at the top of the staircase. Gravity would assist them with their aim.

I stood at the bottom and took the blows.

They laughed....HARD.

I smiled....BIG.

(They have better aim than I thought.)

Blogless, but not forgotten.

I have nothing to blog about.

Yesterday Jack and Logan poured an entire bottle of Ajax dish soap onto the kitchen floor. While I was cleaning that up, they proceeded to open a Sam's Club size container of Nesquik (powdered chocolate milk) and doused themselves in 'chocca'. I vacuumed that up in tears.

That's why I haven't blogged. The aforementioned story is nothing short of what goes on here every day. So until something earth shattering and unusual comes along, I shall remain blogless.

Until then, enjoy this picture of Wes loving on our new puppy, Meatloaf.

Yes....Meatloaf.

Ask me.

Ask me what's for dinner and I'll never be able to give you an answer until an hour before we eat.

Ask me how many cups of coffee and/or tea I've had today and I'll tell you it's too many to count.

Ask me where all 5 of my children are this very second and surely I'll be able to tell you their exact GPS location.....I think.

Ask me if my Christmas shopping is done and I very well may knock you down.

Ask me anything.....most times I know the answer.

Now think outside of the box. Ask me if garbage disposals will grind up a solid drinking glass.

They will. This I know for sure.

Ask me how a drinking glass was nestled deep into our disposal and I will refer your question to Logan. This he knows for sure.

Ask me how long it will take to stick your hand down the disposal and piece by piece, remove the shards of glass. I will tell you it takes a long, long time. Almost all day, in fact.

And if you ever need a recommendation on garbage disposals, go ahead....ask me. I'll recommend 'The Badger.' It's one powerful S.O.B.

Beyond his years...

Have I mentioned how smitten I am with my 8 year old? I don't brag about him nearly as much as I should.

Being the oldest of 5 carries a lot of responsibility. We expect a great deal from him. Sometimes I think we tend to pick too much on the few mistakes he makes and often let his good deeds go unnoticed.

Shame on us.

That brings me to Wes. No one helps me out with Wes more than Evan. The oldest and the youngest. They have a special relationship. Evan spends an abundance of time with his littlest brother.

During our last blizzard, Evan took Wes outside for his first time playing in the snow. Evan did his best to make sure Wes only ate the clean snow and even took him for a sled ride.

Sometimes Evan went too fast.

Lately Wes has felt it necessary to be held at all times. When I neglect to pick him up, he hangs on my belt with all his weight, lifting his feet off the floor. This makes me lose my balance and tip over. For fear of falling on my son, I pick him up. He wins.

Another trick of his is to pull my shirt into his carnivorous mouth and bite it with his teeth. I don't have a huge wardrobe and definitely don't have the dough to replace damaged duds. For fear of only having shirts with holes in them, I pick him up. He wins again.

This is my view most of the time.

This morning I needed to dry my hair and knew (once again) that I needed Evan's assistance. I carried Wes into Evan's room. There Evan sat (in peace and quiet) on his bed, plunking away at his computer. I politely asked if Wes could join him while I finished getting ready.

"No problem, Mom." Evan said.

Our morning was crazy as always and Evan headed to school. An hour later, I turned on my computer to check my email and found this email from Evan...

Mom,

f rfg escg wxfcjhugyum n y8cv es r45rvvvvv z35 v z

I let wes push some buttons on my computer cause

b BBBBBZBBB there he went again!

I'll 21!

talk to you later,

Evan and Wes

What an amazing kid.

In case you're wondering...

Extended-wear lip gloss really does stay on for an extended period of time.

Especially when applied to face, cheeks and forehead.

Just ask Logan.

Happy Friday night party night!

Veteran's Day

I found this letter in a box of pictures given to me by my grandma.

15 Feb. '71

Dear Mom,

I got the package with the goodies and sheets. Thanks a million. My bed looks beautiful now. It is almost like being at home. I hope I can get together with Dan and send a box home full of souvenirs and little gifts for the family.

I will wait to listen to the tape till Dan can hear it with me. The day after tomorrow we should get together again.

The weather was great yesterday. It changed for the worst today with rain and wind.

I saw Captain Lee today for the first time since graduation of flight school. He seems fine and is flying CH-47's (chinooks). I am scheduling officer for the daily flights and will try to get a bird for both of us so we can fly again together. Maybe I can get some chinook time.

I got a package last week from Bob Malecki, remember him? He skipped the bus so he could see me at graduation.

