shhh.. secret family recipe...

Addition... I thought I would add our secret family recipe for peanut butter lollies. So that everyone can enjoy them.

INGREDIENTS:

One jar of peanut butter {We prefer Jif Creamy, but you use whatever brand is your favorite.}

One spoon. The bigger, the better.

STEPS...

First, open jar of peanut butter.

Next, take the spoon and scoop a ginormous amount of peanut butter onto the spoon.

Then, enjoy--Emma chooses the small licking method, but experiment and find your favorite method of eating the lolly!!!

***This is a great recipe for those mornings when your darling tells you for the first 30 minutes she is awake that she IS NOT hungry, but as soon as it is time to go to the bus stop she is STARVING! It is simple enough for her to make and it travels well as you walk to the bus!!!

November is....

National Peanut Butter Lover's Month

Emma is thrilled!!

An entire month devoted to peanut butter lollies!!!!

just what we needed...

she says with a hint of sarcasm!!

Announcing...

Cali the Newfoundland

8 weeks old

"not me" monday...

Not Me Monday--A fun way to confess to the 'not so cool things' you may have done throughout the week--or not done:) This was started by MckMama at MyCharmingKids. Check out her blog and the amazing story of Stellan, the miracle baby.

Here goes...my first 'Not Me! Monday"

(1) I did NOT drive 8 hours, round trip, to pick up a puppy. Nope. Not me. That would make me crazy. A dog--when we do not know when Steve will get a job or where we will be living. Getting a puppy would add another mouth to feed and added expenses. Deciding to get a puppy now would show a lack of sense. And I always use my common sense and make practical, logical decisions. Definitely NO PUPPY CAME TO THIS HOUSE TODAY. I did not choose to buy a Newfoundland. NOT ME!!!

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(2) I certainly did not have to spank my 12 year old for being mouthy and rolling her eyes at her father. If I had to spank her that would mean my child was NOT the perfect, respectful well-mannered child I raised her to be. And because my 5 year old is always the picture of goodness and obedience, I did NOT have to punish her for telling a lie. I certainly did not have her take a bite of soap to wash the ugliness out of her mouth. I always use non-physical punishment. I am always the picture of the patience mother. So, that certainly was not me.

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(3) As I was driving down I-71, I did NOT see animals on the side of the road and ask outloud, "What are those?" and then answer, "Oh, they are sheep." This certainly could not have been me because a). I know my farm animals and b). I was alone in the car and that would mean I was talking to myself--and answering my own questions. I am too 'together' to talk to myself and I most certainly am not loony enough to ANSWER my questions. Again, this was NOT ME!!

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(4) It was not me that became annoyed when my husband said he was going to play golf tomorrow with Joe. Nope. Not me. Never. I am always the supportive wife! I realize he has been working very hard around the house. I certainly would not get aggravated because I want him here doing the rest of his honey do list. That would make my selfish. I always put my wants behind his. If this had been me, the conversation would have been more like, "Only one round? Are you sure you don't want to play two?" "What time do I need to be up to fix your breakfast and shine your clubs?" So, since the conversation did not go that way, it could NOT have been ME!!!

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(5) And lastly, (not because it is the last of the crazys, but because it is time to take the puppy, I did not get, outside to go potty and to her new bed) I did NOT stuff my face with the girls' M&M's and Milky Ways. I am watching what I eat and M&M's and Milky Ways are not calorie smart foods. I would only be seen eating carrot and celery sticks. I have no idea where all of the chocolate went, but it was NOT ME that ate it. Clearly, since my sweatpants are fitting fine it was NOT ME that had to wipe the evidence from my face!

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I was about to publish this post, but I needed to add one....

(6). It was NOT ME that just went down stairs to check on the puppy (Because we did not get one) only to find my husband sitting with her. It could not have been me that snapped a picture of him petting her and getting her used to the crate. He wanted no part of getting a dog. He was against the addition to our family, so I certainly did NOT hear him talking to her and comforting her. Not Me. Not my husband.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

i will not complain no matter the outcome...

