Saturday, October 31, 2009

On this Day, in 2007

I married my best friend. Like all best friends life around each other isn't always peaches and cream! We have our ups, downs, falling-outs, making-ups, good times, and bad times. Despite all of it we've always found a way to work out the issues and rejoice at the end of the days.

We had a simple ceremony, just us, Mikeal, & two dear friends of the family to witness, before the county judge - Judge Littlefield. Now she doesn't have the best of reputations around here, at least not according to those who like to continuously break the law - go figure, huh - but she's been spectacular for everything I've ever been before her for - a divorce from my ex-husband, child support order that's gone unfulfilled by said ex-husband, that is still constantly on-going, and my marriage to Brian. When things are lined up properly and if we're still living in this area she'll also be the same judge to grant Brian's adoption of Mikeal.
The ceremony she preformed for us was quite beautiful, in no way did I feel like it was some sort of textbook, by rote selection of vows that she had us repeat. I really wish I would of had a video of it so that I could look back on it & know exactly what she said...truth be told I was so over joyed that it was difficult for me to stay focused long enough to remember what she was saying, as she was saying, in order for me to "repeat after her". I kept getting flustered every time Brian would look at me or smile at me, and it was just like living some sort of dream that even now gets be a bit flustered.


Its hard to believe that I just met him a little over 5 years ago and now we've been married for 2 years.

But after the small ceremony, when we were all signing the license, she did the most awesome thing I've ever seen or heard of being done, she had Mikeal sign the very bottom corner of our marriage license, he was just 5 at the time, but had had enough practice at writing his name that he was able to do so, I will always cherish it! Mikeal is a big part of our life, as is Mikaila, but she still had 6 weeks of "baking" left before she made her appearance.
The commitment to the beginning of the rest of our lives was sealed with a kiss.....


Happy Anniversary Brian! I love you more than I'm able to express!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Perspective

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

Pass this on to family, friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.

"Life is too short and friends are too few."



*Not originally written by me, but it is absolutely worth the reality check, especially when folks refer to me as 'poor' just because I don't have/won't pay for XYZ. I consider myself much richer than most of my peers who "have everything".*

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Fall Fun!

There's absolutely nothing more traditional about Fall than raking up a huge pile of leaves and having at it! So that is what we did today, after we got the bread assembled, waiting on it to rise! Yes, I did join the kids in the romping, rolling, throwing, tickling, the works, It was great fun! LugNut even got in on it once in a while.




Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Our First Date

Brian had invited me over for a home cooked meal & a movie at his apartment for our first date. We were both broke, so it was the most reasonable date we could manage.

I just remember that he'd served a chicken something - I'm allergic to chicken & didn't have any Benedryl with me, so chugged a bit of Mikeal's children's allergy liquid medication in order to be polite and eat the dinner. It was very good. We then settled on the couch to watch a movie...for the life of me I cannot recall what movie it was....Brian and Mikeal though found it to be MOST interesting, though. Brian's roommate, John, took the picture. LOL

The Marriage Proposal

Brian's "official" proposal came at the oddest of times for me. We'd broken up in January, but still shared the apartment - different rooms, the works, he was my live-in child care provider to put it shortly. March 27th I'd gotten a call that my dad had passed away, Brian went with me to my mom's place, since it was an 8hr drive one way and I had to plan my trip around my work schedule, - got off work at midnight on the 28th, he drove us up, we spent the first day with him sleeping through the first half of the day, then went over to my grandma's that afternoon to get away from my mom's house for a few. We were late getting back to my mom's house for dinner, so it was just the two of us in the dining room eating. Now my mental state of being wasn't quite up to par, I was upset with my dad's siblings that lived there within a 20 mile radius of my mom's place where everything was taking place, but they opted not to even show up, but did call to harass me about the arrangements, even though I lived 600 miles away and was making the most of what I was able to seeing as ALL of it was thrown onto me to take care of. I was also WAY overtired & a bit emotional. So this is the conversation :

Brian : "Can I ask you a question?"
Me : " umm...yea..."
Brian : "Will you marry me?"
Me : ".........." (total confused silence)
Brian : grabs my hand, because I was still going on about eating my steak ..."Well? Will you marry me?"
Me : "Are you sure?" ....we'd been through this conversation, but not quite in this type of manner, plus we were, because of his hesitation with being in any sort of real relationship, living as strictly roommates....
Brian : "That's not an answer"
Me : " :heart: :wub: yes!"

