My sweet Carson response to his cupcakes this morning was a big hug and him saying "Mom that's just what I wanted for my birthday! Cupcakes!"
Love
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Carson I love you 1,547,476
To My Sweet C Man:
This day four years ago was the strangest day of my life. My life was going to change forever the next day and I knew it. We had planned on inducing the morning of the 28th. Thinking back and remembering that there was a time I didn't know you seems unreal. Somehow I feel I have always known you. It's so strange. I guess you will understand someday....Anyway, you turn four tomorrow. TOMORROW. Wow.
Your favorite thing to do right now is to tell us how much you love us. You will do it in such a dramatic way. For example, "Mom. You know how much I love you? I love you ONE (pause pause pause) TWO (pause pause pause) THREE (pause pause pause) FOUR (pause pause pause) FIVE (pause pause pause) SIX!!! And that's a LOT. How much do you love me Mom?" Somedays you will count to twenty or my favorite, "fiveteen". We do this about fiveteen times a day. We can even just be shopping or driving down the road and I will get a "Mom, I love you" followed by a kiss in the air with a little head nod. You are so smooth. And as I sit here thinking about the fact that you are turning, ONE, (pause pause pause), TWO (pause pause pause), THREE (pause pause pause), FOUR tomorrow, I realize that I really can't tell you how much I love
you.
And I will admit, I really don't want you to turn four. Although you tell me "Mom, I have to grow up, there are just things I need to do" I don't want you to. I have been ok with it every other year. I have always been in shock that a year went by, but I've been ok with it. This year, I really want you to stay three. I have LOVED three. Well, the last 9 months of three. The first three months of three were a totally different story, but once we worked that out you have been absolutly the best, sweetest, most loving, little boy I could have every dreamed of. I am now able to see your true heart and I love it and I hope you stay the way you are.
You are kind and generous- I saw an example of this Christmas morning when you were more worried about Santa liking his snack you left than checking to see if he left you anything. You care about others and I hope you stay that way.
You are loving- My favorite thing about this age is your sweetness. I selfishly LOVE the fact that you will pet my face, kiss my boo boos, ask for hugs and kisses, tell me that you will miss me when I'm at work, ask me to play with you all the time, ask to sleep on my room on your pallet, tell me you love me every five minutes. You are in love your family and I hope you stay that way.
You are giving and selfless- I recently packed up all your baby toys and put them in the garage to donate. As usual I did this when you weren't paying attention so that we didn't have any last minute new found love for the toys- but I didn't get them out of the garage. Uh oh. When you walked by them the next day you saw them and naturally went over saying, "Mom! What are these doing out here?" I explained that you had gotten too big and that we were going to take those to some other kids who need them. Your response "Ok, that would be nice". You are not greedy, and I hope you stay that way.
You are realistic- Just today I was obvioysly frusterated while putting together your new pirate ship. You said, "Mom, I just need to call my Uncle Dillon." When I told you "I have this". Your reply, "No you don't Mom, no you don't." You are honest with me, and I hope you stay that way.
When I run, I always listen to the same songs, my "Race Music" play list. And one of the songs I have on there is Simple Man by Lynard Skynryd when it comes on I always think of you. The lyrics I focus on are:
Oh, take your time don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
Go find a woman you'll find love
And don't forget son there is someone up above
And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can? Oh yes, I will
Boy, don't you worry you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied
When I listen to this song, I wonder how I can raise you to be like this. To be loving, caring, selfless, honest, like you are now. I wonder how in the world I can keep you like this. What are ways we can arrange our life to ensure you never change? How can I show my OWN satisfaction to you so that you can not live in a way that keeps you always wanting more things- different things- and focuses you on money? Maybe this song hits home with me because of my own inability to be content with what I have and where I am. This is all a little deep for a four year old I know. But you are just becoming a little man so fast. I just want more than anything for you to grow up happy. I want us to be able to slow down and enjoy every minute together. I want you to know, really know, that I love you 1,547,476 and I want you to know that THAT's A LOT.
This day four years ago was the strangest day of my life. My life was going to change forever the next day and I knew it. We had planned on inducing the morning of the 28th. Thinking back and remembering that there was a time I didn't know you seems unreal. Somehow I feel I have always known you. It's so strange. I guess you will understand someday....Anyway, you turn four tomorrow. TOMORROW. Wow.
