Luke

Each day Evan had a routine, he wanted to look at images and videos of dogs (boxer and golden retreiver puppies) for HOURS on the computer. He never seemed to get tired of it. I thought that if we spent time online watching the dogs that he would get bored and that would save me from sleepless nights of potty training and house-breaking a puppy. It didn't. After nearly six months of watching videos we met Luke, this sweet boxer puppy, and I couldn't stop thinking about him.

I thought Evan was too young for a puppy. I tried to resist... but both the puppy and Evan could easily see the "SUCKER" tattoo that I have on my forehead in large bold letters. Enough of the right statements and sweet little snuggles (from both Evan & Luke), I couldn't say no. It only took spending twenty minutes with Luke, Lauren & Evan playing together to convince me.

As we walked away from the puppies (yeah, I actually walked away... I couldn't believe it either), I knew the real challenge was ahead of me. I wasn't sure how I was going to talk my husband into having a pet. Daily, I had been trying to talk him into a family pet for nearly a year but he had a great argument; we were already trying to potty train two beings, why would I even think about bringing another into the house. And the simple little fact... he doesn't like dogs!

After nearly a week of expressing how I couldn't live without the puppy, he once again was the family HERO. He contacted the woman selling the puppies and arranged to surprise us with Luke. We had the happiest little BOY ever. Evan, 2 yrs old, has been great at helping me train Luke, feeding him, and letting him out to go to the bathroom when Luke rings the bell. It has been a great learning experience for Evan, teaching him responsibility, and such a joy watching their friendship grow.

Then we have Lauren... I thought it would be my son that I had to worry about, but no. Lauren loves to hug, kiss, and wrestle with Luke and is soooo rough. I have to admit I was relieved when Luke started growing and quickly getting bigger. (At least then he had a fighting chance against her). Now that the playing field is even, life is good and we can't keep them seperated. If she had it her way when Luke is outside, she would be out there in the dog house too... as happy as she & he could be.

We have learned to compromise with Dad, Luke gets to play inside and hangs out with us during the day, but when Dad comes home he goes outside until bedtime. The length of time that Corey tolerates Luke being in the house in the evenings is getting longer & longer, but I still wouldn't quite label him the Dog Whisperer just yet.

Normally I would advise anyone that asks to wait to get a puppy until after their kids are out of diapers but I have to admit, like most things in life, the reward has definitely been well worth the work.

Another Tackle it Tuesday

I spent the day with my son enjoying a special "Mommy - Lil' Man day" so I didn't tackle any household projects other than the usual cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc. However, during his nap time I did relish in some computer time and found a project that I would love to share.

Cheryl's Magnet Tutorial, or "Sherwool" as Evan calls her, took de-cluttering the outside of her fridge one step further with her magnets and I thought that it was a cute idea.

Another magnet project on her site:

I hope you enjoy it.

Our Football Fans...

Tonight we are just kicking back and relaxing, watching a football game (just us). It feels so unfamiliar. We are usually VERY busy... each minute of our day seems to be planned. On those moments that we are at home to watch a game, we usually have at least twenty other people in the house with us that we are entertaining.

Usually Lauren & Evan are running around with the other children, so having them join us for the game is nice. Evan, being the boy that he is, is alternating throwing the toys at the designated targets (the decorative breakables) around the room and playing "house" with Lauren (he does love his sister). Lauren was deperately trying to put her babies to sleep. However, every time a touchdown was scored Daddy (Grandpa) jumped up, scooped up Lauren & babies, and did his victory dance. After the fourth touchdown in the first third of the game she has given up on "house" and broke out the mardigras beads and decided to play dress up with Daddy instead.

I have to say he looks good! Not many men could pull off wearing spakling necklaces quite like that. Lauren is so proud of her arrangement of necklaces, patting them as if to say "the masterpeice is complete", then finally turns to me and asks

Lauren: Mommy do you like it? Doesn't Daddy look silly?

Mommy: Yes, Lauren I love it! He is VERY silly. (Calling someone silly is the best compliment that someone can receive here. "Silly" is the champion of compliments... second to no other.

Lauren obviously finished with this game now and trying to decide what to play next looks around and says "hmmm"

Then Mommy (me) being my "silly" self can't help but smile while looking at Daddy (eagerly anticipating his reaction) throws out an idea to help my dear girl with her dilema : Hey Lauren, do you want to borrow some of Mommy's makeup?!!!

