Not-So-Normal Mom

We are always late. My husband is more guilty of this than I am, although he would probably argue. I am tardy for things when it is not important to be on time. He is tardy when it is important. He is late going to the movies, and other things that have a set start time. I am late when we are supposed to be somewhere at a time that ends in "-ish". Tonight, we were supposed to go to the movies with my family. My dad was very excited about seeing "Get Smart" because he loved the TV show. It started at 8. It is now after 8 and my husband is still not home. He thought we could get in after it started. On a Friday night. The night the movie came out. Riiight. So we are not going. The kids are disappointed, and so am I. Maybe I am just tired because I worked all day and came home to dishes overflowing in the sink. Whatever.
Peace Out,
Mom

ps. There is nothing worse than an overflowing sink full of dishes where someone has dumped the wet coffee grounds in the sink. Icky.

What can I say about the men in my life???




Growing up, I was in a female-dominated world. It was my sister and I and my mom, and then there was my dad. I know that he was sick of the period talk, the emotional roller-coasters, and the boy-crazy teenagers in his house. My dad wasn't always able to express himself, and I remember one time when I was younger, after he told me to do something, I told him that his voice sounded like finger nails on a chalk board and I didn't want him to talk to me anymore. For a week or so, he didn't talk to me; he left post-it notes all over the house. It made me crazy! Yeah, I missed his voice. So even if he didn't always act conventionally, he always taught me something. He taught me that learning and knowledge were important and he encouraged me to find the fun in the pursuit of the answer. When I went through some of the hardest times in my life, he was just there. He didn't intervene, but made me learn it on my own. I love my dad. He is such a great man. He is a wonderful father-in-law and an awesome "boompa."

Now, my honey. I know that since his father passed away, father's day is especially hard. It breaks my heart. I hope that he knows that he is everything that his father wanted him to be. Not just because he is a great businessman, but also because he is a fantastic husband and father. Even though he is very tired, he helps the boys with their homework and takes time to play. He takes the boys to the park and stays up in their rooms with them to watch them master their video games. He is firm and strong, and the boys are so very lucky to have them in their lives. He provides everything that they need and he is the reason why they will all grow up to be awesome men.

Happy Father's Day to the men who enrich my life everyday. I love you!

Peace out,
Mom

Yesterday was our third wedding anniversary. We rock!

I've known him since I was 16 or 17. I first saw him when I went to meet my mom for lunch at work. He was going up the escalator and my mom said "See that guy? Stay away from him."

Yeah, that pretty much encouraged me to find out what she was talking about. I got hired at the department dtore for the Christmas season when I was 17. When I turned 18, and he was 26, we had a fling. It didn't last too long, and we both moved on.

I moved on to my not-so-wonderful ex-husband and had two kids. After suffering in that relationship for about four years, I moved back home with my two very young sons and got a job at the same department store, but at a different mall. There, I ran into J running a coffee shop. We started dating soon after and took it real slow with the boys.

We've lived together now for over five years, and we have another little man added to the mix. He is an awesome husband and an amazing father.

Like any marriage, we've gone through a lot of crap together. We have even pissed each other off quite a few times. It's not easy all of the time, but most of the time it is. I love, love, love him. He makes me so happy and I am having such a great time experiencing this chaotic life with him.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Peace Out,
Mom

What to say about my mom...

My mom pretty much rocks. She's pretty, smart, and funny. She is very fair-minded, even though when I was younger I shouted "That's not fair!" at her enough times! ;-) She makes me laugh. She's a great grandma to the brood of loud boys, and she almost always has purse-candy. ;-)

When I was younger, and going through those teenage years, we fought. Not because she was mean, but because she wanted to keep me safe. It took getting older and having kids of my own to realize that she was right.

When I was pregnant the first time, I was very young and the father of my baby was an idiot with no job and really, not very much hope. My mom was crying, and I was angry because she was crying. I wanted her to be happy about the baby. I will never forget what she told me that night. She said "for the rest of your life, this is your baby. He will leave, but the baby will always be yours." At the time, I was filled with righteous indignation. Now, I realize that she was right.

When you become a mother, that baby is yours. No matter what. It is amazing to me that I feel that momma tiger come out so often when I feel my cubs are in danger. I know that my mom felt that when she heard that I was pregnant. She wanted to protect me from what she knew was coming.

