Sweetarts

My mom once told me that life was alot like sweetarts. There are always the parts of your life that are so sweet and lovely. Your marriage, kids or just those simple moments in life where you think it can't get any better and you are exactly where God has planned for you to be. Then there are those tart moments where you struggle or even wish for the "old" times. Rocky parts in jobs or marriages, kids growing up those parts that can have you questioning your life or feeling sad about where it is going.But you really can't have one without the other. I wouldn't give up the tart parts because they make the sweet parts so much better and I wouldn't give up the sweet parts because they make the tart parts worth struggling through, they are the parts of life that I feel truly make you who you are. Lately that is exactly how I have been feeling especially when it comes to my kids.

My kids are growing way too fast. Natalie can read and write and when playing family games she can keep score!! She makes friends and wants to spend all her time with them. Jake is going to be a kindergartner in the fall and I'll be home alone(that part is kind of sweet). He likes some independence and he also wants to spend more time with friends then with me. Greyson has me feeling the most bittersweet. My sweet little chubby baby is registering for Jr. High today. He's too young. And after a trip to the eye Dr. we found out he is getting glasses. Once again I feel he is too young. As I'm paying for the glasses I feel that I am old. Only My mom can buy glasses, I'm too young for this!!

I don't want any of those kids to grow up. This is my tart part of life right now. I hate seeing them get so big and get their own opinions and not rely on me so much. And yet, the sweet part of my life is the same thing. I love to see them grow up and what they think and their opinions. I love not having them rely so much on me and things are easier. We can really do alot more. I told Greyson the other day that my whole job is to train these kids to leave me. How bittersweet is that? I do want them to grow up and find their own way but they will always be my babies and it's so hard to relinquish those strings and let them become their own person. See, Tart and Sweet at the same time. I wouldn't give any of those parts up because they do make life worth living and this is the way it is supposed to be.

I really think you have to have both the sweet and tart in order for life to progress. Because sometimes the tart part is also the reason I look forward to them all leaving!! They can truly drive me bonkers. I love having conversations with them and seeing the way they think. I hate seeing them hurt but that's life right? At least they still need me to console hurt feelings and honestly I still need my mom for that too. I really do like seeing them become People and not babies. But watching it can be hard. It truly is sweet and tart at the same time but having them together makes it all the more bearable.

I'm going to go fingerpaint with the 2 that are home today (one is "sick")and then eat some sweetarts. Have a good day.

Spotted over the weekend....

Kids throwing towels on the floor after they use them. 5 year olds making it rain...with Chocolate chips. Little girls getting all books, crayons, coloring books, and just about anything else they can think of and NOT playing with them. Children getting out every game in their house and never putting any away. Kids "making traps" with yarn in the entire living room!! Mayhem and choas reign supreme everywhere you look. All this in one house people. These were just my 3 kids!! There is so much more I can't even think. Not only that but they also have become deaf. Yes, it's true anything I say is not heard. I can not believe that my sweet kids would not listen to me on purpose. They are either deaf or have lost their brains because anything I say goes in one ear and out the other. I can even tell them to eat a whole gallon of Ice cream and I'll get a "huh", or "I don't want that kind of ice cream". You may be asking where I was during this travesty in my own home. No, I was not out enjoying myself with massages and manicures. I was RIGHT HERE IN THE SAME HOUSE. These kids have super powers. I go upstairs to brush my teeth and BAM! there are books and little girl stuff spread out all over the house. Up the stairs down the stairs, a little pile of girly stuff in every room. It's like she's marking her territory. I go to the bathroom and KAPOW!It's raining chocolate chips and the dogs and cat are jumping all over to get them. With one little 5 year old laughing like crazy. The worst is as while I'm looking at one kid he uses a towel from the towel rack and just throws it on the floor!! He thought I wouldn't see him, thinks he's flash from the Incredibles that kid does.

It was quite the day on Saturday. As you can see. There was so much stuff going on with the kids and the more I tried to get a handle on it the worst it became. The most I can say is at least they were united, even if it was against me. Sunday was much better and we had a wonderful Easter. Hope you all did too.

Finally diet advice I can stick with

From Maxine:


Yesterday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical.
My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was high, I'd gained some weight, and I didn't feel so hot. My doctor said eating right doesn't have to
be complicated and it would solve my physical problems. He said just think in colors...Fill your plate with bright colors... greens,yellows, reds, etc.

