I've Lost It

I am old. Not saying that all old people don't have it going on anymore ... but I've definately gone and lost my technical capabilities. I used to be the "go to" person and the "in the know" person ... and now I'm floundering to find someone to go to that knows.

This morning .... well for the last few days actual, I've realized that I made a big mistake. I went and bought one of these new phones. I can't figure it out. I don't know how to make it ring. I have to carry it in my pocket so I can feel it vibrate. I don't know how to save numbers in it. I can't find anything ... and to top it off I somehow set the alarm to go off at 5:12AM every day. I found that out this morning bright and early.

Yesterday evening I went to Verizon to get some help. They offered me an online tutorial and ask if I've read the book. Yes, I've done both ... and now I want some personal upfront and close help in the form of a younger person that can simply show me the buttons! I walked out more confused than ever with a sack full of accessories for my new phone that I can't work. Figure that one out!???!

Oh well .... I have twenty-three days left to return my new toy and get me a sensible flip phone just like my old one. One with large buttons for my fifty year old eyes and one that rings loudly that I can hear over my screaming kids.

What's your opinion? Stick it out and learn it ... or return it?

Thankful

This morning, so early that I can see my reflection in the window by where I sit ... I thought about the things I'm thankful for in my life.  Like most of you ... there are many.

My life.  The lives of my children and husband ... and my family.  I have three sisters and a brother and their families, and two Mothers and two Fathers.  How blessed can I be?  We all get along and we all love each other.  We're a close family and all these years we've been blessed with health.

We take so many things in life for granted, until harsh reality comes knocking.  Up until less than a month ago, my family had never known that gripping fear and possibility of losing one of us.  Of course, we've had our ups and downs with surgeries and illnesses that we get over .. but we've gotten over it and life went on.

Less than a month ago, my brother in law Kenny was diagnosed with a large brain tumor.  A week ago, he had surgery.  They weren't able to get all the tumor, and it is cancer.  It's hard for me to even write that word, and it's almost if I don't say it .... it isn't so.  But it is, and we're facing a battle.  I want to wrap my arms around my sister and protect her from all that is ahead of her and Kenny and their two boys.  I want to wave a magic wand and make it all go away.  I want to give them another twenty-six years together ... and I want my family to not have to deal with this.  This is a first for us, and we don't want to be in these shoes.

We've been in a crisis and it ruffled our feathers.  During Kenny's surgery, as the day wore on ... my sister kept getting sicker and sicker.  She'd been through a lot emotionally as the day drew closer and we thought she was worn down and had the flu, when in fact she had a small bowel obstruction.  Robin ended up in the same hospital in Indianapolis admitted and facing surgery.  As it ended, Robin was transferred to our hospital since Kenny was coming home and things are looking up for her.  Hopefully, she'll come home tomorrow.  Kenny made it home for Thanksgiving at Mom's, and through out the day we all went to the hospital to visit Robin.  She's okay.

Yesterday at my Mother's, it was wonderful to be with my family and be together.  I saw everyone in a different light and I vowed to not take life or my family for granted.  Even though it's unspoken, I know we're all feeling that way right now.

In a brighter light, the picture above is my sister Kim and her husband Danny.  They just celebrated thirty years together and we did a little photo shoot out by the woods at Mom's house with their family.  Kim was loving it ... Danny wasn't so keen on it ... but like a good husband that loves his wife, he at least cooperated, and like most men, after they see the pictures, they love them too.  I got a few good ones and I bet within a few days ... they'll be hanging on their wall.

So in closing ... remember the good times, ponder on them and take the time to make more.  Fix the problems and forgive, for when it's all said and done in life ... you, your family and God is all that we really have.

I hope your Thanksgiving was as good as mine.

Hugs.

Down Comes the Wall

Today marked the era of an historical event!  Marlboro Man committed to and began a project that he was totally against .... only love could have moved him to do this, or the fact that I told him if I he didn't ... he had to buy me another house.  He took the cheap way out and took out the wall!

