I am trying out a new "theme" so to speak. It won't stay, but these days it fits me!! I don't really have anything interesting to blog about.

Oh, yesterday Rae had the WORST tantrum I have ever seen in my life. We get home from daycare and the kids are wanting a snack. I told them no b/c I was about to fix them something for dinner. ( Ry had baseball practice and I wanted to feed them before we left)

Rae: I wwwwaaannnnttt a ssssnnnnnaaaaccckkkk ( I want a snack in 4yr old whiny voice)

Me: Rae, I told you no snack. I am about to fix dinner.

Rae: Buuuttt I nnneeevvveeerrrr hhhhaaaddd a ssssnnnnaaaccckkk ( but I never had a snack).

Me: I said NO!!!

She sits down on the tile floor and starts crying.

Me: Don't start or you will go to your room and there will be no dinner.

Rae looks at me and proceeds to scream at the top of her lungs ( and I am talking a shrill scream that could shatter windows !! )

Rae: I HATE YOU !!!! ( there was no whining, just straight up I hate you!! )

I was seeing RED. She proceeded to stand up and scream and scream and scream !!!!!

What did I do??? I started laughing. I couldn't help it. She was so mad and so pissed off about a snack!!!

Me: You have got to be kidding me. Rae go to your room.

Rae: NO!!!!!

Me: Go to your room NOW !!!

Rae stomps up the stairs and slams her door. Shit, I am in trouble in about 10 years. If she does this at 4 what in the hell will she do when she is 14?

Maybe I can get a two for one deal on the military school !!!!

I let her come down when dinner was ready and she ate and apologized. Ugh, what is it with kids?

That was the highlight of my night. Ry had baseball practice and was like a freaking pogo ball out there. He couldn't stay still. I don't know what his problem was.

Oh, I finished my other book. It is "The Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult. I have read about 5 of her books now and I am on the hunt for more. She is an amazing story teller. I am picky about what authors I like to read and very rarely do I find an author where I want to read EVERYTHING they have ever written. The last author I was this crazy about was Amy Tan. ( she wrote the "Joy Luck Club") I think I have read everything she has written as well. Anyway, I was up until about one reading and then I went to bed. I was so tired that I immediately fell into a deep sleep. I was having the most livid and wonderful dreams. I have always been able to remember my dreams, but last night they were amazing !!!

Time to get to work and get this Thursday over with. We have yet another baseball practice tonight ( 3rd this week). I am going to try to contain my excitement!! ( can you sense the sarcasm? )

need your help...

I am wanting to rename my blog, but I have no clue what to call it....

I am thinking something like

Baseball and Baby Doll's

Baseball and Butterfly's

Baseball and Bow's

However, part of me wants the title to be about me and not the kids...

Help !!! I suggestions !!!!!

I will create the graphics for it of course and have someone html code it so I can revamp the page....

Come on...I want lots of suggestions...

The day OUR world changed...

I had just walked into work and my mom came up to me and asked if I had heard about the planes. We turned on the radio and I started watching all the news stations on the internet. My heart shattered into a million pieces. It was unimaginable and terrifying that someone would do this to innocent people. At the same time I was mad. I was mad that someone ended so many lives and tried to destroy America's heart. As Americans we all know that didn't happen.

Our company gave us the option to leave. I left as quickly as possible and picked up Ry at the babysitters. I remember sitting in the living room , holding him, and just crying. I was blessed that my family was safe, but at the same time hundred's of other families were mourning. It is still hard to process to this day.

Also, don't forget the brave men and women who risked their own lives for others. Don't just remember them on this day. Remember them every day. Remember the ones that serve and protect you!!!

Just one beer....

Last night I went to the gym with Teresa. We had a great work-out, made all the people around us blush with our conversation ( ha ha!! ) and then I went home...or that is where I was on my way to. I drive through my neighborhood and the "dads" are in one of their garages. Okay, so sometime over the past 2 years I think I have become one of the "dads". I have no clue if they even realize I am a girl.

