Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

So, August is a big month for our family. We have alot going on and alot of decisions to make. They kind of all tie together, so it's hard to prioritize but I think we are making progress.

Big, Stressful Decision #1 - Three years ago we leased a pretty, shiny, new Camry. That was 2007. I drove it for a year and loved it deeply. The last time I drove that car and thought of it as mine was October 23, 2008. To the hospital. Because I was in labor (yes I drove myself...that's another story). I've been driving my mom's 2000 Toyota Sienna ever since. It is NOT pretty or shiny or new. But it holds all three of our kids and it runs. So my mom has been driving the Camry for two years and now the lease is ending and we have to turn it in. We hoped to just buy my mom's old van since (see below) we aren't sure what kind of budget we'll have going forward. It's been well taken care of and probably (unfortunately?) has lots of life left in it. Although Duncan's "special trash compartment" might have devalued it a bit. My mom was up and down, back and forth, all over the place as to whether or not she wanted to sell it so we were unsure as to whether or not we'd buy a new van, or her old one.

Big Stressful Decision #2 - Our house has been on the market since April 6th. We were hopeful that by now, we would have sold and moved so that Duncan could start school at a kindergarten we felt good about. This is not the case. We have shown it perhaps 15 - 20 times and have not had a single offer. We have lowered our price two times and wonder if at this point, it's not too low. At this point, we are not going to sell in time for us to move before school starts so do we keep it on the market, as is; take it off the market and give it a "rest period" and try again next spring or do we spend some money, make some changes and still try to sell this fall, at a higher price...which leads us to...

Big, Stressful Decision #3 - The one piece of feedback we get over and over on our house is that our kitchen is too small/not updated. So, we got a few bids on a remodel that would be pretty incredible and probably help sell our house quicker. No guarantees, of course. The downsides are the money, the time, the mess. The benefits would be that for the duration of the time we have left in this house we would have a fabulous kitchen, and that we would very likely sell the house faster. However, being faced with possibly having to buy a new car instead of an old, crappy uh, I mean previously owned one impacted our decision. We had bids, had talked money, and I think were really close to pulling the trigger, but then doubt started creeping in.

Big, Stressful Decision #4 - Duncan turned five in June and we completely anticipated that he would start kindergarten this August. We also anticipated that we would live in an area with a good neighborhood school. Do we send him to the neighborhood school? We tried to get a transfer but were unsuccessful. Our local school is not terrible. As Iain said, he will not get stabbed. We visited and were not completely horrified. We did not love it. I did not think, "this will be such a good place for him". I had people tell me "it's only kindergarten", which is true only I don't really agree with the "only" part. He's there at least six hours a day, five days a week. With people I don't know. Without us. Without the people he's been with most days, all of his life. That's a harsh change. So, to send him somewhere that we don't feel really confident about, where we aren't sure he'll get what he needs just doesn't feel right to us. I went back and forth almost daily on what to do but after MUCH prayer the answers started to come to me.

Not so big not so stressful decision - My cell phone was up for renewal and Iain got me a new one. Oh, iPhone...where have you been all my life?

So, as of right now, we are buying my mom's old van, selling her the Camry, not remodeling the kitchen, homeschooling Duncan (yes, I said homeschooling...I am sure I will have lots of good material on that one, don't you think?), and still hoping our house sells and that we can still move to a good school.

~Christie

It's Good To Be Duncan

Oh!

Just a snippet from our vay-cay. Possibly my favorite pic evah of Iain with one of the kids. She made that face every time she heard the elephant trumpet on the iPad (totally cool new toy, btw.) So glad my sister got it on film. Well, not on film, but on digital thingy.

God Knows If You're Lying

The day started out innocently enough...everyone slept until 7:30, and we were all in our pajamas...dining room table fort still in place, with every pillow and most blankets. First cup of coffee consumed but no diapers changed and certainly no breakfast made. Then, at about 8:30 the phone rang...it was the showing service asking to show the house between 10 and 10:30. I was kind of excited! There was alot to do but if Duncan was cooperative, and I moved fast I could get the house picked up, get the babies changed and fly out the door in time.

I was in the kitchen, about to refill my Keurig coffee maker when I heard Finn...in our bedroom...from behind the door. He had locked himself in. I didn't immediately panic because I had seen Iain pick the lock not too long ago. But, luck was not on my side and I simply could not get him out. His pudgy little fingers poking out from underneath the door, I tried to call Iain but it was just after 6:00 a.m. in SoCal. So, I called my mother...because...um...when all else fails call your 84 year-old mother who is twenty miles away. She told me to call 911, which I did and was transferred to the fire department who said they would immediately come to our rescue.

When the fire engine came down the street, sirens and lights blazing, Duncan was on the verge of bursting. Claire was clinging to me. And Finn..well, still crying in our bedroom. Five fire fighters...one toddler. They freed him and left, with a few neighbors looking on wondering what in the world was going on.

We (read: me) grabbed any remaining Hot Wheels, dirty laundry, mail and miscellaneous, threw it in the laundry basket a-go-go and got in the van and fled. We drove around, looked at horses at a nearby horse barn, trains, tractors, houses for sale and finally came home and went across the street to a sweet neighbors house until I was sure they had come and gone.

Later on in the day, as the afternoon creeped up on us, they all got pretty ramped up. At one point, Duncan was flying through the living room pushing a little car of Finn's and the next thing I knew he was right next to Claire and she was crying on the tile. When I asked him what happened, he replied, "she just fell". I asked him if he was telling me the truth then actually hear "God knows if you're lying" come out of my mouth. Who AM I? Oh dear.

There was then a naked in front yard episode and I knew bedtime was drawing very near. By 7:00 he was in bed and by 7:30 was asleep.

It was a rough day.

Priest Lake

Whew. Won't do that again. And by "that" I mean flying half way across country with two toddlers. It is mostly a blur at this point. I do recall Claire throwing raisins about the cabin and screaming "I stuck!" while I was trying to confine her to my lap. And on the way home our plane out of Spokane being delayed and Iain having to run up and down the airport (and I mean at a clip...not just jogging) with the twins in their stroller to keep them from completely coming unglued. And waking up at 4:00 a.m. to get there, and getting home at 1:00 a.m. coming back.

But oh, the best part? The very best part? Is when we all started puking. At our peak, there were 15 adults at the lake with us. And most of us fell like little soldiers. Duncan was the first...with his blue bubble gum ice cream...on the beach. I was sure he had just had too much junk food and too little sleep. Kids puke alot, right? So I got him inside, and put him in one of the beds to sleep it off. Meanwhile, my sister in law fell victim upstairs. I still did not put two and two together. All of the rest of us felt fine! It was so weird how Duncan and Frankie both go sick! Then...in the middle of the night...I heard my sister. And I knew. I will not get sick, I will not get sick, I will not get sick. I kept praying it over and over and over again. Oh and Iain? Was downstairs in the bed with Duncan. The next morning came, and I slowly felt it coming on until it hit me, then quickly my mom. Then Iain. As we all lay flat on our backs in misery, I passed off all our children to my 19 year-old niece, and my thirty-something niece and her husband. My oldest brother also got sick at some point.

By the end of the day, I was feeling like I could function. My sister in law was as well, but not my mom, my sister or Iain. Is this TMI? Long story short(er) we all recovered but man...it sucked. There is no other way to put it.

Other thoughts about our vacation?

• The Michies will no longer fly for vacation. Until our children are old enough to go to the bathroom on their own, and be trusted to sit in a seat and entertain themselves.
• I was smart and insightful enough not to bring any reading materials on this trip.
• Cool, dark, basement storage rooms make better rooms for babies to sleep in that light, airy beach house bedrooms.
• 5 year old boys can probably get by for at least 10 days with one pair of underwear.
• I had no idea my 84 year old mother watched The Bachelorette.
• Self-important business man in coach, giving me the hairy eyeball because of my kids? You aren't that important.
• I need good coffee. Every day.
• Campfires on the beach, in a sweatshirt and shorts, in the summertime, are one of life's greatest pleasures. Even more so with your kids.
• Coming home is always the best part.

~Christie

So, it's Saturday morning. Iain had to go to work and I'm home with Claire and Finn. I can only assume Duncan is having the time of his life at the lake. He is surrounded by fun family and a beach, and my brother's boat, and clear, freezing cold water of Priest Lake. And I do mean freezing. Glacier lake freezing. But, unlike our Texas "lakes" the water is crystal clear and the bottom is pebbles or sand..not the disgusting muck of Texas "lakes" that I can no longer tolerate nor even think about. I have this weird thing about my feet. But I digress.

