Gone home...

Jason's grandfather, Otto, passed away this morning. He had a stroke over the summer and had since not been doing all that well. The picture is from when we saw him in October. While there is always some sadness in death, we rejoice that he has gone home to Jesus. He was a sweet man who was always so excited to see all of us when we came to visit. We will miss him. We will all be traveling to Lubbock tomorrow night to be there for the memorial service on Wednesday.

Day 5...C is for Cookie

Day 5...C is for Cookie, originally uploaded by Frazzled LaShawn.

I have done really well in past months food wise. I don't talk about weight or diet on this blog much. It is just not something I am wanting to get all out in the open about....YET. I have gotten loads of compliments lately from friends saying I look thinner. That is always nice to hear. Hopefully I can get over my "issues" and not sabotage myself and keep it going.

Every girl deserves a treat now and then. Jason LOVES chocolate chip cookies. OK, Jason loves chocolate. I made him some cookies tonight, which is a feat since he usually eats the dough before I can make them. I indulged in one....JUST one. Progress....

Devotion...

*This was a picture taken OF a picture..that is why it isn't that great. Our scanner is being retarded.*

Jason took Austin to Tigermania last night. It was an event for just the Tiger Scouts in the area. Yes, my husband went to an event with 150 six year olds. We have all developed a cold and Jason wasn't feeling that great, but he still took him. Austin had a BLAST! Jason, because of his love for me and the boys, will do things that he doesn't always want to do just because it makes us happy. I doubt that last night with a sore throat and a cough his idea of fun was being in a room of screaming 1st graders, but he took Austin. That is devotion to your children.

Austin, Brodie and Chase may not realize what a wonderful man Jason is yet, but they will know as they get older. I am thankful every day that Jason works so hard to be such a wonderful dad. He lets NOTHING get in the way of that. The boys and I are truly blessed to have him.

Day #4...Domestic

Day #4...Domestic, originally uploaded by Frazzled LaShawn.

Few things in life give me more satisfaction than cooking for people. There is something very therapeutic about cooking. If only someone would do the dishes for me. (Am I speaking to anybody?)

Day #3...Speak

Day #3...Speak, originally uploaded by Frazzled LaShawn.

I heard Beth Moore once say that some days she needs to hear from God so badly that she will sleep with her Bible open on her face. There are days that I so badly need to get in the Spirit that I will rest my head upon His Word and hope that maybe osmosis will take effect.

On the days I feel unbalanced I bring myself here to try to even the scales.

Unbalance is something I have struggled with lately. I am finding the more I try to stabilize myself IN the word, the more balance I am feeling. I guess that should have been obvious.

Thursday Thirteen...Products

Thirteen Products and Items That I Love And/Or Am Currently Drooling Over (Are you taking notes for Christmas?)

1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple (I would bathe in this stuff if I could afford to)

2. Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Hair Serum: It cuts the blow dry time down insanely on my hair. I have thick hair used to take forever to blow dry. Plus it makes my hair look very silky and nice. Love the stuff.

3. Journals of any kind...I love the possibility of a new journal. This one is pretty.

4. Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs Dishwasher Detergent. Seriously, anything that can make dishes come out clean in my ancient dishwasher has to rock. (a girl has to be practical)

5. Füri Rachael Ray 3-Knife Set: Cause I could do some serious chopping with those puppies.

6. PJ's from Victoria's Secret. Too cute.

7. Coach...need I say more? This is my current favorite.

8. A New Digital Camera...still researching which one I want....will get back to you on that one.

9. New Bedding for our bedroom.

10. New Coffee Pot...but fancier.

11. New Dishes...I am tired of the mix n match stuff we have been sporting.

12. The Schick Intuition Razor...I swear this is one of the best inventions EVER

13. Oh yes...and World Peace.

Day #2...daydreaming

Day #2...daydreaming, originally uploaded by Frazzled LaShawn.

Today was a good day. Kree and I decided to head out to IKEA and well any day in which I get to go to IKEA is a good day. Being that I am in my domestic mood still, I picked up a few items for the kitchen. I love just walking around in there. Brodie likes to go just cause he gets to go play in the playroom for an hour while I shop. After IKEA we headed out to lunch. Kree has been out of town and I have been busy so we haven't had a lot of time to chat lately. We had a good chat over lunch and enjoyed some mighty tasty Mexican food.

The picture was taken in Kree's car. We stopped off to pick up Austin at school and Chase needed to be fed (he is getting a cold and is NOT patient with Mommy at the moment) so we stayed in the car. I found myself staring at the trees while Chase was nursing. I love fall. Today was crisp and sunny. I loved it. It could stay this kind of weather year round and I would love it.

Day #1...Laundry

Day #1...Laundry, originally uploaded by Frazzled LaShawn.

This is day one of my 30 day photo challenge. What better way to start a month in the life of Frazzled LaShawn than with a picture of my laundry. Seriously, where does it all come from? Just when I think I am getting caught up...BAM...truckload of laundry falls from the sky. I need a bigger washer...and a maid.

Not to Open a Can of Worms...

I don't want to turn this blog somehow political. I do follow politics and have VERY strong opinions on the matter. I am not one of those that won't be your friend if we disagree in politics, however. I debated even talking about this, but it just bothers me so much.

