When Did THIS Happen?

o.k. we're all parents.

we know the joys of buying toys for the kids....

and then needing a degree in engineering to open them. Y'all know what I'm talking about. The grey wire that is twisted and corregated and wrapped around left and then right and then over and under- and there are like 17,000 of them to get through, and 2-3 curse words later, they're gone. And then there is another layer. y'all know.

but tonight, I did rejoice and celebrate that an engineer out there finally came up with something to help all us parents out, and at the same time prevent the (apparent) shop lift- or you wouldn't need a pair of scissors and an attitude to open said gifts.

I think this engineer had a kid. very first kid. and the kid had their first birthday party, or christmas. and he/she turned to their spouse and I believe in my heart of hearts said,

"damn. We gotta fix this."

And fix it they did. Maybe this has been out for awhile? I don't buy toys for the kids....really much at all. But tonight, I took Sebi to Wal-Mart with me and in the middle of looking at candles and other fun stuff, I decided that I would take him to the toy section for a "very special treat". which I intended to be Lego's, and he decided would be a Diego bath toy. He is the kid.

We got home and he asked me to open his toy. And to my surprise there is this new black thingy (I know that's very technical) that the grey wire is strung through and it has these notches that it can wrap around. I wish I had taken a picture. But, I was so taken aback at how easy it was to set the toy free that I just went with it.

Bring it, Christmas '08. bring it.

I'm ready. No scissors, no attitude. No flipping a coin for who has to "free" the toys.

And I love you engineer who just had a baby. And what the HECK were you thinking before this?

Oh, Monday

It's Monday and it feels like Thursday. How is that even possible? wait. maybe because I went to bed close to 4 am, Gabriel woke up with a soaking wet diaper and teeth clattering, body shivering, at 6:42am, and I have been go-go-go since.

But I'm glad it's only Monday. Because I have the rest of the week to look forward to.

In other news,

• my mother-in-law is doing just fine now. after many, many, many tests which thankfully all came back positively- the doctors have concluded vertigo. So hopefully some medication will help with the nausea and dizzy that I can only imagine must not be pleasant.
• I am making quesadillas at 9:35 at night.
• Sebastian is picking up a chicken sandwich from Jack-in-the-box.
• Sebi told me today, "mommy, your tummy has wrinkles." yes. thank you. I know. this is my badge of honor that I will carry forever lest I decide on a tummy tuck, because mama who is 5 foot nothing carrried twins to 37 and a half weeks and was REALLY really big. and that's what happens. I don't have a problem with this because I know it was unavoidable. I do what I can to be fit, but I can't get rid of extra skin that is just there unless medical personnel intervene. just don't ever ever ever expect me to wear a two-piece bathing suit for the rest of MY LIFE.
• I just told the blogging world that my tummy has wrinkles, and I'm o.k. with that.
• not really. so if you all would kindly sit there for a minute longer while I flash my Men In Black, you won't remember this pen, I would greatly appreciate it.

and a very special thank-you to all who offered prayers for my dear mother-in-law. I was a mess and so, so worried about her, so to find out that she is just fine just calms my heart :)

Prayer Request

Today the whole family got together at Luby's in honor of my mother-in-law to celebrate her birthday. While leaving the restaurant she became dizzy and faint and fell in the middle of the street in the parking lot. My father-in-law drove her to the hospital where she has been and will remain tonight. They are doing tests, and that is all we know so far.

With high hopes that this is a minor tweak that may need to be made with her insulin (she is diabetic), I thought of the only thing that I know is more powerful than all my hopes. Prayer. So, I am asking for your prayers for my dear mother-in-law- who has the biggest heart in all of Texas.

thanks to all.

Evil Me

I am a bad, bad, person. With a horrible sense of humor. Please let me confess to someone out there...



After I took Sebi to Mother's Day Out, I decided to head over to Sam's to kill some time. I was checking out the cordless phones and dreaming of using one that didn't run out of batteries 2 minutes into a phone call. And then I was looking at the printers. It prints, it scans, it copies, it faxes. It probably wipes your behind if you set it up in the bathroom...



