Its war.....and I have not choice but to win.

5 minutes ago, I was in the zone where your almost asleep, you can feel it and are waiting happily for it to take you away. Paige is napping, Rene' is napping, and Zak is settled in on the couch with a Thomas the Train video. And now here I am blogging. Not my #1 choice of activity, because yes, I was anxiously awaiting the sandman. But like clockwork, when I lay down on my bed, all snuggled in, Rene' wakes up. Its like she can sense I'm next to her. So now she's playing, and my nap for today is only a dream.

The past few days have had me on my knees, praying for much wisdom. Paige is just 2 and 2 months and I believe we are in full blown "terrible twos". For those who don't have children, let me just tell you. Every child you have is different. Zak had terrible 3's and while they were annoying and draining, I wasn't completely stumped on how to handle them. With Paige its different. I can try every tactic I know, and she is still either crying, screaming, or being outright defiant. I have to say, Sunday was the worst day. She spent at least 3 hours on her bed crying (not straight, but cumulative), and Dr. Dobson would have been proud because we were very consistent, but Andy and I have never been so drained. I'm just lucky he was home to experience it and tag team with me. The tantrums are what get me. She has this ear piercing scream and you don't get a warning before it comes. It has been used from us giving the wrong sippy cup, the right sippy cup, because she didn't get to lay down where she wanted to for a diaper change, because I won't carry her around the house while I do my housework, you name it, she's mad about it. To top it all off, she is up at the CRACK of dawn. We're talking 6-630am EVERY MORNING. I peel my eyes open to her little voice at the side of my bed saying "apple juice, apple juice". The other day, I woke up at 5:30 to go to Wal Mart (sounds crazy, but I'm a morning person and like to do my shopping by myself, (except for the stockers) with a cup of coffee in hand. Anyway, I'm thinking if I hurry, I just might have a minute to myself to sit before I start the hustle of the morning, but as soon as I get all the groceries in the house - there she is. Its unreal.

So, for those who have blazed the path before me, if you have any ideas other than ignoring the tantrums, spankings, and time out. Let me know, because I've about worn out the prior three things.

On a random note, I won a case of Moms best Naturals cereal over at the Meal Makeover Moms website. It came with 6 boxes of all natural cereal and instant and quick oatmel. Thats an expensive prize! They have great healthy cooking tips and recipes. Check them out!

My very first music review

Its 11:10 and I'm supposed to go to my mothers at 11:30 to pick up my children who spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa. But I just want to fit in one more thing that I can't normally do without children needing food, a referee, or a playmate.



I'm going to review the new Monk and Neagle CD that I got free in the mail - before its even released.

When I get a new CD I tend to wear it out. It just stays in my CD player in the minivan and when Paige is singing every last word, then I know its time to take a little break. So if you see us driving around town, singing together, we're jammin to Monk and Neagle "The Twenty-First Time". And you can expect nothing but raw honesty from me. Promise.

Track #1 - Beautiful You. Zak's professed new fav. He likes the music. Catchy chorus too.
Track #2 - The Twenty-First Time. This one is a little convicting. I like it, but its not the one that I'm going to be driving fast to.
Track #3 - Hallelujah, Jesus. Okay, I can't seem to play this on enough. I feel like I've been to church after I hear this one. Its one of those that ushers you into the presence of God. Or actually, Andy corrected me one day and said we are always in the presence of God, its just if we choose to acknowledge it, or relish in it. Anyway, this is probably my personal favorite.
Track # 4 - Stars Would Fall. This is a sweet love song I am assuming was written for their wives. Like it
Track # 5 - What Soldiers Do. Okay this one is sad. Its one of those sad songs about a dad going off to war. I have to admit, I skip this one. I'm one who's drawn to the happy songs.
Track # 6 - Yours Forever. I don't know about this one. For some reason it reminds me of a song we'd sing at Vacation Bible School or camp. Some may beg to differ, but I said I'd be honest.
Track #7 - More than That. This one is like my prayer ever single day. It hit right at the heart and I can sing it meaning every single word. My other favorite.
Track # 8 - Wonderful Angel. Again, brutal honesty. Its got a Jamaican feel. Another love song to their wives. When I'm looking for a love song - I don't tend to want a Caribbean feel.
Track #9 - Fallin. This is a good one. Its not one that I will jump to when I'm looking for a good song, but I'm not skipping it either.
Track # 10 - Into Orbit. Now this is the one I play when then sun is shining and its like 75 degrees (in my dreams) and I have my windows rolled down and I'm just happy to be alive, singing at the top of my lungs. Its a fun one. Again, I think it was written with their wives in mind.
Track # 11 - What Soldiers Do (The Remix). I echo the review above on this song. I'm usually skipping it.

