10

Ten doesn't seem like a terribly big number does it? No, not too big. Unless you are talking about the scale. I need the scale to be 10 pounds less. After 4 beautiful children, 2 marriages, 4 years in the military, a 4 year college degree, some grad school classes, a Paralegal program, 7 surgeries, a few other unpleasant procedures and many other life events I have 10 pounds that I cannot lose before I am back at the weight I was before I gave birth to my first child 9 years, 6 months and 9 days ago. I promised myself I would lose the weight before I had my hysterectomy. That didn't happen. So now I am telling myself it will be before I turn 30. I have unwittingly convinced myself that since I have had a hysterectomy and am about to turn 30 that if I don't lose this weight soon I will never lose it.

I have all but driven myself crazy with this issue. So, I have decided that I am just going to do it. I am going to lose those last 10 pounds so I can be at my "pre-pregnancy" weight by the time I am 30. Wish me luck, I will keep you posted......

On another note, exactly one week from tomorrow the kids head back to school. Mahala will be 7 on that day and going to her first day of 2nd grade. Kaleb will be starting 4th grade AND going to a new school. It is at the same school as the Jr. High, although they don't change classes and have lockers and such like the Jr. Highschoolers. But still. A new school, with Jr. High kids in the same vicinity. That is close. That was fast. I remember that little kid and the minute he was born like it was yesterday. I swear, I could tell you details, what my nurse at Womack Army Medical Center looked like, what they brought me to eat after I delivered him. He is such an amazing kid. I think all my children are amazing, but for such very very different reasons. They each have these spectacular qualities that are endearing and unique. They truly are fearfully and wonderfully made. Kaleb is my gentle, kind and precious boy. He has such a good demeanor, and he loves so good. I mean that kid knows how to make you feel loved. And he does it with no effort. It comes so easily and naturally to him. I cannot stand to see him hurting, it literally breaks my heart. And he is the absolute best big brother a kid could ask for. He is attentive, caring, funny, stern, always looking out for their best interests. He is amazing. When it comes to big brothers he is a 10. Top notch, doesn't get any better. Hey, maybe 10 isn't such a bad number??? Oh, just when it comes to pounds, lol.

I read other peoples blogs and they are so rich, insightful and deep. Mine however is not. Mine is a tad boring, fairly lengthy because just like when I talk I tend to overdo it just a tad, but the one thing it is is mine, and theirs. Kaleb, Mahala, Kellin and Colton. Everyday I have the opportunity to make an impression with my child. It could be something I do, say, don't do, don't say, something I read, a hug, a smile, a scold, or just a look. So as I write this I wonder if maybe if I didn't do anything significant that I can think of at this very moment, maybe this blog that my kids can read later on will leave a mark. A good one, a memory, a lesson brushed aside. Or maybe just a laugh or a chuckle. Or maybe it won't be this blog at all, maybe it will just be the kiss goodnight that they are guaranteed to get from me, whether or not today was a life lesson day or not.

Inspiration from an unlikely, but appreciated, source

So I haven't blogged in ages. I haven't even thought about blogging. Someone posted today on my Facebook that I should start a blog. Hey, I have one of those, if they haven't deactivated it since it has been so long since I have logged on......much to my delight it is still here. And I must say, I went back and read over the whole woppin' 9 blog entries that I have posted and I really like being able to look back and remember what happened on a particular day that I normally would  have probably never remembered. Like when Kellin was standing in his little brothers crib peeling decals off the wall. Or how Mahala has her moments where she is such a good big sister, and little sister that it brings tears to my eyes.

