Oh, the lives we lead...Day 14 and 15

Why is it that when B works nights everything gets 10 times busier?  I have had to call in the troops (i.e. my in laws) for reinforcements many times in the past few weeks to help.  This is when I am happy we all live nearby, what would I do if we moved to a different state?  I guess I would deal, like my mom did all the years that she lived away from her parents and in laws and my dad worked out of town.  Although, I have hoped and prayed for a change from Texas....not to get away from anyone but just to experience some place new and have the kids have that experience as well.  Doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon, and thank goodness, because I am not sure where I would've been these past few weeks without the help. 
T's basketball schedule should be winding down now, finishing up in a few weeks...taking away the stress with it.  I have to say though, last game there were some BIG improvements in team work.  It made a much easier ride home, that's for sure.  When they feel like they've been able to play and show who they are on the court and enjoy themselves, it improves their attitude by leaps and bounds. 
G's Tae Kwon Do has been so fun to watch, and I will have to call in help again tomorrow to get him to class while I am at T's game.  Things are much easier when B is here and we can tag team parent like the pros we are.  He hates missing everything too....and I know the kids are really missing seeing him at regular times of the day, like bedtime. 
Luckily, R is not involved in anything right now....but Spring soccer is upon us, so this might change.
This weekend has gone by in a blur....so stinkin' fast, I wish we had one more day.  I think I say this every Sunday.  B is off tonight before heading back in Monday so we will be enjoying having some normalcy this evening....together. 
Yesterday after T's basketball game, my friend Michelle, her son and T went all around town and took on Ellen's Dance Dare.  Hilarious stuff!!  The boys had a blast and they all turned out great.  I really do hope that it makes it on the Ellen show, although I know it is a long shot.  But, feel free to check out all the videos and share away because they need all the love they can get. 
Check out michellekingfamily channel on YouTube!  All 7 videos are hilarious.
Since we have had such a busy weekend, I think the kiddos are a little burned out....which leads to the always exciting sibling fights in the front yard!  Needless to say, they were both sent to their rooms to clean for hours and seem to be in better moods all around.  R is finally released and able to go ride on her scooter and T was playing with G.  Love it. 
Obviously, I am behind on my Project 365...again.....

Day 14:


G was home sick Thursday...so we made brownies!

Day 15:


Are you happy, Mom?  I'm playing with my brother....

 

Keep on keepin' on.....

Epic fail on the 365 project.  It is okay....I will play catch up.  But other than that, today has been pretty great.  Got out of my little rut....or as others might call it..a routine this morning.  A great friend of mine invited me out to lunch and to make a stop at a farmer's market.  Usually Tuesdays....I am cleaning all day to prepare for small group on Wednesday nights.  Thank goodness, I stepped out of my little box I call "home" and got out for a bit.  A little girl talk does the brain well. 
I really think that if I allowed myself to, I could be one of those women who never left the house.  I am already that way with the grocery store.  I mean, really.....how often do you actually see people you want to see there.  How wonderful is it to stroll down each aisle and try to visualize the list that you left on the counter at home?  Ugh.  Hate the grocery store.  Yet, I do have to leave the house, there are games to attend and bills to pay.  So, it was nice today to get a break from the norm, which as you can tell, I haven't had a whole lot of since B has been on nights. 
At the farmer's market today I snagged squash, strawberries (3 cartons because my boys are strawberry addicts), green beans, onions, and pears.  Beautiful produce, I tell you.  G had a plateful of strawberries for dessert and then a pear for his dessert after his dessert.
So, on with Project 365:
Day 12:


Hubby and T playing Xbox before he has to go to work...

  Day 13:


Farm fresh goodness...



Positive thoughts...