The look on his face was priceless... the perfect combination of "No you didn't and FEAR (because YES I DID)!!

Your body is a wonderland...

I try to be careful about what music is playing when the kids are around. Just the thought of my kids singing some of the songs that play on the radio makes me cringe... for example Crazy B*&%... yeah, words like that are not something that I ever want to hear my innocent Lauren say, sing, or even think. I do want her to remain innocent as LONG as possible.

Recently she was walking around the house singing Your Body is a Wonderland. At first it caught me off guard and I didn't know what to think about it. Her little voice made the song adorable and I definitely didn't want to say ANYTHING to discourage her from singing. So I struck up a little conversation with her:

Mom: Lauren, your voice is so beautiful... I absolutely LOVE the way that you sing that song.

Lauren: It's my favorite.
(This must mean David Cook has received the boot. She used to be his No. 1 fan).

Mom: Oh yeah? Why is that?

Lauren: Because it's about the fair.

Mom: (More than a little amused) Please tell me more.

Lauren: Well my throat is the water-slide...

Mom: A slide?

Lauren: yes MOM... you are so silly. You know the RIDE at the fair. And my tummy is the Tilt-a-Whirl (one of her favs) spinning 'round n 'round mixing up all my food.

Mom: Of course! Silly me. Your little body is a wonderland (amusement park, fair).

As she was walking off singing the song, I was trying hard to conceal my laughter. The way her little mind works cracks me up. I love how she understands (and misunderstands) what people say, including me. (Her version is ALWAYS better). The world through her eyes is definitely a BEAUTIFUL and LOVING place. I am just thankful to be a part of it.

(To hear her song, click on the link below... and type in John Mayer)

A special Thank You...

... to Jackie for the award.



Here are the rules that go along with this award (Rules to encourage the winners to "pay it forward").
1. Put the award up on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog

My nominees are:

Elaine
Lisa
Heidi
Gabrielle
Jackie
Kate
Cheryl - she is the culprit that inadvertently encouraged me to start blogging. Her blog inspired me!

Thank you all for sharing!

What a DAY!

Every day is definitely an adventure with my little ones. I never know what to expect next, but I can always count on being amused by them. Today was a typical day like most others, this may give you some insight into what I consider "normal" these days.

This morning as we were driving to school (the kids are enrolled in a mother's day out program a few days each week), all of a sudden I noticed that the back seat was silent. In my world, silence is not golden... this is usually a precursor to finding your son emptying the ENTIRE refrigerator looking for "chocowat wilk". Quickly I found myself thinking, it can't be that bad they are buckled into the seats in a moving car. I was terrified to look in the rear view mirrored. However, once I did I was extremely relieved and laughing hysterically.

They both had reached into their backpacks and pulled out their "spare" undies and put them on their heads. Once they noticed I was looking at them I received the full performance which was followed up by a goofy laugh that sounds like it came straight from a "Dumb & Dumber" movie (disclaimer: no they have not ever seen this movie nor do I plan on letting them anytime soon. They come up with enough crazy things on their own).

And to think... this was just the beginning of our day.

Always aiming to please

I recently found an old notebook with a few stories of funny & cute things that the kids have either said or done. I hope that you enjoy them. Here's one:

Evan was thirsty and asking for some juice and after hearing the request Lauren agreed that juice was a great idea.

My leg was cramping from running with the kids earlier (My body is trying to tell me that I am getting old). So I pleaded with them to "Just give me a minute please, then I will get juice & pineapples for both of you". Also secretly hoping that the idea of pineapples would buy me a few more seconds to rub the cramp out.

Lauren jumped up & exclaimed, "I'll get one for you." I assumed that she was still talking about juice, so I said again "Just a minute please."

So she walks over to Daddy who was watching basketball on TV and asked him, "Daddy will you get Mommy a minute so she can get us some juice."

We both started laughing and enjoyed her sweet heart and loved that she was so eager to help in any way that she could.

I Appreciate the Flowers!!!

Isn't it amazing how something so simple can alter someone's mind. There's no wonder why people send flowers when someone isn't feeling well or just to say that they care. This simple gesture can so easily and quickly change your attitude. It is difficult to have a bad day with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in front of you.

My aunts sent these to me after I was Totally Mummyfied. So girls, I hope you are all reading this and know that I am very thankful!! (If not reading this, you will be getting your thank you notes soon). :-) They are beautiful and brighten my day over & over again. Thank you.