We live in a almost 200 year old farm house that his Great-Grandfather built when they came over from Germany many years ago.  I kind of think this house is the homestead, but I wasn't around back then and don't know all the history behind it.  I love the house ... but the kitchen was the only room that MM hadn't modernized when he bought this house and restored/remodeled/updated/fix'd-er-up!

When he did this about ten or fifteen years ago ...  he didn't know me yet.  I definately would NOT have put my kitchen stove in front of a window, and today ... it had to go.  I no longer could deal with a greasy window.  No more!

One day last week I met up with MM at Lowe's and we began this project.  In one hour and ten minutes, I picked out a new stove and refrigerator, countertops, floor tile, ceiling light and cabinets.  Talk about decisive ... that would be me!  Then I changed my mind and decided to have the cabinets custom built by a Amish Cabinet maker.  Even MM agreed with me on that move.  So it's all in the works and construction has begun!

We have, or should I say ... had a galley kitchen.  It sure was a long and skinny little thing!  But now it's an alcove off of the dining room and WOW ... what a difference it made.  The kitchen was a add on years after this house was built and the main wall is all windows.  I only have a thirty inch piece of wall in the entire kitchen and that will be the home of my new stove.  My sink is being moved to where my stove was ... my stove is being moved to where my fridge is and my fridge is dancing down to the end of the kitchen where a few glass cabinets will be knocked out!  Three floor length pantry's are coming and another one will be around the corner in the dining room. 

Not even this picture cold excite me as much as getting a new kitchen!  Only thing is ... everything in my house is covered in dusty dirt from the wall being ripped out, and MM told me I am not allowed to make any changes at this point.

As I sit here and blog while he's asleep ... I'm thinking now that I don't want woodwork around the big opening ... and I'm already planning on how I'm going to paint and what http://www.quotethewalls.com/ saying I'm going to put above the entry way! 

I think I'll just leave him a note about the woodwork ....

Say Cheese!

When all the kids were here Sunday ... we played Photographer and did family shots for Juli and a few for Joey and Mariah.  Josh and his family had already left and Jared and Elissa opted out since I do a full blown shoot every time I get my hands on them.  So we set up a backdrop in my living room and pulled out my hot pink and lime green "alien bees" strobe lights and said CHEESE!  It almost looked like a Disco!

Here's Juli and Derek in the "love pose."  We kicked the kids out of the way and snatched a few of just these two.  Did I ever tell you all that Derek is over a foot taller than Juli  ... and she is tiptoeing on a stool since he's so tall.

Love bird city here.  Mariah has Joey caught!  These two love having their pictures taken ... and I love taking them.  I catch them every chance I get too!  They're my practice targets!

This one was Mariah's idea.  I love it!  Wonder what she'll say when I tell her to do this at their wedding this coming July when I take their pictures! ????

This one was my idea.  I love this picture of them ... and for all of you that heard the ring story ...  here it is!

I'll try to post the gallery link to all of when I get them edited!

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

It couldn't have been more perfect!  Today we celebrated Thanksgiving at our house and all my 'littles' made it home.  This is the first real family picture of all of us together with our families.  I don't have a remote to my new camera, so I hit the timer and ran each time to get in the picture!  It was so funny ... and so much fun.  I only snapped six shots and prayed that one of them would have all of us looking at the camera ... and we did ... just once!  It's not entirely in focus ... but I love it and have already uploaded it to print a 10 x 20!

My entire mission for today was this picture.  Posed exactly like this in individual little groups, but yet all together.  I already had it planned out where everyone would be.  It was a little nippy and we all ran out in the field behind the house with my son-in-law Derek carrying the chair from upstairs.  He's that big dude in the middle!

From left to right, Josh is with his family, Amy, Carter and Luke.  Standing is Jared and Elissa ... then Joey and Mariah.  Juli is with Derek, Kelcie and Landen in the front on the ground ... and of course, Me ... Von and our little littles!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope yours will be as wonderful as mine was with my family today!