So, here's to starting my blog back up. My inspiration came from a very unlikely source. My ex-husbands wifes mother. Basically Kaleb and Mahala's grandparents that live in California. They got to meet them for the first time earlier this summer. It was quite and adventure for them. They got to fly on a huge airplane, just the two of them. My words of warning were, "Mahala don't talk to strangers (yeah right)" and "Kaleb do your best to make sure your sister doesn't tell our entire life story to some complete stranger on the airplane, please. No, really, please." Overall they did great. They were gone for 2 weeks. During that 2 weeks I took entirely too many pictures of the dogs because frankly, Kellin and Colton just aren't that cooperative. They went to Disneyland, which is SO cool. They went to the beach. They met some more of their cousins, and formed some great bonds. Those two kids have so much love to give, and so many people that love them in return. I am so blessed to know that no matter what happens in this world, there is no shortage of people who will love and cherish my children. That is a good feeling.They got to spend some much needed time with their dad and Miss Amber and see some dear old friends from another lifetime ago. And this was all after we spent 9 days down in Alabama at my parents house boating and fishing and swimming and having bonfires. Overall I would venture to say they have had a pretty good summer.

Now we are waiting for school to start. Kaleb starts football practice tonight. He is such a passive kid, but I have a sneaking suspicion there is some aggressiveness way down deep just waiting for the right outlet, I hope maybe this is it. I want so badly for him to find something that he is really really good at. Doesn't every mother want that for their child? I mean he is awesome at making friends, knows no stranger and catches on to pretty much anything fairly quickly, but I want him to be good, I mean really good at something. I am just not so sure that paying good money to have someone tackle my child is the answer, but hey, we will try anything once right?? We explained to him that there was no quitting once he started. I wonder if I am not going to be the one marching out on that field when he gets the crap beat out of him or tackled by 6 kids twice his size. Haha, I am such a bad playground mom!!

I had surgery last Wednesday, August 3rd. It was long overdue. I had a hysterectomy and left ovary removal. I had been having so many problems since Colton was born and with my severe endometriosis that it was unfair to the kids and Mic every two months when I would get so sick. So, hopefully after this recovery I will be well, really really well so we can move past this phase of life where everyone is worried about mommy. Yeah, that is not fun, for anyone so we can be done with that any time now. Right now I am not recovering as quickly as I had hoped, which I guess is okay because I am sure if I felt tip top I would be doing too much anyway. Maybe this past year has taught me to finally listen to my body because 2 close calls is just 2 too many. I have 4 children, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a husband to raise!! Speaking of husbands, Mic has been wonderful. Taking care of so much and with such grace, uh, if guys have grace, or whatever they have.

Okay this has gotten way too long. Just a quick note on the title......a little inspiration from an unlikely source is what prompted me to go find my blog, and try twice on what they password was, but I got it on the second try. Look over the few blogs I did post and decide that blogging is a good thing, and fun, and sometimes just what you need to give you some perspective. So, I leave you with this. Look for your inspiration in the little things, in the unlikely places, and take it for what it is worth. I have some amazing people in my life that care about me, or my kids, or me and my kids, and my husband, or however, whichever or whatever. Point is care a little, or more then you do, you will get more in return for your efforts then you ever expected.

Is it bedtime yet?

Kellin got  his tubes in this week. I guess maybe with all the fluid he has in his ears and for as long as he had been carrying around ear infections he hasn't been running at 100%, maybe about 60%. Well, to be completely honest, I am not really convinced I can handle Kellin at 100%. I'm beat.

This week was busy. In fact it was so busy I cannot hardly remember Monday. So, I will look back on my calendar and give you a run down of the highlights that I am sure you are just dying to hear about. Not to mention it was the big kids first full week back at school, whew.

Monday opened up a door. Possibly a door that I could plunge through and make some things happen. I just am not convinced it is the right door. Still pondering and praying for guidance.

Tuesday was my Tuesday morning Bible Study. I love love love my Tuesday morning Bible Study. I don't ever want to give that up, ever. The ladies are awesome. The encouragement is amazing and I learn so much.

Wednesday is our Awana day. The kids are half way through their school week at this point, and I am beginning to remember the Wednesday morning shuffle. It is hard, and they needed some encouragement, so they got to eat some Halloween candy before I took them to school. You are so welcome public school teachers, I am that mom. Awana night in the nursery was especially fun this past Wednesday. I am pretty sure it had something to do with the chocolate cupcakes provided by my sweet friend Cara, of which I ate 4. Yes, 4. And I am not ashamed in the least. I am pretty certain they were fat free.