I don't know many people that wake up and say, "YES!  It's Monday!  I've been waiting all stinkin' weekend for this day!"  Even as a stay at home mom, who doesn't have to get all gussied up and head out the door to work, I don't look forward to Mondays either.  So, I wonder if it has ever been documented that Mondays are the most negative day of the week...the day of the week that we all find the negatives in every moment instead of the positive.  I have a feeling it is. 
I try so hard to tell my kids to be positive.  Especially my daughter, who has the personality to dwell rather than move on and has the ability to find more negative in a situation than any positive.  I am not sure how many times a day I encourage them to think more positive and to BE positive, but I truly wonder if they can sense that behind my words.....I dwell on negative too.  I worry, ponder, think deeply, and analyze many situations through out my day.  When it comes to kids, I want them to think positive, because I am sure that I have enough the negative down for all of us.  No practice needed. 
My daughter has been bullied most of the year by a girl she's known since pre school.  I tried taking the positive route....now I am done.  Even after switching classes and having it handled at the school, she still finds ways to make snide remarks to my daughter.  Lord, help me, sometimes I wish I was a 4th grader and I could head to school with a handful of smart little comebacks for this little girl.  Alas, I can not.So, instead of dwelling on it....I try to make solutions.  Of course, I can not "fix" someone else's child and definitely not the parents.  But I can teach my daughter right from wrong.  I can teach her how to stand up for herself and not be treated like a doormat.  I can remove her from any situation as I see fit, like not parking my car anywhere near the girl's mother after school, so that R can walk to the car without hearing her name in the little girl's conversations behind her.  I also can not fight every battle but I have found myself what some might consider a "helicopter" mom more times than I would like to count this year.  Especially, when it came to threats at my son's junior high.  Is it any wonder that I am pretty much done considering sending my youngest son to our public kindergarten this year? 
See...all of that negative thinking.  So, to repair my thought process I am going to make a list for myself of positive thoughts. 

• All 3 of my kids are healthy
• I am married to a  man who has watched me grow from an 18 year old girl to a 31 year old wife, woman and mother....and still loves me.
• I have been able to stay at home with my children, albeit a few fun part time jobs to shake things up a bit every few years.
• My children all still love to show me affection.
• My almost 13 year old son still tells me he loves me when he hangs up, even on the athletic bus on the way to games.
• My husband loves me.  He truly loves me.
• I love him.  Deeply.
• I still have one living grandparent and he is amazing.
• My father had a heart transplant!  A heart. Transplant.  Miracle!
• I am blessed with family.  Biological, step and extended.
• We own a home.
• I can walk.
• I can pray....freely.
• My sister...she's the greatest.
• My mom has taught me so much.
• My youngest son loves to grab me by both sides of my face and kiss me smack on the lips and tell me he loves me.
• My husband is the best father I have ever met.  He is involved with the kids in every single way and wouldn't have any other way.
• I have food in my refrigerator and pantry.
• I have heat when I am cold and air conditioning when I'm hot.
• My daughter loves to leave me notes on her whiteboard.
• I can read.
• I have clean water.
• I live in the United States.
• I have health insurance.

There are so many more......but this way when I start drifting into the Sea of Negativity I can come back and look at my list....and maybe even add some more to it. 

HAPPY MONDAY!  And if you must....fake it til you make it. 

Source: oakridgerevival.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Project 365: Day 10 and 11

I think G must have been up pretty early this morning with anticipation for his first Tae Kwon Do class.  He was bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning at 7, as he opened my eyes with his little fingers and said-Mom....can we get up yet??
The class went perfectly and I really can't wait until the next one.  I am so happy he has found something else to keep him occupied and as much as he likes to play ninja at home...I have a feeling that this will be a good fit for him.
Last night, R went and stayed at the in laws with her cousin so it was just the boys and I hanging out....which leads to the Day 10 picture...
I'm starting to think he might be more comfortable on the living room floor than his own bed...

And my little Tiny Tiger after class....too cool to smile..

You Made it to Friday!