Your favorite thing to do right now is to tell us how much you love us. You will do it in such a dramatic way. For example, "Mom. You know how much I love you? I love you ONE (pause pause pause) TWO (pause pause pause) THREE (pause pause pause) FOUR (pause pause pause) FIVE (pause pause pause) SIX!!! And that's a LOT. How much do you love me Mom?" Somedays you will count to twenty or my favorite, "fiveteen". We do this about fiveteen times a day. We can even just be shopping or driving down the road and I will get a "Mom, I love you" followed by a kiss in the air with a little head nod. You are so smooth. And as I sit here thinking about the fact that you are turning, ONE, (pause pause pause), TWO (pause pause pause), THREE (pause pause pause), FOUR tomorrow, I realize that I really can't tell you how much I love
you.
And I will admit, I really don't want you to turn four. Although you tell me "Mom, I have to grow up, there are just things I need to do" I don't want you to. I have been ok with it every other year. I have always been in shock that a year went by, but I've been ok with it. This year, I really want you to stay three. I have LOVED three. Well, the last 9 months of three. The first three months of three were a totally different story, but once we worked that out you have been absolutly the best, sweetest, most loving, little boy I could have every dreamed of. I am now able to see your true heart and I love it and I hope you stay the way you are.
You are kind and generous- I saw an example of this Christmas morning when you were more worried about Santa liking his snack you left than checking to see if he left you anything. You care about others and I hope you stay that way.
You are loving- My favorite thing about this age is your sweetness. I selfishly LOVE the fact that you will pet my face, kiss my boo boos, ask for hugs and kisses, tell me that you will miss me when I'm at work, ask me to play with you all the time, ask to sleep on my room on your pallet, tell me you love me every five minutes. You are in love your family and I hope you stay that way.
You are giving and selfless- I recently packed up all your baby toys and put them in the garage to donate. As usual I did this when you weren't paying attention so that we didn't have any last minute new found love for the toys- but I didn't get them out of the garage. Uh oh. When you walked by them the next day you saw them and naturally went over saying, "Mom! What are these doing out here?" I explained that you had gotten too big and that we were going to take those to some other kids who need them. Your response "Ok, that would be nice". You are not greedy, and I hope you stay that way.
You are realistic- Just today I was obvioysly frusterated while putting together your new pirate ship. You said, "Mom, I just need to call my Uncle Dillon." When I told you "I have this". Your reply, "No you don't Mom, no you don't." You are honest with me, and I hope you stay that way.
When I run, I always listen to the same songs, my "Race Music" play list. And one of the songs I have on there is Simple Man by Lynard Skynryd when it comes on I always think of you. The lyrics I focus on are:
Oh, take your time don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
Go find a woman you'll find love
And don't forget son there is someone up above
And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can? Oh yes, I will
Boy, don't you worry you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied
When I listen to this song, I wonder how I can raise you to be like this. To be loving, caring, selfless, honest, like you are now. I wonder how in the world I can keep you like this. What are ways we can arrange our life to ensure you never change? How can I show my OWN satisfaction to you so that you can not live in a way that keeps you always wanting more things- different things- and focuses you on money? Maybe this song hits home with me because of my own inability to be content with what I have and where I am. This is all a little deep for a four year old I know. But you are just becoming a little man so fast. I just want more than anything for you to grow up happy. I want us to be able to slow down and enjoy every minute together. I want you to know, really know, that I love you 1,547,476 and I want you to know that THAT's A LOT.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Hardly any cartel...
So, uh, I got a little worked up before our first family vacation- out of the country- on a boat- in the ocean... I joked about it a lot, but will be honest. I did have new concerns I had never had before. But let me tell you right off, they were ALL gone as soon as we pulled out of the driveway.
Our trip began with a short drive just south of Dallas. We thought it would be smart to break up the 9 hours trip since we did have two kids in the back who we assumed would drive us crazy and have to pee all the time. So after making a stop in Norman to drop off the bird, we made one stop in Ardmore and not again until we were there. WHAT?!?! Now, while the trip down was nice and smooth, dinner was not. Lyla was TIRED and fussing the worst I've ever seen her. "Hope this isn't how the whole trip is going to be" Josh said. We got our Chilis to go and headed to the hotel.
Once in the room we tried to let the kids sleep together. Didn't really work. They had never done that before. So I put L in her pack-n-play and C and I cuddled up for the night. And when I say "cuddle" I mean C kicked me in the kidneys all night...
The next morning we woke up the kids and took off. Stopping ONCE. In the Woodlands. The kids were ANGELS and we were feeling better and better about the trip.
When we got to Galveston, we stopped and had some lunch then headed to the boat. You can view C's reaction here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=celTcqS0U80&feature=g-upl&context=G26c207eAUAAAAAAAAAA
If that doesn't work, copy/paste.
