Me Again, Holy Crap.

So, I did this for Facebook, but I thought I would post this on here for my non-facebook friends.

1. Ok. I admit it. I have a little bit of OCD. There are twice a day when it it really bad. At my kids' bedtime and my bedtime. The kids start their bedtime routine at 6:30. They have chores, bath time, brushing teeth and then at 7:30 we read as a family for 20 minutes, then it's off to bed. Lights out by 8:00. Mine is, finish the little bit of cleaning around the house, start the dish washer, feed the dogs, check on the kids, lay their clothes out, wash my face & brush my teeth. If these things aren't not done, I am in a tissy and I don't sleep well. My best friend loves to laugh at this. She calls me micro manager and is excited that when we are in the nursing home, we will never miss Bingo. I will always know what time it's at and when we need to leave to get the best wheelchair spots.
2. I married my sweetie when I was 17. It was a surprise to most people and I don't know if anyone thought we would make it, but 16 years later we are more in love than ever. We have grown up together.
3. My kids are, without a doubt, the best things in the whole world. I love them more than anything. Just to see them smile, wow, that's a beautiful thing.
4. I cry at times when I shouldn't like songs or music videos and don't cry when I should, like funerals.
5. I watch Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility almost every night.
6. I am ANAL about how my kids look. I want them to look nice and smell good all the time. I also want them to be respectful and responsible of everyone around them.
7. I have come to realize that there are worse things in life than death.
8. Newborn babies are like crack to me. I love them, want them, crave them. There is nothing better in the world.
9. I am finally starting to learn to budget. I don't always pay for others anymore, I find ways to cut corners and I am working on saving. I have four kids why did I not learn this earlier?
10. I laugh when I hear about government conspiracy theories. I recently heard they where making cars with special chips in them so the government could always know what you are doing. So my day would go something like this: 8:00 take Spencer and Adam to school. Kiss them both send them on their way. Go back home. 9:00 take Lily to school, kiss her goodbye, send them on her way. Go back home. 11:30 go get Lily. Go home. 3:00 head off to get boys. 3:02 pluck eyebrows while waiting for the boys. 3:04 fix my hair and make up. 3:06 ask Lily why she's crying. 3:07 put a new movie on. Probably Barbie. 3:08, clean out my purse. 3:10 see Adam come out of the school. Smile. 3:11 open the door for Adam to get in. 3:15 See Spencer get off the bus. Smile. Open the door for Spencer. Go home. My life just isn't that interesting, nor am I that important. The person in charge of me would be seriously board.
11. I love having a huge family. I want a few more kids (on top of the four I already have), where as Todd was happy with one.
12. I love my brothers, so very much. Pat and John crack me up almost every time I hear their voices. They are among the only people in the whole world that can tease me without hurting my feelings. I also adore Don, Joey and Jared.
13. I have best friend. Arlene has been like a soul mate to me. Sala, Keri and Nicolle have also been best friends to me. I love and adore them all like sisters.
14. I lost my Mom when I was 12, she was 32. I was scared to death to turn 32. Throughout this last year, I was worried I would also die. Alas, I am alive and kicking.
15. I very rarely stand up for myself.
16. All four of my kids are 3 years apart. Almost exactly.
17. I have a MAJOR crush on Justin Timberlake. Sexy Back is the best song ever!
18. I think you only grow through challenges.
19. If an issue doesn't matter in 6 months, it isn't worth the fight now.
20. I seriously think Todd is the yummiest man on earth.
21. I love music & movies, love them.
22. I started the "Fly Lady" house cleaning rules and my house has never been so clean. No more CHAOS!!!
23. Buddhism is my passion right now.
24. I cannot stand drama. I absolutely hate it. I feel like it's all around me.
25. I have truly realized the wisdom in Forrest Gump's saying. "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get."

