Not Me Monday Tuesday Edition

I did not totally forget that yesterday was Monday, let alone remember that it was Not Me Monday posting time.

I did not eat two puffs of cotton candy because my daughters do not like cotton candy. I do not not like cotton candy either.

I did not go to bed last night at 9 PM and then actually fall asleep at 12 AM.

I did not pay extra for my van handle to be fixed to have it not work hours after leaving the shop.

I did not ask my husband to get me coffee this morning so I would not be late and arrive late to preschool co-op anyway.

I did not do the Snoopy dance when I realized I beat my 14 year old's record on the Wii Fit in the Ski Jump.

I did not buy extra strength Febreeze in hopes that it would help the couch cushions not smell like butt anymore.

I did not have Chick-Fil-A for dinner two nights in a row. But, if I did I would not have gotten a kiddos' meal just so I could trade the toy in for an icecream cone.

Nope. Not me.

MckMama did not post this Monday, due to Stellan being in the hospital. Please pray for baby Stellan and the whole MckMama family. Not sure why Carlton didn't post, though.....

18 Years Ago

People say that time flies by quickly, especially when you have children and I can testify that that is true.

Today my first born son, my baby, turned 18.

I remember the first time I saw him and held him. I remember nursing him in a borrowed yellow rocking chair in my parents' back bedroom. I remember the smell of his freshly bathed head and the sound of his laugh.

As if it was yesterday.

Part of me wishes it was. It would mean he would have a completely fresh slate in front of him. A new start.

I suppose he has a new start, turning 18, becoming an adult. A birthday even signifies a new beginning. He needs it. He deserves it.

J -

Today you turn 18. I know you said you do not feel any different, but this birthday is different. You are the same age today that I was when I gave birth to you. I was so young, yet I grew up so quickly as soon as you entered this world. You changed me forever and I know today will change you, too.

You have grown into a young man that still has many boyish charms, some that will help you be compassionate and carefree and some that you will have to let go of to be able to become the man who will have a career, marry a wife and raise a family.

You have started to smile again and believe in yourself. You are doing remarkable in school and at work. You are responsible and motivated to achieve your goals. You are very different than you were a year ago.

My heart broke when you climbed through your bedroom window, determined to make it on your own. You were so sure that you did not need me, did not need God and you were hell bent on making sure you never had to be a part of our family again.

You made it hard to want you to be part of our family when my heart hurt so much. But, I held to the promise that God gave me before you were born that you would be an amazing man one day. That He had grand plans for you. Even though I had to watch you destroy yourself and your life to find yourself again, I was able to do it, because I trusted God. He is so faithful. You are so very different than you were a year ago.

I know next year, you will have changed yet again and I will continue to be proud of you.

You will have your GED and completed your internship. You will have established yourself in a career and be on your way to being on your own.

I will remember the day I held you for the first time as an unsure 18 year old momma. I wasn't sure if you would nurse well, if you would sleep well, if you and I would be able to figure out this whole momma and boy thing together, but I was sure of one thing.

I would love you forever with an unconditional momma's love that sometimes has to hurt and sometimes has to let go, but always holds you close to my heart.

Love,
Mom

Not Me Monday Sick Again Edition

I was not up at 2 AM watching my 4 year old puke all over my bed.

I did not let my husband who has a weaker stomach than me clean up the bed and the 4 year old while I laid on the couch.

I did not wake up a few hours later with a terrible crick in my neck from falling asleep on the arm of the couch.

I did not sneak back to my bed with the hopes of getting a little more sleep before the daycare boy showed up for the day.

I was not thankful that the 4 year old ignored me at dinner when I told him to eat more of his food, so that when he threw up it was mostly strawberry shake and not very chunky.

I have not let my 4 year old run around in Pull-Ups all day because it has been easier to clean up his explosive diarrhea that way.

Nope, not me!

Check out MckMama's blog and Carlton's blog for more Not Me Monday madness!

