The Callaway Monkeys

A guilty conscience

2011-09-26T21:53:00.005-05:00

A few days ago Scott pointed out some graffiti on a hallway wall. We both figured it was Brooke, just because she has written on the walls in the past. I was going to wait until I could get all four kids together and look them in the eye and ask them who wrote on the wall.

Today, Brooke told me that someone had written on the wall by her bedroom. She said that it looked like John's name so it must have been John. What she failed to think through when she threw her brother under the bus was that John knows how to make his "J" the proper way and not backwards. And instinct told me that John wouldn't make his "O" into a smiley face.

I told her we'd wait until dad brought the lie detector home and then he'd be able to tell who did it. This really didn't phase her. She said she wanted to see the lie detector.

Jacob saw the writing and became "Mr. Junior Detective". He had the kids give him a writing sample and then compared it to the one on the wall. He also asked me to install a camera up in the hallway so we could tell who was writing on the walls. He came to the same conclusion that we had. The tagger was Brooke.

So Scott took Brooke on his lap and talked to her. Her guilt got the best of her and she crumbled.

I hope this behavior isn't a preview of what is in the future. She's already in a gang. Its the Callaway Monkeys.

My passion, not The Passion

2011-08-06T14:01:00.006-05:00

In 3rd grade, I discovered horse books. Then later, more books on animals, The Babysitters Club, Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High Twins and Flowers in the Attic. Flowers in the Attic. I read that book a dozen times. It was dark and twisted and right up my alley. I read more of V.C. Andrews books and then read a bunch of Stephen King. Admittedly, King scared the pants off of me. I could never look at a clown again without thinking of It.

I've been an avid reader for 25+ years. I can read a good book again and again. I'm not much for non-fiction, but I will pick up a book now and again.

My New Years Resolution was to read a book a week or 25,000 pages. The year is about 2/3rds of the way over and I have read just over 9,000 pages and I have read 23 books. I'm disappointed that I probably will not meet my goal, but delighted that I started reading on a regular basis agan.

With the triplets entering Kindergarten this year, I'll have more time to finish up some projects that have been put off for 5+ years. I plan on painting a couple of rooms, organizing and purging, cleaning on a regular basis (even if regular means once a month), weekly small group meetings with members of St. Peter and maybe even getting a job.

Getting a part-time job that right for me and my family will probably be time-consuming. I'd like to be able to use the gifts and talents God has given me to reach others. Whether that be other church members or the unchurched. I'd like a job where I can make a difference. Maybe other people don't know it yet, but God does. I'm a tool.

Private - No Trespassing

2011-08-05T21:51:00.005-05:00

I'm just going to say it. I'm not going to pussyfoot around the issue. I feel like you boys and girls are big enough to handle it. Whether you like it or not. Its something I've thought about and decided I need to do. At the end of August I will be taking my blog private.

For a couple of reasons. - Then I can tell stories about how Brooke confuses her body parts with the boys body parts without fear of someone creepy latching on to the story because they did a search for a male body party.

- I am thinking about going professional. With a job. A desk job. And I think that to make the best impression on everyone, I'll keep my personal life personal.

- Its trendy. More people are doing it.

- My real reason for starting this blog was to journal my kids life. And they do some pretty funny and hilarious things. And I say some pretty funny and outrageous things. If unoriginal and boring people stumble upon my blog, they just won't get it.

So, if you'd like to receive e-mails about current updates on my blog, put it in the comment section, facebook me, e-mail me...

The raggie

2011-08-04T15:15:00.004-05:00

While I was tucking in the kids last night, I saw something that made me fall in love all over again.

Matthew was laying on his blanket and I pulled it out from under him to cover him up. When I did that he turned towards me and there was something underneath his pajama top. I looked under his shirt and there was his raggie. He was keeping it close to him. Awwwww. I just melted and fell in love with that special little boy all over again.

Jacob's birthday and Graduation Day

2011-05-19T21:16:00.004-05:00

Jacob turned eight today. Eight. Eight years. Ocho anos. Where has the time gone? I think its gone pretty fast now that he's in school. I see him stretching out, getting leaner, looking more like his dad every day. Happy Birthday baby. I pray for many things for you. I wish you happiness, such deep happiness that you feel deep in your heart, in your being. I want you to pursue your dreams, but realize that they will not be handed to you and you have to work for them. I want you to pause and enjoy being a kid. You are never to old to play in the sandbox or play with Legos. But most of all. I hope that at every chance you get, you fill your cup with Jesus. "With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Now on to the trio. They got a diploma and graduated from preschool today. I even checked the authenticity of the papers. They are real. They are going to Kindergarten. God bless Mrs. M with patience, understanding and a good sense of humor because my babies are ready.

They all got their picture taken with their teacher, Mrs. P. All of them gave her hugs. Even though they are looking forward to Kindergarten, I know they will miss her. She was a very gentle and nurturing teacher. Kind of not like me. :)
Then they got their pictures taken with their chapel buddies. These are older kids, usually 7th and 8th graders who sit with the kids during chapel and show them how to act and behave. My kids love their chapel buddies. I hope the friendship continues for years.

In random thought, I realized that what parents do for a living really affects their children.

Do doctors kids have doctor's kits? Do teacher's kids play teacher? Do musician's kids have miniature instruments? Do stripper's kids have play poles? (I had to add that one) Do police officers kids have fake badges and guns?

For instance, with my husband being a police detective, they get to see their share of police cars, badges, policeman, guns, etc... They understand words such as "search warrant", "burglary", "lie-detector", "suspect". I am surprised that there is not more cops and robbers played here. They are more into power rangers and that kind of stuff. We don't have play guns in the house. I don't think thats even a possibility down the road. I realize that they can pretend anything is a gun, but I think its all too real.

Hodgepodge and Mother's Day thoughts

2011-05-08T23:22:00.007-05:00

Nevermind it took 15 minutes to log in here. Its been five months since my last confession, er, blog. I've been blogging in my head and facebook. But frankly, I am just been lazy. And I feel for the guy named frank that the previous saying came from. Cause its not just a saying its also a name for a hot dog. And also for a common guy. Like if you don't remember someones name you can just say, "Hey, Frank! You wanna get the door?" And they know you are talking to them.

Back on track. Mother's Day. According to the great source of wikipedia, it was founded by a lady in 1870s. Woodrow Wilson made it a Hallmark Holiday in 1918 and now everyone remembers to call their mom on this day.

I received a cookbook from Jacob (made at school), I received some awesome handmade cards/pictures from the triplets (made at school) and then Jacob made me a paper plate card at home using his best cursive. I spent the day with my family eating a lunch at a supper club. Then took a 3 hour nap. Now THAT is a good Mother's Day. Love the nap.

I've been thinking about my life and what it takes to be a mother and smirking over those articles in the papers that kids write about their mothers. Did they write them willingly or did their moms put them up to it so that everyone else who reads that paper will know what a great mother they are?

I've decided not to go for the Mother of the Year award, ever. I won't be nominated because frankly, (it just flows so well... sorry anyone named Frank) I don't have the patience I should have, I favor the kids who let me sleep in, I don't cook as much as I should and I don't play with them as much as I should.

What am I doing during this time when I should be cooking or playing with them? I'm searching for my keys which mysteriously disappeared. I'm calling a tow truck and then trying to get a ride to the dealership to get new keys made while trying to figure out how to get four kids there and then get two vehicles home. Or, when I'm trying to make a home-made spaghetti sauce, I'm searching for for spoon rest that has mysteriously disappeared. Only to be found in the sandbox a few days later.

My patience is sorely lacking when I repeatedly find wrappers stuck under and in the couch when I say multiple times every day not to eat in the living room. I fantasize about the day when they'll understand that wrappers invite unwanted house guests and they throw them away. I really don't want six or eight legged creatures in the house.

I know the day will come when I only have to say things once and not repeatedly because they have become good listeners.

I live for the day that I can tell their girlfriends and wives about their escapades on creative peeing spots. The dryer, the front yard, the waste basket, the general area of the toilet. I will train them properly that their wives don't have to worry about seats being up, dribble around the toilet, etc...

I accept the fact that some of my children have inherited my sense of humor. Which is really funny to me, but may be childish, rude, or completely innappropriate in certain situations. Like in school, at church, when talking to adults.

So instead of having my kids write a bunch of untrue things about me, I'm going to write my Mother's Day wish for them.

I hope that someday you can look back and see that I tried to provide a home you felt safe in. That when I was discipling you or yelling at you, it was because I love you and want you to grow up learning right from wrong. I want you to learn that there are consequences to your actions. These actions can hurt yourself, other people and may not be following God's commandments.

I want you to know that I love it when you help me around the house. Its a great time for bonding while also learning how to clean and take care of our home.

I want you to think of others and how your actions affect them. I want you to think of Jesus and that He died for our sins. He loved us that much. I want you to show your love to others by treating them with respect, with kindness and being a light for this world.

I want you to remember all those times I took you to lessons or practices, or a road trip to something fun. All those things that took a lot of planning, money and patience.

I want you to remember the fun times. When I didn't feel like cooking so I threw out marshmellows on the table or I let you forage for yourself and some pretty interesting combinations are made. When we take a ride around the circle and you're all riding your big wheels. Or when we go to the park or Wild Air. When we're singing in the car some of our favorite songs. When we're on the couch and everyone has to pile on me. It can't get any better than that.

Be your own person, make your own path. But let God guide you. Enjoy your childhood because it goes way too fast.

Vacation to Chicago

2011-01-01T00:44:00.007-06:00

Scott had bicep/rotator cuff surgery on December 1st. He's been off of work this month. So I had a great idea to take the kids to Chicago on christmas break. For a couple of different reasons. I think having family time is really important. When we take vacations in the past, its me driving the triplets to the destination and Jacob and Scott driving in another vehicle. Then usually Scott is doing his own thing (fishing) and I spend time with some or all of the kids. So family time, but not really family time.

I want to give my kids great memories of their childhood. Opportunities to learn, places that they have been, memories. Hopefully good memories.

So I planned this trip overnight to Chicago. We stayed at Embassy Suites, which was great because we had plenty of room to sleep and have the kids play. However, when I booked the room on priceline, I thought I booked a nonsmoking room. Yeah. Love the smell of stale smoke. But the hotel had free continental breakfast and we made sure we had our fill. There was a small pool and when I took the triplets swimming, it said 3 feet 2 inches. Well, the pool was deeper than that. It was almost over their heads. So they couldn't stand in the pool and had to be by the ladder or clinging to the edge.
Then as it got more crowded, six ghetto girls were horseplaying near us. Even though they could go anywhere in the pool, they had to be right on top of us. They kept bumping in to us. And the last thing I needed was one scared moment to set my children back in the pool. And then it happened. The girls were on each others backs and one bigger girl threw another bigger girl right into Matthew and knocked him into the water. And I went ghetto on her. I started yelling at her and she tried to walk away from me. Hehe. She didn't get away. I got in her face and told her to look around at who she just fell on. She had no comment. I told her that he was four years old and she needed to be careful around little ones. She had no comment. I asked if she understood me. She said yes and then I let her pass. They left the pool then to go sit in the whirlpool and stare at us. Of course they had no supervision.

So, the kids were pretty good on the way down to Chicago. We stopped at the Chicago O'Hare Oases and ate lunch there. It was really neat to see all the cars going right underneath us. Then we drove into the city and went to The Field Museum. Sue the T-rex was pretty interesting. But the kids were excited and Scott and I were tired. We didn't last long at that museum. I wish there had been more dinosaur related things there.

Then we walked to the Hard Rock Cafe and ate dinner. It was a nice walk in winter, but on the way back to the hotel, we decided to take a cab ride. The kids really enjoyed it. They always got excited when they saw a cab. Appleton has two or three cab companies, but seeing cab after cab was still exciting to them. Another exciting thing was looking for license plates. Jacob had this list made up of all the states and then checked off how many times we saw that license plate. I'm guessing we saw at least 20 states and 2 provinces.

The next day we got to the Shedd Aquarium bright and early and we actually stayed almost five hours. The kids loved the Caribbean reef and shark aquarium. We saw an aquatic show with dolphins, penguins and Beluga whales. It was very entertaining. But five hours wears on anyone, especially children. We were glad to leave. That is a place I'd love to visit again.

On the way home we did a detour to the Lego Store that took over an hour to get to. It was not like the Lego Store in Minneapolis. The trip home was quieter, but the kids were whiney and ready to be home.

There was some fighting and bickering. With two of the children kicking each other and one child doing a soccer kick to her brothers head. She got a time out for that. But overall, I think they had a good time.

I could use my own vacation now.

Its a hard job!

2010-12-06T23:00:00.003-06:00

Sigh, double sigh. Since this summer, I've been battling with Jacob. He likes to argue with me. He contradicts almost everything I say. Even something as simple as "Jacob, go put your coat on." And he will stomp off or shout "NO!". He tells me he doesn't have to listen to me, he tells me I'm not the boss. He does recognize that Scott is the boss around the house. But the problem is that Scott isn't here 24/7.

I think some things are inherited, genetic. But how does he pick up the WELS belief from little on that fathers should be the head of the household and mothers are secondary?

I am not enjoying being his mother. I didn't expect us to have these battle of wills so early. I really feel disconnected with him. I don't feel like he's my buddy right now. And I'm guessing that he isn't going to be voting me for mother of the year. He has said a couple of times after these fights that no one loves him or no one likes him. I have explained to him that it is because I love him so much that I expect him to follow our rules. I gave him the example of God giving Moses the Ten Commandments to give to the Israelites.

He has also been giving Scott some attitude too. So, I feel better that its not just me, but I do wish he just realize he's got to be respectful and follow our rules.

I've done the Magic 1,2,3 thing, I've sent him to his room repeatedly, I have washed his mouth out with soap, I've taken away privileges, and now I told him that I would be taking away Christmas presents.

The other downside of this attitude is how he acts towards his siblings. He yells at them, is not patient with them and very bossy.

I know God will give me guidance through this, but I am really losing my patience.

Prayer

2010-11-21T22:32:00.003-06:00

Did you ever see someone spiralling downwards and felt helpless? There are some people close to me that I see getting farther and farther away from God and it really hurts me. I've reached out a bit, put in my two cents and prayed. I don't want to be that pushy person that keeps throwing Jesus at them at every turn. I don't know if their hearts are open to Christ and I don't want to alienate them.

But I want them to know that they are loved. I want them to know that it hurts me to see them going down this path of sinfulness. This blatant disregard for God's commandments to fit in with their friends? because they don't feel like life is fair? because its easier?

We have this awesome God who knows we are sinful creatures and that as hard as we try, we cannot keep his commandments. He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. What grace we have been given.

It may be uncomfortable to talk about, its hard to find the right words, but its necessary. I think we have all become numb to these sins. We see them on TV, in the movies, in magazines and books, they are in our environment.

I hope that my friends or family would reach out to me if I was not living in accordance with God's commands.

I have realized how important church is to me, how supportive my Christian friends can be, what a tool the Bible is, and how wonderful prayer can make me feel.

I pray that God continues to mold me into the person He wants me to be so that I can model that behavior to others.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Psalm 27

Of David.

1The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,a
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident
4One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Please pray for those in your life that need to open their hearts to God.

Heavens on Fire

2010-11-08T22:07:00.003-06:00

Did you ever hear a song and have a picture pop into your head? I was in the car - without my IPOD - listening to the radio and Heavens on Fire by Kiss came on. Immediately I saw some poor fellow in the elevator on his way down to hell. Didn't repent before he died and was thinking that this elevator with red lights, chrome interior wasn't so bad. Tapping his foot to the music, he starts to sing, "Baby don't stop, take it to the top, eat it like a piece of cake. Feel my heat, taking you higher, burn with me, heavens on fire!"

