2 + 2 = ???? 2, 4, 6, or 8 ... I'm confused????

I first have to apologize and tell you that my friend urged me to get a myspace account ... I did this only so I could be her friend and read and comment on her blogs ... as well as some others ... so I need to tell you that while on there today I posted this blog to my space ... instead of writing it again ... I am using that one here ... more people read this one than the myspace one because it is private ... so that is why. I won't always do that ... but I wanted to give props to the people I am talking about and didn't want to have to re-write the blog again.

The other night I watched this reality show "Jon and Kate Plus 8". It is on TLC or the reruns for the week are on Discovery Health. Sunday night they had a marathon and they were showing some never before seen footage. I do not watch it regularly usually it comes at a time during bath and bed, but there are times I get to watch it. For those of you who are not aware of what it is about ... but are curious. Life started with just Jon and Kate and like some couples they had trouble conceiving so they relied on modern science to help. Well after a little bit of time along came their 2 twin girls. Some time passed and they thought, Oh it would be nice to have another child (notice I said child ... as did they) and I am unclear on how they did it the next time, but they became pregnant again, but this time ... they were blessed with 7 with in the end having 6 healthy births. Hence the title, Jon and Kate Plus 8. I watched it once just for grins and was captivated because I saw myself in Kate. She is a lot like me, except prettier and has 8 kids. But she reacted to her kids and husband a lot like I do at times. I heard her say once, Oh where is he when I need him ... while looking around when knee deep in kid troubles and her hubby is no where to be found. Oh can I seem to relate to that one. But that is not why I am writing this ...
As I watched the marathon the other night ... I kept thinking to myself how much mothering was the same whether you had 1, 2 or 8 kids. Whether you had your kids by blood or by love. We all lose our cool at one time or another. She looks like she has it all together most of the time and she is a Christian. But she has good and bad days and she yells sometimes. But most importantly, she loves her kids and would do anything for them.
It is funny how many similarities her family and mine have. I just realized as I read their website after I watched the show that their kids, be it they have many, are the same ages as my two, 7 and 3 (they turn the same ages in the same years). She is a Christian as well as I am. She is a stay at home mom as I am. Her husband has had some tough times with work, as has mine. But we are both blessed.
It is hard to see this in the midst of the tears and the tantrums. But when the tides turn and are calm, you can see the warmth of love rise like you can see the foam rise on the ocean.
I appreciate "Jon and Kate Plus 8" as well as the Gosselin family in general. I hold them up in prayer as they attempt to enter each day with the Lord as their guide. I also hope there are others out there that lift each of us mothers up, even if it is not by name, that enters the day with the Lord as our guide. It can be tough to be a mom ... whether your family is 2 + 2 or 2 + 8.
http://www.sixgosselins.com/

When will it all end?

I feel like this cat ... I just want to find a hole and crawl in it and escape. I am so tired. I thought this part of mommying was suppose to end when my kids were past the baby stage, but no! I am still deprived sleep for some odd reason. I am not sure if it is because of the potty training we are doing or what ... but my youngest is having a hard time sleeping at night. So she comes in an awakes me up for company. I am not great company to say the least. She wants me to either turn her music back on, sleep with her for a short time, cover her back up, or she wants to get in bed with us. So the other night I thought, I will make her a cozy on the floor beside my bed and just encourage her to lay down there instead of me laying with her or she crawling in bed with me (kicking me all night). It worked, but she kept popping up asking me questions, etc. Finally she went to sleep, but I am not even sure if or how many hours of sleep I got ... I am just wasted today. The other night (Sat) was kind of the same way and after church I came home and took a 5 hour nap ... now if that doesn't tell you how tired I am - I am not sure what would. I now know why they use sleep deprivation for torture ... that is exactly how I feel today. I spent about a 1/2 hour in my room crying because I was so tired and such a grump not being able to get anything done that I wanted to. My house is a wreck (really!) and I just don't have the desire or energy to tackle it. I just want peace and quiet to sleep. But because I am potty training that is in intervals which helps but not much. So I finally buckled and called my hubby at work and vented and cried. He called the Peds office and they want to see her to make sure she doesn't have an ear infection (which I think is unlikely) and then gave us some hard advice to use for the night time. Basically like we would if she were an infant ... let her cry it out. I thought I was finished with this ... this is the part of their childhood I am OK with rushing right through. It is no wonder I have no desire to lose weight ... I am all stressed out due to lack of sleep. So tonight we will move our eldest into the play room for the night or two and then use our advise on the youngest to see how she will stay in her room on her own. When will it all end ... before I come to an end - I hope.