With the upcoming Presidential election only two days away, the talk everywhere I have been has been about who is going to be the next President of the United States. Some voters are excited about the prospect of the first African-American president or the first woman Vice-President. Others voice fear over the future of America if this one wins. Or if that one wins. There are strong convictions on both sides of the vote.

I am not political. I AM a law abiding citizen that is very thankful for the freedom this country allows me. Yet, I am not interested in politics. I have never voted.

Okay, I will wait for the gasps to stop. Everyone picked their jaws up off the floor? What? Yes, I know it is my responsibility. Yes, I know many have died for me to have this right. Okay. Okay. I know 'every vote counts'. {which actually they do not in a Presidential election--if it did Al Gore would have been President), but even with these arguments, I do not vote.

Why do I not vote? Call me cynical, but I do not believe that what the candidates tell us during their campaigning is true. They ARE campaigning to win the ultimate political prize--Commander in Chief. They tell us what demographics tell them we want to hear. Do I have strong convictions about issues? Most definitely I do! Do I doubt that politicians hold firmly to their beliefs? Certainly if the beliefs are not popular with the constituents. I have a difficult time deciding between the lesser of two evils; deciding who is lying 'the least'. So I choose to not vote.

But you, please go out and vote on Tuesday. And while you are deciding your vote for the next leader of our country, consider the candidates political experience, not the impact of his skin color on history. Weigh out his belief on the value of life at all stages of development, not his charisma when he speaks. Determine if your nation will be safe from outside enemies with a leader that has no military experience. Honestly contemplate the future of the USA as we know it before you cast your vote on Tuesday.

I will not be in the voting booth on Tuesday, but I will be kneeling in prayer for the future of our 'one nation under God'.

nablopomo...

Okay, so it is National Blogging Post Month, NaBloPoMo, and I have taken the challenge to write 30 post for 30 days.

And...since it is 11:52pm, or 10:52 if I go by my clocks that have already been moved back for Daylight Savings Time :), I decided I had better get something posted before I fail---on DAY ONE!!!!

So this is it. My first post of thirty. A post about posting.

ghost and goblins, oh my...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

May the ghoulies all be friendly!!

Tonight we loaded our cheerleader (and big sister) into the van and headed south to Mrs. Camillia's and Mr. Bill's house for Halloween fun!!

There was a bonfire for roasting hotdogs--and to sit around telling really scary stories; the scariest one being about the upcoming presidential election:( and of course, food galore. There was trick or treating (Mrs. C and Mr. B live out on several wooded acres so trick or treating stations were set up around the yard and in the woods.) After collecting all the goodies around the yard, we loaded up for a hay ride to do some more 't-n-ting' around the 2.5 mile loop of DARK country roads. (It was more members from the church that had set up along the road) I am sure, if any of the people were home in the few houses we passed, they were confused about the combination of Halloween ghost and goblins and the caroling of 'This Little Light of Mine." and 'Roll the Gospel Chariot Along' as the hay ride passed!

The kids had a great time and came home with some LOOT!!!!!

Now, what to do with all the candy!!! {There is a dentist in La Grange that is giving $5.00 to anyone who brings in his/her candy. Tempting. Very tempting:)}

***Emma went from wanting to be Marie Antoinette to a fairy to a cheerleader.

***Michaela was not allowed to go t~n~ting--we had decided last year was her last year to dress up. Somehow she still managed to bring home ALOT of candy????

j.o. lantern...in the making...

5 little pumpkins sitting on a gate.

The first one said, Oh my its getting late!"

The second one said, "There are witches in the air."

The third one said, "But we don't care."

The fourth one said, "Let's run, let's run!

The fifth one said, "Isn't Halloween fun?"

Then WOOOOOOO went the wind

and OUT went the lights.

and 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Emma's masterpiece in the making

the planning

the blueprint for carving

scooping out the goo

making the cuts...

Michaela's masterpiece in progress...

scooping...

cutting...with some helpmore cutting...the finished masterpieces!!!

God's beauty unfolds...

Have a glorious Wednesday

the things nightmares are made of...