When we finished eating dinner we went outside where everyone else was hanging out and I didn't announce it to everyone as soon as we joined them outside so he made a big deal out of me "not being excited" about it" - a day I'd waited VERY PATIENTLY for for YEARS - I was quite speechless over the whole deal, honestly, like I was living in some sort of surreal alternate world or something. Here I was at my dad's "funeral" - can't really call it a funeral as it wasn't technically, but it was what my dad would of wanted as a tribute to his life, family & friends gathered together in his honor. :)

Mikeal went and spent the night with my sister, Brian & I had to go to WM to get a few things for the next day, while walking through there he asked for my permission to adopt Mikeal. Later we spent the night at my grandma's house and :embarrassed: consummated our engagement. :giggle: Mikaila was concieved that night. :bag: But my heart of hearts feels that she is a gift from my dad as Brian is sterile according to doctors. :heart:

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Its been a while.

This past week or so has been one that I hope I can get over soon. Just plain exhausting!

Mikeal came home from school sick. Thought it to be the flu since it's pretty thick in the area, I called the nurse, got her recommendations on it, followed all to a T. After not running a fever for a whole day I thought he was on the mend until he went to sleep, then his fever came back with a passion as well as severe respiratory distress...turned out he had tonsillitis. One shot to the butt and he was well enough to go back to school that Monday, after getting sick the Thursday before.

Mikaila had an evaluation done by the Early Intervention lady on Tuesday. Mikaila scored amazingly well in every area - except her speech. I take her back in tomorrow morning for a more in depth evaluation, plus will be trying to get her on the waiting list for Head Start in this area. I think it'll do her a great deal of good!

Brian got himself in at the free clinic in Grove on Thursday. He's set up to go have blood work done in the morning to test his thyroid levels, I'm quite confident that it'll come up that he does indeed have a thyroid problem. He'll also be getting his knee x-rayed & from that the doctors will try to determine if surgery is going to be needed to repair the damage done to his knee some 15 years ago, courtesy of his brother with a sledge hammer. The doctor did give him a medication for him to take in the meantime for his depression, but I took care of those because its the same exact script that was given to him right before he had a severe mental break and ended up in the hospital for 10 days while he was bounced on and off other medications - medication that proved to be of no benefit to him, but a $1500 script bill each month, plus about $300 a month in blood tests and doctor visits to make sure the meds weren't destroying his liver and such. I'm praying that the $4 thyroid med will replace all of that.

I bought some knitting looms and yard on Thursday. I've already made a scarf for Mikaila and Mikeal made a hat, originally for himself, but it's a bit small for him. It looks good on Mikaila though. I'll be done with Mikeal's scarf later this evening, I hope.

Mikaila has been doing wonderfully with her potty learning, however about the time she was done with diapers she figured out how to escape the pack-n-play and has yet to take a nap. A blessing in that she generally goes to bed about the same time as Mikeal...a curse in that many times she goes to sleep, then gets up a few hours later and its a PAIN IN THE NECK to get her back to sleep before daylight...making for a VERY tired momma!

I'll be posting pictures in a day or two of the kids' scarves that I've made, as well as other pictures that I've taken. I might even grace y'all with pictures of Brian's new toy - a 1982 Nissan 280Z. It has the T-tops, blah blah blah...pretty snazzy, just needs a good sanding down, then primered, some paint, new upholstery, and everything under the hood re-done. Basically its a piece of junk that will start, that after some work will apparently be worth something. Can't really complain though, it was free!