Tanya

Girl Time

This afternoon Meg finally decided to venture outside with the boys ... all decked out for a winter snow storm.  Actually this coat is an old one from my Brother's little girlies.  After seeing this picture I snapped I think I like it ... for pictures that is!

It's cold outside baby!  The boys bundled up and braved the chill and helped their Dad blow leaves and pick up sticks.  They had a big old fire going down by the barn!

Meg, on the other hand, wouldn't stick her precious little nose out the door until I mentioned pictures and modeling and twirling and such ... then she jumped into hyper-mode and out the door we went.  For two minutes!  Two!

Like the snow in the picture?   It's not real .... just photoshop!  But it's coming, and it will be way too soon for me!  I don't like the cold ....  brrrr!

Tonight I'll post a few pictures of the boys outside today!

Waiting on Santa

We're starting early this year! We're waiting on Santa!

Yesterday morning the littles woke up at six o'clock in the morning ... way too early for me, but what do you do when a smart little kid comes and crawls in your bed and jerks your face towards yours and says, "I've gotta go poop." You get up! You come downstairs and you poop!

Only in this case ... that little kid was pulling a slick one. His name is Jay and he only wanted a piece of gum. In his meltdown because he didn't get his way ... he woke up his cohorts in crime!

SO ... we sat on the couch, all in a row and covered up with Sam's green monkey blanket and we waited on Santa. We talked about toys and presents and reindeer and that man that has white hair (who they say they will talk to this year)

We decided that we have to give away all the old toys that they don't play with anymore because Santa might not come here if he sees that they have too many.

So starting this weekend ... my kiddo's will be gathering up toys and sorting things back together to give away. I'll be cleaning toys and bagging them nicely because we're going to take them to a teen pregnancy center for little kids to play with. We did this on their second Christmas ... with a lot of the presents that they received, and it felt so good. Not only to declutter ... but to give something away to others.

We want them to learn that for everything you receive ... you too have to give. So what is a better time than now, when they're so excited and they're waiting on Santa!

So this is our new tradition for every Christmas here out ... and we'll make it a family time. A time to talk about how fortunate we are, and a time to thank God for all that he gives us ... and a time to share. We're going shopping next weekend to find a new present for someone that we'll give along with the used toys that we're donating.

SO ...what are your ideas on this? Do you have any traditions that involve life values? Do you think they will do it? It's going to be touch and go when it comes right down to packing up their toys. BUT .... they might just surprise us!

Dear Megan

Dear Megan,

It just doesn't seem possible does it?  You're four years old now ... and you think you're so grown up.  In retrospect to how small you were four short years ago when you were born, weighing almost 3 lbs, you are big.

Last night you clung to me.  Every move I made ... you were there.  Underfoot, beside me, on me ... and with me.  You're always with me.  Even when we're apart ... you're with me.  You wanted to help me and we made a game out of it ... you unloaded the dishwasher, picked up the laundry and you even washed the kitchen floor.  I was right there with you ... and I saw you in a different light.  Right before my eyes, you transformed from the baby girl I delivered back then ... to a beautiful little girl that is growing up fast.

We hardly spoke to each other, as you were so involved in your task.  I couldn't help but stand back and smile at you as I watched you, and as I assigned you more work to do.  It wasn't that I wanted you to do my work ... you're only four years old, but, it was that I wanted us to be together.

For the first time, you and I had that same unspoken sense that you have with your brothers.  We didn't need to speak.  Your eyes said everything ... you love me, like you should ... I'm your Mother, and we were spending good time together. 

I love you Meg ... more than you can know right now ... but I'm sure less than you'll think in a few years and certainly when you have a child of your own.  It's amazing how love grows and how much I love you more and more every day. 

Every day turns into something even more wonderful being your Mother ... and I want to thank you for making my job easy.  You're only four now.  I can't even imagine how this will feel when you're eight ... or all grown up at twenty-two.  I love you no more than your brothers and your sister ... but you are one of the greatest blessings that was bestowed upon me ... and for that I'm so very grateful.