Not Me Monday Sick Edition

I did not not post earlier because I have been in bed with aches and pains and fevers. I am always healthy.

But, NOT today! Blah!

Head over to MckMama's blog and Carlton's blog to see some more thought out posts that are not influenced by the flu or whatever bug I have.

I am going back to bed.

Snow Day! March 2009

Even though, the kiddos had pretty much given up on getting any real snow this winter they took advantage of the 8 inches we got last week. Here are a few pictures.....

Kari is a little bit excited about the snow


Noah, not doubt, waxing eloquently on the advantages of a snow day


It's a great day for a sleigh ride!


It is easier to roll on the exit


Sledding down the hill....


Apparently, you can pick up some speed on that little hill...enough to toss Kari off the sled!


Noah eating the snow


Kari making a snowball


This is the picture I took of the last snow we had...January was it?


Rick took this one last Monday

Not Me Monday 23rd Edition

I did not ask my husband to say he had passed gas in the church office if someone came into the office when it was really me.

I did not stay in the bedroom watching Brothers and Sisters during Family Night because I had a headache and did not want to deal with the kiddos' loudness while they played the Wii.

I did not sneak out of the house Friday night under the guise of needing to take Rick to the bank and then get Frappucinos from Starbucks.

I did not eat two donuts for breakfast and not eat anything for lunch because I was still full.

I did not let the 6 year old wear flip flops to a party on Saturday and insist on painting her toe nails first.

I did not laugh hysterically when the 4 year old did his kung fu on a friend of Devin's and kicked him square in the groin.

I did not sleep in until 10 AM this morning and let Rick get up with the kiddos and go out to play in the snow with them since I hurt my back from sneezing yesterday.

What didn't you do??

Check out MckMama's blog and the original Not Me Monday. And don't forget to head over to Carlton's blog, too.

Not Me Monday 22nd Edition

I did not get raspberry jelly chocolates at the store knowing that no one else likes them at my house, so I could eat them all.

I did not eat a serving of mini chocolate eclairs for breakfast (a serving size is 6, BTW).

I did not eat three donuts on Saturday morning, even though they are half the size of regular donuts, so I justified it by telling myself that each time I was eating one.

I did not eat a wasabi and soy sauce almond and tell my husband that I would rather eat toe jam than eat one of them again.

I did not eat more potatoes than chocolate at our Chocolate Challenge LIFE Nite at church last night.

I was not a half hour late for LIFE Nite last night because I was still napping with Noah.

I did not just write a Not Me post that consisted of mostly food related items.

So, check out the blog that birthed the Not Me Monday and 4 charming kiddos and visit my friend, Carlton's blog. He will appreciate the visitors =)

Not Me Monday The Legal Edition

Monday used to be a day I dreaded, now I do not dread Mondays, because I love Not Me Monday! Read mine and then head over to MckMama's where it all began. And do not forget to check out, Carlton's blog, too!

I did not send Rick out the morning of Valentine's Day to get the kiddos' cards and candy.

I did not only fill their hearts part of the way so I would have some mini Reese's Peanut Butter cups left over for myself.

I did not take the kiddos out three times for ice cream last week.

I did not even not realize that Kari and Noah had climbed into bed with us until we woke up in the morning on Sunday.

I did not let Kari play outside in her flip flops even though it was too cold for flip flops last week.

I did not wait to hear crying when I heard what sounded like someone falling down the stairs before I went to investigate. When no one was crying I did not continue what I was doing. *Don't worry - everyone was okay, including Devin's laptop. Yes, it was 17 year old that fell down the stairs*

I did not wear the same red sweater three times this week in honor of celebrating Valentine's Day.

I did not eat a piece of cake and a cupcake yesterday before lunch.

I did not give Noah a piece of Kari's gum even though she told him he couldn't have any more of her gum.

I did not let Devin go to a friend's house on Saturday while Rick was at work even though he told her she could not go.