And Becky, I was going to add this one just for you and I totally forgot.
26. I abso-freakin-lutely LOVE your homemade jams and jelly and Salsa. You know how you can't enter the threshold of my house without jam? Well, after Christmas, salsa was added to the list. That was YUMMO!!! I totally love you:)

Report Card Time

 Today we got the boys' report cards. As can be expected they are both geniuses. Spencer is doing great. He is advanced in most subjects and proficient in the rest. His teacher says "Spencer has worked very hard this quarter and always tries to do his best. He has memorized his multiplication facts and his reading and writing are strong. I appreciate his efforts." He also has perfect attendance. That is huge for him. He is just loving being a in Mr. Argyle's class. He's a great kid.
 Adam is also doing great. He is proficient in everything except for returning him homework. That's really funny because he doesn't remember to bring it home, little lone return it. Mrs. Hickey says he's reading a little bit about average at 98% accuracy and does a wonderful retell of the story. (I can hardly imagine how fun that is.) Writing is going great. He is understanding beginnings and endings to sentences. Math is also fabulous. Right now he is understanding values of numbers, basic addition, values of coins and reading graphs. She ends it all by saying "He's a great asset to our class. Thank you for sharing him with us." I am so happy to share him for a few hours a day, then I want him back home:) I am so excited the boys are enjoying school. They both are doing great. I'm so proud of them.
 I haven't talked to Lily's teachers yet, but in casual conversation they always say she is doing great. She's really great at writing her name (ALL OVER EVERY PIECE OF PAPER IN THE HOUSE!!!) She is recognizing letters and numbers, she can dance to and sing anything. She can communicate very well (sometimes not through words:) Lily is also extremely independent as of late, when it comes to brushing her teeth and combing her hair. She's doing great for a little 4 year old Princess.
 Sara Rose has officially conquered climbing on the table. She is also working on eating out of a bowl using a fork and spoon. As with most toddlers, the bowl ends up on her head and then on the floor. She is starting to love to express herself with major red-headed melt downs. They are pretty funny. She is also smart enough to know that when we go somewhere, we need our jackets. She finds them for us and grunts at us until we put them on. And if we let her, she would wear her coat all day. She is such a sweet, smart and um...firey baby. That's whats new with the Bates'.

President Obama doing 'Single Ladies'

Saturday Night Without the Guys

 Tonight, Todd had a birthday party to play for. It just so happens that the party was for the nephew of the drummer in the band Todd plays with. So, Spencer and Adam were able to go see Todd play and hang out with the kids at the birthday party.
 And while the boys were away, us girls got to hang out together. We partied, watched a movie, ate Oreo's and chocolate milk and most importantly, colored. Well, a few of us colored and the other little sweetness made sure all the colored pencils were conveniently and constantly on the floor and not on the table. And come to think of it, while Lily and I were trying to watch Sleeping Beauty, Sara was BUSY, so very busy. I don't think I watched the movie at all. But it was so fun to hang out with my sweet girls. Girls night rocks, even with my sweet helper making sure that I get her off of things, chase her and pick up the colored pencils, so much so, that I think I can have more Oreo's!

Advice

Whatever your political affiliations are, this is a beautiful letter from the Bush twins to the Obama girls. I just loved it.

Isn't She Lovely

 Little Miss Sara Rose is 16 months old today. I missed her 15 month picture so I wanted to make sure I got it today.
 The picture above is from yesterday. She was up on the table 'helping' Lily color. What a sweet baby. Anyway, this morning after breakfast, Sara was covered in oatmeal. So I got her all naked and let her run around for a minute. This is an adorable picture of her booty. I couldn't help myself. She is so cute. And she loves to be naked. I think it's freeing after being in a diaper all day. Plus she can climb quicker and run faster without all of those restricting clothes on. She is seriously working on perfecting those two skills. I think she is going to succeed with all the hard work, time and effort she puts into it. Sweet baby.
 There's a few new things that she is doing. She shakes her head yes when you ask her if she loves you. She says "Hi" and "Bye" really well and is using them how they are supposed to be used. She knows eyes, ears and especially nose, and constantly points to them. The biggy is, is that she tells me when she is poopy. We have decided that she is truly a genius. I know she's my baby, but I still think she is exceptionally bright. Isn't she lovely:)