It doesn't feel like Friday to me.....I'm not sure why.  I can only imagine that it is because B is still on nights 7 days a week, so everyday is about the same.  I will get to sleep in past 6 am though. 
Last night, was T's basketball game.  Brutal beating, once again.  We have 3 boys on the team who pass back and forth to each other only.  So, the rest of the team, to get their hands on the ball, need to score a rebound.  Pretty frustrating, as a parent watching.  Teamwork doesn't seem to be a word in a lot of people's vocabulary.  I can only hope that it will improve when he gets to 8th grade....and the coaches really coach and pump the boys up. 
Okay, I'll get off my hovering, parent soap box. 
Exciting news in our house....G starts Tae Kwan Do tomorrow!  He is beyond excited and I can not wait to get pictures of him in his spiffy uniform.  T told me that I better get used to washing that uniform every few hours because he doubts that G will ever want to take it off. 
My Project 365 : Day 9 picture, yes, it is blurry but I love it.  You can see that T is happy to be playing.

I could really use a getaway or an escape or really just a day of complete isolation....so in honor of me feeling like this.....my favoite pins that I want to crawl into and live.

Source: flickr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: vintagerosegarden.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: 7beaches.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Have a fabulous weekend, my friends.

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Project 365: Day 9....

....and let's just be honest probably Day 10 too.  Wednesday's mean Small Group night in my house.  Around 10-15 pre teen and teen boys and the leader.  That's a lot of movement. And a lot of chili to cook.  So, if I don't get around to it.....here's two pictures for my own sake.

Now, you see, the poor girl is just trying to do her homework....and then you have these two buffoons that want to play war.  Poor kid.

Project 365: Day 8....and a belated Wacky Day post

It was a sunny 76 degrees here in Texas today.  The kids played outside the majority of the day until we brought them in for an early movie date.  Dolphin Tale, popcorn, Coke for a treat....we all piled into the family room with pillows and blankets.  Great movie, amazing story.  Yes, I cried. 
It was nice to spend time together until B had to head into work.  I now have all 3 of the kiddos in their beds.....and I plan on hopping in the shower....oh, the luxuries of motherhood.  A quiet shower? Score. 

Just another normal day at the Dodds' household.....

I never posted about G's Wacky Day at school.....
We've discussed his.....well, lack of being flexible.  Which makes Wacky Day, a bit hard for him. The only mismatching his does is by complete accident.  Like I've said before, it comes packaged together or if it was on a mannequin together at a store and comes home with him....then it will stay to.geth.er.  He was able to agree on mismatching his shoes and mussing his hair up quite a bit but if you didn't look closely, you wouldn't have noticed much. So, here is The Boy in all of his wacky-ness.

You may unshield your eyes now....I know that craziness was a lot to take.

Project 365: Days 6 and 7

So....my camera battery died last night...which means there's a 2 for 1 special today! 
I was alone most of the night anyway with B at work,  T at Monster Jam, R staying at a friend's and G escaped to his Pop and Gran's again.  I read my book, Winter Sea, which turned out amazing.  And played Words with Friends...I am addicted.  B and I are 3 for 3 right now....why are we the most competitive with our spouses?
Tonight, after my throw together dinner that was inspired by a pin....Country Club Chicken...we goofed around at the table and G stole my glasses.  Yes, I warned him that he would have a headache or go blind....he didn't care.
Day 6


Seriously, how funny is this?

Day 7





My kiddos are out of school tomorrow.....and the hubs will be sleeping to go back to work tomorrow night....pray for me, people.  Pray for me. 

Project 365: Day 5...all tuckered out

For little man, today must have been a long one.  He didn't have school but he woke up around 6:50am and start getting sleepy this afternoon.  Never wanting to miss a thing, he did everything he could to keep himself awake.  I was lucky to get his teeth brushed before he passed smooth out....

In his fave robe/pj combo and after he watched the whole Disney movie.....


This was going to be my picture of the day...

Hope everyone has a nice, relaxing weekend.  T is off to the Monster Trick Rally? Races? tomorrow night with a group of kiddos and a dads.  My only hope for the weekend......for G to sleep in...like until 9.  With all that beauty sleep every one of these crow's feet should be gone by Monday.  Here's to hoping.