So, I stop to say "hey" and they tell me to grab a beer. I was like, "Okay, but I can only have one beer because I have got to get home" Anyway, the guys are chatting and talking and I am listening to conversations about "guy" stuff I guess. Whoops, the beer is empty, time to head home..." Jill, just have another beer" ( oh and I didn't add that it is Miller Lite which, well, without being snotty...it isn't my drink of choice, but it was there so that is what I drank). " Okay, I will have just one MORE beer". When I finished this beer the dad's wife had come home. She insisted that I stay and have another beer, "Just one beer Jill". Actually I don't think I finished that beer, but none the less I am sure how you can see how "just one beer" can turn into a drunken Monday night. I left soon after that and went home.

I did have "just one beer".....just three times.

Today I have a pounding headache from the small quantity of Miller Lite that I did consume... that folks would be why I do not usually drink Miller Lite. I think next time I hang out with the dad's I will go to the store and get "just one beer" of a brand that won't leave me with a splitting headache.

Off to take more Excedrin....

The costume debacle....

Okay, I found the costume that I want for Rae....
How stinking cute would she be in this???



that or this...



What do you think?

I don't want any of that fairy shit for her this year !! LOL

the kicker... it is 35.00 !!!



I just asked Rae and she wants to be Bat Girl...sorry mom!!!! However, she will make THE CUTEST batgirl ever !!!

A Monday...

Today is a Monday and like most Mondays I woke up on the wrong side of the bed...

Okay, most mornings I wake up REALLY early bug, you see, I am NOT a morning person. I never have and I never will be. I am a night owl. Anyway, last night I as up until about midnight or so reading. By the time I turned off the t.v and went to sleep it was around 1:30 or so. Therefore, 5 came REALLY early this morning. I kept hitting snooze. Finally around 5:45 or so I fell someone poking me. It was Rae and she was already awake. This doesn't surprise me since she fell asleep at 6 last night. Anyway, she was ALREADY whining. I told her to go lay on the couch and I would be out there after my shower. I hop in the shower only to realize that my new body wash and razors were in the kitchen...great. I get out and get these things. Rae tries to strike up a conversation with me as I run through the living room clenching my towel and freezing my hiny off. Ack, are you kidding me...a conversation at 5:45... that is NOT going to happen. So, I hop in the shower, get out and again she is waiting for me. ( ready to try for that conversation again... double ack !!! ) So, I get dressed and go to the living room to get Rae dressed. I hear my name being yelled from the shower. Chris is out of soap and needs more. The morning continues like this. Rae keeps talking, Ryan wakes up in a FOUL mood ( he is my child !! ) and is having melt down after melt down. I haven't had two minutes of peace and I am quickly losing it. Finally the kids are in the truck and I am ready to go and.... I can't find my cell phone. I turned it off the night before b/c the batteries were dying so I couldn't even call it to figure out where it went. CRAP !! I spend 15 minutes looking for my POS I like to call a phone and FINALLY get out the door. I was in a better mood the minute I got in my car b/c for once that morning I had PEACE AND QUIET !!!! So,there is my morning... a total Monday.

This week is going be a long one. We have a lot of sports and a lot of stuff going on. As of this morning I am not ready for it... nope not one bit. I am still drained physically and emotionally from this weekend. I hope I find the energy and strength somewhere this week.

Okay, to end this post on a positive note...
Has everyone heard a new song on the radio whose words are like this...
"Baby, where'd you get that body from?" "Baby, where'd you get that body from?"

Okay, well Rae has heard this song somewhere. The other night Rae and I were sitting in the car waiting for Ry to finish up baseball practice and this song came on the radio.
The person on the radio is singing:
"Baby, where'd you get that body from?" "Baby, where'd you get that body from?"

