tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198011242024-03-13T23:11:02.003-04:00The InsiderLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-70476964484362302292011-01-04T16:28:00.003-05:002011-01-04T16:43:33.491-05:00Happy New Year!<div>Wow.<br /><br />Can you say long overdue?<br /><br />2010 became a bit of a crazy, hectic, traumatic year for me....for us as a family. I'm praying that 2011 is much better.<br /><br />I learned a long time ago that I rarely stick with my "New Years Resolutions" so I'm not really making any. I am setting goals for this year though.<br /><br />1. Write on my blog regularly.<br />2. Quit drinking Mt. Dew...for good.<br />3. Focus on my relationship with my husband.<br />4. Work on sticking to a budget.<br /><br />I'm hoping that writing on my blog will give me a release as it used to and allow me to sit back and reflect on life and maybe not focus on the negatives (which I tended to do a lot during 2010). I need this for myself. To look back on in 2, 5, 10 years and laugh and cry as I remember all the little things that seem a distant memory.<br /><br />By quitting the Dew...again...I'm hoping to work on getting my weight under control. Because I will also be starting my dance class again on Thursday nights. No Mt. Dew + Exercise = Healthier, Skinnier Lisa. Win-Win.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TSOUSTWsJNI/AAAAAAAAAVY/rhV6LnbrQv0/s1600/family+at+zoo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558449407259321554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TSOUSTWsJNI/AAAAAAAAAVY/rhV6LnbrQv0/s320/family%2Bat%2Bzoo.JPG" border="0" /></a>You'll notice that it doesn't say "focus on the kids or family". It says focus on my husband. There's a reason for that. Somewhere along the way, we have lost ourselves as a couple. We get so wrapped up in all the family stuff and parenting and dealing with the schools and a special needs child and bills and laundry and dishes and, and, and.... Well, we've lost who WE are together. As well as who we are individually. We started seeing a therapist and she's really encouraging us to have "date nights" every 3 weeks at least and then some time for ourselves weekly. The key to this is SCHEDULING. We are really trying though. After spending a whole day (blessed be! seriously an entire day with my husband and no kids!) it was easier to remember why we got married and love each other.<br /><br />Ahhh, the elusive budget. I've tried setting budgets in the past...however, it was MY budget and not a family budget. Now, Chuck and I are going to work together to accomplish this and set some goals so that we can not be flying by the seat of our pants all the time.<br /><br />So there you have it. Those are my goals. Somewhere in there fits the kids, chores, school, Pure Romance, friends, work and sleep. But I feel that I'll have a partner this year.</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-10954419509453793172010-07-15T15:33:00.002-04:002010-07-15T15:38:49.510-04:00A Mother's Life Changing Prayer<div>Dear Lord,</div><div></div><br /><div>Please give me the strength to face every challenge, the peach I need to hear Your voice and patience when I feel angry or stressed. Help me be kind and caring to those around me. Let me be an example of Your grace and love to my family. Help me to not raise my voice, but to raise my children to serve and love You. Fill my life and my home with Your joy. Amen</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494219539610623922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TD9jj8iAX7I/AAAAAAAAAVE/edqA7sy31hY/s320/Picture+063.jpg" border="0" /> <div> </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-89805648804914641182010-06-10T16:51:00.005-04:002010-06-10T16:57:56.762-04:00Life is a test, right?Do you ever feel like you're drowning?<br /><br />You hear about drowning in water.<br /><br />Drowning in debt.<br /><br />Drowning in alcohol.<br /><br />Drowning in sadness.<br /><br />Look it up on google...there tons of opportunities and ways to "drown".<br /><br />It's so cliche to say it but that's how I feel today. I feel like I'm drowning in life.<br /><br />Mentally, physically, emotionally-I'm just exhausted.<br /><br />I'm glad that school is over. I'm glad that soccer is over (even though now baseball for Zachary has started.) I'm glad that this weekend is Gizzard Fest where I'm having a Pure Romance booth because that means that the planning and prepping for it will be done.<br /><br />I need a mental health day from work. Problem is I just don't have the time to take it...seems like everyone else's needs come before mine. I guess that's what being a mom is all about, right? I know that there are people in my life who feel that I don't do enough. I'm not home enough. I'm not motherly enough. I'm just not....enough of anything.<br /><br />That weighs heavily on me too. Because as a mom and wife and daughter and friend and consultant and a human, I want to be. But I feel like I'm burning both ends of the candle and in doing so am not good enough at anything.<br /><br />Shoot, my brain is like swiss cheese!!! Last night I forgot the simplest task of getting garbage bags from the store. The day before? Forgot about the retirement party for the kids' principal. The day before that? Forgot to give the dog medicine for his skin allergies. Do you see a pattern? The list goes on.....day after day I don't seem to have the time to get it all done, the energy to do it nor the memory to be able to remember all the minor things that I need to take care of. And then I feel like a failure for not being able to accomplish the deeds that I *should* be doing and need to be doing.<br /><br />And to think...."experts" keep saying to take time for yourself. I read the articles and I think "when?" There's always one more load of laundry to do. One more phone call to make or email to send. One more contact to make in order to work my business. I can't even think straight let alone try to schedule in time for me. I used to find the morning shower as "me" time where I would think and contemplate....and lately all I can do in the shower is run through all the things that I have to do that day...in between <s>yelling</s> asking the kids to keep it down so their sister can sleep in.<br /><br />Last weekend (pics have to be uploaded) the kids ran the Michigan Mile. Zachary wasn't happy with his time and wants to improve. I told him that I think it's wonderful and I'd love to help him towards that goal as I need to get more fit and active too. So we're going to train together and I'll work on the Couch to 5k program. Problem is.......when?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481251834168499634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TBFRgJQSXbI/AAAAAAAAAU0/hP4TeWbsYTg/s320/busy+mom+2.jpg" border="0" /> So, as a working mom, how do you fit everything into a 24 hour period and still keep your sanity and the days straight and all the bills paid on time and the kids and husband happy? Then how do you fit in YOU time? I'm interested in possibilities because I'm obviously not there....<br /><br />Until tomorrow-Keep on buzzing,<br /><br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-1029804460732996092010-06-09T17:06:00.004-04:002010-06-09T17:10:56.630-04:00Pure Romance and Therapy collide!Last week, I received a call from a physical therapist for a therapy center here in the greater Lansing area who deals with physical therapy to help with bladder control. A friend of a friend attends this therapy center and they got talking during their session (probably trying to keep the clients mind off the pain of the therapy!) and Pure Romance came up.<br /><br />I'm so excited that it did!! This therapist recommends to her patients the use of vibrators, ben wa balls and similar toys to help strenghthen the vaginal walls which in turn also helps with the strength of the bladder. Therefore, increasing the ability to control the bladder.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Well because the bladder and the vagina are located in basically one and the same space. Stregnthen one and the other benefits as well. Due to child birth, menopause, age or other medical reasons, often times a woman's bladder muscles and vaginal muscles become loose. The old adage of "if you don't use it, you lose it" holds true. If you aren't exercising those muscles, the muscles will stop working for you and doing what you need them to do.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TBADJPsT0ZI/AAAAAAAAAUs/lg-boPYMJBs/s1600/how-to-do-kegels-de-medium_new.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480884203875979666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TBADJPsT0ZI/AAAAAAAAAUs/lg-boPYMJBs/s320/how-to-do-kegels-de-medium_new.jpg" border="0" /></a>I know. After having 3 children, I can't cough, laugh hard, sneeze or turn the wrong way without the worry of bladder problems and therefore am constantly crossing my legs. And regardless of how funny my husband and children think it is that mom pees her pants....it's <b>embarrassing</b>!! I will be the first one to admit that I've tried to do the Kegel exercises that are highly recommended and effective and while I'll start out doing them well, I'll get side-tracked and forget that I was supposed to be working <i>those</i> muscles. That's where the ben wa balls come in so handy! These small balls are inserted inside you, and with some instruction, help you to do the Kegel exercises the correct way and remind you that you need to continue working on those exercises!<br /><br />However, often times women feel uncomfortable going into the all too often seedy, trashy, men-frequented adult stores where they'd be leered at (I know....) and would love to have an opportunity to talk with a <b>woman</b> in the comfort of their own home who knows about the health benefits, as well as the fun benefits, to our products!<br /><br />So, tonight, I'm going to meet the said therapist and take her some information regarding Pure Romance products that may be of interest to their clientele in particular: Fresh Start, Ben Wa Balls, Vaginal Dialaters as well as the full line of vibrators and toys. Pure Romance by Lisa catalogs and information will be included in their client informational guide that is available to all clients in the office.<br /><br />I feel so privelaged. THIS is one of the reasons I love Pure Romance and I love doing it. I enjoy helping woman. Empowering them to take control of their own body, learn and know their own body in a safe, comfortable, one on one way. It makes my heart soar to know that I may help some of these woman get control of their bodies back.<br /><br />Until tomorrow-keep on buzzing!<br /><br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-28937013225522427252010-06-04T20:08:00.003-04:002010-06-04T20:55:19.491-04:00My Husband Rocks: MHR Friday<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAmgJ7OqX6I/AAAAAAAAAUk/51YvRlBgFBI/s1600/SDC11830.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479086514051375010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAmgJ7OqX6I/AAAAAAAAAUk/51YvRlBgFBI/s320/SDC11830.JPG" /></a> <div>I feel its far past the time to revive the <a href="http://honestandlasting.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-husband-rocks-friday.html">MHR Friday post</a>.</div><br /><div></div><div>What is MHR? Well, its a post every Friday where you delve into why your husband ROCKS...whether it's a list of things that he's done that week, something special he's done lately, or just a general post of why he rocks your socks...but a post non-the-less all about the most important man in your life so he knows how much you appreciate him.