Aquaphor, The Cure-all (another funny)

My daughter has had eczema and lovely skin reactions since she was just six months old. In our march to find out what has happening to our baby girl... our first born... my world, we went to multiple doctors and received many "possible" answers. Our answers were numerous prescriptions, creams, lotions, baths, oils, steroids, and a possible ritual dance. And we tried everything! Finally still choosing not to give up the good fight, we marched her into yet another doctor's office. Lauren jumped up on the table and waited for the doctor, she is a pro by now... quizzing me about all the tools in the room and how they are used. (She could teach a few things to some med students). This doctor explained that often eczema is brought on by an allergic reaction so he sent us off to an allergist. I was so excited... another "possible" solution.

This time wasn't like all the others. After we went through the dreaded testing process (they drew her blood not the pricking skin test), we found out that she is allergic to bananas and egg whites. Yes, bananas and egg whites. Bananas are her favorite snack and eggs... we would eat them in at LEAST one form once a day... scrambled eggs, french toast, pancakes, cookies, cake, just to name a few. The information was very enlightening and saved my daughters skin and my mind.

Lauren is very logical so the transition from eating her favorite things went much more smoothly than I had anticipated. Maybe the sores caused her so much discomfort that it was worth it to not eat the food... I hope not. I hope that she just understood that it was better for her. In the mean time our new and now cherished doctor has given her some steroid cream for bloody breakouts & told us to use Aquaphor for dry skin. I don't know about other mothers out there, but Aquaphor to me is like Windex for the Greeks. It is the cure-all for everything. It was the ONLY booty cream to help diaper rash without encouraging a skin (yeast) infection and it is a great moisturizer for my all too dry hands. (I'm constantly washing dishes) and not drinking enough water. It has become one of the items that I don't leave home without these days.

It doesn't matter where we are if she has an itch, she wants to break out the cream & take care of it right away, and she is very informative in telling all those around us what she is doing and why.

A few nights ago I had the opportunity to babysit a friend's babies while they went out after a wedding and Lauren absolutely loved being a "little mama" and helped me take care of the little ones. When the baby had a little diaper rash, Lauren was only too happy to jump up & exclaim, "I'll get the AquaPOR, Momma". She really does have such a sweet, sweet heart & loves to help others. She makes me proud.

My ode to Aquaphor ends as we were entering the post office a few mornings later and I had a little dry spot on my cheek, I wasn't wearing any make-up and vowed to put moisturizer on it as soon as I returned home. Lauren watched me closely, studying my every move... finally she asked, "What are you doing Mommy?" I explained that I had a little dry spot & that I was putting some cream on it so that it would get better. My son chimed in, "boo-boo". Glad that they got the concept and happy that we could move forward without having to go into it any further we got out of the car & headed into the post office.

As always when we go anywhere, it seems we found a line. Lauren doesn't mind this, she enjoys meeting new people and looks at these lines as a great opportunity. I was proud... they were actually behaving in line today. After a few minutes, the man standing in front of me stated that I had cute kids. This break in silence caused more people to stop and admire these little beauties. Lauren loves to make people smile and thought this was the perfect moment to break the ice & for us all to get to know each other. She decided to share first... "Guess what, my mommy wears booty cream on her face." She succeeded.

CNN Hero of the Year

A MOXIE MOM'S HERO
Seriously, if I had only known that this contest existed I would have nominated my husband. He really is an amazing man that gives lots of his time & resources to helping others, everything from buying groceries, paying their bills, yard work, helping pay for their cars to be fixed, moral support, and even helping them rebuild their home when someone was living in an unsafe environment. He really does a lot for others and for our community and I love that about him. I do believe that we are all supposed to take time and give to others whether it be time, friendship, moral or financial support, but what my husband is best at is giving others hope and happiness. He is great at making others smile and helping them enjoy themselves (much of the time he makes them laugh at his expense). I'm only sorry that I wasn't aware of this contest in time consequently, I'm announcing the WINNER of A MOXIE MOM's Hero of the Year Award:

Congrats Corey. We love you!!

Now, as far as CNN is concerned they are putting together their own contest. These men & women are wonderful applicants (I still think that Corey would have won), so choosing just one may be difficult. I really enjoyed reading about the wonderful things that they are all doing!!!

I'm a strong believer in "paying it forward". I want to say a special thanks to any and all of you that aren't on the list that donate your time and your efforts to helping others in need, thank you for sharing the love!!!