Also noteworthy-ish : My ex-mother-in-law contacted me about Mikeal - first time in over 4 years, at least...that's a whole post in itself that I'll get around to later. Another child support hearing is set for Wednesday. My ex-husband is a douché. But these details are going to be saved for another day or during a sleepless/stressful night.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Free!

:biggrin: Sometimes it pays to take the trash off myself.

:shock: :shock: This is the condition I FOUND this trunk in! Tags are even still on it! It just has a bit of broken trim on the top, but that might cost me a whole 25c to replace! Its roughly 36" long x 24" wide x 18" deep.

I have a new, lockable, trunk that I'm going to store my sewing & craft things in!!!! I have a tote box I keep it in now, and a few other boxes, etc that I keep it all in...some in places hidden from Mikaila because she can open freaking everything! But this locks and is a bit difficult even if its not locked! I'm so :woohoo: about it! The keys were even in the bottom of it. Almost like someone bought it, noticed the defect, and just threw it away. :shock: Wish I had money like that to just throw away...but on the other hand glad they do, for my benefit. :giggle: :embarrassed:



Monday, October 12, 2009

Ironic? Moronic? Annoying Either Way.

I started working with Mikaila months ago , around the time she was 16/17 months old, on potty training. I took it at her pace, but I didn't just give up on it when she'd decide she didn't want to. Didn't make a big deal out of any accidents, just cleaned up and went on our way.

Here we sit, several months later, she's 22 months old, and I'm ECSTATIC that she is potty trained. For the last week she has not been in a diaper at all during the day, not even when we'd go out to the store or visiting. Yes, accidents happened, but it wasn't discouraging, they happen, we're both still learning this new curve. I'm learning her cues, she's learning her body's cues....then there was the incident of someone not letting her use their bathroom because it's for "employees only". I do put a diaper on her at night because she has ALWAYS awakened SOAKED, it's not mattered the size of the diaper or type, she can SOAK it and be drenched herself upon waking up. I was told that I was headed for problems with her nighttime training because she's so young. Seriously? From that reasoning I suppose it's best to put them in diapers 24/7 instead of half that time.

Well, call me jumping the gun, BUT this morning she woke up 100% dry. Yesterday morning she woke up with just a barely wet diaper. She's also been 100% accident free for going on the second day in a row.

I've not hidden the fact that she's done this. I talked to one of the directors at the pregnancy center earlier today, she went on and on about how Mikaila is too young to be potty trained, that I should wait until she's at least 2.5 because she'd be able to do it all on her own then. Of course there's also been the other folks who have accused me of FORCING her to do something she's too young to be doing, therefore I'm being a bad mother, by the way they've phrased it and their overall body language.

Seriously.

My mom raised 4 kids. Not a single one of which made it to two years old not being potty trained. In fact it was unusual 15/20 years ago for kids to not be potty trained by the time they were 2/2.5, at the LATEST! And these days you're a bad mother because you start introducing them to the whole concept before they're 2 years old?

To each their own, in my opinion, but its rather ridiculous to chastise me for putting up with a lot of shit - literally - while Mikaila learned about her bodily functions, signals, and what to do about it all to prevent having to sit in it all. She's VERY happy about her accomplishments. To the point that in addition to being done with diapers, she's moved onto how to escape from her bed, and not taking naps. Great thing about her not taking a nap during the day is she goes to bed when her brother goes to bed, 90% of the time.