</div><div></div><br /><div>Because honestly, in my house, I know I don't say those three words enough. No...not I love you. I do say that. But <i>"I appreciate you."</i> </div><div></div><br /><div>And right now...I appreciate what a great dad Chuck is. I know sometimes being a parent to a special/high needs child can be tough....but Chuck does a great job with it. He's so hands on and attends all the IEP meetings, goes to the school to deal with the suspensions, talks to the teacher/aide daily as well as does fun things like taking Zachary fishing (which is what he's doing while I'm typing this now....) or Lucas skateboarding on his new skateboard.</div><div></div><br /><div>I appreciate the fact that he cooked dinner every night this week...except for the night he took Zachary to baseball. And not just macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. Pork curry with homemade curry sauce. Steak and chicken on the grill with fiesta vegetables. Spaghetti with garlic toast. </div><div></div><br /><div>Doing dishes and keeping them up on a nightly basis. I hate HATE the dishes....with a passion. therefore I really appreciate Chuck for doing this particular chore!</div><div></div><br /><div>I appreciate that he hasn't yelled and screamed at me for messing things up this week. Enough said.</div><div></div><br /><div>This week is over...but the weekend is just starting and I'm really looking forward to another weekend at home with my loving husband and awesome children.</div><div></div><br /><div>So until tomorrow-keep on buzzing!</div><div></div><br /><div>Lisa</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-86126474766203151302010-06-03T23:10:00.001-04:002010-06-04T10:35:17.909-04:00IEP, EI, BP, Oh My!Today was the last IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting with Zachary’s “team” for the school year. (Zachary is classified as EI, emotionally impaired, for his ADHD and bipolar)<br /><br />I’m relieved that this year is OVER. It has been an absolutely HORRIBLE year.<br /><br />Let’s recap just a bit: He was kicked out of school numerous times for throwing his desk over, pushing his teacher, and finally pushing over a bookcase.<br /><br />That was the last straw for us and we had him moved permanently in May-full day to the special ed classroom where he stayed with his full time aide and had one on one instruction with her based on what his teacher was teaching in the classroom (since he’s actually at/above grade level in all subjects).<br /><br />While he still was obstinate and refusing to do work, at least he was no longer a physical threat and didn’t even try to be a physical threat.<br /><br />Why? My perception (and as my husband always reminds me perception defines reality) is that he was in a constant power struggle with his teacher and his first aide. There was <b>no</b> trust there from Zachary…he didn’t feel that they were on his side.<br /><br />And its no wonder. His first aide was down right confrontational with him and us. Told me that she doesn’t argue with him…right after she told me that she ripped the pencil from his hand (after repeatedly being told that showing a sign of aggression like this will only escalate the situation) and when he balked at it and said “hey you can’t do that!” she said “I can, I will, and I just did.” Um, yea. Way to get into a pissing match with a 7 year old.<br /><br />His teacher yesterday said that she would sneak up behind him and when he was least expecting it, rip the pencil from his hand.<br /><br />Does anyone see a pattern?<br /><br />Seriously, I understand that my child is difficult. TRUST ME, I understand this I’ve lived with him for 8 years now, but really?<br /><br />I’m so glad that the special ed department is finally, fully involved. They’ve called out the teacher and the aide for not following the behavioral plan (BP) set forth. I wanted to cry for joy. Finally!!<br /><br />And today, I got to meet his 3rd grade teacher…and right off the bat, she had an AWESOME idea!!! I wanted to jump for joy. An idea! All her own that made perfect sense and would truly help! She’s a younger teacher (no offense to the older teachers) but I’m really hoping that this means that maybe she’ll be a little more open and accepting to trying new things, doing things maybe not in the “norm” and not telling us every step of the way that “it’s not feasible in her classroom.”<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAkO7XnWEgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/tWNFDf7N9dw/s1600/Just+Zachary.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478926834787029506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAkO7XnWEgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/tWNFDf7N9dw/s320/Just+Zachary.JPG" border="0" /></a>So as it stands now, Zachary will go to his 3rd grade classroom for announcements and Pledge of Allegiance, then go to the resource room with his aide for English/Language Arts and Math…both of which he’s very proficient at but which they open the room up during and make it into one HUGE room with the other 3rd grade class….and 50 kids in one classroom? Wow. Way too overstimulating. Then he’ll go back to 3rd grade for lunch and the afternoon subjects of science and social studies.<br /><br />I’m hopeful for next year.<br /><br />But then again I always am.<br /><br />A quick funny before I sign off…<br /><br />Zachary was reading a Hardy Boys book to me tonight before bedtime. They were talking about finding a scalp. I asked Zachary if he knew what a scalp was. He responded: “Yep! It’s the head from here (indicated the mid forehead) back with the hair. But I wonder how they get it off….do they use a potato peeler or a knife?”<br /><br />I chuckled. He said “What? I’m serious!”<br /><br />Until tomorrow-Keep on Buzzing!<br /><br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-51600611909045597132010-06-02T22:19:00.002-04:002010-06-03T16:30:44.474-04:00Fried Green Tomatoes & Hump Day Help!<div>So today is Hump Day. I love hump day. Hump is just a super fun word to say. And it reminds me of one of my favorite things in the world.<br /><br />I always start off my Pure Romance parties by introducing myself and letting them know that I started with Pure Romance to have <b>fun</b> and to talk about my favorite thing in the world which is sex. One of my rules for the evening is for them to have fun as well….and not just here for the evening, but also my goal is for them to learn something new, exciting and interesting and buy something to take home and have fun there too!<br /><br />So hump day is the perfect day to talk about sex. Now, what exactly does sex have to do with Fried Green Tomatoes? Nothing, necessarily with the food…but actually a lot to do with the movie. There is an underlying tone in the movie that has to do with Evelyn (played by Kathy Bates) trying to spice up her relationship and romance before realizing that she has to be happy with <b><i>herself</b></i> and know herself before she can truly be happy in her relationship. (At least that’s the gist I get from the movie…and since this is my blog…that’s what matters.)<br /><br />I was watching Fried Green Tomatoes last night, enjoying the scene where she goes to the “Relationship Seminar” with her good friend and the facilitator tells them that they are going to learn how to put the spark and the romance back into their marriage. Evelyn sits there for the entire class and visualizes herself making a dress out of clear plastic wrap and meeting her husband at the door in just that and nothing else.<br /><br />Evelyn was on the right track in my book! What man wouldn’t want to see their wife in something scanty and kinda see through that they can rip off and have no worries about how much it cost? One of the new products that Pure Romance just came out with is called “Tie Me Up” tape…yes, I know it sounds kinky and if you’re into that kind of thing, this is definitely for you! However, it’s got multiple purposes!!! Imagine using this tape that sticks to itself to make a dress or bra and panties or anything that your mind can imagine to dress up in? Maybe a little choker collar and wristlets? Meet your husband at the door or be laying out on the bed for him after he gets out of the shower after a long hard day of work….again, $12 worth of fun that he can rip off of you in an animalistic nature when the time is right and not worry about the cost of the clothing ;) Win-win situation!<br /><br />Later on in the movie she goes to another seminar where they all lay around and look at their own vaginas in a mirror. While I wouldn’t actually advocate doing this in a crowded room with your friends…I could say there may be some merit in doing this. I always advocate that women must know their own bodies and know how to really <i>work</i> their bodies so they can tell their spouses how to make that sometimes elusive O happen…or maybe just more explosive!! There is a fantastic book out there called <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAgQzHiKjAI/AAAAAAAAAUU/W_R71aSqsXg/s1600/tickle-your-fancy-book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478647417077926914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAgQzHiKjAI/AAAAAAAAAUU/W_R71aSqsXg/s320/tickle-your-fancy-book.jpg" border="0" /></a>“Tickle your Fancy” and it details all the female erogenous zones and not just where they are at but how to best make them work for you!! Again, while I don’t necessarily think that reading this book and trying out the positions with 15 of your best friends in the room is really the way you should go (but if you want to, then by all means!) maybe reading the book and trying them out with your husband or significant other may very well make you start singing it’s praises as well!</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-41400327348506093202010-06-01T21:11:00.004-04:002010-06-01T22:08:51.567-04:00To new beginningsSo I have committed to blogging every day during the month of June through the use of NaBloPoMo (you know....National Blog Posting Month!) Anyone who has been reading my blog from the beginning may remember that I did this for a couple of Novembers and actually accomplished it once...it seems so long ago now. Well before the addition of the third child, school for 2 children, after-school activities and sports, my Pure Romance business and all the added chaos that comes with all of those things. However, I'm really wanting to get back into blogging to be able to look back on the funny things my kids have done or said, remind myself that I'm married to a wonderful guy (for those maybe not-so-wonderful days) and maybe help some readers with sex tips and relationship ideas that occassionally spew forth. Oh, and maybe through my blogging someone, somewhere may feel not quite so alone in the battle against IEP's, schools, children with bipolar and ADHD and the constant fights that ensue with everyone regarding all of it.<br /><br />NaBloPoMo may just be the kick in the ass that I need to get that motivation up again.<br /><br />It's funny that I opened my email this morning to the email stating that this month's NaBloPoMo's theme is NOW after this weekend when blogging was on my mind several times. There was so many opportunities for me to say..."I <i>so</i> need to write that down because I know I'll forget it in a few months let alone a few years!" And some of the things that my kids are coming out with lately are definitely things that need to be brought up at their high school graduation open house....or at least used as black mail to get my way for a change when they are older.<br /><br />So, as I get ready to go to bed (I was up early this morning!) I'll end it with one such saying.