Meg, I'm looking forward to many more years being your Mother ... and I have many plans for us.  The very same plans I had for your sister ... and the very same things that I'll do with you.  Juli still remembers ... and so will you.  It's called love, and it's beautiful!

Love,

Mom

Kid Sandwich

For the past couple of weeks we've been 'kid sandwiches' at night. I wake up contorted, in pain and miserable. BUT ... my littles are snoozing like little angels right beside me. No matter how many times I carry them back to their own bed ... they migrate back to us in the night. The order of our 'sandwich' goes something like this:

Meg
Me
Jay
Von
Sam

We are wall to wall legs, arms and butts every night, and we're also the meat that holds this sandwich together. Von and I literally have to hold the outside kids onto the bed.

We've had so many 'thumps' when they hit the floor that I've gone out and bought bed rails for our bed. Something is seriously wrong with this picture, eh? I would love to have a aerial view of our bed in the middle of the night. A triple decker sandwich!

So now instead of slamming the floor face first when they roll out, Meg and Sam are crunched against the new bed rails instead.

Ever been a kid sandwich??? .... and what can I do about it??? Help!!!

Dear Littles - Chapter Thirteen - November 4th, 2008 - President Barack Obama

Dear Littles,

Last night our nation made history, and with this great thing that has happened in your lifetime, I want you to some day read the words at the end of this letter, believe them, and live by them. Words of a man that we people went to great extreme to vote for. Words of a man that shook this entire country to it's core, and led us to encircle our nation, join hands and bring him forward to be our President. Words of a man that I believe with all my heart will change America and will make a difference in your life. Words of a man that I believe in, and words of a man that I know in my heart is a Christian. Words of a very wise man that your Father and I voted for.

With you in our minds, and with all the years ahead of you ... we have our hope in this man and we hope with the changes coming to this nation ... you'll reap the benefit all of your life.

My hope for you is to live in peace in a fruitful country and be proud to be American. I want you to be safe in your lifetime and I want you to prosper. I want you to be honest, and work hard together with your peers to continue to change for the better. I want you to be happy ... and have less stress. I want you to have opportunity and a clean world. I want your voice to be heard. I want you to not just survive on this planet, but to live ... and to live your life to the fullest in a world that is good. Because of my love for you, I voted for Barack Obama ... because I believe in him, and I believe in his words.

I believe that the words that follow will go down in history as one of the greatest speeches of all time, from one of the greatest leaders that this world will ever come to see ... and you will live your life to be a part of this. Today at four years old, you might only know his name ... but in all your years to come, you will know who this man is, and by the time his Presidency is over, you will remember the man, and you will live in a better world.

Not that he is the first black President of the United States of America, ... that is not important, for his skin color makes no difference ... but my hope is that you will know him for being compared to Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery and freed so many people. President Obama will do the same ... he will free this entire country and bring us together as one. One nation ... one country ... one people, and I was 'one vote' that was heard. All because I love you with all my heart.

Love,

Mom

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

November 4th, 2008

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.



It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.


It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America...."

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.


There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.


What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.


So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.


Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.


And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.


For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.


This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.


She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.


And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.


At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.


When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.


When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.


She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.


A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.


America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?


This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:


Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America


- Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States of America

Happy Halloween!

Hi Firefighters!  Hello Tinkerbell!  Have fun at school today!

This is the first Halloween that they 'willingly' dressed up and were excited about Halloween.  But of course, the magic word 'candy' was spoken to Jay and he led the pack in the chase for the party at preschool this morning.

So here's my little cuties all decked out for some good trick or treating!

Oh by the way .... Tinkerbell said to tell everyone 'Hello!'  The firefighters were only interested in the loot!

Happy Birthday to the The FarmHouse Kids

Better late than never!  These little guys turned 'four' last week and we had a big big party at Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday.  There were only at least thirty million kids there at the noon parties.  Whoa!  I wonder how many people ended up with a bad case of the 'snots' besides me.

