The New Cast of Characters

I am Heidi, aka Doodlebelle. I grew up in the beautiful town of Burlington, VT. I now reside in a rural area outside of Charlotte, NC. I have custody of my three step-children, as well as my four biological children. I am trying to navigate this world, keep my sanity, and laugh everyday while parenting 7 kids. Sometimes I do a good job of it. I enjoy reading, dancing, singing loudly in the car, losing my shit, and procrastination.


This is Brittney aka Weirdo. She is the twin of Brooke, (She is the older twin.) She enjoys her horse, reading, and being moody. She also enjoys thrashing around wildly while dancing, and completely ingoring me when I ask her a question.


This is Brooke, aka Miss Social. She is the twin of Brittney. She enjoys soccer, her friends, her phone, and her computer. She also enjoys dancing in the living room while watching her reflection in the TV, and arguing with her siblings. If ever she goes missing, you can find her in the bathroom, straightening her hair or taking pictures of herself for myspace.


This is Kyley, aka The Genius. She is super intelligent, and extremely weird. She enjoys her horse, her music, reading, and watching TV. She also enjoys sighing heavily and stomping when asked to do anything.


This is Andrew, aka Super Recovery Boy. He lives with brain cancer. He is funny and amazingly resilient. He enjoys playstation, computer games, drawing, talking back, and trying to get out of chores and school-work.


This is Rainia, aka Lil Mama. She is bubbly, fun and hyperactive. She enjoys competitive cheerleading, writing, being a princess, eating, telling everyone else what to do, and bossing around whoever she can.


This is Jake, aka Rotten. He is the twin of Joshua. He is funny, sarcastic, and entertaining. He enjoys action figures, bugs, dancing, making people laugh, being the center of attention, trying to annoy people, and ruling this family.


This Josh, aka Sweetness. He is the twin of Jacob, the youngest in the family. He is loving, sweet, and affectionate. He enjoys Computer games, Playstation, sports, singing, Showering people with hugs, and screaming at the top of his lungs when he doesn't get his way.


To contact me: iamdoodlebelle@gmail.com

Conversations with Josh

Brooke and I went on a shopping trip. We were not home in time for dinner, and stopped to get fast-food at this awesome place, which is my downfall:



She didn't finish her chicken strips, and had put them in the fridge, saying "Rainia can have those for her after school snack tomorrow." So tomorrow came, and was actually yesterday. Is that confusing? Anyway, I pick up elementary school first, which is Rainia, Jake and Josh.

Rainia: What can I eat when I get home?

The girl has an obsession with food. she cannot get enough. I think that because of her extremely hyper-nature, and metabolism, she really is always hungry. She burns it as soon as she eats it.

Me: Actually, Brooke saved her dinner from last night for you. Wasn't that nice?

Rainia: Yay! What is it?

Me: Chicken strips.

Josh: But I wuv chicken stwips too. Did she give me some?

Me: Sorry bud. You're going to have to eat normal snack.

Josh: Why did she give it to Wainia?

Rainia: Everyone knows I am the eater in this family.

Josh: (Is very upset, his face turns red, and he yells) "You awe NOT my leader!"



And on the same trip, the highlight of my day:

They are having a book fair. We always buy books at the school book fairs, and they sent home a catalogue for the kids to look through.



Rainia: Look at the book I want Mommy.



(Rainia's other obsession)

Josh: And wook at the book I want Mommy, Andwew weads these books.



Josh: It's called Diawea of a Wimpy Kid. It's about a kid that poops all the time!

Rainia's 15 minutes

Oh. My. God. I just saw my daughter on E!news. I have to find it on the internet. The Jonas Brothers Theater Invasion. Wow.

I won the coolest mom of the year award

Now I really AM mother of the year. Well, at least according to Rainia. This is us yesterday:



Yeah, right there on the right hand side, Rainia and Jazmynn (her best friend), Sajar (Jazzy's step-mom), and myself.

And this is why:



And this picture is the one they actually used on the front page of The Charlotte Observer:



In this picture, we are closer to the left hand side, you can see Rainia's little head kind of poking out.