He pictures orgies and other dark images and when the doors open he is blasted with ... not sure. Haven't come up with the perfect song to describe hell. I'm thinking Fade to Black or One by Metallica. (Of course I couldn't resist a Metallica plug) How can one describe something that is so utterly and horrible miserable? Probably a country song. I'll post it when I hear it though.

My Pet PEE(ve).

2010-10-30T15:59:00.004-05:00

Dear future wives of my sons:

I want you to know that I am doing everything in my power to raise kind, compassionate leaders of the world. I will teach them to be humble, to open doors, to clean the dishes off the table, to pick up their rooms. But most importantly, they will be set apart from other young men. Because they will always pee sitting down. Under NO circumstances in my house are they allowed to stand and pee because it creates a mess and I AM SICK OF CLEANING IT UP. If I could catch one of the buggers at it, I'd make them clean it up. If I fail you in this mission, I can assure you of one thing. They will know how to clean a bathroom until it sparkles, because since I can't push their face in it like dogs, I will make them take Q-tips and clean the damn bathroom.

Your loving future-mother-in-law,

Jean

My Mission Statement

2010-09-28T15:59:00.006-05:00

What??? Two posts in one day? Crazy!
"I got something to say, I r*ped your mother today, doesn't matter much to me as long as ..." (Had to though with a Metallica quote).

And totally unrelated to that is that I've been thinking about writing a mission statement. That I can live by, that defines who I am and who I want to be. Then, in a sermon, Pastor Ski from www.gotocore.com stole my thunder when he said he wrote his own personal mission statement about his faith and God. O.K. he probably prompted me to get my butt in gear and get 'er dun. (Bad grammar a part of the story)

My Mission Statement.

Let God's light within me shine.

By leading from example, helping others, living by the Golden Rule*.

As a parent I will raise nurturing, loving and independent children who will pay it forward.

As a spouse I will be loving and supportive.

Thats all I got so far. I want it to be simple and to the point. But I can get kinda long-winded, so I may just be done.

If you are reading this blog, write your own mission statement! If you feel bold, share it, if its more personal, keep it to yourself, but just live by it.

* Treat others as you would like to be treated

A dirty word...

2010-09-28T09:45:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I use the word Triplets when talking about my kids, but I feel uncomfortable using that word. Even after almost 5 years of saying it. I'll say babies (which I've been told I shouldn't say anymore), the little ones, the little kids, the preschoolers, the monkeys, anything but the word Triplets.

I feel like when I say "triplets" I'm bragging or drawing attention to myself or them. Because that word turns heads. Its saying I won the lottery, in a family sense. It also labels them. Groups them into whatever stereotype people put on triplets or multiples.

Sometimes I still feel shocked. I'll be doing something, look at them, and say to myself, "I have triplets!" Holy baloney Batman! God sure knows what he's doing and we're not supposed to question him... but triplets? for me? What a gift. I am humbled.

Preschool

2010-09-08T01:08:00.000-05:00

Create your own digital greeting card

Another Chapter

2010-09-06T23:46:00.004-05:00

I'm reminded of a song by Staind called, "Its been awhile" or at least those are part of the lyrics.

I've been lazy, I kept procastinating. Things happened and I thought, I should blog this, but I'll just put it on Facebook.

Tomorrow is a big day. The triplets start preschool. I have been waiting for this day, probably since the week we brought them home from the hospital. They need the structure, they need the interaction, they need to learn to listen, to play well with others, to go to the bathroom on their own. I need the two hour break just to be a better mom. And the biggest plus is that I can run errands on my own without having to ask family or friends to watch them. Even though I know they love them, I always feel like I'm asking a favor, or I'm inconveniencing them.

I've been dreading this day too because it means I'm not just a stay-at-home mom with little children, I'm an in-betweener. I've got all my kids in school, but not full-time. It means I run back and forth to school several times a day to drop off, pick up, and pick up again. It means I get four backbacks ready each day. I have to make sure that everyone eats before they get to school because we can't just come home and eat breakfast later. Shoes need to match, or at least be on the right feet. Books need to be read, folders need to be checked, all times four.

While I've fantasized about this day for quite awhile, I've also repressed the memories of dropping Jacob of for preschool. Its a time you can never get back, them being at home with you all day. It means that happy hour really does start after 3 p.m. and not anytime you feel like it.

February blues

2010-02-12T21:09:00.003-06:00

Dear Diary,

I've neglected you. I don't seem to ever have time for you anymore. Its Facebook. Its addicting. And I can easily remember how to sign on whereas I keep forgetting my username on blogger. I'm not blaming you, well, actually I am.

I just keep clicking my heels, saying to myself, "there's no place like summer, there's no place like summer..." But actually we could compromise and just have Spring.

I took the kids outside today and while it took 15 minutes to go to the bathroom, get snowpants, snowboots, hats, mittens and coats on, it took only five minutes of Brooke getting a facewash to end her day. Then Matthew kept wandering in the house looking for constuction toys to bring outside. And I kept yelling at him because I didn't want snow and dirty snow all over the house. But the boys did have a blast outside, although I thought they'd go go bed without a fight. But they didn't.

Speaking of that, bedtime is a nightmare. I've never had a problem with the kids going to bed. Sure, there are a couple of days in a row that they mess around and don't fall asleep. But then they go back to going to bed and falling asleep soon after.

For the past three to four weeks, Matthew and John have resisted bedtime. I could put them to bed later, but I think they really need the rest. O.K. I really need the rest from them. But at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. without naps, its time for bed. Matthew and John want to sleep in the bottom bunk bed. For a few nights I've allowed them to sleep together, but they disturb each others sleep.
Tonight I took away Johns blankets after he threw them and he got a few spankings because he'd be running around the room, upstairs, bugging matthew, turning lights on and off and just being loud. Matthew is a follower, so he just get riled up then. I finally scared Matthew enough that he'd stay in bed and luckily Scott came home to yell at John, or he probably would have been tied to a chair.

A shortfall

2009-12-09T21:14:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe that I am blogging three days in a row. But I had nothing short of an epiphany today.

As the kids and I were watching this Heroes of the Bible story about Jesus's birth, I realized that I wasn't doing my job in raising them in a Christ-centered environment.

I think I'm still in survival mode. They get fed, they have clean clothing, I read to them, sometimes I play with them, I take them to swimming lessons and other activities. But at a cost to my own being. Its not always fun, its usually stressful, but its necessary.

I realized the triplets had not been to church since the middle of October. Or at least thats what I last remember. I have been to church several times with Jacob, but I don't take them. Its too much work, I don't have enough hands, and I don't hear the sermon at all.

Things need to change. Christ is the center of my life (or should be) and it should be theirs also. I need to take the time to take them to church, sing songs with them, go to sunday school. Now that they are mostly potty-trained I can sign them up for Sunday school. They'll get the interaction they need with other kids and learn about Christ.

For a good cause...

2009-12-08T20:04:00.002-06:00

My friend Michelle is having an auction. She's adopting a daughter, Lily, from Eastern Europe. Lily is a twin who was given up at birth because she has down syndrome.

Michelle and her husband Brian have three children. Karly is 14 and two years ago was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer and is now cancer free. Braden is in Kindergarten this year and their youngest is Ruby who is 2 1/2. Ruby is a twin. With no words to describe the situation, Lydia was stillborn at 38 weeks. Ruby and Lydia are identical twins and have down syndrome.

Michelle and Brian have opened their hearts and home to another child and I hope that you can support them emotionally and maybe even donate to their cause. Keep Lily and her new family in your prayers.

ahomeforlily.blogspot.com

Is it done yet?

2009-12-07T23:14:00.004-06:00

Where has the time gone? There are a few reasons why I haven't updated the blog. 1) Facebook. Much easier and quicker. You can put a one or two liner on and be done with it. 2) Projects - I've been sewing a bunch and also working on library stuff for Jacob's school. 3) this one is important, I've been lazy.

I think of things, but don't take the time.

For instance, I'm not sure anyone really wants to hear the ins and outs of potty-training. Its not fun, its TMI and really that's what consumes my time. I spend hours with Matthew on the toilet coaxing him to poop. I feel like a labor coach. I actually think I could deliver a baby now with my experience and advice on getting the kids to poop. Poop. Whoever thought I'd be actually blogging about it. But I think that the kids are doing really well and are probably 80-90% potty-trained. Hopefully by Christmas there will be no more accidents.

Secondly, the boys needed something else to sleep on besides their crib mattresses. We got them low rise loft bunk beds. The beds are perpendicular and John sleeps on top and Matthew actually sleeps at the foot of his own bed on the bottom. Why John on top? He doesn't move at all when he sleeps and has a really good compass when it comes to where he is and how to get around at night. On the other hand, Matthew falls off his crib mattress several times a night. I don't think he's fallen out of his bed though. But he still does cry out a lot. Not sure why.

So tonight at the football game is on, I heard whining/crying. I went up to find John laying on top of Matthew, half asleep, crying. I don't know if he tried getting off the side of the bed and fell on Matthew. But Matthew didn't notice a thing and John was crying. It was really funny and disturbing at the same time.

Fall Pictures III

2009-10-20T20:27:00.002-05:00

Fall Pictures II

2009-10-20T20:24:00.002-05:00

Fall Pictures

2009-10-20T20:14:00.001-05:00

Jacob's school is closed due to sickness. So we had some fun outside instead.

Chchchanges

2009-10-13T22:36:00.004-05:00

I just keep putting this off. Well, because I'm a facebook fanatic now. And I usually blow off my steam on there.
Updates:
Since September 3rd I have been sick. It started out with a migraine, then pneumonia for three weeks which immediately followed by a sinus infection. Can I catch a break? I'm just hoping I'll get all this over and have a happy and healthy winter. One can only hope.

The kids got a cough in mid september and Brooke has not shaken it yet. Jacob had it too and on Sunday he came down with a fever. Due to the heightened awareness of the flu virus and H1N1, many schools are taking a lot of precautions. Like sending out notices about having kids in with fevers. A big no-no.
So I kept him home monday and he was acting like normal, except for a little bit on the quiet side. Last night he climbed into bed with me and he had a fever. I gave him medicine and he was fine and spunky. So I sent him to school. He fell asleep when he got home for about two hours. Then he threw up the yogurt I gave him. I think it was due to him not wanting to eat it and my policy of "you'll eat if and I don't care if you vomit it up." But with him falling asleep and having a slight fever tonight, I'll keep him home tomorrow.

And speaking of being sick of things, I need a good night's sleep without kids coming in and out of the bed all night. Mostly I've put up with it because they don't feel well and I think its just my maternal duty to cuddle with them a bit more. Sometimes I take them back to their beds and just lay with them. But their beds are very small so its not very comfortable.

I have seriously considered drugging them so that they sleep 8-10 hours or more and not get me up at 2 and 3 in the morning. I'm hoping for a peaceful sleep without children tonight.

Jacob seems to be liking school. He really has taken off with reading and I'll read books to him too. He can memorize really easily. Makes my job easier. But we have at least 1/2 hour of home work each night plus any additional reading.

I dread when the triplets get to school and trying to manage all of this. I know by then I'll have come up with a system, but its just overwhelming. I guess that should be a little lesson reminder to me to just take one day at a time. Maybe it will be easier teaching three kids at once. I'm glad that they will be in the same classroom. Makes it easier on me and less confusing.

Potty training is going really really well. Its just getting them to poop in the toilet. They still hide on me and its doesn't seem like incentives are working for this one. Maybe they are afraid, maybe they don't want to give up control, maybe they realize its one step towards independence.
I'm not putting them in underwear because we just got a new couch and I really don't want to be cleaning that over and over again.

What is really nice is that I bought diapers in the beginning of September (176 of them) and we still have over 1/2 left. I bought a small pack of girl pullups and a big pack of boy pull ups in 6 weeks. I need more pullups now, but the nice things is that I've probably spent $80 in the last 6 weeks versus spending $200 in that amount of time.

School's in session

2009-09-16T21:50:00.003-05:00

Its been nearly a month since I last blogged. A couple of different reasons. I forgot my login and password and got sick of guessing. And secondly I've been sick for two weeks.

New stuff in the Callaway household... POTTYTRAINING

I started about two weeks ago with all three children. I didn't want to do all three at once, but I wasn't having much luck with Brooke on her own.

So I got about $50 worth of little toys, stickers and a reward chart and gave them stickers every time they tried to go potty. It only took a few days for the boys to catch on. Matthew is even dry at night about 1/2 the time. John is probably the most ready for underwear now, but can be just stubborn.

Brooke is another story. It took her a very long time to figure out how to use her muscles to go potty. She does have a few accidents during the day, but has done really well with improving how many times she goes potty. I don't think she's ready for underwear just yet.

The only problem is that the kids are potty-trained, not poop-trained. I think if I can catch them a couple of times trying to hide to go in their pull-ups, I can get them to go on the toilet.

Jacob started school two weeks ago. He doesn't really want to go to school. He's still got his shy problems from last year. He doesn't want to make a mistake. And then there is the whole, "they already have friends and I don't want to ask them to play with me" thing. I just wish he could make one or two friends instead of wandering around at recess by himself. It breaks my heart.
He's doing very well academically though. I was surprised to find him reading a level 1 book all by himself.

Matthew started Early Childhood two weeks ago. He's a good role model in the class as there are new boys in his 3 year old class. He even asks to go potty at school.

John started his speech class today. His teacher said he is doing so wonderfully and must have had a growth spurt in his speech over the summer.

The other thing we are doing is going to "school" otherwise known as library time at the Neenah Public Library on tuesdays when Matthew is in school. Its for 3,4, and 5 year olds without a caregiver. The key word is "without". John wouldn't let me leave him so I sat through story time, dance time and puppet time.

Tranvestite in the making????

2009-08-19T09:58:00.001-05:00

The old saying, a picture is worth a 1000 words applies here.

The hangover

2009-08-15T23:55:00.004-05:00

And boy do I have one. Las Vegas was tiring. I think I'm still recovering.

I had suppressed my known fear of flying until I got on the airplane. Not sure why I don't like flying. Lack of control, fear of heights, smell of stale urine, who knows.

But the fun started when we got to our rental car and tried to leave the security area and they gave us the wrong car, so in the 100 degree heat at midnight we figured it out with the nice but clueless Budget people.

We stayed at Circus Circus and it hadn't changed in the five years that we had been there last. Same gaudy decorations, but the rooms are nice and comfortable. Basically we gambled a lot, did a little bit of sightseeing and not much sleep. I think our highlight was seeing Red Rock Canyon. Very pretty area. Very different from the green vegetation around here. I love the Red Rock Canyon Casino too. Very nice place.

The last night we went downtown and boy has it gotten seedy. I cannot believe how many children are out at all times of the night for one thing. Las Vegas is not a place for children. Or at least children you want to keep from seeing the darker side of life. Anyway, as we walk down Fremont street I look into a casino and see a girl pole dancing around blackjack tables. We go into Binions to play poker and when we come out the same thing is happening there too. Come on.

This whole thing got brought up at the Poker table. I was sitting next to the dealer and he leaned to me and said, "They have places around here that men dance too." I wrinkled my nose up and said, "that's not for me" or something to that effect. It was like the dealer was talking about a favorite blanket or teddy bear. He whispered to me, "oh, I just love watching men dance." And I got the hebbiegebbies. And then I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore. It wasn't so much that he was gay, it was more about the tone of voice and how he described it. I didn't have to guess where my tips were going...

And that basically sums up my trip. I like living in an area where there isn't advertisements for sex being blown around, parents respect children's nap times and bedtimes, respect for ourselves and others is predominant. All those good things that make Appleton a great place to raise a family.

Going to Vegas...

2009-08-04T20:26:00.002-05:00

Alrighty then. I am super-dooper excited. I am also ultra-uber nervous. Scott, my parents and I are flying to Vegas tomorrow night and stay until Sunday. I am a quiet nervous flyer. Having nightmares that the plane will go down and my children will be left without parents. On the other hand I'd be in Heaven right? I'm pretty sure I would be except for the gossiping part. The 11th commandment would be - Thou Shall Not Gossip. So I'll take that up with God tonight when I pray.

