Storms.......

storms and more storms.  Yep, it's springtime in Arkansas.  The weather can be just a tad bit crazy and I don't mind it.  UNLESS I have to get out in it, then I don't like it at all.  In fact, I slept through the big storm we had last week.  The storm last night was another story.  I was driving right into it.  We were on our way home from gymnastics and I had all 3 kids with me.  Anyway, I kept calling Cody and telling him the sky looked funny, what was the weather like at the house.  He kept saying everything looked fine, nothing here.  Well, I entertained the kids with the pretty "light" show we saw.  I think I was fine until my brother called to check on us and informed me that he heard on the radio 3 hours away that their was rotation spotted around our town.  GREAT!!!  So, I call back to Cody because I have just hit interstate (which is 10-15 mins from the house) and it's raining so hard that I can't see in front of me.  We had a touch of hail and it got kind of scary there.  Luckily, the good Lord was with us and got us safely home.  Where I might add was not really doing anything, except drizzling.

Imagination!

My children have such a wonderful, vivid imagination.  I love it.  I remember when I was a little girl I had such a wonderful imagination.  Heck, I think I still do sometimes but I know as I've gotten older I "lost" some of it.  I'm just glad I have children who remind me what it's like to be a child.

Right now the kids have built a tent in the living room, complete with surgery rooms in them.  They have brought a few stuffed animals out of the bedroom.  They are taking care of a sick raccoon, feeding the cats and doing something to the barking dogs.  It really is quite cute.  Although, it does make me wonder if I let them watch Animal Cops too much.  It's amazing how much they love that show.  In fact, Preslie (who has always wanted to be a vet since she learned the word) has said she would love to work for the ASPCA.  In fact, Animal Cops has opened my eyes to a few things as well.  In fact, I was just talking to Cody the other day about once we buy the "farm" that I would love to foster animals.  Which now, that has led to maybe a rescue center.  Maybe one day I can win the lottery and get that going.  My kids would be in heaven and think of all of those animals we'd be helping.

Today is also April Fool's Day.  Can I just say I really am not a fan of this day.  I'm not a big prank person but when you have kids, this day is just a little wild.  Every 5 mins I hear "mom, there's a cat on your head", "mom, there's a package at the door", "mom, dad is home with ice cream", "mom" well you get the picture.  After every statement, it's followed by "April Fool's".  They don't even want to you to think for 2 seconds about what they just said.

 I have decided that today is a 2 cup of coffee day though.  I usually have the first and only cup around lunch time.  Not today.  I've got the first cup in my system and then second cup will come this afternoon.

And colds, what is with them?  I had a head cold a few weeks back, complete with ear clogging.  That soon left but it came back on Sunday.  I hate having my ear clogged.  It feels like my whole head is in a cloud and I can't hear but I can hear.  If that makes sense.  I hear echo's and it's really loud.  Off to take allergy meds to hope I can clear it up.

I'm here, I'm here

Like I said in my last update, I've been busy with the sewing.  I'm also doing a few new crafts.  When I figure out how to load pictures from my phone, then I'll add some pictures.  I'm super excited about these things but I'm also realizing I may not be as good at the sewing of dresses as I would love to believe.  I mean, I really don't like to follow directions....I like to just do things on my own.

I'm hoping I can get some really cute white dresses or something like that made for this summer.  Cody's granny has offered us her condo in Gulf Shores for a week of vacation.  We're hoping we can get my sister in law down here to dog sit for that week.  If not, I guess we'll be heading to the lake (not the one across the street) with the dogs.

Sewing!!

I love to craft and I love homemade things, but I have to be honest that sometimes I'm just no good at it.  I've also loved the idea of making things with the sewing machine for my family but I never could keep a stitch straight.  Well, I had been begging Cody since late last year to get me a sewing machine.  I told him that it would be great.  I could make Rylie grip bags and the girls some cute dresses.  His reply "oh, please tell me you won't be that mom and those won't be our kids".  Yes, he went there.

Well, Cody (ME) went to get my sewing machine for Valentine's Day.  I love it.  I spent more then he thinks I did, so shhhhh!  I've already made Rylie a grip bag (with another almost done), each child a pillow and Chase and Preslie some lounge pants.  I must say I'm a little impressed.  My new task is to take the girls old jeans and make them into capri's with some cute ruffles on the bottom.  I'm super excited about these.  I'm going to be making my girls some cute dresses for spring/summer and making some dresses for my niece.  I am having so much fun.  And you know what, I think Cody is really impressed as well.  Because well, he gets new skull caps out of the deal.

I'll post some pictures when I get things done.