I did just make a whole photbook about this trip for my records, so I really don't have the energy to recap EVERYTHING, so here is a short(ish) version:
When we finally made it on the boat after an hour and a half in lines with two kids, one suitcase, one large full beach bag, a big purse, and a bag full of diapers, I was ready for a cocktail. While waiting for it a lady came up to me and said "Your kids are beautiful. You're not going to have ANY fun, but your kids are beautiful. You are couragous and your kids are beautiful." "Thanks" was all I could say...
ANYWAY- C couldn't believe we were on a boat. He kept asking when we were gonna get on it. It was so "amazing". We started everyday off with breakfast, had lunch either on board or on land, and always had formal dinner. The kids were drinking out of stemmed glasses by the end of the week. Carson ate shrimp, lobster, duck, alligator, sushi, FROG LEGS, prime rib, etc. It was crazy. I learned that I just feed him the wrong things because I thought he was picky.
Lyla entertained everyone everywhere we went. Several times people told us that Carnival needed to pay her for the entertainment. She would dance by the pool, dance during the dinner show. She loved it! Once she was dancing and she fell and half the deck of people gasped at her. That's when I realized the crowd she was gathering. People gave them gifts, knew their names. LOL. It was funny.
We had a birthday celebration for C during the beach trips and at dinner and even had his room decorated for him. He hugged me SO big when they brought out his cake. It was SUPER sweet. Lyla then got down and danced away during the "show".
My kids learned all kinds of things. How to push the elevator buttons to the floor others needed, how to say excuse me, how to move to the right when others were coming, how to use lots of silverware, and of course, Carson learned about how people live in Mexico. When we were passing by houses he said "Mom, those houses are broken and nasty. I sure am lucky."
Carson also loved to play "Gator Golf", (mini-golf), eat ice cream, dance, he LOVED the beach, playing at Camp Carnival (we only let him go twice because it was a family vaca after all), both kids even let us have nightly Champagne hour in the lounge before dinner. They would just sit in their chairs and play on our phones while we had grown up time. We would then go to dinner, enjoy great food and excellent service, and of course, you know my kids, go to bed around 7.
The kids slept great. Lyla was true to form and would pull us to her bed each night so that she could go "night night". I think the rocking was good for Lyla. She didn't even chirp in her sleep like normal. It was a little different for J and I however. We had a couple of ROUGH nights, even the crew said it was bad. So we rocked pretty good. But it wasn't really the rocking that got us, it was the shaking. It shook about like a 5.0 earthquake, and since we just came off those... well, not the most relaxing. But we got used to it.
The last day we woke up early to get breakfast before getting off the ship only to find out that we were stuck for the day because Galveston's port was closed due to the CRAZY fog. It was so bad that you couldn't see the back of the ship from the front OR the 75 or so HUGE ships all around us that emerged as the fog lifted. No wonder we were blowing the fog horn non stop. I know what you are thinking. Extra day of vacation? Sweet. Welll. It was hot. We were in sweaters. All our luggage was taken the night before and our charge account was closed because we were done after all. So we waited, and ate, and waited, and of course danced. TWELVE hours later we got dismissed. Then 1.5 hours later we got to our car. The whole time, not a PEEP of a complaint from our kids.
Things were going so well, we decided to spend the next couple of nights in Katy since we missed our Thursday visit. We then drove straight home. Lyla went the whole way since she was sleeping at our half way stop. Not one problem thanks to IPADS. Although she did have one wet diaper she never complained once.
Overall, it was the best week of my life. I can't imagine not taking my kids on every other vacation until they are grown. I just kept saying to Josh, "I'm so glad C is here to see this." We got plenty of relaxation time, I told C that we needed grown up time and he said OK! I can't wait to have Girls Only beach time. I loved getting to show them parts of the world they hadn't seen and I loved loved loved doing it all with just me and my husband. It felt so grown up. ha. I just can't wait to plan our next family adventure. Well, I really can't wait I guess, I have had that in the works since the drive home. And, to the lady at the bar...we had a LOT of fun!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Simplify Christmas?
In the last two years, I have heard of a whole new concept, "Simply Christmas". Parents are not letting Santa come to their house and not giving their children lots of gifts in order to focus on the reason for the season, Jesus. I get this part. I do. Our family does try VERY hard to do a Christ centered advent activity every night. We also repeatedly pound into our three year olds head, "We have Christmas because it's a birthday party for Jesus". I GET that society leaves our Jesus and that it's our job as parents to teach our children the real meaning, but to leave out Santa in order to teach? Here's my take on that.