Of course all thirty million kids were not in our party, but we did have four sets of triplets there, Kelcie and Luke and our sweet little niece Livia.  They all ate pizza and had a great time.  Then they got to open all their presents!  It's been a week and these kiddo's are still in 'Birthday mode'. 

They love love love their birthday presents!

The kids had cups of tokens and loads of fun.  Here's Kelcie and Luke, and Juli having fun.

Happy Birthday Boys ....   I can't believe that it's been 4 years already and to think that you're big enough to have a 'Big Kids' party and have your friends come.

Quiet Little Guy

Not that this is the Sam show .... but yesterday evening, Sam came to me and said, "Ahhhhh .... he sure is a quiet little guy!"

Yep Sam, that's a mouse .... and he's dead!  Feet in the air dead!  It's disgusting ... don't pick up dead animals!  Ewwwww!

Sam, along with his brother Jay has been taught by the higher order of the farm to go outside and pee at the end of the sidewalk!  That higher order forgot to tell them to leave the dead mouse outside!

This is farm country and yes, there are country mice!  Nice little fat ones ... that need to remember to live in the barn!

Dear Littles - Chapter Twelve

Dear Littles,

Today could have possibly been the hardest day of my life, and I truly hope you don't remember it when you're grown.

This morning was your four year check up with Dr. Stone. I was so proud of myself. I got you there on time. By myself. Your Dad ended up having an emergency with a calf that ruptured and had to go back and meet the Vet.

Smooth sailing I thought. After all, you're four years old now and since that magic number came knocking on our doorstep last week ... life has been wonderful. I can do this. Alone. People that work in daycares have more kids than three .. and I know other Mom's that have even a higher order of multiples, and they do it, ... and so can I. Well, after today, I vow to admire them greatly.

We arrived. We checked in and I was smug. You of course had already started crying because you didn't want to be there .. but I blew it off and helped you suck it up.

When I saw the receptionist looking at me repeatedly with a very frantic look in her eye, my smugness started to disappear. I felt panic in my stomach and knew that something was terribly wrong. Then with a white face she leaned out through the window and said to me, "You are NOT on the schedule for today."
WHAT! I have to be ... I just moved heaven and earth to get these kids here on time, juggled my job and pulled myself together to boot. "You're mistaken", I said, "You're the one I spoke to on the phone and I wrote it down on my calendar right then, and again in another place while we were talking."

Of course, the entire waiting room was full of Mom's with kids waiting to get their flu shot and they all got that same smug look that I was wearing only two minutes before.

The receptionist then said to me, "There is no way we can see you right now .. but you can come back at 3:00pm today or reschedule. Today was not the day you were scheduled." I was feeling defeat and was almost ready to reschedule, then I said, "Well ... when was I scheduled?"

She said to me, "Well ...... (long pause ) Your appointment is for this same date and time ... only it's in 2009." The light bulb suddenly clicked on in my head and my smugness reappeared as quickly as it turned tail and ran, and yes, you were all still clinging to me and whimpering and whining like I was sending you to the gas chamber.

For once I knew that I had to stand my ground ... for I knew that they wouldn't cut me any slack if the shoe was on the other foot ... and I said, "I'm sorry, but you put the appointment in for the wrong year ... and I can't come back later today. I live 30 miles from here and what am I supposed to do with three kids in town all day. I have to go to work, and it's flu season, and I want my kids to have their flu shots today like I was scheduled." ... and yes, you continued to climb up my legs like Opossum babies with red eyes and snotty noses dripping on my shirt tail. I was able to keep my balance and stand there with almost 100 lbs of kids hanging from every limb while the receptionist called the nurse and told her that we could/would not come back later in the day.

Yes, you had your appointment and yes, it took right at one and one-half hours as scheduled. You had your four year exam, your flu shots and your four immunizations. It wasn't pretty kids, but I survived. You screamed until the walls shook, and I held my head up high as we walked out through at least 30 patients into a waiting room that was so full, that people were standing up ... and they were no longer smug.

