No Lika Change

When it comes to electronics, I have one philosophy. Learn what I need to know and remain baffled with the rest. I know how to email WITH ATTACHMENTS, and blog. I can check a few web sites and create a newsletter. I am very hip and trendy. Earlier this year, after SEVERAL failed attempts, Keith even taught me how to transfer pictures and post them on our computer. That small feat alone makes me feel like I'm finally getting a grip on this computer thing.

Wrong. I married a techie, I married a man who loves to upgrade to the newest, fastest, and complicated devices on the market. It doesn't matter if we will never use 90% of the capability. He needs it. He is fascinated by tarabytes and gigs - I don't even know what those are and am pretty sure they aren't spelled properly.

So my loving husband has gone and changed everything. I finally figure out the old camera, and he bought a new one. I grow comfortable with posting pictures and this new camera's SIM card doesn't fit in my ancient laptop. BUT, it does if in Keith's new Mac I Book... or whatever it's called. That thing scares me. It looks so simple and yet it terrifies me. It's so sleek and skinny. It's plain. I know it's a trick to make me feel less of a person. I'm sure it will freeze up and die when I press the wrong button. Then Keith will freak out - I just don't need it.

I was going to write a post about TuTu's and post the cutest pictures. But considering the very confusing way I would have to go about it, you will have to imagine how cute these things are. My mom and I made these HUGE tutus for my nieces and fellow adoptive daughters. Each one is made with no less than 12 yards of tulle. They are girlly girlly. It was such a change of atmosphere in the house with all the tulle piled on my tables and floors. I even had to use two certain little dudes in this house to model the lengths. Now you're really wishing I knew how to post the pictures, aren't ya? I'm sure they'll forgive me one day. I can't wait to see the girl's faces when they open their very large and full tutus. I can't wait to see them all wear them and twirl around standing 3 feet apart given the girth of the skirts.

So, imagine how cute these things are and I will work on expanding my computer knowledge.

So much to talk about

I'm sorry little blog, I've neglected you so.

Now, I have so much to talk about and so little time. It's hard when you let things pile up. This is a lesson I've learned the hard way a million times and it still hasn't changed my way of doing things. O well. I'm sure my children will learn from my mistakes.

Actually, I am stalling. I am not motivated to clean and pack. We are driving back to Texas for Christmas. Yes, we have lost our minds. We are looking forward to seeing family and friends. It's the drive I am absolutely dreading. I can not express to you how much un-fun traveling for very long times with two children, two dogs, and a cat can be. A good mom would be anticipating, planning and preparing fun things to keep her children occupied with. A good mom would be concerned that it's an even harder trip on them. I am not. I openly admit that I am hiding in the corner with my eyes closed. I've been twitching my nose just praying I can transport us in a flash just like Bewitched. This drive is LONG and should not be attempted 3 times in 18 months.

Children, I am so sorry. I am sorry for the car seat sores you might endure. I'm sorry Brad you can't start school. You aren't potty trained for the sole purpose of this drive alone. I don't need anything else making it harder. I'm sorry Cole that you must listen to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as many times as possible in a two day span. I am sorry that instead of the calm, easy-going Ashley, we'll be making this drive with Daddy. (he doesn't do well in confined spaces for long) I'm deeply concerned for his future mental health.

My to-do list today is to clean their rooms, print up insurance cards, check the highway conditions for 6 of the largest states in the Union, and start to separate "things to take". Sigh..... we'll be there once I can willing strap myself into the van....

Tato Head

As I was getting ready for church, Brad was playing with Mr. Potato Head by putting all the parts in the wrong places of course. Then I hear this:

Brad (in high pitch voice): "My hinney ho, my hinney ho, my hand is in my hinney ho"

Here We Go Again

Keith left this morning. Mentally, it's just for 12 days. That shouldn't be too bad, right?? WRONG! I don't know why they leave on Saturdays. It's the loneliest day of the week without Daddy around. It hit me after about 2 hours this morning with the boys eating everything in sight. In 3 hours they've had yogurt and granola, bananas, almond bars, cheese, and now they are digging through the candy bag. Time to start lunch.

Where's my diaper changing help? Where's the pancake maker? Where's the get-up-and-out-of-the-house motivator? Where's the guy that knows how to help me with the computer program I can't figure out? Depressing.

Tagged

I've been tagged in a friend's blog. There's rules and I'm suppose to tag 6 others. We all know I'm a rule breaker so I will only adhere to part of the game. I am to write 6 random things about me. In keeping with the "baby book" theme, these are things about myself my children will probably never know:

1. I love a good dance floor. I could spend all night gettin' with the get-down. I was the girl in the club who started out looking pretty attractive. After 4 straight hours on the floor, I was a sweating mess with my hair tied up and shoes usually off. Nice. And, I never turned a guy down who asked me to dance. I have yet to decide if that's a good thing or bad~
2. I like to keep my toenails cut very short, and in turn, I like to keep yours cut very short too. I worry all the time that you are going to get an ingrown toenail and it will be all my fault. I feel a slight sigh of relief once a week when they grow back out without problems.
3. I have candy hidden in the house that you don't know about and I have an unspoken motherly vow: I will always keep on hand the ingredients to make rice krispie treats. At any given moment, on request or cheer-me-up, rice krispie treats could be yours in 10 minutes. Promise.
4. I use to drive like a bat out of hell. I honestly don't know how I survived many a collision. I drove fast, furious, and aggressive. You've never seen tailgating till you've seen it done Chamness style. I once got two speeding tickets in one day. I drove like your Papa Sir and Aunt Kimi. My ways changed the first time I had to drive my one week old newborn to his first dr. appointment. I will never drive like that again putting you and others in danger. We only go as fast as the law will allow!
5. If you ever look through my old report cards, please remember... I am much smarter than I appear. I didn't apply myself if it didn't interest me. In fact ( stop reading now mom...... ) I don't ever remember - not even one time - studying. I watch your Dad study all the time, he is constantly learning. I know now that I could have done better academically, but I didn't. What a waste. Cole, you got your memory from me.
6. I love to do puzzles, mind games, and logic problems. I am very competitive about it too. I wonder why you have so many puzzles Cole????? Humm... maybe because it's what mommy likes to play with the best. One day I'll have timed contests with you. Does that sound like fun or what!?!?!

Five Years

Five Years. I can remember like it was yesterday. I think God gives moms a special gift in remembering the birth of their children. I will never forget seeing him and his first cry. I will not forget his perfect skin and smell. I remember all the chaos and commotion. The whole experience of it all can be perfectly replayed in my mind.

Now, I have no idea where the years went or where my car keys are for that matter. I know the time has been filled with laughs, family, trips, moves, learning, friends, tears and if I'm honest even time-outs, spankings, and yelling. By the way, new parents NEVER envision the frustration that comes hand in hand with child rearing a toddler.

We've tried to provide different kinds of experiences and exciting things to do. We've invested time in teaching and playing. We've researched and provided the safest environment we could afford. We've cuddled and loved, comforted and consoled, prayed and sang, disciplined and kissed, washed and clothed, groomed and swaddled. Our five year result looks like this:


And I couldn't love him more. Thank you God for this Blessing. Happy Birthday Cole!

Quick Learner

Tonight I thought I would split a bag of M&M's with the boys. Really I wanted to eat the whole bag myself, but I didn't think I could hide it from them. I show the boys the bag and ask them if they want any... duh, they didn't hesitate to yell "YES!"

I grab 2 small bowls and start to divide equal portions. Cole says "Mom, can I have ten of them?" Brad quickly chimes in.... "I want eleven"