Conversations with my Babies

 I have recently had the pleasure of many illuminating conversations with my children this past week. I have to admit that my conversation(s) with Sara sound more like a screaming drama queen match. She is determined to get into everything, climb everything and have her way with everything. It doesn't always work out the way she thinks it should and the fits erupts. Lovely. So they sound like this.. WAAHHH!!!
 The conversation I had with Lily today cracked me up. She was looking at all the freckles on my chest and said "Mom, the sun exploded your boobies!" I thought I was going to pee my pants, I was laughing so hard. She was serious, that was the very best part. "No Lil', the sun did not explode my boobies, Mommy just has lots and lots of freckles." "O' Well there's a lot!"
 My conversation with Adam has a story behind it. First off, Adam doesn't like ANYTHING I cook. I mean anything. If it comes from a can or can be warmed up (Hot Dogs) then he'll eat it. But, when I fix dinner, he hates it and cries about what I have served. Sometimes this hurts my feelings, other times I laugh. The other thing is, is that every night all of us have chores to do. Adam is in charge of the 'playroom' which is our 'office' kind of area, his bedroom and half the bathroom. Spencer and Lily have similar kinds of chores. Anyway, it takes the kids roughly 15 minutes to do all their chores. 15 MINUTES!!! So, Adam says to me.."Mom, you don't know what it's like to be your kid." (I have to admit, I was worried I was going to get my feelings hurt.) I said.."Why is that Adam." Adam says..."You know, yucky food, chores...My kids won't have yucky food and chores!" OK Adam.
 So, I need to tell you really quick about the bedtime ritual we have. It includes baths, a long, lavish round of teeth brushing, and stories. Then, we try to give the kids a few minutes to just read to themselves and/or play their Leapsters. Whatever is calming and most importantly, on their beds. My conversations with Spencer over the last few months have been filled with with political undertones. He loves to talk about it. After watching the inauguration, he said "Mom, instead of reading tonight, I want to just talk politics with you." Well, he had talked politics all day. So I told him that I would talk more politics with him tomorrow. He said "But it's calm and I can sit on my bed." So pretty much (another Spencer term) Todd and I are raising a little lawyer/politician. He can find the loop hole in any conversation. What a sweet and smart little man. I just love conversations with my babies.

Inauguration Day 2009

I am so excited, I think I might pee my pants. Finally, this great man takes office. This is truly a day to celebrate a new beginning.

Mindful Monday's

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness"
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Random Randomness

Are there things you don't know about me? Hum...Let me see.

1. I'm a pretty open person about most things. I will talk to you and answer almost any question you ask. Whether it's my politics, my views on discipline, religion, or just whatever, I'll give it to you like I believe it to be so.

2. I love to yell at the T.V. and talk radio. I really don't know where it gets me, but I can't help myself when I hear certain people talk.

3. I have a potty mouth. It's pretty bad. Words fly out or I just don't look for other things to say. My kids love to tell me..."Mom, that's a cuss!" I know. I know. Not a pretty habit.

4. As hot tempered as I am, I'm pretty laid back about most things. I have a theory that if it's not going to matter in 6 months, it's probably not that big of a deal. With that being said, I have major drama queen moments.

5. I love Google, Facebook and Blogging. Love, love, love it. I love how much info you have right at your finger tips. And keeping in touch with people is so much fun. Seeing how they are doing and what is going on in their lives is wonderful. You can keep up with people that normally you would've lost touch with. I just love it.

There, there's some new things about me. Woo-Hoo.

Hate Spouted by Ann Coulter

Ok. I've had a few people ask me who Ann Coulter is. And today she was on 'The View' spouting hate and being totally um.....should we say.... herself. I can't stand her. When I see her on TV in interviews, I feel like screaming at the TV. I don't get her, and what the fascination is with her. She opens her mouth and mean, hateful, hurtful things just fall out. She's blaming single Mom's for the crimes in America, among MANY other things. I've heard her use slurs when talking about certain people. I've heard her constantly talking smack about our future President. And she soooo disrespected Barbara Walters and the rest of 'The View' crew and Matt Lauer when she was on 'The Today Show.' I'm just sickened by her and most of all her message, its like she doesn't have a conscience. Don't be part of the problem, be the solution.