Before I begin this post, there are two things you should know about me. The first is that I like antiques. Especially items that have history in our family. One's with meaning for my husband or myself. The second thing you should know is that I am EXTREMELY afraid/petrified of mice. Not just, "Oh, there's a mouse!" Heart pumping, body shaking fear!!! They are not more afraid of me than I am of them. It is not possible!!!!

Okay, with that being said...
A few years ago, before Emma was part of our family, Steve, Michaela, and I went down to Steve's grandfather's land in Sunnybrook, Ky. Steve showed us around the house (that should really be demolished), the outhouse in the backyard (UGH!!!), and around some of the acreage. We also explored the attic of the house and found a small table and a pottery jug. Steve was excited to be able to have a part of his family history.

The table was refinished. The jug was put in the garage to be cleaned out. We left for England and were gone for three years. The jug was left in the garage. Since returning to Kentucky, we have been very busy getting things back in order--cleaning, painting, etc... One of the projects Michaela volunteered to do was to clean out the jug. She took it to the backyard, put some dish detergent in it, and began spraying water into it. I went back to check on her progress. There were suds and lint everywhere. Michaela wanted to go sand a project in the garage so I took over spraying the inside of the jug. As I continued to spray, I began really looking at the enormous amount of dust and lint coming out of the jug. I realize it had been in the garage for many years, but the amount of stuff coming out was extraordinary. I bent down to get a closer look and was fairly certain that what I thought was lint and dust was actually MOUSE HAIR!!! I sprayed one more time and out pops a mouse carcass!!! Did I mention I am petrified of mice. Even dead mice give me the heebie geebies. I had been cleaning out TONS AND TONS of mouse hair. I threw the hose down. Ran into the garage and told Michaela to go wash her hands. ALOT. I immediately went and stood in the shower for 45 minutes with the water as hot as I could stand it. I am not sure I feel clean yet!!!

Steve took the jug to the back and dumped it out. He would not tell me what he found, but it was 'quite a few' skeletons. ( I later saw in the fence row that 'quite a few' was actually more than a dozen.) Lots and lots of mice in the garage. In the jug. It makes me ill. I shiver just thinking about it.

What is even crazier than dozens of dead mouse carcasses in my garage is my husband thinking that the jug is coming into the house. I.DON'T.THINK.SO!!!!!!!!!

you know you have eaten too much when...

Having lived in England for over three years, there were many conveniences we were use to in the States that we missed greatly during our time there. Restaurants being at the top of the list--right after Target. Needless to say, since we have been back, we have made up for lost 'dining' time. Olive Garden, Skyline, Don Pablos, among sooooo many others have seen our smiling faces--and widening bums:)--on many, many occasions.

As I cleaned up the containers from dinner tonight, (We worked outside until 8:00pm--much too late to cook. Really) I began thinking about how I have not cooked one meal, no not one, since Stephen came back into town. {If truth be told, probably since the girls and I came back!} That is B.A.D. Most children think it is a treat to go out to a restaurant. My children would LOVE to stay home and have a home cooked meal!

So, how do you know that you have eaten out for over 30 days?

1.If you were brave enough to add up all the restaurant charges on your bank statement, you would be fairly certain it would be AT LEAST one month's mortgage payment.

2. When you look in the mirror you see the beginnings of a layer of winter warmth--and you are NOT a polar bear.

3.You are fairly certain that if you had liposuction (which has crossed your mind, but you were crazy enough to watch the procedure done on a documentary and there is NO way you would go through that) dark, carbonated beverage would come out of your thighs and buttocks.

4. Your sweatpants have become your favorite clothes.

5. Your 'unmentionables' are beginning to fit like thongs!

So if you come looking for me and I don't answer I am probably:

1. At the grocery store shopping for nutritious food. Novel idea!

2.
Downstairs on the treadmill. Yes, with it turned on. Did you know just having it in the house doesn't help take off pounds??? You have to get on it and run!!! Who knew?

3.

Spending time with my friend, Kathy. UGH!!!! With friends like her, who needs enemies!!!