So if something would happen to me, a freak accident, I die peacefully in my sleep or the Boogeyman gets me - this is my last and only Will and Testament.

I, Jean Marie Plamann Callaway, being of somewhat sound mind and body, would like my family and loved ones know that I'm in a better place, don't mourn for me, celebrate my life.

My life has been consumed by my children, which are most precious. God has been gracious by giving me four children and I or my husband are no longer able to take care of them, I would like them to grow up knowing God and be living examples. (So that narrows down a bunch of people ;). Just kidding.)

I would like my children to be raised by my sister-in-law Amy Elizabeth Wichman Plamann and my brother James Walter Plamann. They will take care of my children and Jim can be executors of our estate (or whatever is not in debt). I would like my children to get a christian education and be good citizens of this earth.

Secondarily, my cat Cosmo is very dear to me. I don't want her put in a shelter or given away to strangers. There are a short list of people I think would take her in, Amy & Jim Plamann, Mike & Kathy Callaway or Fred & Arlyne Plamann. Please take care of my kitty.

My living will has been established and is with my doctor and a copy is at Theda Clark in Neenah.

Jean Callaway

Now, I haven't written a will before, but it would look like this. I was afraid to do it because I wasn't so sure that Amy and Jim would want to take my kids in if I asked them, but if I'm dead I figure they'd follow my wishes.

I'll really miss my kids, but I know I'll come back a refreshed better mother. And hopefully with more money in my pocket than I went with.

More cute pictures

2009-08-02T00:16:00.003-05:00

The kids lined up for pictures at the lake. This was last Tuesday at the campgrounds were Aunt Julie and Uncle Kelly were. We had a really good time. Very nice campgrounds.

Aunt Julie and Uncle Kelly at their camp site. The kids kept wanting to go inside the camper and play.

Mister Matthew is such an angel. For those who have met him you know what I mean. He has a kind heart.

Today he fell out of the cart and landed on his head. I could only buckle two in and he was sitting in the big part of the cart. I had been telling him all day to sit down, but I was preoccupied and turned the cart and he fell out. I can't tell you how I felt at that moment. You hear the thud of his head hitting the ground, you see him crying and in pain. And you know that you were responsible for it. I picked him up and comforted him. I carried him while pushing the others in the cart and Jacob yakking a mile-a-minute. Within a few minutes he had a goose egg on the top right side of his head. I went home and gave him some Motrin and then tried putting ice on his head, which he did not want. I watched him for any odd behaviors, but he was talking in sentences and his eyes looked fine.

I think tonight I finally felt the fear that I suppressed all day. He could have been critically hurt and I am so lucky that he wasn't.

I realize why kids are supposed to be buckled in and why kids are not supposed to ride in the big part of the cart, but what do you do with triplets? I could try pulling two carts, but that is really hard to do. If I bought the stroller all the time and pulled a cart behind me its still very hard to do. Its just not easy keeping them from harm sometimes.

My little man

2009-07-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

Matthew refused to take our hands when walking at the campgrounds yesterday. I think this is my new favorite picture of him.

Sometimes its the last person you'd think

2009-07-26T23:27:00.002-05:00

Scott went fishing with Jacob today and when they got home I took the kids to Michaels and then to the mall so Scott could get some sleep. I know, I'm very thoughtful.

We get to Michaels and we get out of the van. Brooke is the first to hold my hand, then as I yell for John he comes over and gets my other hand. Jacob is chasing Matthew around the parking lot trying to get his hand.

Luckily the parking lot is pretty empty and no one is trying to back over my children. So I start yelling at Matthew to hold Jacob's hand or my hand. We get into the store without Matthew holding anyone's hand.

Then the two little boys wanted to stand and started fighting over space in the cart. We were the highlight of other's shopping trip. A lot of whispering and stares.

I still take them to the mall. This time I put the steel grip on his hand and Jacob holds Brooke's hand. (It was really cute)

We play in the play area and then we're off to Stride Rite to get the kid's shoe sizes. Matthew refuses to hold hands and actually lays down in the middle of the mall. The other two little ones are running around us. Oh, I'd love to get my hands on that video surveillance. I start to get a little impatient and raise my voice.

The good news is that we made it to the store and back through the mall to our van without: losing a child, getting hit by a car, or social services being called for mommy dragging unwilling toddlers.

Brooke has a size 10 foot. She's 3. When is this going to end. She's going to be 6 feet tall with size women's 10 shoes. Definitely does not take after me. So now we need to buy her some new tennis shoes.

Do unto others as they would do unto you (or something like that)

2009-07-25T21:20:00.004-05:00

One of my pastors puts out daily prayers. This one was just perfect for me.

PRAYER: This can be so hard, Jesus. Not as much with the ones I love or even with strangers, but it's extremely difficult to do for that person who hurts me, who rubs me the wrong way, or who has lost my respect. It's so tempting to turn around and be uncharitable, insulting, and vindictive - treating that person in a way I think he deserves. Forgive me for when I do that. How quickly I forget that I deserved to be treated this way by you. As much as others offend me, what my sins do to you is infinitely worse. Yet you love me! You died for me! No matter what others do to me, help me always to love them doing to them as I would have them do to me. Amen.

I've been dealing with someone who isn't my biggest fan. Rumors are spread, false truths, made-up stories, etc... and its so hard not to fight back and defend myself. Instead I've just been ignoring it hoping it will go away. I'm hoping that my actions of silence speak louder than anothers words.

I've tried to figure out why there is an "I Hate Jean club" and here's what I've come up with.
1) I say whats on my mind and that is unsettling to people
2) I am a pretty organized, driven individual and I think it intimidates people
3) Some people need to raise themselves up by putting others down
4) Some people are so miserable that they want to make others miserable
5) Absence of God in their life...

I can laugh about it now because I know its not true and God knows its not true and I'm trying to be sincere. But its hard. Because its fun to be catty, but its a bad example for my children. Sigh.

A balancing act

2009-07-16T21:18:00.005-05:00

Its been a very long, long day. And an even longer week.

John has worn me down. I'm reading James Dobson's The New Strong Willed Child. Its really good. A couple of things that I've gotten out of the book are that if a child has a strong will, just imagine what a strong will he will have for God. A child that has this drive and determination, the possibilities are endless. FDR was considered a strong willed child. Ted Bundy probably was too though. I'll settle for somewhere in the middle though.

The other thing is that I as a parent am not a failure just because I have a strong-willed child. I have a couple of other cookie cutter children that are low maintenance. And God does give me what I can handle.

The other issue with John is that not only is he a strong-willed child, he has sensory issues. He seeks sensory input. He craves bumping, jumping and motions. He runs full force into things and people. He smashes food, he does inappropriate things. But its all based on his neurological needs.

Its a fine balancing act.

If John doesn't want to do something, its stupid, stupid kid, stupid man, dumb and I hate you. He's three. Can you imagine the strings of curse words that he's going to throw down when he's ten? If I ignore him then he has won. If I confront him and have him sit on the stairs, his high chair,his room, he goes ballistic. If I put soap in his mouth or something else less tasty, he spits and spews and I do not even recognize him. These fits can last for long periods of time. How do I take care of the other kids when this is going on. Its not fair to them. But it would be a bigger injustice if I did not address it and nip this problem in the bud. Which according to Dr. Dobson could take years.

I don't have years left. I'd like to settle down, read a little more, relax, maybe make a few meals from scratch, take a shower everyday, sew, do a little surfing on the web...

Wow, this parenting stuff is really hard. I think good birth control would be to show teenagers and young adults videos of three year olds. Or just have them watch them for a day. It makes me think twice about bringing more children into the world.

And then there's me. I've been to the doctor twice this week. Two days in a row. I went to be Tuesday evening with a really sore toe. It was throbbing. Turns out I have a ganglion cyst or something to that effect. Basically, one of the kids stepped on my toe that night and probably ruptured it. I'm supposed to elevate, ice and where sandals (stiff ones). I'm not supposed to bend my toe so the joints don't get more aggravated or something like that. I don't know, I'm not a doctor, I've just spent a ton of time in their offices. As I was there I had the doctor look at the dimple at the bottom of my foot. It turned out to be a corn and he cut it out. And now it feels great. Then he looked at my elbow and I have tennis elbow and its been pretty painful. I think the kids caused this one due to me having to push, pull, carry, drag, resist, or put stress on my type of body.

So I had ice on three different areas of my body, have strengthening exercises for a couple of different areas.

Then today I went in for my knee. The inner part of my knee is very tender and every time I bend it, I have a lot of pain. Bending, sitting, going up stairs, etc... is really stressing it out. The doctor says I have Plica Syndrome which has to do when I was formed in my mothers womb and when the knee formed. I have a ridge in a tendon or disc or something that when it rubs on my kneecap becomes irritated and inflamed. So I got some prescription drugs and more exercises.

Better than going to therapy. The only kind I want right now is mental. I'd like a shot of sanity along with patience.

Questions unanswered

2009-07-03T23:02:00.004-05:00

How come I find less and less time to blog, but more time to play scrabble on Facebook? How come I buy Iams Weight Control and Hairball Remedy but my cat is still chubby and vomits hairballs?

How can I get it through a certain 3 year olds head that stupid and poopy are not appropriate words. If I don't say anything, then the others think its o.k. If I correct him and tell him those are bad words, he purposely says them. Like, 30 X's a day. If I send him to his room, he just sits by the door and repeats those words over and over. If I put him in his high chair he just rants and raves and screams and says every bad word that he can think of. So I wash out his mouth with soap. Liquid soap. This has mixed results as he spits it out and usually still says them. So now I threaten him with Red pepper. I put a tiny bit on the tip of his tongue and that usually works. And I give him a drink after a minute or so.

But the kid just does not give in. Matthew, Brooke and Jacob spend half their day telling me what John said.

I don't know if I should try taking something away from him, physically beating the words out of him, trying a nastier tasting soap, getting a muzzle, electric shock therapy, its these things I fantasize about but never really push the line. Because I do really love him and just want to contain his spirit, but not break it.

Actually, I think the shock therapy thing would work.... hmm.... if we put them on dogs, why can't we put them on our children?

Vacation 2009

2009-06-22T21:50:00.002-05:00

Vacation was filled with lots of firsts. Each of triplets caught their first fish. They seemed to like fishing off the dock. They also got their first tube ride before the boat. They didn't cry, but Brooke and John really didn't like the water spraying in their faces. Matthew was really relaxed and seemed to enjoy it the most.

The weather was very good. Warm, 70s, and only rained twice. The day we arrived and the day we left. The kids enjoyed playing on the playsets and running around. I put life jackets on them most of the time and they loved playing on the beach in the sand and in the water. It was just easier to watch them that way with their life jackets on. It gave me piece of mind.

Jacob was obsessed with finding out-of-state license plates. I got him a board that had a picture of the U.S. and then listed all the states on the back. You're supposed to check the state when you see it. He found 23 different states when we were in Minocqua. Thats amazing. But its a pretty popular vacation area.

I didn't have to stop at all on the way to Minocqua. It was a good 2 3/4 hour drive. But on the way back, Matthew had dropped his blanket on the floor while I was driving on HWY 29 and John unbuckled himself from his car seat and picked it up and gave it to him. I think I almost passed out. I pulled over and told him he had to stay in his car seat and he then thought it was a game. Brooke started doing the same thing, unbuckling herself when we were driving.

Sigh.

Finally, I had it with Brooke and we were in a parking lot going about 5 miles an hour. I put my brakes on a little harder than normal and she flew forward onto her feet and hit the seat in front of her. This not so gentle reminder has gotten her to keep her from doing it again. She wasn't hurt, just surprised. I told her that's why we wait until mom or dad tells you that you can unbuckle the seat belt.

I'm just getting over my migraine that started at 8 p.m. last night. I went to the doctor around lunchtime and he gave me some stuff to take when I got home. Luckily, my MIL and a friend were over and could watch the kids. For anyone who has had a migraine, you know how horrible it hurts. But when you're watching four kids who can't be quiet and are jumping on you, it really brings you to your knees. I'm glad the medication worked although I still feel a little fuzzy. A good fuzzy though.

Going, going GONE!

2009-06-11T07:39:00.004-05:00

Busy, Busy summer. We now have Jacob's T-ball games twice a week. He seems to really like playing ball and actually pays attention most of the time. At least for the moment he's not the kid picking grass in the outfield. But we've got 8-10 games yet to go, so I won't get to cocky yet.

Jacob asked me the other day how old he has to be to drive the boat. I told him 16. I think he's now required to take a boaters safety class anyway before he actually gets to drive on his own. Then I ran across these pictures of him driving. So I guess dad or grandpa let him drive. I'm sure its thrilling for him to steer the boat, but at least I know where the line of questioning came from.

I'm trying to pack for our vacation to Minoqua Wisconsin next week. Its hard to pack around kids because they take stuff out of the bins you just put in. Or they don't want you to pack the toys or throw a fit about something. So I have to be sneaky. Still challenging though. I have a ton to do, but decided to blog about it first.

Jacob cannot wait to go fishing at the cottage. I think Scott is not far behind him in excitement. I have a feeling that John will want to go with them this year too. We'll try fishing off the dock with the triplets and see how much they like it and how long their attention span is.

Either way, I'm still stuck with two kids and its really not a vacation for me since the kids now no longer nap and they are getting up earlier than I'd like. I have my fingers crossed that the weather is good and we can be outside.

I admit that facebook has been quite addicting. I love to play scrabble with friends (and strangers) on it. They also have great games and time fillers. Its also nice to chat with friends and people I haven't run across for awhile.

Well, I'm off to get the kids dressed and get something done.

Crucial Spongebob life lessons

2009-06-03T20:21:00.005-05:00

Its been so long since I last posted that I even forgot my log-in. Wow. Either I'm getting old or I'm really busy. I'll vote for the latter.

Lets see, Jacob finished school last Friday. It was bittersweet as I was happy to not have to get up to bring him to school. His report card came today and he did pass Kindergarten and will be in 1st grade next year. Its shocking to me that I have a 1st grader. Where did all this time go?

A lot of weird things have been happening lately. The kind of weird that you think there are hidden cameras around and Ashton Kutcher will be popping out from behind a tree weird.

A couple of weeks ago I went out for a walk at 10 p.m. A neighbor a couple of houses down was out cutting her lawn. In the dark. At night. When people are sleeping. In the pitch dark. So I shook my head as I was out for my walk thinking how I'd be ticked if I was the next-door neighbor trying to sleep. Last week as I was out with my daycare passel she screeches to a halt in front of my house and she tells me shes beeing stalked. She goes on about how her 25 year marriage went to hell when her husband met someone else out-of-town and then she finally got back in the dating game on Craigslist. This nice fellow she met on Craigslist was abusive and she said she got a restraining order on the guy, but then she said something about him getting a restraining order against her. Babble, babble, babble, head nod, head nod...

And when I could get a word or two in I told her to call the police and have extra patrol in the area. Apparently since she knew Scott was a copper she must have wanted him to sleep on her couch. She should have looked for someone on Craigslist to help her with her stalker.

Craigslist. Com'on!

Speaking of cops. On Scott's birthday we (my dad, Scott's mom, Scott and I) head up to the casino and we're on HWY 29 cruising along in the good ol' mini van. When suddenly lights appear behind us and Scott is being pulled over. Now, he was talking with my father, but he had set the cruise around 72ish and the speed limit was 65. The state trooper came up to the window and yadda, yadda, yadda, said he was giving him a warning. Now, he didn't know Scott was a cop because it wouldn't have come back if he checked the license plate and Scott didn't tell him. The only thing that saved him from a court date in Shawno County was the "Got Triplets" sticker on the back of the van. I could tell he was peering in the back just dying for a look at the freak show. But it was just me and my MIL.