For me as a kid, Christmas was MAGICAL. I couldn't WAIT to see what Santa brought me. Was I interested in those presents that had been under the tree for a few weeks, sure, but what SANTA brought was WAY exciting. I also remember going to visit Santa and wondering if I would get THE REAL Santa or one of his volunteer elves. One of my favorite family memory was driving around Christmas Eve looking at lights and wondering if the red light in the sky was in fact, SANTA! See, Santa gave me the "Christmas feeling". He made me excited for Christmas. Watching Santa movies to this day can bring back that "Christmas feeling". I love that feeling. And I honestly don't think I would have gotten that feeling as a kid had it not been for Santa....Waking hour after hour Christmas Eve, sleeping with my brother in the same bed and whispering, "It's MORNING!" and waiting on my mom to start "Do You Hear What I Hear", our cue to come on out. Seeing my dad in his reindeer hat, and running to see if Santa liked the snack I put out. Just typing this makes me excited for my kids.
As I grew up I was able to comprehend the real meaning of Christmas more and more. The "Christmas Feeling" was later felt during Candlelight services, or while serving dinner with my dad Christmas day. Silent Night sometimes chocked me up. All when I was older and it even happened with Santa visiting.
For me, I just don't know if I would have gotten as "into" Christmas as an adult without experiencing the magic of it as a child.
So, Simplify Christmas to Josh and I has a little different meaning. Three years ago we had TWELVE Christmas celebrations of one type or another, two for work, one for church, then nine for family. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Oh, and three days later, C had a birthday. THAT my friends is too much. Josh and I are trying to simplify the CELEBRATION of Christmas. Call me selfish all you want, but I want my kids excited for Christmas morning rather than burned out from opening presents and traveling all around. This year we are down to four. One per parent and ours. Still too many, but what do you do when you have divorces...
I would like to suggest we Simply Christmas for the ADULTS rather than the children. Why in the world are so many WORKING adults spending money on gifts for other WORKING adults? It's unreal. Gifts for co-workers, bosses, teachers, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters. THOSE are the gifts that stress ME out. I don't know what to get most of them. And I hate giving crap. Those gifts also add up financially, quick. I'd like to make it this simple. Buy for YOUR children/grandchildren and parents/granparents. Send the rest a card. I honestly wouldn't mind if my parents and grandparents stopped buying for me, but there's no chance of that. They want to. I am their child/grandchild after all. My husband and I have decided to not buy for each other. We can buy things we want/need anytime, we are adults. We decided to focus on our kids.
I know this will most likely ruffle some feathers, but honestly asking Santa to not visit ruffles mine. This world is a scary, hard, and mean place why can't we let our children enjoy some simple magic and be kids?
So, this Christmas Eve, we are going to put out our reindeer food, snacks for Santa, read the Christmas Story (from the Bible) AND the Night Before Christmas, watch Christmas Vacation, wake up and see if Santa came. Open WAY too many gifts, play, and then go to church.
For me as a kid, Christmas was MAGICAL. I couldn't WAIT to see what Santa brought me. Was I interested in those presents that had been under the tree for a few weeks, sure, but what SANTA brought was WAY exciting. I also remember going to visit Santa and wondering if I would get THE REAL Santa or one of his volunteer elves. One of my favorite family memory was driving around Christmas Eve looking at lights and wondering if the red light in the sky was in fact, SANTA! See, Santa gave me the "Christmas feeling". He made me excited for Christmas. Watching Santa movies to this day can bring back that "Christmas feeling". I love that feeling. And I honestly don't think I would have gotten that feeling as a kid had it not been for Santa....Waking hour after hour Christmas Eve, sleeping with my brother in the same bed and whispering, "It's MORNING!" and waiting on my mom to start "Do You Hear What I Hear", our cue to come on out. Seeing my dad in his reindeer hat, and running to see if Santa liked the snack I put out. Just typing this makes me excited for my kids.
As I grew up I was able to comprehend the real meaning of Christmas more and more. The "Christmas Feeling" was later felt during Candlelight services, or while serving dinner with my dad Christmas day. Silent Night sometimes chocked me up. All when I was older and it even happened with Santa visiting.
For me, I just don't know if I would have gotten as "into" Christmas as an adult without experiencing the magic of it as a child.
So, Simplify Christmas to Josh and I has a little different meaning. Three years ago we had TWELVE Christmas celebrations of one type or another, two for work, one for church, then nine for family. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Oh, and three days later, C had a birthday. THAT my friends is too much. Josh and I are trying to simplify the CELEBRATION of Christmas. Call me selfish all you want, but I want my kids excited for Christmas morning rather than burned out from opening presents and traveling all around. This year we are down to four. One per parent and ours. Still too many, but what do you do when you have divorces...
