All the small things...

There are times when you are reminded to slow down a little. Sometimes you ignore them, as I usually do, but sometimes you just give in to it. Today was a day that I just needed to take a moment. Sure, there is laundry to do, dishes to wash, organize something...a million things that need to get done. But it was time for Livi to take a nap. She's at that fun age where she totally still needs a nap (or else she'll just be hateful to everyone and everything) but she totally thinks she doesn't need it anymore so she fights every second of the way.

Sometimes I can bribe her to take a nap with the promise of something fun when she wakes up. Usually it's food. She is so her mother's daughter. Other times, all it takes is for me to lay down with her. I usually say no because I use that bit of time before the other two kids come home from school to get done those things that will be impossible with three hooligans running around. Other times, hell I could use a nap! Today, I just felt the need to take this time to lay with her.

Entirely too soon, she's not going to want to be around me. Soon she'll think it's embarrassing when I bust out in song everywhere we go and will randomly have a dance party because that song on the store radio is my jam. Even though she swears to me that when she is a teenager she will still want to hang out with me, she's 5. What the hell does she know? Plus, she won't put it on tape, so I don't know how much I believe it.

It's really easy to get swept up this time year. Making sure that there are going to be enough presents under the tree, running around for last minute presents and trying to find that perfect ugly sweater. This moments don't come often enough and they don't last. I am going to start making a conscience effort to take these moments when they happen. The laundry isn't going anywhere, the dishes can wait and who am I kidding? I don't organize shit. Organized chaos, that's what I say. Nap time is sacred. Get it while you can.

Blame it on my ADD baby

I haven't written on this blog in quite some time. I think it was because there was a lot going on in my world, and who wants to put all their dirty laundry out there? That's what Facebook's for! Now that things have sort of settled down, I got an urge to write on here and so here I am.

Brief history of the last 4 months or so: Broke up with bf, was going to stay in Bama, shit got crazy, moved to Texas, joined Roller Derby, live with my mom and yeah, we're current now. So that's fun.

But right now, the biggest thing that's going on in my life would be with my son. He has developed some tics over the last year or so. We have been trying to figure out where these are coming from. First, we saw a doctor in Alabama who specialized in ADD/ADHD. After a long, end of the year conversation with his first grade teacher, we had agreed that could be a possibility and he should be evaluated. Off we went to the doctor. First, you have to meet with a counselor. They ask you a bunch of questions, you fill out questionnaires about your child's behavior and then they talk to your kid. I did not like that we talked about what was going on in front of him. I really was uncomfortable with that because the last thing I want to do is make him think that there is something wrong with him.

After meeting with the counselor, who determined he met the standards for ADHD, we met with the doctor. His plan was to start him on a stimulant medication and see if that improved the tics any. However, the medication said do not use if you have tics because it makes it worse. Perhaps he missed that. And, it did in fact make them worse. So I stopped giving it to him. (I was already told that this wasn't a medication that had to build up in his system and I did not have to give it to him every day.)

During this time, everything was kind of falling apart and we suddenly needed to move to Texas. I'm talking we were in within two weeks of deciding that this move needed to happen. This is a lot for even me to deal with, let alone a child. So I have taken into consideration that this could be a factor. Now that we are here in Texas, we are seeing a neurologist. He is taking a non-stimulant for the ADHD, which I'm on the fence on if it is even working and we are running down the list of possible treatments before we can reach the diagnoses of Tourette's. There is no test for that. It's basically if it's nothing else, and it doesn't go away then I guess that's what it is. Since he's not yelling out curse words like a dirty old sailor, I guess we just have to wait and see what happens.

Another thing it could be is anxiety. Which we are trying an anti-anxiety medication to see if that decrease and eliminates the tics. Now, I know a lot of people are against medication for treatment of this (you know who you are, you handsome man) but should this medication eliminate the tics, I plan to take him off of it completely and treat the cause of his anxiety. Until then, he's going to keep skating in Junior Roller Derby, kick ass in school and keep on tic-ing. (See what I did there?)