Thursday was tubes day for the red head. He did not care for the entire situation at all. He was a nervous wreck from the moment we walked into Proctor. After he woke up from the anesthesia he was hysterical until he was sure we were far away from the hospital and well on our way home. Poor kid. But after a good nap he was in rare form and wired for sound. God please help me. Please.

Thursday also included Mahala's eye exam. Her vision has gotten significantly worse, not better. Disappointing. Good news is Komtasu's Vision Service Plan rocks and saved us a ton of money, so she can at least get the glasses she so desperately needs.

Thursday also holds my favorite shows. Greys Anatomy and Private Practice. Unfortunately the story line for both has turned into something that I just don't really consider enjoyable at this time in my life. War, PTSD and rape. No thanks. Got some pondering to do on that subject as well considering one of my most FAVORITE people in the world takes hours out of her Thursday each week to come eat dinner with me and the kids and watch those shows with me. Ugh.

Friday was awesome. It was a MOPS Friday. Probably my most favorite 2 days of the month are MOPS Fridays. We packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I found out who my Mentor Mom is going to be. And we played a very fun game at MOPS. All very encouraging. Not to mention I came home from MOPS to a clean house. The only things at my house were a husband, 2 cats and a dog. Yep, you guessed, I pretty much have the most amazing husband ever. Ever. Really, ever, you have no idea, most amazing. Ever.

Friday also gave me some answers I was seeking in another area of my life and I have started the ball rolling on that. It is funny the answer to some needs we have had has been sitting in front of our face for a while, and it just now occurred to both of us that this might be the answer we have been seeking.

And Kaleb just lost his other front tooth. The tooth fairy is real, and I know she loves our house because we keep her gainfully employed. HOWEVER, if by chance the tooth fairy were not real and it was just us parents. We would be broke and running out of creative ways to try and show the kids that each tooth they lose is just as unique and special as the last, especially since the last one was just like 2 weeks ago. Of course, that is only IF the tooth fairy wasn't real. And we all know that she is.

Although I am tired of sitting at home on Friday night alone with four kids, and yes, that is possible to be alone with 4 kids, and my back is hurting me very very much I had an amazing week. I have a chiropractor appointment on Monday. Hope that will help with the serious back pain I have been having lately.

There is actually so much more to tell, but I have found that blogs lose their interest after about the first 2 paragraphs if there isn't a great writer on the other side of the key board or a very funny story taking place. Neither of which is happening in this particular blog so I'm gonna go.......

But first, here is one for good measure because I promised in the last blog that I would post a picture of our newest family member, Pumpkin.

3 is the magic number!

I have 3 followers!! Woo hoo!!

Today was a great day. We had an awesome church service, in which WE actually invited people to come to church with us, and the sermon was great, and very fitting. God is good and knew exactly when our friends would come to church and what message they would need to hear to encourage them to come back. God is so cool.

Then we had an awesome lunch with a bunch of the people from our church and all their kids. It was like a 3 ring circus, I love every minute of it.

Afterwards we came home and the newest member of our family was delivered......pictures to follow soon. I found a kitten rescue in our area that rescues kittens, pays for them to get fixed and pays for them to get their shots and then they find loving homes for them. Well, we have lots of love to go around. So, we got an orange tabby kitten, she is a playful little 5 month old, the same age as Colton, and we named her Pumpkin because we got her on Halloween!! The plus is she really likes dog food, and our dog barely eats her dog food, so she isn't gonna cost us a dime at this rate......AND she won't get put to sleep or left outside to die this winter.

The the rest of the afternoon went by in a blue. We started getting ready at 3 p.m. for pictures at 4 p.m., then some dinner and Trick-or-treating at 5 p.m. The kids had a great time. I had Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe (Kaleb), a kitten (Mahala), a Monkey (yep, you guessed it right, Kellin) and a tired turtle (Colton).

They lasted about an hour and had a great time. I have been steadily throwing away candy when they aren't looking, you know that stuff that they can't have anyway because of those precious baby teeth (Milk Duds, Airheads, etc). I know, I am so bad.