Yes, The Jonas Brother's made a secret trip to Charlotte, and we were there. They actually went into the 3:00 showing of their 3-D movie, and we went to the 1:00 showing. They were only in the theater for a minute though, and when they came out, they were mobbed by screaming, crying girls. Rainia was one of them. She cried. A lot. Here she was, less than 7 feet from the boys who's posters adorn her walls. This was a HUGE deal. And I have to say it was a complete stroke of good luck, as the movie wasn't playing in little town. It was playing in a bunch of theaters in Charlotte, and we happened to be at the right one, at the right time. So now Rainia's little life is complete!

eta: All photos courtesy of The Charlotte Observer

holiday busyness and vomit

Three holiday concerts...Brittney & Brooke's B-Day...Christmas Shopping for 7 kids...2 dogs...2 cats...2 horses...Holiday party coming up...Also something BIG...Tears of joy...It's a surprise.

And in other news, Rainia announced to me yesterday that we were the farting family. She also threw-up all over the floor of the stall at middle-school #2 during Kyley's holiday concert this evening. Why did she throw-up all over the floor instead of in the toilet? Because she was having to use the toilet at the same time. Poor, poor girl. And before we left she told me that her ear hurt. Who knew an ear-ache could be so severe? And I am the worst school parent ever, because when I tried to clean it up with little paper-thin brown school paper-towels, it didn't seem to work, and I almost vomited myself. So I genorously covered it up with the paper-thin school-brown paper-towels, and then coincidentally saw one of those yellow "wet floor" teepee things, so I set it up neatly at the door to the throw-up stall so that the middle school girls could be forwarned. Then I went to the office to tell them that I needed custodial assistance, only no one was in the office due to the concert. So we went back to the concert.

Good Times. Good Times.

Rick: "What are you doing? I told you it was reading time 5 minutes ago."

Rainia: (With her face strangely close to the Christmas tree) "Just smelling the good times."

Happy Birthday Rain

My dearest Rainia,

This post is coming a little late, because after your birthday, we all immediately got sick, and have been in bed until today. By all of us, I mean everyone except for Rick, Brooke, and Andrew.



My sweet, sweet girl,

You turned 10 years old this year. TEN!!! I cannot believe how the time has flown. You had a growth-sput this year, and are no longer the shortest kid in your class. (You are the 2nd shortest) You take a girl's sz. 8 in clothes, and you LOVE to wear dresses and skirts. Every year you have asked me to cut your hair short (somewhere in between your chin and ears) except for this year. You asked that it grow-out until the wedding. You like for me to curl your hair, and were so excited when I recently put subtle highlights in it. At 10 years old, you love HighSchool Musical. Your favorite character is Corbin Bleu's character. You have poster's of him in your room:



Your room is also plastered with posters of Chris Brown and the Jonas Brothers:





You love to play internet games on your computer, and also love your myspace page. You are extremely creative, you love drawing, painting, crafting, and making amazing things out of nothing with Brittney. As an example, the two of you recently made a new outfit for every Bratz doll you own out of toilet paper. But your favorite toys at 10 years old, are your Bratz, and your Baby Alive dolls:




Your favorite food is spagetti, and you say that you don't like cheese, although you love to dump it on your spagetti in the form of parmesan. You also don't like mashed potatos (What is wrong with you girl?) Your favorite color is, and has been for as long as I can remember, red. You love your cheerleading lessons with Brooke, and you love music and dancing. Your favorite song is "Say Goodbye" by Chris Brown. You love your cat, Pheonix.



You do well in school, not just academically, but you are also helpful. So much so that you were recently awarded the "citizen of the month" award.




You don't really enjoy reading though, you would much rather watch Disney Channel. Your best friend is Jazmynn, and she has been since you were both in kindergarten. You have a sleep-over with her at her house or ours almost every weekend. Your true soulmate though, is Brooke, and the two of you often disappear together. You can be found on the trampoline, not jumping, but laying together looking up at the clouds talking for hours. Or in our woods, taking pictures of each other, and building forts.





You are such a bubbly, energetic, happy, loving member of this household. When you get in trouble, it is for telling people what to do. Your nickname is Lil Mama, because you just can't help yourself, you HAVE to put your 2 cents into everything. You need to tell everyone what they should be doing, including Rick and Myself. If we take too long at the store, or if we need to go somewhere for the business, etc. We know that you will be the only one calling us from your Grandma's house to find out what we are doing, when we will be home, and do not forget (insert what we should not forget here.) You love to keep track of everything on the family calendar, which is filled with your handwriting, writing down everone's appointments. Yes, those are your X's and hanwriting all over that thing.