So there you have it. My official, unofficial review of the new Monk and Neagle CD, song by song. You preorder it at the earlier link or get it in stores September 18, 2007.

Randomness

My life lately has just seemed to be a lot of randomness. So I wanted to provide my faithful blog readers a post to read when your feeling like your life is dull and boring. Because this post will make you feel much better.

Things I vacuumed up today (whether on purpose or accident):

• my earring
• "Go Diego Go" stickers
• a very hard spaghetti noodle
• a crayon
• a magnet

Yesterday's most notable referee match was Zak trying to watch "The Magic School bus" while his sister Paige is playing the tambourine and maracas in his ear.

Rene' ate rice cereal for the first time.

I'm the current champion of the game "Mexican Train" much to the annoyance of Zak and Andy.

God answers prayers - there were 2 "drop off" spots at Mother's Day Out today.

Now there are somethings you didn't know about us before you read this and I know I'm really stretching it, but I'll be back to my old bloggity self soon, I hope.

Whats for dinner

I'm running low on blog material. Not that things around here haven't been busy or blogworthy - I just can't seem to put it in word form. So I'm giving you a dinner idea. I think I could eat these every day they are so good and so easy. We had these last night. Next time I'll post you a picture of it.

Turkey wrap

whole wheat flour tortilla
turkey
shredded cheese
salsa
avacado
salt and pepper

I heat mine up in the microwave for 10 seconds to get it a little warm.

Delish!!!!!

Diggin this music

I do believe I might have a new favorite for the next couple of months. Its Monk and Neagle

Click here for your special blogger preview and you can take a sample listen to their new CD. Hopefully I'll be getting a free one in the mail and will write you a little review soon!

Enjoy!!

Humble Pie

One of the things on my "to do" list is to go to culinary school. In fact, I wish I would have done that instead of getting an accounting degree. So I put myself in the adventurous category when it comes to dinnertime. I probably should have started this when I first got married, because when you have picky eating toddlers, nothing makes the "cook again" list very often.

It started yesterday at the store when I had a weak moment. I was strolling down the cereal aisle, looking for a sale. I always steer clear of the sugar cereals. I don't want to start my children's day out with a sugar high. I have no problem starting myself off on a sugar high, but just can't bring myself to do it to my children.(Except Saturday's, thats donut day - I know exactly which ones of you are cringing at that) So the stand bys are usually Honey Nut Cheerios and Rice Chex. Well, growing up, I do remember a time or two when my mom bought Fruit Loops, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch. So I thought I'd buy my kids a treat box of cereal. I would only do it every so often, just to let them taste the good things in life. I settled on the large $2 box of Lucky Charms. One of my personal fav's. This morning I brought it out proudly and told the children I bought them a treat. They were as excited as I was to eat it. Within 1 minute of serving them, Zak says to me "Mom, I don't like this - it tastes funny." I came from the kitchen just knowing I had heard him completely wrong and that he was saying how much he liked it. So I said "The marshmallows are great, aren't they?". He said "No, those colored things have a funny taste. Can I just have a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios?". I was floored. What kid didn't like marshmallows in his cereal? I gave him his Honey Nut Cheerios and the Lucky Charms off to Andy. (On a normal day, I would have eaten them, but it is day 1 of my "diet" - don't laugh) Now Paige, made me proud. When I heard her say "more Mommy", it was just as I had suspected. Every marshmallow was in her mouth at one time and there was a bowl full of "the other stuff".

Your probably wondering what cooking has to do with cold cereal. We're getting there, I promise.