So, our flight leaves Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. Which means we have to be at the airport at 5:30 a.m. Which means we need to leave home at 4:30 a.m. Which means I have to get everything done today and tomorrow and go to bed tomorrow afternoon.

Oh, and did I mention we are having an open house tomorrow? Yes, that makes it more interesting doesn't it? Actually, I worked this week on keeping the house clean and tidy so I think with minimal effort we will be ready for the house part. It's the packing part that I need to focus on. I am seriously considering sleeping in my clothes. And bringing the babies on the plane in their pajamas. I almost always get some kind of anxiety about airline travel and all that can go wrong...even when it's just me.

Preparedness is key, gentle readers.

10:09 p.m. Got more done today that I thought I would. Am feeling ready. Drinking a gin and tonic so will turn in soon. More tomorrow.

Got my Shred DVD today!

Y'all might get bored with me

Breakfast: Raisin Bran. Nectarine was too "mealy" but Finn and Claire loved it.

I still do not have my Shred DVD but am also planning to hit a Zumba class at the Y on Saturday morning. Am sure spouse will be fully supportive of me doing this, even if it means it's "Special Daddy Time" on Saturday mornings. I could take the babies with me, but they don't change diapers at this particular Y, which really irks me. The "workers", on the few times I've taken my kids, sit in big rockers and just sit back and watch. It is my only complaint about that particular branch, but it's a big one. The Y that is closer to us has a far superior child care set up and the staff are first class. They interact with the kids and babies, change diapers whether or not they really need to be changed, take them to a bounce house or outside, etc...But I digress.

Does lifting two almost 30 pound babies all day count for anything?

For my mid-morning snack (because breakfast around here is at 6:30 ish y'all...my kids are roosters) was a Feel Full Smoothie. 1 serving sugar-free instant breakfast, 1 cup skim milk, 1 small banana and 1 tbsp. peanut butter. I added ice and blended. Yummy and yes, feeling very full.

It seems like Iain and I have so much going on right now, but life also feels good. There is movement but none of it feels gloom and doom. Selling the house, remodeling the kitchen, vacation, kindergarten. See? None of it terrible. Just alot. Okay, for me, the kindergarten issue is the most stressful.

I must go now. And look at baby clothes and try to figure out how my baby boy turned five and is old enough to go to kindergarten.

Shred Dread Day 2 and Kitchen Issues

So, I don't have the DVD yet, but I did order it yesterday. I feel like that is a step in the right direction. I also recruited three amigas to do this along with me. I feel like we need a catchy group name. "ShredHeads" has already been taken. The only thing I have come up with is Cole Slaw, and I do not believe that is funny or appropriate so all suggestions are welcome. And even if someone understood it, they still might not think it was funny.

I just had dinner and it was super yummy. Got the idea out of a magazine article on losing weight...so I did not just pull it out of thin air. I took one of those 100 calorie sandwich thins and spread "light" brie on it, sliced green apple and shaved turkey breast. It was delish!

On the kitchen front, we are considering a remodel. While trying to sell our house, the only negative comment we hear (and we hear it over and over again) is that our kitchen is too small. Tell me about it, sister. So, we believe that a remodel is in order. We have two bids and if all goes well, could have it done in a matter of weeks. Kindergarten starts next month and I am not at all prepared to drop him off at the school down the street but am afraid that is what we will end up doing. However, my hope is that if we can get the remodel done quickly, we can sell the house more quickly and then can move. I would love to be all settled by a certain day on which people eat alot of turkey and pie but don't dare breathe that thought out loud.

There is so much to do. Financing, finalize plans, etc...but I think the only thing we can do is just get started. So, I should get thinner and my kitchen should get prettier. We will both undergo huge improvements.

Shred Dread

So, in the interests of keepin' it real, I have decided to combine The Shred with Weight Watchers and see how I do after 30 days. Three full-term pregnancies, three vertical c-sections, one set of twins and a looming 45th birthday make something drastic necessary.

I will take before pics, but will not post them until I also have my after pics. We have vacation next week, but I'm planning on starting as soon as I can find a copy of the DVD, and will do what I can while we are on our trip. Probably wont involve doing The Shred in the living room of the lakehouse with fourteen other members of my family.

I hear that I might feel so crippled I am unable to type, so bear with me.

Our crops...corn and pumpkins...about one month later.

Idol Worship

Big brother is cramming grapes in his mouth...guess who else thought that would be fun?

Zoo Freaks

We took all the kids to the Dallas Zoo today, despite the fact that it's hotter than you-know-where and Claire is getting over pneumonia. It was great! With plenty of water, a bit of shade, standing under a mister or two, and hogging the giant fans they have set up at the new exhibit, you can survive the zoo with three kids in the Texas heat. They will even give you free cups of ice, which makes Finn very happy.

Ever had a girl so mad about the fact you'd put her to bed that she pulled everything off her dresser and threw everything out of her crib? Yeah, me too.

Ever had a five year old build a train track that comes out his door, down the hallway and into the family room? Yeah, me too.

Ever had twin twenty month-olds start to pinch each other over who got to stand on the car toy so they could reach the counter and grab the plate of green beans? Yeah, me too.

Ever had twin toddlers so tired from no morning nap AND vacation Bible school that you are convinced they'll sleep for hours when you put them down and they prove you wrong. Completely wrong. Yeah, me too.

Ever, at the end of the day, despite the chaos and the noise, and the crying and the mess completely and utterly grateful for all of your children? Yeah, me too.

Two Suckers

After vacation Bible school today, I had a babysitter come so I could take Duncan to a movie. Iain took him once, but it was about a year ago and he got a little scared so they left. My sister took him once, about six months ago and said he did well. I wanted to have a fun summer with him, since we will be throwing him to the wolves this August when we send him to kindergarten (okay, not really, but I have issues.) So, I wanted to take him to a movie. I looked at the list of choices and tried to decide between the lesser of two evils. Shrek III or Marmaduke. I called a friend to see if she and her daughter, one of Duncan's favorite friends, wanted to join us. She weighed in that they had seen Shrek III and while intense in a Disney-all-the-mommies-die sort of way, it was probably the easier for us mommies to sit through. Good point.

We got to the theater and Duncan commented on how hot it was outside and how cool it was inside. Smart boy! It was a "movie studio grille" so we sat at a table, in nice swivel chairs and donned our 3D glasses. We all looked awesome. We ordered popcorn, two strawberry lemonades, a Diet Dr. Pepper and an iced tea and settled in. I was prepared for nerves, and almost prefaced it with a "if you get scared just tell me and we can step out" but decided against it. And my genius paid off. He was mesmerized. I don't think he ever took his eyes off the screen except to look over at his friend Ashley and say, "hey Ashley, how's it goin'?" and to look at me and tell me how hilarious the movie was. Success! We had a super time. Tons of fun with my boy...love that. Cannot think about kinder or I will cry.

So, we left the theater and went to the bank to deposit some expense checks (hi honey! See? I'm takin' care of business, in addition to all the fun and games...) and go to the grocery store. Duncan got not one but two suckers from the teller which just about put him over the edge in the "this is a great day" department.

One Thousand Cats

Duncan and I had a conversation this morning about things we want in our new house. We decided that we will have a thousand cats (his idea) and a five story, family bunk bed which will be in the living room. Every morning we will wake up and watch TV. From the top bunk, there will be a slide that will go through the entire house and end up in our pool in the back yard. We will also have a very long diving board so that you can get a good running start before diving in.

This Memorial Day was pretty laid back. We had Duncan's family birthday party yesterday and boy was in the pool for oh, about six or seven solid hours with minimal food breaks. So, we all stayed home today and just had a family day. It was also hot. Very, very hot. Duncan and I ran some errands in the late morning while the babies napped and Iain worked in the yard. We went to Office Depot to get printer ink, then to Krispy Kreme for a doughnut for Duncan and coffee for me, then to one of my all-time favorite stores...Central Market. Oh, the produce! The wine! The bakery! Such.Fabulousness. All under one roof. But, I stuck to my list and put back the bottle of "Mommy's Time Out" wine that was my impulse purchase...because I wanted to drink it and blog about it. We did get goodies for dinner tonight, though. Came home and whittled away the time with three tired kids on a hot day with no pool.
What else did we do? Oh, we planted pumpkins and corn! Duncan thought it was a good idea until he got outside and actually had to dig and work in the very hot sun. He freely admitted to being too hot, too tired, and too thirsty but upon threat of no garden at all, or of not being able to water it once planted he reluctantly helped finish the task. Then Iain fired up the grill/smoker and we put the sausages and baby backs on.
Finn had the hardest day of all...a fat lip AND a bloody nose...two separate falls. He is full throttle and does everything, including running and falling, with gusto. He was hot, tired, cranky and went to bed before the rest of us sat down to dinner where Claire at two small ears of corn and sausage with gusto.
It was a good day.