I did not enjoy making up with Rick after I told him I let Devin go against his wishes.

I did not start kissing Rick to distract him from being mad at me.

Nope, not me! What didn't you do??

Not Me Monday 20th Edition

You know what today is...No, not Manic Monday! It's Not Me Monday and after you finish my fabulous post, check out MckMama's blog where it all began.

I did not eat a pint of ice cream on Saturday night

I did not throw out what my mom made for dinner on Monday on Saturday because no one really ate it then and I did not want it in the fridge

I did not listen to the same CD on repeat all week long whenever I got the chance

I did not put headphones on and listen to the same CD while I was on the computer and sing loudly while getting strange looks from my 14 year old

I did not feed my kiddos chicken biscuits for breakfast and chicken nuggets for lunch

I was not a bit sad when my mom sewed my 4 year old’s blankie back together. I did not totally love that it was falling apart

I did not let my dad take Rick to the airport on Friday at 5 AM so I could sleep

I did not make enough Shepherd’s Pie ingredients to fill 2 9X13 dishes thinking my family would eat it in one setting to have an entire dish of it still in the fridge

I have not been warming it up for the kiddos’ lunches every day since then and still have a dish of it left

I did not tell my husband that he was perpetuating teenage drama this weekend by acting like the teenagers he was saying were being dramatic

I did not bake chocolate chips for my ministry display in the church kitchen during the morning service yesterday

I did not justify it because, since our church is small, I could still hear the sermon in the kitchen

I did not use the cookies to try to bribe the judge to win a gift card for the best ministry display

I did not say the word ass in front of our worship leader, youth leader and pastor on Saturday night while I was at the church setting up my ministry displays

I was not referring to an old blog post about my husband when I said the above mentioned word

Nope, not me! What did you not do this week? Check out my friend, Carlton's blog, too!

Not Me Monday 19th Edition

To make up for my lame post last week, this one with be chock full of Not Me bits. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy....

I did not tell my 4 yr. old son he smelled like butt and needed a bath to hear him sing the following song in the bathtub.."My mom gave me a sponge and some soap and now I smell good instead of like butt!"

I did not allow my daughter to eat raw cookie dough for snack....twice.

I did not get frustrated when my mom sent cake mix to make cupcakes and the ingredients to make homemade icing with my daughter and then proceed to have a great time baking with her.

I did not say hell twice in a conversation I had with my close friend and pastor's wife.

I was not only relaying a story told to me by one of the elderly ladies in our church.

I was not thankful when the little boy I babysit mom's called to say he was not coming today, so I could sleep in.

I did not sleep in until 9:50 AM today even though my 4 yr. old was up at 8:30 AM.

I did not take my shoes off at church and serve in the nursery in just my socks.

I did not set aside $20 to get my haircut and then spend it on gas for the car and pizza for Friday's dinner.

I did not laugh really hard while my 4 yr. old played the Rayman's Raving Rabbids 2 game where you throw the paper balls at the teacher's back and then get hit in the head with a crayon if he catches you.

Nope not me!

Check out where the Not Me Monday carnival started - MckMama's blog - and check out my friend, Carlton's blog , too!

Heard Around My House

K said, frustrated as she played MarioKart on the Wii - "I am never going to be good at the Grand Pricks (Prix)!"

Well, okay then.

N, while he scrubbed himself in the bath tub the other night, after I told him he needed a bath because he had not wiped properly and smelled like butt, sang this little ditty - "My mom gave me the soap and a sponge and now I smell good instead of like butt!"

K remarked as we made cupcakes with homemade chocolate, buttercreme icing - "This is a day I will always forget!"

And then she said, as she looked at the roses Rick gave me - "You know they are roses because of their sparks."

I think she meant thorns.

SNOW!!!

Today it finally snowed! The kiddos were pretty excited about getting out and about in the snow, although they couldn't use the igloo cube maker that Rick got them last year in anticipation for some big snow this year. Here are some pictures.....