Of course, it all worked out. Now, I'm married to a great guy and my mom really loves him. So really, I rarely see that momma tiger come out in her anymore. ;-)

On this day, I also think about two years ago when I almost lost my mom. When my dad called to say that she was going to the ICU, I scrambled to get dressed and rush off to the hospital. My husband was on his way to the house, and I was trying to get it together so that I could drive up to the hospital. As I was getting ready, I found myself putting on jewelry that she gave me. I realized that I was putting all of these things on as some sort of amulet to protect me, or to protect her, or maybe to link us in some way. I wanted her to be protected, and I thought that if I could just find the one thing that would work, everything would be okay. I know, it's strange. On the way to the hospital I realized that it would be hypocritical of me to ask God to save her. At the time, I hadn't been to church in quite some time and I didn't want to be the kind of person that only looked to God in times of trouble. All I could do through the tears was look up at the sky and just say "please. No."

She made it through and is back to her old self; and I like her. Through all of this, I learned what life is about. It's about living for today and spending time with the people you love. You unever know what's going to happen!

Anyway...all of this to say that my mom is awesome, and I really don't know what I would do without her. We don't always agree, but in the end, does that even matter? I love her so much. What I learned from her is that once you have a child, everything in your life is done for that child. Everything.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. And Thanks.

Peace Out,
Mom

This picture is hilarious to me because he is horrified of spiders. He is so horrified of spiders that he will not enter the bathroom if there is one in the corner: He'll go upstairs to the bathroom instead. The mean voice in my heads wants to blow this picture up and hang it on his wall, then he would be scared of himself. I think that would be so very funny. ;-)
Peace Out,
Mom

Is it a coincidence that the price of gas is going up astronomically high at the same time that the government is sending out checks to stimulate the economy? Hmmmmm...

Just a little conspiracy theory to get you thinking...

Peace Out,
Mom

So MO's birthday was the end of last month. We didn't make a big deal about it because last year was the big 13, and this year, he just wanted a couple of friends over to swim and eat pizza. So that's what we did! The boys were pretty good. My son is now 14 and just on the edge of boy and young man. His voice is so deep, and he is as tall as I am. He's so helpful and witty...he's really damn sarcastic, but it's great. I look at him and I remember when he was born. I remember all of my hopes and dreams for myself being poured in to this little man. I am so proud of him. He could do better in school, of course, but overall, he is pretty darn great.
When he was born, my sister had the local radio station play "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles and every year, I play it on his birthday. Every time I hear that song, I think of him and all of the wonderful things that make him such a great guy. So Happy Birthday my big man. You make me so very proud.
Peace Out,
Mom

It is what it is....


This is my least favorite phrase because I know someone who overused it and used it incorrectly. I feel that this phrase should only be used when it really is an unchangeable situation. If it is something that can be changed and should be changed, then we shouldn't just shrug our shoulders and say basically, "oh well!" Say, for example, that your husband is abusing you...this is not the time to say...

It is what it is....

Or for example, when you are failing a class because you aren't doing your homework. This is not a time to say...

It is what it is....

When it is raining, this is, indeed, a time to say...

It is what it is...

Because, in fact, you can not change the situation.

I'm just tired of people shrugging their shoulders at things that should be changed.

Peace Out,
Mom

It is what it is.

What does that mean, exactly? I think too many people are saying this, and to quote one of the best movies of all time (Princess Bride): "I don't think it means what you think it means."

Peace Out,
Mom

In the last post, I said that the other company got the recommendation from the ASO (Associated Student Organization) and they were moving forward with it. After doing a little research, we found out that it had to go before, and be approved by, the student Senate before it went on to the Governing Board. Well, after the students started hearing about it, and people expressed the distaste for what was happening, a grassroots movement built up on campus. Over 1,200 signatures were collected on my husband's behalf. We went down to the Senate meeting with the collected sigatures, and amazing amount of supporters, to give a speech and stop the vote of approval from being accepted by the Senate. After my husband read the speech that we wrote, and after I read comments about my husband that were posted about my husband on the school newspaper's site, and after all of us were crying a bit, the Senate voted to NOT accept the recommendation of the ASO.

Of course, that means the process may start all over again. We are kind of in a waiting game to see what happens now. The ASO has the option to either start all over again or just pick us. I don't have very much faith in them just picking us because I think their little egos are bruised. However, now I now what not only my husband and I are capable of, but what our student, staff, and faculty supporters are capable of. Now, the students and everyone else on campus are aware of what is going on, and they will have a voice in the process. I have hope again.

The most important thing that happened out of all of this is that we are so very proud of our friends. This was a very heartwarming experience. All of their support was amazing and that's why there were so many tears at the meeting. Just looking around and seeing all of those faces of people who love us was just so very powerful. It really felt good. Now, we are just hoping that the ASO makes the right decision next time.