I went right home and ate an entire bowl of :



And the other one here is from my Redbook magazine. It says that you can lose 50 calories just by laughing 10-15 minutes.
I can so do this diet!!!

Happy 30th Birthday Liz

Thirty years ago today my sister Elizabeth was born.I was a little upset that my parents decided not to name her Laurel. My plan as a 5 year old was to name her Laurel and I could then become The Bionic woman. Yes,I have always been a goofy goober. Instead she got saddled with Elizabeth, poor girl.LOL.

My mom has this great picture of Liz when she was about 3. It's usually my mental image of Liz when I think about her. She has this adorable pink bonnet and dress on with her mop of hair sticking out of the bonnet. She is bent over smelling the daffodils and looks so happy. I love that picture of her.

She is my first sister out of 3 and now we are both old foggies in our 30's. Her and I are also the only ones that have kids so far.She is a wonderful mother of 5 and I marvel everyday on how she does it. We have a good time bonding over our parenting tales.

We have moved many times together and grown up together. We have played school and house and beat eachother up. I have tried to teach her how to clean and she has taught me how to smell the roses (or daffodils). We have had our differences as all sisters do but I still stand by her because she is my sister.

We live apart now but stay in touch weekly if not daily. I think of her often but miss her more. Thanks Lizzie for being my sister for the past 30 years. Thanks for sharing the past 30 holidays with me whether together or apart. Thanks for sharing your barbies your clothes and your children with me. Mostly just thanks for being an awesome sister. I miss you and love you. Laurel

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A Wish for a Friend
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

The soundtrack of my life

I love music, just about any kind by anyone. I can't sing worth anything but I still like music. Alot of time while I listen to certain songs I think "gosh, that could be my life". So, today I'm just going to post some of the songs that can define my life at any moment or time. Here we go.....

• World on a String-Michael Buble, I like all the remakes of this song but I like Mr. Buble's song the best.


• Having a Bad Day-Blue Flannel (I think) this song is still on a cassette tape!! One of my sister's listened to it over and over on a bad day and I adopted the song. It fits some days.


• Material Girl-Madonna, Aren't we all just Material girls in a Material world?


• Another one bites the dust-Not sure who it is by but I have it going through my head when I am getting my to do list to done.


• Dancing Queen-Abba, this one reminds me of Nebraska and my Grandm. She's not a dancer I just remember listening to this on the way to see her.


• T-R-O-U-B-L-E-Travis Tritt. I can be trouble and so can my kids.


• My Stupid Mouth-John Mayer Sometimes I have foot in mouth disease. 'nuff said.


• I'm a goofy goober- Spongebob and Crew. I think this is self explanatory.


• Some Days you Gotta Dance-Dixie Chicks because somedays that is all you can do.


• I will survive-Aretha Franklin? not sure but there are days it becomes more of a mantra.


• Shout-not the one by Tears for Fears but the Isley Brothers. This one can be good or bad. Shout at my kids, shout for fun, whatever this is a multitasking song!!!


• Don't Go Away Mad Just Go Away-Motley Crue. Take this one however you want to.


• Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word-Elton John To make up for the Motley Crue song.


• If you Wanna be Happy-This is from the Mermaid movie with Cher and Winona Ryder. This song my sisters loved when Bob and I started dating. The main words are if you wanna be happy for the rest of your life never make a pretty woman your wife. Reminds me of a young Bob and Laurel.


• You've got a friend in Me-Toy Story. For just about any one in my life.


• London Bridge-Fergie Maybe not the most tasteful song but fun and makes me think of my dear husband. Like I said not the most taseteful.

And finally, from a cartoon (again) Bear in the Big Blue House sings the clean up song. LOVE IT!!! I need to get that put on my itunes. A good quote includes Hey everybody let's clean up the house. Music to my ears. Not all in my home think it is as good. I don't understand it. I think it is Pure Gold!!! LOL.

What about any one else. Do you have music go through your head at all times? I can also at any moment have the Star Wars or Indiana Jones themes go through my head. So, if there is ever a musical about my life you can add those songs too. Go ahead post the songs that go through your mind, help me not feel like a walking jukebox. Go ahead, I tag anyone and everyone who reads this to post the soundtrack to their life.