14 is the Magic Number

Today Cody turned 14. He asked me if it was an important number, like 13 or 18, or even 21. I told him it was a magic number and he just laughed. He slept until noon - we do not have school on Mondays - had a Chick-Fil-A breakfast, chocolate cake and icecream for lunch and party burgers for dinner. He was exempt from his chores today and got his yellow belt in karate. I think it ended up being a pretty good day.....

Reading the card Rick and I gave him. Outside (with a dad and mom on it) - "Our Gift to You?" Inside - "Life. Enjoy it."


I think I know what this is.....


Don't be so confused. It really is MarioCart for the Wii!


An extra steering wheel, so Rick can beat him!


What is it??


It's Guitar Hero, dude!!


Blowing out his candles

Not Me Monday 18th Edition

I did not not write anything down for my post this week, making it very hard for me to recall anything I did not do!

But, I am sure MckMama will have a great post up - even though she is off cruisin' this week! - and you can always check out my friend Carlton's blog, too!

Maybe I will be able to come up with a better post when I am not so tired.

Not Me Monday 17th Edition

Check out MckMama's blog to see what all the Not Me Monday business is about, but only after you read what I wasn't up to last week.....

I did not sit on the edge of the bathtub and pee since my 6 year was on the toilet taking way too long to go to the bathroom.

I did not threaten my 6 year old that if she ever did that she'd be in big trouble.

I did not have to get a tooth pulled this morning because it was so decayed it was harming the tooth in front of it. I take great care of my teeth, dontcha know!

I did not eat my weight in chips and salsa poured over cream cheese last night as we watched the football game at church.

I did not delete 20 Miis from the Wii today that my 4 year old son made over the weekend. I did not make him a new one when he cried when I erased his favorite Mii.

I have not had to throw up mucus every morning for the past few days. I did not have to throw it up in the kitchen trashcan and sink this morning.

I did not laugh a little, okay, a lot when my 17 year old told me at counseling they stuck needles in his ears, turned off the lights and made him listen to Marvin Gay during the drug and alcohol detox session on Friday.

I did not consume most of a big bag of black licorice within two days by myself.

I did not rejoice a little when I found out that my eating licorice makes my husband not want to kiss me as much as his eating onions does me.

I did not post this late because I slept in and then had to rush to my dental appointment. I also did not wait to past since when I came home from my appointment I was numb and a bit loopy.

What didn't you do?? And check out my friend, Carlton's post. He is now a Not Me poster, too!

Feeling Lucky??

Maybe you will win the fabulous prize this site is giving away! Check it out!!

The gamers in my family would love to win this prize!!

Not Me Monday 16th Edition

I did not wear my four year old's socks because I could not find a pair of my own.

I did not want to slap a grown woman at the courthouse this week. Twice.

I did not go to the MVA this week three times and still not get my son his ID card.

I did not wish I had a detonator in my purse when the lady at the MVA told us for the third day in a row that we did not have the necessary forms etc. to be able to get my son's ID card.

I did not just put my Christmas decorations away on Saturday.

I did not allow my four year old to hide in a horizontal file cabinet while playing hide and seek on Thursday.

I did not delete 20+ Miis that my four year old made over the last week.

I did not eat saltines with butter for lunch and dinner on Friday.

I did not give my kiddos Ritz crackers with their soup so that I could have saltines with butter for later.

I did not have an outfit laid out for church on Sunday, only to completely change it when I realized I would not be able to wear my new free moccasins with it.

I did not use my four year old's dollar in the vending machine. I did not spend it when he wasn't with me, so that he didn't even get to share the pretzels I bought with it.

I did not secretly thank God that my 17 year old daughter is 1300 miles away when she told us she has the flu.

And lastly, I did not let my husband lick chocolate off of my fingers tonight, because I am fasting from chocolate and didn't have a napkin close by!