Here is a glimpse for your viewing enjoyment! More Halloween pics to follow soon! God is so good!

Mahala wanted to be a white kitty, with a little imagination and help from my friend Cara....mission accomplished! Well, pretty much.

Here is our recycled Turtle costume from Kellin that he never got to wear because he was only 3 weeks old on his 1st Halloween! It fit Colton perfect, and he really does look good in green!

I just love this picture. It speaks volumes to me!!

My very own red head

Today consisted of me actually getting out of the house, somewhat dressed up, on time, wearing make-up and doing a grown up activity. Without children. And my husband only called me one time in the 4 hours I was gone, which is VERY impressive in my book considering he was home with all 4 children. Not too shabby. Although after it was all said and done I need a bloody Mary to recover from the Women's Lifestyle Show at the Peoria Civic Center. Next year I do believe I will drink that bloody Mary before I venture into that madness.

Of course, last night was not quite as smooth. Kaleb stayed the night at a friends house, lucky boy. Mahala woke up at 6 something ish a.m. surely wondering why she had not been bombarded by her little brother yet. Colton is pretty much the easiest kid ever and only makes a teeny tiny bit of noise when he is absolutely starving to death. He gets the pecking order around here, he is number 4. He only cries out for help out of sheer desperation, other then that he tries to fade away as to not get trampled by the mad chaos that regularly ensues at our house, or anywhere we go really. We come in large numbers. Well, then there is Kellin. Ah yes Kellin. His name means mighty warrior, I am beginning to think he is the warrior, and mighty, and I am the war? Or the enemy? Or I am the obstacle in between the warrior and his enemy and I am going to get mowed down in the process of this fight. But he sure does me make me laugh. A LOT. But usually not until later after it is all said and done.

As I stumbled out of my bed at 6:30 a.m. to feed the baby this is how the conversation went:
Mahala: "Where's Kellin"
Me: "In my freakin bed where he has been all freakin night. Why on God's green earth are you up so early." (note this was not a question but rather a complaint as to why any creature in my house finds it acceptable to get up before 8 a.m.)
Mahala: "Why is Kellin in your bed? Is daddy sleeping? Can I go in there?
Me: "NOOOOO! Please don't even WHISPER within 10 feet of my bedroom door. Kellin was up 172 times last night and Daddy didn't get to bed til 2 a.m. because he took the late feeding with Colton. In fact, don't even breathe. Why are you up so early." (Again - not a question, not even a complaint at this point, but an accusation - WHY are YOU up so EARLY)

So as I gracefully stub my toe and walk downstairs with the bottle I get to thinking. What can I do to make this go as smoothly as possible? AHA, I've got it. I brought Colton upstairs, put him in the bouncy seat, dug out a Yoo Hoo from the fridge, shook it real good, got a straw, turned on cartoons and bribed my 6 year old to feed the baby while I showered and the red headed monster and daddy slept peacefully (and more comfortably now that I was out of the bed).

I managed to shower, get out of the house and did not get a phone call until 10:30 a.m. when Mic woke up. Mahala and Baby Colton were watching Saturday Morning cartoons, each with their respective drinks of formula and Yoo Hoo chocolate drink polished off at this point. Kaleb came in about 11 a.m. from his friends. When I got home they were eating lunch, Kellin still in his pajamas, which he stayed in all day until his bath at 7 p.m. after which he was immediately placed in a clean pair of PJ's, why make more laundry for myself right? As if 18 pairs of clothes a day isn't enough for me to wash.

The various other antics of Kellin are far too great to write about in one post, and those are just for today. But I will post a picture of one...... came down to check on him while I was cooking dinner and this is what I found................yes, I have my very own red head.

In case you need a little help deciphering this picture - this is Kellin, in Colton's crib, with his football, pulling off my wall decals. Yes, he has his coat on because he WAS outside playing football, and YES, as I stated, those are his pajamas underneath his coat. It's okay, no need to nominate me for mother of the year, I am a shoe in whether I have your vote or not.