What few brain cells Kerry may have once had in his brain have left his body completely. I am sure of it now. How in the world can you stand up in front of people and actually utter those words and then try to deflect the blame onto other people. Look I know a lot of people disagree with Bush and a lot of people disagree with the handling of Iraq. Some of their points are even valid. But to say something so insanely disrespectful to the troops is just incomprehensible. Having lived on a military base let me tell you something Mr. Kerry...these men are brave, not dumb.

In trying to defend himself against his insane rantings Kerry once again hid behind his past military service (which has been proven to be less than admirable at times). Kerry seems to believe those Americans who have never worn a military uniform in battle are somehow not allowed to be patriotic or have an opinion. I think Kerry just lost a few democrats their seats in the mid-term elections.

**Just for the sake of clarity...these are MY opinions on MY blog. I don't care if a person is conservative, liberal, or purple. These comments were just wrong and Kerry should apologize...period**

Happy Halloween

New Journeys

Tomorrow is a new month. With that new month will come a number of new journeys for me. I have decided to attempt to get my creative juices flowing again. I used to write much more than I do now (both in my blog and in private). I also used to be much more creative than I have been lately. Kids and life take time away and I am one of those people that often overlooks my own desires in order to take care of others. So a few things will start in November. As you can see from the link in my sidebar, I am going to participate in NaBloPoMo. It is a challenge to post everyday for a the month of November. I post several times a week, but I am challenging myself to post everyday...and on MOST days to post something decent. I want to improve as a writer. Even though my blog is about me and my life, it could be presented in a better fashion more often than not. I get lazy.

I am also going to start a photo challenge of sorts. A woman I greatly admire, Nicole, is a WONDERFUL photographer. She is participating in a project in which you take a self portrait of yourself everyday for a year. I got so caught up in reading her descriptions and looking at her photos I decided to do a modified version. Since I am not sure I can keep it up for a year, I am going to try it for the month of November. It is basically to inspire creativity and to give me a way to focus on giving a good description of what is going on with me daily....in my brain. I want to get back to the creative side of myself. If nothing else it will be something by me for me.

Let's see how it goes...

Peeking in...

I found a journal in the grocery cart at Central Market today. Normally when I find anything I just turn it in to a checker. That is until I was told by a friend of mine that in most retail places if the item turned in is not of any real value that it usually goes straight to the trash.

I carried the journal around in the cart while I did our shopping. Picking up mundane things that I normally buy at Central Market...fresh tortillas, coffee, foccacia bread, Burt bee's lip balm, guacamole, chicken tenderloins. It is one of those journals with a magnetic closure. I didn't open it. I carried it with me through the check out line. I took it out to the car and opened it up. I really was just looking to see if there was a name or some identifying item inside.

Here is what I know about this journals owner. He does not use this journal for deeply personal things. Mostly mundane to do lists...grocery lists etc. He also seems to be heavy into the death metal scene. Some of the bands he has listed are a little scary. He changes handwriting frequently and seems to be artistic in some manner. He works in a corporate job. Jason recognized much of the items on his to do list as computer and programming related things. He is a smoker. You can smell the smoke as you flip the pages. He likes soccer and seems to be a referee. He believes all pro athletes should have to attend 4 children's games a year to remind them of what the game is really about. Tenderloin is on his grocery list often. He is going to see Black Label Society on November 19th. Well, that is if I can get his ticket to him that was tucked into the journal. The one item that was inside that is now going to allow me to send this to him....a speeding ticket...with his address. So, Roger, I will drop your journal in the mail to you tomorrow. Sorry I am nosey!

Careful Girls...

He's a lady killer!

Why do you taunt me so?

I love Starbucks. OK, wait let me give you the full effect....I freaking LOOOOOOOVE Starbucks. I think they put crack in their coffee. Seriously, why else would I pay $5 for a cup of coffee???? Mom and I treated ourselves yesterday morning before I got my haircut (actually Mom treated us BOTH). OOOO it was tasty!

Children by day...

Crimefighters by night

Thursday Thirteen...Random

Thirteen Things I Am Currently Thinking About

1. I am not too much of a celebrity watcher, but I do keep up with the highlights. The whole Sara Evans divorce makes me very sad for some reason. The girl who does my hair looks JUST LIKE Sara Evans...I will have to get her take on it when I get my hair done Saturday.

2. I am not a fan of Madonna (I like her music, but have issues with her in other areas). HOWEVER, I think she is totally getting crapped on right now by the media.

3. My mom is flying in today for the weekend. I am so excited. I love my Mommy!

4. We are going to a birthday party on Saturday for Shana's son, Bishop. The boys are so excited. I am just happy to get to see Shana....Hello...BEEN WAY TOO LONG.

5. One of my favorite blogs has gone MIA.....Come back Nicole.

6. I am LOVING the new Beth Moore Bible Study! Seriously, I have cried so many times already doing this one.

7. I am starting a new challenge on November 1. It is a 30 day challenge. Given my negativity lately it will be hard. If you are married...Care to join?

8. I am currently having to restrain myself. We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year and I am so badly wanting to buy all sorts of new house stuff. I did get a gorgeous new table cloth on MAJOR sale that I am very proud of. But someone please give me a billion dollar gift certificate to Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel....PLEASE!