Reagan bust out with the next words ( which really are the words in the song)
"I got it from my Mamma, I got it from my Mamma". I just about peed my pants. She was in tune, on que and said it with such diva attitude. It was so funny. Oh and yep, she is right..I have a feeling Rae is going to be built JUST like me.... poor kid !! LOL

This is easy...

having one kid. Ry went fishing/boating with Resa and Stephen last night and will be gone all day today. Rae stayed with me. it is 9 in the morning and I haven't had to listen to ANY fighting. Wow !!!! Okay, so a few people have asked about Ry's punishment for the school stuff. Can I just say that Chris sucked big ones when it came to handing down a punishment. Like I said in my last post, I went out Friday after work with Sash so Chris had to handle everything on Friday night. Needless to say, this is what Ry got to do this weeked.

1. Go to soccer practice
2. ( he was going to be able to play in the game, but it got cancelled)
3. Go to the b-day party AND skate and have a good time
4. Go to Drakes.

I am waiting to "see the light" when it comes to this punishment. Am I the only who thinks thathe got NO punishment? Yup, I agree with you, but Chris thinks that Ry will change b/c he talked to him. I have twenty dollars riding on the bet that I get another phonecall in the next 10 days !!!

Well, it is Sunday and I think I get some laundry done and just be lazy today!!
( with a trp to the gym thrown in there !! )

Have a good Sunday everyone!!

Oh, and remember today is Grandparent's day, so tell your grandparent's that you love them !!!

Military School...here we come...

If you think I am joking, think again. Please, someone, anyone tell me there is a military school for 1st graders. Shit, the child hasn't been in school for 10 days and I am already getting calls.

About an hour ago my phone rings. Here is the conversation:

Teacher: Mrs.H, this is Mrs. G. I am calling regarding Ryan. ( at this point my blood starts to boil. EVERY single call I have ever gotten from his teachers have been on a Friday afternoon !!

Me: Yes, how can I help you?

Teacher: I have been having problems with Ryan this week and I need to discuss them with you. ( Wow, last year at least I got a "Ryan is a very smart little boy and is so loveable and sweet"...nope not this year...this year it is, " Your son pissed me off and you are the parent so f'in do something about it !!")

Me: What has he done this time?

Teacher: Well, I wanted to let you know that I sent a note home about an incident that happened in class on Wednesday.

Me: Yes, I dind't get the note.

Teacher: That is because Ryan finally confessed today that he ripped out the note and threw it away. ( My blood pressure, which is usually uncommonly low is now RISING FASTER AND FASTER !! )

Teacher: I wrote a note because he was misbehaving and talking back to me. I put him in a chair and told him he needed to be quiet. He said, "Make Me!! ". ( ummm, WTH??? If he ever said that to me he would have soap in his mouth in a heartbeat...yup, go ahead and call CPS, but I would MAKE HIM miserable if he thinks he can talk to people like that !! )

Teacher: Once he sat down he started throwing rubber blocks at all the kids in the room. ( again, where is this coming from??? My child is no angel by any means, but he is 6.5 and temper tantrums are usually left to Rae !! ).

Me: ( under my breather)"I am going to kill him !!" ( no I am not really going to kill him, but I will make his life miserable this weekend !! )

Me: I am sorry he is behaving like this, his Dad and I will handle this situation.

The conversation went on for another 10 minutes or so about how CRAPPY Ry has been acting, but I won't translate all of that.

All I know is that Ry is GROUNDED for the weekend which means....
NO SPORTS
NO PARTIES
NO FUN !!!

He will be writing sentences as much as possible. They will read something like this.

I will not be rude to my teacher.
I will not throw things.
I will be quiet in class.
I will sit still on the carpet.
I will not drive my mom crazy anymore.
I will not be a bratty shit anymore. ( okay, not the last two, but you get my point!!)

Good thing I am meeting Sash for drinks after work. I don't think I could handle seeing him right now. I am too mad !!!!!

He better be careful or there will be no baseball next week either!!!

HEATHEN !!!

I got sucked in...

and I swore I wouldn't...to the MTV show Newport Harbor. Yes, I know this show is for the younger generation, but I can't help but watch it and be fascinated. It brings back sooooo many memories of when I was a teenager. I used to watch Laguna Beach and I loved that show as well. I am so weak I tell you.