Then I was looking at household appliances and extremely expensive pots and pans, and I thought how easy cooking would be on a non-stick pan that actually was non-stick. And all the eggs I would save, since usually one or two end up coating the bottom of my pan and serve as my non-stick surface whenever I make scrambled eggs. Weird, but it's true.



Since I was on this "window shopping" spree, I headed over to the home furnishings to continue my fantasy and saw this beautiful wood 7 piece table that I fell in love with. I was stroking it like it was my new pony, and I said to the babies, "This is what we need, guys!". And that is when I learned that you should be careful which aisles you roam at Sam's, and which products you are looking at, and what statements you are saying about said products.



Because it was in this aisle while I was looking at the aforementioned table and declaring it should be mine and I should own it and have it and keep it forever and call it George..that Rachel approached me. Poor Rachel.



She was pushing the patio enclosures and coverings and thought I might take interest. And this is where bad me came out and thought I'd (unbeknownst to her), write her into my fantasy world. I listened enthusiastically. They were beautiful patio coverings. And this is when I literally saw a cloud above Rachel's head with her thoughts that read, "I've got this sale." And somehow, my fantasy was spiraling and I was suddenly giving her my name and phone number and then she was asking for an address.



Crap.



The only way I'd be able to afford what she's trying to get me to buy is if I lived on a street with Ranch, or Forest, or Creek, or River in it's title. So naturally I gave my address as 1042 River Forest Creek Ranch. I buckled under the pressure, so don't laugh at the moronity of my fantasy street.



But I sure would like a peek at my fantasy house...



Anyway. Rachel, if you are out there, I'm sorry for wasting your time. But look me up in 7 -10 years after I have my master's degree and we'll talk.

Sandwich Night- It's A Hit!

o.k., so I don't need to remind everyone that I decided to go back to school last January, and that I have three kids to take care of, and was doing the night school thing. And studying when I could because I had to try and get the house in order and have dinner ready for everyone while I was gone.

A wonderful friend of mine, Angela, told me this Fall that she and her husband have sandwich night at least once a week- and that maybe I could suggest a sandwich night one of the nights that I have class to make things a bit easier on myself. Suggest I did. And it didn't take. I believe they were ordering pizzas, so I put a stop to that.

But tonight, after Sebastian went to the grocery store :0 (he doesn't normally do the shopping, hee-hee), he came home with a receipt totalling $81.00!!!!!

That may seem normal for the weeks worth of groceries. We have no meat. No meat. No chicken. No beef. No steak.

Wait, now we have steak. Three itty-bitty steaks (that he payed WAY TOO MUCH FOR, and I told him that I could have gotten much more and better quality at Sam's), some lunch meat, bread, milk, apples, and banannas. And name brand peanut butter.

I was kind. And I let him know that I was glad that he was able to see first hand how much groceries cost and that buying store brands could save up to $1500 (or more) a year. And that I was very thankful that he did the grocery shopping ((for the next two days..)) And then he wanted to go and get some take-out.

I put my foot down.

I said, "oh no. after we just spent $81.00 at the store, there has got to be something that we can make. like sandwiches."

He didn't look happy. And my husband is this, gotta have a meal for dinner , counting all his grams of protein intake , worse kindof-health nut than I am. So I felt pity on the poor soul. I busted out the olive oil and brushed two sides of bread. I added meats and cheese and popped them in the oven to toast. And while that was working, I sliced tomatos and seasoned them, and then slawed some lettuce. I assembled our sandwiches and sliced them diagonally and placed them strategically on a plate with some pickle.

He was in heaven.

Hello, sandwich night. Welcome. Welcome. Please, stay.

It's Five O' Clock Somewhere

Today after church, we decided to take all three of the boys to get a haircut. I'll be the first to say it was a bad decision. In fact, it was a train wreck.



Sebi spoiled us big time with the haircutting issue. His very first haircut was no big deal. Really. He sat there and just let them do whatever. And he has been that way ever since. The babies, not so much. Actually, they hate haircuts. Hate. With a capital H. They scream and cry and it's really a big ordeal. Which is why I was glad that Sebastian was with me today.



So we went to the salon and the stylist suggested that I sit Gabriel in my lap.

Y'all.

