Thursday, February 26, 2009

2 of my angels

Lady G and Princess A

two of the sweetest easy going kiddos I know...

oh, how I love my kids!



what am I grateful for today...
finding out Princess A does not have flu again.... just ear infections
watching Lady G in a play she created with friends and it is so.... CREATIVE! She has a competition with it on Saturday and I can't wait to see it again!!
Mr. T taking a nap and trying to help clean up the lemonade he spilled in the kitchen.
Queen V for skipping into school- gotta love a kid who is genuinely happy to go to school!
Mom for babysitting so Mr. T didn't have to go into an infected doc's office.
My Prince.. for offering to pick up dinner when he found out I had another migraine.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

real mothers

so it's been a little rough here lately..
since the beginning of this year I had the flu (got it on January 1.... great way to start the new year), Queen V has had the flu... twice! and Princess A had the flu with double ear infections.
We have quarantined those with the flu and I am about to take Polly Pocket for a dip in the clorox.... just in case there are germs there to share!!!
As I sit in my pity party and gritch and moan about how crazy life has been with laundry in almost every room mocking me as I go by thinking I have *got* to get this under control and explain to my Prince that I can't figure out where my time is going because it hasn't been on photoshop or photography or scrapbooking....
he laughs and tells me it was where I was right then..
rocking a baby
Even my facebook page says at the top... Anne Marie is rocking a baby.
It has been like this for some time... unless it states that Mr. T is in time out... again
and in all fairness it has not always been his fault. How would you like it if you were couped up while everyone else around you has been sick??? poor fella. He just wants time to "fing" (swing) as he calls it.... and show me how much of a super hero he is!!! with or without a cape...
So if you see me and my hair is a mess, pulled back in a pony tail
I have yesterday's makeup on
I'm in the same warm up suit that has just about become my uniform as of late
I am rushing around at the last minute for who knows what
just remember...
I am a mama...
rocking her babies as they fall sick, scrape a knee, need to practice reading outloud, spell the latest words for Thursday's quiz...

Jeff's grandma sent me this email tonight... It couldn't have come at a better time... that woman has great timing... I am so happy I know her and am on her email list :)

MOTHERS
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a littlevoice says,
'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

presents are wrapped
tucked under the tree
family asleep
now where can he be?
Santa slipped in
without even a trace
true Christmas story
of the ultimate gift
shared and recieved

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

naughty or nice


today is the big day!!
We're going to see the Big Man tonight...
I hear he is at the mall waiting to see all of his faithful followers
the believers
I believe
how could anyone not??
We still have yet to put up our tree...
I made space for it today.
Our deal with Santa is if we get the tree up with lights he will decorate it for us.
We leave all the trimmings out for him along with fresh cookies from the oven and some homemade candies.
He has never let us down.
He did the same for me when I was a little girl... what a great guy!!
So today I will tackle making homemade butterfingers!!!
This is proof he came last year... I set the timer on my camera and got a pic of him nibbling some cookies the kids left out...

Monday, December 08, 2008


the mom song

where have I been?
laundry
supervising school projects
making cookies
changing diapers
enjoying a few migrains...not...
helping the kids find Christmas joy :)

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

sandbox time


I came outside to get some fresh air for all of us.... hoping naptime would go a little smoother!!

I also brought my camera (go figure) to practice using "fill flash"

I hope to get an external flash to use in low lit indoor sessions in the future... so I can learn to bounce the light when I can't use manual settings without so much noise.

Mr. T had a great time throwing sand without anyone telling him to stop.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Christmas Specials


I am such a sucker for Christmas specials on tv with my kids. I seem to be taken back to my own childhood, waiting for anticipation of holidays, family, presents... love that!

So even though Polar Express was not one I watched as a child it is one I have found to love now... sharing with my kids... watching their eyes dart around the screen, listening to the words of believe, spirit, magic, Christmas...

love that.

Monday, December 01, 2008

so Mom calls me...


hurry! get the kids outside

look up!!

this is the only time for the next 50something years for this to happen!!

Mercury and Venus this close to the Moon!!