So I posted a bulletin on myspace and it was a questionaire thingy about my Senior Year. Well, one of my old friends sent me a message about one of my answers. I realized then just how twisted and crazy things were back then. We were just like the kids on Newport Harbor ( minus driving the Range Rovers and sunbathing on daddy's yacht ). Minus all the money we were pretty much the same. It was all about who liked who, who was hooking up with who, etc...etc... One of the questions was would you go back and do it again. In a heartbeat. Would I make some different decisions? I'm not sure really. I mean now that everything is said and done it all turned out great and in return I have some amazing friends, so who is to say that I would do anything different. All of that made up part of who I am today you know? (even the shittiest, darkest days)

Here are some of my favorite highschool memories ( these aren't all senior year ones)

- After the floods of 94' I remember being trapped in my neighborhood with my parents for like 3 days. The minute I could get out I went straight to Hillary's house and stayed there for 48 hours I think. Our boyfriends were best friends and so were we. I remember hanging out with them and waching movies. We were soooo innocent back then. Gotta love puppy love.

-On the subject of Hillary's house I remember her mom would always make me chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips ( because I didn't eat chocolate for like 5 years.... weird I know, but if you know me you know I am a weird eater anyway). Her mom also made these greenbeans that were TDF. She taught me how to make them and I still make them to this day!! The first bite always reminds me of standing in their kitchen and waiting for them to be ready. Hill-you and I grew apart towards the end of our highschool years, but sooooo many memories are with you in them !!!! Love ya girlie !!!

-I remember one night I snuck out with Lacie and as we were climbing in the bedroom window my mom was standing right there. Bless my mom's heart...she NEVER told Lacie's parents. I think I got grounded for a week or something lame like that (sorry Mom, but you were LENIANT on me....don't know if my kids will be that lucky!!)

-I said this in the bulletin thing, but I remember a party over at Tamara's house and I got a flat tire b/c I ran over a beer bottle. In my drunken mind I thought that I could fix it with duck tape ( let me add here that you CANNOT fix a flat with duck tape). That same night I had to bring Jess home with me b/c she was too drunk to drive ( I had sobered up from the flat tire incident)

- Okay, last one... I remember spending MANY a nights on a certain trampoline ( don't ask MOM !! ) and driving home on the back roads behind my neighborhood. One morning ( Yes Mom, that is where I was coming from when I came home at 7 in the morning) I was driving home and there was an OSTRICH in the middle of the road. There was an ostrich/emu farm behind our neighborhood and I guess one had gotten out. I knew better than to get out of my truck. So, I had to sit there for like 20 minutes until the damn thing would move. To this day Chris doesn't believe me or thinks I was all hyped up on something ( which I was NOT !!! ).

Wow, I have soooo many more, but these are the ones that just popped into my head.

Wait, one more sorry, this one was AFTER highschool, but really funny none the less. Actually I think it was the Christmas after highschool. Okay, so does everyone remember night moves??? Okay, well Christi and I ( and some other people ) went there one night. We chugged cups of vodka and something mixed with it on the way up there and then proceeded to take shots of vodka and crown I believe before we went in. Needless to say we were TRASHED !! It was an interesting night to say the least. Christi, can you say random boys????? Anyway, when we went to take her home her mother was waiting up for her and this was the conversation..LOL just thinking about typing it.

Christi's Mom- Christi are you drunk?
Christi- ( as she leans against the wall to hold herself up)- NO, Mom, I am not DDDDDrunk.
Christi's Mom- Christi are you drunk?
Christ- ( as she begins to crawl her way to the stairs)- No Mom,I am just tired...I am nnnnnoooooottt DDDDDDRunk.

Can you see where this is going? I did not want the wrath of her mom so I quickly slipped out of the house and took my happy ass home !! LOL Christi's mom thought I was a bad influence on her. Nope, not the case, we just didn't make the best decisions together sometimes !!

