Private - No Trespassing

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...

My Mission Statement

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 balancing act

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.

Faux Paus

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.

Good Friday

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

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.

A lot about me...

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.

Is it summer yet?

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.

Chlorine hangovers

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.

Christmas to do list

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.

Twilight

I've been bitten. I stayed up until 1 a.m. reading Twilight last night and I am half way done.

I've always been interested in vampire stories. Its the novel idea of being alive forever and being invisible. The dark, menacing side of a thing that has no God, but knows that there is one. And every author that I have read always has some type of love story woven in.

I also watched "Wedding Date" last night too. Very cute movie. Unrealistic that a escort suddenly falls for one of his clients. Or is it? :)

I almost felt the way I did before I had kids. Relaxing on the couch, reading a book, watching a movie, Cosmo on my lap. It was a teaser of what life is going to be like in 16 years.


Oh-its a butt.

A Matrix re-take

I had a dream last night that was so weird and bizarre, that I can hardly believe its My dream.

It was like the movie Matrix where people live in one world and then enter another odd and bizarre world.

I was myself and others in the dream were people I used to work with when I was just out of college. We'd go to this "bar" and then walk through this door onto an elevator which took us to another dimension. And people were trying to kill me and the others and my mission was to save this little girl who was 2 or 3.

And to add to the bizarreness of this dream, I did not take anything to help me sleep or any muscle relaxers before bedtime. So I had this dream all by myself without the help of medication.

So anyway, I made the traditional Pumpkin pie and Sour Cream Apple pie tonight for tomorrows dinner. I love Thanksgiving for a couple of reasons. My moms crescent rolls, family, pies and whip cream, and ads for Black Friday. I don't even know why those excite me because I don't go shopping in the stores. I do all my shopping on-line which is already done. Gymboree started their 30% off and I got to use my 20% off coupon too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love of books

Alright, EVERYONE is talking about this movie, Twilight. I need to get with it and read the books. One weird Jean fact is that I love vampire movies and books. I fell in love with Lestat in Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (also a movie :) ) and read her whole saga of vampire books. They were really thick and good for flattening objects. It was before I had the babies, when I had more time to read.

I cannot wait for more time to read again. I used to read all the time. Probably 2 or 3 books a week. I love Johanna Lindsey, Debra Webb, Catherine Coulter, Sandra Brown, Janet Evanovich and many other books. I think I've read most of John Grisham's books and most of Stephen Kings books. Another good set of books is the "Left Behind" series. I forget who they are by. But it makes you think about your faith.

Also like to read the classics. I took a lot of literature classes when I was in school, even though I majored in business. Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre are two of my favorites. The short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, is awesome. Wuthering Heights is a great book and the couple of movies that have been done are pretty good too. Another favorite book is "The Outsiders" and I could watch the movie over and over.

I'm looking forward to reading the Harry Potter Books and The Lion and the wardrobe series. Lord of the Rings. And now I have to add the Twilight series. Sigh. Its only two more years until the babies go to preschool.

I really think thats about the only thing that I really, really miss about my life now. I read books, but its stuff by Margaret Wise and other books on First Words or shapes. Not that those aren't interesting...

Today, Luann and I took the babies in for a checkup. Brooke has a double ear infection and an eye infection. John has an ear infection in one ear and the other ear is filled with wax so he couldn't see. His eyes are now starting to get pussy too. Matthew is just fine. I think he's fighting a little cold like the rest of them. John is the only one that has a fever. I'm just glad that they are sleeping fine. I hope I don't regret those words.

I find it funny that my children did not have ear infections until they were 2 years and 7 months and now we've been to the doctor twice this fall.

Jacob has been very, very sassy and not listening. So we're using the happy, sad jar again which works well for us. So he started the afternoon with three marbles, got another marble and immediately started dusting and emptying garbage cans to get a marble back. He dusted on top of the TV. Our TV holds a lot of stuff on it. He dusted each item individually. Even the flip cards he did individually. So tonight I'm gone to a FVMOM meeting and he still is cleaning up a storm. He scrubbed the kitchen floor, he dusted anything and everything in the living room, he was scrubbing some spots on the floor. But he would look occasionally at Scott to make sure he was seeing him do all this. Pretty funny. I guess he even wiped down all our matchbox cars.

Lucky 333

Interestingly enough, this is blog #333. There are a lot of 3s in my life.
Triplets
Born on the 3rd day of the month.
I have two nephews born on the 3rd day of the month.
I'm 33 1/2. :)
3 & 33 are lucky for me when I play roulette.

There is a website called Caringbridge. Its a way for parents and families to update their children's progress as they are in the hospital or recovering from surgery or illnesses.

On October 2nd I witnessed an accident. I found out later that a girl who is the same age as the triplets was critically injured in a freak accident. A PVC tube flew out of a truck and into a van
entering Payton's skull.

Payton and her family has been in my thoughts and prayers frequently. I check a couple of times a day to see if there are updates. Miraculously, Payton seems to be doing well. She needs to relearn to eat, swallow, speak, hold herself up. That doesn't mean that it won't be a long road ahead of them as they don't know what damage Payton has suffered.

Which brings me to the monthly theme of thankfulness.
*I am so thankful for the caring staff who take care of our children.
* I am thankful that when tragedy strikes, people come together to give support and help when they can.
* I am thankful for our Armed Forces who defend our country with their lives.
* I am thankful for my cat Cosmo.