Might be time for Locks of Love Rapunzel

How did this:

Become this:

you ask? That is a good question. While helping Livi clean up her room yesterday, mainly because I couldn't find her bathing suit (which it turns out, I had put in a bag to take to the sprinkler park thing, oops) and I came across about 15 dolls which looked like they were crack addicts. They were half naked, and their hair was...well you saw the top picture. At least she was dressed though.

So I started to do some research on what I could do to fix their hair. I found one woman's blog about brushing the same doll's hair. (Cookie and Claire) I didn't have a wig brush, so I made due with a comb and a regular brush.

I made the detangler spray with fabric softener and water. I used the lavender vanilla scented on in hopes that it would relax me while I brushed all this stupid hair. When I began this process, I'm not going to lie, I asked myself what the hell I was thinking when I bought this doll in the process?! You would think that by this day in age, they would have created a way to keep doll hair from becoming so tangled. (I guess that was the point of this particular doll though....)

The whole process took about 30 minutes. I think Rapunzel lost about as much hair as she kept. I did break it up into sections to make the task a little easier. Half-way though, I about quit. I didn't think it would be as big of a pain the ass as it was. I guess I figured that homemade detangler would work magic and just untangle the whole thing on it's own. But I soldiered on and finished it up. Needless to say, that is the only doll who got her hair brushed.

On an added note: I started this post about a month ago....I still have yet to brush another doll's hair.

Crafty day today

Today, while the kiddos were playing in the sprinkler (be jealous my New England readers!), I decided I needed to be crafty. I just had to make something. I've been like that a lot lately, and I think it might have a lot to do with my new obsession with pinterest. But that's a different blog post. I was thinking about things, and I've decided that I'm going to start posting the things that I have actually made from my pinterest endeavors. There are a few things that I have made already, for example a braided rag rug (which I still have to finish sewing together), peanut butter chip bananas (pretty tasty), some fabric flowers and some headbands. You're not missing too much yet. Is there something you saw on pinterest that you want to make, but aren't sure how it's going to turn out? Not really sure how to do it? Lemme know, we can figure it out together.

My goal now is to make everything that I pin....eventually. If I'm not actually going to make it, then why pin it right? It's pretty easy to get carried away with it all. And if I'm going to make it, might as well share the process with you. Whether the process works, or not. At least I can save you from making some of the mistakes I've made...for example, the time I tried to make my own paper mache glue....I pretty sure the glue was not suppose to be as think and nasty as it turned out. Moving on.

While thinking about what I could make with what I had, I found an old picture frame. I've been wanting to make a white board out of a picture frame, but didn't really want to go to walmart and buy a new frame and I hadn't had time to go to the thrift store to check out what they had so I considered this to be a lucky find!

The first thing you have to do is take the glass out of the frame. After taking out the back and the glass, I realized that I might have damaged the frame structure a little. But nothing a little wood glue can't fix. No biggie. I pulled out my new favorite thing, paint samples I got at Lowes for less then $3.00 a piece. Sometimes you can get lucky and get a great color on the "oops" paint, but if you're looking for a particular color, they can mix up a sample for you. I've found that this is the perfect size for crafting projects.

I went with the new summer colors from Valspar, Filoli Antique Lace and Twilight Meadow. Something fresh and bright. After you take the glass and the frame apart, you paint them. The frame is simple enough to paint. Just make sure to do a few thin coats so it goes on evenly. The pane of glass on the other hand....I think because we were outside and it was so hot that it caused the paint to dry unevenly. Or it could be that I tried to be cheap and use a really cheap paint brush. In hindsight, I wish I had a foam roller. I bet that would have done it better. You live, you learn.