Sing Along

Today was Duncan's sing along at his preschool. End of the school year. I'm experiencing many emotions and can't help but think back to when he was 1 and I started him at Wilshire for Mother's Day Out. So, almost four years to the day later, he is finishing up. I hope I don't forget to take a picture on Thursday. I'll do a side by side comparison!

Yellow bandana. Middle row.

This morning started out better than most...I think. I was so bleary eyed I can't remember at this point. The big downfall to early bedtimes is early rising times, but our kids seem to wake up early no matter when they go to bed. It is Friday, and after my first cup of coffee things started to make sense and fall into place. I begged Duncan to stay in bed until Daddy's clock had a 7 as the first number, but it didn't work. I love you, Keurig.

We had a big birthday party at Pump It Up at 10:30, which was good. Aunt Becky and Janie came over to take care of Claire and Finn so I could take Duncan and not have to chase two babies the entire time. While I am on the subject, HUGE shout out to my sister and friend who helped me out. Duncan got to spend a solid two hours with his best buddies, and hardly noticed that I was anywhere nearby. He was a big, sweat MESS by the time they ate pizza and the joy he was feeling was obvious. Boy loves him some Pump It Up and being with his friends. After the ritual of eating/licking only the frosting and leaving the bare, naked cake he was ready to go home to see Aunt Becky and Janie. Got a precious book and lollipop the size of his head the way out the door.

Black clouds loomed but we stopped at Whole Foods because, well, they have a cupcake bar. I wanted to get something for Becky and Janie for helping me out so I let Duncan pick out their cupcakes...you get to pick the cake flavor, the frosting flavor and the sprinkles. It's totally fun! Got our cupcakes, some milk and bananas and drove home before the skies opened up.

It's been a pretty good week...lots of time in the backyard playing with the water hose and sprinkler, and a trip to my mom's and sister's for a visit. The spring has been a great deal easier than the winter was with three small children and home and a traveling husband. I no longer feel like I will lose my mind by 3:00. Claire and Finn are fairly proficient (large scab on Claire's forehead not withstanding) at going up and down the four concrete steps onto our concrete patio. We have a good backyard for play...lots of shade, just enough sun, plenty of patio to grass ratio, and it's tidy. There is a soft, shady place for me to sit and read (!!!) in between keeping a lid on the chaos. Yes, spring is far better.

Had a surprisingly pleasant afternoon, considering we were all inside due to the storms. Duncan was pretty spent from his morning so was not bouncing off the walls, but still had the energy to entertain Claire and Finn. They think he is the funniest thing on two legs and laugh (sometimes before the tears!) and are totally enamored with him. As are we. It is good to be Duncan.

I got all three in the tub, got them fairly clean and got the babies out before someone chipped a tooth. Dinner was mandarin oranges, fish sticks, tater tots and perhaps a few cupcake remnants.

Daddy should be home by early afternoon tomorrow and not a minute too soon.

Iain just left for the airport for a short (3-day) trip to SoCal (yo), Claire and Finn have been puking all morning but gratefully seem to have stopped, and I have to pick up Duncan in about an hour and a half.

We had our first open house yesterday and according to our Realtor, it was successful. She believed she only had about a ten minute window where no one was here. Let's just hope they weren't ALL nosy neighbors. And since I am the ultimate nosy neighbor, I know how important it is to go to open houses of the people on your street. I'm just sayin'. The house really does look good (see post below) and I am proud of it. I just don't want to own it anymore! I pray for our buyer, that God sends them quickly and that they are reasonable and fair.

My adult niece and her husband and baby are here from Seattle so we'll go out to my sister's and mom's after I pick up Duncan. Again, I hope the puking is over.

I'm sitting at the dining room table, looking out our huge picture window and see our lovely, shady and now very green yard, huge shade trees, and our landscape architect neighbor's red buds in full bloom and behind all that, the green belt. I would also see my red tulips but Duncan has beheaded them all.

Who wouldn't want to buy this place (besides someone who wants a huge kitchen and plenty of storage)?

~C

11607 Saxon Street, Dallas, TX, 75218 - MLS #11377811 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

11607 Saxon Street, Dallas, TX, 75218 - MLS #11377811 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

Home Made

Our house went on the market today. When I saw the sign in the yard I got a little verklempt and felt my adrenaline surge. We have lived here since January 2000. I remember the day we moved in very clearly. There was an ice storm and the moving truck hardly made it. Since then, there have been many days and nights that have made it our home. We have endured our very darkest days here, in this house. We have also had our most joyous, light-filled days. I know, intellectually, that it is brick, mortar, wood and stone. But emotionally, it is so much more than that. It is full of memories. Duncan will most likely have few, if not foggy, memories of this home (even though the photographs of him here are in the low hundreds of thousands...) and Finn and Claire certainly wont have any.

Fortunately, I anticipate and look forward to with great joy the making of a new home. This one filled with laughter and chaos, happy holidays, birthday parties, family, friends, dinners (around a large, round dinner table that I am currently seeking out), and regular ol' nights at home as a family of five. Lots of love. Lots of good food. Lots of time. Together.

I woke up this morning to my newly arranged bedroom and wasn't quite sure where I was. Nor was I sure what day it was but it slowly all started to come to me that I was home, and it was Tuesday. It was not yet 7:00 but all three kids were awake so why fight it? Why try to bargain for just a few more minutes? After we hoisted a happy Claire and Finn out of bed, Duncan wanted to immediately find his Hot Wheels cars and have "the big race", and I was invited. I told him, just like I do every morning, "Mommy can't do anything until I have coffee." He then remembered that today is his Easter egg hunt with his class and was quickly distracted from the race. Claire and Finn were also very happy to have a bucket of plastic eggs to take apart and throw around the room. Tiny! Stickers! Everywhere!

It's very predictable that about ten or fifteen minutes before it is time to leave for us to go to school, Duncan decides that he is ready to go and grabs his things and heads for the door. This fills me with happiness because it takes me that long to wrangle Claire and Finn and him into the car with all the lunch boxes, special pillows and blankets, egg buckets, eggs, etc...that are necessary to deliver one four year-old to preschool. And while we are on the subject of Easter eggs, I will go on record to say I am not a huge fan of the massive egg hunt. We could attend as many as FIVE this year, but so far, only two of them are on my definite "yes" list. One at school today, and one on Easter Sunday at my mom's house with just our kids. More about that later.

So, with Claire and Finn's help I continued to work on getting our house ready for the Realtor to come tomorrow and take pictures. It is looking so good I think I want to just buy it from myself. And now it's 8:40 and the babies are asleep and Duncan is at my mom's and the house is quiet and still and it's nice. These moments at the end of the day make all the day's craziness okay. And I think tomorrow, when I wake up I'll know just where I am and what day it is.

• The driver's side window in my van (it's really my mom's van, we've just driven it ever since the twins were born and oh my it's a beater...but I digress) rolled down yesterday so I could brush SNOW out of the way and it will not roll back up. This is really a problem when you have three small children.
• The tile guy is coming today to grout the new backsplash. Last big item to do before we put the house up for sale but oh, the million little ticket items we have to do in the next 7 days. Heaven help us.
• I still am not sure how I feel about the healthcare bill, but oh the news is so entertaining...from both perspectives.
• It rained and snowed all weekend but now on Monday? It is sunny and bright. We all have a bit of cabin fever so this is good news.
• We have a very large snowball in our front yard. It amuses me.
• My children should have very good immune systems, if you get my drift.
• I am so happy that Finn and Claire have reached the stage where I can take all three of them in the backyard. Even though Claire walks like a 90 year-old woman, she is walking and is very focused. She can even walk across a room with Duncan's Crocs on her hands.
• Sometimes, when I look at my children, I think, "it wont always be this way...they wont always be dying to be right at my feet every moment of the day." And I don't feel so harried...well, at least not for very long.
• Finn and Claire have started hiding in the pantry.
  
• Sitting around a coffee shop laughing with girlfriends is good for my soul.
• All is well!

~Christie

The hour and a half that almost sent me to the brink.