I would like to suggest we Simply Christmas for the ADULTS rather than the children. Why in the world are so many WORKING adults spending money on gifts for other WORKING adults? It's unreal. Gifts for co-workers, bosses, teachers, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters. THOSE are the gifts that stress ME out. I don't know what to get most of them. And I hate giving crap. Those gifts also add up financially, quick. I'd like to make it this simple. Buy for YOUR children/grandchildren and parents/granparents. Send the rest a card. I honestly wouldn't mind if my parents and grandparents stopped buying for me, but there's no chance of that. They want to. I am their child/grandchild after all. My husband and I have decided to not buy for each other. We can buy things we want/need anytime, we are adults. We decided to focus on our kids.
I know this will most likely ruffle some feathers, but honestly asking Santa to not visit ruffles mine. This world is a scary, hard, and mean place why can't we let our children enjoy some simple magic and be kids?
So, this Christmas Eve, we are going to put out our reindeer food, snacks for Santa, read the Christmas Story (from the Bible) AND the Night Before Christmas, watch Christmas Vacation, wake up and see if Santa came. Open WAY too many gifts, play, and then go to church.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Night Night
Tonight about 6:45 my babies and I were having the best time cuddled on the couch. C was watching a show and L and I were reading a book. They were both cuddled up on me and I was not in a rush to do anything else, which was surprising considering I only marked one thing off my packing list today, diapers. Don't wanna go without those.
ANYWAY... so we were cuddled, laughing, reading, then there goes Lil Bit. "I wanna go night night". "You wanna go NIGHT NIGHT? But we are having fun." "I wanna go night night. Om on!" She then grabbed my finger, pulled me off the couch, led me to her room and handed me her PJ's. "You want these on?" "Uh huh". "You wanna rock?" "Huh uh. NIGHT NIGHT."
And that's how the cuddles end...
ANYWAY... so we were cuddled, laughing, reading, then there goes Lil Bit. "I wanna go night night". "You wanna go NIGHT NIGHT? But we are having fun." "I wanna go night night. Om on!" She then grabbed my finger, pulled me off the couch, led me to her room and handed me her PJ's. "You want these on?" "Uh huh". "You wanna rock?" "Huh uh. NIGHT NIGHT."
And that's how the cuddles end...
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Fearless
I am really lucky to be alive typing this. REALLY. When I think about all the stupid things I did in my youth without blinking an eye: racing my Mustang down Highway, drinking way too much, getting rides home with perfect strangers, riding SeaDoos backwards full-speed, letting people drink and drive me on motorcyles, and the list goes on and on. Nothing scared me. Now, this is a normal developmental phase, the dorky psychology professor in me says, but mine felt like more than the typical sense of immortality adolescence experience until their frontal lobes fully develop or whatever. I wasn't afraid of anything. Applying for jobs, starting new challenges, traveling anywhere, speaking my mind. But now since I have become a mother, THINGS. HAVE. CHANGED.
I have realized the extent of this change the last few weeks as I prepare for my first vacation with my kids, and one that involves Mexico travel. I have spent a lot of time in the Caribbean and always been warned of the dangers of Mexico, Jamaica, where ever, and have ALWAYS blown them off. I am cautious, but never thought twice about taking a cab while there, or shopping in the "real" town, or biking through the jungle. But now, NOW I'm taking my BABIES. And NOW I'm worried about EVERYTHING. Here are the crazy, out of control, irrational thoughts that are spinning through my head.
