2008 April — We are THAT Family

What I Know. . .

1:30 pm Bykristen

As Mother’s Day approaches, I made a list of ten things I didn’t know before I had kids . . .I like to think of it as developing my inner beauty as a Mom.

10. I didn’t know I’d clean my kid’s plates (and I’m not talking about with a dishwasher).

9. I didn’t know I’d eat my children’s Easter candy while they were at school.

8. I didn’t know I would lie, daily.

7. I didn’t know they would believe the lies.

6. I didn’t know that I’d get used to a messy house.

5. I didn’t know I would learn to appreciate the fine art of ‘arm farting.’

4. I didn’t know I would grow eyes in the back of my head.

3. I didn’t know I would sit down with my 8 year old daughter and talk to her about Miley

Cyrus being photographed without a shirt on.

2. I didn’t know my heart would break every time their’s is broken.

1. I didn’t know I would ache to keep them little, young, innocent, mine.

I’ve learned so much. I still have much to learn. My kids are great teachers and I’m honored to be their Mom. Dirty house and all.

What didn’t you know?

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Don’t Forget to Flush

7:00 am Bykristen

My 8 year old daughter and almost 6 year old son, share a bathroom, much to my daughter’s chagrin.

On a weekly basis, I hear my daughter complain about my son’s non-flushing habits.

And hey- I can’t blame her, really. It’s just something you never get used to. But, lately, all her complaining about his failure to remember has driven me batty.

We’ve reminded my son, prodded, corrected, rewarded – bribed. Nothing has worked.

So. My daughter took matters into her own hands. After my kids left for school last week, I was straightening upstairs and this is what I saw:

and

I laughed and I left it there. Because, frankly, I thought it was brilliant and I wanted to see if it worked.

The complaints ceased because there was flushing, people. Much flushing.

We now have a true, card-carrying, flusher, thanks to my daughter’s idea.

Helpful Tip: Put Masking Tape in the Perfect Place to Produce Perfect Potty Protocol!

I’m now applying tape to all sorts of places! I just finished “If your going to wet your tooth brush, you might as well Use it!” Oh, and I’m not afraid to draw pictures on the masking tape for the non-readers in my home!

For more helpful tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday.

And if you like photos that aren’t of commodes, visit Wordless Wednesday.

P.S. I have a great Mother’s Day giveaway going on right now! You still have time to enter before the contest closes tonight at 10 pm (CST.) P.S.S. It’s jewelry.

Filed UnderThose kids, Uncategorized 56 Comments

Mother’s Day Giveaway!

7:00 am Bykristen

Mom. Mother. Mommy. Mama.

We have one or are one.

Mother’s Day snuck up on me this year, just like Easter.

It occurred to me the other day, that I’d better tackle it! My mother-in-law is easy to buy for. My hubby picked out a hand-carved wooden biscuit-cutter for her awhile back.

Yes, she makes biscuits from scratch. On a regular basis. It’s okay to feel sorry for my hubby and children. If it’s not in a pop can, it’s not happening around here.

I wanted to add something to what every mom on the farm needs, a.k.a. biscuit-cutter. That’s when I stumbled upon some beautiful custom made jewelry.

Oh, yes, now I’ve got your attention. (You don’t fool me, I know you were thinking, THAT mom is giving away a biscuit-cutter for Mother’s Day? I’m so outta here.)

Dear friends, we’re talking jewelry here. Follow me, now.

Star bright Jewels has some lovely pieces. I ordered my mother-in-law a beautiful one-of a kind bracelet. I just received the bracelet in the mail and it is divine! It’s gorgeous and high quality! Christine designs the jewelry and she is offering one of my reader’s a $30 gift certificate plus free shipping (to arrive by Mother’s Day).

So, go, look around at her store. Come back and leave a comment on this post and tell me what you would choose for yourse–, I mean, someone you love. I will randomly choose one winner Wednesday evening 10 p.m. CST.

The lucky jewelry winner will be announced on Thursday.

Oh, and Mom? I know you are reading this. That’s why I’m leaving your Mother’s Day tackle a secret.

For more great tackles, check out 5 Minutes for Mom.

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An Open Letter to Mr. Heimlich

7:00 am Bykristen

Dear Mr. Heimlich,

I’m writing this letter with a thankful heart. I learned your clever maneuver in 8th grade Health Education. As a pimply, permed girl with a bi-level, I never thought I would use The Heimlich Maneuver. I am glad I listened. Because I have used it twice.

This month.

A couple of weeks ago, my baby was munching on toddler crackers shaped like Big Bird’s head. I heard the unmistakable sound of choking. I turned to see my one-year old with a purple face. I scooped her from her high chair, wrapped my hands around her waist and applied pressure.

She vomited the contents of her stomach onto the kitchen table.

This is perhaps the first and only time you will find me thankful for such an occurrence.

And then yesterday, as my kids feasted outside on the BBQ’d spare ribs my hubby had tenderly cared for all day, my daughter ran into the house screaming, “He’s choking.”

We didn’t need to ask who. We turned to see my son, running into the house clutching his throat and gasping for air.

Mr. Heimlich, I must say, I thought of you immediately. You would have been proud to see the giant lump of pork that hit the tile floor, I’m sure.