Today was going to be a great, but busy, day. We started off early, going to Aunt Clo Jean's house so that Duncan and his cousin Fletcher could ride their battery-operated race cars. This big race was supposed to happen Tuesday, but it rained so we rescheduled for today. My aunt lives out in the country, with a huge hard, huge flat driveway and plenty of space for boys to race. My cousin, Fletcher's mom, offered to let me drop Duncan off and take the babies back to my sister's and mom's and she would bring Duncan over there later. Finn seemed sick yesterday, so it was going to work out great.

At my mom's, I got both babies down for naps by 11:00. Finn is super clingy right now and kind of loses his mind when I walk out of the room, and isn't eating anything but Cheerios and crackers, but I digress. My sister was going to take Claire out to lunch, so when she woke up I put her in a totally cute dress, tights and Mary Janes and sent her on her way for a big girl outing. This is building, I promise.

Duncan was back at my mom's by 2:00, and Finn awake shortly after that. He even seemed to be feeling a little bit better. As an aside, I still am not sure if it's teething, an ear infection, or a virus but more about that later. Then, things start to go south. My sister is home before 2:30 with Claire. A red, puffy-faced, itchy, scratchy Claire. She has had one allergic reaction this severe before. To strawberries. We still aren't sure what caused this one. She had lettuce, grilled chicken, mandarin oranges and grapes. I have her some Benadryl and within 30 minutes she was fine. Sleepy, but fine. So, after letting all the kids romp around outside on the patio for a bit, we piled in the van and headed for home. I was looking forward to seeing my new backsplash.

We had a tile guy come and tear out the very home-grown mosaic tile backsplash that I started when I was pregnant with Duncan. At some point my belly got too big and I couldn't finish it, but I was very close to being done! But, you know how after a while your eyes don't even see the flaws? I will post pics later. Trust me, y'all will not want to hire me to do any tile work at your house. So, anyway, I was excited to see the plain white boring backsplash that would help us sell our house. Claire fell asleep the minute we got on the highway. Duncan was very quiet in the way back, because he had been going all day. Finn was quiet too, but I knew he still wasn't feeling great. So, I had a pretty quiet ride home.

We pulled up at home and Iain suggested I check things out before we turned all three kids loose with a tile guy working in there. I did and made sure they could not interfere with him and we got them all inside. Then quickly decided to take them outside. Can I just say how happy I am that the babies are now old enough to take them outside to play? Because I am very very happy. I love spending afternoons in the backyard when the weather is nice but have not been able to do that, until now! Hurray! But this is about how difficult my hour and a half was, so I will not let myself show too much joy.

I decided it was time to feed the babies so I brought them both inside and put them in their highchairs. I also need to point out that Finn had seemed so much better today. We had one random vomit episode yesterday, and I chalked it up to mucus and drainage because he had made it through the night just fine and we all know that kids wait until night time to really let loose on the vomit thing. I got them in their chairs and gave them each some raisins, cheerios and peaches. Claire got busy, and Finn seemed hungry. I then tried to turn on the kitchen light and saw that it was not working. Things kind of get blurry from here.

I ask the tile guy if I can "turn the electricity back on." He says sure, so I go into Duncan's closet and look at the breaker box. Nothing has been switched off. Well, that is strange. You know how you slowly realize things? You don't really process it all at first and keep trying to rationalize or make sense of it? I stood there looking at the breaker box not able to comprehend why, if the breaker box looked fine, the power was not on in the kitchen and the TV. OH YES! The TV! It was not coming on and Duncan was saying over and over and over, "Mom, can I watch one of MY shows? Mom, when can I watch one of MY SHOWS?" It was just at this moment that I heard gagging and crying and I rushed in to find Finn, gagging and crying. Then puking. All over his highchair tray. Oh it's a trifecta people! I have a demanding four year old wanting his way, an inexplicable power failure, and a vomiting toddler. I do not do well in this kind of scenario. It is hard for me to focus. But I was able to do some Mommy Triage and recognize that Finn needed the most attention so I wiped up his vomit, got him out of his clothes and he actually seemed to recover nicely. You know how kids are. They vomit...they go on. I try to explain to Duncan why he cannot watch TV. Then I talk to my very confused and now, grossed out, tile guy. Something to do with a GSI plug or something and he wont touch it because it was sparking, blah blah blah. I think to myself, "Iain needs to be in on all this fun" so I go to his office and mouth to him "you need to come inside as soon as you can."

So, by the time he gets inside the tile guy is gone, Finn is RUNNING around chasing Duncan and Duncan could care less that the TV wasn't working. But I calmly explain all the excitement and ask him to take a look and tell me if we need to call an electrician. Oh, and figure out what we are going to do about the MILK! Because we drink alot of expensive, organic, whole milk. Iain assesses and tells me we need to call Bob the electrician, we can use an extension cord for the refrigerator. I start to breathe again. I get the very tired, cranky babies ready for bed and they are grateful. Duncan, Iain and I sit at the table while the two of them eat and we laugh and have some fun family time. So, I did not go to the brink. Indeed, I cope better than I used to. When I am in that stressful moment I now am much better at taking a breath and calming myself down and realize that this will pass and I just need to relax.

Oh, and my backsplash will look great. And the electrician is coming in the morning. And the refrigerator is plugged somewhere else. All is fine.

Iain comes home tomorrow, after being gone for ten long days. Hopefully, he will be home for a while and Duncan will get to check things off of his to do list with his dad. That list includes but not limited to hockey, basketball, running, wrestling, and reading. With each passing day of this trip, I could see him missing his dad more and more so that by yesterday, well, it was kind of all he talked about. Boy loves his daddy. Even little Finn walked up to me holding the phone saying "Dada!"

Since he has been gone Claire has started walking, which is so heartbreakingly cute I can hardly stand it. She is pretty wobbly and I think it's because her feet are so small.

I have also been working really hard getting the house ready to sell. I have had painting done, had it power washed, a broken window fixed, and have packed, packed, packed. I have someone coming to fix the backsplash and wash the windows and I think we will be ready to sell our house. I have a few ideas of what I'd like in a new house, and do get kind of excited when I think about them. A bigger kitchen, more room for entertaining friends and family, and a bigger bathroom for Iain and me...cuz ours is waaaayyyy tiny, people. I would love for our house to be the place where our family comes for Christmas, and we have lots of friends who love to come visit and enjoy our home. I have another list, of wants and hopes, but those listed above are my biggies. The boys will likely always share a room, which is totally fine with me. Duncan already has big plans for that whole scene. I also like the idea of a Jack and Jill bath for the kids, just because I like them.

One of the things I do like about our small home now is the fact that we are all close. The kids' rooms are right next to ours and for a worry-wart like me, that is comforting. I have gone over and over again my escape route if the house should catch fire while Iain is gone, and how I would get all three of them out of here and the house's smallness helps with my crazy, obsessive, over-the-top worry. Because I don't have enough to worry about in the real world.

Anywho, I'm going to watch The Tudors and go to bed!

~Christie

The Longest Saturday

For some reason, I woke up this morning thinking it was going to seem like a very long day. Iain is still traveling, and he is almost always home on Saturdays. That, coupled with the fact that daylight savings time starts tonight and I think I'm correct. Which means it will be full on daylight for bedtime. And then I will lose an hour of sleep.

Also, the DVR did not record the hockey game last night and we've already had at least one meltdown before 8 a.m.

I would pay a king's ransom to have a five year-old boy next door right now. Don't y'all remember Saturday mornings as a kid? I would always get to my BFF's house as fast as I could and be gone most of the day. Or, she would come to mine. Either way, we did not expect our parents to play with us. I realize there is some middle ground, and doing things with our kids, as a family, has great deal of value. There is also a great value in him having friends to play with and I can see almost weekly how that need gets bigger.

_____________________________________________________

12 Hours Later:

We got through the day just fine. Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need. And to throw a ball around with your almost five year old.

We drove across town to my sister's and mom's. Through some pretty hairy, wild, post-St. Patrick's Day parade traffic. Oh, and you drunk people on the back of that flatbed trailer...thank you for the show. I spent about 15 minutes trying to explain to my almost five year-old what you were doing.

And we will start all over again tomorrow, just with one hour less sleep.

Oh man. I think what I need to do is just start my blogging in the morning so I can accurately write down the things that happen during the day. Because sometimes, I think to myself, "I can't make this stuff up."

All three kids were up just after six o'clock. So, naturally, the first thought in my head is, "they will all go to bed early." Because I like to live in the moment like that. Duncan loves to go in and see the babies, but I try to persuade him to at least let me have one cup of coffee before they are all three up and at 'em, since the babies seem happy and are just talking to each other. That argument does not work so I go to lift Finn out first and he joyfully laughs at Claire, still held prisoner in her crib. I lift her up and carry them both, excited to be alive and facing a new day, to the living room.