And speaking of Cosmo Kitty, she gained weight this year at her annual. Her annual required a few shots, but it didn't require any internal checks. (Lucky kitty!)
The vet, who was new... told me that I needed to exercise Cosmo three times a week. Starting for one minute a time and then working up to 10 minutes.
Why this is ludicrous.
1) I don't have time to exercise and now I have to take the time to exercise a cat?
2) She's 8 1/2 and her idea of exercise is running to get her food.
3) I have four children.
4) They are lucky to get their teeth brushed and get socks put on each day.
5) Isn't there a magic kitty pill to slim her down?

Cosmo forgave me quickly and let me pet her. She now brings up her fuzzy ball on string to me so we can play for however long she wants to play.

Busy beaver

Alrighty. I'm a little tardy in posting. The last couple of days I've been a busy beaver working at the YMCA and getting ready for FVMOMs Vendor Fair. Which is a combination of home-based businesses and a craft fair and a bake sale. It was a lot of fun, but very tiring.

Of course Jacob was soooo excited to have a "jewelry party" and he helped set it all up. He also liked running around the gymnasium.

Brooke has been scaring me. I hear things come out of her mouth in the exact tone that I say them. Things like, "I said sit down NOWWW!" "NOOOO, John." "No hitting!" "I said no touching!" Very unladylike to yell. I'm sure that I don't yell like that, right?

Thankfulness

I am so thankful for family and friends, especially the kind that help out when they don't have to.
I am so thankful that God gave me a chance to be a mother to four beautiful normal wacky children.
And just so we all do get teary eyed over this post...
I am so thankful for Clonazapam and Hydocodone that make me feel realllly good. And help me sleep like the babies in the next room.

Helpless - not the Metallica song

I'm typing with my left hand only. My surgery went well. I'm doped up on meds. Luckily I have babysitters to watch me AND the kids. I can't change diapers or dress the kids.
Happy Halloween!

Smack!

So, I've been busy sewing lately. I like to sew. Its relaxing. In the early days of my sewing projects, I cursed and got frustrated very easily. Now, after tons of practice, its actually nice. And I'm glad I'm not jinxing a baby blanket anymore. I can probably be blamed for many a plenty fussy baby in the early 2000s. I've also been making baby burp cloths and barrettes. Although the barrettes are for FVMOM, but they are still relaxing to do. I rarely burn myself on the glue anymore. :)

Today was a busy day in our house. While Jacob was at school, I took the "toddlers" as Jacob calls them to a Birth to Three playgroup. It was a lot of fun. They even got to paint a pumpkin, something they'll never do at home. Paint , three inventive toddlers and only one mom? Nope, not on my watch. Luckily one of the teachers helped out watching over the kids. Another reason why we'll never do it is because its messy and it can go down hill quite quickly. Look what happened when I gave them pencils for the first time.

So then tonight, Shell Dinter came over and we took the kids to Wild Air. We had a blast. The "toddlers" weren't so thrilled about the slide. You could tell by the look on their face that they were surprised and a little scared. But we went into this circular inflatable, there was a middle pedestal that we could balance on and jump on and then there were a whole lot of soft balls to throw around or at someone. We all giggled and jumped and played. The kids did not want to leave.

As a matter of fact, they were all still running around when Shell and I were trying to get their shoes and coats on. And then Brooke ran right into a floor to ceiling glass window that she apparently didn't see. As Michelle and I rolled on the ground trying not to pee our pants, she looked at us with surprise in her eyes and she wasn't sure if she should laugh with us. It was such a classic Jean move. It could have been a Windex commercial that we see on television.

National Down Syndrome Awareness month

October is a pretty special month. It will be 14 years ago on October 4th that I met Scott... and as they say, the rest is history.

Also, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on a church door in the 1600s creating the beginning of Lutheranism. Same time as we pagans celebrate Halloween.

Also, this month is Down Syndrome awareness month. I'd like to say something everyday that's creative and introspective about people who have DS. But I don't think I can do them or their uniqueness justice.

However, I work at the YMCA (You can always stay at the the Y M C A... doesn't that song play in your head too?) and there is a girl named Carol that has been a volunteer for 10 years and is so nice. She helps out with housekeeping and laundry. And there is a lot of laundry at the Y. People - you don't need to use four towels at a time - com' on! She always got a smile on her face and saying hello to everyone. I asked her one day how old she was and she said 37. She doesn't look a day over 25 and I told her that. But maybe when you like what you do and who you work with, it doesn't age you... :)

Its approximately 2 1/2 months until Christmas. And we have a Christmas tree up and decorated in our house already. Scott bought Jacob a 4 1/2 foot tree and he put on lights and the decorations all by himself. Its going to be a very interesting Christmas if he's ALREADY excited about it. (Picture me holding my head in my hands)

Crossroads

I'm at a crucial crossroads in my life.

I can either lose the 20-30 lbs I want to lose, or gain 75 to 100 lbs over the next two years and try out for the Biggest Loser.

I think I could gain the weight quite easily as eating out has always come naturally to me. Also, chocolate, ice cream and chips are very agreeable too.
The downside of that is buying new or bigger clothes and frankly being a bit more tired due to the extra weight.
Also, I'd have to leave the kids behind while I was on the show. I'm not sure if that is a positive or negative.

Sickos

My little boys have diarrhea. They have had it since Tuesday or Monday. I don't know, the days all flow together. Brooke had it the week before just for a day or two. I'm ready for them to be done. I'd like to clean the carpeting.

I can tell its weighing on John as he is very quiet and sits on the couch. Matthew is still smiley, but has been laying down more. Too bad they can't sleep more.

My kids just don't understand that I have their lives mapped out for them. They need to nap for 2+ hours until they are at least three. At that time their crib sides will be lowered and they can get out as needed. I'll need to write up a plan and put it in their inboxes for them to read and then sign.