4.

JUST SAYING "NO!!!!"

5.
Dusting off the stove. Washing out the pots. Cooking!!!!


Okay, I have said it outloud (sort of). It is out there in blogger world. I am accountable!!!

Repeat after me...

You can do it! You can kick the restaurant habit. You are stronger than your desire to have someone else cook your food!!!

Do you think there is a 'I hate to cook so I eat out too much' Anonymous??

what not to wear police beware...

This is what an outfit looks like when you let your 5 year old choose it for herself!!!!

No, not really!

Last week was RED RIBBON DAY--saying "NO" to drugs.

Friday was "Drugs and I don't match!"thus the mismatched outfit.

Sadly, we went out to eat and shopping after school-with her STILL in this outfit. We got a few looks. Maybe a sign stating "We don't normally dress like this." should have been put around her neck:)

drip. drip. drip...

drip. drip. drip
Mmmm!! the sound of fresh brewed coffee dripping through the percolator.
Oh wait, I don't drink coffee. That can't be it.

drip. drip. drip
Ahhhhh, the soothing sounds of a relaxing water feature.
No, that's not it either.

drip.drip.drip
I know!! I know!! Pick me!!! That is the sound of the first rainy day in weeks and an unfinished roofing job!!!

That is NOT a good sound.

We woke up this morning to the sounds of rain pelting the roof. Normally, this would be a soothing, welcome sound. I say 'normally' because we are in what was to be the final day of the roof repair from the storm damage. The front of the house and the garage have NO shingles. So, along with the soothing sounds of the rain outside, came the drip, drip, drip of water coming through the light fixture in Emma's room---onto the BRAND. NEW. CARPET.

But with each trial lessons can be learned. Right? In order to grow, we need to see past the negative and search for the positive.{she says through clenched teeth:)}

So what did I learn from this...

1. Longaberger baskets make great buckets. WHAT!!!!!
***Obviously a husband's choice. His response when I said, "Your using my basket to collect rain water? (You add the infliction in my voice that you imagine I used) "It has a protector." Oh, okay. Silly me.

2. Roofers get here pretty fast when you call and say water is coming into your house--and they are liable for the damage!!!

3. I am glad I am not a roofer--because as I sit in my dry kitchen drinking a Dr. Pepper, Dave and his wife are on the roof, in the pouring rain, trying to re-felt the areas that are leaking.

4. That no matter where we live, how together we think we are finally getting, Murphy's Law will always prevail in our lives!!! And it makes us stronger. Right? Builds character. So I hear!!

Have a great Friday!!!

too much information...

I have always had a fascination with the origins of colloquialism in our language. While living in England, we were able to learn the histories of many familiar phrases while we toured various historical sites. It is amazing to hear words and phrases that were 'created' hundreds of years ago in England, still being used today--in the States in 2008! {Yes Rebecca, I know the English developed the language! Yet you MUST remember, we Americans perfected it:):)}

Along with the origins of colloquialisms, I also have enjoyed researching the history of customs--driving on the left hand side of the road, Mufti Day, holiday traditions, etc. Knowing my interest, Michaela shares any tidbits she learns in her classes with me. Her Social Studies class is studying Mesopotamian history this quarter, so she has had some interesting topics of discussion-- Hammurabi's law being the most recent. I have been learning a lot about early civilization! More than I would like at times!!!
So when she came home and asked if I knew why we shake hands with our right hands, I was curious. Maybe that is why "curiosity killed the cat"!
She proceeded to tell me that we shake hands with our right hands because in Mesopotamian times, individuals used their left hands as 'toilet paper' thus making it unclean.(Ya' think!) Eating and greeting one another with a hand shake had to be done with the right hand--the 'clean' hand.

Sometimes knowledge is not power. Sometimes knowledge just gives you bad images. This is certainly not the visual I need every time I shake someone's hand.

a life lesson...