Lazy Sunday

I'm just posting some really cute pictures from the week. Today we are pretty much doing a whole lot of nothing. I love lazy Sundays. And my kids do too.
Lily wants to color all the time. But she always wants someone to color with(out) her. Todd loves to color and draw especially with his baby girl. And Sara loves to be in the middle of whatever anyone is doing. So a few moments of coloring can turn into quite an adventure. Sara can be very um...sweet when it comes to helping.
This picture cracked me up because, as you can clearly see, Lily is in the middle of a massive booty shake. She loves the song 'Hot and Cold' by Katy Perry and has also been trying to learn 'Single Ladies' by Beyonce. She'll commentate during the video and tells me which parts are harder than others and which ones she can do. She's pretty dang good if I do say so myself. Sweet Sara just does the bobble wiggle and giggles at Lily. I love to watch them dancing together. Sweet little booty shakers of mine.
The last thing is that we have been getting a crap load of snow. I think we might have had more last year by this time, but still it's a lot. Anyway, the boys were outside playing in the snow with the neighbors. Spencer and Adam (& Kaylynn from across the way:) were in the back of Grandpa's truck and very excited the neighbor kids braved the weather and came out to play. My sweet boys have felt very cooped up since the winter weather has arrived. And thank heavens there are days that the sun does shine even if the temperature doesn't get above freezing. Life is good. (I think the older my boys get, the more they look alike. Handsome boys:)

Week In Review

I haven't meant to be a blogger slug this week, but I haven't had a ton of things to write about. I guess there are a few I could tell you about, but you might be board.
* Getting Healthy~Todd and I have decided to be much more conscience of our health. Todd had a doctors appointment in December that revealed that his blood work was NOT where it should've have been. The test shows how well he is managing his diabetes or how well his pancreas is functioning. It's called a Hemoglobin A1C. It was WAY above what it should've been. So, his Doctor is giving him 3 months to 'straighten up' and eat better, exercise, loose a little weight and most of all be more consistent in taking his medication, before he is going to have to go on insulin. Insulin isn't necessarily a scary thing, but the job that Todd works doesn't always allow for a break to go check your blood sugar and adjust it with insulin. So we are making a family effort to not eat as much crap food. We are all a little round. And the more I became conscience of the severity of me buying 'crap' foods for not just Todd, but our whole family, I really realized how much we needed to all eat better. So, it's a great time to eat more good foods, and not so much crap.
* Searching for Spirituality~I have been searching my whole life, for a religion that I love, identify with, and most off all believe in. I know it's sometimes hard to hear, but I haven't found that in the LDS religion, nor have I found it at Bible study with other Christian religions. I feel like there's a lot of undertones of hate and not accepting people for who they truly are or what they believe in. A big one for me is right for all Americans to be married, gay or straight. I've always believed that marriage means love, as long as it was between two consenting adults. I was pissed off when the elections were going on and there was so much hate being tossed around about it. And then the things that I heard as a defense were even more hurtful and offensive. So, even though I truly accept any one's right to believe and/or worship however they choose, I also realize what is definitely right for me and NOT right for me. And what is important in my personal beliefs. In saying that, I'm not swearing off Christianity, but I am looking deeper into Buddhism. I need peace, calmness and most of all acceptance for everyone, no matter what their path or my path might be. And this just might be mine.
*Living in the Present~I have been meditating more, reading more. Trying to be present in my life. Not living for tomorrow, but living every moment everyday to it's fullest. Seeing the smile on my kids' face. Breathing. Really focusing on what makes me happy. The way my husband kisses me, Spencer's heart, Adam's eyes, Lily's songs and Sara's laughter. I have so many small, yet vital things all around me that I don't notice near enough. It's time to take those in and appreciate them, and simply enjoy my life, not looking for external things to make me happy, but looking at my truly blessed life and enjoying what I already have. A house filled with warmth, joy, laughter and most of all love. Woo-Hoo for inner peace. One day at a time, I'm going to get there and maybe end up healthier, both mentally and physically because of it.
*Movie Review~I have watch a few movies this week also. I saw The English Patient with a very yummy Ralph Fiennes (*warning* NOT PG). Such a good movie, I don't know why it's taken me so long to see this wonderful movie. I heart Netflix:) The Shawshanke Redemption, also very, very good. (And again, why did it take me so many years to see this movie?) And last but not least, Todd and I watched 'Wanted' last night, featuring another very yummy guy named James McAvoy (I have a thing for Scottish guys:) and the always beautiful Angelina Jolie. This movie was way over the top in special effects (right up Todd's ally). But not to bad. I actually sat through all of it. I have also seen Mamma Mia about 100 times (Lily's current favorite.)
*Spencer's review: Very excited to get back to school. He missed everyone of his friends and teachers. He also channeled his inner drama Queen when he hurt his ankle at school. But all is well now. He is healed. And for some reason really excited about math tests, running and science.
*Adam's review: Adam is Adam. Anyone that knows him, know what that means. He is also excited to be back at school. He has decided he wants to be an art teacher. There was a funny conversation between he and I that cracked me up, it went something like this:
Adam: Mom, so pretty much, I've been on lots of dates.
Mom: O'Yeah, what dates have you been on?
Adam: You know, Arlene, You......
Mom: You are right Adam, that's a lot of dates.
*Lily's review: Lily was also excited to get back to school. There has been a problem that is continuing to grow at our house. The Child Development Center has a male teacher's aide that Lily just loves (along with several other teachers). She talks about him and the fun things that they do at school. I can see Todd's eyes turn green and smoke come out of his ears. I don't think he was ready for another 'man' in her life yet. But it's sweet that he loves her that much. Lily also went back to dance on Tuesday and was soooo happy to be there. That teacher is amazing because she has a whole bunch of little girls that are 3-4 years old and seems to do well with all of them running around giggling and just being little girls. I will post the video this week.
*Sara's review: Sara has taken her busy-ness to a whole new level. She is strong enough to pull herself up on the coffee table and on the bench that is part of the table set. So, she is constantly on the table and/or coffee table and.....RUNNING on them. I can't keep her down. I swear she's going to give me a heart attack. She has also started to jabber and try to form words. She can say, "Dada..Hi", " MaaaaaMaaaaaa"(Mama, just drawn out) & " Bu-Bye". I know, she's a genius:) She also knows where her nose is and is learning the difference between her eyes and ears. She loves to 'honk' our noses' and smiles when we react with a loud, silly sound. Sweet Baby.