And FYI, this is the second time Scott has been pulled over on his birthday and I've been with him in the car. I have not been pulled over in about 8-9 years (knock on wood). But I did have a pretty good streak going there for a bit.

Lately my kids have been obsessed with Spongebob. I had TIVO'd the SpongeBob movie and actually never really watched the whole thing because I do other things while their eyes are glued to the TV. Why is a TV called a BoobTube? I don't get it? Why do people have bumper stickers that say WALL DRUG? Another mystery. I digress...

So John has been saying, "Stupid Kid!" Its very clear and I'm impressed with his enunciation, but I have been upset at him saying "Stupid" because we don't say stupid in this house. Its not nice and its not kind. So I'll tell him what I just told you and he still says it. Go figure. So as I'm watching the end of SpongeBob, Plankton calls SpongeBob - yep, you guessed it! "Stupid Kid!" A couple of different times. Great.
Then Jacob also says or yells, "I'm SO the boss of you!" To the triplets a lot. Then I saw the episode when SpongeBob wants to bathe Gary, his pet Snail, and I heard that line several times too.

This is why people don't let their kids watch SpongeBob. These same people don't even buy the SpongeBob fruit snacks when they shop.

And maybe tomorrow or the next day I'll tell you about Johns antics and how he's going to get himself put in toddler jail.

Wow! Its been a long time!

2009-05-22T08:40:00.003-05:00

Where have you been? Its been a while. Sit down and enjoy these pictures from the last couple of weeks. My baby boy is now six years old. And in some of the pictures you can actually see the new tooth coming in!
Our excursion to the New Zoo in Suamico last sunday. One of the rare times that all the animals are facing the same way and looking at the camera.

What a whopper! I'm not sure when this was taken. Jacob has been fishing a few times with daddy. Hopefully they will get to go this weekend too.

My baby....

2009-05-15T22:06:00.003-05:00

My baby will be six is just a few days. His birthday party is tomorrow and he asked to decorate the house in the "flag" colors. How patriotic! But makes for cheap birthday party supplies when I have to buy just red and blue stuff.

I cannot believe that its been six years since he was last in my stomach. We were looking at a United States map tonight and Jacob was asking me what states he's been to. Unfortunately he's not well traveled, but its just two. Wisconsin and Minnesota. He pointed to several states that he wanted to go to. Florida because that's where two of his classmates went this spring break. He also chose Washington State (Anne, I'm sending him your way this summer), Maine and Nevada.

He was disappointed that he had only been to two states. Unfortunately on a state employees salary, we get great benefits, but the pay isn't so great. I did explain to him that when he was in my stomach, he traveled to Nevada, Michigan, and New York. He thought that it counted then and now its five states he's been to.

Funny how a young man thinks.

Happy Birthday baby. And many many more!

Soap box

2009-05-13T09:57:00.002-05:00

Alright, one thing I've had enough of lately is people giving me advice that are no way qualified to do so.

Don't kick a person when they are down. If I'm telling you I'm having a bad day or I'm frustrated, I told you so is not the correct response from any friend, relative or acquaintance. Or better yet, they have no children or one child and tell me how much harder it is when they get older "you just wait!".

Being a mother of four children is one thing, being a mother of 3 year old triplets is a whole different ballgame.

If you can't say anything nice (or positive) don't say anything at all.

Faux Paus

2009-05-05T22:06:00.004-05:00

Did you ever just have an embarrassing moment and really wish that you could rewind time? Luckily I can laugh at myself most of the time because well, I think God has a pretty good sense of humor and is looking down at me laughing too.

Some of my more memorable moments.

When I walked into a pole at work after just coming back from Cancun in 1995. Two of my co-workers witnessed it. I was hungover and wasn't watching where I was walking.
When I showed up for a job interview for the above job late because I had come to work that morning with one black shoe and one navy shoe.
When I walked out of the bathroom at the old Shakey's with toilet paper coming out of my pants. Scott and our friend Aaron were there to witness that incident.
Last Sunday when I went to Jacob's t-ball practice with my shirt inside out and didn't notice it until I got into the car AFTER practice.

Yeah, Scott, I know you're saying I told you so. We have this argument that has been going on for oh, 10 or so years. He thinks I should turn my shirts outside in (the right way to wear them) vs inside out. After years of analysis and agreeing to disagree, I've found that I take off my shirts from the bottom and they end up inside out in the wash. And they stay that way when they are in my closet. I usually don't look too much in depth when I pick out a shirt, just one that is complimentary to my pants. So, this is why I wore an inside out shirt and why everyone who was sitting behind me probably wondered what the heck is with THAT woman.

The triplets are driving me NUTS. O.K. truthfully its just Brooke and John, but I think in general its three things. They are 3, they are out of their cribs and they have stopped taking naps.

I am about to tie them down at bedtime. I'm so sick of Brooke getting out of bed and turning the light on or shutting and opening and shutting the door over and over. No amount of angry glares, shushing, yelling or swats stops her. Same thing with John. He bounces on his mattress, is running around the room, wrecks the blinds while looking out the window and makes it really hard for Matthew to fall asleep. And then on occasion, Matthew will join in on the foray and then everyone gets yelled at. Tonight it took 90 minutes for everyone to get settled.

By the time they go to bed, I am ready for peace and quiet. Three has been very challenging so far. Its not like I can put a shock collar on them and hit a button when they don't listen or run out of the yard. Its really wishful thinking and I would probably get social services at my door.

Then tonight as Brooke came out of her bedroom because she was wet, I changed her diaper and went into the bathroom to wash my hands and use the facilities. I look to my left, the wall, and right next to the toilet paper, is this (cringing) big gigantic thing. Its not moving. Its got about 50 legs and this really long body. It was so freaking scary I almost peed in my pants. Good thing I was already in the right area. I squashed it and flushed it down the toilet. And when I squashed it, I could feel the meaty part of the body breaking. Ewww. It was so big that I think it would supplied enough protein for a small child.

Kids are sick. Matthew got sick last monday night with a fever and cold, then Brooke with a cold, and then John with a fever and cold who still has one and then Jacob with a cold. Scott is also got some type of bug. I'm the last one standing.

Lies, lies, lies

2009-05-02T07:07:00.003-05:00

I'm not in panic mode about this swine flu. There was a report on the news that 36,000 in the U.S. die annually from the good ol' flu. If we all use common sense and wash our hands and stay home when we are sick, I think we'll be o.k.

If not, I've got some Tamiflu left over from last years Influenza A epidemic that occurred in the Callaway household. I am willing to sell it on the black market at very high prices to pay for my children's schooling. I'm not above that. But I do have limits.

Like, for instance, a couple of my pet peeves. People that lie. You know you lied, people around you can verify what really happened, just tell the truth or God will strike you dead in your tracks. O.K. probably not that dramatic, but God knows what you did or didn't do.

Another pet peeve of mine, or would be if I were a boy, is getting kicked in the privates. Last night while working, a girl, all the age of 11, kicked a boy, age 10 in his tenders. For nothing. No reason.

Speaking of lying. Jacob just lied to me. He took some Lego figures away from Matthew and he said he didn't. It was still in his hand. Hello? Get rid of the evidence if you don't want to get caught in a lie.

This just in...

2009-04-23T22:56:00.002-05:00

Jacob had his first t-ball practice and he LOVES it. He had a really good time. They had stations set up where you hit the ball, you played catch, got grounders, etc...

Of course mom and dad have been a little lax in playing catch with him since we have three other little ones around and don't want them to get hit by the ball. They seem to gravitate towards anything that we're doing. But he's had plenty of practice hitting off the tee.

The best news is that three other high school friends have kids on the same team. How awesome is that?

Oh joy.

2009-04-22T19:23:00.004-05:00

I'm at the end of my rope. Not sure what that exactly means. Does that mean I let go of my rope and have no hold on whatever I was holding on to? Because then I probably let go a long time ago and I'm watching my rope run around crazy like a fox.

The positives of 3 year olds. Really fun to take them to the store. They hold my hands really good now and actually sit pretty well for 20 minutes or so. They can express themselves better than they could last year. They can get themselves dressed - to a point. Oh, and they are healthy.

Negatives. Today was one of those days where I could come up with a very long list of negatives. Sometimes I just need to sip some wine and take a step back. Who wouldn't love to be a parent to four children. There are people in the world that yearn to have children and would do anything just to have one. With that said....

John. (I just took a big relaxing breath) He's pushing my buttons. A lot. This no nap thing for all three of them is killing me. The minute I turn to do something, John is at the cat or at the counter or at the refrigerator or at the TV. He's defiant, strong willed, stubborn, defiant, and defiant. Its really hard parenting a defiant child. Because the more you "butt" heads, the worse it gets.

I took a shower today at 4 p.m. and had a cartoon on for them to watch. John went into the refrigerator and started eating strawberries. But he had to bring them into the living room and leave drops of them all over the carpeting. Did I mention I stayed up until 12:30 a.m. steam cleaning the carpeting and the stairs? Yeah. And then the three of them pulled the chairs up to the sink and turned on the water and got really wet and the dishes didn't get any cleaner. (I know that was a grammatical error.)

He wanted to sleep in Jacobs bedroom tonight and so I let him. (Jacob sleeps in Brooke's bedroom on the top bunk). I told him he had to stay in his bed and not get out. I'm downstairs getting the computer and I hear footsteps. I go upstairs to find John face down on his pillow and he's faking sleep but breathing hard. So you know I know what he was doing. Faker.

On the other hand. Matthew is such a ray of sunshine. Today was his fifth day of school and he didn't cry when I left him. He likes to cuddle with his teachers, or sit on their laps at times. He's such a great little boy. I sent him to bed and he was at the window and I told him to get back to bed. He had this look on his face like he was going to cry. So I laid by his mattress and I rubbed his back and cuddled for a bit. I think he needs more reassurance now that hes going to school and away from me and his siblings.

A weekly recap

2009-04-16T16:07:00.003-05:00

Alrighty. Whats new? Whats frustrating? Whats over?

New. Brooke has a new haircut. I just cut off the back to give her a shorter "bob" style haircut. Daddy was sad to see the longer hair in the back go, but it was a form of a mullet and we just don't do mullets.

Jacob lost his tooth last night. His tooth was hanging on by a thread. or root. His adult tooth is even showing. I kept trying to pull the thing out, but he was such a baby about it. Buck up young man, there are a whole lot worse things in life. So he pulled it out by himself. I gave him a deadline though, I told him he had to do it before 10:00 p.m. last night or the Tooth Fairy would not be able to guarantee same day delivery of said money.

Matthew started Early Childhood school this week. He attends Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:03. He has two teachers in his classroom all the time and then has additional speech therapy on those day in class too. His teachers just love him. He's such a sweetheart, who wouldn't? All three days though as I backed out of the classroom he started crying. Its harder in some ways than when Jacob cried at preschool. He's 3 and very much innocent and vulnerable. He is such a sweet child and I actually enjoy being his parent. Although, it seems like I don't have the time to cry about it being that I'm dragging around the other two.

The frustrating. Jacob has been acting very badly the last week or so. Its ticking me off. I've actually sent him in his room for an hour or so at a time. Its called "quiet time" in some households or its called "stay away from your mom or she'll wring your neck" time in my house. I just took all four out for a walk and he wanted to ride his bike. I gave him my expectations before we left. When I stay stop, he needs to stop. He didn't. Finally almost 3/4 around our circle a neighbor stopped him and made him wait until I caught up. I told him right away his bike was going away for a week and he was going to go to his room until daddy got home. Then I came up with the brilliant conclusion that to really hurt him was to take away his "boat" privileges. That means he can't play in our boat that's sitting in our garage. Now he plays in this boat hours a day if he could so I'm hoping that this means he'll remember how not fun this punishment was and listen.

What's over? Winter. I think we won't have any more snow. Its actually nice to get outside without coats on.

Thorns

2009-04-14T13:26:00.003-05:00

Something I was e-mailed today.

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes when she pulled open the florist shop door, against a November gust of wind. Her life had been as sweet as a spring breeze and then, in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a "minor" automobile accident stole her joy. This was Thanksgiving week and the time she should have delivered their infant son. She grieved over their loss. Troubles had multiplied.
Her husband's company "threatened" to transfer his job to a new location. Her sister had called to say that she could not come for her long awaited holiday visit. What's worse, Sandra's friend suggested that Sandra's grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. "She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder "Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?" she wondered.. "For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended me? For an airbag that saved my life, but took my child's?"
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" Sandra was startled by the approach of the shop clerk. "I . . . I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra. "For Thanksgiving? I'm convinced that flowers tell stories, " she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?" "Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."
Then the bell on the door rang, and the clerk greeted the new customer.... "Hi, Barbara, let me get your order." She excused herself and walked back to a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and what appeared to be long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly s nipped: there were no flowers. "Do you want these in a box?" asked the clerk. Sandra watched - was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again," she said, as she gently tapped her chest. Sandra stammered, "Ah, that lady just left with . . . uh . . . she left with no flowers!" "That's right," said the clerk. "I cut off the flowers. That's the 'Special'. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet. Barbara came into the shop three years ago, feeling much as you do today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be thankful for. ** **She had just lost her father; the family business was failing; her son had gotten into drugs; and she was facing major surgery. That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk. "For the first time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too much debt to allow any travel." "So what did you do?" asked Sandra. "I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and I never questioned Him why those good things happened to me, but when the bad stuff hit, I cried out, 'Why? Why me?!' It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important to our faith! I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of my life, but it took the thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort! You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others." Sandra sucked in her breath, as she thought about what her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."
Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" the clerk greeted the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement . . twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator. "Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind telling me why she wants a bouquet that looks like that?" "Four years ago, my wife and I nearly divorced," Phil replied. "After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we trudged through problem after problem, the Lord rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she had learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us." As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life" Sandra said to the clerk. "It's all too . . fresh." "Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that the thorns make the roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember that it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love....Don't resent the thorns." Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on her resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out. "I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute." "Thank you. What do I owe you?" "Nothing.. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart...The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first."

It read: "My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant." Praise Him for the roses; thank Him for the thorns. God Bless all of you. Be thankful for all that the Lord did and does for you. "Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God." We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and Duct tape. God did it with nails. (This last paragraph made me cry.)

Easter hangover

2009-04-13T23:13:00.003-05:00

The kids were patient enough to wait until daddy got up for the big Easter egg hunt. They found their baskets with a little help from me. This is a rare picture of all three children looking in the general vicinity of the camera.

Birthday pictures part deux

2009-04-12T23:05:00.003-05:00

I really enjoyed the babies birthday. I love to celebrate birthday and get them all hyped up for it. I want them to have great memories of their birthdays and fun things we do. I'm the type of person, if you ask me how old I am, I'll say 33 1/2. If my husband let me, we would be celebrating 1/2 birthdays for the kids (and me).

It seems just like yesterday that my kids were in the NICU. They were there over Easter. It was very emotional for me because I wanted my family together for these special holidays and yet, Jacob had not even met his siblings yet. He was not allowed into the NICU due to the RSV season.

Matthew, love the lip curl. Such an angel waiting patiently for his birthday song to be over with.

John, on the other hand, had already sampled his cupcake.

Happy Easter everyone. My favorite thing to say on easter, "He is risen, He is risen indeed!"

More Birthday pictures of Brooke

2009-04-11T22:24:00.003-05:00

Brooke was absolutely precious during the Happy Birthday song and all-too-eager to blow out her candles. (I'll post the other boys tomorrow)

Good Friday

2009-04-10T22:52:00.003-05:00

I worked last night and tonight so I wasn't able to attend any church services. I feel bad because these are important events which are the stronghold of my faith. But I guess I can worship, meditate or pray at home also.