(The rest of the story will be added tonight when my Littles are safely carried up the stairs after being sedated with Tylenol.)

ADDED: I love you kids ... more than you can ever imagine, but today I wanted to disown you for a short period of time. You are smart kids, and you proved it today with Dr. Stone. You were totally in charge. When she came in to do your well check, she talked to you and kidded around and ask you all questions that you know. You all gave her the silent treatment. After you made that secret pact that you make with only a gaze in each other's direction ... you huddled and ignored her, and stared right through her. You never uttered a single word to her. Not one. The entire visit.

I'm sure she thinks I'm fibbing when I told her how smart you were and that you know your letters, and your numbers, and you can trace your name and carry on full conversations, and you can identify almost every thing you see. You huddled and you refused and became almost stuporous and catatonic until she gave up. I vow this day to pay you back when you're a teenager ... out of love of course.

I was never so thankful to leave a place in my life. But I had to get you out the door, and you refused to walk because your legs hurt. I felt like a bad Mother because I knew that I couldn't carry all three of you out, and I knew that if I just kept walking you would follow. So out the door I went with all of you screaming after me. All in a row.

So I learned today .... that magical number four has a bad side to it, and it hopped aboard and went with us today. Let's pray that when you go back next year ... it's long gone and you will at least utter a sound and make eye contact with Dr. Stone ... and remind me, to not do this again alone.

Did I like you today? Not much. Do I love you? Forever and Always.

Love,

Mom

"S" for Sam

Sam looked up in the sky this morning when he heard the honking of geese, and he said, "Look Mom ... S for Sam!  How sweet he is.

The Magic Number

This past week, I found a magic number, and I am loving it.  It's loving on me too ... and life couldn't be any better with this new found number thing that just mysteriously happened in our house.  It's the number "4". 

When "4" moved in last week, it brought lots of new changes to our home.  I wasn't prepared for these drastic overnight changes, and they happened so suddenly, from one day to the next.  I must have slept somewhere in between.   At first I was so reluctant to accept this, and desperately wanted to hang onto number "3" because I was so used to all the chaos and havoc it brought with it a year ago.  Mainly I was afraid that I couldn't handle the changes it was bringing ... but I was wrong.

Number "3" was very mouthy and irritable.  It would throw itself down and a have a total ridiculously floor flattened meltdown.  It would scream for no reason and have trantrums over the smallest little things.  It wouldn't eat.  It wouldn't drink.  It would throw things and hit people, and it would cry until my head would spin.  The only thing good I can say about the number "3" is that it did learn to pee and poop in the potty.  I wanted to give it a medal when it accomplished this, but overall the number "3" was more good than bad.  If only it wasn't so darn independent and unpredictable!!!

It's funny now, because when number "3" came here a year ago ... it was much better than the number "2" that had been here for the whole year before that.  Number "2" was terrible and ugly during his stint here in the Siekman house.  I am so glad he moved on out the door and down the road.  I don't care if he ever shows up again, and I vowed to pray for everyone I know that has a number "2" at their house, and I will always do my best to tell them that "2" is only temporary and it whizzes by so quickly that you just don't know what hit you.  The worst thing about "2" being here was the poop parties it encouraged.  I almost didn't survive that phase of "2", but then again ... those times was a bit better than number "1" when it came to sleep.  At least "2" slept like a log ... but only when its batteries ran down.

Number "1" exhausted and zombified me.  But oh how cute it was.  It brought the fattest little cheeks ... both cheeks.  The uppers and the lowers.  I just loved them.  "1" was a busy little number and it learned alot.  Sad little thing about "1" is that it couldn't seem to remember a single thing I said.  But all good things eventually come to an end and "1" didn't stick around forever ... he was booted out the door when "2" reared its head.