Peace Out,
Mom

So...
The business fell through. We took a huge risk, and it didn't work out. We are going to generate a petition, and that's really all we can do at this point. This is an awful thing. Everything is going to change, and I'm pretty scared. I know that we are hard workers, so I shouldn't worry about what will happen. No matter what, we will be fine. I just really love that campus. It is such a part of our daily lives. We've mourned with these people, celebrated, welcomed babies, learned, and shared with these people. I would like to say that I hate the place, but the truth is, I really love it. That is exactly why it hurts so much. It hurts that they aren't rewarding loyalty or someone who really cares. Really. I'm sad. These last couple of weeks have pretty much sucked, and I feel so drained. Just empty, really.
Peace Out,
Mom

My friend just told me that when she was at the Louvre in France, she slipped while walking up a marble staircase to view the "Winged Arm of Victory." She feel down a number of steps and she said she couldn't believe that she fell in the classiest place on Earth. My response was, "That's what you get for wearing flip-flops to the Louvre."

Peace Out,
Mom

My middle son ran away Saturday morning. We woke up and there were signs of a break in, and when I checked on the boys, he was gone. I screamed and moaned so loud, calling for him, that my oldest woke up and cried. We called the police, my parents, his friends, my sister, and his teacher. All of them converged onto my home in a panic at 7am. I have never in my life been so scared. At the time, I thought someone had taken him; I never imagined that he would want to leave. He was found a short time later by my dad at the walm*rt by my house. He had spent over 300 dollars in cash purchasing a GPS, a mess kit, a camel backpack, and other survival gear, and no one stopped him. Yeah, an 11 year old kid buying survival gear with that much cash when the store just opened is no cause for alarm.

He has been bullied at school all year. We have gone to the school many times, and while the teachers are very supportive, the Principal is not. There are two boys that spread gossip and try their damnedest to ostracize my son. They pretend he has a disease and encourage others to do the same. He has a few friends, but ultimately feels alone. Although we have gone to the school many times, nothing was done. It kept happening. My son is able to defend himself physically, but because he is the nicest boy in the universe, he is unable to understand why these boys would talk about him like this. He has the most tenderest of hearts. He says he ran away because he just couldn't take it at school anymore, and we were making him go there.

The fact that my son felt so desperate, and felt that we couldn't/wouldn't protect him, shreds my heart. I have been crying every day and trying to come to terms with how I failed him. We are still talking about it and I kept him out of school on Monday. I talked to the principal about it, but she is continuing to act like a politician instead of focusing on the needs of the school. These boys need to get the f out. My son isn't the only one being hurt. There are others. I'm tired of living in such a PC world where we tiptoe around the rights of bullies and punish those that do the right thing. I don't give a SH*t about these boys. Get them out and let the rest of the school get an education in peace.

When we asked him how the boys should be punished, he said that he didn't want them to be punished, he just wanted to be left alone. Why can't they just leave him alone? My heart hurts.

Peace Out,
Mom

The masses were sick for the last couple of weeks, and they are just starting to come around...And I am feeling a tickle in the back of my throat. I don't have time to get sick!!! I have a Spanish project due, an exam on Friday, work piled upon work, and my hubby and I are bidding for a new business. This is put-your-balls-on-the-table time. This is the time where it all changes. No matter what happens, our life is going to change. God willing, things will go the way that we want/need them to go. If not, there we will sit...at the top of sh*t creek without that trusty paddle. Ouch. No matter what, this is the time in our family that will go down in history as the best thing we could do for ourselves, or the "what were we thinking?" moment. These are the moments in life that you both dread and long for. This is one of those make-it-or-break-it times. Damn, I'm hoping that we make it.
Peace Out,
Mom

My house is again, an infermary. I had two boys home sick today, and it looks like the little man will be home with me tomorrow. These are the days when I wish I worked somewhere that paid to be out sick. I can't wait until I'm officially a grown-up with benefits. Maybe one day...
Peace Out,
Mom

Update: Tuesday morning: I have the little man home with me and the middle son, too! They are playing rotating sickness!!!!

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Peace Out,
Mom

I have way too much going on right now. The pitch went okay. It will take a few weeks to know anything, but when we do...I will post more. My hubby was sick during the pitch, so we were a little discombobulated, but what can you do, right? My middle son came home from school early yesterday and stayed home today because he is sick. So both of them were here in our makeshift infirmary while I was at work. I am feeling a little achy myself, but I'm fighting it off. I don't have time to get sick right now. Friday, I will have a little reprieve. I hope everyone out there in the universe finds that moment where they can just exhale ever so slowly, close their eyes, and feel a sense of calm-if only for a moment.
Peace Out,
Mom

We're pitching a new business tomorrow. Send up a little shout to whomever you believe in to help us out. This could be life changing, and we really need it.

Peace Out,
Mom