I had hit publish post, when I thought of one more..

-This happened the summer after my senior year. Kam and I hung out ALL the time. I remember one night ( in the middle of the week ) we decided to go party at our friend's lake house ( ON LAKE LIVINGTSTON !!!! ). I kind of remember that night (again sorry Mom, I wasn't as innocent as you thought, you might want to stop reading now !! LOL ). Kam, that was the night where I to decide between two guys right??? LOL Anyway, I remember waking up the next morning ( well it was 10 in the morning) and thinking OH SHIT WHERE AM I? Here is the kicker...I had a job that summer as an intern at a REAL company. I had to call in and make up some crap about being sick. Oh and with the mention of Kam, can I just say that whole summer was one big FUN memory!!! I could go on and on about that one. We were nuts girl. I think the whole Friday soundtrack was our motto to live by that summer. Lova ya chica !!

Okay, done now and hitting publish post !!

Time to myself...

Sometimes I just need some time to myself. Last night Ry had baseball practice and while I was sitting there reading my book ( yet another Jodi Picoult book )I had this overwhelming urge that I needed to get the hell out of there and be by myself. There was no reason for it, but I just needed to get away. Ry was practicing, Rae was running around and I really just needed some peace and quiet. Once Chris got there I quickly packed up my stuff and headed to the gym. I already had my work-out clothes with me so I quickly changed and hit the machines.

There is something about being in the zone, feeling sweat drip down your body and letting all the thoughts of the day go with each step on the elliptical. As I focus on the words of the book I am reading I find myself engrossed in another world, in someone elses life and for a little bit, I escape. ( not that I am escaping from anything bad, but we all need a break every now and then ). As my heart beats faster and faster I put the book down and deal with the emotions and bullshit of the day. Sometimes it is processing happiness, other times it is processing stress. Whatever the case may be for some reason the gym is like therapy for me. Especially when I go alone. As I make my way over to the recumbant bike ( because my knee is throbbing, thank you drill-team...ugh) I sit down and start pedaling as fast as my legs will go. My legs are burning and with each cycle I want to stop, but I know I have to keep going and going. That is the way life is you know? Sometimes you want it to stop for a few minutes so you can catch your breath, but we all know that isn't possible. I close my eyes and start processing all my thoughts. I sort out the things that need done at work, home, etc... I plan out a make-shift schedule of the week so I am not frantically trying to get the kids from here to there and so that I can try to get a grip on my scatterbrainedness. ( is that a word? ) When my time is up on the bike I stop and slowly stand up. My legs are shaking and room is slightly spinning. I love this feeling. Why? I don't know, but I have always loved that feeling of having everything drained from me. I take a drink of water and head over to the machines/weights. I work on my problem area...my legs... ack, it is not as easy to get my legs skinny as it was in highschool, damn getting old is hard sometimes. I climb onto one of the machines and as I am doing leg presses my muscles feel like they are on fire. My legs begin shaking and again I close my eyes and put my head back and enjoy the burn. Eventually I am done with my work-out. I feel like a new person. I am ready to go home and leave behind anything that was bothering me, stressing me out, or embrace the thing that is making me happy.

When I got home last night the kids were fed, showered and already in bed. Chris did good. It was a good night. No, not that I don't want to see my kids at night, but I feed them, give them a shower, and put them to bed the majority of the time so having a night off was nice. I wasn't totally off the hook though. At 1 in the morning Rae came to my room. I was exhausted and couldn't even have the middle of the night battle with her. Therefore, she won and got to sleep with me. Yep, I was weak last night !!!

Anyway, so that was my night last night. I will probably go back to the gym tonight. It is Wednesday and I don't have much else going on. The kids can play in the kid area while I do a rinse and repeat of last night. This gym membership is much cheaper than therapy I tell you !!

In depth...