Dwight Schrute: Someone forged medical information, and that's a felony.

Jim Halpert: OK, Whoa, all right 'cause that's a pretty intense accusation. How do you know that they're fake?

Dwight Schrute: [reading from a sheet] Uh, Leprosy, Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hot Dog Fingers, Government Created Killer Nano Robot Infection.

The Diapers are Off ...

This gif is really cute when SPB is live ... he is hopping up and down. My hubby sent it to me when I was looking for them to use the other day ... I thought it was appropriate again due to the potty training we are in full midst today. So far so good. Only one accident ... that was double duty ... but I think we learned at least once what it feels like and we like the potty better than thin wet panties.

My friend gave me some underwear her daughter hardly wore and so I am telling my youngest, "Hey you can't pee or poo in these they belong to xxxx. So you need to make it to the potty so we don't mess these up." I also got her some "reward" panties that were on sale. She will need to be potty trained before she can get those though. Question: Do they make training pants anymore? They did like 6 years ago, but I had a hard time finding them last night.

Yesterday I had a rare day off. I just told my hubby that I needed to do somethings because I didn't want a fight and I needed some time off. We used to have this kind of set up ... he would take some time off for himself and I would take some time off for myself. We both need a break, but more me since I don't escape to a job on a daily basis. Anyway, sometimes that is a bone of contention, so I just had some things to do.

I spent the day doing some things I had wanted to do and it is hard to do with the kiddies around. I went to Michael's and loafed instead of saying "put that back", "no we can't get that", "don't touch that", "put that back" ... man that was nice! Then I got a small snack at McD's and went to the Antique Mall. I just love walking around that place. Sometimes I see things that we used to have around in my house or Grandma's when I was a kid and it makes me feel good. Or I see things that are pleasing to the eye that are old, but enjoyable to look at. Recently I started collecting figurines for the girls. I wanted to get birthday months for them and myself. Then they can have them when they are all grown up. They are worth quite a bit now and if you find them you can get a great deal. But they will be worth a great deal when the girls are my age.

I timed my time just right at the Antique Mall so I could get out and make it to the 3:55 movie time of Juno. I was intrigue by the acting of the girl that plays Juno. It is an adoption story, which I like, if they turn out good. Anyway, she is a good actress. Most people would say she was smart aleck ... maybe so, but I thought she was quick witted. I went because I figured it was one of those movies no one would want to see with me. It is not a kids movie, but you know I saw a kid about 5 in there with their mom. I was kind of shocked. I guess she really want to see the movie and couldn't find a sitter. But it was not appropriate for the little kid. I was surprised how quiet the kid was though. My kids would have been talking loud and probably "screaming" or running around.

After the movie I went to dinner, alone and you know what ... it was nice and hot. Not lukewarm like I am used to. I took some books I had purchased at Family Christian Bookstore, which I stopped at before dinner. So I looked over the books, which are books for Children's Ministry, and got some really great ideas out of them for this Sunday. I am starting the year off by organizing a way to go through the Bible in a year. Starting with Genesis and ending with Paul's travels. (That is about as far as you can take it with little kids ... Revelations is over most adults heads ... can't imagine what kids would think.)

I stopped off at the store to get the reward panties and then called my friend to ask her advise about what I wanted to say to my littlest regarding getting her to use the panties and go to the toilet. She then told me she was getting ready to give me some panties just the right size along with some clothes, so I stopped by to get them. We talked a bit and went through the clothes then I left for home. I needed to stop off to the grocery because we need some staples.

When I got back home the girls were climbing the walls to see me. It is nice to have a break because the kids are so excited to see you when you get back home. Of course, today the newness wore off and we are back to the same antics. But at least I got a break and a hot meal.

Michael Scott: Last week I would've given a kidney to anyone in this office. I would've reached right into my stomach and pulled it out for them. But now, no. I don't have the relationship with these people that I thought I did. I hope they ask, so they can hear me say, "Uh, no, I only give my organs to my real friends. Go get yourself a monkey kidney."

Potty Training ... Last time was so ... easy!

See this picture of Spongebob ... well it actually moves and he shakes his booty at you while rolling his eyes. That is what I feel like my 3 1/2 year old is doing to me with this whole potty training idea. Mocking me.