She never even cut a hair for the first 25 minutes that we sat there. Then she had the ingenious idea to give Gabriel a comb. He was happy. Then she touched him. uhhh, boy. After Gabriel was holding about 7 combs (because each time she gave him one and then attempted to use one on his hair, he would grab for it) she was able to start.



Homer sat in the double-stroller the whole time jibber-jabbering, smiling, laughing and just having himself the time of his life. For the time being.



Sebi was being worked on by Big Mama (who Sebastian and I nick-named). She came complete with a tattoo on her backside that I was not at all pleased to see. But more importantly, I was NOT AT ALL PLEASED with Sebi's haircut. But, I couldn't complain. Because honestly y'all, we were a show. A show that people were actually peeking around corners to see. SERIOUSLY.

After Sebi was done, Sebastian sat down with Homer. He asked me if Homer would be as bad as Gabriel. I lied and told him "oh, no. Homer is really good." I didn't want him anticipating the bad to come. Because it's bad. And I knew it. In fact, he is worse than Gabriel. But he didn't know that and I wasn't telling. I didn't need to.

Homer ended up not getting a haircut. Neither he nor Sebastian could hang. Gabi and I (and his stylist) trucked on.



Patrons in the salon were taking turns coming up to our kids to try and comfort them. seriously. And at one point when both Homer and Gabriel were screaming, Sebi decided to chime in. More combs surfaced. Gabi had like 12 and an orange pick. Sebi saw it and took it. More screaming. A pink pick surfaced. Gabi settled. Homer pooped. Sebastian and Homer left to clean up the mess, and Sebi roamed the salon while Gabriel sucked on the (hopefully) sanitized pick. And then she touched him again. uhhh, boy.

Then Sebi returned and was behind me brushing my hair with his orange pick. Everyone noticed this, since we were the star performance this Sunday. I tell y'all, I can't even play the twin card here. Because when I was pregnant with the babies and I joined the Austin Moms of Multiples I was told, "you better like attention, because you're going to get A LOT of it with twins". And no one needs to tell me that I like attention.

But really. We don't get attention for the twin factor. Because Gabriel is so much bigger than Homer. So most people end up so curious as to why I would have 3 kids in such short time of one another. The question I get asked first is usually,

"how old are they"

oh, my oldest is 3 and a half. and the babies are 20 months old.

"They are TWINS!"

yes.

"He looks so much bigger (talking about Gabriel)."

yes. I know.

On the plus side- as I was leaving and holding a kicking, screaming Gabriel (because I had taken his pink pick away) and shuffling Sebi towards the exit (who was also screaming and then actually threw himself on the floor because I took his orange pick away), a nice lady seemed to notice that I managed to keep myself together and she said to me,

"I guess all you can do is smile. And they have your eyes, you know that? Beautiful, beautiful boys."

And I took this as a complement, because I know my boys resemble me- so if anyone is calling them beautiful, I'm flattered.

Once we got all three of our kicking, screaming, tantrum-throwing boys into the van- Sebastian and I sat there next to one another in silence and then I asked him,

"Is it too early for a margarita?"

Excuse Me While I Whine

Y'all.

• I am finished with my semester because I registered for the 8 week session rather than the regular 16 week, and now, I don't know what to do with myself.
• I know that I should work on my resume and get a job. and do laundry.
• I have not been blogging and I feel shame. So much shame.
• I need to get a job because I am going to go nuts if I am just here at home without something to do every hour of the day. and I need the experience. and it should help me during the nursing program.
• I really want a sour pickle right now.
• I hope I'm not pregnant after that last item.
• I have been reading blogs and not commenting.
• Obviously, when I have nothing to do- I am no good. I need some action around here. I'm just about losing my mind after spring break. which wasn't a break. it was reality sinking in and telling me that I CAN NOT FUNCTION with spare time. CAN NOT. well, I can function. I just can't be productive.

Idle Hands Are Devil's Handywork

I love spring break.

#1. Because my husband is a teacher
#2. Because I get my husband home for a week in the middle of the semester (which conveniently ended for me just before spring break thanks to strategic planning)

I have gotten absolutely nothing done around here. Except maybe a little extra time in the bed with the husband (blush). And do you know what I made for "dinner" tonight? Chalupas. Basically, I shredded lettuce and cheese and diced tomatoes. The beans came from a can that I doctored up and mashed into refried status. I didn't even make the tostadas. (gasp)I bought them! They were the baked variety and for the record, I would like to say that mine are much better. And there were no sides. No. sides. No rice. No salad. No vegetables.