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4

This evening during the invitation at Bible study, Emma was acting up--wiggling, squirming; being a regular booger. After the prayer, I looked at her and told her I was very disappointed in her behavior and that God was very sad because she disobeyed her parents and she was disruptive to others. I told her she needed to tell God she was sorry for her behavior. Of course this broke her heart and the tears began to flow. In that moment, the lesson I was trying to teach to my child became a lesson for ME.

Emma was sincerely upset that her behavior was disappointing. No act of discipline would have had a greater impact on her little heart. When do we lose that deep emotional reaction to our disobedience? When does the genuine remorse for disobeying our heavenly Father become numb in us? How do we remain as 'little children"?

I pray Lord, that I can take the lesson that Emma taught me tonight and feel deep remorse when I have sinned. I pray that I am genuinely pained knowing I have disappointed you. I pray for my heart to be as pure as my child's. I thank you for the lesson I thought I was teaching, but I was actually learning.

..farm livin's the life for me...

There was a gentle breeze. The temperature was a mild 68. The sky was bright blue. It was a glorious day to visit Farm Haven for an afternoon of getting 'lost' in a 5 acre corn maze, taking a hay ride around the 300 acre cattle farm, saddling up for a ride on Brownie, enjoying a drive in a 1926??? Model T (the first car of one of the previous Ferguson generations!), and of course, picking out the perfect pumpkins!!!!!!

back again...

Well, Steve worked on the blog and finally got it back to the 3 column and I added my widgets back onto the side columns. ERRRR Frustrating!!!!

I just wanted to check in and let you know I have not given up posting. I will be back in full force tomorrow! Now I am off to do my Bible lesson and go to sleep.

Bye for now:)

isn't this pretty...

I went to do one thing and the template change and I lost all of the widgets I had on my sides. I am not pleased right now!!!!! I will fix it as soon as I have the patience!!

overqualified...

As I drove home from church services Sunday evening, I noticed a large sign on a warehouse off of 75. I am not sure if it is a new company or if it has always been there and I have just not noticed. Anyhoo, they are hiring for seasonal work. I told Steve about it. I figured it would at least bring in some income until he gets a 'real job'--so our savings does not have to be whittled away. He went in today for an interview and was told ...he was overqualified. WHAT?????? You have a responsible family man willing to work for you and because he has some schooling and work experience, he is overqualified. I don't get it.

Of course God knows how to get our attention and remind us who is in charge ( a frying pan across the head moment as my dear friend Holly says.) About 10 minutes into MY wallowing in self-pity and ranting about the stupidity of that line of thinking, our phone rings. On the other end is a representative from Orion International. This is a company (basically headhunters) that work with corporations across the US and with former military personnel to match jobs and place them. Steve has been in contact with them for a few weeks. They called to tell him they reall want him at the hiring conference so they are paying for him to go to the hiring convention in Chicago this weekend--travel expenses and room and board. So, as I have thanked God for opening a door for financial stability in our future and for the reminder that I do not have the control (as much as I would like to think I do), I ask for your prayers as Steve heads up to Chicago and for a company--or two or three:)--to want to hire him. ..but not in Indiana, Texas, Arizona, New England... I know, I know God knows what is best. I pray for the wisdom to see God's desire for us and not what I think is best.

just because...

sometimes you have to post

about the u*g*l*y

As much as I would like to always write about the fantastic, happy times of life, there comes a time when the sad, depressing topics must be discussed. Tonight is one of those nights:(

ALABAMA beat KENTUCKY!

We here in Kentucky are grieving.

**Not really--I just wanted to be able to post about the Crimson Tide and put Auburn colors!

I just wish I could be in Muscle Shoals when Lindsey reads this!--Love ya'

he's ba-a-a-a-ck...

Tuesday:

I had not planned on telling Emma that her Daddy was coming home. Unfortunately I did not pass that decision on to Mr. Bill at church! Sunday night I saw Emma over with Bill--attached to him actually--but did not think too much about it because she has become extremely attached to Bill and Camillia. After some time, she comes over and says something to Ms. Jennifer. Jennifer looks at me--because she had been clued in--and said "Emma, who told you your Daddy was coming home tomorrow?" AAAHHH!!!!!!! Of course the answer was, "Mr. Bill."