Project 365: Day 4....A Texas Sunset

The week is almost over!  Whoop! Whoop! 
I have to make myself remember to do my picture everyday this weekend....wish me luck.  I tend to lost track of time on the weekend.  The kiddos are off Monday, as well.  3 days of sleeping in....I will try to get the memo to G. 
Dinner tonight was a success....fantastic Shepherd's Pie you can find over at The Hungry Housewife.  I doubled the recipe and baked it in a 9x13 pan.  We always need plenty to share or for B to take to work for his dinner. The kids that eat normally....all loved it!  If it's not PB and honey, G doesn't like it, so his vote does not count.  I also used Shiner instead of Guinness...come on we are in Texas. 
After eating, the big kids had a pick up game of basketball and G rode his Rip Rider around, mostly trying to run over the big kids.  I took lots of pictures of them playing together...because they weren't fighting (Whaaa?!).  The star of the show was turned out to be the sunset.  There's nothing quite like a Texas sunset.  Pinks and purples light up the sky.  And even crazy kids stop to watch God's masterpiece.

And proof that the kids can play and not fight.

Nice socks, by the way.

Project 365: Day 3

20 minutes before midnight totally counts! 
I almost forgot about my precious Project 365...and we're only 3 days in!  I took a few pictures this morning...but I'm going with the picture I just took of our sweet, dachshund, Leni.  She is spoiled rotten....and when B is working nights...even more so.  I never thought I would be a small dog kind of person.  I am.  Love her.

Project 365....Day 2

Today started out pretty rough.  R, my 10 year old daughter....had a...let's call it a "moment"...this morning.  She is what you would call unpredictable; one day she's as happy as can be getting up and then the next she wakes up and you feel like you might have been cast in another Exorcism movie.  Lately, it's been the Exorcism set...which really starts your day out perfectly.  It usually stems from somewhere and I can only guess that this morning wasn't the best because today was Class Picture Day.  Problem?  She couldn't decide what to wear.  Even though I woke her up 30 minutes earlier.  She stood inside of her closet and stared at all of her clothing choices for those 30 minutes.  I offered my opinions and she scoffed like I was some complete loser (which I guess I might be in her mind).  I told her just wear jeans and a cute top....her reply: " I don't have any jeans to wear!".  At this point at looked into her closet...at the 12 pairs of pants and jeans she had on the shelf...and laughed.  You know the laugh, the maniacal laugh of all mothers after we've had ENOUGH.  She is not one to listen to your rant and then put her head down and walk away.  She fights back.  Like a frickin' Mama Grizzly bear. 
I'm sure you get it by now, that we were both in tears by the time she finally got to school this morning.  Me out of frustration and anger.  Her out of anger and....confusion, because she always claims to have "done nothing wrong".
I didn't even call my mom and tell her about our little conundrum today.  I honestly didn't want to hear an "I told you so" or "You were just like that at her age."  which I am sure that both would be adequate.  Sadly, I am grudge holder.  I know, I know....let it go.  Be free...blahdy, blahdy, blah....but that's what I cleaned like Martha Stewart on crack today...okay, I wouldn't go that far.  Maybe just like me with more coffee.  I cleaned and dusted, and scrubbed the bathroom floor on my hands and knees.  And it worked.  I got over it.  Mostly.  She is grounded from TV tonight because of the ugly things she said during her rant this morning.  Which led to my picture for today.  She was outside by herself and happily drawing hopscotch all over the driveway and skipping away. 

Yes, I know, she's cute as can be.  I agree....but I must say I'm a teensy (and by teensy I mean immensely) worried  that if class picture day causes this much of a freak out....I am NOT looking forward to the teen years.  If you would like to join in on Project 365 or you are already doing your own, please share the love!  I want to see all the cool pictures!