To sum it up, my 22 month old child can :
*recognize her name
*sort blocks by color
*knows that when you say "shhh" that it's time to be quiet
*is potty trained, with GREAT strides being made in regards to nighttime
*use a zipper, by herself
*undress herself - even if I've safety pinned her shirt to her pants, she can get out of it
*put pants & panties on that don't have to be buttoned, by herself
*unscrew lids, even small tiny ones, like on toothpaste tubes, AND put the lids back on
*put some of her shoes on herself....but she prefers putting on everyone else's shoes
*Brush her teeth, herself - front, back, top, & bottom and LOVES doing so
*eat cereal from a bowl, with milk in it, with a spoon, without making a mess, then will drink any remaining milk out of the bowl, without making a mess
*drinks from an uncovered cup, but if the cup is filled past what she'll drink right then she likes to wear it and play in what's leftover
*run, without much falling
*skip
*kick a ball - not far, but she has the concept down
*swing a foam baseball bat, and hit her target 80% of the time - her brother's head.
*can climb steps like they're nothing, especially if she has a rail or hand to hold
*catch/stop a rolling ball
*Jump, without issue
*swim with flotation devices, don't know about without, as I don't chance it
*climb a ladder to go down a slide, even a larger one at the park
*operate the TV & DVD player to play her favorite movies
*open many different types of food packages, which has lead to EVERYTHING being behind a lock or latch of some sort
*will help me with picking up and puts things in where they belong, laundry in laundry baskets, trash in the trash can, stuffed animals in the mesh hamper, etc etc.

She doesn't know these things because I've forced them upon her, she doesn't know them because she's some sort of super genius, she knows them because we do everything together, I involve her in as many of my daily activities as I can so that she can learn. She observes what I do and wants to imitate me, she also watches her big brother and daddy with a lot of the things they do. They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, so I'm flattered and proud to be able to say that she knows these things and is great at doing them. If I'm doing my child some great injustice I'd like to know what it is, I've done the same things with Mikeal, except his first 2.5 years of life were quite tormenting for the two of us, and here he is 7 years old, in 2nd grade, honor roll, ahead of his class mates in almost everything. The only injustice my children have been subjected to is criticism that they're doing things "too soon", instead of being being complimented on their achievements.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

One whole week

Of NO diapers during the day!!!! Barely an accidents as well!!!! Yes, Baby Girl Mikaila is entering "Big Girl-hood". We do still put a diaper on her at night as she does still sleep in the pack-n-play, but we're working on transitioning her to sleeping in the bottom bunk, once that's accomplished we'll move onto no diapers at night. We also have to work on keeping her from using everyone's toothbrush & playing in the sink of the bathroom before I can leave the door to the bathroom open for her quick access, she hasn't figured out how to open doors yet, and I like knowing when she's in there. ;)

Pretty exciting times though!!!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Making Progress!

Today I went out with Mikaila to take care of a few things and do a little bit of visiting. Mikaila has been doing VERY well at home with going to the potty, so when we ventured out today I did NOT put a diaper on her!!!

Three hours later we have arrived home. She only went once, but there were no accidents!!!

She's getting to be such a big girl!!! <3

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Random things to do in Wal-Mart

As the cashier runs your purchase over the scanner, look mesmerized and say, "Wow, magic!"

Ask other customers if they have any Grey Poupon.

Attempt to fit others into very large gym bags.

Challenge other customers to duels with tubes of gift-wrap.

Contaminate the entire auto department by sampling all the spray air fresheners.

Dart around suspiciously while humming the theme from Mission Impossible.

Drag a lounge chair over to the magazines and relax.

Go to the food court, buy a drink, and ask if they can put a little umbrella in it.

Drape a blanket around your shoulders and run around saying, "I'm Batman. Come Robin, to the Batcave."

Follow people through the aisles, staying about 5 feet behind them. Do this until they leave the store.

Get 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they aren't looking.

Go into a fitting room, shut the door and wait a while and then yell loudly "There's no toilet paper in here!"

Go to the Service Desk and ask to put a bag of M&M's on lay away.

Hide in a clothing rack and when people browse through, say "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

Hold indoor shopping cart races.