So, in saying all of that, I guess I had more to talk about than I thought. I hope you all had a great week.

Blessings

Today I'm going to blog about how much I love my kids. I know, don't roll your eyes, I talk about this all the time. But this morning, I couldn't help but to think about how much I adore these babies. How they breath life into my life. I think about blessed I am to be the Mom of 4 kids, 4 healthy, beautiful and extremely, ummm.... spirited kids. And very active when cooped up for an entire 2 weeks of Christmas vacation. As I sit in my very clean, calm house this morning, I realized as much as I am blessed to have my babies, I am also very blessed that they.......... go to school. YAY!! Woot~Woot. Hip-Hip-Hooray. Woo-Hoo:) Not just any school, but a school that I love. Even Lily. I love Miss Holly and the Child Development Center. And while those said children are at school, I get a few lovely, warm, and busy hours with my ever growing and exploring baby. O' and my sweet husband is finally home from graveyards. I miss him so much when he is on this shift. And Val made it back to school safely. So, I figure I'm blessed, anyway you look at it. Life is definitely very, very good.

Mindful Mondays

"If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our society, will benefit from our peace."
Thich Nhat Nanh

The Dutchess

No, I'm not talking about Lily. I love period pieces, especially ones set in England. I don't know why, but when they come out or I realize there is one that I have missed, I get as excited as Todd (and boys) does when a new video game comes out or Lily sees that there is a new musical to see. Anyway, if you like these kinds of movies, you'll love this one. It destined to be one of my all time favorites. Plus, I have always had a major crush on Ralph Fiennes. He is one of those actors that you are excited to see in each new role he takes on. Freakin' yummo is what I think. And Keira Knightley isn't so bad herself. She's a beautiful actor, and gives a stunning performance in this movie.

Dancing Baby

An evening at the Bates' home can be more like a dance club. All of the kids get into the action. Sara has just started to really show off her mad dancing skills. She just starts wiggling as soon as she hears music. She is really good too. Some of her moves remind me of a bobble head doll or the 'Night at the Roxbury' guys from SNL. I stinkin' love this baby. I will post the other movies from the same night as soon as I get them edited. I was cracking up. I should open up 'Club Bates' for the wiggling toddlers in all of us.

New Year

I am so excited to be entering a new year.
2008 was a rough year. Todd and I definately felt more down's than up's. But we also realized the value we have in and for each other. What a great man I am married to. (Yummy too might I add.) Life will go on. This is a new year, hopefully filled with not as many obsticles. More up's than down's. What doesn't kills us makes us stronger, right? Well, we aren't dead, so we must be stronger:) 2009 is going to rock.