Well, I gotta go. See you all in 9 months and a few days.

Love to all,

John

PS-Capt. Lee is stationed at Phu Bai also.

Happy Veteran's Day, Dad! I love you!

A Gift From Luke.

Flying solo all day long while hubby is at work is a trying task for any mom. While there's no place I'd rather be, there are days where I wonder if I'll make it through.

Yesterday was one of those days.

The madness (and solo-ness) continued into the evening as Derek and Evan spent their night at the Bronco's game. This is the 3rd....maybe 4th game Derek has left me for hours on end while he enjoyed peace and *quiet at Invesco field, but I'm not one to keep score.

*Trust me, the decibels heard within these walls could rival any stadium.

I don't mean to sound whiny, but for 14 hours yesterday I never got a minute to myself. Each bathroom break I heard someone calling my name and saw tiny fingers pushing their way in from under the door. This makes me think of Derek while he's at work. Does he ever stop to think how different things would be if his colleagues followed him to the bathroom, banging on the door while shouting his name? What if he saw their fingers reaching under the door? Yes, I'll bet he takes peeing in private for granted.

As our night began, I reached into the fridge to grab my beloved glass of wine. Much to my dismay, there was less than half a glass remaining. How many hours until bedtime?

Wine or no wine, I can do this.

2.5 hours later, we began the bedtime routine. Once jammied, 4 little men hopped into my bed. No need to ask for permission. All my boys know that if Daddy is gone, they're given the green light to slumber with mom. I need someone to serve and protect, don't I?

10:00 rolled around and 3 out of 4 were still wide awake. Jack and Logan began drifting into dreamland, while Luke, the ever-inquisitive interrogator, asked me question #137 in a matter of 10 minutes.

"Mom?" he whispered.
"Luke, this is the last question, OK? Your brothers are trying to get to sleep and it's late."
"OK, mom." he complied. "Remember those cookies we made tonight?"
"Yes."
"You said I could have one and I forgot to eat it."
"You can have yours in the morning. We can't eat cookies this late."
"But why not?"
"Because you'll get sugar bugs in your teeth and DR. Fox won't be happy."

Five whole minutes went by and not a peep was heard. Then this....

"Mama?"
"Yes, Luke."
"Do we give Santa cookies on Christmas Eve?"
Not making any kind of connection whatsoever, I reluctantly answered his question.
"We do, Luke. Now go to sleep."
"But mama?"
"Luke, no more questions, it's almost 10:30 and......" He cut me off mid sentence.
"I just was thinking that it's not good for Santa to eat cookies when it's late at night. If he eats cookies at ALL the houses, he's gonna get A LOT of sugar bugs too!"
"You're right, Luke. But I'll bet he brushes as soon as he gets back to the North Pole."

Silence ensued.....but it didn't last long.

"Mom....just one more question."
"What, Luke?"
"What's the name of Santa's dentist?"
"The Tooth Fairy."
"I was thinkin' that." he said. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, buddy."

When all 4 boys were finally asleep, I stared at the ceiling and began to think.....

How petty are the 'wonders' we adults waste our time speculating? Shame on me for wondering if Derek gets to pee in private.

Inquiring about Santa's oral hygiene is much less stressful and far more enjoyable.

Thank you, Luke, for keeping me up late last night and teaching me how to 'wonder' again.

Your gift was much appreciated.

Love,

Mom

11.08.2005

FULL OF LIFE

AND SWEET TO THE CORE

OUR JACKERS-LACK

IS TURNING FOUR!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACK JACK! WE LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS!

LOVE,

MOMMY, DADDY, EVAN, LUKE, LOGAN & WES

Halloween at last...

Here are some pictures of our 5 little men on fright night.

Wes-The Skunk (AKA-The Little Stinker)

Logan-The UPS man who was afraid of the music coming from our yard.

Jack-The Power Ranger who was afraid to "Twick or tweet in the dark."

Trying our best (and not succeeding) in capturing a group shot.

Evan-Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe and Luke-Spongebob Smileypants

Jack perked up as soon as he saw his girlfriend.

The UPS man and the Skunk didn't quite understand why Mom and Dad were encouraging door-to-door begging for candy....but they didn't complain.

Once the skunk had the routine figured out, he wasted no time and RAN to the next house.

Today we began the process of dismantling and packing away all things Halloweenish. The boys (and I) are sad. Who says November 2 is too soon to bring out the Christmas decorations?