Its ironic we call it Good Friday because Jesus died on this day. He suffered for all our sins. Wow. That's so overwhelming that someone could love me so much to die for me and everyone else. Sometimes I go days without saying a proper prayer or taking the time to praise God for everything He has done. I do pray before I go to sleep, but I am usually so tired that I fall asleep before I say what I really need to say.

I try to model and be a living example for Jacob and the triplets, but I fall short. I try to give Jacob's homework and Christ's Light stuff as much time as it should be. I don't get Jacob to church as often as I should. (Although my thoughts on that subject about going to church every week doesn't automatically save you, its whats in your heart)

When I do go to church, the sermon always touches me in some way that I can see how God is integral in my life. Without Him, where would I be? Where would my children be?
Lately, Pastor Tim has been doing sermon series and they really hit home. We have a sister church too in Appleton called The Core and Jacob and I went once and Pastor Ski had a really good sermon series too. It was about why there is suffering in this world.
These called servants who stand in front of us each Sunday and string together some bible verses and how they apply to our lives, its truly a gift. I think we've all sat through some sermons or chapels thinking what is the point? when will this end? Which probably is wrong on a whole bunch of levels.

One thing I'm grateful for besides the DVR is taped sermons that I can watch at my leisure.

Its the little things

2009-04-09T23:12:00.003-05:00

You know you're having a good day when (fill in the blank).

you hear Master of Puppets (Metallica) on the way home and you are happy to stop at the red light for a little extra listening time.

you come home from work and your awesome husband has done some laundry and cleaned most of the floors.

you have not been kicked or hit by your three year old children. Or spit at.

your kids pile on top of you because they missed you so much.

you can find matching socks that are clean.

your kids go to bed without complaint and don't trash their rooms. (this is wishful thinking and not yet reality)

Today I went into the cemetery to get some info on the tombstones of my fathers side of the family for a family tree project. Guess what ancestry I am with these names, Frederic, Wilhelm, Caroline, Sophia, Oscar, Mamie. Then came home and played outside with the little ones for a bit and then went to Jacob's school to work in the library. I've decided that I want to become a librarian. I could do that for eight hours a day. Only problem is that I don't want to interact with people. Just put me in a cubbyhole and classify books, enter them into the system, put them on the shelves. I'll have to dust off my Dewey Decimal System class notes from Mr. Buege.

Then I got to see Jacob playing with the kids at school. I drove for a class trip last week and he was interacting well with the boys in the car. He also says hi and goodbye to his classmates. Otherwise he has been very shy and withdrawn with the other kids. I watched him out the window and he was trying to play with his older cousin who is two years older, who was playing pretend guns or something with friends. He ran around with them, but never was really part of the group. Then he went on the monkey bars to talk to some girls, but I don't know if they didn't say anything to him or not so he left. He looked like a lost little boy trying to find someone or something to play with. Then he played on the slide and stayed in that area, but there were bigger boys there and they were energetic in their play. My heart aches for him. I think he's trying to fit in, but doesn't know how. I'm not sure if he is waiting for kids to ask him to play or what the deal is.

I never had issues with making friends and was also outgoing as a child so dealing with a child who is more shy and self-conscience is frustrating at times. I don't know how he feels or if he realizes that he is not fitting in. But it hurts my heart to see him rebuffed by children and then he'll just stand off to the side. I don't' think the kids are doing it on purpose, they are just carrying on and playing. He's just a sensitive little boy.

I don't care if he is the most popular, smartest or best athlete, I just want him to be able to carry on a conversation and be a part of a group. I don't want him to be the one always standing alone at recess or never being invited to play.

3 year old pictures

2009-04-08T08:32:00.001-05:00

Birthday party pictures... Johnny's future job at Mcdonalds looks pretty durn good.

Birthday hangover

2009-04-07T20:50:00.004-05:00

I think I've almost recovered from the birthday party this weekend. Its so much work getting the house clean and making food, yet it was so worth it. The kids, especially Jacob, were excited for the party. I need to make a mental note to have the party for lunch next year instead of dinner/supper time because the day gets pretty long when Jacob asks for the 4oth time "how many hours until the party?" And trying to keep the house clean all day with four kids in it - well, its not happening unless you hogtie them.

I bought a preschool table to go in our dining room for the kids to play on. This table did not hold all the presents. I think they should be occupied for at least a few weeks. The theme was Sponge Bob Square pants. Its a nice neutral theme. Although its kind of creepy falling asleep on the couch and then looking up to see Sponge Bob's face over your head.

Brooke has been an absolute monster. I think its due to them not being in their cribs anymore. They can get in and out of their beds and they are staying up later fooling around and even nap time is really challenging. There is lots of running around and giggling. So I may have to change the wording to "quiet time" because I need a break. I need a break from my children. I need quiet, I need to be alone and not be elbowed, jumped on and licked.

Matthew and John still need to be separated during the day because they tend to play and someone likes to rip down wallpaper in their room. Seriously, I will string John up by his feet and leave him like that if he rips more down. I'd like to wipe that mischievous smirk off his face.

It doesn't sound like I'm really liking my job right now. Well, these times are very frustrating keeping the consistency really is wearing. But on a happier note, when I take all three to the store, it has been much easier. I still can't do more than one store without meltdowns, but how many grown men can you take shopping in multiples stores?

I seriously was really close to grabbing a drink today. And smoking. And it didn't help that we got to the YMCA late today. I took all four down to the dressing room and then sent Jacob out to the pool while I got the triplets to the drop-in day care. Went back downstairs and he wasn't in the pool with the rest of his class.

First thought is that there is only one way out of the YMCA and the people working by the door know Jacob. So I knew he was still in the building somewhere. So I went back into the family locker room and most of the private rooms were being used. So I started calling his name. When I realized that the only other place he was familiar with was Adventure Alley I started heading there only to hear me being paged over the loudspeaker. He was in adventure alley with three directors looking after him. He did really well, he told the lady working he was looking for me, he knew my name and when the director of swimming said she'd take him to swimming lessons, he said that he would stay right there until I got there.

This is going to turn me more grey than I already am. On Saturday, we had the FVMOM spring rummage sale and there are tons of people around. He was going between my booth and my sister Joan's booth. I went over to talk to him and he wasn't there. He wasn't by my sister Julie and he wasn't by another lady Angela that I know he knows. So I thought he went to the bathroom by himself. He's becoming more independent which has its upside and its downside to certain situations like this. He insisted on going into the boys bathroom earlier that day so I knew he would have gone in there. I heard voices when I cracked the door, but I didn't want to go in and scare some poor boys. Another lady I know said she hadn't seen Jacob out there so I sent another boy in to see who was in the bathroom. It wasn't him. So a thousand things are going through my head. There are strangers around, its busy, the doors are open to the outside. So as tears start to cloud my eyes and I feel my heart beating in my throat, he walks in from being outside. His cheeks were flushed from the cold. He had been outside by the truck blowing bubbles. And the truck was parked aways from the door. I hugged him and told him that he cannot leave the building without telling me. Sigh. He just does not realize the dangers around him.

People keep asking me now that the triplets are 3 if things are easier. Is 3 some magic age where they start to do everything by themselves and listen? Three is worse than two. They start to be able to reason with you and they are really stubborn without any substance behind their reasoning. They have quick tempers and short attention spans.

Now sure, I don't have to feed them every three hours and I'm not up all night with them. But when I put them down when they were infants, they stayed where I put them. I could also place them in swings or bouncy seats and go do something. But then again, I had more help when they were infants. So I guess its a toss up. I think I'll feel like things are easier after they are potty-trained.

And speaking of that, Brooke has regressed to wanting to wear diapers. However, she still only has one or two wet diapers a day and holds it very well. She just is learning "the feeling" of when she has to go and has not figured out how to relax and let it all out.

Yes, that was TMI. But its potty-training and its my life. Believe me, I can't wait to go a day without touching poop.

Happy Birthday!

2009-04-03T08:27:00.003-05:00

They are 3, its the 3rd. So that makes it their Golden Birthday. (Sigh) (Double Sigh)

I love birthdays. I get them all hyped up by talking about it the month before. We've practiced the singing and blowing out of candles. I love to plan a fun day on their birthday. So they know every year they have something special to look forward too.

But I'm sad. Its a happy sad. Reliving this day three years ago, going through the discomfort of contractions all night and then delivering them via C-section at 5:01, 5:02 and 5:03. Matthew was first, 4 lbs 6 oz and 18 inches, Brooke was 4 lbs 7 oz and 17 inches and little Johnny was 4 lbs 3 oz and 17 1/4 inches. It was such a surreal time, being in the delivery room, having them being delivered so quickly, the bright lights, all the people in the room. The babies were taken away to the NICU probably 5-10 minutes after their birth. I don't really remember the details of the post-surgical stuff or even the trip back to my room. But I remember sitting there with Scott, waiting to hear from the doctor about the health of the babies. Dr Meyers came in around 8 a.m. and told us they were doing as well as they could be. I remember calling Pastor Ash and he came up and he and Scott went to get the kids baptized at 10:00 a.m. That was the first time that Scott saw the kids after delivery and I do not remember if I got to see the kids that afternoon or that night. I was pretty doped up with morphine. I remember my mom and dad and Scott's parents bringing Jacob right around lunch to go see the kids. My sisters and brother and spouses came up that night to see the kids.

Its such a different experience than what I had with Jacob. I had gotten to hold Jacob right after birth and he stayed in my room the whole time. I got to see him and nurse him right away.

Obituary

2009-04-02T08:59:00.003-05:00

Three cribs entered into the Callaway household on April 26th and April 28th, 2006 when Matthew, Brooke and John came home from the NICU. They were put to the curb the evening of April 1st, 2009. These cribs loved to be slept in, shaken, climbed and even didn't mind getting occasional bodily fluids on them. They endured much in their short life span. One crib was even passed down from Aunt Julie to Brooke and will be passed back to the family for future babies. These cribs are survived by their mattresses which are still being slept on by Matthew and John. While Brooke is sleeping in the bottom bunk bed in her room.

These cribs were particularly missed by John who freaked out at the sight, or lack of, them in their room. We'd like to thank everyone who borrowed or donated cribs, mattresses or bedding. They have been used and abused and you really don't want them back due to the mysterious stains.

And I will huff and puff and blow your salsa down!

2009-03-29T23:40:00.004-05:00

Johnny is a very special child. He's not a child to be replicated, yet he'll be impossible to miss. He's got presence, he's got style, he's got his own style.

Tonight I attend a newer church in Appleton called the Core. http://www.gotocore.com/ Jacob was a fan because they served popcorn and drinks. It also helps that it was an old movie theatre and its just pretty awesome.

On the way home we stopped to get some groceries. I picked up some blackbean salsa and chips. I got home and the triplets tore into the chips and the salsa. Now, Brooke and John both liked the salsa. Matthew tried it, but decided chips were his thing. I gave John his own dipping bowl since he was drooling and very into the dipping process. I caught him blowing on his chips and salsa and then eating them. Just like we'd do if something were hot. The salsa was spicy hot, not warm hot. It was hilarious watching him eat because he was unaware that he was drooling and what was making his mouth so hot.

The children in this experiment were given milk to drink and they had their own napkins and ate on their own free will.

Roughage

2009-03-27T23:15:00.003-05:00

Note to self:

After eating only foods on approved BRAT diet from doctor and having a fiber buildup... it can be quite straining on the system. Only now to be adviced by doctor's nurse to take a stool softener or laxative.

Stop calling the nurses and getting stupid advice.

Crossing the line -the state line

2009-03-25T22:34:00.006-05:00

Its been so long since I logged on to this account, I almost forgot my logon. Or it could be that being sick for the last four days has taken its toll.

On Sunday, my friend Shell Dinter, Jacob, Matthew, Brooke and John headed out to Minnesota to see some friends. On the way over, I had some rumblings in my tummy and thought "oh, oh." No way could I get sick! Jacob had gotten over his bug four days before this. Well, after five or six stops (just for me) we arrived at our friends, Bob & Cindy's house. Shell and I used to work with Bob and Cindy for a long, long time. I think I met Cindy in 1995 and from what I remember, our first trade ever was TSA - The Sports Authority. She and Bob got married a few months before Scott and I in 1999 and we even had our children at the same time. Jacob and Luke are a month apart and Erika and the triplets are three weeks apart.

Its nice that we've kept touch even though I'm not working anymore. So, I regress...

We arrive at their house on Sunday afternoon and the kids played so nicely together, the four of us catch up, we have a little birthday party for the kiddos and have a few glasses of wine.
The next morning, Matthew comes up to me and his pants are soaked through. I change him and its diarrheaish. Oh no. So I end up taking him in the shower with me to clean him up. He acts fine and frankly, we had plans to go to the Mall of America and just about nothing was stopping me.
We head to The Mall of America and Shell and I go to Legoland with the kids. She rents a couple of double strollers for the kids so we can get around easier. We spend a gazillion dollars at legoland. Jacob picked out a Coast Guard set that he wanted, I got the little boys a SpongeBob lego set for their birthdays which everyone can share, and a ton on Lego plates so we can build a table for the kids to build their stuff on.

Then we perused Hanna Anderssen, Gymboree, Disney Store and Shell probably got 1.5 seconds in a store of her choice. The kids got sick of sitting in strollers and were tired from not taking naps.

We met up with Bob and Cindy and the kids and ate at Ruby Tuesdays. Well, before that Bob took Luke and Jacob on rides while the girls did a little more shopping. Matthew just cried and fell asleep on Shell.

On the way home, I said I'd drive and follow the trusty Garmin that I borrowed from the in-laws. Cindy also had written out some instructions on how to get from their house to the mall. So really, we just had to reverse the directions and follow the Garmin and we should be able to get home.

(Just to caution the readers, I may not still have my road names right in this story and it may contain graphic language and descriptions that may be unsuitable for small children or delicate palates.)

I got onto 494 and then as I knew, I KNEW, that I should stay on this road until 35E North. But I was looking at the Garmin and I thought it showed me on the screen to take a right. Shell's yelling, "No! No! don't get off the highway!" This was my first of many mistakes with the Garmin.

So, we are in a big city with four precious children and I put my faith in the Garmin to get me back on track. So after a 1/2 hour of trying to get back to 494 or maybe it was 694, we finally got back to where we needed to be. During this time, Matthew had messed his pants, and it wasn't the ordinary messy diaper. It was the diarrhea diaper. Once you smell that kind of diaper, it will be engrained in your brain for the rest of your life. So we have our windows open a smidge and its pouring rain. Just as I'm merging onto one freeway to another, Michelle says, or screams, "Matthews throwing up!" And she dove into the backseat and tried to catch the vomit to lessen the mess. Shes a superhero.

As you know, you can't just pull over on a freeway, so I just open my window a little bit more and she cleans him up with whatever wipes we have and cleans up her hands. I don't think she realized it but she just held her hands up from her lap for quite awhile. Then we just started laughing hysterically. I mean, it really couldn't get much worse.

The Garmin gets us back to the house an hour after we left from the mall, while it only should have taken about 30 minutes.

I am going to write a strongly worded letter to the Garmin people. The thing would tell us to get off the freeway to drive on city streets and then have us get right back on that same highway. I'm not sure it tells us the shortest miles or what the logic is. The other problem is that if there is construction and the on ramps are closed, it doesn't recognize detours. So it will keep rerouting you to that same ramp that is closed. That's great in a big city you don't know.

On a positive note, it does tell you where the nearest McDonalds is.

So we enter the house, Shell puts the kids to bed, I give Matthew a bath, strip down the carseats and wash a bunch of stuff. O.K. how crappy is it to bring a sick child into another house?

So I get more sick overnight and we pack up to leave to drive home. Shell drives the whole way home. We stop to see her parents in Stanley, Wisconsin and had a really nice lunch. Jacob met the oldest person he know knows, Shell's Grandma. She's 93. The oldest person before that was Grandma Callaway's dad, Grandpa Ken. John wanted to be picked up by Shell's dad Dave and he wanted him to carry him around everywhere. John is such a stinker.