The beginning....of Project 365: a picture a day for a year

I was inspired by a pin I saw the other day on Pinterest....a woman who happens to be a mother and photographer, realized that she wasn't taking pictures of the moments everyday that her family would cherish in the future. 
Don't we all do that?  We have the pose in front of the Christmas tree, the smiling, happy children pose with Easter outfits on, the Birthday picture by the cake....but we forget the moments that come and go so quickly. 
I am not a photographer.  My love of pictures comes from my admiration of others' photos and the inspiration it gives me to click away.  I figured I could handle a picture a day, and what better way to document our day to day lives than with simple shots taken each day?  Yes, it would have been ideal to start this adventure on New Year's Day...never being on track with everyone else...I am starting my adventure today.  January 9, 2012.  It's a Monday, so at least I have that going for me. 

Picture #1

It has been raining here all day.  I'm talking downpours, tornado warnings, thunder and lightning.  I love the rain, I love a good storm and I think I have passed that love down to at least two of the kids.  G and I have been at the window back and forth all day watching the rain.  It had finally slacked off and the sun peeked out and I snapped this shot of him kissing the window with his biggest kissy-lips possible. 

You can find the pin that leads to the post that inspired me right here.

Source: iheartfaces.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

To be honest (or not).....when your kids ask you the hard questions....

I have to admit, I've been a little less patient than normal lately.  Probably has something to do with being a woman and that whole once-a-month-I'm-a-raging-you-know-what...but also because I'm just stretched a little too thin. 
You know how that feels.  You're a little short with others, especially The Others who happen to live with you.  Sometimes I feel like I am running a indoor zoo, trying to herd baby chimps into some sort of organized line.  It can also feel a bit like Groundhog Day, hated the movie but love being able to refer to my off days as "UGH!  I feel like I'm LIVING Groundhog Day!".
It can be easy to feel that way....I'm a mom.  I do pretty much the same thing every day, given the minute to minute changes in moods, drama of the second, and sport of the day...my days can seem interchangeable.  It's in those moments though that things happen we all forget about.  I wish I was one of those mothers that actually remembered to take my camera everywhere and snapped beautiful photos of my kids in that fuzzy, sentimental-I'm a photographer AND a mom way.  Just snapping pictures of the normalcy of our day.  But I don't, even though I have a ridiculous amount of pictures. 
Today, was another normal day.  B is on nights, which automatically turns the kid's "Let's Fight" buttons on and also magnifies their voices.  Weird, I know.  I wanted to get them out of the house today basically to make the day easier on me, to avoid being the Queen of Shh!  We loaded up and went to the movies!  On the way there, T, who will be 13 in March sat up front as usual while R jammed out to her iPod and G watched Frosty the Snowman for the millionth time.   The best conversations happen in the front seat of the car.  Especially with boys.  I've noticed this with T....and with his friends who have pushed T to the backseat to get shotgun.  I have a feeling that it is because I can't really make eye contact when they're chatting with me and I'm driving. 
T's conversation of choice during our 25 minute drive (we live in Texas, to get anywhere it's about a half hour), was drinking.  Yep, alcohol.  He was talking about people drinking who are underage and then I could feel his eyes burning holes in the side of my head....." Mom, did you ever do that?"  I tried to buy some time, I messed with the radio a little, cleared my throat, but I knew that I couldn't avoid it.  Many possible answers ran through my head.  Should I answer honestly or flat out lie?  Well, I went with the truth.  I told him yes and explained how stupid it was...he agreed.  He questioned me because he rarely sees me pick up a drink now, other than a margarita once in a blue moon.  He also knows I can't stand the taste of beer.  I guess in his pre teen brain, he though that was the only alcohol at parties that I went to...which was cute.  I didn't go into too many details....don't want to create a rerun of my life here.  Hard liquor wasn't mentioned...but wine coolers were.  I told him how they are sickly sweet and make you feel like crap.  Literally.  Every time I had Fuzzy Navel wine coolers, I spent more time with the toilet than I did the rest of the party.   He laughed at me, enjoying the fact that I was so stupid.  He told me how he hopes he never acts like that when he's a teenager.  I told him not to worry, that things are different for him than they were for me.  That it's all about choices.  You make bad choices, you deal with the consequences of your actions.  Good or bad.  I also reminded him that I wasn't in a church family when I was his age, having left the church I grew up in behind when my parents divorced when I was 14.  He is in a church family and is involved with the youth there, as are we as a family.  He asked about drinking and driving.  Once again, I had to 'fess up and told him that, yes, unfortunately I did drink and drive as a teen and I was lucky to be alive because so many things could have happened to me or to others.  I reminded him of living the life God wants you to live. 
Our conversation ended as we pulled into the mall parking lot.  We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks-Chipwrecked (it was okay...) and then made our way to Target where I could get my whole herding the chimps fix.  One million dollars and 5 gray hairs later, we were back in the car for the 25 minute ride home.  We were listening to music and enjoying the popcorn fullness of our bellies, about 15 minutes from home, when T turned in his seat and looked at me and I thought, Oh, crap...please Lord, don't be another question I really don't want to answer right now.  But he said, "Mom...will I be like you when I'm older?"  And I honestly thought he meant...Am I going to be as much of as a screw up as you were as a teenager....  so I told him again about choices and wise decision making.  How when you know better, you do better (totally stole that from Oprah, y'all) but he just looked at me kind of funny.  So I asked him what he meant....like me in what way?  He looked right at me and said, "Like you....like a good parent." 
Seriously? 
I could have cried right there. 
I love being a parent.  Even if I am half crazy on a good day and getting gray hair and crow's feet at 31. 
Now, I will get back to getting my hair "styled" by my 5 year old...who thinks doing my hair means combing my hair down and then twirling the comb around in circles.  I guess he's into 80's 'do's. 
Happy weekend, people.  Enjoy your normalcy and chaos.  I will. 