<br /><br />Last night, we went to dinner as it was raining, we'd worked on the house for the better part of the day and was just plain pooped out. As we're sitting at the table, Elizabeth looked across the table and said out of the blue "I like you Zachary!" <3><br /><br /><div>I told her that was very nice of her to say!</div><br /><div></div><div>She then quickly followed up that statement with "I'm gonna bonk you on the head and put you in a hole."</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Um, yea. I'm blaming Spongebob for that one ;)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477990895879514162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/TAW7sje46DI/AAAAAAAAAUM/eqD3aB1fqsE/s320/DSCF1014+(2).jpg" /> Until tomorrow...Keep on buzzing!<br /><p>Lisa </p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-18963716329682991722010-04-18T11:59:00.003-04:002010-04-18T12:21:34.546-04:00Good Bye GrandmaLast night I spent the evening at a place that I had hoped I wouldn’t be at for a long time.<br /><br />But on February 24, when I found out that my Grandma had brain cancer and was given 30-60 days to live, I knew I’d be at the funeral home soon.<br /><br />Thursday evening my Grandma B passed away; gently and peacefully into her forever life where the pain from the cancers and the confusion from the dementia will haunt her no longer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/S8sv1Q8JQ_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/itWb7w7Le38/s1600/DSCF7275.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/S8sv1Q8JQ_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/itWb7w7Le38/s320/DSCF7275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461511565243663346" border="0" /></a>At the funeral home, they had slips of papers about 4 x 5 where they asked friends and family to share memories of my Grandma. My nephews were diligently writing their memories of their Great Grandma and I picked up one to start writing my memories as well…and then realized that my memories of the 33 years with my Grandma could never fit on a paper that small.<br /><br />In fact, they may not fit on a whole page as my heart is filled with memories of spending time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.<br /><br />One of my earliest memories of Grandma is sharing her “special water” with me. I had to have been the age of my oldest son now…that’s how long ago this was. Grandma’s special water was like water sent from the heavens themselves. It was sooo good…certainly better than the water in Swartz Creek. I went home and spent weeks, literally, trying to find out the special recipe for Grandma’s water because I was sure there was something in it. I tried plain water, sugar, vanilla and salt amidst other combinations and could never find the Grandma’s water! It wasn’t until much later in life when we were talking about that incident one evening that Grandma laughingly revealed her water was Peppermint Schnapps and water!! Needless to say, we had some on the spot.<br /><br />Growing up, we spent a lot of time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. And Halloween was no exception. After we went trick-or-treating to all the neighbors in about a 10 block radius and waited on the sidewalk for my mom to finish chatting with <i>every. single. one. </i>of the neighbors, we would pile in the car to head out to the next town to see Grandma and Grandpa. They lived in a tiny little house….barely bigger than my very first apartment. My Grandpa (Square Wheels) would inevitably be on the c.b. squawking about this or that and Grandma (aka Swedish Ivy) would meet us in the kitchen with our Halloween baggies. Those are what I remember the most. They were regular brown paper lunch saks, but to me as a kid they held the sustenance of life. She would always have it rolled down twice and there would be grease marks on the outside. It was the same goodies every single year. I looked forward to Grandma’s treat bags knowing that some of my favorites would be in there. There was 2 cupcakes with orange frosting and some type of Halloween decoration…a spider ring, witch stick, or some type of poker that my brothers and I would later get in trouble with as we poked each other with the pointy end. A handful of each: Mary Janes, Bit o’ Honey, and Halloween foil wrapped chocolate candies. Still, to this day, I love me some Bit O’Honey. Every time I see those little candies, I’m reminded of my Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Halloween and those grease marked brown lunch bags. I remember thinking how much Grandma must love us to <b>make</b> us such treat bags and not just give us the traditional tiny candy bar.<br /><br />Then there were the weekends out at the lake when Grandma and Grandpa had the trailer out there. Grandpa would take me fishing and we’d bring the blue gills home to Grandma. It was there that she taught me to scale and clean out fish…and cook fresh fish so that I’d actually eat them! I always knew when we were at Grandma and Grandpa’s trailer from the sign that said “If you see the trailer rockin…Don’t bother knockin!”<br /><br />Then there are little things that were just *Grandma* like:<br /><br />Her deep love of the color purple.<br /><br />How much she enjoyed her flowers and the birds. Grandma had a bird clock that would chirp every hour on the hour with a different bird call. She loved the birds and that clock. I’m lucky enough to have that in my living room now…and every time I hear it, I think of her.<br /><br />Her jewelry and rings that were always coordinated with whatever it was that she was wearing.<br /><br />How much she loved Grandpa.<br /><br />The polka!!! Oh how she loved to polka. I remember dancing the polka with her more times than I can count.<br /><br />Blueberry Pie. Her and I shared a love of blueberry pie and she’d always make one for me during holidays.<br /><br />Oyster Stew. It was a New Years eve tradition to have oyster stew. Grandma would make it and Grandma, Grandpa, Dad and I would enjoy. (The rest of the family would eat frozen pizza!)<br /><br />Her giggle and how her eyes would light up when she laughed. And when my brothers and I really got her laughing, how she’d laugh so hard that she’d cry.<br /><br />Her wet kisses. I’m sure my brothers and cousin will totally agree with me that Grandma’s kisses were of the wet and smacking variety. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.<br /><br />How when Chuck would tease her, she’d jut out her bottom jaw and narrow her eyes at him…till she realized he was teasing her when she’d laugh and say “ooooh you!”<br /><br />Leaning down to kiss her great grandkids. She loved to cuddle them as infants and as toddlers she’d lean down to kiss them and recently with the older great-grandkids she was almost eye to eye with them!<br /><br />So as I say good-bye to my Grandma, and others say good bye to their Mama, sister, aunt, cousin or friend, I am reminded that our memories will live on forever of her.<br /><br />Rest in peace, Grandma. You will be missed.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-10086430024291794252010-03-31T16:37:00.002-04:002010-03-31T16:53:17.967-04:00Time keeps on rolling.....<div><span style="font-family:georgia;">First of, I should probably apologize. Not that I have any readers left, but maybe someone still might check in. It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. There’s definitely been times in the last 2 months that I’ve seen something that made me say “oh! I need to blog that!” but time seems to get away from me much quicker now than ever before. Plus, I think the lexapro has been a huge help in me being a calmer, gentler Lisa with less to bitch about.<br /><br />However, I’ve not taken my lexapro for a couple weeks now. Not because I don’t have it. Not because I don’t still NEED it. But you’ve probably heard the story before about people stopping their meds because they feel so much better? Yea, well……<br /><br />But today for some reason, things are getting emotional for me. I feel like a huge ball of emotions and at any moment I’m going to start crying. Probably my damn period coming on (sorry, TMI) but it usually does it to me.<br /><br />So what’s happening that’s causing this sadness? Well, where should I start?<br /><br />Four weeks ago, my grandma was diagnosed with brain cancer…the most aggressive type of brain cancer too. So, after going to the hospital with a suspected stroke, we found out about the brain cancer and the fact she had 30-60 days of life left. Even though I’m not really close to this grandma, the idea of losing my grandma has taken me a bit aback. I do love her and have very fond memories of her home as a child and special things she did for us (i.e. Halloween Treat bags!) Now 30 days has gone by and I went to visit her on Sunday and had to hold myself in check the entire time I was there so as not to burst out in tears. <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 512px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 384px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/billybobjoejimbo/Dscn3456.jpg" border="0" />My grandma is already gone. Sure, her body is there. The shell of the person she used to be but she’s gone. What’s left is someone who resembles an old person with the mind of an infant. She has to be fed, changed, cannot speak or struggles desperately to speak and when she can’t she becomes so extremely frustrated. I do believe that somewhere in her brain that’s not affected by the tumor she remembers what things *should* be like and that makes it even sadder for me. I do hope that the good Lord finds in his heart to allow her to slip away peacefully in her sleep soon before pain sets in as well as this loss of person.<br /><br />And then Easter is on Sunday. My mom and dad are spending Easter with my Grandma, aunt and uncles. But, the general consensus is that Grandma cannot handle having all the grandkids around nor do the kids really need to see her in that state…allowing them to remember Great Grandma as she was. We aren’t visiting Chuck’s family either. And our friends that were visiting for dinner are no longer. So for the first time in my life, literally, we have no place to go for Easter but our own home. I’m saddened by this; especially after spending Christmas without family as well since Chuck, Elizabeth and myself were very sick for all of Christmas break. I feel let down…but maybe I can find some fun things to do with the kids to make this Easter a memorable one for them.<br /><br />Lastly, Parent Teacher conferences were last night at school. Lucas is “simply enjoyable and easily the student at the top of the class!” and is reading and sounding out words like nobody’s business and has 58 out of 25 sight words already memorized. I’m so proud of him.<br /><br />Zachary, on the other hand, is a different story. Problem is his teacher and Chuck and I have different reasons on why we believe he’s having difficulties. OUR assertion is that a) he’s either not understanding what is being required of him or b) the process of getting something from his brain to the paper in writing assignments is not working. His teacher; however, feels that Zachary is not trying and being stubborn and obstinate that “goes beyond his mood disorder”. WE tried to explain to her the difficulties in writing and how it can be difficult but she’ll have none of it.<br /><br />So, it saddens me that someone so bright is being given up on as a lost cause (by his teacher only!) because he’s “not trying” vs maybe finding some new way to break into his world and help him to understand or learn a new way to write. Luckily, the special ed resource teacher seems to be more understanding. I’m glad that she’s getting involved as well…it’s about time.