Once I have three cups of coffee, things get much better and the morning moves quickly. Both babies go back down for morning naps around 9:30 and I take a shower. When I get out, Duncan comes to tell me he's made himself a snack. I hold my breath until I get to the kitchen and see that he's made three huge mustard and pickle sandwiches. So many questions fly through my head. How did he get the pickle jar open? I cannot even do that. It was one of the brand new ones, that you have to pop the seal. Where did he get the knife? So much mustard. But he has not made a huge mess, and tells me one of them is for me! Mommy panic. I thank him and tell him I will save it for later. He eats his, but tells me the mustard is very spicy. Oh yes, my sweet boy, when you put a fourth of a cup of the stuff on your sandwich, it will be a bit on the spicy side.

But we had no time outs, no time in red, no big problems today. It was a good day at home, all day, all four of us. Plus a painter and a guy doing an appraisal for the square footage for the tax rolls and listing the house. And **poof** it's ten o'clock and the day is done.

At our MOPS meeting today, the speaker topic was "Sensitive Parenting". Before you fall asleep, briefly, it was basically that to prevent behavior(s) that we don't want to see, and to create strong and healthy relationships with our children that result in an array of good things like stronger cognitive skills and other things that I simply cannot remember and am too tired to go get my purse and notes, we need interact with them in a more sensitive way. Pay attention, not be dismissive, acknowledge their feelings, be present, etc...I'm not fully expressing it like I want to, but again, I'm tired. It's been a long day.

I buy into all of it. Really, I do. However, this speaker was a Ph.D. and presented a room of (mostly) stay-at-home-moms who are with their children for all intents and purposes, all day every day. I sat there and started thinking about how many (millions?) of times per day Duncan tries to get my attention. Whether by saying, "hey mom! Look at me!" or by something a bit less subtle. And I try, every time to at least acknowledge him. But how many times do I say, "Honey, I'm cleaning the kitchen right now" or "Give me a minute" or "Mommy's on the potty." So, where is the balance? This kid loves attention, and we do give it to him, but some days it feels like no matter how much I give it's not enough.

I wont even get started on Claire and Finn...and the guilt...because that's another post for another day.

Then, the videos. Videos of parents and their children, in fabricated scenarios of sensitive and insensitive parenting. In one scenario, the mommy was playing with her baby, tickling him. He loved it! She would stop, and he would kick his little legs practically begging her to tickle him again. That was sensitive! She knew he loved it! And when he turned away, she knew he wanted a break. More sensitivity! Then, it showed less sensitive parenting. The mommy instead was tickling the baby with a toy, and was waving it in his face, about an inch or so away, and would not stop even when it was clear the baby was (really, really) wanting her to stop. That's when I got the giggles. Like, the kind of giggles you get in church. Because that is also what goes on in our house every day. Not by me...but by a certain older brother. I thought, "that's exactly what Duncan does to Finn and Claire." And I got the giggles so bad I had to get up and walk to the back of the room because I had those laughing squirty tears. Insensitive brothering.

Ah, good times.

Trifecta of Awesomeness

As long as Duncan stays in green at school, I let him choose something to do that afternoon. Today was one of those perfect early spring days, so along with friends, we went to the park. Four and a half is a fun age, because they really do have little friends that they care about and like to play with. So, we got to the park and were not out of the van for twenty seconds when the boys spotted a large pile of wood chips. About seven feet high and maybe ten or twelve feet long. Big pile. Climbable. So, the boys were having a ball on the wood chip pile, when the first train went by. This park is right on the light rail line, so trains go by every ten or twenty minutes depending on the time of day. Then, as if that wasn't enough, the house across the street was doing some remodeling. A Bobcat. A cement mixer. It was...amazing. I wish I'd had a camera to take a picture of the backs of their heads as they all sat, still as stone, watching the driveway being poured.

Claire and Finn grow restless in the stroller after well, not very many minutes, so I pushed them over to the swings. They can still fit back to back in one of those bucket swings and love it. Very much. Baby laughter. So the older kids played, the babies swung (swinged?) and the mommies chatted. Great day.

We got home around 5:00. I drove around for a bit because Claire fell asleep and you know what they say...fifteen minutes in the car is like fifteen minutes in the car. But it was enough that she would not completely melt into a puddle before bedtime. Got the babes in their chairs and Duncan at the table and gave everyone dinner. Baby girl can eat. Finn? Could live in Ritz crackers, raisins and milk. Claire eats anything I give her, with few exceptions.

Got the babies in bed, Duncan in the bath and the house cleaned up a tiny bit. Got Duncan in his pajamas (okay, the tee shirt I intend him to wear to MOPS tomorrow) and we got in the bed for stories and books. And planning his birthday party. It's not for three months but he is making his lists and going over plans. Currently, he wants a hockey party at "The Plaz" (a/k/a Plaza of the Americas) and only boys are invited. Although tonight he did start to make exceptions to that rule. The sister of his current BFF is invited, and I can go to look after Finn.

~Christie

By the end of the day, all the witty thoughts and clever quips that I think of during the day are almost completely gone. I will be in a strange place and think to myself, "oh, I should blog about this" and even write the entry in my head and think, "that will be so funny and get me some comments." Yeah well.

By the end of the day, I am usually in full blown mee-maw mode. Mind? Empty. Back? Hurting. I get everyone to sleep and walk back into the living room...the sanctity of a now child-free room, get on my couch (and tonight, with a heating pad!), make a cup of hot tea and zone out to American Idol or Survivor. All day I think to myself, "I will get that done tonight, after the kids are asleep." Then, I get them all to sleep and I feel triumphant just to get the dishes loaded in the dishwasher. Much less, make the next day's lunch(es) or organize all my coupons. I will work on this.

Today was not really a bad day, just kind of wild. Claire and Finn are entering full-blown toddlerhood and their antics are becoming more and more dangerous and funny. One toddler is daunting. Two is...well...unspeakably daunting at times. Today, somehow, Claire got the dryer open, crawled inside and was licking my new Bounce dryer bar, when Finn was about 2 seconds from slamming the door shut on her. I tell you this because it did not end poorly, but oh...I know all too well it could have. Note to self to start using dryer baby proof latch thingie again. And pulling her out of that dryer? Was as if I was taking away all of her Easter candy. Girl was not happy with me.

Finn is like a bulldozer. He runs everywhere he goes and often will just slam into things. He is also a sensitive baby, so I guess that makes him a little sensitive bulldozer (might be a good idea for a children's book!). He does this crazy thing now when he bows with his hands on his knees when he laughs. It's hysterical. But I digress. Anyhoo....I had boxed up some things, in preparation for getting the house ready to sell, and had left the sealed up boxes by the back door. Claire and Finn saw the opportunity and seized it. They pushed the boxes up to my "desk" (and I use the term loosely), and began pounding on my keyboard. It was about five minutes before I realized it and came back to all kinds of new screen savers and files being pulled up onto my desktop. Again, much weeping and wailing when I pulled them off the box. They egg each other on. They seem to plot and plan. They smash each other's fingers in cabinets. That old game of slam the kitchen cabinet door against each other? Does not end well for one of them, 9 times out of 10.

So now, I will go make myself another cup of tea and finish American Idol.

~Christie

Duncan woke up somewhere around 5 a.m. In my stupor, I led him out of my bed and told him to play quietly while I went back to sleep. Obviously I did go back to sleep because the next time I woke up, in one of those half-awake..half-dreaming kind of states, I could hear several crib aquariums blaring, laughter, squeaking of mattresses and "Mommy!". Not being awake enough to put it all together I got out of bed and found them all three in Finn and Claire's room. No one was in harm's way, gratefully. Finn was happily marching up and down in his crib with a bottle (did I bring that to him at some point? Or did Duncan? I still am not sure), and Duncan and Claire were in her crib. Along with every clean but not-yet-put-away piece of clothing and every baby blanket and sheet from the bottom shelf of the changing table. The only other evidence of mischief that was found was the Cool Whip tub on the kitchen counter.

In the Good News department, my Keurig seems to be working this morning and I have had two full cups of coffee, am about to have a third and become a functioning member of society.

We have no school today and my goal is to continue working to get the house ready for the parade of Realtors on Saturday. I've worked hard so far and have made some real progress. In the same vein, I have allowed most collections of Duncan's in the house but am drawing the line at his leaf and grass collection. We have had worm, hockey puck, rubber glove, rock, and moon (which was my personal favorite) collections.