There's the obvious. The Mexican drug cartel. While I have WAY more of a chance crashing my car on the way home and dieing on my own they worry me. I have read and read up on these guys, b/c I am just sure that they are going to want my pretty babies, or my CAMERA, and so I have come up with a plan to ensure that my camera doesn't get stolen. I will conceal it in Josh's backpack that has a strap around the chest so that it can't be ripped off his back. But wait! That backpack has his FULL name on it. I'll need black duct tape to cover it up. I'll also need to put a towel in there to cushion the camera in case it drops. My normal case is too big to take. And the kids, we will get kid leashes. We will walk our kids around like they are dogs. And I will bring duct tape, because the drug cartel, who wants my kids, could just rip the leash out of my hands and run off with them. But with duct tape, they will have to take me too. We will take NO cabs. The cab drivers are for sure in the "cartel" so I will only take Carnival trips. We will go to all inclusive resorts so that we can eat and drink and relax all day. As long as the cartel doesn't come on to our beach, round us all up, ask us all for our money. Make us empty our wallets. I will duct tape our money to the inside of Josh's leg. yes. that will work. (Make J shave leg) So back to relaxing and drinking. Wait. They might use ice. Mexican ice. Duct tape won't work here. Will I have to drink bottled beverages only? The kids will. For sure. We don't want to puke. I can find out where the ice comes from. If it's filtered or whatever, we are ok. We need water shoes. Those are so dorky. But what if the kids step on something and it cuts them. Really don't want to go to a Mexican hospital. The cartel will probably be the doctor. But what if they get cut? And need stitches? Maybe I can buy that glue stuff. Or could little strips of duct tape work? Don't know. I'll find out. I heard no flashy watches. I'm covered there, I don't have a watch. Pretty sure Fossil doesn't count as flashy, but just in case, plastic watch must be bought for Josh. Don't really need a watch. We have phones. But those are worth more than his watch...Must hide those. Duct tape those inside the backpack. Yes. That will work. Then there's the seasick concerns. Will we be? I sure hope not. Called my Nurse Practitioner, she recommended Ginger. must buy ginger. Surely we won't be bothered by that. Sure hope not. And what about the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere on a boat. I have seen Titanic. I looked at the picture of the ship. I see lots of lifeboats. Kinda regretting the window in our room. At least if I didn't have one I could PRETEND to see land. I imagine I may feel the opposite of claustrophobic. Let me look that up... agoraphobia. Fear of wide open spaces. That's it. Kinda. That's what I'm afraid I will have. I wonder if I will sleep. If the kids will sleep. Sure hope so. We sure don't want to be tired if we have to run from the Cartel. We need to leave a day early. C will have to stop to pee. A lot. We will drive half way Friday. Sure hope we don't have any flats. Really don't want to dip into our spending money for that. Do we have enough money? Excursions are paid for. First hotel is paid for. Surely. We shouldn't even go on this. We should put the money into savings. Looked into cancelling. At this point we will lose all our money. That's not cool. Take the trip Kendall. Fun is what a family should have together. Should we get an international plan on our phone? What if there is an emergency? What if there is an emergency that we have NO way of tending to b/c we are in the middle of NOWHERE? Talk about stress. Email will be enough. No phones. It will be warm during the day, not at night though. We need summer and winter clothes I guess. Kids need sunscreen. Tylenol. Should I bring more meds just in case? Diapers, wipes, sunscreen, towels? Or do they have those? I need my camera charger. I should paint my toenails. Oh crap! I don't have a TAN? I don't go to the Caribbean without a BASE TAN. Crap. Crap. Crap. Pack MY sunscreen... My Tylenol. And then there's that Norwalk virus. Wonder if Lysol kills that. I'll bring some just to be sure. Was also warned about bed bugs. Nasty. Must remember to ask for fresh sheets for any trundle type beds. Man, I hope the kids don't drive me crazy.
Oh, wait. Pretty sure that happened already.
I'm also pretty sure my last trip to Mexico my only thought was this bikini or that bikini.
Man, my 21 year old self would be so disappointed in me.
I have realized the extent of this change the last few weeks as I prepare for my first vacation with my kids, and one that involves Mexico travel. I have spent a lot of time in the Caribbean and always been warned of the dangers of Mexico, Jamaica, where ever, and have ALWAYS blown them off. I am cautious, but never thought twice about taking a cab while there, or shopping in the "real" town, or biking through the jungle. But now, NOW I'm taking my BABIES. And NOW I'm worried about EVERYTHING. Here are the crazy, out of control, irrational thoughts that are spinning through my head.