<br /><br />I will end in a positive note though! I’m trying to turn a new leaf and find the positives as well J My Pure Romance business is taking off leaps and bounds and just this month I earned enough profit to buy the family a wall mount flat screen t.v. It’s WONDERFUL. And I can’t wait until this weekend when we mount it and gain some room in our living room!<br /><br />I’m making a commitment to blogging again. As I’m trying to get Zachary to journal nightly, I’ll take the time to journal with him. Practice what you preach….plus I’m sure he’ll love looking back on my thoughts and journals when he gets older as I love reviewing my grandma’s things….<br /><br />So until then....Keep on buzzing….<br /><br />Lisa</span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-62094625940158449452009-10-29T21:16:00.004-04:002009-10-29T21:40:02.138-04:00Halloween? Who Cares! It's almost Christmas!!We have a very interesting little family. Chuck's favorite holiday is Halloween. Hands down. Granted, he hasn't been much in the ghoulish spirit this year, but typically that's not the case.<br /><br />On our way to dinner tonight (just seemed easiest at the time) he was expounding on how he's not in the Halloween-y mood when Zachary pipes up.<br /><br />This is a true transcript (well, as good as my memory allows) of what was said in our car tonight:<br /><br />Zachary: I like Halloween too. But I think it's my 2nd favorite holiday. My first favorite holiday, the holiday that I love more than anything is Christmas. And the reason I love Christmas is...well, maybe not more than anything because I love you two and my brother and sister and all my friends that aren't friends and my family more. Well, maybe I love Christmas <b>as much</b> as you two and my brother and sister.<br /><br />Me: Wait. What are friends that aren't friends?<br /><br />Zachary: The people at school that don't really play with me. I love Christmas because...yea, I think maybe I love you all the same as Christmas and then Halloween is second.<br /><br />Me: Zachary, why do you love Christmas so much? (trying desperately to get him on track)<br /><br />Zachary: Because it's a holiday about giving and love and caring about people and happiness and sharing and loving and all kinds of happy things.<br /><br />Me: Zachary, you are an amazing child and you totally understand the meaning of Christmas more than people that are 4 times your age. You have it right on.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SupDmm9D1WI/AAAAAAAAAT8/U32Nml2BWyg/s1600-h/SDC10118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SupDmm9D1WI/AAAAAAAAAT8/U32Nml2BWyg/s320/SDC10118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398201433927701858" border="0" /></a><br />Then from the very back of the car, there's this little voice:<br /><br />Lucas: I love Christmas too. I love it probably <b>eleven</b> times more than people. You know why I love Christmas?<br /><br />Me: Why, Luke?<br /><br />Lucas: Because I get <b><i>presents!!</i></b><br /><br />And thus illustrates the difference, once again, between my two boys.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-83781244031429717192009-10-22T16:20:00.003-04:002009-10-22T16:27:52.849-04:00Goodnight My Angel<div><p>Dear Elizabeth,</p><p>It’s not any special day. It’s not the day I found out we were pregnant with you. It’s not the day we found out we were having a girl. It’s not your birthday or even your half birthday. It’s just a regular, every other type of day.<br /><br />But with you, it’s not ever just a regular day. You are like a bright ray of sunshine in our lives. As I laid down to sleep with you the other night I realized just how different (not better, just different) it is having a little girl in our family. We laid together in the very same bed that I laid in as a little girl and read books together and laughed and giggled and smiled. I was so very content and happy that I would have a daughter to share the very special bond that I have with my own mom.<br /><br />I giggled as you played the “kissing game” and would point to a place on my face that should be kissed and say “naaah”, point to the next—“naah”, point to the next place and say “YES!” and kiss me. It was so sweet and….perfect.<br /><br />When you play the “how much does mommy love me” game, I act very upset when you put your hands only inches apart saying “this much?” and tell you “oh no, more than that!” You move your hands a little bit further apart to which I reply “nope, more”. You finally move your arms outstretched all the way, wiggling your little fingers and say “THIS MUCH?” to which I get to reply “from fingertip to fingertip, that’s how much I love you.” And what a more perfect time than when our arms are fully outstretched to give hugs. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395522374182824386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SuC_AzrW6cI/AAAAAAAAATk/TLvztUfZ2wg/s320/SDC11579.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>I love reading with you every night before bed. I love how you have your favorite book...recently it's been "Looking for a Moose" and how everytime you'd find a moose on the page, you'd get so excited and scream out. It's wonderful how after I read to you, you must read for yourself and are able to describe every page in detail of what it says. These are the nights I will hold in my heart forever.</div><div> </div><div>You are a very special little girl to all those around you. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395522379818732338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SuC_BIrECzI/AAAAAAAAATs/Zo010asybT0/s320/SDC11547.JPG" border="0" />You are bright, funny, and beautiful. I’m so happy to call you my daughter and look forward to the nights when I get to put you to bed and have more kissing and mommy loves me games.<br /></div><div>Goodnight, My Angel.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-1964054483289146552009-10-14T15:36:00.002-04:002009-10-14T15:45:27.769-04:00My ADHD ChildWell, one month (just a little more) into the school year and the fights have begun to make them see just how important the little things are with Zachary. That letting us know he's daydreaming a lot is important so we can discuss with the dr. and possibly readjust his meds. How hiding under the desk and refusing to do work is not acceptable and there IS a way to handle it...IF they would just let us know it's happening. I'm feeling as if the last month has been a lie. We've been lead to believe that his days are going well...and nothing out of the ordinary for a 2nd grader has happened until last Wednesday when he pushed his teacher and got kicked out of school for a day and a half. The teacher also stated how "if this were on the street, I'd call the police for assault." Good to know the teacher, aide, school understand bipolar rages. <br /><br />And so the fight rages on. I know I'll <b>never</b> never be able to quit being an advocate for my child. I just wish sometimes that they <b>wanted</b> to learn how to make it easier for him and be willing to accomodate his special needs....like giving a 5 minute warning and sending home daily behavioral sheets. Both of which are in his IEP. Both of which are being completely ignored by his teacher.<br /><br />I was going through my files on my hard drive looking for something when I came across this. I read through it again as my eyes filled with tears...it really does sum things up so well.<br /><br /><em>My A.D.H.D Child</em><br /><em>By Tracey Nicolaus</em><br /><br /><em>He's bouncing’ off walls, a superball gone insane. </em><br /><em>He runs through your world like an off-rail freight train. </em><br /><em>Interruptions are constant, tantrums galore, </em><br /><em>When it's time to do homework, he's gone out the door. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>The drama is constant, oh his foot fell asleep.</em><br /><em>He moans and he wails, the theatrics run deep. </em><br /><em>School is a nightmare, the teachers are lost. </em><br /><em>If they only could see, he is worth the cost. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>He is brighter than most, as most these kids are.</em><br /><em>And with patience and love, I know he'll go far. </em><br /><em>But the crap I must take from "well meaning friends" </em><br /><em>"Don't let him do that." "Oh these rules that he bends." </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"You're not a good parent." "Your child's really rude."</em><br /><em>"His temper's outrageous." "He has hands in his food." </em><br /><em>He hears this and wonders, just what's wrong with me? </em><br /><em>I tell him "You're special, you have A.D.H.D." </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"Now A.D.H.D. is a gift from above." </em><br /><em>"It teaches us grown-ups how to strengthen our love."</em><br /><em> "It helps teach your teachers, no two kids are the same." </em><br /><em>"You have awesome energy that could bring you great fame.' </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"You don't need much sleep, you never wear down."</em><br /><em>"You're silly and funny, when you act like a clown."</em><br /><em>"You've felt lots of pain from what people have said,</em><br /><em>But you pray for those people when you go to bed."</em><br /><em></em><br /><em> "So you try every day to make a fresh start." </em><br /><em>"For God gifted you with an extra big heart." </em><br /><em>As I look at my child, he sees through my soul. </em><br /><em>My heart feels like bursting, as I realize my goal. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I know this young boy like no one else could, </em><br /><em>He's a blessing to me, he's strong and he's good. </em><br /><em>So I’ll love him and guide him through the worst of the worst </em><br /><em>And he'll make a great man (if I don’t kill him first). </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I'm kidding of course 'cause I know what's to be </em><br /><em>When I look in his eyes, I see a reflection of me.</em>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-15308064348158991012009-10-07T11:48:00.002-04:002009-10-07T11:48:56.408-04:00Mom's Worry...but like this?As a mother, you start worrying about your children the instant they are born. At least it’s been like that for me.<br /><br />Why isn’t he crying more? Is he crying too much? Is he eating enough? Is he eating too much? Is he making all his “milestones”? <br /><br />As they get to be toddlers you worry about them running away from you in the grocery store or the parking lot or running into the road and getting smooshed flat like a pancake. Falling down the stairs or tripping and splitting their head open.<br /><br />As your children get older and move into the next phase of their young lives, you worry if they are going to do well in school. If the other kids are going to like them. If the teacher is going to like them or if she/he will think you’ve done a lousy job as parents.<br /><br />Never in all my years, would I ever have thought that’d I’d be worrying about my 7 year old attempting suicide.<br /><br />But I am. <br /><br />I do.<br /><br />This is not something I regularly discuss. Probably my own ideas that if I don’t talk about it…I don’t vocalize it…it’s not really true. I can push it to the dark recesses of my mind until something makes it come slamming back to the front of my brain again. That happened this weekend. Sometimes, I wish that others could see the outbursts that we are subjected to in the hopes that <i>maybe</i> they’ll understand our use of medications, therapy, counseling and weird routines and rules. <i>Maybe</i> they wouldn’t think that we are psychotic parents who need to let a kid be a kid.