We arrive home and I get even more sick. Today I just laid on the couch and slept. With children running around. Go ahead, call social services. I need a break.

Things I learned on this trip.

Shell will probably never take a road trip with us again.
Shell didn't deserve to be puked on and I owe her a bazillion favors.
Bob and Cindy probably won't ask us to come back for a really really long time.
Jacob has now found someone else that he wants to marry, his new friend Erika.
Carry your own tissue because the toilet paper in gas stations or restaurants is really rough.

The BATY diet

2009-03-19T22:19:00.002-05:00

So, today is day 7? of Jacob being sick. So today I made him stick to the BRAT diet. Or the modified BATY diet of Bananas Apples and Toast. And he could eat yogurt which helps build up the bacteria in his stomach and intestines, etc...

So tonight for dinner I made the kids buns with a little bit of butter and yogurt. Jacob wanted to eat fruit snacks or something else. I gave him his yogurt and he made some comment to me and I replied, "you need to stick to your diet." And he got mad and yelled at me, "I don't have a diet, I have DIARRHIA!"

Transformers

2009-03-18T23:28:00.003-05:00

Jacob has been watching the Transformers movie, otherwise known as the "cars" movie by the youngin's.

In one scene "Bumblebee" stops working and Sam tries to start him up again. The girl - whatever her name is gets out and starts walking. The car radio tunes into "Baby come back!"

So now when we are singing songs around the house, this song comes up frequently.

Makes me smile.

4 days until Mall of America.

16 days until my babies are 3. That day will make me cry. (Joy AND sadness)

The digital age

2009-03-18T21:38:00.003-05:00

Do you know how hard it is to take pictures of wiggly little urchins? Good thing cameras now have a feature that takes good pictures when the object is moving. But even cameras cannot solve the problem of getting your kids to look at the camera or even in that general area all at the same time. And not cry. And not pout. And maybe have a serene look on their faces? I'd settle for that, if I got smiles out of all three or four children at once... well, I don't know what I'd do. Probably the potty dance. (Its the same dance I use for all happy moments in the house)

St. Patricks Day

2009-03-17T23:35:00.004-05:00

St. Patricks Day

What is this day? Why do we wear green and drink a lot of beer? I'm beginning to be a scrooge when it comes to holidays that gifts are not given.

So I googled St. Patrick's Day and this is what I got. "St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide." Apparently this guy died on March 17th so we are celebrating his death on this day. He drove the druids out of Ireland or something to that effect.

Now, I'm all for spiritual renewal and thanking others for witnessing all around the world. But is that what the St. Patrick's revelers are doing? No. They use this as an excuse to get together (or not) and drink.

So I'm now thinking about this and when I say my prayers tonight I will add prayers about the missionaries throughout the world (and hope I don't fall asleep before I do so).

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am German 100% and that Scott is a mixture of French-Canadian, German, Polish and English. There is NO Irish in our blood. We are from the English Callaways, not Irish. This is deceiving due to the color of my husbands hair, his fair skin and his sky blue eyes.

Ear cleaning anyone?

2009-03-17T22:42:00.005-05:00

The little ones had their 4th swimming lesson tonight. The good news is that Matthew and John know now that they can touch the bottom of the pool and walk around (and have the confidence to do so). Brooke clung to Shell and then me the whole time. She was being a little difficult. But then at the end of our swimming time she actually got in and stood and held on to the pool.

John needs his ears cleaned out because he doesn't listen well. I think I saw him fall two or three times as he was running around the pool. Poor Luann. Even though John talks about "Guann" all the time, he still was running away from her doing his own thing.

The other good news is that after their 3rd birthday they get to go into the pool by themselves in the Shrimp class. I talked to Miss Julie (not my sister) about it and she said that as long as they can touch the bottom of the pool and listen, they can go into shrimp. Hmm... listen. Well, that's what the instructors get paid for, right?

I took the little boys down the slide at the Y. Brooke did not want to go down the slide and cried. I do not think the boys really liked it, but they sat on my lap and I made sure that they did not get dunked as we went down.

Jacob is still sick and was not able to go to swimming lessons. He's got some energy at times and so I'd like him to go back to school, but not until he stops having bathroom issues.

But its been nice playing outside with all the kids, even if it is muddy and icky and we take baths right after we get in. I wish this 50 and 60 degree sunny weather would stay.

The numbers game

2009-03-17T07:50:00.003-05:00

5 days until we leave for Minneapolis to see our friends Bob, Cindy, Luke and Erika

4 Children traveling with us

2 "Us" being two adults, myself and Shell Dinter

4 days that Jacob has been sick

12 days since I started pottytraining. (Well, Brooke started to potty train. I've been potty-trained for awhile.)

17 days until the triplets are 3

4 number of swimming lessons we will have had after tonight

Its all about the potty...

2009-03-12T23:08:00.004-05:00

This is what has consumed most of my days and even a few nights. Potty training. Something I have blogged about and have dreaded for about three years.

Last Thursday was the first day of Brooke's potty training. She got padded underwear a shirt and not much else. The first day we had a bunch of accidents as she probably was figuring out how to use her muscles to not go every 15 minutes. Then the next day we only had three accidents. The weekend was a bit busy as Scott was gone and we had birthday parties and church so she did get a break from the underwear.

Now I've noticed that she gets up in the morning, wet, and yells for me to change her wet diaper. And sometimes in the middle of the night she wants to get her diaper changed because she's wet. Good recognition.

But she will wait until 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. to go potty. She's got the bladder of steel - which will change when she has children. Then we do the potty dance (o.k. I do the potty dance) and she gets M & Ms while she sits there along with water to drink. She'll ask for a diaper if she has to poop. Which I don't really mind since I don't want to clean it out of her underwear. Then she takes her nap and she is wet again and then she won't go until late in the evening.

I'm not depriving her of liquids. As a matter of fact, she had a variety of fruit tonight for dinner. I personally don't think she can now relax enough to go. But hey, no accidents for two days. I'll take it! I'm guessing that gradually she'll want to sit on the potty to poop.

For those of you who really don't care about potty training and really don't want to read about it. This is my life - deal with it. One down and two to go.

Did you see the pig tails? Isn't she a doll? Too bad you can't hear her screaming and throwing tantrums through pictures.

I really really really dislike my job

2009-03-09T13:50:00.003-05:00

Potty training is not fun. I have dreaded this moment since I heard I was having triplets. Really.

Brooke is slowly getting it. I think if I'm consistent that I can get her potty (not poop) trained by the end of the week. I've decided that I'll do all the girls and Scott will train the boys. That's fair right?

How come kids don't just have this sixth sense like cats do about keeping their litter area clean?

I took home some 4 week old kittens once (Laura, Gayle? you know this story) and I gave them cats milk from a can, I washed them and I just showed them their litter box, put them in it, showed them how to paw around with their paws and they got it. So why is this so hard for toddlers? Don't they want to be clean? Do they really like stuff running down their legs and in the crevices of their privates?

If this was approved by the APA, I think I'd use electric stimulation. They wouldn't pee in their pants twice.

Soccer anyone?

2009-03-07T20:45:00.004-06:00

Whatcha been up to?

Well, I'm potty-training Brooke. But its hard when we have to take her somewhere so it only was for a 1/2 day today. I'm hoping to have her trained (knock on wood) soon. She has figured out not to pee every 10 minutes in her underwear now.

Jacob had soccer today and I helped coach. I know nothing about soccer, but I do know how to give positive support to the kids. And I'm good at giving high fives.

Sam turned 8 this week and we had his birthday party today. Its so nice to be able to sit down and let the kids play in another room.

Then Katie and Sam came over for a few hours and played with the kids. Its nice to have a few extra hands to clean up.

Scott is gone on a boys weekend and will be back tomorrow. He's been working a lot of hours and this is a well-deserved break. I'll take my break over mother's day. :)

I really like this warm balmy 30s and 40s weather we are having here. But we're supposed to have a snow storm tomorrow. And its daylight savings time. More like, momma loses an hour of sleep or something like that.

One less ...

2009-03-02T21:32:00.004-06:00

Do you think I'm talking about Gardasil? I'll cross that bridge when Brooke is 12 or something like that.

Actually I'm talking about my shopping trip with Brooke and John. They wanted to go out with me today. They kept saying "my turn!" and I promised if they took a nap that I'd take them somewhere.

So we went to Menard's to pick out new cabinet handles because ours have fallen off one-too-many times. And this was my second trip. I got polished silver and realized our hinges are a brushed brass? so those two didn't mix. So I took the 40 handles and 9 nobs back. I told the customer service lady right away that she wasn't going to be happy with me. But it only took 5 minutes and a temper tantrum by John to get the stuff returned.

So we get the stuff and go into the check out aisle. They see the Easter candy and just flip. They start screaming "num nums!" over and over. The pitch of their voices was almost freaky. So they got M & Ms. As the items came down that moving belt, John took the M & Ms out of the store bag and was trying to rip it open with his teeth. Yeah.

So Scott and I and the kids are in the middle of changing out the hardware. But the Bachelor has got all my attention...

And another weird thing. Last night I was looking on Craigslist for preschool tables or children's tables for the kids for their birthday. I forgot that on Craigslist they have the "Personals" site. Once awhile back I got curious and was reading the men seeking women, women seeking women, men seeking men site.

Obviously this site is not very regulated because as I was reading the titles, I noticed that there were pictures attached to some of the advertisements.

Do you see where this is going? Do you wonder why I went there?

So, I open up one that says Dom (?) man seeking 18 to 25 year old. O.k. What does Dom mean? It means dominator I find out as I read through the ad. I'll make this as clean as possible, but this what it said.

(Talking in first person) I want a slave to uhh, excite me but expect nothing in return. I want to watch you do my laundry, clean and wait on me. And then it had letters after it probably like SWF NIV stuff.
I don't know what it means, but it floors me that 1) its on craigslist 2) people post naked pictures of themselves and 3) they breathe the same air as the regular joes out there.

So this is soooo 8mm. I am so naive. Thats all I can say. And actually I think this guy is too. If he can't find a woman to do his laundry, clean and wait on him, he expects to find a man to do it? Now, I think he IS naive.

My future daughter in law is ...

2009-03-01T23:53:00.002-06:00

my own daughter. Jacob and I were talking about me being a grandma someday. I told him he'd have to marry a girl and then they could have their own children. He said that he wants to marry Brooke.

While I know that this is pretty common for kids to like siblings and cousins, its still shocking to hear.

I asked him if there were any girls at school that he'd like to marry and he said, "No, just Brooke."

I mentioned that brothers don't marry their sisters. We all love each other, but we need to marry people we are not related to.

I'm going to ask him this question again in a few years and I hope the answer changes.

My sweet Jacob

2009-02-27T22:13:00.002-06:00

I am sick. I have some type of an infection or something that goes along with my cold and the Dr. put me on some medicine that should kick the infection out.

The triplets all have snotty noses and coughs, although they are getting better. Scott is now not feeling good and I think we both could use a couple of days of sleep.

So, Jacob brings down his laundry tonight to be washed. Was he just being thoughtful or is he trying to tell me that I'm not doing my job?

I'm going to go with the first since he's been very helpful to me and his siblings. He is like another mother around. Telling them, "You know better!" or " I said, NO!" or "Get down from there!"

I appreciate his help, but at times, he needs to just be a 5 year old.

A lot about me...

2009-02-25T12:25:00.008-06:00

A fellow on-line blogger and generally great gal (GGG) posted a 100+ things about her. I liked that idea and I intend to follow.

100 or so Things about Jean

1. My name is Jean and my parents were going to name me Jenny, but my oldest sister who was 14 at the time said she wanted that name for her girl someday so I got Jean. (BTW, guess what my oldest sisters daughter's name is? NOT Jenny)

2. I was an unplanned miracle.

3. I have two older sisters and an older brother.

4. I know that I am my parents favorite. Sorry sis's and bro.

5. I know that I am smarter than a fifth grader, but probably not a seventh grader.

6. I know I am funnier than Carrot top too.

7. I like to watch TV as seen in my #5 & 6 references.

8. I'm a reality TV junkie.

9. I went to a Lutheran school through 12th grade.

10. I worked at Pizza King for about 5 years through high school and college and can still list their sub menu by memory.

11. I am a worrier.

12. Therefore I am a planner. I make lists. I feel a lot of satisfaction when I get to cross things off.

13. I'm always thinking ahead to the future and sometimes that can get overwhelming.

14. I'm allergic to aspirin and eucerin lotion.

15. I have very sensitive skin and in combination with my husbands fair skin, my kids are doomed.

16. My great-great grandparents on both sides came over from Germany. I'm 100% German.

17. I am afraid of bats. There always seems to be some type of bat reference in my life and even when I go places, its freaky.

18. I am a huge animal lover. Well, the cute and cuddly kind. I had a dog named Taffy 1/2 Chihuahua and terrier and then a dog named Tiger who was a Chihuahua.

19. I have a cat named Cosmo Kitty now who is the prettiest cat in the whole world. She's a calico and she's such a great cat. Puts up with the kids really well.

20. I also had a cat named Bailey Kitty for three years, but had to put him down due to sickness.

21. Putting Bailey "to sleep" is still the hardest decision I have made. (It was in the middle of the night at the Animal hospital and Bailey was paralyzed and his eyes were going back and forth in his head. He had Central Vestibular disorder)

22. I always dreamed of having twins.

23. I never realized how hard parenting can be. With the choices we make for our kids, being consistent and just keeping them safe and all the regular hygiene stuff.

24. Speaking of hygiene - I really hate the "Hi Jean"/"hygiene" joke. I've heard it a bazillion times, don't think you're the first that thought of it.

25. I was an equity trader for Thrivent for 9 years.

26. I was a substitute crossing guard for 1 1/2 years.

27. I sold Azante Jewelry for a year before all the consultants were let go.

28. I now work at the YMCA in member services.

29. If I could have any job I wanted, it would probably be a Vet/ Vet's assistant or something non-profit.

30. The VET job would be hard since I do have allergies.

31. I also have Asthma.

32. I also have endometrosis

33. I also have TMJ. Which has to do with your jaw slipping out of its joint and chewing can be painful. I get a lot of headaches from this and I'm constantly on a soft food diet.

34. Just touching my jaw is painful.

35. I'm constantly on guard when I'm around the kids so they don't bump my jaw.

36. I have a lot of pet peeves.

37. One of those is bad grammar (just like Cindy). When the correct form of the word is not used in e-mails or writings drives me crazy. Effect vs. Affect, they, their, etc...

38. I like spell check, but it doesn't catch all errors. Which I am extremely guilty of. I wish people would read what they type before sending it.

39. I hate procrastination.

40. I dislike indecision. Make a decision. (These people could never be traders)

41. Say what you mean and mean what you say. I can't read your mind.

42. Sometimes in life we have to agree to disagree. But lets do it like adults and not carry a grudge.

43. I do not like it when people use double negatives.

44. I really like to nap and sleep.

45. I would trade almost any thing for a nap in the middle of the day.

46. I love to read. I think I took more literature classes in college than business classes.

47. Sports. I like sports. I like NASCAR, basketball, softball, football, and watching the Olympics.

48. I do not like winter. I don't like to go out and play in the snow. I don't like being cold.

49. Summer is a little better, but I tend to stick to the shade than lay in the sun.

50. I don't like being dirty and I have to unwind a bit and let the kids get dirty. Puddles, sandbox, grass, touching dirty objects like cars, stuff in the garage, public parks, bathrooms.