9. I hate being a women during certain times of the month.

10. As always, the school debate is still going on. Nursing school? Or No?

11. I really wish people would educate themselves on a subject before spouting off their opinion. I mean everyone is entitled to their opinion, but lordy....there are these things called FACTS people. Pick up a book or something.

12. I really want to go back to bed. Chase is NOT sleeping well. I think we are teething....JOY!

13. Did I mention my Mommy is coming today??? WOOHOO!


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!!

A Life With Boys...

Just when I thought yesterday was going to be an uneventful day...BAM....blood. Lots of blood at that.

Brodie and Austin were cleaning their room supposed to be cleaning their room. They were playing all sorts of games and irritating each other. Wrestling was involved...lots of wrestling. I kept telling them that they were getting too crazy. I told them no less than 15 times that someone was going to end up hurt. Then it happened. Austin picked up a metal bucket that they have in their room for books and was covering his face with it. Can you see it coming? Brodie then took that opportunity to punch the bucket from the other side. Yes folks, PUNCH THE BUCKET INTO HIS BROTHER'S FACE!

I ran to the room, Austin was clutching his face. I really didn't realize that it was all that bad. I took Brodie into the other room and stuck his nose in a corner (I refuse to spank for hitting, I think it is contradictory....though I do spank). It was then I heard THE shriek. Austin has this shriek when he gets freaked out. It is loud....like a freight train whistle. I ran to the other room and saw my poor baby with blood all over his face and running all down his hands. The edge of the bucket was apparently against Austin's upper gum when Brodie hit it and it busted his gum. I mean, BUSTED! Now, I am usually pretty calm and collected with injuries (we all remember Brodie's Tarzan incident). I was not so calm and collected this time. BUT, I faked it well. We cleaned it up and called Jason. Jason came home to check it out. We decided to wait and see how it looked. After an hour or so we decided our main concern was infection from the bucket. So Austin and I went to the quick care.

Long story short...he got antibiotics and the doctor said we might want to see a dentist today. The picture is of how it looked this morning( sorry that was the best pic I could get). We are going to see how it looks this afternoon after school before making a decision on the dentist.

Never a dull moment when raising boys....

It only took 8 years...

Yesterday was the first time in 8 years that I did not cry on October 22nd. I don't know if that can be attributed to healing or just the fact that we have been sick and my mind was mostly elsewhere. I didn't even realize that it was the 22nd until 9:00 last night. But, even with the realization, the tears stayed at bay. October 22, 1998 was the date that I "officially" lost my first pregnancy. That was the day I had my D&C. Though it was definitely an unplanned pregnancy and I was entirely too young, it was still a painful and emotional time. Within three weeks of that day I was married (again WAY too young)...it was a roller coaster time in my life. I was what I can now see in a DEEP state of depression for much of that time. I won't get into details, but I needed to acknowledge that day.

As for the sickly folks around here...we are better. Jason and I got knocked down by this far worse than Austin and luckily Brodie and Chase seem have avoided it completely. Jason and I still have the "rolly tummies" but they are getting better. Thanks to those of you that emailed. Sorry you girls that came to DFW this weekend for the WE WANNA MEET! I was so looking forward to meeting all you but didn't want to share our germs.

We have germs...

It all started with Austin and me up yesterday morning puking our brains out. (Nice visual right?) Now Jason has it....

Let's just hope that the baby and Brodie can steer clear of it. Not a fun few days in our house. We are now under quarantine.

My children are stars....

Brodie's choir had Parent's Night tonight. Jason and I were SO entertained watching our little star, Brodie, sing his heart out. He was so happy and outgoing. Last year he cried the whole time, so this is HUGE! It was so awesome.

We also found out tonight that Austin got one of the LEAD roles in our church's Christmas Choir production. My little leading men!!!

For Cason...

My sister in law is walking with my nephew Cason in the Heart walk in Lubbock this weekend. This is obviously a subject close to our hearts after what Cason went through after birth. She could really use everyone's support. I never ask my readers for anything, but if you can please click the link and at least read Cason's story and consider giving.

Come back here...

Chase is earning his name more and more everyday. He has mastered the inchworm crawl and the combat crawl and he is EVERYWHERE!!! Someone forgot to tell him he is only 5 months old. We always said when I was pregnant that I was in for it with this one. Well, he is living up to it. He will be full on crawling soon and I don't know what I am going to do. Not prepared!!!

Jack O'Lantern

The first of many pumpkin related posts. The boys got to carve their pumpkin the other night. It has been so rainy we haven't been able to do the other or paint the little ones. Hopefully this evening. Didn't they do a great job?

Five Months...

Chase is 5 months old today. He is growing like a weed and I can't believe how fast them time is going. I swear even after three kids I can't get over how fast it goes. I decided to give a run down of what all Chase is doing and loving at the moment.

Food: He is still a breast baby (who can blame him). He loves to nurse. He also LOVES his cereal every night. We have also recently tried squash, which he surprisingly liked. We are moving on to more foods in the coming weeks.

Active: BOY is this child active. He can already get up on his hands and knees and rock. Not long until we crawl. He is going to be early to crawl and early to walk like his daddy. He rolls EVERYWHERE. Gone are the days of leaving him in one spot and expecting him to stay there. He also loves his excersaucer and his jumper.