You are so energetic, that when you talk, you bounce up and down, and my head follows your movement, so I am constantly nodding my head up and down while you are talking to me. (This must look hysterical.) You are always being told to sit down at the dinner table, because even while eating, you have so much energy that you would rather be standing. And then, after dinner, you spin, or practice your handstands in the living room. It is a normal occurance for me to tell you that I am getting dizzy watching you when we are in the same room. When we go to the store together, I hold your hand, and spin you around while we walk, because this is the best way to keep you entertained and keep you to stay with me. Internal dialogue: As I am writing this, I am realizing that this girl needs to be tested for ADHD. I have often thought this before, but it does not interfere at school or with her bahavior.



You are beautiful, and so sweet, and your smile and laughter brighten the hearts of anyone who meets you. I adore you RainGirl, and cannot believe that you are already 10.








Happy Birthday Baby! We love you more than words can say!

Uuummm...No

Quick Note-

Rainia Did not win student-council secretary, which was a sad day because she came home and actually asked me "Why didn't I win Mommy?"

But in retrospect, it's probably better this way, because when she was running, my brother asked her what the duties of the secretary were, and she answered "The secretary stays in the office and answers the phone." Hhhmmmm...Baby girl, you are right, the ACTUAL secretary does stay in the office and answer the phone. But uuummmm...No, no matter how close you get to Mrs. Principal, you would not be staying out of class to answer your school's telephone.

Parent-teacher Conferences

Yesterday was parent-teacher conference day. Always a big deal in our house, but this year was different. Having the boys in Kindergarten means we now have 7, yes SEVEN conferences to go to. How do you attend 7 parent-teacher conferences? Let me tell ya. Bear with me, one day my kids will look back on this, and want to know. So here we go...

First of all, for some reason, which I am still trying to grasp, only three out of our 7 dwarfs were responsible enough to bring home the sign-up sheets. On the sign-up sheets, you tell the teacher what 3 times would work for you, and then they send home a note with the time of your conference. So Rainia brought home her sheet, and was scheduled accordingly. As were the Kinder boys. For the unknown reason uummm...irresponsibility, NONE of our middle-sch. students got scheduled. So Wed. I told the kids they better get me a conference time. So Andrew did. They just listen so well. That left 4 out of 7 conferences actually scheduled.

So they got out of school at noon. The kinder-boys and Rainia took the bus as usual, and I headed to pick up Andrew and Kyley. As soon as I got there, Kyley says "I got you a time! And it's RIGHT NOW!" Quick internal conflict: Brooke and Brittney are waiting on me at the other Middle School. Rick is only going to be able to work until 1:30 today. The teacher's are waiting for me in the school. Shit! OK, let me just run in here and get this one down, and that will only leave six more. So I run into the school with Kyley and Andrew, have the conference, and run out. Kyley is on honor roll, 3 A's, 2 B's. PROUD!!!

We jump in the car and quick-drive over to the other middle-school. B&B get in the van. "Did you get me a time?" Nope. "Well girls, you are not getting out of this. Get your little butts in there and get me a time." Brooke runs back out to inform me that the teacher's can do RIGHT NOW. So I head into the school to explain that Rick really wants to be there, and can we get a later time? 3:30 is agreed upon, and we head home.

I get home to find Jake in his underwear and socks OUTSIDE which he knows he is not allowed to do. I quickly get him dressed, grab Josh, and we head to pick up Rick. We get to elementary school, a couple minutes early, so hit the book-fair. After Josh chooses a book for himself and Andrew (AAWWWWW), and Jake chooses a pointer, Yes people, a pointer, we head over to Kinder-building. Jake's conference is first. He is on grade level, did not identify a rectangle for his teacher. (WTF?) He sometimes has trouble staying on task, and Occasionally has attention issues. And oh, by the way, do you know how funny your son is? Uummm, yeah.