Hmmmm

I've been thinking of this poodle thing. I really don't like being linked to J-Lo or Posh. Not my 2 favorite women in the world. I would actually rather be linked to Madonna or even Angelina including her "bad" years. But on the other hand I do like really nice things, not that I can afford any but I do like them. I'll take the cheap knock offs in any case or just wait.My one big splurge is clothes but still I do not buy any of the big name brands. What bothers me the most is that I may be sending out the message of being a materialistic dog. I know it is just a quiz and for "entertainment purposes only" but I hate being misrepresented. On the other, other hand I am who I am and that's all I can be. I like nice and new things period. That's me. I don't HAVE to have those nice things either.I can deal without them, I have so far and it has not been detrimental to my life. I do struggle with simplicity a lot and I need to remember sometimes that lots of stuff only gives you more work. I do like some of the more simple things in life like walks with my family, movie night,or game night and just a nice cuddle. It's just a quiz but it really got me thinking. I'll stay a poodle but I'll be the voice for the other side of us sweet doggies and realize that my worth is not in the clothes, cars, or lifestyle in which I lead. I am Poodle hear me bark!!!
I also have a very corny sense of humor, I hope the poodle does too.

Here's another fun one....

My sister sent this quiz to me. She's loves quizzes!!

Terriyaki beef and noodle bowls

My friend Sillya keeps posting these yummy dinner ideas on her blog site. You should all go over there and look. Her recipe for today was potato soup. YUMMY!!! She is also a great cook. Since I am not a good cook I surround myself with good ones. Here is one of our family favorites to add to the list. In our house it is just called cheap chinese but it sounds so much better (and fancier) when the real name is used. Here ya' go:

1 lb ground beef
1 package stir fry vegetables
2 packages oriental flavor ramen noodles
chopped peanuts if desired

Brown ground beef ( I do this with the spice pack from the ramen noodles) Cook noodles according to directions, drain water add to ground beef mixture. Mix in veggie pack and cook until tender.

I usually double this recipe to feed the whole family. Also, I don't mix the noodles with the ground beef instead I put the noodles in the bottom of the bowl and the kids mix it up as they eat. The kids love this and for once never complain about the veggies in it. It's famous in our house because I cook it alot since it is so cheap and easy to make. I'm all about cheap and easy.

The week (or two) in review

After being sick I've done some catching up in the house. The cleaning that I didn't get done the week I was out. I also sprayed lysol EVERYWHERE. I don't want this bug going around. It was awful. My house is now semi cleaned again. I've resigned myself to the fact that it will never be spotless. And who really cares if it is? I will always have dust somewhere and a pile or two of junk somewhere else. When I don't care it makes things so much easier on me.

The weather has turned nice so I've had to go through spring/summer clothes for the kids. I also did some shopping for more. I love shopping. I love the smell and feel of new clothes. I don't understand when Bob wants his new clothes washed before he wears them. If I were disgustingly rich I'd wear new clothes- without washing-everyday!!! And the saddest thing about all this shopping is I really didn't find much for anyone in the house!!! I really don't like some of the new styles and things are just really expensive right now. So, I actually walked out of a store without buying anything and Jake was totally amazed that I walked out without anything in my shopping cart. I'm just going to wait for awhile on the clothes, maybe I'll actually lose weight. Yeah right.

Grey is my other problem on clothes. He is very picky right now and I've had to buy him new jeans 4 times this school year. He has hit a huge growing spurt and I can't keep up with it. I think he is actually my height but I refuse to measure him because I'll cry. I'll just hide my head in the sand. If he wasn't so particular on his clothes it may be easier but he doesn't like anything that will make him "different" . Which is totally normal for his age and I'll let him find his own style but in the meantime finding anything for him to wear is becoming impossible. So, when he finally outgrows everything else and refuses to wear anything new he may have to run around naked.

The kids got their report cards on Friday and both had good grades. Grey was surprised that 2 bad math papers could bring his grade from a low A to a high B. Maybe he understands it now, natural consequences aren't very nice sometimes. Natalie's teacher writes a personal note to all the students to go in with their report cards. The teacher writes such positive and uplifting things to the kids while also letting them know what to work on. Natalie needs to work on her handwriting and because the teacher wrote it so sweetly Natalie is doing just that.

Sunday we went to a hockey game for a friends birthday. It was Jake's first and he totally loved it. Except for the mascot bear who he was afraid of and hid anytime he came near. It was also Natalie's first that she can remember and she is ready to go and play. Greyson was busy paying attention to the rules and is now researching all the little things he didn't understand about the game. It was really fun and we may do it again as a family.

So, that's my boring but hectic life in the last 2 weeks. I may not actually do much but just keeping everything put together becomes harder then it looks. My goal this week is to finally call an old friend from Nebraska that I miss and to get me and Grey into the eye Doctor.