About 4 years ago I went through this potty training business with my oldest daughter, also then 3 1/2 year old. I got grief from just about anyone who wanted to give me grief about why my 3 year old was still in diapers. Well, to tell you the truth unless you have a strong willed child ... you just don't understand. They have a mind of their own ... no matter what you work out with them. If they don't like it ... they won't do it. The "books" tell you "don't force them", "don't punish them", etc. so I just let it go, she never showed any signs of interest (well she did a few times at 18 months and then again at 2 1/2, but that went away as quickly as it came). So I waited. Waited for the dry diapers after she got up in the morning ... how about sopping wet. OK, look for another sign. Hiding when she has to go ... nope, she didn't really hide even when she did something wrong (she has a bad habit of telling on herself - nice for me ... bad for her). OK, what else has the literature told me to look for ... Oh, yeah leave her diaper off and let her go "naked booty" to see if it helps her go ... well that lasted a half a day ... she wet a few times in the kitchen without caring and I thought, I do not want my house to smell of pee ... so I am not going to do this one any longer. Finally I became desperate when at the end of my pregnancy with her little sister, I mentioned to the Peds office, Hey, shouldn't she be WANTING to go to the bathroom. I have tried everything, even putting her potty in the bathroom with me (and we have a small bathroom). The nurse gave me the most helpful advise along with a sheet of paper that I have since passed on to friends and relatives (but can't find now) - MAKE THE POTTY HER JOB. Everything about it ... her job. Deciding when to go. Her job. Wiping. Her job (well I helped with poo, but she had to ask). Flushing. Her job. Washing her hands. Her job. And I had to refer to it as HER JOB and ask if she had FINISHED HER JOB if I knew she forgot something. Oh, my word! It was a miracle. The kid went totally on her own. I could not believe she potty trained herself!!!! I told all my friends and they were amazed. We did the sticker chart to help promote positive reinforcement and when she went to the potty for 1 month by herself ... we had a Potty Party - she picked the theme "Dora" and we had just a few people over. We even got a pinata and it was great. I said ... why fight it ... I am going to do this next time.

Well here we are at the next time. This Little Bits is also strong-willed (which is another post in itself) and she too has had no desire. I have encouraged and when she hides I get her and try to make it to the potty in time. I have a very patient preschool teacher that will take her religiously when she goes to preschool and she has even gone there a few times. But alas, she does not want to do HER JOB. She has no desire like her sister to HAVE A JOB. She is about the same age, actually a tad older ... she will be 4 early February. So I didn't make a NY resolution ... but I said when we came back from our trip at Christmas - I am bound and determined to get this child potty trained. So I dug out some training pants ... well they are too small. Every time I go to the store, I forget to get some ... I am not even sure they make them in her size. But I know that is going to be the key to get her in the bathroom on her own. She is not as hep on the small little toilet like we had for her sister ... this one she picked out and everything. She actually has gone right for the big toilet when she needs to go ... OK for me. Except when I get her there sometimes I am not sure if she freezes or what ... but she just can't seem to get it out. I even read to her and not really mention any of it. So I am going tomorrow to get the training pants and we are going to get this thing accomplished if I have to tie each of us to the bathroom for a day.

They say each child is different. They are ... both are strong willed, but different in their will. But I never thought this toilet training would be like this ... I thought sure it would be "just like her sister". So much for that and the books and everything everyone tries to tell me. But if I am anything it is persistent (which used to get me in trouble with guys ... hey, look it is paying off now!) so we will get this done before her 4th birthday ... I have a little more than a month to do it. Her "Pony Party" (or whatever for the "Potty Party") is just waiting for her ... as are her "Princess Panties" (and her "Patient Parents").

The Office Quote for the day ... (let's see if I can make it fit ... )

Michael Scott: I guess the atmosphere that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second, and probably an entertainer third.

We all know that as moms we are boss first with entertainer and friend in a tie for second.

Ever feel like layin' around ...

