July

The past week the children and I have been taking turns laying around on the couch not feeling well. First up was Sarah, who had a ridiculously high fever for an entire day and night. She woke up around 6:30 am, jumped into the hot tub at 7 (I don't know...), and went back to the couch by 7:15. She dozed for a couple f hours and then went to her bedroom and slept for the rest of the day. This is blog-worthy because even in sickness my kids don't ever sleep like that.

I made sure she took small sips of Gatorade each time she awoke, gave hot-forehead kisses freely, and piled on the blankets since she was literally shivering in her sleep. I figured it was the beginning of the flu and soon the entire house would be infested and quarantined. It was a mere matter of time before all of us would be begging for death so I did the only rational thing I could think to do in the meantime with my precious few hours until onset and cleaned out the kitchen cabinets. Being down one kid really freed up a lot of my time and while the boys played with play-doh and ate popsicles I got to work.

I filled an entire garbage bag and added a dozen items to my shopping list. Among my finds:

• many expired medicines (the winner: ibuprofen with an expiry of 1999. yikes. Runner-up: infant's Tylenol with literally less than a dropper full left, it was crystallized)
• a small-dog flea collar (what dog--small or otherwise!?)
• a plastic cup full of change (Hello hubby's stash-turned-ice-cream-truck-money!)
• 11 (yes, e l e v e n) garlic salts
• old tubes of paint (from decorating the "nursery" for my first child)
• a brand new bottle of Pepto-Bismal with creepy, abnormal separation of liquids not unlike what happens to milk (expiry: 2009; do not remember buying that!)
• 4 opened, nearly full boxes of cornstarch (really?)
• A number "5" candle (I assume I purchased for my daughter whom will be 7 in a couple of months)
• 3 unused Easter egg dying kits (sucker for clearance items; must remember I'm all set for next year...)

Nothing short of shameful. I KNOW I've been up there digging around and cleaning before...I think...I hope...!!? How did all that junk get past me for all these years!? It is an odd feeling to know that a bottle of ibuprofen has lived in your house longer than YOU have.

By the weekend the little princess was back to herself, and I took her place on the couch. I don't know if it was a cold or a sinus infection, but it doesn't matter at all because either was I was miserable! The kiddos were pretty well-behaved considering the fact that I neglected them for three days in a row. I felt so yucky that I couldn't even feel guilt about it at the time.

For the Fourth of July I planned on the continuation of my loafing and pity partying alone with the kids since my husband works retail (holidays are never a day off). But then I unexpectedly received a call from a friend and decided the kids deserved some fun-after all, they had gone along with my sickness for about four days-so we got dressed and got together with the Websters at the MacKenzie home. I am SO glad I pulled it together (and by "pulled it together" I mean found clothes on the floor, forgot to brush my hair, and didn't care about make up, or apparently deodorant as I figured out as the day progressed...oops!) and went. Did I mention this was the first time I had ever been invited to this couple's home? Yep, that's right. I'll keep you posted if I'm ever asked back, HAHA. After that I really don't know; I tried to assure everyone it was just sinus, but I'm not sure they were convinced. Really! It IS just sinus, though. Although the first hour or so after arriving was spent in a zombie-like trance I had a great time and I left much, much later than I anticipated due to the fact that everyone was having such a good time that the hours just slipped by unnoticed. After spending the entire afternoon in the pool, being treated to yummy sno-cones, and then a spontaneous snowball fight, topped off by golf-carts rides around the property the kids passed out in the car on the ride home and were tucked into bed flawlessly.

Who needs fireworks!?

Okay, now where is that Benadryl.....................

Parenting Tip

Do not allow children to bowl with watermelons. It just never ends well.

The really sad part is that I hadn't realized this fact was something which needed to be explained. Had I only had known that my kids' dad was previously uninformed of proper watermelon handling I would have saved myself a lot of juicy, red mess.

Not to worry:

He has now been informed. Very loudly.

Preparing for Vacation

I always feel guilty for admitting that our family is about to go on "vacation". Vacation...From WHAT!? My whole life is a vacation! I feel self-conscience talking about our upcoming trips, feeling that my friends and family probably think I am completely spoiled...a darn accurate assumption, by the way! It makes me uncomfortable mostly because I know how fortunate we are being able to go places and have that time together, a luxury most families do not get to indulge in.