So it's now painted. Make sure everything is even and coated. Pick your pane of glass and check the back side. Can you see anything through it? If you can, and you have OCD like me, make sure you touch it up. I went ahead and brought the glass inside to dry after touching it up, in hopes that the cool air would help it dry better. It definitely helped. Once everything is dried, you are going to very carefully put your glass back into the frame. Make sure that the painted side is on the inside. Be careful when putting the cardboard and back on the frame that you don't chip your paint job, because it will very easily scrape off the glass. You want the smooth side of the glass to be showing because that's what you are going to be writing on.

And now you're finished. Unless you 're like me and broke the frame during the process and now have to glue it back together. Then you're not finished. But it was close enough to take a picture and for you to get the idea. You're very own white board. You can use this for everyday use in your house, or as a neat alternative to the chalkboard photo booth that people are using in weddings. No one wants chalk dust on their fancy clothes!! It's a super simple project that can be done in less than an afternoon and to whatever color combo you fancy. Happy crafting everyone!

Shouldn't everyday be Mother's Day??

I realize that I have neglected my blogging duties as of late. I apologize. I could give you a bunch of excuses about how I've been super busy moving down the east coast, or how I am taking classes online, but I think what it really boils down to is that I have developed a serious Pinterest addiction. They say admitting it is the first step.

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and I feel the need to write my thoughts about it. I thought of even making a top 5 list of things that I would love for Mother's Day. I really thought about all the things that the commercials say that mothers want. But let's be real, who really really wants a new refrigerator for mother's day? I mean, I'm not going to lie, I really want a new washer and dryer. Mainly because we don't have one now and I am so sick of going to the laundromat! (As convenient as it is to do 6 loads at once.) So, without further ado, here is my top 5 list:

1. Anything homemade. I love when the kiddos draw me pictures or make me a "spaceship" out of legos or whatever. I don't care if it cost you any money to make, the thought behind it is what is important. I have a whole box of drawing and scribbles and all that good stuff that I can bear to throw away!!

2. If I'm going to dream, I'm going to dream big. I would love to have enough craft supplies to be able to make everything on my Pinterest boards. Man I have an addiction. I know it's a problem.

3. I know I said appliances are out. But I really hate the laundromat! Washer and dryer!

4. A day at the spa. What mom doesn't want to be pampered? A good massage can do wonders! Yeah buddy!

5. A nap. Enough said.

All joking aside, I don't need anything really for Mother's day. I get little things all the time just because. Like the Hunger Games books, which I read in a single day, each. Little moments with the kids, when Cole reads to me or Livi tells me what number is what. Those are the things that are important to me. Those are the times that I truly love being a mommy. Then they do something crazy that just makes me forget all that crap and want to 'smack the taste out their mouth'.

Bedtime Routine

Like many people, I try to have a bedtime routine with the kids. With my old job though, it was difficult because I was pretty much always at work during bedtime. That, of course, just added to that lovely mommy guilt that I tend to feel, but I digress. Back to the routine....

First of all, we start with dinner. This evening's delicious dish was hot dogs and mac and cheese for the kids and a nice salad with chicken for the grown-ups. While that salad was good, it was no mac and cheese, which is what my stomach really wants, but my ass does not. If the kids eat all of their dinner, they can have dessert, which tonight was leftover dessert pizza from Papa John's. We had vanilla yogurt with granola and white chocolate chips. I know you're all jealous of our incredible healthy dinner and dessert.

After dinner, it's shower time. This evening was especially hilarious. While the kids were taking their showers, we took turns dumping freezing cold water over the shower curtain on them.....Cole thought it was much funnier then Olivia, who isn't a big fan of water in her face. She doesn't even like the water park because of that, she's not very much fun. Then it was time to get dressed. Both of those hooligans love being naked. Cole will run around the house, and probably outside if you let him, naked. He thinks it's just the funniest thing ever. Olivia on the other hand, likes to point out to everyone that she's naked, but then proceeds to tell them not to look at her privates. I do appreciate her concern to have people respect her modesty, I just wish that she was actually modest.