We made a behavior chart this morning, for lack of a better term. Behavior signal? He has green, yellow and red circles, just like a traffic light, along with a wooden clothes pin with his name on it. I put the pin on the appropriate circle, according to his behavior. So far today, we have been in red one time and are currently on yellow...hoping to move back to green.

Rest of the day...blur...have vague recollections of short naps (oh, all too short), picking up raisins off of a rug, lots of diapers, a water hose...blur...time marches on...and then poof! I'm getting everyone ready for bed.

Then men are not doing too well tonight on Idol, by the way...I have fast-forwarded through just about all of them so far. Casey James was good, but Andrew Garcia is my pick. I pick him and the Bowersox chick. Okay, maybe not her...but she deserves it.

Oh, and those of you who commented after my Miracle posting (or emailed me) that my symptoms were exactly how you felt every time you were pregnant...you just need to behave.

Miracle on Saxon Street

Oh my, y'all. I consider it truly amazing that I am sitting here, watching my DVR'ed America's Test Kitchen and not on a slab or in the ER. Okay, perhaps a bit dramatic but stay with me.

Iain had to leave for California again today, so he stayed home from church this morning (with Claire and Finn) and I took Duncan to church. No morning drama or stress (for the most part). Got home from church, helped Iain pack, then said goodbye to Daddy. It was a balmy 65 degrees here in Dallas, and so far, so good. My mom and my sister were coming over this afternoon to see the kids and have dinner with us. They got here about 2:30 and all three kids were delighted to see them. We goofed off, read books, played, chatted and watched the olympics all afternoon. Mom suggested we order pizza for dinner, which we did. Becky made a salad. Delish. Got everyone fed, and thought that at about 5:00 it was a good time for Duncan to get in the bath. Oh, and a pretty strong cold front blew through. Foreshadowing. I started to have a stomach ache right about the time Duncan went to go get in the bath, but thought to myself, "I should not have had three cups of coffee" (or whatever...) and didn't think too much about it. Then I got on the floor to put Finn in his nighttime diaper and bam. All of a sudden I was overwhelmed with nausea, a headache and felt more dizzy that I can remember feeling ever. Like, in my life.

When you are the mother to three very young children, and you start to feel as if you cannot function, many thoughts to through your head. For me they were things like, "How many of them will my mother and sister take home?", "What agency will I call to come and care for them if my mother and sister cannot?", "How long can they go without diaper changes, food, and milk?" "Perhaps I can convince Mom and Becky to take all three of them and they can just leave me here to die."

Oh, yes, it was that bad. I finally went to my bathroom in case the unthinkable began. Feeling very dizzy, I laid down on the cold tile, on my side. I really, truly, and honestly repeated, "Jesus, please heal me". It was kind of my old-Southern-woman moment. Cuz it seemed like He was the only one who could do anything for me at this point. I thought about asking them to take me to the ER, but knew Jesus wasn't there and the idea of being in an ER bed and not my own wasn't too great. I also remember thinking, "if anyone comes in here they might think I'm dead." So I sat up. Just in case. My mom is not a young woman, y'all. It could have gotten worse.

I sat on the floor of my bathroom for about 15 minutes while my mom bathed Duncan and my sister put the babies to bed. Thank you God that they were here.

Then, all of a sudden I had a feeling that this was going to pass. I could get up without everything going white and got on the bed. I stayed there for about 5 minutes, then went into the living room and knew I was already on the mend. An hour later, I felt almost completely fine. What is up with THAT? I was the strangest health-related thingie I've ever been through. Have had my FB peeps suggest virus, low blood sugar, MSG, my heart. My heart?? Egad.

I think it was a virus. And I think it was Jesus. Cuz He knew how much my life would suck to leave me that way!

Lovely Cheerio Accents

We are getting ready to list our house for sale. We have been in this house for ten years, and have never sold a home. We have three children under five. I am nervous about how things will go, but will just power through when our Realtor calls me to say, "I want to show your house in 15 minutes!" and I'm right in the middle of feeding lunch to the babies and Duncan has made one of his forts, using every pillow and blanket to be found for miles.

Just as an aside, don't y'all think that Shaun White's mother is about to bust a gut? That is one likeable kid.

Okay, back on topic. So, I have this fantasy that they should just be very realistic when describing our home "home to three small children...Cheerios everywhere...likely to find a pair of underwear on the floor...teeth marks in window sill...towel bar in hall bath missing because it was used as a sword...etc." I read those descriptions and can so easily read between the lines "Waiting for your touch!" means it looks like crap, basically. If there is old, dark paneling and original shag carpeting...just tell me. Don't tell me that this one owner home is in pristine shape and has many vintage touches throughout.

Realtors coming in 9 days to chat. Any tips for me???

Random Thoughts from today

• No one in this house can breathe through their nose.
  
• When I told Duncan to get ready for his bath tonight, I did not really mean "Go put on all of your hockey gear."
  
• Moose Tracks ice cream is very tasty, but I will not eat any more of it.
  
• Ellen makes an excellent judge on American Idol.
• Four year old boys can be very, very stinky. And unbelievably funny. And emotional.
• I love cooking meals for other people and bringing said meal to their door. It is enjoyable for me and feels good.
  
• I wish I had thought of the Julia/Julia thing, except my name is not Julie so it wouldn't have been so catchy.
• It will be thrilling when all three of our children can walk from the car to the door.
• Duncan is a kid who can learn, but needs guidance and boundaries to do so. He also responds very well to rewarding good behavior.
• I am seriously considering putting light blocking shades on all of the kids' windows.

Hoping that cold medicine will get me some rest tonight.

~Christie

Milking it

This was the inside of our refrigerator yesterday. We go through about 1/2 gallon of whole milk a day. Maybe not quite that much, but close. Our children all seem to be big milk drinkers. Duncan has never been a juice drinker, and really, will drink ice water before almost anything...maybe even chocolate milk. And yes, it's cheaper by the gallon but the closest grocery store does not carry whole organic milk by the gallon, only by the half gallon. Tom Thumb, believe it or not, so far has it the cheapest but I heard recently that Whole Foods house brand is even cheaper. So, considering how much milk I buy maybe I should go to Whole Foods solely for milk.

Wasn't that interesting? Milk is a big topic with me. I get panicky when we run low.

Valentine's Day is Sunday...I'm just sayin'...honey.

I Can't Even Lift My Arm

Oh my heck. One would think, by now, I would know it the instant my kid is going to have a puking sickness. Perhaps I live in a state of denial...it's just allergies. So when, this afternoon, Duncan crawled up on my mom's couch and stayed there for a few hours, it should have probably clicked in my head. I kept asking, "is it your tummy?" And he kept saying "No, it's my throat" (then added, for dramatic effect..."see, I can't even lift my arm.") I noticed he was getting sleepy, and decided it was probably time to go.

Did I mention it was cold? And raining? And I had a van full of groceries? And Iain is in Southern California? Just wanted to make sure I threw all that in.

I walked over to my mom's couch because my sister had told me he was falling asleep when I saw him. And I knew. Then I heard it. The pre-puke gagging. He does it every time. We all (my mom, my sister, and me...Claire and Finn were not terribly helpful) flew into action but it wasn't fast enough. He threw up all over my mom's couch. Oreos. My mom has raised four kids, so she knows kid puke. And does not get all panicky. Duncan gets kind of scared when he's vomiting, so he's crying, but I get him into the bathroom while my mom and sister try to keep the babies from crawling through the trail (OMG!) while whisking the blanket he'd been laying on into the washing machine.

I had already decided not to go to church tonight for dinner, and my MOPS Steering Committee meeting (sadness...I love those women and even a committee meeting is fun with them), because it was cold and rainy and unloading sleepy babies in the cold rain is well...sucky. Packed up everyone, and started home. Everything was going pretty smoothly...until I heard it. Again. Just as we topped the crest of the very high overpass that always freaks me out no matter how many times I drive over it. I pulled over, just near the "Don't Stop...There is a Prison Around Here" sign, walk to the back of the van (while staying IN THE VAN...Point. Minivan.) and clean him up the best I can and on we go.

So, got them all home. All in bed. So far so good.

Starting with the end of my day and working backwards...

7:52 p.m. - Everyone in bed asleep. I am sitting in Iain's chair, cup of hot tea, remotes, reading glasses, recipe book, candle burning, watching Damages. Love that show. I also have just realized I have had my shirt on backwards all day long. Duncan must have been pretty tired tonight because he nodded off fairly quickly. It's raining so maybe that made him sleepier. While we were listening to the rain he said, "that's Jesus...taking a shower."