Funnies: Austin and Brodie are still the funniest two people alive as far as Chase is concerned. He loves his brothers. Chase is also getting good at recognizing when people are laughing at him. He is a ham (gee, wonder where that came from). He is still a pretty quiet baby, but man when he has something to say it comes out in streams. He loves to grab my hair and my cheek at the same time and try to love on my cheek. It is Chase Kisses!!!! He also loves his morning "talks" with his daddy while he gets ready for work.

Overall Chase is a lot like Austin and Brodie as babies in that he is so happy. Not much gets to him. Right now our challenge is learning to like our crib for more than 2 hours at a time. I also think we are beginning to teeth. So fun times ahead.

By the way, Austin took this picture and he has announced that he wants to be a photographer when he grows up....I think the kid has a future.

The Great Pumpkin...

Kree and I took the boys to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound today. We had so much fun. The boys brought home some small pumpkins that we are going to paint tomorrow. We stayed well over three hours and the weather was GORGEOUS! It really got me ready for fall...which happens to be my favorite time of year! I will have more pictures posted later when I get a chance to edit them.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend reading other blogs?

I would hate to admit this number...lately though I have been slacking. I probably spend about a hour a day reading and writing blogs. It is definitely my release.

Soup
Your community wants everyone to give one thing to put into a time capsule. What item would you choose to include?

Depends on what the purpose of the time capsule was. If it was just to give people in the future a glimpse of our culture I would put a cell phone or computer. If it was to give people a glimpse of me personally I would probably include a picture of my kids.

Salad
What is the most interesting tourist attraction you've ever visited?

I have been a lot of places and seen a lot of things....but the one that made the most impact on me was when I visited the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany.

Main Course
If you could give an award to anyone for anything, who would it be and what would the award be titled?

This is HARD. For now I will say, I would give an award to my aunt Kree. It would be titled...Coolest Aunt Ever award. Lame sounding, but hey I haven't had coffee yet. My aunt Kree rocks by the way!

Dessert
What do you think your favorite color reveals about your personality?

Well, my favorite color used to be green....not sure what that revealed about me. I love nature maybe? Now my favorite color is pink....that reveals my evolution into a girly girl. Well, as much as I can be a girly girl.

I am Holy...

I have been doing the new Beth Moore bible study called, "Daniel". It is intense and awesome.

Last night while Austin and Brodie were in choir I sat in my favorite chair in our church and started on some of the week's homework for the study. The theme of this week's study is hitting me hard and in tender places. One statement is now circled and highlighted and I have read it several times today. Beth made the statement about herself, but it very well could have been from my own lips:

"For much of my life I've had a fairly high regard for God, but I nourished a very low regard for myself. Much of my sin resulted from my unbelief that I was valuable and precious to God, coupled with my unwillingness to treat my own vessel as holy."---Beth Moore

It is hard for me, even now as a saved person, to wrap my mind around the fact that I am precious to God. That I am "the apple of His eye". I still have a hard time facing the fact that even with as awful as some of my sins have been, God still embraces me and get this...HE WANTS TO USE ME! I believe it...I have witnessed too much of His grace to not, but I just don't fathom WHY! The part of the study this week that I am taking with me is that I AM HOLY! God has consecrated me, cleansed me, declared me holy through Christ Jesus. How dare I treat myself as anything less. Even more so....How dare I let others and Satan use my holy vessel to toast unholy causes. I have repented of those sins and God has wiped them from memory. It is a testament to my faith that I can take him at His WORD. It is a testament to my faith that I can recognize the subtlety of Satan in trying to have me relive those sins and to wallow in them. I recognize it and I will not allow it.

"Vessels that have been treated as unholy can be treated as holy again"--Beth Moore

Blessed...

I am truly blessed in my life. I have not been very good at expressing the blessings that I have received lately. I am just in a moody season for some reason or another. Most of the time I am very happy, but I have been having some very big downs. I am not sure what it is, but I am working on it. Mostly through prayer. The trip to Lubbock put a lot of things in perspective for me. First off was missing my husband insanely. I don't give him the credit he deserves sometimes, but he is an amazing husband. The other part was just seeing my family. I feel selfish for some of the thoughts I have had over the past few months. I have been very "me" focused. It is mostly revolving around school for me, but that is for another time. I was going through some of the pictures from our trip, trying to ready them to upload online, when I found this picture of my nephew and me swinging.

OH, I am so blessed. I have three beautiful children that are such lights in the lives of so many people. I have a husband that amazes me daily. I have this PRECIOUS nephew, who I do not see enough, that just makes me melt. I have parents and grandparents and aunts that are so supportive and loving. I have a brother and sister-in-law that have shared their child with me and been such good friends to me. Oh, I am mightily blessed and I intend to start seeing my life that way...

Slave labor...

This post is mostly for my mom...

This is our new chore chart. So far it is working WONDERFULLY! Every weekday I put a few chores (written on Popsicle sticks) into each of the boys "To Do" pockets. They then get to move the sticks into their done pockets that they decorated when they are done.

It isn't that I think the kids should have to keep up the house (most of the time I have to go behind them and finish up since they are still kinda young). BUT, Jason and I are serious about teaching them that as a member of this family they have to help out. They are more than willing. I know I will miss this attitude when they are 10 years old.....