So she knew the secret and the questions, "When does Daddy come home?" "Is it time for Daddy's plane to land?" began. I told Bill I would have her call him and ask him every 5 minutes:):)

Because I knew Emma Shea would drive her teachers to the edge with the "Daddy questions", I let her have a mental health day {For those who do not know, that is a parent approved day to skip school. I began them with Michaela in Kindergarten. We have a few each year.} She and I slept in and then, after the 1000th question, I pulled Delta.com up and let Emma watch the plane get closer. Steve was landing at 2:20. Around 1:00, Emma asked for Cracker Barrow for lunch. She was under the impression that Mr. Joe was picking Steve up (Because they always picked us up) so I let her think that and told her we had to pick up a package before we went home. She was very concerned that Steve would be home alone; sitting in the porch.

Okay, so you remember when your child was 3 and naive. You can pull anything over on them? Well, those days are over for me. I pull into CVG, telling Emma this is where we have to pick up the package. She says, "This is an airport." We have seen no planes, how she knew it was an airport is beyond me. I tried to divert her attentions, but she insisted it was an airport. {I guess being a world traveller at the age of 5 has allowed her the ability to know what an airport looks like!} Okay, it is an airport, but this where we have to pick up our package. We wait for about 10 minutes and then luggage begins to come around the conveyor belt. I grab Steve's bags. ($550.00 worth of extra luggage I might add!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sure hope the Air Force reimburses for that expense-- I won't hold my breath though) Finally I see him come around the corner. I look at Emma Shea and say, "There is your package!" She looks around, "I don't see anything." and then she spots him. I only wish I had a video camera going because it was beautiful!!!! "Daddy" resonated throughout the baggage claim and she took off into his arms. These are the moments a parent lives for!!

I drove him home. Happy reunion with Mac, not quite as theatrical:)

We headed to Michaela's dance class, dropped her off, and then drove around to show him the changes in Florence--after not being here since January '06, there were a few things he had never seen before.

After dance, we met Joe and Kathy for dinner at L*ngH*orns and dessert at Gr*eters!! YUMMY.

My goal was to keep him awake until 7:00 so he could get on American time easier. He did really well, but on the ride home at 9:00pm, he was having a HARD time keeping his eyes open.

He is now driving MY VAN (AHHH) to Wright-Pat to out-process. I just hope he drives on the correct side of the road:):) The first few days of driving on the left side of the car and the right side of the road are AWFUL!!!!!!!!

My family is whole again.

I have given him tomorrow off--and then the honey-do list comes out:):):)

Monday:

We have just arrived back from CVG--with a package for Emma and Michaela!!!

Their DADDY is home.

Emma has not left his side----YEAH FOR ME!!!!

More later....

the mind of a 5 year old...

This morning, as I come out of the shower, I was greeted by a giggling worm under the quilt on my bed. Knowing that this worm cannot be still or quiet for more than a few seconds, I wasn't surprised when the giggling got louder and out popped Emma! I was soooo surprised:)

With the surprise over, Emma went back 'reading' her children's Bible.

E: Mommy, are the roads made of gold in heaven?"

M: Well, the Bible says the roads are paved with gold." Won't that be beautiful?"

E: So we can drive a car on them?

M: There are no cars in heaven.

E: Oh, so we need to take ours up there?

***Where do you go with that question:)

the conversation continued:

E: Where are Adam and Eve's Mommy?

M: They didn't have a Mommy. God created them so big so they didn't need mommies. They had Him.

E: Eve ate the poisonous apple because of the snake.

M: Emma, the apple wasn't poisonous. That is in the fairytales. God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit. They disobeyed him.

E: We need to make good choices.

M: Yes we do. And we do not know what kind of fruit it was. The Bible doesn't say.

This leads to 5 minutes of her insisting it WAS an apple. "See here in my Bible it is an apple!"

I let it go--for now!!!

E: What is God's real name?

M: God!

E: Oh.

Gotta love the logic of a 5 year old!!

mother of the year i am not...