Now that I have convinced you how much guilt I feel about my trip, let's discuss it!

I realize I only have three children, but the amount of time it takes to get ready for a two week long absence makes it seem like there are many more than that. I am what some (*less organized*) folks may refer to as "neurotic". I break up the packing into stages: pre-packing, packing, and finalizing. (Sussette, stop laughing-I can hear you form here!)

The pre-packing phase starts about two weeks prior to departure, and includes planning meals up to the last day home so we don't have perishables or leftovers, making a list of all the things I can't live without so I don't forget anything, and paying the bills which will be due while we're away.

The packing phase begins one week before we leave and the bulk of this is laundry. The kids are forced to wear embarrassing ensembles for the entire week because their acceptable clothing is off-limits while I fill the suitcases. The other bulk of this week is threatening and yelling at the kids because they will not stop emptying said suitcases, climbing inside, and packing each other. I cannot count the amount of times I re-pack suitcases. It's as if they have never seen their clothes before and they insist on playing fashion show. They also insist on "helping" by packing the items they cannot live without. Their list of essentials literally takes up every inch of available space and takes much time to UNpack and put away. These items include, but are not limited to: babydolls and their many accessories, action figures (all Pirates themed, of course), hairbows (ironically, since she NEVER does her hair), a few random blocks, pillow pets, and a ship (yes, a pirate ship). The toiletries bag is the item of most contention. There is something downright irresistible about that bag. The special "vacation-only" toothpaste and toothbrushes, the somehow different-than-ordinary q-tips, everything in that forbidden bag of temptation. No matter how closely I watch it they somehow always manage to divert my attention just long enough to dump out and ransack the contents.

The three days leading up to vacation is crunch-time! Between training the girl down the street to care for the pool, cleaning out the refrigerator, and checking my list twice these days are pure chaos and excitement. I no longer feel exasperated when the kids ask, "Are we leaving NOW??" To the contrary, my automatic response "Nope, in ___ days" is laced with my own excitement, even upon the umpteenth reply (in one hour...before sunrise...several days to go...).

But of course, no Goodman vacation would be complete without turmoil during the preparing. This year we had car trouble, pool trouble, and grocery trouble. The pre-packing phase was interrupted by the AC in Rick's truck acting "funny". This was our clue that something was wrong with MY truck a couple of years ago so we knew it needed to go in. Without the extra vehicle I was homebound, which prevented me from meal-planning properly. One would think this no big deal seeing that my dear husband, you know, WORKS AT A GROCERY STORE. Sparing you the lengthy details, lets just say the kids and I are sick of ramen noodles and PB&J. The absolute worst fallout from not being able to shop: no coffee. That's right, I was coffee-less two days before scheduled departure! Oh, the inhumanity. That was a wake-up call (er...lack thereof...?) to hubs: he finally brought provisions home.

Like any good mechanic knows how to do, the price tag to repair the truck induced cardiac arrest and we decided to take our chances and take the truck without repair. Prayers welcomed.

The pool trouble started during the packing week. The water was testing perfectly, however it was getting cloudier by the day. After a few days we admitted defeat and called in the repair guy. One painful check and a new pump later, it was STILL cloudy. Not good news when we are supposed to leave within days; obviously we can't leave the pool like that or else it would need to be emptied by the time we arrived back home. So another painful check, several bottles of magic chemicals, and hours of precious packing time spent babysitting the pool, it was finally back to normal and safe to leave. All of the unforeseen complications kinda put a wrench in my planning, but flexible and adaptable momma that I am handled it just fine: bribes and pleading for cooperation was all it took to get back on track, and I am happy to report that I even have spare time to blog.

Inevitably, we will pull out of our driveway and make it out of the neighborhood only to have Rick blurt an explicative and turn back home. Every. Single. Time. He forgets something. I get the house, three children, and myself ready and all he has to do is show up and drive and he still manages to forget something (usually something I find rather stupid, such as checking the back door (I already did it) or his spare sunglasses). Hmm, maybe someone should have made a list. I have spent much time contemplating this and have come to the conclusion he does it just to tick me off. Mission accomplished, we generally spend the majority of the 6 hour drive bickering. Good family memories in the making. ;) Hopefully my next post will be from the beach-less than 12 hours to go!! YAY!