Too funny

The kids are in the playroom putting a band together.  I hear them talking about getting stuff for their drums and such.  Next thing I hear is Chase in this sad voice "ow, Oh it hurts.  I guess it's just going to be you Preslie.  This hurts".  Preslie come and looks at it and tells him to go get a bandaid.  He says "can't you just look at it and see if I need anything.  Ow".  He twists his arm and looks "oh good no scrape I can go on".  I thought I was going to loose it.  My kids are priceless.

The Good Wife's guide

I was playing around on the computer a few weeks back and came across "The Good Wife's Guide" from Housekeeping Monthly from May 13, 1955.  I read it and thought "hmmm, I think I'll a few of this for when Cody comes home".  Oh that was funny.

Have dinner ready.  Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready and on time for his return.  This lets him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs.  For us, it just says "we're hungry and want to eat".  We do eat early most nights but it's because we have so many activities that dinner needs to be ready early.  Or, we're at the gym so dinner is either in the crockpot or in the fridge.


Prepare yourself.  Take 15 mins to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives.  Touch up your make up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.  He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.  Well, I've been running around teaching the kids, taking care of the pets, running to speech, horseback riding, gymnastics or karate.  I've been taking care of your 3 kids all day.


Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him.  His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.  I'm sure his day has been anything but boring.  


Clear away the clutter.  Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.  Now this I can do because I can't stand a mess.


Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc and then run a dustcloth over the tables.  I guarantee my husband will not notice any of those things....especially the dust.  


Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by.  Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order.  Hahahaha, if I've got the fire going, it's because we're cold.  It's not like he'll relax by the fire place.  


Prepare the children.  Take a few mins to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and if necessary, change their cloths.  MY FAVORITE PART They are the little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.  Minimize the noise and try to encourage the children to be quite.  They don't know our children.  I think Cody might feel like he's stepped into the Twilight Zone if he came home to this one.  


Be happy to see him.  Of course, because this also means that I get to be off duty for a bit and take a break.  :)


Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.  I did this and he thought I'd lost my mind.  


Listen to him.  You may have a dozen important things to tell him but the moment of his arrival is not the time.  Let him talk first--remember his topics of conversation are more important then yours.  This one is too funny.  If I let him talk first, then I'll forget what I've been wanting to tell him all day. 


Make the evening his.  Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you.  Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.  Cody actually laughed at this one.  He said "what about your time to relax.  You've been with the kids all day".  Yes my husband understands.  I do realize he has a trying job but he realizes I do too.  I love my man.  


Your goal: try to make your sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.  Like this is going to happen with my kids and pets.  Preslie doesn't know how to give peace and tranquility.  


Don't greet him with complaints and problems.  Cody said then it wouldn't feel like home.  Hmmm, don't know if I should be offended or not ;)


Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night.  Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.  Ok, I can handle coming home late because he does work in an Operating room and emergencies happen but if he stayed out all night, then we wouldn't still be married.  


Make him comfortable.  Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom.  Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.  I tried this one and he looked at me funny.  


Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.  Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.  I'm not touching his shoes or feet.....yuck!!  I'm not a touch your shoes and feet person.  And if I can't yell then how can the kids hear me....I'm joking, or am I.  


Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity.  Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise hi will with fairness and truthfulness.  You have no right no question him.  hahahaha, really?


A good wife always knows her place.  Guess, I'm not a good wife by these standards.  


Ok, so after I read this to Cody and we laughed a little.  He actually said "You really want the girls to think it's ok to act like that?"  I LOVE that man!!!!!!!!!!

Funny things they say!!

My kids are full of funny things "I" say.

Chase and Preslie are working on counting by 2's, 5's and 10's right now by counting money and such. Well, one day I handed them a paper and told them we would work on counting pennies today. I asked "how much is a penny worth?", "1 cent mom". Good and then Chase replies with "but mom, I don't know how to count by ones".

Bolt loves to play with his kids. He loves to herd them and be right in the middle of the action. Well, they don't want him in the playroom. Not sure why, but they never have. So they always shut the door, he always opens it or just lays down in front of it and whines. Preslie has started shutting the door and telling Bolt, "Boltie, mommy has to go to work right now. I pinky promise I will play with you when I get home. I love you" and then bam the door shuts. He has this look of sadness that comes over his face. HIS P-pod just shut him out. I promise he does get over it. I send him outside to chase things and he's happy again, or he herds the cat.

Preslie is trying so hard to train Bolt and she wants to do it. She showed me her latest trick this morning. She placed a training treat in her hand and then put both hands in front of Bolt and asked "Bolt, which hand is it in". "Look mom, he's knows which hand. He's so good". Ya, because it has nothing to do with him smelling it. I of course couldn't say anything and just said "good job P".

Oh, I could go on and on but I can't think right now. Maybe because I want to "write" them down. I know I'll be back.