So tonight I'm pumped because I am cooking something called Shrimp Teriayaki Noodles. I've never cooked with shrimp before and decided it was time. Plus the recipe was super easy and healthy. We have this rule at the table. Its called the "No thank you bite". The kids have to take at least one bite of what I cook and if they don't like it, they can say "No thank you" and not eat it. I'm not cooking them anything else, but they don't have to eat it. Anyway, we are having a great conversation about shrimp and where it comes from and Zak gets one on his fork and says - okay, I'll try it. Immediately he says - "Um, no thank you". I told him I was very proud of him trying the shrimp and he didn't have to eat anymore. Then it happened........the gagging. I'm like "spit it on your plate if you don't like it - SPIT IT ON YOUR PLATE!!!!". But it was too late. Up came the shrimp and everything else he had eaten in the last few hours. I was totally and completely grossed out. He said he wasn't sick, it was just the shrimp. My excitement at my semi-ethnic meal was totally gone. And after the clean up, I couldn't stomach but one bite.

Those Lucky Charms sure tasted good. And I will have to redo day 1 of my "diet" tomorrow.

Summer Crack

This is what summer is all about.

Having so much fun in the water, you don't relize your pants are falling off.

Spontinaity

So we're enjoying a nice dinner last night when my mom called. She was feeling a little spontaneous and wanted to go to a movie and wondered if I wanted to go. I don't know why she even had to ask. She knew the answer. She said we could take Zak too and see the new Disney movie Ratatouille. Andy was not hip on the idea of staying home with the girls so we made it a family affair. Within 20 minutes, we were out the door and in the movie theater. In the midst of the excitement of escaping an ordinary evening at home, I didn't quite think through what we were actually doing: taking an infant, 2 year old, - AT BEDTIME.

It starts with us chatting happily waiting for the movie to start when its long past 6:55, the start time. I look around and think to myself, "How funny that all these adults are going to a kid movie". So I run out and look and realize we are about to take our children to "License to Wed". So our entire entourage (much to the excitement of the other adults in the theater, I'm sure) pick up our children and belongings and move over a theater where we're at the tail end of the previews. No harm done there.

Andy's not happy with the seat choice, but I say the back of the theater is best. And I have to say, I was completely right. It begins with Rene's poopy diaper. I know good and well she's not going to fall asleep during the movie with a poopy diaper. I sure don't want to drag her and all the stuff to a bathroom where there might not be a changing table. So I changed a poopy diaper, in her car seat, in the dark. Wish I would have taken a pic for you of what that looked like when we got home.

Through the course of the movie, which was 2 hours long I went from every seat in the back row, to the lobby, to standing in the back. I thought for a brief moment - I probably should have stayed home with the girls - then I remembered the dinner dishes sitting on the table and the stove and thought "No, I'd definitely rather be here"

By the end of the movie, Rene' has pretty much just watched her first full length feature film at the age of 5 months, Paige is sleeping on my lap in the back row, and Zak has run up and down the back 7 rows while never taking his eyes off the screen. Despite all the distractions, we all actually enjoyed the movie. Sure beat doing those dinner dishes! Except I had to do them this morning.

The Red Box

Have you ever rented a movie from the Red Box at McDonalds? Thats our new favorite video store. Its only a dollar and they have new movies too. The only downfall is that its not the quickest process. So I hit the Red Box last night because we got a free movie there. It was a Friday night so there was a line. It was the first guys first time to rent from the machine and it takes a little time to figure it out. I didn't have kids with me so no big deal. I chose a spot to sit and wait. The next family moves up to rent. As the dad is renting, the mom asks me if I heard about the 10 yr old and 12 year old who kidnapped the baby. She proceeded to tell me the ENTIRE story, with the dad turning his attention from the task at hand to interject his thoughts and feelings. He finally finished, and then said, "Hey, it only gave me 2 movies, and I wanted 3." So he turns back to the machine and begins another rental. By this time, I have to say, I was slightly annoyed. I didn't want to spend the Entire evening outside of McDonalds. But I felt sorry for the lady behind me because it looked like she was just returning one, and her ride was waiting for her by the curb. The man ends his 20 minutes at the red box saying, "Oh man, I'm at my limit because Stuart hasn't returned my other movies so it won't let me get "Pandora's Box". This is just a guess, but he is probably better off by not filling his mind with entertainment called "Pandora's Box". I decide to let the woman behind me go ahead because she is just returning a video. Well, after brushing by me without even a "thank you" she shoves her DVD into the machine and is off to the truck waiting by the curb. Of course after she leaves the machine spits her DVD back out. I think to myself "She's luck I am here because I'll try it again for her." I tried 3 times and now there's a line forming behind me so I open it up and the man behind me says - "It won't take that because its a music CD". No wonder that woman ran off. She put an Enya CD back in the case, not the movie. I of course explained to the man behind me that it wasn't mine, stuck it on top of the red box and completed my transaction. If it was an honest mistake, she's going to learn a lesson after her credit card is charged $1 a day until she gets her next credit card statement. If she was trying to steal the movie she's still dumb because her credit card will be charged $1 a day until she returns it. And now she doesn't have the case.