Home Sweet Home

Chase and Cason play around on the floor at Grandma's house.

Austin, Brodie and Mommy being silly while making Big Daddy a birthday cake.

Austin and Brodie doing a little climbing.

We are so glad to be home. We all had a great time while visiting in Lubbock. Will post more later!

The best birth control...

I am currently at my parents house...alone....with four children. We are having a blast, but it is just a little past 8 in the morning and I am already needing some caffeine. Talk about good birth control....

I think you all are S.O.L. for Jason and me trying for a fourth :-)

**edited at 10 am: I am awesome. Oldest two children are outside playing. One year old and 4 1/2 month old are both asleep. I rock**

Lubbock...

The boys and I made it to Lubbock. The drive here turned out to be pretty quick, thanks to the DVD player. Eliminates a lot of the "Are we there yet?" syndrome. We went to my old church today and got to see everyone. I haven't been able to get there on a Sunday since we moved and it was so great to see all my old friends. While I love our church in Dallas, there is something about my church in Lubbock that makes me feel very.....loved.

The boys are currently gearing up to go tear up PaPa's farm on their four wheelers. We just got back from paying a visit to the country club (my folks are playing in a tournament this weekend). We will be here until Thursday or Friday so things around here will be a little quieter than normal. Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Friday's Feast

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite herb or spice?

I love spices!!! I love to experiment with them and put them in different combos. If I had to pick JUST ONE of each: Herb: Cilantro/ Spice: Cumin

Soup
Name a song you like but haven't heard in a long time.

"As" by Stevie Wonder...I think I need to get that on my play list on my computer.

Salad
If you were to take just one minute to write down as many things as you can think of that you need (not want) to do, approximately how many things would there be?

5,289,411 give or take a few

Main Course
Tell something interesting about one of your family members (nothing scandalous, please, just something unique).

My mother told me that she has a cousin that washed her car, in the front yard, while nine months pregnant, in a bikini.....now I am not saying that some of the extended family is white trash, I am just saying we would fit in at a White Trash Convention.


**edited to add....not only was she pregnant, but pregnant with TWINS weighing 7 lbs each!**

Dessert
What's the latest you've ever stayed awake?

Well, there have been times when I didn't go to sleep at all in a given 24 hour period.

Thursday Thirteen #7

Thirteen things I love about my husband and kids:
(cause to name them all would take too long)

1. Jason supports my decisions wholeheartedly even if he disagrees with them.
2. Austin gives the best hugs in the world.
3. Brodie still loves to cuddle up with his mommy.
4. Chase thinks Mommy is the coolest (its cause I carry his food everywhere we go I think)
5. The hugs....OH the hugs.
6. Jason's willingness to raise Austin and Brodie as if he had been there from birth. That is hard to find. Heck that is hard to find in biological dads.
7. Austin's stories. The kid is hilarious.
8. Brodie's tenderness.
9. Chase's smile...such a handsome man.
10. Jason's ability to make me feel better, even when I don't want to feel better.
11. Austin and Brodie are the BEST big brothers to Chase. They love that baby more than Power Rangers (and that is A LOT).
12. Jason's humor...it is as twisted as my own.
13. Jason, Austin, and Brodie all have a deep love of God. The boys may be young, but they are wise beyond their years when it comes to Jesus. They teach me everyday.
    

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Random pictures

They are just silly boys

Chase is so ready for fall. This was the last purchase I made for him before he was born. It actually arrived while I was in the hospital. I have been waiting for him to be able to wear it. LOVE IT!

And yes, it is an ugly uniform shirt, but it is for my Austin so it is ok. And that is Mrs. Assistant Den Leader to you.

The Mystery of the Chair

Someone peed on my leather chair!

Have your attention?!?

Thursday morning Brodie brought it to my attention that there was something "icky" spilled on the big chair. When I came to investigate the only thing I could think to say was: WHAT THE HELL Oh Dear! It looked like someone had taken watered down orange juice and poured it all over the back and the cushion. I did the most natural thing I can think of, I bent down and smelled it. Yup, urine.

How did this happen? Who did this? Why would you do this?

Judging by the trajectory and spray pattern I deduced that it had to have been a human male that produced the offending mess. I, of course, wanted it to be one of the animals, but it was impossible unless the dogs had taken up Yoga.

I then remember Jason getting up at 3:30 in the morning and walking down the hall. He was only gone for a bit and wasn't chewing when he got back. (He is notorious for getting up in the middle of the night and getting a snack.) I called him at work and asked him if he remembered getting up early that morning. He swore up and down that he did not get up.

AH HA!

HE WAS SLEEPWALKING AND PEED ON THE CHAIR!

Case closed!

Or so I thought!

Friday morning at around 3:30 Jason got up, though this time on purpose, to get ready to leave town. He wanted to get out of town before morning rush hour. He came and woke me up and said, "Brodie was out of bed and in the kitchen. He didn't even look awake. He just smiled at me and I took him back to bed. He never said anything."

Strange.

"He must have been sleepwalking," I replied. I then recall how when he was younger he would get up in the middle of the night and walk around seemingly just for fun.

Jason left the room to continue getting ready. A few minutes later he returned saying, "There is more pee on the chair and I know I didn't do it."

My son, not only sleepwalks, but apparently he marks his territory in his sleep too.