51. I don't like cleaning bathrooms or taking out the garbage.

52. I don't like to exercise.

53. I don't mind taking walks.

54. I love soda/pop. I made the switch to diet soda about a year or so ago and it was very hard. Now I can drink either.

55. My favorite sodas are Coke, diet Pepsi Max, Coke Zero, Pepsi, and Diet Dr Pepper.

56. I don't like Coffee.

57. I love Ice Cream

58. I'm lactose intolerant.

59. I did not have stretch marks until my 32 week of pregnancy with the triplets.

60. I do not like my "jowls of the dog" stomach which I got with the triplets.

61. I love to go shoeless. But I have plantar fascitis, got that after I had Jacob.

62. Our house is a "no shoes" house, except if people have indoor shoes. (and many members of my family have shoes worn only in the house)

63. I label a lot of things in our house.

64. I probably have 150 bins for organizing in our house.

65. I started sewing in my mid 20s and taught myself.

66. I cannot follow patterns very well.

67. I use recipes, but use my own measuring system.

68. I pray for patience with my children every day.

69. I know that my behavior is a model for my children.

70. I struggle with being a good Christian parent and the temptations of behaviors of society. (i.e. TV shows, music, language that is not appropriate)

71. I believe in the Golden Rule.

72. I find that many people struggle with low self esteem and those people need to raise themselves up by putting others down.

73. Its hard not to fight back when others say not so nice things about me, but I try to turn the other cheek like Jesus would want me to.

74. WWJD. I actually thought about getting this tattooed on me. Its been my motto and helps me make better choices.

75. I have no tattoos.

76. I have pierced my own ears a few times when I was a youngster.

77. I had my belly pierced for about a year. (When I was a lot thinner)

78. I have really thick hair.

79. I found my first grey hair at age 20. I turned really grey after the triplets were born.

80. I naturally enhance the color of my hair. :)

81. I prefer e-mail over the phone.

82. I love the Internet. (Scott thinks I spend way too much time on the computer - he's probably right)

82. I love to play poker. Especially Omaha Hi-low. I also will play Limit, No-limit holdem, 7 card stud (hi and hi-low).

83. I used to play daily on the computer before the triplets were born.

84. I have an Ipod.

85. My Ipod is supposed to encourage me to exercise, but I play No-limit holdem on it.

86. I have to have noise in my life, either music or the TV on.

87. I have ringing in my ears (tinnitus) which started with my jaw problems (TMJ).

88. I usually sleep with a noise machine to mask the ringing in my ears or the rustling of kids in their sleep.

89. I cannot sleep with just a sheet, I need the weight of a couple of comforters to snuggle into.

90. I am an ESTJ. I don't remember what exact letters Scott is, but he's got three the opposite of me.

91. I am totally a judger (part of the ESTJ). Its really hard for me to not judge people and situations, but I'm work in progress.

92. I know part of the reason why God gave me triplets is to give up the control in my life to Him. Or at least I thought I had control.

93. I can be a control freak.

94. Scott says I always have to be right. But if I'm always right, I'm right! right?

95. My children complete me. They make me feel whole.

96. I love having them all around me touching me, sitting on my lap, playing with my hair.

97. I love my children dearly, but for sanity's sake, need some time to myself.

98. I try to take the emotion out of my decisions. I try to think, "what would be best for the business or family instead of what would be best for me?"

99. I am pretty straightforward and tend to offend people. Grow some thicker skin, eh? see #41.

100. I would prefer to live in t-shirts and jeans or wind pants.

101. I have not worn a dress in a very, very long time. ( since Jacob was born)

102. One of my proudest moments is that I breastfed Jacob for a year and that I pumped for the triplets for 13 months.

103. I love the infant stage.

104. I do not like being pregnant. Only good thing about that is feeling the baby/babies move.

105. I would consider adoption because there are children out there that need loving homes.

106. I have my hands full raising my own children and cat and have to put off some of my other dreams/goals.

107. I learned about what being selfless meant after having children.

108. I have been to Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.K. and 13 U.S. states.

109. My favorite place in the whole world is vacation with my family in Miniocqa, WI. I love to go to the cottage.

110. I do not like touching raw fish or chicken.

111. I love fruits and like vegetables.

112. I am a nose breather and cannot breathe out of my mouth. Makes it hard when I have a cold.

113. I have a fear of water.

114. I have taken swimming lessons as an adult.

115. I do not like to put my head in the water.

116. I cannot sing with a durn.

117. If I had one wish it would be a singing voice.

118. It takes me 10 minutes to tell a 5 minute story. (I'm a rambler)

119. A sense of humor is best thing in the world.

120. I would not do High School all over again.

121. I have nightmares about high school to this day.

122. I think I would not do high school over again due to the homework and just the unhappiness that I felt.

123. I think the unhappiness was just trying to fit in. And not about me being me.

The WAVE

2009-02-25T10:08:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe how many people have asked me what The Wave is by The Firm. Don't you watch infomercials? They are on Sunday mornings and really late at night. Come on people - get a life. :)

Swimming lessons

2009-02-25T09:59:00.003-06:00

We had a couple of first last night. The babies started swimming lessons last night. Julie, Luann and I took the kids.

There were, probably, 8 other kids and parents in this class. So it was a little chaotic. The kids wanted to do their own thing - especially Johnny. But all of them blew bubbles and put their heads in the water.
When it came time to jumping off the side of the pool into the pool, John was more than ready. He was doing cannonballs. I am not at all stretching the truth on this one. He loved jumping in the water, but would forget to put his feet down to stand on the bottom. So he'd jump in and then float around under the water. I'd scoop him up and make him think it was the greatest thing ever. Matthew and Brooke were more conservative. They wanted to hold your hands as they jumped off the side.

I think the adults got more of a workout than the kids.

Not your ordinary whipped cream

2009-02-23T18:56:00.002-06:00

Jacob was trying to get out of going shopping with me today.

He said, "Mom, my butt hurts." I said, " It does? Do you need me to look at it?" And he said, "Can we put some whipped cream on it?" I looked back at him and he was smiling.

This just in...

2009-02-22T23:06:00.003-06:00

Jacob counted up to 400 today. Of course there were a bit of snafu's. Like one hundred two meaning 200. But hey, he's five.

Jacob and Scott put together a bunch of our puzzles today and the puzzles were all over the living room.

John and Brooke have gotten me up at 5 a.m. the past few days due to their cold.

I don't get up at 5 a.m. and cope with anything.

Jacob just has a cough now, Brooke is doing a little bit better, but Matthew and John still have occasional fevers, coughs and colds.

I am their favorite thing to wipe their noses on.

I love to cuddle with them when they are sick. But I just don't have enough room for more than two and that's hard to deal with at times.

Spent the weekend at a grade school basketball tournament.

I bought the The Wave by the Firm and didn't fall off of it.

The kids like to play on the Wave. While Scott told me that it was a gimmick or something like that.

Gimmicks are something like, oh, hunters NEED a special scent that costs $ to attract or deactivate their own scent.

While shopping at Woodmans and intentionally avoiding a cart, I took a wide turn and banged into a end cap and stuff fell off of it. I started to laugh hysterically while the lady, whom I successfully avoided, and I picked up the stuff.

I folded about five loads of laundry full of clothes and I am very disappointed that I've already lost* four socks which I just bought new last week.

Facebook

2009-02-21T21:28:00.001-06:00

I now joined facebook. Only because a girl I went to highschool, Kristin, said that EVERYONE was on it. Which is true. So funny that I just gave into peer pressure and did it. Its kinda nice catching up with everyone, especially those that have moved away.

Is it spring yet?

2009-02-17T17:37:00.004-06:00

This will be quick and dirty. Here are some of the projects I've been working on. A masculine cupcake and a baby blanket for a friend of Scott's.

When I say that the kids threw (not through!!! I cannot believe I used the wrong form) the little light Lego's, you can see the box that Jacob keeps all 1600 pieces in. Its really fun to clean up because Jacob wants it sorted in colors and shapes. Anal little thing.

I've got some movie stars in my household. They want to remain anonymous so they wear sunglasses around the house.

February blues

2009-02-16T22:43:00.004-06:00

I cannot believe I've neglected this blog for sooooo long. Well, I can believe it, my life has been busy.

Lets see - Scott is working a bunch due to some criminals (they are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law) who like to rob people of their prescription drugs and take all their valuables and then mess them up a bit. Thank you to those punks who give my husband job security.

John. I could write a novel about John. John doesn't want to take a nap. John has learned to crawl out of his crib. John will not stay in a time out area (without being restrained). John will throw anything in his area if hes not happy. John will spit at you. John will hit and kick (but not bite yet). John is having a sensory overload month.
Dear John, get enough sleep and you'll feel better and your attitude will be much sunnier.

The kids (Matthew instigates this) will dump all the lego pieces all over and throw them. Again, we have probably 7,000 or so pieces so this is really a lot of fun.

I have worked the past four Fridays and Saturdays at the YMCA. Now, I don't mind working some weekends, but not every Saturday. It doesn't give Scott or I a break. (Well, it gives me a break, but the kids really, really miss me and I miss them.)

Matthew and John had evaluations from Early Childhood Intervention through our school district and Matthew passed or failed the test (depends on how you look at it) and will qualify for some help. John refused to take any test and therefore failed in a lot of areas, but I'm not sure he failed enough to pass to get more help. They really can speak more than what they did that day. Matthew was not interested in talking, just playing. And John, he was kind of ornery. He was going to play what he wanted and no one better touch his things.

I brought up Jacob's predicament in Kindergarten. I blogged about this previously that Jacob's teacher mentioned that it might be a good idea to have Jacob repeat K. He is academically doing well, but his mind wanders in class. Also, socially he is more shy in school and introverted.

Having told the EC teachers this, we talked about Jacob for a 1/2 hour. They mentioned that since Jacob is doing well academically but emotionally a little immature and socially different. But only in the school situation, not on play dates, swim lessons with cousins. They all agreed that Jacob should not be held back. Another way of looking at it is that parochial schools tend to set the bar higher than public schools. So, I don't know... a lot of mulling this decision over and then realizing that its 6 months away and we've got a lot of time to see if Jacob makes any improvements.

I've been doing a lot of sewing and I'll have to post pictures of what I've made. I was able to help out Jacob's school with their Library. I can take books home and label them and then tape them and get them ready for the kids to check out. Its nice to be able to help in some way.

I signed Jacob up for swimming lessons again. He just love swimming and has really excelled this last session. The babies will have their first swimming lessons also. My sister Julie and Luann will be helping me out in the pool. I think the kids will just love their lessons.

I'm not a big fan of this almost three year old age. Its really wearing on me. I can't leave them along without having the pantry, kitchen and any other secure area raided. I think it will be much better when we can get outside and expend some energy that way.

Also, I took Jacob to the ER last night. He has croup. Its kind of rare that a 5 year old has croup, but he is a rare child. He doesn't like to take medicine and had a hard time getting his first dose down at the hospital. He threw it up on the cabinets and floors. And let me tell you, vomit does splatter. So I used my Crisis Response training that I received at the YMCA and secured the area and cleaned up the mess. Then we had to wait to get a shot instead. He is already feeling better today.

Growing up

2009-02-04T10:59:00.003-06:00

This winter thing is getting really old. The kids (o.k. John) have achieved a new level of naughtiness. On the upside, John is so creative that it amazes me what he comes up with. Lately Brooke and John have been very physical with each other. Like tackle football physical and hair pulling physical. Matthew luckily has avoided Johns aggression has been left unscathed - for the most part.

I swear all four of my kids have grown two inches and gained three pounds in the last month or two. Matthew is solidly in size 3 and Brooke is not too far behind. Although some of her pants are a little long, but its the waist that fits better. John could still wear some 2T pants, but I just use the adjustable waist on the size 3 pants . Yesterday John had a 2T shirt on that was a little short and pulled across the midsection. And then a couple of weeks ago Jacobs jeans were all too short and his crack was hanging out so I moved him up to size 6 pants.

I'm sick of the cold weather. I'm even more sick of my great ole' Dodge Grand Caravan malfunctioning. My airbag light is on. I'm having problems with my windshield washer fluid. DO NOT BUY A DODGE. I think I'm going to start a website with that name and publish my bills from my last two dodges.

Kindergarten

2009-01-30T08:26:00.002-06:00

Some news just ends up rocking our world. Even though I had a sneaking suspicion about this, Jacob's teacher and I had a conference yesterday. She suggested thinking about keeping Jacob back. His birthday is in May.

This was one of my fears all along. I knew that he was the youngest in his class of 15 (well, second youngest). He doesn't ever want to go to school and I almost have to drag him there everyday. Once hes there he seems to be fine. But he wants to stay at home with me and the babies.

He also has not been listening when his teacher gives out directions. His mind wanders easily. Even when they are singing or doing an activity he seems to have his head in the clouds.

She suggested making sure he has a proper diet and is getting enough sleep. But otherwise this really is an emotional development that we may not be able to control.

I just hate thinking of holding him back now that hes had two years with the same kids. I don't want Jacob to think that hes done anything wrong or isn't smart enough because that isn't that case. Academically hes doing great. I don't want him socially ostracized because hes not fitting in with the others or hasn't made friends (as is the case now - he really doesn't have any close friends). And maybe he would be better off with the class below him emotionally.

I think I'm rambling...

But the worst feeling is that I haven't done enough to help him succeed. It tears me up. I knew as soon as I found out that I was having triplets that Jacob would get the short end of the stick. And he has. I don't know if I could have helped him be more emotionally mature. I don't know if I can help him like school more. It just sucks because I have this guilt trip that I haven't done enough and I wonder what I can do to change that.

At least its a long way to next August when school starts. I can wait to make a decision until the week before school anyway.

It seems to be the trend to hold your child back if they have a summer birthday. Two of Jacobs classmates are born in July and their parents just delayed sending them to school until they were 5. I think that makes children like Jacob who were born in May look more emotionally and physically immature because they have classmates that are 9 months older then them.

Is it summer yet?

2009-01-28T15:52:00.003-06:00

Well, two posts in one day? Whats with that???

This is what the Callaways have been up to.

I've been sewing.

Matthew has been eating paper plates and starting Lego fights.

John has been tearing wall paper off his bedroom walls. You know, the wallpaper that I bought over the Internet and spent days painting his room so that it would match that wallpaper?

Brooke has been tearing apart Kleenex's to very very small pieces.

Jacob has been building boats with his Lego's. Which he doesn't have as many boats because Matthew used them in the Lego fight.

I spent two hours cleaning up the Legos while the kids had "quiet" time in their cribs. "Quiet" time is defined, by me, as time to reflect, read, play quietly or sleep.

"Quiet" time by the little boys is defined as throwing everything out of their cribs, yelling, jumping, banging and everything but sleeping.

Lego fight

2009-01-28T14:06:00.001-06:00

So, I went to make a three minute phone call. This is what I found. I'm going to get a drink.

January humdrums

2009-01-24T23:18:00.004-06:00

What to say, what to say...

Well, John has a cold. I'm surprised at this, but he lets me use the nose sucker on him to clean out his nose. And then Brooke doesn't want to be left out of the whole thing and says, "me too!"

Jacob is obsessed with building boat legos. Its all he wants to do. And guess what? John wants to build boats too. But Jacob doesn't want to share his boat bases.

Matthew is the same old happy self. Hes one kid I'd like to duplicate.

I had some good news today that a store in this area wanted to carry my burp clothes that I make and my taggie blankets. I'm going to make some monster taggie blankets for them too. And another store asked me to make boys belts. I'm hoping that the law that comes in effect in february doesn't affect me. :) Its probably wishful thinking, I'm going to do some more research and write my letters to my congressmen.

You show me yours ...

2009-01-22T16:33:00.002-06:00

Certain names have been changed to protect the identities. Story is real, but may not be remembered as how really happened.

And so yesterday Jacob was asking daddy to show "MVD" his belly button. Jacob says, "Daddy show "MVD" your belly button!" And as we all chuckled Jacob added, "Cause its so big!"