<br /><br />Because <b>if</b> they saw a 7 year old rummage through the kitchen drawers, looking for something and finally settling on a steak knife before raising it in his hand to try to bring it slamming down into his chest, people might begin to understand the terror and despair that we live through as parents to a child inflicted with mood disorders. <br /><br />Now, of course, he didn’t slam that knife into his chest. We had him restrained and the knife away instantly but what if next time we’re not there? What if as he grows older he begins to get smarter and understand that we are ALWAYS going to stop him because we love him so much and he starts to attempt these things in private? <br /><br />This whole thing started because he was asked to do a simple chore…bring his laundry bin into the kitchen so I could wash the clothes. What it turned into was a tantrum for over an hour in which I had to restrain him 2 times to keep him from punching and kicking me, a broken necklace, a broken broom that he took his anger out on, and an attempt to stab himself all the while screaming how much we must hate him and it’d be so much easier to be dead and how he wishes he could just kill himself.<br /><br />Finally, Chuck was able to get through to him and calm him down. What started in tears, ended in tears but of a much different kind. When they came back inside from the back deck, Zachary’s eyes were red rimmed and puffy. A tell-tale sign that he’d been crying hard. He hugged me hard and apologized for breaking my sapphire necklace and not listening and how incredibly sorry he was to have hurt us. I, of course, cry too. <br /><br />And the cycle continues. Tantrum, threats, violence followed by <b>great</b> amounts of remorse. I do feel hope though for the future, because he does feel that remorse. Once he’s calmed down, he understands that his actions were not appropriate. I just wish that we could get to the point of understanding this <b>before</b> the actions occur. <br /><br />October is supposed to be the beginning of the rough times for people with mood disorders as the days start getting much shorter and lack of light affects the serotonin and blah, blah, blah. Once again, we’re seeing this phenomenon happen. Every summer, I lull myself into believing that maybe we’re turning the corner with his behavior to just be kicked in the gut in October. You’d think one day I’d learn.<br /><br />I’ll never learn to not worry though.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-8173317412795129472009-10-05T12:41:00.003-04:002009-10-05T12:50:58.676-04:00Halloween Memories<div><div>When I was little, I loved Halloween. Still do actually.<br /><br />It’s funny, though, the things that you remember about your time as a child. You would think that you’d remember the costumes or going out trick-or-treating with your friends. But the times I remember the most were going and visiting my Grandma and Grandpa in the town next to ours.<br /><br />It wasn’t uncommon for us to see Grandma and Grandpa; in fact, we saw them at least once a week. But after we went trick-or-treating to all the neighbors in about a 10 block radius and waited on the sidewalk for my mom to finish chatting with <i>every. single. one. </i>of the neighbors, we would pile in the car to go see my Grandma on the farm and then after we’d get our full size candy bars from her (<b>score!</b>) we’d head out to the next town to see Grandma and Grandpa.<br /><br />They lived in a tiny little house….barely bigger than my very first apartment. Actually, my apartment might have just been bigger than their house. My Grandpa would almost inevitably be on the c.b. squawking about this or that and Grandma would meet us in the kitchen with our Halloween baggies.<br /><br />Those are what I remember the most. They were regular brown paper lunch saks, but to me as a kid they held the sustenance of life. She would always have it rolled down twice and there would be grease marks on the outside. It was the same goodies every single year. I looked forward to Grandma’s treat bags knowing that some of my favorites would be in there.<br /><br />There was 2 cupcakes with orange frosting and some type of Halloween decoration…a spider ring, witch stick, or some type of poker that my brothers and I would later get in trouble with as we poked each other with the pointy end. A handful of each: Mary Janes, Bit o’ Honey, and Halloween foil wrapped chocolate candies.<br /><br />Still, to this day, I love me some Bit O’Honey. Every time I see those little candies, I’m reminded of my Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Halloween and those grease marked brown lunch bags. I remember thinking how much Grandma must love us to <b>make</b> us such treat bags and not just buy us some of the same old candy.<br /><br />So, it makes me wonder what exactly my kids strongest Halloween memory will be. Will it be the weekend that we spend camping with THEIR Grandma and Grandpa and aunts and uncles trick-or-treating at the campground, like we did this weekend?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389159125306824226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Ssojq-X31iI/AAAAAAAAATc/-QE2JlsJi14/s320/all+3+campout+2009.JPG" border="0" /></div>Will it be carving their pumpkins that we take so much time in doing to get cool jack-o-lanterns? </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389158549029978194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SsojJbkxAFI/AAAAAAAAATU/lWzaPPuZukY/s320/E+with+her+kitty+pumpkin.JPG" border="0" />Will it be the treat bags that they are given by their Great Aunt and Uncle? Or will they remember their super cool homemade costumes, pieced together with all sorts of items from Goodwill, home and thrift stores? <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389158545357719154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SsojJN5OxnI/AAAAAAAAATM/BS0SBGwY4YU/s320/Halloween+2009.JPG" border="0" />The one thing that I’m sure of…it will be FAMILY that is in those memories. Because all of the Halloween activities include family….mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins. So, I guess it doesn’t matter what is their favorite memory as long as they remember how much they were loved…and how happy we all were to be there and doing it all with them.</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-74931380946925354802009-08-20T17:14:00.000-04:002009-08-20T17:17:25.035-04:00Things I've learned todayA seven year olds poop in a modern campground is even less fun and more stinky to clean up then a 2 year olds on a hiking trail when wearing no diaper.<br /><br />Geocaching several caches in one day is stupid for us.<br /><br />The geocaches that say bring your own pen are so samll that it doesn't have any fun trading items to keep the kids interested.<br /><br />Apparently, my kids would love to live in a pickle barrell.<br /><br />A day trip for our family usually lasts ALL day with lots of side trips. Its 9:57 and we're 1/2 hour from camp (strike that.....its now 10:45 and according to TomTom we won't be back at camp until midnight) .<br /><br />However we see a lot of things that most people never see in their lifetime.<br /><br />The UP has some gorgeous uninhabited country.<br /><br />Which is a REALLY good thing considering that Chuck drove off and left me standing in a backcountry road with no pants on as I changed out of my swim bottoms and into pants.<br /><br />Nylon swim bottoms are NOT comfortable to walk in all day long and the resulting rash is less comfortable.<br /><br />Driving off the beaten track and into some primitive campgrounds of the NPS make me miss our tent camping days of Chuck and I.<br /><br />However, driving back in the still of the night with sleeping children makes for some awesome quiet couple time.<br /><br />And I'm going to enjoy it.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-51760400121236127462009-08-14T15:50:00.002-04:002009-08-14T15:51:39.257-04:00Rant and Rave avoided...thank your lucky stars.So, I had another post started but it seemed like a huge bitchfest and rambling nonsense to me so I figured I’d restart it. Afterall, who really wants to read about the wicked witch of the west that I work with, my horrible Aunt Flo cramping this month or the shitty city that I live in that gives tickets for parking in your own driveway?<br /><br />A couple of weeks ago I got a new blackberry; I love the blackberry. Seriously, I think I’d marry it if I could as I already sleep with it usually. Hey, I use it as a secondary alarm clock! However, I’ve had issues with keeping up on blogging. I find myself less and less on the pc and more and more on my blackberry, which for all its awesomeness, it isn’t exactly made for blogging. Unless they made a blogger application for it, then that’d be <b>way cool!</b> Everyone would get daily updates from my vacation next week as I seem to be doing a lot of Facebook updating through the easy-peasy app. So if you’d like to keep up to date on my daily comings and goings, add me as a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/lisaleibrand">friend</a>! <br /><br />One of the major goings in our household right now is the fact that 4 days before our annual week-long camping trip, Miss Elizabeth has decided to potty train herself. Yay! Except for the fact that I’m not sure how well driving in a car for 9 hours is going to work with a little girl *just* starting out in panties. Or how well, traipsing through Tahquammenon Falls is going to be with her in a backpack with just panties on and no where to use the potty. I guess it’s nature afterall and she’s always trying to pee standing up (its what happens when you live in a houseful of boys and your sitter is a boy too!) However, I’m not going to actively <i>dis</i>courage her so we’re working on wearing big girl panties to go along with her big girl bed that she got last weekend. It’s been sooooooooo nice having my own bed back to just Chuck and I again. Well, at least until about 5 am every morning.<br /><br />And considering that Chuck just celebrated his 41st birthday last Friday, he needs all the uninterrupted rest he can get. He keeps sputtering about how he’s getting old and needs more sleep now then he did before. I think it’s true too, despite all the studies done that suggest older people need less sleep. Maybe it means “older” people without young children….cuz we’re exhausted at the end of the day. <br /><br />His birthday was a nice day; spent some time at the splash pad, the beach and had a huge dinner made by me and Lucas. Rachel Ray is one of my culinary heroes. Okay, maybe she’s my only culinary hero…but I love her recipes and the fact that it’s a 30 minute meal makes it even better in my book. This time we did a recipe for Chipolte grilled Porterhouse steaks with a cilantro-lime butter compound, cheesy smashed potatoes and a fire roasted vegetable mixture tossed in the butter compound. I know, yummy right? It was all gone at the end of the day too…even the boys loved the meat.