Here's a list of the TOP 10 Heroes with details about why they are being considered for this honor. I'm not campaigning for any particular person so here is the why & who so that you can make your own choice.

Top 10 List

All those listed have taken the time and put forth lots of effort to help others in need to make our world a better place. Please take a LITTLE moment to vote. Most people do these wonderful deeds out of the goodness of their hearts I think that honoring them is a nice way for us to say that we appreciate them (and hopefully motivate more people to think of other's needs).

Vote Now

Barbeque Pot Roast

With two young kids, it is not easy to find perfect meals that satisfy my husbands taste buds as well as the kiddos who crave processed foods. However we have found a winner here, and one that is easy to make... icing on the cake.

Ingredients:
- 1 pot roast (4 lbs)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
- 1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed & minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Preparations / Directions:
Rub roast with salt & pepper. Brown all sides in melted butter over medium-low heat. ( I do this in the slow cooker). Add water, tomato sauce, and crushed garlic. (**Improvising: If you like onions you can add 2 medium onions chopped here**). Cover and cook over low heat for 1 and 1/2 hours. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over pot roast. Simmer for 1 and 1/2 hours longer, or until VERY tender. Serve with hot buttered noodles or mashed potatoes, along with green beans and asparagus..

Photo Organization X-treme

I'm just a baby bloggger so I hope that I don't step on any toes and that I share this correctly. I was hoping to share a photo organization system with you from another blogger. She is very detailed and for those of you who love to perserve your pictures as much as I do, you may find her "system" interesting.

Check it out: Photo Organization X-treme

Wise Words

I have learned that I have to be very careful about what I say as well as others within a 1 mile radius (my daughter has impeccable hearing). I have many stories that I can list here and most of them seem to occur in check out lines. To fix this situation I have decided that online shopping will be the answer for the next few years. So when I was forwarded this joke it made me think of my beautiful kids and I had to share:

The Sermon

I think this Mom will never forget: this particular Sunday sermon...

'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face, 'Without you, we are but dust....'


He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

What is Moxie?

I have had a few people ask me what exactly moxie meant. So here is what dictionary.com had to say:

1. energy; pep.

2. courage, determination.

3. Know-how, expertise.

Now I MIGHT have to rethink the title of my blog. While I think that I have energy & pep; after 15 hours of entertaining my two and my three year old, I have learned that it is sheer adrenaline pumping through my veins carrying me to the next destination. Seriously, my reflexes are in better shape than ever. My children have no fear and a lot of faith that I will be there to catch them. I have learned that I can cook with my daughter and jump over a kitchen counter to catch my son from trying to do a swan dive off the back of the couch simutaneously. Kids really do teach you about many abilities that you never knew you posessed.

Courage & Determination; I'm not going to say that I love "difficult situations", but I have faith in God and His purpose and that we can learn from it and overcome any situation. L & E are young but I try to teach them with every opportunity that arises to work hard and to finish what you start. Their faith is so strong that I believe it has been them that has been teaching ME. They give me courage to overcome any obstacle so that I can be the mother that God needs me to be for them.

However know-how & expertise, I don't know about expertise these days, it feels more like a "Jane of all trades". You just do what you have to so that you can accomplish your goal. As a mom I've learned to use my resources more than ever to acquire the "know-how". I am definitely a DIY girl. I love learning how to do new things and then completing a project. Much enjoyment can be found while sitting back and seeing the fruits of your hard work.

Totally Mummyfied

OK, maybe not totally, but at least from the neck up.

I had sinus surgery earlier this week and my head is stuffed with gauze in almost every orifice and then wrapped as well. Not exactly the most comfortable situation but definitely worth it. Of course I don't know if I will be able to breathe better... yet, but I have faith. It has only been a few days and I can already feel a relief from the pressure around my eyes. My use of visine for those red eyes was beginning to get a little astronomical. I do feel very sorry for the Pfizer shareholders out there. I'm afraid that the stock might take quite a hit since I won't be going through a bottle of visine a day. (I haven't had to use a drop in three days and I am ecstatic. Yes, I do realize that I am easily excited. I always have been and I am happy with that). I am ready to remove all this fabric from my head because I am beginning to feel like an extra from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. And yes, it IS that scary.

Thank A Veteran

I am very thankful to my parents for teaching me at an early age to respect our military and all that they and their families have sacrificed for our freedom. Words cannot express the appreciation that I feel. I do admire and respect their commitment.