Unexpected Words From A Stranger

I decided Mommy and Cashie needed an hour or two by ourselves and Daddy and baby Christopher could use some bonding time as well.  So Cash and I headed to the store for our Monday night trip for groceries.  I told him if he was good for me and not have to look at toys then I'd buy him a doughnut.  We were in the store for about 10 minutes and Cash starts singing very loudly, "Mr. Clown.  Mr Clown.  He's the funniest clown around.  Quick!  Do a trick ... MOMMY!"  And this is where I'm suppose to make some silly face or sound or dance in a weird way or do a karate chop on something.  But since I wanted to get in and get out and for him to quiet down (because he was literally singing that song loud enough to be heard over a jet engine) I said I'd do a trick in the car and to keep his voice down.  So then he started singing "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes ...." even louder then his Mr Clown song.  I had to tell him three times to quiet down.  While in the milk aisle a lady obviously heard his singing.  I'm sure the people in Lawn & Garden heard his singing.  But anyway ... she pulled her cart up to mine and I was sure I was going to hear about him not minding me or being too loud or something but instead she said, "Ma'am, I would much rather hear his sweet songs he's singing then hear him screaming and throwing a tantrum." 

She made a good point.

Riding in Cars with Boys

Song on the Radio:  "I'll never be your Beast of Burden ..."  (Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones)

Cash:  MOMMY!  Why did that man just sing that?

Me:  Sing what?

Cash:  That man on the radio singed, "I'll never be your Baby Christopher and"


I guess I can hear it.

This Is What's For Dinner

After gorging myself on BBQ this past holiday weekend, the hubby and I definitely need something LIGHT for dinner tonight.
So we're going for this:

Marinated Grilled Shrimp
Original Recipe Yield 6 servings

"A very simple and easy marinade that makes your shrimp so yummy you don't even need cocktail sauce!"

 

 

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 273 | Total Fat: 14.7g | Cholesterol: 230mg

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• skewers

 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce, and red wine vinegar. Season with basil, salt, and cayenne pepper. Add shrimp to the bowl, and stir until evenly coated. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring once or twice.
2. Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.
3. Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp on preheated grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

We'll make a side dish of brown rice (with some of the leftover juices over top).


DELISH!

Blog Hoppin

I found The Mom Adventures by doing a Google search on Mommy blogs.

She's a single Mom and parenting alone.  Her blog was/is inspired by her son, LM who has autism.  Beautiful little boy!

She talks about how she was 5'4" and 290 lbs when she left her husband.  I love following her weight loss story as I myself have struggled off and on with my weight for almost 8 years now.

She's funny.  She's smart.  She's real.  And she does this thing called "Triple Threat Tuesday".  I would post the button and link but for some reason it's not working out for me.  Head on over to her site to see what it's all about (hint: it very well could help you find some more blogs to stalk and there's a way to post your blog so more people can stalk you.  Win / Win!)



I miss you. I love you.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." ~ John 15:13

In Memoriam to all of the men and women who have served in the armed forces and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect the freedoms we treasure today.

Also remembering my loved ones lost but not forgotten.

Grandma Bernie-
I have been thinking about you a lot lately.  I talk to you often.  Like when I say, "Thanks Grandma" when Cale stubs his toe after nagging at me for buying a new pair of shoes.  Haha.  Karma from Granny.  Anyway, I wish you could have met Cale.  I know you would've loved him.  He makes me feel like a Queen.  He makes me the happiest girl in the world.  I'm very lucky and thankful to have him.  And the boys - well ... as I'm sure you can see ... they're a handful.  But they are the sweetest little boys.  They are so full of energy and love.  One hug from Cash and you're smitten.  He'll have you wrapped around his little fingers.  And then Chris ... my little sweetie ... a smile from him lights up the room.  He looks at you like you're the only one around.  My Dad did a good job raising me.  You would've been so proud.  I hope I'm making you proud too.  I've made mistakes ... But I'm trying.  And I've learned from those mistakes.  Isn't that what life pretty much is:  Trial and Error in a sort of way?
Thanks for answering some of my questions and prayers.  I know a few of them were tough.
I miss you.  I love you.

~Mandy

Thanks Cale ... you effing sailor!!

You never know what kind of "present" the dog is going to leave us when we get home from being away for a little while.  (She has seperation anxiety and is extremely spiteful).

Anyway ... we put the baby gates up in the kitchen so that it's easy to clean up if she decides to get revenge. 

The garage door is attached to the kitchen so everyone knows to flip on all lights and "Watch where you step!" before entering into the kitchen.

After returning from an hour long trip to Target, my three-year-old was the first to open the kitchen door.  He turned on the light and looked ahead of him.

Obviously my husband is usually the first one that walks through the door because I would've swore he was home early from work from what I heard...

Not even 15 seconds from opening the kitchen door I hear my three-year-old very loudly say: "OH DAMNIT CHOO-CHOO!"