And so another year begins....shouldn't we all be living the Jetson's lifestyle by now?

2012
Of course, we've all heard it...the Mayans believed this would be the end of it all.  I don't buy it.  It does bring up the age old question: If you knew the world was going to end....what would you do?  Where would you go?
Obviously, the world will end one day.....2012 just isn't it.  This pretty wise fellow....known as Jesus, once said, " But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son.  Only the Father knows. " (Matthew 36, MSG).  But playing the "what if?" game couldn't hurt.  I stumbled upon someone on Pinterest the other day who had an Apocolypse board...filled with preperations like differents kids of chickens and what they were good for.  I found it funny, not sure if the person was being cheeky or serious, entertaining nonetheless. 
If I knew the world was going to really be kaput this year.....
I would keep the kids home from school and make memories and experiences count
I would travel, anywhere and everywhere I possibly could and bring the whole family along
I would visit with my family as much as possible, in town and out of town
I would pray....a lot
I would learn something I never thought I had enough time to before....maybe knitting
I would skydive
I would experience all four seasons the "right" way
I would swim with dolphins
Go whale watching
Help someone everyday
tell all of my closest friends how much I loved them and why
tell my family how much they mean to me
not get on Facebook
live on the beach


I'm sure I've got about a million of those left. 
Since the world isn't ending today here are some of my fave moments from Christmas break...

Making salt dough ornaments....if you want to try it at your house, I used the recipe over at Growing Up a NJ Wife.  We made ours a little too thick...but the fun making them is what counts and they will now be treasured ornaments...even though my tree might fall over from the weight of them. 

Random family fun




Our Pinterest inspired Santa Key...this one thanks Santa for stopping by while we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Try to ignore the dirty doorjamb, the one thing I forgot to clean and I took a picture of it. Smart thinking.




Heading out to the Christmas Eve Eve service at church




My dad. He is up and moving around and feeling good....not even 3 months after a heart transplant! God is good!




Spreading the magical reindeer food on Christmas Eve



Christmas Eve




With Hubby





Buddy waiting for his ride home to the North Pole




All the kids with the pumped up kicks....



R and her fave present....her name is Taylor Jane




So smooth....




My mom and sister with the kiddos on Christmas morning




An exciting New Year's Eve...




He had his own fun on NYE....Xbox

So, here's to another year.  Make some memories.  Make a list of your what ifs ....and actually do some!  I plan on it.