BAD Day

Sooo bad...that I can't even blog about it.
I guess not everyday can be rainbows and ice cream trucks, right?


On a brighter note: the tightness in my chest has unclenched into a dull throb. YAY! And all three monsters darling children are asleep by 7pm. That is a blessing straight from God to me because He knew I could not take one. more. minute.


Looking forward to tomorrow; we are all going to Saint Augustine to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral and our friends will be there, too. After that we are going to make waves at the beach (get it!?). I suppose I'd better get packing...yes, packing. Because Rick is coming with us so we will be 5. All needing pretty church clothes, casual clothes, and swimsuits, towels, sunblock, snacks, and various shoes. Gotta go charge the camera battery and finish laundry. Then I can close my eyes on this dreadful day and wake up to a good morning. :)

Fun Saturday

Today we were outside and we noticed a bunch of ants dragging a dead bug across the carport. Sarah and I think bugs are gross so we kept our distance. But my boys were captivated by the strength of the ants and gathered round to cheer them on. They were truly appreciative; Patrick said, "Thank you, ants!" so cutely I had to take a photo so I would remember the day my son thanked the ants for their bug removal services. Minutes after this it started to rain steadily. It came out of a blue sky, completely unannounced, and thrilled the kids beyond belief. An unnexpected rain to run through is apparently one of life's joys. Then to top off the moment Luke and Patrick simultaneously screetched, "ICE CREAM!!!" and we all looked down the street to see the familiar Saturday sight-a bright yellow ice cream truck playing tell-tale music. So they scrambled to gather their quarters from the kitchen counter and bought ice cream in the rain under a sunny, bright blue sky. Magical childhood moments I tell you.

I Was Tagged

My friend Jessica tagged me to list five reasons why I love Jesus. I am supposed to tag five others to do the same, but since I pathetically do not have that many friends I choose to tag no one. So there! Here they are:

• 1. I often feel inadequate to teach my children about God and our faith so I am constantly presented opportunities to "teach" them...without working at it. For example, when the children notice the beauty around them (the blue of the sky, a rainbow, trees) it opens the door for a natural, laid back-yet effective-conversation about God.


• 2. No matter what happens I know He's got my back.


• 3. I have been blessed with a personality which allows me to love God without having to question every aspect of faith (why do bad things happen, etc). I like it this way. ;)


• 4. I have never TRULY felt alone. Even in the darkest hours of despair, when I wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear, when I turned my back to God and swore I didn't love Him anymore like a child angry with his parents. I knew He was there. Waiting for me to calm down so He could comfort me. I didn't even WANT Him to be there...but He was.


• 5. And the final reason I love Jesus is cause He loves ME!! And my nutty kids. I love how the good in life will ALWAYS outweigh the bad because good always triumps.

No Time To Post!

Every time I sit down to hack out a post someone comes up to fool around with the computer, ask for something ridiculous, or just plain I am too tired to see straight. There are plenty of little things that happen, cute tidbits of the day I really want to remember...but then I forget them. :( The whole reason my blog was born was so I could journal the antics of my kids' fleeting childhood, put them in print so when I'm lonely in my neat and tidy home with nary a stray toy to step on I have a sort of comfy, warm emotional blanket to wrap myself in. I am so neurotic about everything else...I need to set aside 30 minutes per week to blog. Hmmm...maybe I could jot down the hilarious stuff on a piece of paper so I won't forget. I'd have to figure out a place to keep said paper from being destroyed........ I want to remember the baby streaking for the garbage men...three weeks in a row. I want to be able to smile when I pull up the image of all three kids hiding in my closet with a dozen markers...completely decorated from face to feet. One day it might not be so terrible that we have blue patches on the ceilings...from Flarp (Google it) being mishandled. And instead of wanting to smack his bottom, maybe I'll remember Patrick's spunk when I re-read about the macaroni and cheese food fight he started while I was in the shower...and I had to peel it off the walls. Yep, setting aside time seems like the right thing to do. I just need to get the kids on-board so that can become a reality. ;)