In the auto department, practice your "Madonna look" using different size funnels.

Leave Cheerios in lawn and garden, pillows in the pet section, etc.

Look right into the security camera, use it as a mirror and pick your nose.

Make a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the restrooms.

Make up nonsense products and ask employees if there are any in stock. (i.e.: Shnerples)

Move "Caution: Wet Floor" signs to carpeted areas.

Pay off layaways 50 cents at a time.

Play soccer with a group of friends, using the entire store as your playing field.

Play with the automatic doors.

Play with the calculators so that they all spell "hello" upside down.

Randomly throw things over into neighboring aisles.

"Re-alphabetize" the CD's.

>Re-dress the mannequins as you see fit.

Relax in the patio furniture until you get kicked out.

Ride a display bicycle through the store; claim you are taking it for a test drive.

Ride those little electronic cars at the front of the store.

Say things like, "Would you be so kind as to direct me to your Twinkies."

Set all the alarm clocks to go off at ten-minute intervals throughout the day.

Set up a "Valet Parking" sign in front of the store.

Set up a tent in the camping department and tell other shoppers you'll invite them in if they bring pillows from the bed department.

Start playing Calvinball; see how many people you can get to join.

Take bets on the battle from above.

Take off your shoes and tell them you want to return it and when they say you didn't buy it there say, "Hm... I thought the customer was always right!"

Take shopping carts for the express purpose of filling them and stranding them at strategic locations.

Take up an entire aisle in toys by setting up a full-scale battle with G.I. Joe vs. X-men.

Test the brushes and combs in cosmetics.

Test the fishing rods and see what you can catch from other aisles.

TP as much of the store as possible before they stop you.

Try to hold up customers with the toy guns. See how much you can make.

Tune all the radios to polka stations; then turn them off and turn the volume up to full blast.

Walk up to an employee and tell him/her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in Housewares and see what happens.

Walk up to complete strangers and say, "Hi. I haven't seen you in so long." etc. See if they play along.

When 2 or 3 people are walking ahead of you, run between them yelling "Red Rover."

When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

When an announcement comes over the loud speaker, assume the fetal position and scream "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!"

When someone steps away from his or her cart to look at something, quickly make off with it without saying a word.

When there are people behind you, walk really slowly, especially in thin aisles.

While handling guns in the hunting department, ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are.

While walking through the clothing department, ask yourself loud enough for all to hear, "Who buys this crap anyway?!"

Run up to an employee (preferrebly a male) while squeezing your legs together and practically yell at him " I need some tampons!!"

Try on bras over top of your clothes.

While walking around the store, sing in your loudest voice possible "sex and candy"

Play with the automatic doors.

Try putting different pairs of women's panties on your head and walk around the store casually.

Leave small sacrifices or gifts in the hands of the mannequins.

While no one's watching quickly switch the men's and women's signs on the doors of the rest room.

Hide in the clothing racks and when people browse through, say things like "the fat man walks alone," and scare them into believing that the clothes are talking to them

While walking around alone, pretend someone is with you and get into a very serious conversation i.e:
"How could you do this to me? I thought you loved me! I knew there was another girl, but I thought I had won. You kissed ME darling." Then act as though you are being beaten and fall onto the ground screaming and having convulsions."

Go to an empty checkout stand and try to check people out.

Get a stuffed animal and go to the front of the store and begin stroking it lovingly, saying "Good girl, good bessie."

Go over to the shoe department and try on every pair of shoes, not putting one pair back. Take the paper from the boxes and throw it in various aisles.

In the makeup department, spray yourself with every perfume there is, then walk up to a boy who is with another girl and start flirting with him in that annoying, ditsy way. "hi!!!! (giggle) What's your sign? (giggle)." When the boy shows no interest, start hitting on the girl the exact same way. "hi!!!! (giggle) What's your sign?(giggle)."

Say things like, "Would you be so kind as to direct me to your Twinkies?"