I love when teachers have to tell parents something that is not going to be received well. Because this happens frequently, teachers have their own special way of saying things that sound 'positive' and polite but the underlying message is .."Your kid is a pain." "You stink as a parent." and so on. {I especially love when the teachers do not realize I taught and I know the lingo!!}

CASE IN POINT:

As Emma Shea and I are walking home from the bus, she tells me she got sick in the sink at school. We continue to the house talking about her morning. When we got home, I searched the backpack for a note explaining the circumstances of the 'sickness'--running too hard, a coughing fit, ... When I did not find anything, I called Mrs. Anderson (on her lunch break, before the afternoon students got there--teachers REALLY love that!).
The conversation went as follows:

Me: "Hello. I am sorry to interrupt your lunch, but Emma said she got sick at school today. I was just wondering what happened."

Mrs.A: "She did. I think she is fine. What came up was clear. I think it is because she was hungry. She's mentioned a few other times that she doesn't eat breakfast. I am sure she is probably one of those children who are not big breakfast eaters. Why don't we try sending in an extra snack and I can just give it to her at 9:00 or 9:30."
***TRANSLATION: "Yeah, your daughter has told us you do not feed her breakfast and she is soooo hungry she is vomiting. You suck as a mother and you need to make her eat breakfast. Since you can't seem to do your job, just send in some food and we will make sure she eats something."

Me: "No, she doesn't like to eat breakfast right when she wakes up so by the time she has been awake long enough and is hungry, she is in school. Usually she eats a Go-gurt or drinks some milk before she gets on the bus. She did eat some mandarin oranges this morning. This will be a great lesson on the consequences of not eating breakfast. "(The entire time, I am thinking.."My child has never been a great breakfast eater. I can't believe that is the reason for the vomiting.")

Mrs.A: "She ate some graham crackers and then she was fine. I am sure she will be okay!"

...conversation moves on to honoring Steve in the HOMETOWN HEROS for serving his country, etc.

So, MOTHER OF THE YEAR I am not.

***UPDATE: Guess what I have just finished doing?
Giving Emma a shower and cleaning vomit out of my van.
Yeah, she threw up because I starve her!!!! HA

i don't think so...

As we were sitting on the couch earlier, Emma Shea had this smile on her face. She looks at me and says, "Today on the bus I kissed Casey." Of course the smile quickly left her face when she looked at my expression and I proceeded to tell her she is not allowed to kiss boys. We discussed--or rather I spoke, she listened and hid her face crying--that kisses are saved for mommies and daddies. I am dreading the day Michaela has a boy call and she is 12. I certainly was unprepared to have this "conversation" with my 5 year old !

She comforted me by assuring me, "It was JUST ON THE CHEEK."

did you know...

that umbilical cords can regenerate themselves and reattach years later? No, seriously. I am living, breathing proof that cords cut (I have pictorial proof of the event) by my husband in 1996 and another by the medical team in 2003 have reattached themselves to my daughters and myself.

Stop shaking your heads at me!!!

What other explanation could there be for my daughters to have to constantly be with me; to follow me from place to place? I am sure it is not my loving patience that draws them to me--that seems to have flown out the window with Emma's ability to NOT cry at everything and Michaela's ability to use common sense. And if it is not my effervescent personality, it certainly must be that the cord has reattached itself.

I am just thankful that it is long enough to stretch to their schools!!!!!

steve, get the shot gun...

Ever since the first day of school, Emma Shea has sat next to a little boy on the Kindergarten bus. She came home talking about a new friend, but could not remember his name. After 2 or 3 days, she knew his name and she wanted to write our phone number down because he had asked her for her phone number so they could get together and play!

I do not think I am ready for my daughters being asked for a phone number--especially my 5 year old!!!

It seems as if the 'relationship' has progressed. As I was putting Emma's snack into her backpack this morning, I noticed a small piece of paper at the bottom of her bag. Upon taking it out, I realized it was a LOVE LETTER to Emma. When I asked her about it, she just smiled and said it was from Casey!!!

She is locked up until she is 25!!!!!!