Once they are in their jammies, it's time to get their hiney's in bed. Usually, there will be a story, complete with appropriate voices and sound effects. Tonight, we were running a bit late, and wanted them to just get into bed, so I just sang a little song to each of them. Olivia wanted "Over the Rainbow", which I forgot half the words to. Thankfully, she doesn't know the whole song yet, and just sings along to the over the rainbow parts. Cole wanted a song about God, fitting because we did attend church today. Sadly, the only song I could think of on the spot about God was "O' Come all Ye Faithful". That is one of my favorite Christmas carols. So yeah....I guess I should brush up on my hymns.

Now, it's quiet in the house and I'm taking a few moments to write this little blog about our night. This is the point in the bedtime routine that is the adult time. Most nights, I could really use a drink when they are in bed. Today was actually a peaceful day. I can only pray the same for tomorrow, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Wrongful birth lawsuit?? I want to sue you for being Wrongful parnets!

I have been wanting to write a blog about this story since I first heard about it. But to be honest, I was entirely too angry. The whole story just makes me sick to my stomach. It makes me see red. And I know that some of you may not have heard about this story, but before I explain I have to get out how angry I am so that I may calmly (well as calmly as possible) explain the situation. It just makes me so mad I could spit. Okay. I think I'm ready.

There is a couple in the great state of Oregon who sued the hospital for the wrongful birth of their child. Their reasoning behind this lawsuit? Their child was born with Down Syndrome. They say that the only reason they continued with their pregnancy was because they were told that their child did not have Down Syndrome. (I'm sorry, I'm getting upset again. Please forgive the angry rant that may follow the continuing of this story.) They were not award the opportunity to terminate their pregnancy, which they would have done if they had known. The test that they had performed was on the wrong tissue, so it incorrectly told them that their child did not have Down Syndrome. In another article, it is said that the reason that the test came back negative was because of the type of Down Syndrome that the child had. The couple did not do an amniocentesis. Originally, the lawsuit was for $7 million. They were award $2.9 million for the care of their daughter over her lifetime.

Okay, now that I've got the case covered, I can elaborate on how this infuriates me. Anyone who knows anything about Down Syndrome, or knows someone with Down Syndrome knows that they are the most amazing people....Ever. They have the kindest hearts, the greatest sense of humor and just all-around amazing individuals. My little sister has Down Syndrome. I am aware that it's not always an easy road. Take the normal challenges of parenting, and multiply them by, I don't even know how many. It takes an amazing person to raise a child with Down Syndrome, and my sister is blessed to have two amazing parents in her life. This little girl, my heart breaks for her. She has two parents that publicly, nationally, admitted that they would have aborted her. I just want to go to Portland and scoop her up and be like, look you greedy bitches, you do not deserve this amazing child. You are so ungrateful for the gift that God has given you.

(I had to take a temporary break from this post to ground myself.)

While I can understand from the parents point of view the financial strain that this child brings, I am angered that they would feel that it's the hospital's financial responsibility. I understand that the hospital did not do the testing correctly. But every medical test is not 100% accurate. It's just not possible. How can you say that you love your child dearly, and then in the same breath, sue for not having the option to terminate that child?? How could that thought even come into your head? How you can even sit there, as a parent of 3 and say that you're upset that you didn't get the chance to terminate this pregnancy and you deserve to be given $3 million to take care this "burden"? You didn't get that chance....now is the time to get over it. Move on and figure out the best way to raise your family.

There is always a risk when having children that they may not turn out just the way you want. There is no way to guarantee that your child will be 100% healthy. There are so many things that can go wrong, and not be just "perfect". But does that make your child any less perfect to you? If your answer is anything other then no, then I don't know what to tell you. Creating life is not an easy process. Raising a child is even more difficult. Now this child is going to go through life being the little girl that her parents didn't want. Everyone knows her name. Everyone knows who her parents are. Everyone knows her story. Did her family ever think about the effect this would have on their child that they love so dearly? Just one more reason that I believe that this couple acted very selfishly. I'm sure there are people who feel differently, and perhaps can even understand where this couple is coming from. Not sure if I'll ever be one of them.