My life has been crazy lately and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. So, it is also a relief to know that if I ever find myself choking, I will be prepared:

Yours truly,

THAT Mom

Food for the Soul:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”- Philippians 2:5-8

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All You N-EVER Wanted to Know & More

7:00 am Bykristen

Do not read the following unless you want the knitty-gritty of my life. It is perfectly acceptable for you to pass this by, it’s a lot of info, and I cannot imagine who really wants to know all this. Just a little warning. ‘Cause I’m nice. Bringing Home Ava and The Diaper Diaries tagged me for this Hubby & Me Meme:

How long did you date? 3 months. We were friends for a very long time, so don’t wag your finger. Plus, it stuck.

How old is he? OLD! 37.5

Who eats more? Depends on what it is. I can out drink him any day, as long as it’s sweet tea that’s being served. We usually finish up our meals with him gesturing, “You gonna finish that?”

Who said “I love you” first? Definitely me. I was wanton and chased him.

Who is taller? I’m 5’2. It’s just cruel to even ask that.

Who sings better? He sang a ‘surprise’ song at our wedding. I don’t know who was more surprised: me or my wedding-planning-Momma.

Who is smarter? Oh, our kids. That one was easy.

Whose temper is worse? It’s none of your business, ‘kay? (That would be me, let me just cool off for a second.)

Who does the laundry? The maid. Oh wait, you’re serious. If we want pink under ware, someone in our house is skilled. I’m just saying.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

Who pays the bills? Me, ’cause I spend the most. That’s how we decided. Plus, I’m a major nerd.

Who cooks dinner? I wish I could answer this one differently. Because meal planning and preparing is NOT my gift. I”m a good eater, though. I’ve always cleaned my plate.

Who drives when you are together? Why don’t you just ask if he wears a skirt? He is THE driver. Don’t ever question that m’kay?

Who is more stubborn? Yes, you’re right. Me. This is my game. Be nice. Or I’ll write about you.

Who kissed who first? Oh, I could write a week of posts about THAT kiss. It was sorta a hug thing and 3 months later, we got hitched. Seriously.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Usually me. I don’t like tension. And well, because, it’s usually me.

Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. They are blocks away. Literally. He’s a good man, ya’ll. Let’s me call my Mama all the time.

Who proposed? He did. (I wasn’t THAT wanton).

Who is more sensitive? Hmmm. He’s sensitive in a good man sort of way. But I get my feelings hurt more.

Who has more friends? We have two. Each other. Does that count? Really, we have a lot of couples friends, so we’re tied on this one.

Who has more siblings? Exactly the same number. Fate, I tell you.

Who wears the pants in the family? He lets me think I do. an style="font-style: italic;">He is nice, that way.

Want more? Oh, you are desperate for Sunday entertainment. Can’t you go grill or something? Okay, if you insist, here’s more life altering info about yours truly. Kisha at Proud SAHM tagged me:

Last Movie You Saw In A Theater: The Dr. Seuss Movie. Life changing, can’t even remember the name.

What Book Are You Reading: The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

Favorite Board Game: Othello, reaching way back here. But the rest of THE WORLD likes the games I offered in my little giveaway this past week. Apparently.

Favorite Magazine: Country Living. ‘Cause I want to. Live. Country.

Favorite Smells: Clean sheets, brewing sweet tea, cookies

Favorite Sound: Pizza man (doorbell) and my hubby’s keys in the front door

Worst Feeling In The World: Bad Mommy Moments.

What Is The First Thing You Think Of When You Wake? Tinkle. I’ve had 3 kids perched on my bladder. Do mother’s really think about anything thing else? Told you this was a lot of info. You can stop any time.

Favorite Fast Food Place: Places that offer Sweet TEA.

Future Child’s Name: That would be up to the NEW parents that adopt him/her ’cause this womb is closed!

Do You Drive Fast? Nope. Grandma driver, here. People honk at me all the time.

Do You Sleep With A Stuffed Animal? I don’t sleep with a live animal either. Although sometimes my hubby—never mind.

Storms-Cool Or Scary? If I’m inside, they give me a craving for a warm blanket and Chinese food.

What Was Your First Car? Shared with my twin. My parents were THAT nice.

Favorite Drink: If you seriously need an answer here, you need to go back to the archives, baby. I like informed readers.

Finish This Statement, “If I Had The Time I Would …..” Write a book. I was going to say catch up on laundry. But even if I had the time, I don’t want to.

Do You Eat The Stems On Broccoli? Yep. Affectionately referred to as ‘trees’ in my kitchen.

If You Could Dye Your Hair Any Color, What Would Be Your Choice? Seems I should have been born a redhead, what with the temper and feisty attitude. But I’m afraid of hair dye.

Favorite Sports To Watch: Gymnastics. Sometimes I even put on leg warmers. I can do a mean back bend.

One Nice Thing About The Person Who Sent This To You: She’s one of my original readers and always stops to comment. Bloggers like those little things.

What’s Under Your Bed? I dare not tell you. You would lose all respect.

Morning Person Or Night Owl? I’m kinda of a mid-day person.

Favorite Place To Relax: I like my bed. It’s new.

Favorite Pie: PEE-CAN. I’m a Texan, ya’ll.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Blue Bell-any flavor.

Anyone who wants to play along, be my guest!

Oh, and I got an award people! I mean, where else can you go, where perfectly perfect strangers give you something like this. I love you bloggy land! Thanks Jen and Mel! I’m passing it on to Beautiful Craziness and Bringing Home Ava, because they need their first award e-ver.