There's the obvious. The Mexican drug cartel. While I have WAY more of a chance crashing my car on the way home and dieing on my own they worry me. I have read and read up on these guys, b/c I am just sure that they are going to want my pretty babies, or my CAMERA, and so I have come up with a plan to ensure that my camera doesn't get stolen. I will conceal it in Josh's backpack that has a strap around the chest so that it can't be ripped off his back. But wait! That backpack has his FULL name on it. I'll need black duct tape to cover it up. I'll also need to put a towel in there to cushion the camera in case it drops. My normal case is too big to take. And the kids, we will get kid leashes. We will walk our kids around like they are dogs. And I will bring duct tape, because the drug cartel, who wants my kids, could just rip the leash out of my hands and run off with them. But with duct tape, they will have to take me too. We will take NO cabs. The cab drivers are for sure in the "cartel" so I will only take Carnival trips. We will go to all inclusive resorts so that we can eat and drink and relax all day. As long as the cartel doesn't come on to our beach, round us all up, ask us all for our money. Make us empty our wallets. I will duct tape our money to the inside of Josh's leg. yes. that will work. (Make J shave leg) So back to relaxing and drinking. Wait. They might use ice. Mexican ice. Duct tape won't work here. Will I have to drink bottled beverages only? The kids will. For sure. We don't want to puke. I can find out where the ice comes from. If it's filtered or whatever, we are ok. We need water shoes. Those are so dorky. But what if the kids step on something and it cuts them. Really don't want to go to a Mexican hospital. The cartel will probably be the doctor. But what if they get cut? And need stitches? Maybe I can buy that glue stuff. Or could little strips of duct tape work? Don't know. I'll find out. I heard no flashy watches. I'm covered there, I don't have a watch. Pretty sure Fossil doesn't count as flashy, but just in case, plastic watch must be bought for Josh. Don't really need a watch. We have phones. But those are worth more than his watch...Must hide those. Duct tape those inside the backpack. Yes. That will work. Then there's the seasick concerns. Will we be? I sure hope not. Called my Nurse Practitioner, she recommended Ginger. must buy ginger. Surely we won't be bothered by that. Sure hope not. And what about the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere on a boat. I have seen Titanic. I looked at the picture of the ship. I see lots of lifeboats. Kinda regretting the window in our room. At least if I didn't have one I could PRETEND to see land. I imagine I may feel the opposite of claustrophobic. Let me look that up... agoraphobia. Fear of wide open spaces. That's it. Kinda. That's what I'm afraid I will have. I wonder if I will sleep. If the kids will sleep. Sure hope so. We sure don't want to be tired if we have to run from the Cartel. We need to leave a day early. C will have to stop to pee. A lot. We will drive half way Friday. Sure hope we don't have any flats. Really don't want to dip into our spending money for that. Do we have enough money? Excursions are paid for. First hotel is paid for. Surely. We shouldn't even go on this. We should put the money into savings. Looked into cancelling. At this point we will lose all our money. That's not cool. Take the trip Kendall. Fun is what a family should have together. Should we get an international plan on our phone? What if there is an emergency? What if there is an emergency that we have NO way of tending to b/c we are in the middle of NOWHERE? Talk about stress. Email will be enough. No phones. It will be warm during the day, not at night though. We need summer and winter clothes I guess. Kids need sunscreen. Tylenol. Should I bring more meds just in case? Diapers, wipes, sunscreen, towels? Or do they have those? I need my camera charger. I should paint my toenails. Oh crap! I don't have a TAN? I don't go to the Caribbean without a BASE TAN. Crap. Crap. Crap. Pack MY sunscreen... My Tylenol. And then there's that Norwalk virus. Wonder if Lysol kills that. I'll bring some just to be sure. Was also warned about bed bugs. Nasty. Must remember to ask for fresh sheets for any trundle type beds. Man, I hope the kids don't drive me crazy.
Oh, wait. Pretty sure that happened already.
I'm also pretty sure my last trip to Mexico my only thought was this bikini or that bikini.
Man, my 21 year old self would be so disappointed in me.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Can you be quiet
C has been growing really fast this month, and when I think back on the month's C highlights, I notice a theme...
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I cant hear my show.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? You are giving me a headache.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I'm not talking to you.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I'm trying to take a nap.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I need to tell God something.
So, either, I'm really loud. Or he is really loud and gets told to be quiet a lot. Or, uh, ok- both. It's just really loud in this house.
No wonder L doesn't talk much. Pretty sure she doesn't get a chance.
The other highlight of November from C:
C, while peeing at my grandmothers....
Mom! I'm sorry I got chocolate on the toilet. But it's ok, I licked it off!
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I cant hear my show.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? You are giving me a headache.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I'm not talking to you.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I'm trying to take a nap.
C: Mom, can you be quiet? I need to tell God something.
So, either, I'm really loud. Or he is really loud and gets told to be quiet a lot. Or, uh, ok- both. It's just really loud in this house.
No wonder L doesn't talk much. Pretty sure she doesn't get a chance.
The other highlight of November from C:
C, while peeing at my grandmothers....
Mom! I'm sorry I got chocolate on the toilet. But it's ok, I licked it off!
November wrap up
Look at me! I'm following through with my plan. Today as I sit on my couch enjoying my coffee by the fire watching the two loves of my life play, I am trying to figure out where November went... I had to look back to my calendar to remember some highlights...