5:14 - Have cup of coffee. Shepherds pie is heating up. Goal is to have everyone fed by 6:00 and twins in jammies and in bed by 6:30, then Duncan. I go get nighttime diapers, jammies, etc..so I'm ready. Am distracted on my way to the twins' room by how much I have to do. And the fifty or sixty Thomas trains in the hallway. Go back to kitchen with diapers and finish coffee. Walk over to other computer to download picture (above) and am again distracted by how much I have to do (before we have a Realtor over here.) See Claire crawling towards me with my keys in her mouth. Decide it's time to eat.

4:53 p.m. - I am baking the rest of the cookie dough so I don't eat it. Cookies, while tempting, are no match for a bowl of dough sitting around. I actually fit into a pair of jeans I have not worn in a few years yesterday so I don't need the temptation. Doughn't tempt me! Will freeze a sample from this batch and tuck them away for the taste test (I am seeking the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe).

4: 32 p.m. - Hear large thud and notice Finn face down on the floor and Duncan and Claire sitting on said couch. "Did you push him off?" No response. "Duncan, did you push him off?" "Yes, mom. But hey, now there's room for one more!"

4:31 p.m. - Awwwww...so cute! All three kids sitting together on the couch! I run and get camera and snap pic (see above.)

4:30 - Claire talking in room...go get her up from nap.

3:45 p.m. Mix up dough (I was so smart to fix my mise en place!) and start to bake cookies. Put rest of dough in fridge.

3:30 p.m. Get Duncan out of his room and explain to him that we expect better behavior at school. He dashes into kitchen and is on his stool at the counter, examining my mise en place.

2:50 p.m. - Home from pickup. Duncan to room because of his behavior at preschool. Claire to bed. Finn toddling around with me.

2:30 - Pick up Duncan at school and bring meal to friend Emily. Find out it was not a good day for him and that he spent alot of time "in red." Should have suspected something when he met me at the door to his classroom saying, "Mom...I love you." Apparently, he told his teacher that his "bottom told him to be rude all day." Hmmmph.

9: 50 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. - Home with the twins. Put both down for a nap at around 10:00 and only Finn really takes a good nap. I hear them jabbering to each other for at least 30 minutes, and Claire is back up at 11:15 or so. Finn sleeps until 1:00. I make dinner for us and the Guthries, and by the time I get them both fed and changed it's time to go pick up Duncan from preschool. Also get all ingredients measured and in little bowls ready to make chocolate chip cookies as a fun thing for us to do this afternoon. I am hoping he had a good day!

9:10 a.m. - Load up everyone and take Duncan to preschool. On the way we talk about having a good day! Have a good day! Stay on green!

7:40 a.m. - Finn wakes. Go get him out of bed, completing the trifecta of children.

7:00 a.m. - Claire wakes. I go get her. She is so happy to see me. I love her little face first thing in the morning! She is already chattering away with me as we walk down the hall. She lights up when she sees Duncan.

6:40 a.m. - Duncan convinces me to get out of bed. I get coffee immediately.

You can't really tell from these pictures, but to me, Duncan and Claire are really the two who look alike. Duncan says they "both have flat hair" which, sorry Claire, is true.

So, there is really no grand theme to this post. I noticed that I have way too many drafts of posts to finish so I'm going to just start knocking them out. We are on Day 2 of Iain being gone and things are fine. No preschool today, just church tonight. Not a difficult day in terms of logistics. Everyone did wake up quite early, so we've had morning naps. And by "we" I mean Claire and Finn. Oh, if only that we included me. I will also try for a short afternoon nap, since we have church tonight. I am trying to nut up for dinner at church with all three of them. It's really a double-edged sword for me. On one hand, I get all of them out of the house at 4:45, which as you mommies know is a terrible time of day. But, I have to get them to church, get them all downstairs, which means using the double-wide, getting them to a table, near the high chairs, leaving them unattended while I go gather high chairs, park the stroller, then hold my breath while I make several trips to get everyone's food, my tea, etc...Another plus is that I get everyone fed. No messy kitchen. Well, no messier kitchen, because it's probably not completely clean from lunch. Which seems to last for hours. Then, the biggest plus of all. I can take them all three to music and missions. Drop them off. With other loving, saintly people who take care of them, entertain them and get Claire and Finn in their nighttime diapers and pajamas. It's fabulous. Duncan loves it. Sees all his buddies and I get about an hour and fifteen minutes to myself for something. Sometimes a meeting, sometimes not. Then I pick them all up and wag them home and straight to bed.

How did I ramble off down that road? Wow. I digress.

We are having fun today playing with empty boxes, aluminum muffin pans, cardboard paper towel tubes and the couch cushions. Duncan even did some drawing. That doesn't happen very often. I was going to make cookies with him but don't think I'll get it done, and besides it would make a huge mess and then there's the dough. Don't need that temptation. I really don't think a single toy has been used. Very informative. Granted, Duncan will immediately show a great interest in any toy the babies decide they might want to play with.

Oh and my biggest mommy genius moment? Um, set up the pack and play in the living room. I can put the babies in it and like, shower. I know I did it with Duncan. Why did I feel like I had to have free range babies this time? Note to self: confinement works.

~Christie

It's just how we roll around here some days.

I really don't need to tell you how loud this got.

C

Goals for 2010

• Learn to once and for all, get our kids' bags packed the night before.
  
• Put a great effort into enriching and improving my prayer life.
• Take sewing lessons.
• Get my hair ponytail length again.
• Finish Echo in the Bone.
• Join or start a book club or Bible study.

These are mostly personal goals, not so much as a wife or mother. I love setting goals, but I love crossing them off a list even more. So, in hopes that I will get to blog again later this year and tell you that I've accomplished these will give me great satisfaction.

I am in the process of learning to pack the kids' bags the night before, especially Saturday nights in preparation for Sunday morning. I have learned to set out the clothes for the twins, but Duncan is a bit different...almost easier. It is easier now that they don't have to have formula, and can go longer without eating, but they still need to be fed at church.

I have never been a prayer warrior, but have had a full and rich prayer life. I'd like to get back to that. I would also like to start praying for my children and for their future spouses. It's not too soon, people.

I have a sewing machine. I want to learn to use it.

A ponytail is a good friend to a mother of three.

Echo in the Bone...ahhh. Diana Gabaldon is my favorite author. She writes long, lush, detailed, intoxicating stories. I love to savor them. This is her 7th, I believe in a series. I fear close to the last.

I do not know when or how, but I want to join or start a book club. Iain and I met in a small group Bible study and I really enjoyed it. I'd like to have that again. We'll see what comes to fruition...maybe I'll pray about it!

For a few reasons, today feels like a fresh start. A new week, cleared out alot of stuff at a great Mommy Swap last night, and am looking forward to a productive week.

Oh, and the Cowboys are in the playoffs, but I'm almost afraid to talk about it because you know, they are the Cowboys. Okay, well, that sentence was a total waste of time and space.

I now feel like I am getting the cold that the twins have both had. And Iain is leaving tomorrow. And there is no school until Thursday. Sudafed and Advil are my friends. This post will be short because my eyes hurt. You know how your eyes get kind of burny feeling when you are sick? That's how mine are. But I'm waiting for my turn in Duncan's room for "Mommy Time" so I will continue writing until then. I will probably fall asleep with him, and be all warm and cozy, then when I wake up thirty minutes later and come back out into the house I will feel cold. That's how it always is. He is like a space heater.

Oh, and I made the world's worst gravy today. I am usually a very good gravy maker. I come from a long line of spectacularly good gravy makers and grew up watching them. So, I can make a mean gravy. Any kind. Brown gravy, cream gravy, gravy from a pot roast....you name it. But today's? Was a horrific outcome. I think my biggest problem was that I made the roast in the crock pot and not in the dutch oven, in the oven. I like my Crock Pot, but am pretty convinced that the only way to a good pot roast is in the oven. Low and slow, but the oven. I did brown it first on the stove, then transferred it to the slow cooker. I then tried to use the brownings in my dutch oven to make the gravy. I would have probably been okay if I hadn't had a total lapse in brain power and added milk to it. It was like I had never made it before! I froze. Completely unable to remember how to do it.

I will try to give my poor, sad gravy new life as vegetable soup and let you know.

I think I need to go to bed. That whole gravy thing really took it out of me.