<br /><br />During the whole time, Lucas kept saying “I’m turning into a good little chef, aren’t I momma?” Of course, I agreed but not just out of the motherly obligation…he really is! He was a ginormous help and has really come out of his shell lately. He, being Lucas, had to get in the good-natured ribbings on his father’s 41 years; last night he informed me that we beat Daddy at the grocery shopping game because Daddy is “old now and getting slow”. <br /><br />However, we’ll see just how “old and slow” daddy is when we’re hiking through the wilderness and geocaching for the first time. I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll have a hard time keeping up with him. <br /><br />We leave for the UP tomorrow. Hope to update in the wilderness….maybe it will bring out my sentimental, thoughtful side. I’m really looking forward to doing nothing for 9 days….and when I say nothing, I mean hiking, boating, swimming, playing in the sand, geocaching, visiting the museums, possibly going to the zoo, visiting the fish hatchery, Kit-i-kippi springs and seeing my aunt and uncle for a day. <br /><br />Sounds like heaven.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-77666172875826237882009-07-28T16:33:00.001-04:002009-07-28T16:34:45.179-04:00The Chocolate MonsterI’m starting to get a little frustrated. Well, more than a little really.<br /><br />See 3 weeks ago, I visited a friend in DC; in this friend’s apartment were mirrors. <b>LOTS</b> of mirrors. Everywhere I turned I saw my reflection, and honestly, after not seeing my full reflection (except in pictures) regularly in more than a year, I was more than a little disgusted with how much weight I’ve gained. <br /><br />For some reason, while I am pregnant, I lose weight and once I am no longer pregnant I gain. And I gain A LOT.<br /><br />So on my way home, I made a decision to lose weight. I’m healthy…my cholesterol is 117. My blood pressure is 102/70. My blood sugar is perfect. Rarely do I let my weight get me down.<br /><br />But I’m finding it harder to do things. Cedar point is completely out of the question, for example, until I lose enough weight to fit on the rides. I go hiking with the family, but am always well behind (usually I’m carrying or pushing or backpacking Elizabeth, but still). I want to look hot for my husband. <br /><br />So, three weeks ago I started counting my calories. Eating smaller portions, better foods, getting in more fruits and veggies and less fast food/junk food. And I’ve done well staying below my calories almost every single day. (this weekend was harder as I was camping with the folks. But I did try to make good decisions).<br /><br />I feel like my clothes are fitting me differently too. <br /><br />So why am I frustrated? Because I cannot visibly SEE the weight on the scale going down. The scales that are close to me (at home and at work) don’t go up to my weight so I have no idea where I’m at. Whether I should start cutting more calories. Whether I’m losing anything at all. <br /><br />Part of me wants to say screw it. What’s it matter anyway? The other part of me is encouraging me to go on…afterall, my pants feel looser right? <br /><br />So, how (on days when I am craving chocolate) do I not give in to the defeated, loser feelings? Any suggestions?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-83838678199985244132009-07-27T15:47:00.004-04:002009-07-27T15:54:44.960-04:00Sensitivity and Tears reign againFor Christmas one year GRANDMA BOUGHT THE KIDS “Charlotte’s web”. <a href="http://www.insidelisa.blogspot.com/search?q=charlotte">I wrote about my surprise at how profoundly the death of Charlotte affected Zachary.<br /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Sm4Fl4zbGII/AAAAAAAAATE/6kTfofeikV0/s1600-h/Charlotte"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363230354706208898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Sm4Fl4zbGII/AAAAAAAAATE/6kTfofeikV0/s320/Charlotte%2527s%2520Web%2520(3).jpg" border="0" /></a>That was over 2 years ago. Since then, Zachary has read the book on his own as well as me reading parts to him again. So when I saw that the live-action “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte">Charlotte’s Web</a>” (with cutie patootie Dakota Fanning) was available on netflix, I jumped on the chance for him to see all the characters he’s read about brought to life.<br /><br />I really didn’t think we’d have the scene we had last night in our living room.<br /><br />All of the kids were enthralled with the movie. The puppetry was awesome, the CGI of Charlotte was phenomenal. Even Elizabeth sat and watched pulled in by the interplay of Charlotte and Wilbur.<br /><br />Sure enough, we reach the pivotal point of the movie where Charlotte dies. I teared up a little (hey, the movie was well done!) so I look over to see how Zachary is doing.<br /><br />My heart broke for him.<br /><br />He was sitting all alone in the chair with his shirt over his face, wiping the tears, his shoulders wracking with sobs. Every little bit you could hear his breath catch in his throat as he worked his way through another sob.<br /><br />I called him over to me and he immediately buried his head in my chest crying. I rubbed his back, told him that Charlotte went on to a better place and that this is how life works for spiders. Yet, she was a spectacular spider who did wonderful things for her friends and that’s what she’ll be remembered for.<br /><br />He quieted down, but watched the remainder of the movie wrapped in my embrace. and I was only too happy to have him there.<br /><br />Needless to say, I don’t think we are ready for “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Yeller_(1957_film)">Old Yeller</a>” just yet. </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-8820874660172842222009-07-23T13:21:00.001-04:002009-07-23T13:21:00.213-04:00Gone Baby Gone<div>So, upon a free trial from a friend of ours, we decided to give netflix a try. I know, I know…welcome to the 21st century, right? I cannot tell you how much fun it’s been going through the 1000’s of movies trying to decide which one we want to see next.<br /><br />Because since having all the kids, we don’t get to the movies all that often. In fact, we rarely rent movies because they get to be too expensive around here ($3.50 a pop for a rental and you always have to rent at least 2…one adult, one for the kids). So there’s plenty of movies that we’ve yet to have seen.<br /><br />One of them was the directorial debut film by ben Affleck, starring casey Affleck (nope, no nepotism there) called gone baby gone.<br /><br />It was a very twisted thought-provoking movie that put the main character in a moral dilemma at the end of the movie. First of all, this movie was absolutely gut-wrenching for me as a mother. I think losing a child is probably one of the biggest fears and worries of most mothers. And seeing the dregs of society <b>not caring for their children</b> is just about as sickening. The worst part about the movie is that I know there are so many families out there where the children are left to grow up and raise themselves because of junkie mothers, dead beat dads, etc. no one is there to allow them to be children…loving them, stroking their hair and backs at bedtime, reading a book to them, cuddling them when they are scared. It’s too real of a scenario for me to be called fiction.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SmX7KoHVGII/AAAAAAAAAS0/Qp54_bETdKo/s1600-h/MV5BMTU5ODQ0OTA5OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwODgwMTYy._V1._SX213_SY200_.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360967091439868034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SmX7KoHVGII/AAAAAAAAAS0/Qp54_bETdKo/s320/MV5BMTU5ODQ0OTA5OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwODgwMTYy._V1._SX213_SY200_.jpg" border="0" /></a>That all being said…the 3 year old little girl (played by this sweetie at the left) is taken. (too close to my own two year old for comfort) the girl was sleeping and the mother went out to the bar for a few hours…I mean afterall, the girl is <i>sleeping</i> right? The mother could really give a shit less as she’s more concerned with covering her junkie ass and not getting it put in the slammer or killed from her drug dealer. Kid? What Kid? Oh yea…that one…kind of mentality. So all in all I didn’t really feel that sorry for the woman…more for the child who could be out there being abused or lying dead somewhere.<br /><br />Enter the cops. The chief of police lost a daughter at the age of 12 to abduction and subsequent murder. He’s a good guy…fighting for the child. Upholding justice. All that good stuff. You like him. You champion for the good guy.<br /><br />Enter the private eye and his girlfriend. They are hired by a family member to “help” the police. He stays on the track..even after the cops have called it a closed case. The p.i. is a good guy. Basically just wants to help and feels it’s his duty to do such. Starts poking around & questioning things..wondering why lies are being told to him by the ones that shouldn’t be lying aka the police.<br /><br /><b>Warning: spoiler alert! If you haven’t seen it and want to watch it, don’t read this part!</b><br /><br /><br /><br />What does he end up of finding? A plot to abduct the girl to “save her” from her fate of a junkie mother and giving her to the police chief to raise as his own. so the dilemma presented him is this:<br /><br />Do you call the cops on the now-retired police chief blowing the whistle on the plan and allowing the daughter and mother to be reunited?<br /><br />Or<br /><br />Do you leave it as it is? The mother thinks the daughter is dead. The girl would have a much better life with good schools, clean clothes, material belongings, cuddling and love from caring “parents”.<br /><br />What would you do?<br /><br />After the movie ended, I felt very much in turmoil from it. (and had a very strong urge to go around and check on all my kids and give them kisses in their sleep…which I did.) chuck and I discussed what we would do given that situation….<br /><br />He said he’d leave the little girl there. It would be the best thing FOR HER.<br /><br />I said that even though the mother was a shitty mother, no one deserves to think that their little girl is dead when she’s not. If there’s just cause to have the little girl removed, go through cps and the proper channels.<br /><br />Which is what our hero in the movie did. The mother was so grateful, tears, hugs, kisses. The movie ended with our hero (casey Affleck) going back to visit the little girl and the mother. the mother was cussing and swearing and smoking while the little girl sat on the couch. She was going out on a date….when asked who was going to watch the little girl, she kinda shrugged and said her friend across the road or at least she would as soon as she walked over there and told her to. It is so completely obvious that <i>nothing</i> had changed. The mother was still unconcerned for the child, so was it really the best decision? It’s something that our hero would have to live with….and made me want to cry for all the children that live like that out there.<br /><br />So what would you do? How would it make you feel seeing how it ended up? </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-62594936118937669992009-07-22T04:12:00.003-04:002009-07-22T05:16:16.683-04:00Communication in Sex: Hump Day HelpAs most therapists will tell you, communication is key in a successful marriage/relationship. However, I’m a strong believer that communication is very important in a healthy sex life too; it may be one of the hardest aspects to achieve in your relationship though.<br /><br />Often, lovers do not tell each other their likes, dislikes, desires or fantasies for many different reasons: fear of rejection, fear of disapproval, fear of offending the other party, among many others. Everyone has their own reason that I’m sure you could add in there.