Random...

I did my Thursday Thirteen early yesterday. Apparently, Blogger decided it was not worthy of being posted and deleted it. That is what I get for doing a positive post.

I don't have much to say today. Well, that is not true. I have a lot to say today, but not enough time to do it in. Things are going along. Austin had his first pack meeting for scouts on Tuesday. It went really well. You can see the pictures here.

Jason has gone down to the coast to spend the weekend with my brother and my dad. I am sure they will get into all sorts of trouble and have a blast while doing it. Jason was hesitant to go. I have been having a hard time lately and he wanted to stay to help me out. I, however, can sense when he needs a break. HE NEEDED TO GO! So off he went this morning.

The boys and I plan on spending tomorrow doing some deep cleaning around the house. Organizing, throwing stuff away, and scrubbing. It is time for Fall Clean Out. Sunday we have church and a den meeting for scouts. Pretty full weekend. I do have a much more interesting post in the works. I just have to find time to finish it. Perhaps when the children go to bed tonight.

Blessing not Curse...

Most of you who know me in real life know that I have ADD. Some of you who didn't might be thinking, "That explains some stuff." I was one of the people with ADD that didn't get the label until later in life. At the age of 24 actually. Since finding out that I actually DID have ADD I have done a TON of reading and research on the subject. I was one of those that used to think that people used ADD as an excuse. My coping skills were always good. I graduated high school with a 3.85 GPA. That alone makes a lot of people think that I can not possibly have ADD. Most people with ADD struggle in conventional schools. I have a few explanations as to why I did so well in high school. First of all, I am an excellent bull-shitter. I didn't have one teacher that I couldn't talk into allowing me extra time to complete something. I was also blessed to go to a school where they stressed teaching instead of stressing passing. My high school teachers knew I was intelligent and I was always highly involved in the classroom. It was that damn homework that threw me. Luckily, I was able to work with teachers and always seemed to wiggle my way out of it. Don't ask me how. I still am not totally sure how I did that.

There are so many misunderstandings in our society about people, especially young boys and adults, that live with ADD. WE ARE NOT LAZY! WE ARE NOT STUPID! Our brains are wired differently from other people's. I wish I had time this morning to elaborate on all I have learned. I will leave you with a few quotes out of a WONDERFUL book called, "Why A.D.H.D. Doesn't Mean Disaster".
"Think of [an ADHD person as] an absentminded professor who can find a cure for cancer but not his glasses in the mess of his desk. These are the inventors, creators, poets-the people who think creative thoughts because they don't think like everyone else."--Martha Denckla, M.D.

"The same right-brained children who are being labeled and shamed in our schools are the very individuals who have the skills necessary to lead us into the 21st century. These children process visually and randomly, and think holistically. They are intuitive problem solvers who get the big picture. They thrive on visual imagery and stimulation; these "attention-deficit" kids can spend hours with computer and CD-ROM programs that mirror their thought processes. It's no wonder they are attracted to computers. The use of computers is congruent with the way right-brained children think."--Jeffrey Freed (This explains my LOVE LOVE UTTER LOVE of all things computers)

"There are many positives with ADD, including a surplus of ideas, creativity, excitement, and interest which accompany this kind of mind." --Sari Solden

"ADD people are high energy and incredibly good brain stormers. They will often happily work 12 to 15 hours by choice. The business community should not fear ADD. Instead, they should see that they have a potential gold mine here."--Dr. Kathleen Nadeau

I wouldn't take back having ADD even if I could. God gave me a "different" perspective on things is all. I see the whole picture where most people only see steps. I see the end when most people see the process. I am intelligent and I am creative. And I was created this way by MY GOD who wants me to use it for something bigger.



There is wonderful speaker by the name Runks. His wife teaches with my mom. He is such a wonderful guy and he embraces ADHD. This is the newest design of shirt on his website. I am ordering one for myself and Jason. LOVE IT!

Go read more posts about ADD awareness!

Reads and More About Me...

My "reads" section in the sidebar has been long overdue for some additions. I updated it with some of my favorite blogs that I have been reading over the past several months. If you have some time check them out.

I also updated my about me section. I have been asked many times to include a "100 things" list. I will start working on that, but for now this will have to do.

Put it down...

I just got a new book in the mail from Amazon. This is like Christmas to me. I love Amazon...I love books. I have about a million things to do today, none of which include reading my precious new book. So there it sits, lonely and unopened.

At least until the dishes are done.

Even on those days...

Today was a hard day for me, Austin and Brodie. We had a lot of behavior issues today that had to be dealt with.

HOWEVER, even on the days when I think I am at my wits end I feel so insanely lucky.

Look at those three!!! They may be terrors some days (more angel than terror on most), but they are my heart.

I love this picture. Chase had his first taste of rice cereal tonight and Austin and Brodie were so excited to help. They are the best big brothers ever.

Chow Down...

Appetizer
What was the very last song you listened to?

"He Reigns" by the Newsboys...I am watching the Billy Graham Special on TV

Soup
What is one company/store/corporation you would recommend that people stay away from?

I am stealing my answer from another blog I read, but I can't remember who (leave me a comment if you know)

Abercrombie & Fitch......Seriously child porn is not cool, neither are crappy overpriced clothes.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy having your picture made?