What didn't you do this past week??

Check out MckMama's blog for other Not Me's from around the blogosphere!

Why I Almost Blew Up the DMV

Now that J's court proceedings are finished and he has probation, he needs to find a job. He went to a temp agency the afternoon after court and they told him he needed his social security card and a photo ID. When he was bouncing from house to house he lost his social security card. And since he does not have his license yet, he does not have a photo ID. So, my parents took him down to apply for another social security card and then to the MVA to get his ID.

The lady at the information desk said all he needed was his birth certificate and the receipt saying he had applied for his new social security card. But, after they waited an hour, the lady at the ID desk told my mom that I needed to be there for J to get his ID.

Okay.

So, on Wednesday afternoon, off we go to the MVA. The lady at the information (same one from the previous day) asked me if I was his mother and I said yes. She asked if we had his birth certificate and social security card information. I answered in the affirmative. We only waited about 15 minutes to have the lady at the ID desk tell me that I needed to have two proofs of residency.

Oh brother.

Friday afternoon we head back to the MVA with J's birth certificate, social security card info., and my proof of residency. We waited about 45 minutes for the lady at the ID desk to tell us that he needs his original social security card.

Seriously??

She apologized and said, "I am sorry you were given misinformation."

I replied, "We are getting used to it."

I pressed my invisible detonator as we exited the building for the third time in one week.

J's replacement card arrived today.

BOOM!

The OM WienerMobile

The other day we pulled into the shopping center by our house and saw the Oscar Mayer WienerMobile parked in the parking lot. No one was in the WienerMobile so we stood in front of it and took some pictures. Kari did not want to get her picture taken in front of it and when I told her and Noah to say "Wiener!" as Rick took the picture, she held her ears. I think she was a bit embarrassed because some teen boys were standing by when we were taking the pictures.

Since no one was in the WienerMobile we headed to the store to get Rick some razors. While he was in the store, the WienerMobile started to drive away. The kiddos were upset because they wanted to go back and see if someone was there after we went to the store so they could get whistles. If you sing the Wiener jingle you get a free wiener whistle.

Rick came out of the store just as the WienerMobile was passing us and asked about the whistles. The young man driving said they would be setting up in front of Giant in a few minutes and would have the whistles to give away.

So, we parked over by Giant and waited a few minutes. We went out and sang the jingle (Rick even sang the Bologna jingle to get an extra whistle!) and got our whistles. Then we were able to tour the inside of the WienerMobile and get a picture with Hot Dogger Tara.

It was quite the adventure! Here are some pictures......

Momma, Noah and Kari in front of the WienerMobile


Noah and Daddy posing in front of the WienerMobile


The license plate "Big Bun"


Kari relaxing in the WienerMobile


Noah in the WienerMobile with his Wiener whistle


The floor had a squirt of mustard on it


The view out of the front window of the WienerMobile


Kari and Noah will Hot Dogger Tara

Not Me Monday 15th Edition

I did not use the phrase "Stop making new Miis!" more than "I love you" this week.

I did not use the slices of bread that were not moldy in the package for toast the other day.

I did not pray that the heat from the toaster would cancel out any mold that was beginning to grow but remained unseen.

I did not chip a piece of my already broke tooth off by eating a triscuit for breakfast.

I did not decide to fast from chocolate and then totally forget and pop, not one, but two Hershey's kisses in my mouth.

I did not heavily try to hint something to a friend about something she forgot and then get my husband involved in the hinting...to no avail.

I did not sleep until 10 AM more than once this week.

I did not forget to put a pull-up on my son last night resulting in an early morning "I peed in my bed" wake-up call.

I did not laugh when my husband stepped in a pile of my parents' dog's poop in the laundry room in his socks.

I did not let my son go to bed without wiping his face clean from the chocolate dessert he had earlier that evening.

What didn't you do??

Stop over at MckMama's and see what everyone else is not doing this week.