Okay, so I am finally at work and I am able give you a few updates about the weekend.
First off, I apologize that I kept saying Memorial Day. Yes,I know it was Labor Day, but please remember that I have two children and I forget what day of the week it is most of the time. I am lucky to remember Christmas !!!

So, yesterday was fun. We went over to my sister's house to swim and my niece Jenna had a friend over playing. Her name is Lindsey ( the friend, not my niece ). Lindsey is 6 and Ryan thought she was soooo pretty. The funny thing is that Lindsey has a crush on Ry as well. As sweet as I thought this was,it kind of freaked me out. I mean, I knew that there would be a day where Ry would start liking Jenna's friends. I just didn't know it would be at 6 yrs old. We were eating dinner at my parents and Ry was very adamant that Lindsey sit by him. Awwwwwww !!!!!

Then we went to see baby Emma. I thought Rae would be all excited about it, but do you know who was the most inquisitive??? Ryan !!! He told me that he wanted a little brother... Sorry kiddo, not gonna happen !!!!! The LAST thing that I need is a baby. Baby Emma is gorgeous and sweet and I didn't want to give her back !!!

I finally got a new card reader so I was able to upload all the pictures. I figured I would put the big ones on my blog, but all you really have to do is click on the picture and you can see the big version on it, so I am not going to waste my time!!

Today I am back at work. Rain is in the forecast, which is quite depressing. Rae is suuposed to have soccer practice today, however I wouldn't be surprised if it got rained out. What doesn't get rained out these days?????

Labor Day...

It was a great day !!!
I have lots and lots of pictures to share!!!

I can't access my photobucket account right now, so I am going to have to upload them in blogger for now. I will put big pics up tomorrow. This is for now !!!

These first ones are when we first got to my sister's house. It was in front on her barn.







These next ones are of the kids swimming. The adults were drinking wine !! LOL













This next set is from my parent's house. The kids were all playing on the tire swing and having a blast.







These last one's are baby Emma !!! Gretch had her on Wednesday. Isn't she beautiful???? She is soooo sweet. I didn't want to put her down.







Okay, hope you enjoy all the pics !! I will blog in the morning about the events of the day, but for now, here are the pics !!

It wasn't that bad...

Splashtown that is... I was dreading going. It is always crowded and the lines are always too long. That wasn't the case today. We got there at 10:00 ( when it opened ) and did all the water slides first. Rae is finally tall enough to ride most of them. My little dare devil loved them !! She went down so many times. The lifeguards freaked out a few times b/c she was small, but she held on and stayed in the tube each time. Ry and Rae loved the wave pool. I managed to work on the tan some and I even rode some rides. Overall, we had a really good time. I am trying to relax so that I can start cleaning the house soon. Blech !! I want to get it over with tonight though.

Not much else to say. I hope everyone had as great of day as I did and that they were able to enjoy their family as well !!

It hurts...

my head that is. It is 7;30 on a Saturday morning and I can't sleep. I am hungover and sitting here with a headache. I am supposed to take the kids to splashtown today, now that one is going to be fun !!! ( can you sense the sarcasm? ) I had fun last night, but feel like crap today because of it. Mom, don't lecture me on drinking okay?

Anyway, I am sitting here in a quiet household. The kids are still asleep and I am sitting in the recliner updating the blog. I have a lot going on this weekend so I will update when I can. I am hoping to get some new pics of the kids this weekend. I am not taking my camera to splashtown, so it won't be from there LOL Maybe if I get the house clean tonight I will take them to do some pics tomorrow morning before our little get together. I need to get Rae's hair trimmed, but don't want a pair of scissors to go near her. Her hair is finally getting long again !!!

Okay, so my early morning ramblings are over. Before I end this I am going to post some quotes that I have found over the years and these are just the ones I have found about life so to speak. I have TONS of ones about families and kids, but that can be another post !!

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."
-Albert Schweitzer

"You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without."
-unknown

"Within you I lose myself
Without you I find myself
Wanting to be lost again."
-Unknown

The only way to have a friend is to be one.
* Ralph Waldo Emerson

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
Ben Stein