At least it was just the belly button he was talking about. These privacy issues and private parts discussion have been taken to a whole new level.

And I had my Dodge Grand Caravan SXT in this week. My radio started working that day, but a new one is $600 and my tie rods aren't covered. And then the technician found three other things that total $1608 that are under warranty that needed to be fixed. Seriously, anyone out there considering a Dodge, this should be a warning to you. Stay away. Although I few people I talked to have the Chrysler model of my van and they have not had these problems.

Dodge Smodge

2009-01-18T23:41:00.002-06:00

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. The SXT costs extra but I'm able to get the triple stroller in the back.

I have this love/hate relationship with Dodge vehicles.

My first Dodge was a 1999 Dodge Stratus with a sunroof. That was the only thing I liked about that vehicle. I was a few days short of the lemon law. It had several recalls that year and on top of it, it had its transmission replaced at 6,000 miles. There were several problems with that thing. I sold it to some unsuspecting suckers a year or two later.

Fast-forward to December 8/9th 2005. Ultrasound shows 3 babies. &$@*! This now means I need a 6 plus passenger vehicle that can safely handle four car seats. Four car seats. We do research and decide we REALLY like the stow and go seating. It came out in 2004/2005 so getting a used vehicle with this option would be slim.

Of course Dodge has stow and go seating and the local yahoos here had a 2005 SXT (which we needed for the stroller) with only 6,000 miles on it. We bought it at the end of January 2006.

I think there have been a couple of recalls. I've had numerous problems with the air condition not working. Its probably been in 3-4 times for that.

There have been other minor things too.

At 35,000 miles I got my tires replaced and the techs at a independent shop told me the tie rod is going bad and my brake pads only have 10% left. So this week I went in to get my front brake pads replaced and guess what? The calipers are sticking and yadayadayada $450 later I have new parts in my van. Still have not gotten the tie rods fixed.

Then Saturday I went over to the in-laws to use their heated garage to clean my prize possession. As I'm doing errands the radio stops working. The channels jump around, seek doesn't work any more and there is no volume.

Come on! I'm going to write a letter (or e-mail) dodge letting them know what crap this is.

Oh, and sometimes my seat belt won't click. I have to wiggle it and try several times before it works.

Lovely. Lovely. And society wonders why these "American made" car companies are struggling.

Stop importing your parts from CHINA!

Delurking and triplet thoughts

2009-01-13T22:56:00.006-06:00

Its delurking day, week, month? Leave a comment please and introduce yourself.

If you don't leave a comment and still read the blog, 7 bad things will happen to you within 7 days of reading this blog. (I hate those stupid e-mails)

I can't get the stupid "Delurking Day" cute banner, button, image. I've become electronically impaired since turning 30 AND having triplets in the same year.

I want to leave a list of surprising things I learned about after having children/triplets.

You need to buy a bunch of batteries for all the swings, mobiles, bouncy seats, crib toys and those invasion of privacy listening devices that parents put in their children's room to hear their every move (I can't think of the name).
You do more laundry than you'd ever think possible.
Burp cloths - if you think you need only a pack, triple that thought. Kids are messy and go through a lot.
You and your husband/friends talk about the unthinkable. Poop, pee, breasts, episotimies, puke, vomit, your five year olds conversations about e r e c t i o n s.
Find a friend or family member that you admire their parenting techniques and ask them a bunch of questions. Then, modify it to fit your children.

Chlorine hangovers

2009-01-11T23:03:00.004-06:00

This was a busy weekend.

Saturday my church had a "Winter Flurry", which was a big carnival for the kids. I took the kids and we had fun. The babies didn't exactly like to play the games by the rules set out, but hey, they are 2. Matthew found Jim and Amy by the bowling game and stayed with them to "help" set the pins up and also throw balls at them.

Jacob didn't want to wander far from me and it was hard going from game to game without the other two monkeys getting into trouble. Grabbing at the prize boxes, getting in the way of the game and just other general mayhem.

But we survived and even had ice cream sundaes and John won mini-cupcakes, Jacob won Doritos and a Gatorade and Matthew won a matchbox car.

Then I took my niece and nephew Katie and Sam back to our house and picked up Scott along the way to go swimming at the YMCA. We got into the pool and the babies just wanted to stand at the edge or splash their hands and feet. Finally after a half hour John was the first to really want to start swimming and he used my arm as a floatation device. Then Matthew joined in. I was so lucky not to get kicked or punched anywhere. I took those two in to get showered. Brooke stayed back by Katie and Scott where she finally got into swimming.

Hilarity ensued getting all the kids showered and dressed. There was a family in the locker room with us with three kids (they were in the pool at the same time as us too). She finally asked at the end, "do you have four or five children?" I said "Six, but only four are mine." She said that she was so impressed at how I handled all the kids and everything. Which made me laugh. I told her it was my husbands first time swimming with all the kids and I don't know if he'd think it was so fun and easy.

But we do what we have to do as parents to give our kids the best start in life. They need to learn to swim just from a safety standpoint. But they also need to learn to get out and hold hands, listen to mom, and how to act in public. These are great childhood memories that I hope they will remember and appreciate. Or, since I blogged about it, they can read it down the road.

So then Scott took the triplets home because they had not had a nap and were tired. I took Jacob, Katie and Sam to Culvers to eat and then we headed back to the YMCA for "Family Night". They had inflatables set up and a bunch of other stuff. Sam and I played basketball, which he swears he beat me by two points. The game is formally contested and will be disputed this week.

THEN, we went home, set up cots in the living room and they watched the Transformers movie and fell asleep while I went to see Twilight with a couple of friends.

A few things I'd like to get off my chest.
The book is ALWAYS better than the movie. The movie is good but the book explored the characters more deeply, set up situations for later scenes.

I didn't like some of the special effects of movie. In the book, the vampires "shimmer" in sunlight. The "shimmer" stunk in the movie. There were some very important lines that were dropped between Edward and Bella that really solidified their relationship and defined who they were as characters.

And, I cannot believe that a movie costs $9.00. And the popcorn combos were all like, $10.00 to $15.00. So if I went with a date, the movie and concessions would have cost me $30-35.00. Wow. I can't believe that cinemas are still doing well in this economy.

Nursery rhymes

2009-01-11T20:10:00.001-06:00

I sometimes feel like that old lady who lived in a shoe...

The day in the life of triplets

2009-01-08T20:32:00.000-06:00

Pictures of happier days

2009-01-07T22:18:00.001-06:00

Playing with a little Dokedo... and John is so nicely pointing out the Dokedo Jacob put in his belly button.

Mayhem

2009-01-07T19:22:00.006-06:00

God bless me. God give me patience. Is the day over yet? Did I give birth to this? God bless me! God bless me! GOD BLESS ME! Just wait until they have kids.

This is what I've said to myself the last three days.

Matthew has the stomach flu. I got it a few hours later. And the other two spawns of satan have gotten the best of me and every child proof lock and every other thing they can find.

Dovalicious

2009-01-06T18:39:00.002-06:00

So, I was on the phone with a friend (you know who you are!) making plans to go to Twilight this weekend.

I'm putting away clothes as I'm doing this in effort to make good use of my time.

I go downstairs to get some more clothes and in the living room are...

all the babies with chocolate on their faces and hands with a whole bag of Dove dark chocolate miniatures opened. All of the Dove dark chocolate miniatures opened. All. They all had unwrapped the candy and had fistfuls of chocolate.

I actually froze for probably 20 seconds just taking it in. They had pushed a chair over to the pantry and opened the childproof lock. Got up to the third shelf and taken the candy down. Took it into the living room and unwrapped them all (without reading the sayings inside because the wrappings were shredded).

I actually thought for a minute that they could die from chocolate poisoning and then remembered that was for dogs. But really, whats the difference?

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T23:04:00.004-06:00

I've made it to 2009
I didn't quite meet my expectations for 2008
I decided to lower my standards this year
Potty training three 2 year and 9 month old children is like sticking needles in my eye
Potty training will be put off until a) I get more sedatives b) I mutate and there are two more of me c) the preschool teacher does it for me d) when the state takes my children away from me
PJs are now loosely defined as comfortable clothing that I can sleep in and also wear around the house and shopping.
Showering everyday is not always an option due to the ineffectiveness of child proof locks on doors and drawers.
Three heads are better than one
I think I saw Brooke's head spin all the way around from its axis and her eyes glowed red.
John now has a Mohawk (pictures coming when I get to it)
Jacob just killed me today with annoying me constantly and misbehaving badly in public.
I actually asked a person at the Y if there were cameras in the area of the building so I could drag them down the stairs
And that comment got some curious stares from members of the Y, in which I'm sure that child services will be getting a call.
I HATE this weather. Our driveway is an ice rink.

Breaking Dawn

2008-12-28T22:11:00.003-06:00

I've finished the last book of the Twilight series. It was a very good series and quite honestly there were some surprises in the 4th book that I hadn't thought of. But the authors target audience were teenagers so I can see that in some of the plots and things. Now I can go see the movie Twilight. I think I'm going to be disappointed because I really liked the book. And I saw the actress who plays Bella on Dave Letterman and she didn't have a thought in her head, which still can make her a good actress, but just disappointing in general.

Not sure what I'm going to read next.

I got sick AGAIN yesterday. I have my cold back with a vengeance. My medicine was done on Wednesday and this hit me Friday night. So I wonder if it didn't kick out my sinus infection.

I seriously bought everything under the sun to make me better. Vitamin C, these anti-oxidant drinks, more vitamins, fruit. The kids don't seem to be getting it, so maybe it is bacterial.

I'd appreciate a lot of prayers directed my way this week. I need patience and strength for my task ahead.

Potty training.

I bought two Baby Bjorn potty chairs, a bunch of that thick underwear, plastic underpants, and a gumball machine.

That will be their incentive, if they sit or go, they get a penny to put in the machine and M&Ms will come out.

I was only going to train one at a time, but they all want to come into the bathroom and try. So I'm trying plan B.

I have been dreading this moment ever since I found out I was having triplets. I hope its going to be better than I imagined.

Christmas pictures part deux

2008-12-27T09:51:00.003-06:00

Santa again. Jacob says he wants to dress up as Santa again next year.

My kids sat together on a chair at Grandma Plamanns. Brooke was busy looking bored and picking her nose. John was trying to reach for something on the divider and then he was goofing around and Matthew was just busy drinking his milk and then he decided that Brooke must have had something good with picking her nose and joined in.

Uncle Jim loves to tease Brooke. Brooke isn't really fond of Uncle Jim. Well, I think she likes him because he has a dog, but she does NOT like to be teased. So Uncle Jim likes to get really close to her and asks her if she wants to be held by him.

Christmas pictures

2008-12-26T08:07:00.001-06:00

Some of my favorite pictures from Christmas...

Is that chocolate on your face?

2008-12-23T20:56:00.004-06:00

So today, I felt ambitious, I felt self-confident. I was going to tackle the Ghiradelli chocolate covered oreos and turtles today. With the babies. And not tie them down.

So I heated up some chocolate and gave them their own bowls and oreos.

As you can see, each child has a different way of dipping and eating their cookies. Some are a little neater than others and Johnny really likes to get his hands, face, sweatshirt and area all around him dirty.

John's two cookies that survived are on the top right of the pan. He did a good job considering he is two.

As I'm trying to make turtles (by myself) John and Brooke were underfoot. John was just trying to help. But Brooke was very whiney and cried a lot today. She didn't lay down for a nap and neither did Matthew and John. It was a llloooonnnnggg day.

Jacob had his Christmas program tonight and he did very well. The babies, surprisingly, did not make a peep. They were so tired they just sat on laps and really just zoned out.

Odd behavior

2008-12-22T19:35:00.007-06:00

2 year olds can be a lot of fun. They can also be very peculiar. I just noticed I don't blog as much about Matthew as I do John (especially John).

Matthew is a sweet loving, well-adjusted child. He's the child that you dream of having. Smiley, listens most of the time, low-maintenance, good sleeper. Low-maintenance is the key here. This kid just plays by himself, happily for long periods of time. Hes not demanding or whiney or clingy. And his disposition is so easy going. And when you ask him something, in his cutesy soft voice he says, "Yes, please."

John is not a polar opposite of Matthew, but in some cases you'd think they came from a different gene pool. John is full of joy, he's a leader, he's inventive, hes stubborn, he doesn't transition well, he seeks sensory input and he's demanding, whiney and clingy. (Look how he's hanging on to Matthew in this picture) Double click on any picture to see it enlarged.

John's latest thing is to act like a cat. He crawls through my legs like Cosmo does, rolls on his belly to be rubbed, Meows all the time, licks furniture (including refrigerators, cabinets, miscellaneous objects, and walks on all fours. I've even heard him Meow to get out of his crib. It is a little disturbing when you see so much of the behavior. He couldn't pick Diego or Dora to act out, could he?

Previously I had posted that Brooke has tendencies like a certain dictator in history. She is in charge and lets you know it by her voice. Its, "sit down, nooowww!" and "NO hittting!" and a lot of swatting done by her. And on the other hand, she can be quite loving and nurturing. She's very good about doing what I ask her too. Bringing things to the boys, picking up, helping. And she's very affectionate with me and has to give me hugs and kisses whenever I leave or just because. Brooke is going through that phase that she better get her way or else. The or else part can pain me because it means yelling, hitting and kicking. Also, she seems to always be yelling when she talks. Its always in a grumpy tone of voice.

Now, I don't think I model that behavior, do I? I'm sure she just takes my phrases and makes them her own, right?

No rest for the weary

2008-12-21T20:23:00.002-06:00

So today I gift wrapped at Barnes & Noble and then Scott and I had greasy hamburgers. Didn't feel so well on my stomach afterwards so I thought I should lay down.

That's me under the blanket. Brooke is behind me jabbing her elbows and knees into me when she wasn't busy pulling my hair and giving me kisses.

Matthew is sitting on top of me playing with cars, John is playing with cars on my legs.

And Jacob just joined the picture because hes so photogenic.

Two peas in a pod. These two get into more trouble together, but it tickles me to see how much fun they have together.

I know. I won the kid lottery. Sometimes its beyond words...

There is something in the air

2008-12-21T19:27:00.007-06:00

Alrighty, alrighty, ALRIGHTY! I know some of you have thought I forgot to take pictures of my kids. But I've just been plain lazy about getting them on the computer. Well, and sometimes a week does go by and I realize I have not documented my children's life.

This is not such a travesty since some of us only have, like, three pictures of when we were babies. And sometimes those pictures were even shared with siblings, so I'm not sure that they even count.

Jacob is such a sweet boy. Today Matthew had a "loose" diaper and we had to change all of his clothing and bedding. Jacob immediately got him a bowl so he could throw up in and made him some toast. Then he got him crackers to eat because Matthew had a "fever". Fever is code for when Jacob doesn't feel good and throws up. So it doesn't necessarily mean that there was a fever involved.

This is probably the last time anyone will see the four of them in the bathtub. Its getting too crowded, its getting too rowdy (as you can see from John throwing a cup of water) and Jacob has been doing somewhat lewd things in the tub.

Now, that's my definition of lewd, not a 5 year olds. Hes obsessed with certain body parts and likes to make them jiggle. That's all I'm going to say.

I'll post more pictures in another post as I haven't figure out how to post more than 5 at a time.

Christmas to do list

2008-12-20T20:01:00.003-06:00

You know that saying, "life isn't always a bowl of cherries, or a box of chocolates?" Well, thats kind of what life has been like for me - not a bowl of cherries. But its not always mushy cereal either.

I'm just recovering from a sinus infection/cold. And last night, I turn over in my sleep and wham! I got the stomach flu/bug/virus.

So, my christmas cards/letters are 95% sent out, some of my christmas candy is made, and none of my presents are wrapped.

So I guess I'll help Santa wrap presents tonight or tomorrow and then finish the third book of the Twilight series. Still good - still on the edge of my seat.