Depends on my mood that day. I am usually the one taking pictures. But I do like to have memories of me with other people. So I will say IN GENERAL a 7.

Main Course
Besides a bookmark, what is something you've used to keep your place in a book?

Scrap paper, receipts, salt packet from restaurant, straw wrapper...basically anything I can get my hands on.

Dessert
Name a food that you like that most people don't.

Cream cheese with Pickapeppa sauce on Club crackers....mmmmmmmmmmm

Four Months...

Chase had his four month check up today. FOUR MONTHS!!! I can't believe how fast it is all going. I know from having Austin and Brodie how quickly these precious months go. Next thing you know I will be blogging about his first day of school.

He is growing steadily and wonderfully. He is now 16lbs 11oz and 26 1/2 inches long. He is now rolling completely over (front to back and back to front). He loves playing with his toes and can even manage to get one in his mouth at times. He is getting much more vocal and loves to yell. His brothers are still very much in love with him. Seriously, they love this child. Chase thinks his big brothers are hilarious and that they hung the moon it would seem. We are very lucky so far in this department.

Of course, the downside is we had to get shots today. Never a fun thing...necessary, but never fun. So our plan is to camp out at home today. At the 2 month checkup the shots made him VERY cranky, so I didn't want to take my chances with trying to be out and about today.

Jason and I are so blessed by these boys that God has given us. They drive us crazy, but oh how we love them!!!

That New Book Smell...

I got this book today....I am so excited I could pee myself. I adore C.S. Lewis. Now whenever I think, "You know Lewis once said something about this", I can bust out my handy dandy book and look it up. SWEET!

And since this was purchased with the lovely gift card my mom gave me for my birthday...Thanks Mommy!

"I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." -- C.S. Lewis

Thursday Thirteen #6

Thirteen Things That Have Annoyed Me This Week...

1. The old lady that lives next door to us. Would it kill you to smile lady?
2. The lack of parental volunteers in every single activity. I notice it at school and church and now in scouting. GET INVOLVED PEOPLE.
3. The fact that because of #2 I am now assistant Den Leader of Austin's Tiger Cub Den...also meaning I have to wear a uniform....laugh it up.
4. My favorite pen ran out of ink and I can not find one that I love as much as it.
5. My allergies
6. Which ever one of our neighbors keeps letting their dog use our yard as their toilet.
7. Diet Coke does not taste as good as regular.
   
8. As mentioned in another post...FIFTH FREAKING PERIOD IN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS
9. I am now getting migraines again...after almost 5 years without one
10. Stepping on the 500th toy of the week this morning
11. That I can't get control of my moods
12. I haven't had enough time to read this week
13. That I am writing such a freaking negative list

I promise to do a more upbeat one next week....I feel better already!






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Taking a Break...

I wanted to let you all know that I appreciate the emails that I have been getting. Yes, I know my posts have been somewhat sparse lately. Truth be told, I am just busy. The kids are keeping me busy and I am also trying to spend a little time away by myself every night by going on walks with the dogs. I have a ton to talk about here, just no energy to talk about it. Austin has started scouts, Brodie is demanding a lot of attention, Chase is rolling all over the place and sticking anything he can get his hands on in his mouth....I am just busy with the mom stuff.

Part of it is also that I am feeling all out of sorts lately. For any man reading this right now, you might want to turn away. I have had 5...count them FIVE...periods in the last 2 1/2 months. These birth control pills my doc has me on are making me nuts. Besides the periods (which are so FREAKING annoying as I am used to having NONE) my moods are out of control and my face is in a constant state of break out. All I can say is, WHAT THE HELL?!?! I have my yearly exam in October and plan on insisting that she change my pills then. It is just making me very unhappy.

Know that I am around, I am reading all of your blogs and trying to keep up with my thoughts so I will have lots to say when I get back to full-time blogging.

It's coming..

My 9/11 post will regretfully be a day late.

I have not been very productive today. Chase did not sleep well and has been a wild banshee all day. I woke up with a headache that just will not stop. Needless to say, combining all of this with the normal everyday things that go on around here and I am pooped.

The 9/11 post is halfway done, but I don't want to post it until it is fully completed. It deserves that.

The hard stuff...

I hate some of the things that I, as a parent, have to explain to Austin. He is now 6 1/2 years old and has started to ask the tough questions. He is also very bright, so simplistic answers do not work with him. He wants the details...he can understand the details.

Austin was just 19 months old when 9/11 happened. (Watch Monday for a post about my memories from that day) He was much too young to understand what happened and really never has even acknowledged that he knew anything about it. Friday he came home with a piece of paper from school announcing that they would be having "National Patriot Day" Monday at school. Austin wanted to know what that meant. This is how our conversation went:

Austin: Mom, what is National Patriot Day?

Me: Well, it is a day to remember what it is to be an American and to honor some special people.

Austin: So is it like the 4th of July?

Me: Sort of. The 4th of July is to celebrate our country's birthday.

Austin: Oh, so what people do we honor on patriot day?

Me (realizing I need to just tell him about 9/11 before he hears it on the news and gets confused): Well, back on September 11, 2001 something happened. You were just a baby so you don't remember it. Some very bad men took over some airplanes.

Austin: What do you mean, took over?