Thanks CT.  GO TO TIME OUT!!

Day 2

...Of having a very sick little boy.  
Day 2 of a very sleep deprived, delirious mama. 
Day 2 of "you're on your own for supper" night.

{ignore the Eeyore pants ... I'm also on Day 2 of "I could care less what I look like"}

And So It Begins ...

Cash:  "MOMMMMY!!!!!!!!"

Me:  "Yes, Cash?"

Cash:  "Baby Christopher is pulling choo-choo's hair!"


And so the tattling begins ...

Some Words For WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Well if you say so CDC.  I know how I'll be spending my Wednesday afternoon ..... (Getting a Kit and Making a Plan)...

Rapture = Success

I guess the main thing is ... I have wifi up here and so therefore I can continue to keep blogging.

Anyway.  Sorry you didn't make this round.  Not sure when the next comet will be by to pick you up either.  But I hear October is looking promising.  So until then ... here's all you ever wanted to know and need to know about Shangri-la:

• The devil and our insurance companies really do have a longstanding partnership (as suspected).
• There is a completely seperate dog/bug/fish Heaven.
• My chidren's missing socks are all up here.  Who would've thought?!
• The King of Pop ... Yeah ... Not up here.  Nor are the creators of Dora and Diego.
• You can morph your body to look how you want to look.  I've been mistaken for J. Lo a couple times now.
• They have a special time slot during the day called:  "Happy Meals & Happy Hour".  Use your imagination.
• Chocolate really was "Heaven sent"!
• There really is this hilarious whistle sound effect whenever someone ascends into Heaven.

and lastly....

• Yes.  He really does see everything you do.  Even that.  No he doesn't think you're a pervy.  Except for that one time.  Probably shouldn't ever do that again.

"Hope Is..."

... faith holding out its hand in the dark." ~George Iles

... that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all." ~Emily Dickinson

... faith holding out its hand in the dark." ~George Iles

... putting faith to work when doubting would be easier." ~Author Unknown

... grief's best music." ~Author Unknown

... like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence." ~Lin Yutang

... the word which God has written on the brow of every man." ~Victor Hugo

　

My heart goes out to those in Reading, Kansas and especially Joplin, Missouri.
We are praying for you.

Eat Your Supper! Don't Eat That!

I think Cash is testing me on how many times a day I can say:  "Don't do that"

Don't throw that!
Don't climb on that!
Don't eat that!
Don't sit on your brother!
Don't touch that!


Here's a list of some of the other things I say on a daily basis...

Stop Running!
Hurry Up!

Sit Down!
Stand Up!

Don't put that in your mouth!
Do not spit that out!

Be Quiet!
Speak up!

Stop!
Come on, let's go!

Get your shoes on!
Take your shoes off!

Don't tell lies!
Don't say that!

Shut the door!
Open this door right now!


That's when I realized part of my job as a parent is to say shit all day that completely contradicts what I have said earlier in the day. And than hope like hell my boys turn out to be respectable normal human beings.

I Can Already Tell...

...how different my boys are (and are going to be)...

One has blue eyes.  One has eyes that are turning brown/green.
One loves the dog.  One wants to eat the dog.
One is easy going.  One is….not.
One loves to go to bed.  One could stay up all night.
One wants his Daddy.  One wants nobody but Mom.
One is outgoing.  One is extremely shy.
One likes to sleep in pajamas.  One would rather sleep naked.
One likes to sit and watch movies.  One can’t sit still.

I could go on and on.
They are opposite in almost every way.

But I love them equally the same.

I'll Take A Bottle Of This!

I have been trying to clean my house for the past three days.  I would post a picture of it but I'm embarrassed by the dust bunnies that have grown to the size of softballs.  My house gets so dusty so incredibly fast.  And do people honestly mop their floors every three days or is it just me that has to? 



The baby is teething and wants held all day and Cash is ... well ... he's Cash.  "Mommy, can I have ____?"  "Mommy, can we ____?"  Mommy, will you _____?"  I swear I have become a drunk over the past couple of weeks.  It seems like I'm always running out of the Mommy Juice and sending the Hottie to the liquor store to buy me some more.  Last time I went to the L-store I almost came home with a bottle of this:

Chocolate + Red Wine = Two of my favorite things combined in one = Heaven.  Or sounds like it anyway.  I will try this some day soon.  But right now I'll just stick with my bottle of Michelob Ultra every other night to smooth out my rough day.

{Stomping Feet}

* Tim McGraw concert tomorrow night (which means a night out alone with my husband - which ... NEVER happens).  Neither one of us really listen to country but I do know a few of his songs.  The tickets were given to us for free.  But anyway ... he's playing with Luke Bryan and The Band Perry as well.  My hottie hubby listens to punk but he's such a sweetie he's willing to go with me.  What a doll. {blushing}

* Camping Friday-Sunday at the lake with the boys.