<br /><br />But communication in regards to sex is very important to get exactly what you are need of out of the sexual relationship. By communicating your desires or dislikes, not only can you reach your peak easier, but feel more connected with your partner as the niggling little comments (like: Geesh, why can’t he seem to get it right? Doesn’t he know the spot to hit? Eeek…that’s so irritating!) are gone. Because chances are your partner <b>doesn’t know</b>! Cluing your partner in on what works for you will take a lot of honesty and patience though.<br /><br />There are some fun ways to open up the lines of communication, however. Pure Romance, for example, has a line of games that are designed to do just that. The <a href="http://ww2.pureromance.com/PublicStore/product/Date-Night-Game,555,149.aspx">Date Night Game</a> is perfect for couples looking to leave all inhibitions at the door and learn something about your lover that you never knew before.<br /><br />Already feel comfortable talking to your partner about sex? Here's some tips on how to make sex better by communicating.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SmbYpzP7GOI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Vf5vam9KNgI/s1600-h/LoversGazeREX_468x304.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/SmbYpzP7GOI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Vf5vam9KNgI/s320/LoversGazeREX_468x304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361210619074386146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Non-verbal communication:</span><br /><br />Experts say that 70% of communication is non-verbal. This type of communication can be something as simple as a suggestive wink to let him know you are "in the mood" or wearing a piece of lingerie or the perfume that he loves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Giving Directions</span><br /><br />It is perfectly acceptable to tell your partner what you like during sex. Unless you are in bed with a psychic, chances are they cannot read your mind on what you like and dislike. Tell them!<br /><br />If you are in the throes of passion, it might not suffice to get all technical; instead, something as simple as placing his hand where you need or want it to be will work. You can also give verbal clues like "yes, kiss me there, right there!" That's letting him know that X marks the spot so he can go back to that again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Out-of-Bed Discussions</span><br /><br />Many sexual problems can be solved simply by discussing them. If you are having a complete disconnect and giving directions or non-verbal clues isn't working. Maybe it's time to sit down and have a heart to heart with your mate.<br /><br />You will definitely want to start with what they are doing <span style="font-style: italic;">right</span>. No one wants to feel inadequate in the bedroom so start off with the things that really work for you and continue on to the things that could use some work. Avoid negativity. Instead of saying "You don't ever kiss the back of my neck." you could say "I really enjoy it when you kiss the back of my neck". That's letting him know your wants without him going on the defensive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things to Remember</span><br /><br />Think openly. Some men and women enjoy different things during sex whether it being <a href="http://ww2.pureromance.com/PublicStore/product/Beginners-Bondage-Fantasy,310,150.aspx">tied up</a> or a <a href="http://ww2.pureromance.com/PublicStore/product/Ultimate-7th-Heaven,326,151.aspx">use of toys</a>. If your mate has disclosed a desire to do something you may not have done before, revolting away from him will close down all lines of communication from there on out. While you shouldn't do anything you feel uncomfortable with, making your partner feel "dirty" about their desires isn't good for your relationship.<br /><br />Just because you had this all figured out when you first got together doesn't mean all the same things will work now. Review each others likes and dislikes occasionally. Things can change.<br /><br />Finding an open line of sexual communication that works for both you and your partner may be the beginning of a much stronger, happier sex life for you. Enjoy it.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-82646093713977014102009-07-21T11:47:00.004-04:002009-07-21T12:34:49.267-04:00Sarcasm & Humor: Thy name is Lucas<a href="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/billybobjoejimbo/SDC11113.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 377px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/billybobjoejimbo/SDC11113.jpg" border="0" /></a>I don’t very often blog <i>just</i> about Lucas. It’s sad, I know. I feel so often that Lucas gets the short end of the stick because he’s the middle child. Or maybe I’m overly sensitive since I was the middle child as well. Either way, don’t think that he holds a smaller place in my heart than the other two. It’s absolutely not true, not even one iota. Lucas is the one who makes me laugh…almost daily. And sometimes in completely inappropriate instances…such as yesterday…<br /><br />Lucas was in rare form yesterday. We were sitting at the dinner table when Zachary said something and Lucas retorted. I laughed at whatever Lucas had said, because, quite frankly, it was funny. Zachary, of course, got all upset that I was laughing at him. Chuck explained that I was <b>not</b> laughing at him, but instead at Lucas. “And before you start going off about who’s laughing at whom, you need to learn what humor is.”<br />Lucas turns and looks at his brother and says “Yea. Maybe you should go back to preschool” complete with that little pursed lip, head nod and snotty tone that he does so well.<br /><br />Chuck immediately tells him that is not acceptable to antagonize his brother, all the while I’m trying desperately to hold in the giggles...which earned a stern, reproachful look from Chuck.<br /><br />Then, later, Lucas came running inside from the back yard, stopped, pointed at Chuck and screeched “OLD MAN!” and took off from the room. I didn’t hear him, but when Chuck started bellowing that he’d better watch it…I asked what had happened and burst out laughing again. Lucas was standing next to me, shoulders stooped and shaking, hand over his mouth, giggling; that made me laugh even harder at his daring little comment.<br /><br />Here’s some other bits I’ve heard from him recently:<br /><br />“Brother, have we ever been to a jungle?” (He calls Zachary “brother”. Z doesn’t seem to mind)<br /><br />“Yea, I’m good…cuz I got skilz.” (Thanks to Chuck for teaching him that.)<br /><br />“I’ll be all over that…” (referring to a jar of pickles)<br /><br />“You’re going DOWN!” (while playing Wii with Chuck)<br /><br />I love this kid. He is so much like his father in so many ways…they both always seem to find a way to make me laugh. Usually it’s when they aren’t trying that make me laugh the hardest.<br /><br />Lucas also gave me <b>two</b> kisses in the last two days as well as instigated hugs and told me he loved me (instead of saying “Me too” when I tell him I love him or saying “I really like you momma.”) This is a high point for me because it’s been almost a year since those things have happened. We went through a really rough point last summer with Lucas and while he was a loving and affectionate child before the problems, afterwards, not so much. I missed Lucas kisses but didn’t push the issue…I wanted him to have time to heal and do what felt right for himself. This week I’ve been rewarded and my heart swelled.<br /><br />I'm glad he's getting back to his sarcastic, funny, cute little self again.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-1917833906001719672009-07-09T08:25:00.007-04:002009-07-14T21:37:50.273-04:00DC: Land of the Free, Home of the Busy<div>We are home! Actually, we’ve been home for a week now, but somehow time has gotten away from me with the blog. Possibly, due to the work on the backyard, working my regular job, my Pure Romance parties and spending 3 hours driving around to pharmacies to find the meds for Zachary. (Grrr…another post entirely.)<br /><br />We had an absolutely fabulous time in DC. And except for the first full day in DC, the kids were very well-behaved. I, however, believe that the brood *may* have scared our host away from ever having kids. Because after 39 years of being a bachelor, having a 2, 5 and 7 year old invade your home and run you ragged really shows what life with children can be like. At a couple of different points, our friend said to Chuck “You guys don’t ever get a vacation do you?” to which Chuck replied “This IS our vacation.” We are definitely NOT the sit on the beach, sipping cocktails kind of people. We see and do everything we can possibly cram into the days without overstressing us or the kids.<br /><br />Now, that’s not to say we don’t have downtime! We went to Chesapeke Bay on Sunday after a VERY busy 4th of July but even at the Bay we didn’t just sit around. Chuck and I were in the water with the kids, picking up shells with them, playing on the playground. Well, okay, we were actually sitting on the benches next to the playground, but you get my drift. To us, that was a really relaxing, fun time!<br /><br />So let me back up…what did we do? We started our trek on Thursday, July 2 at 4:00 in the morning. Got about 20 minutes from home when, being the list maker that I am, was rambling through the list in my head and checking things off when I asked Chuck if he’d packed the little camera. The look on his face said it all…so since we were still close to home, we turned around and got it. Back on the road at 4:45. Stopped at Brandywine Falls in Ohio for breakfast and to take a hike and stretch our legs a bit. The falls were beautiful and well worth the little trek off the road to see them. The kids were in awe of them. Elizabeth made me nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockers as whenever I turned my back for 2 seconds, she was climbing the railing.<br /><br />After that, we drove…and drove…and drove. The highlight of the trip was going through the mountain tunnels for the kids. About an hour from DC we stopped at Fort Frederick and were one of only 2 families there. So we got to see everything up close and personal. The kids were mostly concerned with running around in the huge grassy area of the fort which I encouraged and whole-heartedly agreed with as they’d been cooped up in the car for 12 hours by that point. However, when the guide brought out the musket and asked if they wanted him to fire it, the answer was an emphatic “Yes!” It was neat to see how enraptured they were with something so simple. The gentleman was nice enough to do it again…at the encouragement of 2 of my little people.