There are a few things to learn from this story:
1. You can't steal a movie when the place you got it from has your credit card number.
2. Don't think you can just run up to McD's and rent a movie real quick
3. The dollar rental isn't worth it if its going to cost you more than a dollar.

I'm a rebel, I know

I'm doing it. I'm posting pics on my blog. My thought is, Andy doesn't even know how to pull up my blog, nor does he have the desire to. And I'm using alternate names so there is no way anyone will track us down here in Minnesota. So here are a few pics from the 4th of July photo shoot.

4th of July hangover

Yep. That's what my kids have. A 4Th of July hangover. Not because they drank an alcoholic beverage, but because they played harder than I've seen them play in awhile. And it just wouldn't be a holiday if one of them didn't have a fever. The lucky one was Paige.

The day started as I lovingly made my family pancakes for breakfast. Zak doesn't associate pancakes as a breakfast food. He thinks they're for dinner so he was really surprised. I then packed up some snacks and drinks and sent Andy with the 2 oldest to the parade. I don't know how I worked it but he just took the snacks, kids, and chairs and went without a complaint. That gave me 3 HOURS to myself. It was bliss. I made a salad and homemade ice cream - I just felt so "American".

So of course when we reach the BBQ I notice Paige's eyes are really red. When she is coming down with something her eyes get red. Its a nice tip off. But the only 4Th of July event of the day for me and I have a sick one. Thankfully, my friend passed some Tylenol my way and she was good to go for 3 hours. I took the girls home early while the guys stayed for the fireworks. She of course woke up on fire and I can only hope my friends don't take me off the list for possibly infecting 8 other children. But the good news is the fever was gone by lunch and all I had left to deal with were the cranks. And my way of dealing with those is simple. Nap time.

So there is a completely uneventful post for my less than favorite holiday.

I feel for you Noah

It is out of control. The rain has got to stop. I don't live in Seattle for a reason. ITS SO DEPRESSING!!!!

The crazy thing - there are frogs everywhere. While Andy was mowing the lawn between rains, there were baby frogs jumping for their lives. And we're not just talking about a few. We're talking like 50. As you can imagine, this provided much delight to Zak and Paige. Zak made a best friend, or like 5, because 4 of them died at the hands the kid. At one point, Andy said he had to tell him to quit playing with the little lifeless body. Zak had no idea the little frog was dead, he was having a ball. I was driving down the wet street the other night and the teenage frogs were out, because the frog posse was jumping down the street in unison.

On to another subject. I hate the 4th of July. Its like New Years Eve. I feel like I should be doing something glamorous and I never am. It will be hot, undoubtably muggy, and we'll be sitting around wondering if we should go to the town carnival or just stay home. I'm going to vote "no" on the carnival because I just know I will run into an ex boyfriend from high school and since I just had a baby 4 months ago I'm not quite in the shape I prefer to be in when I see someone who dumped me. Even if it was 15 years ago. We do have a BBQ to go to that evening so I shouldn't be so negative. That will be a nice end to a boring day.

And lastly, my latest addiction. Peanut Butter M&Ms. Andy picked some up at the store the other day and I can't let a bag of chocolate sit around a few days like he can. When he finally got to them he couldn't believe how many were gone. I said "And how many years have you been married to me? That should be a no brainer." After he polished off the rest of the bag he apologized. The are that good people. Go out and get yourself a bag.