Now about number "4".  I truly love it.  It is so smart.  It understands everything I say to it.  When I tell it that it can not have a piece of gum until it picks up it's toys ... it just picks up its toys.  I can reason with it.  Wow!  I can really reason with it.  When I take it somewhere, it stays right with me.  It doesn't grab the gum and all the candy it sees and stuffs its pockets.  No, it simply ask for money.  Lots of money.  It is learning to write its name and it can count past thirty on a real good day.  It sings songs and it has learned to stay put in its own bed at night.  I really love "4" ... more than you know.  It's only been here a few days, but WOW ... it just sailed right in and took over.  It's a real smooth number.  Kind of mature acting .. and it says the sweetest things. 

I'm sure by next October I'll find a new magic number and it will be the number "5", and I will be asking it where it has been all my life.  I might  never let it go either ... because once it leaves my house, things will really change fast.  School, activites, boyfriends, girlfriends, telephones ... and the next thing you know, cars and trucks follow it home, then it leaves for college and never comes back.  I'm not looking forward to that ... so for now, I'm going to enjoy "4" being here, and I'm going to enjoy every single day of it!

Prayers for My Mother

ADDED: My Mother's CT scan came back clean. No tumors and no cancer. She does have Aortic congestion and that isn't good. She does seem to be a bit better and that is good. Praise God.

I've never been a smoker and I just can't understand why people do it ... and why they can't quit. Surely something that can save your life would be easy to do. It would have been wonderful if Mom could have quit five years ago ... what a difference that would have made. My Mom is only 69 years old.

Thanks for all your prayers.



I've received tons of emails and calls asking if I'm okay since I haven't been blogging and especially since I haven't posted about the kids birthday.

My job is very busy right now for the next week, and I have a lot going in my life. My Mother is very ill and needs everyone's prayers. Hopefully she'll get through this, but she is very sick. She has COPD and just went into CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) and now they're looking for tumors in her heart and lungs. Pray that her CT scan comes back clean and her condition improves.

I'll be posting my Dear Littles Birthday Letters tonight or in the morning ... but I wanted to let everyone know that has emailed or called me ... Thank You for your thoughts and love!

Tanya

The Weed Field

Early this morning the boys were playing farmer. Not a new thing here since that is a daily event with these little guys. So I took advantage of the "farmer" clothes and herded them out into a fescue field behind the house.

Of course, I had to drag the Princess since she doesn't do well in the weeds. I ended up carrying her and had both my camera's slung over my shoulder so I could beat the boys to where I wanted to go. Next time I think I'll dump her in a wheel barrow and push her around instead.

I had great ideas of the three old school desks that I bought at a junk store, sitting out in the middle of the field with my gorgeous littles in the sunshine doing "homework" and writing their names. Can't you just picture that image in your head? I wanted it to do a portrait for their fourth birthday that is coming up this week. Sometimes I'm way too sentimental and I'm always trying to capture that "perfect" shot of my little trio all together. Together is the key word here.

Well, it didn't happen! According to Meg, the weeds were itchy, her legs hurt, she didn't like it, she wanted to go home, she wanted held, she wanted a drink, she didn't want her picture taken in the weeds, and she needed to go pee. The "go pee" was the one that did the trick for her, and we headed for the house.

Oh well .... maybe next time!

Meg doesn't know it yet ... but since there is no school tomorrow, we're doing this all over again in the morning, and I'm serious about the wheel barrow ... ha ~

That Time of the Month

Wow ... I've been MIA haven't I? Whoa ... a whole week. Did I ever tell all of you that I have a job. I'm a RN for a pharmacy and it's been that "time of the month." It's the time that my head spins in circles and I meet myself coming and going. All because I want a paycheck to support my lens habit. My boss man has my monthly goods (reports), so now I can breathe and return to the leisurely life of a working mom of triplets, photographer, blogger, wife, etc ... (I'm just kidding, my life is anything but a piece of cake and leisurely ... I'm a very busy Momma!)