Basically, my husband ate a rice cake with beans and some extra lean meat and lettuce and cheese. And tomato. I didn't even make salsa.

Call me lazy y'all, but I think I'm on to something here.

Bare Bottoms & Dirty Floors

What is it with the weird blogging psychic phenomena? I mean really. I was reading this. Which led me to this, and then I went on with my day.

I was cleaning the kitchen, and I turned and noticed that Homer's diaper was dangling about 3 inches below his crotch. I then noticed that he kindof stooped a bit and just stood there. (I was thinking to go and grab the camera because I think my Pudge has THE most adorable bottom out there.) So, I approach Homer and he is stepping in and just about to grab,

(drum roll, please)


poop.

Can someone out there blog about winning the lotto? Because we know my battle with linoleum and it's many crevices that streamline products cannot remove dirt from. And now I gotta clean out poop!?

I am not psychic. But I see bleach, 4 orange cones, and some police tape in my future. And possibly a bottle of tequila.

Can I Get A What, What?

And can I also get a show of hands from anyone out there with a son/daughter that saw their mom paint their toenails for the very first time and didn't ask to have their's done also.

And is it wrong to give in? I don't think so. But Sebastian was so adamantly opposed when I got home from taking my final exam (whew! glad that's over, babe! I got another A!!) and I received the statement to "never, Ever, EVER do that again." buzz kill.

And he came home tonight with a bottle of nail polish remover. And questions as how to use it. I told him to get a Q-tip and stick it in his eye. O.k., I didn't say that. But Sebi's toes looked so pretty, and I hadn't even gotten a picture yet....

I did manage to grab this cute video and pics, though. So, win-win. I guess.

Sebastian left Sebi's room tonight, and I believe this is exactly what he said to me, "Sebi wants to be a cowboy and ride horsies."

I am sure he meant pink ponies.

I Breathe Out...

I AM DONE!

My semester is officially over and I can finally exhale...and do laundry and get my house in order and what not. But I am so thrilled! I decided to take the 8 week short session verses the regular 16 week for a number of reasons- and I began to dread it very quickly into my semester.

• I had planned on this being a blow-off semester and had no idea how stressful it would end up.


• I had the nursing entrance exam to study for and pass, and


• getting my application in, and


• finding out that my "skills" were lacking in some areas


• One of the girls in my class had test anxiety that radiated.


• Fortunately for me, she sat behind me and I happened to pick it up from her. thanks, Lisa. Thanks.

I made some lovely friends along the way and I feel blessed to have these new friends that I know will support, encourage, and pick fun at me throughout our nursing program together. I'll post a pic of the group when Janet sends me a copy of the picture we took after our exam.

There's An Unhappy Child Waddling Around My Living Room

Homer loves balloons. LOVES BALLOONS. This morning, we had to make a rush trip to the grocery store before taking Sebi to mother's day out because when I started to pack his lunch I realized that we didn't have

• bread


• lunch meat


• peanut butter


• jelly


• fruit

(just a few of the essentials that normally go in his lunch box) So we headed off and got our groceries and were just about to check out- which is usually about the time that Homer starts reaching in the direction of the balloons. You know, the free balloons that are at the cash register next to the checker. But, there weren't any balloons there today. None. NONE.

So I casually paid and started to head right on out of the store. Oh boy. Homer knows that he gets a balloon when he goes to the store, and we are suddenly walking out of the store and he is not holding on to his beloved staring up at it and smiling. And he is M-A-D. So, I try to check the customer service area to see if there are any balloons there.

But customer service wasn't customer servicing today. They were talking on cell phones and texting.

And I know that I need to eventually get the point across that sometimes you don't always get what you want to the kids. But really, do I have to deal with a meltdown before 9:00am? YES. I did. Homer lost it. And he still hadn't gotten it back by around 11:00. Long day ahead, y'all. Long day.

Oh, and I forgot the milk, so we'll be making trip #2 after we pick Sebi up. Please have balloons H.E.B. Please.