We took L and C to L's first OU game against A&M. We walked all around before the game looking at all the people, the band, the ponies and had a ball. Well, until L got caught up in a stampede of people... Bad mom. We even made it until half time! Which was impressive bc it was SO windy that day we had to hold on to them for dear life! We are very thankful to our good friends Brian and Elizabeth for sharing their tickets with us!
The next weekend C got to go to his "best friends" birthday party. He was so excited to go to Casen's house. The whole family loaded up and enjoyed a great time at the party eating hotdogs, going on hay rides, and bouncing in the enflatatables. Ok, ok, J and I just watched, but we did eat hotdogs!
The next weekend was a little crazy. J went to deer camp and the kids and I loaded up for norman, where I had pictures to take and Girlfriends to play with. Loved watching the game with Tracy, Lindsey and crew, even though He'll froze over and OU lost to Baylor. Seriously don't think there was a single OU fan who saw that coming. In our lifetime. Oh well, found out that day that I'm growing up I guess and football is just becoming a fun thing to do, it no longer ruins my life if we lose. And I really no longer like the trash talk.
The next weekend we GOT BUSY! I was out of school Wednesday and decided that my house's colors didn't match my Christmas decorations, so I decided to repaint. I think my husband now has proof that Im crazy. But it look SO much better and looks good with the tree. Thursday was our only non-productive day since it was Thanksgiving of course. We spent the day in Duncan and got back that night ready to get back to work.
Friday we did all our decorating, inside and out. I LOVE decorating for Christmas. I always wish I had more stuff to out out. This year was extra special bc Carson was actually helpful! He really helped me decorate the tree. It was so fun! L took a nap for most of it, so it was fun just hanging with C dog. Friday night my mother in law came up to keep the kids so we could do our Christmas shopping Saturday and then enjoy a night out with our dinner club. Then Sunday we wrapped. Now, it's all nice and pretty and DONE!
Th earthquakes have calmed down as well. We have still had several, but we arent feeling them most of the time. They are so small now that I can blame it on the heater kicking on or something, like I prefer.
We have also started our nightly family advent activities. Wll blog about those later, and we are on the countdown to vacation! Yesss.
Well, that about wraps up November. Busy, fun, and a little shaky.
And now we are on the countdown to our first vacation as a family!
We took L and C to L's first OU game against A&M. We walked all around before the game looking at all the people, the band, the ponies and had a ball. Well, until L got caught up in a stampede of people... Bad mom. We even made it until half time! Which was impressive bc it was SO windy that day we had to hold on to them for dear life! We are very thankful to our good friends Brian and Elizabeth for sharing their tickets with us!
The next weekend C got to go to his "best friends" birthday party. He was so excited to go to Casen's house. The whole family loaded up and enjoyed a great time at the party eating hotdogs, going on hay rides, and bouncing in the enflatatables. Ok, ok, J and I just watched, but we did eat hotdogs!
The next weekend was a little crazy. J went to deer camp and the kids and I loaded up for norman, where I had pictures to take and Girlfriends to play with. Loved watching the game with Tracy, Lindsey and crew, even though He'll froze over and OU lost to Baylor. Seriously don't think there was a single OU fan who saw that coming. In our lifetime. Oh well, found out that day that I'm growing up I guess and football is just becoming a fun thing to do, it no longer ruins my life if we lose. And I really no longer like the trash talk.
The next weekend we GOT BUSY! I was out of school Wednesday and decided that my house's colors didn't match my Christmas decorations, so I decided to repaint. I think my husband now has proof that Im crazy. But it look SO much better and looks good with the tree. Thursday was our only non-productive day since it was Thanksgiving of course. We spent the day in Duncan and got back that night ready to get back to work.
Friday we did all our decorating, inside and out. I LOVE decorating for Christmas. I always wish I had more stuff to out out. This year was extra special bc Carson was actually helpful! He really helped me decorate the tree. It was so fun! L took a nap for most of it, so it was fun just hanging with C dog. Friday night my mother in law came up to keep the kids so we could do our Christmas shopping Saturday and then enjoy a night out with our dinner club. Then Sunday we wrapped. Now, it's all nice and pretty and DONE!
Th earthquakes have calmed down as well. We have still had several, but we arent feeling them most of the time. They are so small now that I can blame it on the heater kicking on or something, like I prefer.
We have also started our nightly family advent activities. Wll blog about those later, and we are on the countdown to vacation! Yesss.
Well, that about wraps up November. Busy, fun, and a little shaky.
And now we are on the countdown to our first vacation as a family!
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