How many of you feel this way today after a night of NYE partying? I have felt this way all month ... Mr. Flu Bug came to our house in December. He was still wavering around up until late last night. What a way to ring in the new year. You know there are some relatives - you enjoy their stay for a little while but after a while you are ready to show them the door. We did not enjoy his stay and wanted to show him the door as soon as he reared his ugly head. I didn't feel the need to be kind to him, but in my weaken state, I had no energy to boot him out. So I am not sure what happened but he stayed and stayed and stayed ... up until late last night. Making us miss our church's New Year's Eve Party. The girls were disappointed, so I got out some supplies for crafting, they ate snacks and when Daddy came home we played Spongebob's Monopoly. However, we were in bed early and did not ringing in the new year at midnight. There will be plenty more parties and plenty more new years to ring in ... when the kids are older ... I just want to make sure Mr. Flu Bug is in a galaxy far, far away at the time. (And to think people in this house got flu shots ... I am glad they were "free".)

I would be remiss if I didn't mention more about our homeschooling efforts. I guess because I started this blog when we are on "holiday break" that I am not in the mind frame to comment. But we are studying The Prairie Primer featuring Laura Ingalls Wilder and her books. Since beginning HSing we have always been literature based AND studied units. I like it that way ... last year we did Before Five in a Row (B4 FIAR) and Five in a Row (FIAR). I have not totally put that aside, because I still implement some of the philosophies with PP (using other books as tag-a-longs). But this year we started PP in Sept and actually took a vacation to LIW homesteads in DeSmet, South Dakota and Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Since we are from Missouri, my husband and I have been to Rocky Ridge, but the girls have not ... I am sure since it is on the way to Branson, we will make it down there sometime ... soon. Anyway, it is going to take us 2 years (which seems to be OK and is suppose to be the norm for younger kids) to complete the series. We take our time and we also use other studies that might be of interest during the season we are in or further study something that might be mentioned in the books series that PP does not necessarily go more deeply into.

My oldest is especially into animals, so we have made a few animal lapbooks. Our most recent animal one was of bears - grizzly vs. black. She still will point out different bears and their difference when one comes on TV. There is a reality series on bears now, but I heard it was kind of gruesome, so I really don't want her to watch it given her age. The last lapbook we made was on Veteran's Day and how we are proud Daddy is a veteran. We even made a special paper for our church's Thanksgiving table featuring that along with "Proud to be an American" song. Our next lapbook will be during the month of January (this month ... man, how time flies) on winter and especially snowflakes.

I love lapbooking. For those who do not know what it is ... it combines reading, scrapbooking and researcing into one little packet. Almost every area of HS can be used in the lapbook from writing to literature to science to math, etc. I love to work on them with the girls ... even though it is time consuming and at this time it is mostly my work ... I really try to involve them in the process as much as possible. My oldest really takes to them and what is so great ... is they can be read over and over and over after they are completed. We've made one on Eagles after a trip she took with Daddy to an Eagle Day at a local park, several on FIAR books we did last year ... I love doing the research and then passing the information on to the girls. I have learned so much from this ... actually from homeschooling in general ... my parents would never have had the time or desire to HS us ... but I might have done better in school had I had the opportunity. I do much better with hands on learning. They are so correct when they say "kids learn better through play". I forget where I saw it ... I think in an blurp in the current issue of Children's Ministry Magazine they say that kids do better intellicutally and academically when they learn through play. Amen to that! Yeah for play and Yeah for HSing!

OK my day is frittering away and I need to get on the ball to help purge and pick up ... even if we have passed the 2007 tax season for donations, we just started a new year of tax donations for 2008 so it is never too late to purge stuff. Another quote from the office for the new year ...

[Jim comes in dressed as Dwight]
Jim Halpert: Question. What kind of bear is best?

Dwight Schrute: That's a ridiculous question.

Jim Halpert: False. Black bear.

Dwight Schrute: That's debatable. There are basically two schools of thought--

Jim Halpert: Fact. Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

Dwight Schrute: Bears do not... What is going on?! What are you doing?!
Jim Halpert: [dressed as Dwight] Last week I was in a drug store and I saw these glasses. Uh, four dollars. And it only cost me seven dollars to recreate the rest of the ensemble and that's a grand total of [calculates on watch] eleven dollars.

[Another day, Dwight comes in dressed as Jim]

Pam Beesly: Hey Dwight. You look really nice today.

Dwight Schrute: Pssh. I look like an idiot.

[Dwight's immitating Jim]

Dwight Schrute: I'm Jim Halpert.

Jim Halpert: Spot on.

Dwight Schrute: Yuhh, little comment, mmmh.

Taken from The Office Quotes Season 3 Episode 20 Product Recall