Me: They took control of the planes away from the pilots and started to fly them by themselves.

Austin: OK

Me: Those bad men then crashed the planes into two buildings in New York called the World Trade Center. They also crashed one into a building in Washington and another one crashed into a field.

Austin: Why would they do that?

Me (tears coming to my eyes): I don't know Austin. I wish I did know. See these people don't like America and they wanted to hurt us. The two towers fell down and a lot of people on the planes and in the buildings died. It was a very, very sad day.

Austin: So Patriot day is about honoring those people?

Me: Yes, it is about honoring those people and their families.

Austin: Then I guess I better pray for their families on Patriot day. I bet they miss them.

Me (about to completely lose it): I think that would be a very nice thing.

This was probably the hardest conversation I have ever had to have with Austin. I am still not sure if I handled it right. Sometimes being a parent is really hard.

How do they do that?

Does anyone know how Target does it? I go in to return a $6 item and when I leave I find myself loading a new FOOD PROCESSOR into my car. What the hell happened?!?

Thursday Thirteen....Me addition

A Thursday Thirteen challenge has been issued...to name 13 things I like about myself. Game on...

Thirteen Things I like about ME 1. My sense of humor. I make myself laugh and really isn't that all that matters? Seriously though, I get told that my sense of humor rocks a lot. I am a twisted, twisted individual. 2. I am a good mother. I know I am not perfect , but that is not what makes a good mom. 3. My eyes. They are really pretty.....I get loads of compliments on them. 4. My hair. I have the kind of hair people beg for. I could lose half of it and still have more than a full head. I just wish it was all straight (it gets wavy in the back when I let it air dry) 5. I am optimistic, most of the time. I can usually always find the silver lining. 6. I am outgoing. I am not afraid to make a fool out of myself and will go out of my way to make others feel comfortable. 7. I am a GREAT friend... I am a lousy acquaintance. 8. I am very creative. 9. I am a dreamer. 10. I am a good cook. I am not a great cook like my mom yet, but I am working on it. I have really developed a love for cooking over the last year or two. I have always liked it though. 11. I don't rely on material possessions to build up my self worth. Boy, I used to though. This was a hard one to break. Now I am firm in who I am. 12. I love Jesus. 13. I have a big heart. I can't help but care about people. Even when I don't really want to. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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AWOL

I am alive and kicking. I was enjoying my lovely weekend with my in laws and my family. I have many many things floating around in my head to blog about, but have not quite formulated what all I want to say. So for now a few random thoughts a la LaShawn:

~ Mi Cocina may be snobby Tex-Mex but oh my it was yummy! Thank you Jas for my birthday dinner it was so tasty. Thank you Lesa and Terry for watching the kiddos for us.

~ Our neighbors are thrilled that they were woken up Saturday morning to the sound of chainsaws. Our landlord had our HUGE, 50 year old, sycamore tree cut down. It is now piled in front of our house waiting for the city to come pick it all up. Looks very classy!

~ I have taken over as the prayer "leader" of our Sunday School class. I have a lot of fear about this and I don't know why. I am working through it. I signed up not because I WANTED to do it, but because I really felt like I was supposed to. I am praying that God uses this ministry to strengthen my own prayer life.

~ It rained ALL day Monday....I love that!

~ I took Beau on a walk with me last night. Man that bird dog instinct comes out when he is tracking something. Once he realized that Mommy wasn't playing games he decided to stop trying to walk ME!

~ Austin has done really well in school so far this year. He made 100% on his last spelling test and continues to keep up his good behavior (something we struggled with in Kindergarten). I am very proud of him.

~ Brodie has decided that it is fun to baby talk....acting out with the new baby maybe?

~ Chase used his exersaucer for the first time this weekend. He is finally big enough. He loves it!

~ I started Beth Moore's new bible study, Daniel, yesterday. I am very excited about it. Sounds so interesting....I am sure it will give me lots to blog about.

~ I am still in the process of figuring out my schooling situation. I am for sure going back in the Spring, but we are at a crossroads as to what exactly I am going to study. This is one of those things that will get its own post soon to explain. Ugh...

~ I am so glad I got to see my mom this weekend. Even if it was only for an hour!

~ I need to go do some laundry....OK, I am going....right now.....well as soon as I read my email.

Reason #4,763,982 that my hubby rocks....

Jason came home a little early today. He has had a really rough week at work and we didn't get much time with him. We as a family are not used to that.

After supper we were sitting on the couch when he left the room. About 20 minutes later he returned with ALL of my nail polishes and files and such. He gave me a manicure and painted my nails. He had practiced on himself in the bathroom since he had never painted nails before. He felt badly about the lack of time this week...

That is love people!!!!

How Many Candles???

Yesterday was my birthday. I am now officially on the downside of my 20's. I had a wonderful day. Kree took me out to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (love that place) and also bought me new running shoes and boots. Jason and I are celebrating my birthday on Saturday. His parents will be in town so we will be going out to dinner just the two of us. LOVE IT!

In other news, Austin is now a boy scout. Jason took him last night to join the Tiger Cubs. He was sooooo excited. I can't wait...he and Jason will have so much fun.

Well, the blog will be somewhat quiet over the next few days with the in-laws coming. I have a lot of stuff to do today. I hope everyone has a great and SAFE labor day weekend.