TODAY CAN'T GO FAST ENOUGH!!!

That is a beautiful ... beautiful man if you ask me!

Cranky Mama

...And I really don't feel like talking much today. 

I think I might go scream.  So if you hear something...

Cerveza, por favor!

Woke up to "one of those mornings".  My pets seem to stress me out more than my boys do.  The cat had barfed in the living room.  The dog had knocked over the trash can and scattered trash from one end of the house to the other.  The cat peed on the boys' bathroom rug.  The dog pooped in our bedroom and because she is a shih tzu and it was half diahrrea, it is now stuck in her hair.  My pets are potty trained ... they really are.  But for some reason, they like to barf, pee, and poop in the house Saturday-Sunday.

God is a comedian. 

Fast forward 30 minutes:  Cale is storming through the house trying to find pipe cleaners .... And while I am a work-from-home-stay-at-home Mom ... no ... I don't just have a bag of pipe cleaners "lying around" somewhere.  Uh-oh ... Cale is now throwing a "man tantrum".  (Those are the funniest).
The baby is screaming for his morning nap.  Cash is taking apart his sticker book and stickering everything he comes in contact with. 

And Mom has yet to put peanut butter on her toast that was put in the toaster an hour ago.

Now fast foward 45 minutes...
Baby is sleeping.
Dog has had a bath.
Cale is done working on the car (after I supplied him with a Dr. Brown's bottle cleaner instead of a pipe cleaner) -- BTW, "You're welcome, hun."
Cash is ... oh goodness .... now my living room has turned into a giant fort.

Sundays in the T-house are fun.  They really are.  But only in the T-house will you find Mr. and Mrs. T wishing for some "juice" at 10:00 in the morning.

I have to go play "Camping" now.  Which for some reason always ends up turning into wrestle-and-tackle-Mommy-with-the-football by a 6 foot animal and a 3.5 foot maniac all while attempting to not make a sound so we don't wake up the 2 foot buddha.

Thanks Papa Tim (sarcasm) ...

... for buying Cash some stink bombs.
I love that my house smells like rotten eggs and trash.

Wordless Wednesday

BFFs

My Road To Savings...

IS NOT GOING WELL!!!

I have become a fan of every blog and facebook page imaginable if it has to do with coupons, freebies, and giveaways.  But for some reason I am just failing miserably.  If you have any tips ... PLEASE feel free to share.


Today marks the beginning of:
MISSION:    
I. Will. NEVER. Pay. Full. Price. For. Anything. Again!!

Me Time Monday

I'm following in the steps as Courtney over at The Mommy Matters and starting up "Me Time Monday".

I know yesterday was not only Mother's Day but my birthday as well.  But that doesn't matter.  This is the only way I'm going to get through the week.

So.

Today I am ...

... taking an hour long bath.

... going grocery shopping ALONE.

... going to bed early.

... eating what "I" want for supper.

A Quote and Note For My Little Boys

This may have been out of a birthday book ... but it's still a great quote to live by ...

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

- Dr. Suess

Don't ever let anyone try to tell you that your way is the wrong way.  That you should be a follower and do things the way everyone else does them.  That you shouldn't be you.

Because they'll try.  They will.  Just don't believe them.  Not for one second. 

-------------------------------------------------------------

Before I had you, I thought I knew how to love.  I had no idea.

You make me strive to be better every day.  More patient.  And less rigid.  More present.  And less lazy.  More of what you need me to be.  I may not always succeed.  But I'll be darned if I didn't try.

I marvel at you both every day.  Cash, at your vocabulary.  Chris, at your milestones.  Cash, at your memory.  Chris, at your smile.  Cash, at your imagination.  Chris, at your strength.  And I’m not the only one.   You draw people toward you.

Cash:  A few minutes ago, when I kissed you before your nap I told you how proud I was of you.  How proud I was to be your mom. “Thank you for being my boy for three (and a half) whole years. Thank you for choosing ME to be your Mommy.” I said.

“Mommy,” you called to me, as I turned to shut your door, "I'm still you and Daddy's boy.”  "Forever?" I replied.  "Yep!" You yelled back.

Yes you will honey .... Yes you will.

Riding in Cars with Boys

Cash:  Mommy, I want to drive a doughnut truck when I get big!

Me:  Really?  A doughnut truck?  Why?

Cash:  Because I really love doughnuts and I want to eat them whenever I want to.

Me:  Well okay then.  You can be whatever you want to be I guess.

Cash:  Or maybe I can build people's houses.

Me:  Oh yes!  An architect!  I think that would be a great job!!!

Cash:  Yep ... but I sure will need a lot more legos.

Me:  Right.  You will need a lot more legos. 


It's never a boring ride with a three-year-old's imagination in the backseat. 
It's never a dull day with a three-year-old boy.  Period.