Window To My World

I love my kitchen window sill. Is that two words? Because right now I cannot remember. To save my life. Anyhoo, I love it. In the spring, the view is my antique roses, green grass, trees, shade, sunshine, and now children. I also get sunsets, fall foliage and the occasional ice storm. I look out this window and sometimes see my husband coming home from work, or more often, inside the house from his garage office. I also use the sill for many things. Today, my sill tells this story:

• Finn's sippy cup...he had some water then tossed it aside. He's not too great with the cup yet but I am trying to get him to use it during the day. Since it was just water, I rinsed it out and set it up on the sill to dry.
• Nail clippers. Claire and Finn need their nails trimmed often. They both have allergies and will scratch their itchy little eyes at night and end up looking like we "let them play in a briar patch", according to my mother. The sill is one of the few places that even Duncan cannot reach. So I put them up there for safe keeping.
• Tiny flower pot. This was part of one of the kids' Christmas stockings. I've put the seeds in it and water it daily in hopes the flowers will grow.
  
• Candle holder made of sand, from Dollar General. I took Duncan to do his Christmas shopping at the dollar store and this is what he picked out for his dad for his office. It broke, but I think it can be glued and I keep meaning to at least go put it on a bookshelf in Iain's office, but I never do. Meanwhile, it sits on The Sill.
• WalZyr - A/K/A Fake Zyrtec. See "all our kids have allergies."
• Googley Eye - This came off of a turkey decoration that Duncan made for Thanksgiving in school. It's really cute because it has two googley eyes...one big and one small. I love it. I need to glue this eye back on.
• Bottle of vanilla extract. We made banana muffins today and this is just where I put it when I was done adding it to the batter.
• Little People Shepherd and Baby Jesus. Apparently our Little People nativity scene got put away without at least one of its' integral characters.
• Two medicine droppers. Integral to my life.
  

What does your windowsill say about you?

This is the day...

Somehow, we all managed to stay in bed until at least 7:30 this morning. Claire until 8:00. Now we are all up, fed, changed, coffeed, and playing. One of my goals for this year is to have a less chaotic life. Going from one child to three has really put the C in Chaos for me. Most of the time, I relish it. It is what I've wanted for a long time. I see it as my job to take care of these kids and keep this house. However, going from one to three was kind of like being promoted to a Ph.D. level position with only a Bachelor's degree. But I am learning on the job and getting better all the time.

So, today my house is cleaner that it has been in months. That's because I had the lady who has cleaned for us come yesterday and help me while I cleaned/watched children/purged clutter. She cleaned. I cleaned. I purged and took things in boxes out to the garage. It was great. And I feel lighter! The house looks better. And there's more to go. We will most likely put our house on the market soon, to move to a better school district, so there is work to be done. And I am really feeling motivated and pressured to get it done.

One thing I have learned is that I need to be diligent in my upkeep. I cannot get behind on laundry, dishes, picking up...any of it. I used to have that luxury, before kids, and even with one child. But now, I do not have that luxury. There is not alot of down time. One load? Takes a long time to get from laundry basket to put away. I did not keep track, but there was a pretty long lag time on the couch for a certain load. We wont talk about it any longer.

I will take any and all suggestions. I have dusted off the crock pot and am going to put it to good use. I have GOT to get more done at night but dang. At night? I am so tired. Waking up early? Before the children? Hard to do. They are roosters. I think I need to get the majority of it done during the day. It will work out. I will keep you posted.

So, here it is, 8:30 p.m. All are in bed, but me of course. I have the kitchen halfway cleaned up and will finish before I go to bed.

So, ladies...how do you keep up with the house work? What are your tricks and secrets? Help a sister out.

Random Thoughts Revisted

• I wish I knew how to do more fancy stuff with this blog.
• My hair is at that awkward stage where it's not short, but it's not long.
• I am grateful for mild Texas winters, after living through the Bitter Blast of '09/'10.
• I am once again getting sucked into The Bachelor. Why?
• I do not understand why bridal consultants do not put the brakes on more brides who want to wear strapless.
  
• I look forward to the day we are out of high chairs with great anticipation.
  
• I love to read and have reading glasses everywhere. I get a little panicky when I can't find a pair. Kind of like how I feel about my Chapstick.
• Why do the girls on The Bachelor wear high heels to Six Flags?
• It really bugs when the girls on The Bachelor say things like, "I really like it when it's just him and I." It's him and me, ladies. Don't be afraid of grammar. (Can you tell what I'm watching right now?)
• I love a good thrift store find and will brag about it probably more than is necessary.

Christie

Pickle sandwich, cut into triangles, with the crusts cut off

We are trying to get Duncan to sleep later. Because, it makes for a very long day when you have a kid ready to go at 6:30 a.m. We are going to put a clock in his room and tell him he has to stay in his room, quietly, until 7:00. I am hopeful, but realistic. Quiet for Duncan and quiet for me are two different things, and his room is right next to ours. We will see. What I really want is for him to stay in his bed all night. He rarely comes in our bed anymore but when he does (it's a queen) he simply cannot stay still. He rubs my ears, plays with my hair, and has early onset restless leg syndrome. It is not much better when I am in his bed with him, but have realized that I do have more room in his twin than I do in half of our queen. Sad, but true. I will let you know how we do. Of course, I realize that kindergarten is looming and I will have to have him up, dressed, and fed and out the door at some unGodly hour. The irony is not lost on me.

So, today we had a birthday party at Pump It Up. He has been primed and ready for this party for weeks. When will I learn not to tell him so far in advance? Part of me wants to tell him to make him happy! He will be excited! But then it always backfires on me and I get a million questions for every minute of every day we live and breathe until the party. But finally the party came today. He was so fired up in the parking lot we had to do our breathing exercises. Made it inside, and finally into the big room with the bounce houses and I really did not see him for an hour and a half. And lots of my favorite mommy friends were there! This, however, was all tainted by the fact that I had Claire and Finn with me. They are at the delightful age where they no longer are content in their stroller and instead want to be free! To roam on dirty floors! And through open doors to nowhere! The party ended, I left a trail of Baby Goldfish, Duncan was pumped full of sugar and friendship, and we headed off to Duncanville so he could spend the night with his beloved Aunt Becky. She is taking him to his first real movie, The Princess and The Frog. I'm anxious to hear how he does! He is not one to sit still for long periods of time.

Claire and Finn have hardly napped all day, and what naps they did get were in their car seats. I am hoping they go to bed early and sleep late. Ha! But for now, they are climbing on the storage tubs full of Christmas decorations and Claire is teetering near the edge, trying to reach the key in the back door. I must go.

2010, Day 2

Totally intended to blog last night but friend, I was just too frickin' tired. I know you will find it hard to believe but we've had the sick again. Lovely ulcers in tiny throats make for long nights 'round these parts. Claire had it first, as usual, and was up two nights in a row screaming her head off. Last night, Finn seemed to have it but I could not see down his throat to verify. I do not think the handle end of a pizza cutter and a Cars flashlight were the best tools to use but it was all I had, ya know? Needless to say, we say nothing but the fronts of his teeth as he clenched them shut.

So, today is Saturday but feels like it should be Monday. Duncan has been home from preschool for two weeks, and I am starting to feel his enthusiasm for being home drain and some times, my life force drain with it. I could not love that child more but instead of waking each morning asking what we are doing that day, he now asks the night before. He is up with the roosters and getting antsy by 9:30. Gratefully, this third and final week at home is a fairly busy one and ends with a bang with me off to a MOPS Steering Retreat and some serious girl time. I'd rather have a weekend away with Iain, but I'll take what I can get in the break department.

All that to say I am also adjusting my paradigm, to use a much-loved 80's term. I have had some changes in my weekly routine. No longer will I have my faithful, helpful, saintly friend Janie coming two days a week while Duncan is in school, to keep the twins for me, setting me free all on my own for hours at a time. Can you hear my tears dripping off my cheeks onto the much in need of replacing counter-top? They drip more slowly now. I am slowly but surely coming to grips with my ability to be with at least two of my three children most of the time, and certainly Claire and Finn all week. I just have to get organized and regroup. I have to find new strategies and things that work for me, and get used to it. I thoroughly enjoyed my year of having some time two days a week to do as I pleased, but I will readjust and figure it out. I am a true introvert, however, and time to myself is critical to my well-being so part of the process will be negotiating with Iain (**waving to sweet husband**) some time to myself during the week. And, it's only about 8 months until kindergarten. But that's another post for another day.

Don't think I'll make it through the Alamo Bowl, but do think Claire and Finn have finally gone to sleep and given up on being whisked out of bed.

G'night.