I *had* to get a shot of this momentous occasion. It was freezing outside- brrr!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

read to me



it doesn't matter what you read


just read


sing it to me


hang out with me


just read


to me

Friday, November 28, 2008

Give Thanks


We have a lot to be Thankful for...

for family
for friends
for a safe birth
for husband's job
for healthy children
for clothes on our backs
for food in the cupboard
for a roof over our heads
for unconditional love from God

Thursday, November 27, 2008

thankful morning


this what I saw this morning peeking through my blinds!
such gorgeous colors glowing on the front of our home!!
I love the rays bursting through the clouds- just delicious!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

growing so big


I can't believe how much she has grown in such a short period of time!

Soon she will be able to sit up in this basket!! she is so pleased with herself, isn't she??
The blanket in this pic was made by Joey's grandma, I think.... it was a gift when Lady G was a baby... love it!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Tips For An Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

My day started at 3:30am changing a diaper
4:00am Mr. T comes ripping into our room crying telling me "Ta roar in my dream" (it's a recurring nightmare of Queen V chasing him and roaring at him like she is a dinosaur or lion... I have threatened to wake her in the middle of the night to snuggle his fears... she really does chase him around the house roaring.,.. ugh!)
5:30 shhhhhhhhhh, Mr. T.. go to sleep!!
5:50am alarm'/radio goes off to wake me.. ha! that is ironic! I listen to a few favorite tunes- Journey being one of them :)
6:00 talk to dh about new job opportunities.... he is changing... and looking forward to playing trains with Mr. T and building stuff with the girls.. fun stuff
6:30 get girls up.. they slept in...
6:45 make lunches/ breakfast
7:00 do French braids in girls hair so they look loved :) and not an unmade bed
7:30 chase Mr. T down to get sneakers on him
7:35 change another diaper.. I am sure there was another one in there somewhere...
7:40 take girls to school and listen as Lady G sings a song I learned at Camp Merry Acres./.. I didn't teach her this one.. a girl friend did on the playground. I sang with her.. wouldn't you? A childhood song that made you smile when you used to sing it??
7:55 find friend in school parking lot and ask about our daily walk.. yep, we are on! super!!!
8:10 nurse, change another diaper, find blanket, get Mr. T to go potty
8:30 walk with friends on a glorious day!!! lovely way to get the day going!
10:00 sister comes by with fresh salsa- yummy!
10:30 over to another friend's house for a play date where we discuss cooking as a group and sharing the meals... I have always wanted to do this... one friend suggests to do it while we have a few bottles of wine.. a super idea!!!!
1 pm drive around till Mr. T crashes
1:30 get home and snuggle sleeping babies....

does this look like a great day?? I tell ya, this was a FABULOUS DAY!
while blog hopping for ideas on OAMC (once a month cooking)or Freezer Cooking I found this...

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4.) When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, "What do I really, really, really want today?"

5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your
energy in the positive present moment.

15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out chargecard.

17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come.

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your friends/family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statement: 'I am thankful for __________.'

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it
and enjoy the ride.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day. Please share with friends!
(Received list in an email from a friend-source unknow.)

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Who really won last night...


I walked into my dd's room this morning and woke her up gently...
"do you want to know who is going to be our next President of the United States?"
"yes" rubbing sleep from the corner of her eyes...
"Barak Obama"
"wow"

yea, wow...
this has so much significance for our nation.
I look at this from so many directions... as a mother, as a former teacher- a social studies and ESL teacher at that.... but mostly as an American. Where will this take us as a nation?
One can listen to all the hype from both political parties... like I used to tell my students, "there is your side, my side and the truth." The truth will not be known or understood until history is made..
Will we as a nation understand the ramifications of electing Mr. Obama in this year?
I mean truly understand?
Will we see what decisions made at particular times in his presidential carreer will affect our children and other future generations?
I for one, am in awe of anyone wanting to take on such an awesome and powerful position... look back in history at any one of the presidents- compare picture of them at the time of innaguration and then of them as they leave the Oval Office. The graying of hair, the added wrinkles on the face... is the step as lively?? The weight of the world is upon this man.... did you see how many nations watched our nation last night??
I was amazed at how jubilant other nations were at us electing Mr. Obama... why are they? What do they have to gain? And do THEY see how gracious John McCain was to concede?? no skirmish broke out... no bullying... it was a peaceful acknowledgement of how the power in our country will shift. I hope it remains this way... this is what is so great about our nation... we will come together... it is what America... Americans are best at.
We might not like what one of us is doing but when push comes to shove we have each other's back!!

ok.. enough of the soap box... let's talk about who really won... it wasn't red or blue states...
it wasn't one race or another...
it was Sasha and Malia!!]
they won something really important in a kid's life!!
yep, they get a puppy!!!
The White House will have a puppy...
I just ask one favor... don't let the pup teeth on anything of historical significance,girls...
remember to take the pup out to do his business...
feed and water him...
brush him
teach him commands so he listens to you
and pick a cute name!