<br /><br />Day 2 started out in a fantastic way...everyone was awake, showered, and ready to go. I had turkey sandwiches made and along with other lunch items and snacks packed neatly in a backpack along with Elizabeth's diapers. We got to Gallaudet University to park (where Dave works) and Chuck asked "Where's the backpack?" He does this to me all the time...trying to freak me out, I guess. I told him I SAW him carry it downstairs, afterall, I was <i>right</i> behind him on the stairs, I saw it on his back. Well, apparently, after the stairs he put it down on the sidewalk of the apartment building in order to throw away garbage and put Elizabeth in her carseat...and promptly <b>left it sitting there</b>. At this point our options were to go back and hope that it was still there (unlikely) and waste a good hour of our day or go on, try to find a little convenience store to buy diapers and buy lunch in DC. I voted for the second option. We headed out to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and I kept my eyes open for someplace to buy dipes. Did you know that in a major metropolitan area it's just not that easy??? So Elizabeth was soaking wet, the boys were more interested in running around than looking at the exhibits in an overly-crowded museum and we spent $36 for 2 pieces of the crappiest pizza I've had in my life, a turkey sandwich, and a cup of soup. So, um, yea. Day 2 wasn't that great. I believe this was the day that Chuck suggested we buy lemonade and tanqueray for "Mommy". ;)<br /><br />July 4 rolled around and it was suggested that after the day we had before, maybe we shouldn't do all the stuff we'd planned. But seriously? Go all that way to do nothing? NO WAY! So we went to the parade and had seats right on the street, ate a huge piece of watermelon and awesome chicago style coney dogs, played in the field a bit and then spent 5 hours or so at the <a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/">Air and Space museum </a>which was AWESOME. Only mishap was that we lost Zachary for about 10 minutes...one of the longest 10 minutes of my life...but we found him again, no worries. Zachary also scraped up his face pretty good after the museum by trying to do some skater-style jump/turns off a brick wall and instead skidded across the pavement on his face. A trip to the first aid station and 20 minutes later and we're all good. It was nearing time to go see the <a href="http://dc.about.com/od/specialeventphotos1/ss/FireworkPics_4.htm">fireworks</a> (it gets dark early in DC...who knew?!) and we located my oldest brother and his kids and had the most fantastic spot just about 150 yards from the Washington Monument. It was <b>amazing!</b> I'm so glad that we were able to experience that....the kids were enthralled from the first bang. And really so was I!<br /><br />The next day, we went to the "ocean" and then spent the evening going to all the monuments. It was a great time to see them...the crowds had died down, the weather had chilled off and we were able to find close parking! Perfect!<br /><br />Monday saw us going to probably the favorite of all of us: <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/WebCams/default.cfm">The National Zoo</a>! It was awesome. Easy to get to, compact but not crowded, and the kids got to stuff their own stuffed animals...so cute! Each of them carried their own stuffy out of the zoo in their box/carrying case and I don't think a herd of wild buffalo could have gotten Elizabeth's lion cub away from her. I offered to help her (the box is almost as tall as she is!) but she yanked away from me and glared like I had tried to rip off her arm. Little Miss Independent. We stayed up late kabbitzing with Dave and enjoying our last night together...<br /><br />Except maybe a little too late considering that we wanted to leave at 6 am on Tuesday. We made our deadline though..or close to it. And didn't even forget any of the children behind. We were on the road for just a little while when Chuck saw a sign for Gettysburg, so off we went there for 2 1/2 hours or so. We drove the auto tour and gave the kids just a taste of history...Zachary seemed to be interested, Lucas just like climbing the rocks, and Elizabeth wanted to give me a heart attack by running over and around everything. Back on the road for just a little while before we stopped at a state park in PA for lunch and kite flying. Another hour and we're back on the road in the backwoods of PA, up through the mountains, down through the little burgs. We were on a small 2 lane road in a small town that consisted of a bar and some houses when I saw a sign that said "<a href="http://www.nps.gov/flni">Flight 93 Temporary Memorial</a>". After telling Chuck what I'd seen he said "We <b>have</b> to go" so off we went and ended up in a field in the middle of rural PA to arrive at a site that Chuck described as creepy and I couldn't help but cry at. On the way out to the field, we tried to relay to the boys exactly what had happened there...how men and women lost their lives trying to beat the bad guys so that more people weren't killed. How these men and women were heroes. I don't think they understood. But after seeing the site, leaving 5 strings of red, white and blue "memory" beads and a note, and Zachary reading all the memorial stones....he walked away saying "this place makes me kinda sad momma." I shook my head, through the many tears, and told him I couldn't agree more.<br /><br />So, what should have been a 12 hour trip home ended up in an 18 hour trip home...but lots of memories made along the way.<br /><br />I couldn't pick just a few pictures to post...we took over 700 afterall....so I put together a video of some of my faves. Thanks Dave for having us and allowing us the opportunity to experience so much!<br /><br /><div><embed name="FLVPlayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=6e935a8628be20c2462126&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" height="382" width="408"></embed> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; font-family: verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; width: 408px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=6e935a8628be20c2462126&skin_id=701&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/6e935a8628be20c2462126/701.gif" width="408" /></a><br /><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-25230828238163482332009-07-01T10:23:00.001-04:002009-07-01T10:23:01.306-04:00Ah, the joys of toddlerhoodI love this age of inquisatory innocence. Of everything being brand new in a toddler's world. Of learning new words <b>EVERY SINGLE DAY</b>. <br /><br />This are things that have happened within the last 48 hours with Elizabeth.<br /><br />Drank bleach. It got left down on the stove (our laundry room is our kitchen. Not fun!) while Daddy did the dishes and she got a stool and drank some. 3 hours in the ER and one popsicle later, and she's fine.<br /><br />Yesterday, she got into the fire pit while I was on the other side of the gate, desperately trying to get in to stop her, as she rubbed ashes all over herself and played in the ashes until the wind picked up and blew them back into her eyes. We spent 1/2 hour pouring water into her eyes, while holding them open, in order to get the ashes out.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Skq9MLfcjtI/AAAAAAAAASE/RK9JC-WJZVk/s1600-h/DSCF9416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Skq9MLfcjtI/AAAAAAAAASE/RK9JC-WJZVk/s400/DSCF9416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353299124024020690" border="0" /></a>And yes, that's red glitter and white paint. She woke up in our room before Chuck Sunday morning. I didn't hear her in there until this had already occurred. We keep the craft cabinet in our bedroom since it's the most out of the way of little hands. Well, except when they sleep in our bed.<br /><br />(okay, so maybe I don't *love* those things...but it goes to show how incredibly inquisitive she is about EVERYTHING)<br /><br />She's just been full of new words. After hiccuping twice, she giggled "I birpt agin!"<br /><br />Zachary left the bathroom door open so she went in there and used Aloe as a lotion (seriously, is it common that toddlers are <b>obsessed</b> with lotion? She wants to put everything on as lotion!) I could smell it as I left the kitchen and went in to help her clean up. At least aloe is good for the skin!<br /><br />While in the bathroom she decided she needed to potty. I'd be so happy if she actually potty'd when she said she had to! But we sat and tried. I <s>bribed</s> encouraged her to potty this time with a mini chocolate donut. To which she replied..."Puuuuuuuuuush. Puuuuuuuuuush" while grunting slightly. Alas, to no avail.<br /><br />However, while she was on the potty she decided that would be the best time to show her love to me by hugs and kisses. There's something weird about kissing your daughter while she's naked on the toilet.<br /><br />We were watching the very tail end of XMen: The Last Stand before bed and as the end comes and Magneto moves the chess piece and the music starts, Elizabeth looks at me with the o....O face. She cracks me up with her expressions.<br /><br />I can't wait to see her experience the ride to DC and all the sites in DC. A whole new experience....good thing I'm taking a baby carrier ;)<br /><br /><br /><pre style="margin-top: 0pt; display: inline;"><br /></pre>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19801124.post-19419163843659645882009-06-30T19:46:00.003-04:002009-06-30T20:12:31.380-04:00I got baby fever, you got baby fever, we got baby fever!Well, maybe not you or we...but I do.<br /><br />Maybe not baby fever, but pregnancy, labor and delivery fever.<br /><br />I seriously wonder how many people out there have L & D fever; my guess is not many. Usually all you hear about is the horror stories of labor and delivery: the pain, tearing, screaming, cussing. But to me, that is such a magical time that is full of miracles.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I <b>love</b> babies. They are so cute, smell so good, so tiny and unassuming. Except for the waking up every 2 hours to eat, the fact they can't tell you what they need, and they grow into these little <s>monsters</s> sweet angels that I have running around my house right now, I'd have about 2 or 3 more. Well, maybe not, as daycare is EXPENSIVE.<br /><br />I hate to say it, but I'm a little <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">green</span> with envy over our friends', Matt and Karen, latest experience and newest arrival. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Skqnze8gtmI/AAAAAAAAAR0/bWHtmKwbxxQ/s1600-h/DSCF9412.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Skqnze8gtmI/AAAAAAAAAR0/bWHtmKwbxxQ/s320/DSCF9412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353275610005288546" border="0" /></a>Vienna Jane was born on Friday evening and I encouraged Chuck heavily to go and visit on Saturday so I could see Vienna and hold her and get my baby fix. Matt facebooked the entire day of labor with pictures, updates, and finally pictures of little Vienna Jane. Having it so vividly spelled out reminded me of my own labors and deliveries. How close Chuck and I were doing those times. How emotional and memorable the delivery was. How I looked at my own little baby and felt the immense amount of love and protection for something that is part me and part my husband. Birth, by far, the most amazing thing I have ever done, and possibly will ever do, in my entire life.<br /><br />I told Chuck late Friday night as we were laying in bed together, that I was slightly envious about Matt and Karen's journey into parenthood. His response? "No, really?" I guess he noticed my obsession with facebook that night.<br /><br />So, I got to live a little bit more through our friends. It was so sweet to watch Lucas hold Vienna and cuddle her so close. Elizabeth was very interested in the baby, but was more than a little cautious of her. I could tell that she wanted to see her and touch her, but was more than a little unsure about doing so. She did give her a little kiss on the forehead when I said it was okay.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Skqnz8G0NlI/AAAAAAAAAR8/y2K-z-AtqWM/s1600-h/DSCF9413.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEnilOv8iZc/Skqnz8G0NlI/AAAAAAAAAR8/y2K-z-AtqWM/s320/DSCF9413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353275617833137746" border="0" /></a>Isn't she adorable? I think so too. Lucas is a pretty handsome kid as well, not that I'm biased or anything. <br /><br />So to Matt and Karen: Congratulations, Good Luck and Lots of Love to all <i>three</i>of you!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05423544545388492094noreply@blogger.com0