I have so much to blog about and so many cute pictures of the littles to edit ... but let me tell you this. It just might make it into a "Dear Littles" story. Last night Meg said to me, "If you don't hold me, I won't play with you anymore." Then Jay said, "Mommy ... I'll always play with you." Isn't that sweet? Just gotta hang onto all those little things they say ... and tell their story, so someday when they read it to their Grandkids, they can say ... my Momma had it B-A-D!

Saturday morning we went to a Pumpkin Patch with lots of other families with twins, triplets, quads and quintuplets, and I have some great pictures of a certain little trio showing off on a big slide.

We're also getting ready to have a very big thing happen in our house the end of next week ... we're having a Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party for three special little turkeys that live here, and I'm going to ask all of you faithful readers to send them a birthday card or just a note so they can keep it in their Treasure Boxes. I'll write more about that later.

But just so that you know that I haven't been all work and no play .... here's something very pretty to look at that I did Sunday evening, and tomorrow morning I'm regrouping and starting a "catch up blogging binge."

Let me know what you think. Me and my best friend, Miss Canon 5 D, will be attending her pushing party in the next few weeks and the little lady that will make her entrance into this world is going to be little Miss Ava.

Guess what? I am going see her take her FIRST BREATH. hint: my birth photography site is L-I-V-E! Yay!

So .... did you miss me?? Just a little bit? Just a little bitty teensy weensie tiny bit?? I missed you too!

Puddy Sunny Poo

This "Puddy Sunny Poo" came to our house today. First of all, she's a little baby Puddy ... so she didn't come to our house on her own. Chances are, since I live way out in the sticks and since she didn't arrive with a big bow around her neck, I know that The Neighbors did not gift us with her presence. But, anyway, she came. Here.

When I picked up the littles after work today, I told them that there was a surprise at our house waiting for them ... and the surpise was black and had four legs and was a baby girl. Yes, at first they thought it was a cow, but I quickly dismissed the idea of them rolling around in the barn with the calves today.

Sam was so excited, and who is always the quickest to reply said, "Is it a crocodile?" He just knew it was. He wanted to know if it had a rubber band around it's mouth so it wouldn't bite him. I think that trip to the Zoo a few weeks is still haunting him.

Jay on the other hand always puts some thought into his questions and answers. After he told Sam that Crocodiles don't come to our house because they have to live in the pond by the barn, not in our yard, then he asked, "Is it a big bird that will poop on us?" No Jay! You've never had a big bird poop on your head. "Yah Huh" he said, "Once time a long time ago, a big bird came down to where I was working on my tractor and my little boy got bird poop on him." Jay and Sam both have imaginary little boys these days ... little farm boys that work in their barns. Too Cute!!

Meg, being the little Mother and the practical one, said "Did you have a baby in your belly?" No Meg, I didn't have a little black four legged baby in my belly. Not today anyway.

Just as we were pulling into our driveway, I told them. It's a puppy. A baby girl puppy. They were so excited and instantly started jumping out (after undoing the carseats of course). I have never seen three kids so happy and so excited to see a puppy in my life. Of course, the puppy loved them too. The four of them rolled all over the yard in a tangled mass of legs and yelps and giggles.

Then I ask them what her name was. So between the three of them ... Puddy Sunny Poo got her name.

Now, to the stranger that drove the 4-wheeler by real slow today and dropped off this adorable long legged awkward cute little puppy, if you read my blog .. just let me say this to you, "It's not cool to dump puppies in the country just because you know some kids live there." Not cool at all.

So now we have to figure out what is to become of Puddy. We already have a Sam, Molly and a Katie ... and of course a few too many cows. Then we have to figure out what and how to tell the kids why Puddy isn't here tomorrow because I know MM thinks we're on overload with the three that we have now.

I'm wondering if the neighbors up the road a bit, the ones with six kids need a puppy .... No, I'm not going to take her there and dump her off ... but I am going to take her there when the kids are home and ask if they want her ... that's not cool either, but I'm between a rock and hard spot here. Maybe I should tie a big red ribbon on her neck and paint her toenails red and say, "Merry Christmas Neighbors!"

Oh Poo! What's one more dog??!!!