Congrats, Obama Girls, on your new puppy!!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Monday, November 03, 2008

Go Get Your VOTE on!


I did it
yep
I did
baby strapped to my hip with my ever popular sling
Mr. T teasing the pollsters.. is that what they are called?

I got my vote on... did you??
with 2 little kids in tow there are not enough Goldfish to keep one content... you know?? a little bribery with library books and a movie borrowed from the library... Buzz Lightyear, I think it was... and I GOT MY VOTE ON!!

As a former social studies and history teacher I am telling you to get out and VOTE!!
You can't "gritch" if you don't vote!!!
Yep, I don't want to hear it..
I know my limitations.
I know what policies are important in my book!
I know what is important this time...

DO YOU??

OH....and one more thing... say a prayer- now, I don't care how you vote or voted- but say a prayer for Mr. Obama and his family. His grandma died on Sunday... 2 days shy of getting to see what happened in her grandson's election. I was told by my mom that she did vote absentee... but Obama and his family are grieving right now. Can you imagine the added pressure... say prayers for him, his wife and children.... they need it..
and while you are there... say a prayer for no fraud in the election... on EITHER SIDE! Man, I can't stand liars or cheaters... it's an Aggie thing...

Gig 'em and GET YOUR VOTE ON!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

boo to you!


cast of characters:
Princess A: Larry the Cucumber
Mr. T: Farmer Boy... because "trick or treating is no fair!"
Queen V: dalmation puppy
Lady G: rocker chick

setting:
backyard prior to Grandpa hauling us around on a trailor full of hay

Theme:
my favorite things of Halloween 2008
Princess A: is all full of smiles... just like Larry the Cucumber in this pic...
Mr T: bought one Buzz Lightyear costume but when it had to slip over his head it was history so I brought out super chicken and that was good for a giggle but not to put on.. then I placed cowboy horse in front of him and that got on but then off... go figure.. I turned Mr. T over to Daddy and this is what they came up with. Trick or treating was still "no fair" BUT clothes were now on my boy...
Queen V: dalmations are the favorite puppy with chihuahuas running a close second for my girl... like the face paiting?? I did it myself, thank you very much.. ha! I had a pic of Lady G with the same face painted by a professional and I tried to mimic it. I think I did pretty well... The costume was a white sweatshirt and white leggings with black iron on patches I cut up to make the spots- perfect! Thanks to my sister for giving me that direction!!!!
Lady G... recognize the costume.. it's what she gathered for her school play.. she liked it so much it went back on for Halloween! hooray!

I am kind of glad it is behind us... nursing a baby on a hay trailor in front of inlaws is a trick for sure.. whew! but we all made it... and then went to roast s'mores at friends... a tradition from my childhood. I hope to post about it tomorrow...

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

it's the great pumpkin!!


The school carnival was last week and I was asked to help volunteer...
with a new baby... that was going to be a bit difficult..
but
I can bake in between nursing, diapering and overseeing homework...
This was one of the 2 cakes I sent in for each Queen V and Lady G's classes.
They were both pumpkin cakes... it's what Lady G asked for
so on I went to figure out how to create such a cake...
white cake mix 50 cents
frosting $1.50/ can
gel for coloring $5
pumpkin cake for school carnival and envy from other mommies...
PRICELESS!
mwahahahahaha (evil mommy laugh)

so I don't have the huge wallet that some mamas seem to have around here but I have creativity, kids that think I can do all with frosting.... wonder if I can create the medallion to go above my chandelier in my dining room with it... hahahahahaha and time.. who needs sleep when your oldest tells you to splurge on good coffee beans and yummy fru-fru cream??

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

little this once


so little

just this once....

how precious

how loving...

how accepting...


her love is never ending and I find myself at more peace with this one

she makes me take a step back and remember to just breathe

to enjoy

to take the moment in and savor it


I also find myself questioning my behavior with my others...

do they get enough love?

do they get enough understanding?

do they get enough attention that is positive...

do they feel loved... know they are loved... for everything they do.....


what a great gift I have been given in this little one...

who will be little just this once...


Ellie Lash QP
WA by Elegant WA