Josh is next. He is above grade level in every area, and unfortunately, even though he obviously has a speech deficit, he is not eligible for school-speech because he is reading. He is ready to start the "AR" program (accelerated reading) They will only fund speech classes if the deficit impairs his learning. He knows what the letters are, can identify them, and can sound them out into words (even if the words don't sound right). Internal dialogue: My kid is reading? Hhhmmm, why didn't I know this? Note to self= Have Josh read you a book. Damn, have Josh read Jake a book, let him take care of the night-time story from now on. This will definitely leave more time for wine. Also, apparently Josh doesn't know how to walk. He hops in line, and has to be told on a regular basis to stop jumping, skipping, etc.

We drop J&J off at home, and pick up B&B. We get to Middle Sch.#2, and they are having parent-student conferences, instead of parent-teacher conferences. We flip a coin, which makes Brooke's turn first. She reads off her grades, and the essay she has written on why her grades are what they are, and we are proud! 3 A's, 3 B's, and 1 C. Brittney is next, can someone say Proud Parents? Honor Roll! 3 A's, 4 B's. Then her math teacher jumps on her because she has the potential for an A, and received a B. Internal dialogue: Woman, you have about 2 seconds to shut-up. You are chastising my kid, who is on HONOR ROLL. Leave her alone.

We drop off B&B, and have about an hour before we need to be back at elem. for Rainia's conference. We use this time wisely of course. (We walk around the property, and decide where we will have our HUGE fantasy house built.) We then get Rainia, and head back to elementary sch. Another trip to spend $$ at the book-fair, and then on to the conference. We love Mrs. F, Kyley had her last year, and I use the time to gossip about our middle school kids. Her daughter is in Kyley and Andrew's social circle. Oh-yeah, and we spend some time talking about Rainia. 2 A's, 1 B, and 1 C. Proud!!! Oh, and she is citizen of the month this month, and will be getting an award tomorrow. Plus, she will not be taking Sierra to the bathroom anymore. Sierra is disabled and needs to use the special bathroom in the office, but Her and Rainia have been stopping to socialize with Mrs. Principal, and have been missing too much class-time. Internal=Uuummmm...who socializes with Mrs. Principal? Hhhmmm, my kids are nerds...I wonder if she gets close enough to Mrs. Principal, will she get some sort of award? Will Mrs. Principal take special interest in the boys? You go little brown-noser!!!

We get home with just enough time for the girls to quick-change into cheer-leading clothes, and to grab Andrew. YAY!!! ALMOST DONE! We drop off Brooke and Rain at Cheerleading, and head over to Middle Sch.#1. We are the last conference of the day. (It is 6:45) Andrew is doing great, but is missing his math workbook, and a library book. He has 1 A, 2 B's, and 3 C's. This is really a great report card, considering how much harder he has to work compared to the other kids. On our way out, we check his locker, and find missing workbook, and missing library book. Relief. And we are Done!!!

Until 8:00, when we have to leave again to pick up the girls at cheer. Busy, busy day. And I wouldn't have it any other way. WooHoo!!! We have amazing kids! And are SSOOOOOO Proud, of each and every one of them!

THAT mother

I am sick. I have a terrible cold, and have been too tired at the end of the night to write anything.

I do want to talk about Rainia's elections, because I was so proud of her, and am THAT mom. 2 years ago, when Kyley was in 4th grade, Rainia's age now, she was also elected into student council. She was running for vice-president. We spent hours writing the perfect speech, and she delivered it flawlessly. I didn't know until I got there what the parents with older siblings already knew. The speech in elementary school doesn't matter.

There were students doing flips, students in costumes, and students throwing things into the crowd. There were students who brought their older siblings to do the speech for them, and students with music. It was a show like I had never seen. It had absolutely nothing to do with the position the kids were running for, and everything to do with the “awe” factor. So poor Kyley delivered her speech beautifully, but didn’t stand a chance.

So this year, with Rainia, I was prepared. We decided that we would spend a lot less time on the speech, and a lot more time on the tricks. Her sisters volunteered to help, and I left it to them. They are, after all, the professionals.

So they created a lift, and Kyley even went to cheerleading with them so that she could learn how to spot. (Safety first.) So when it was Rainia’s turn, they lifted her high into the air, where she balanced perfectly. I handed her the microphone, and she delivered the speech she had memorized. When she was done, they threw her up, and caught her flawlessly. It was beautiful.

How was I supposed to know that in the last 2 years since Kyley was there that the school had been working on getting the kids to stop doing tricks? How was I supposed to know that she would be 1 of only 2 students who did anything other than stand sweetly at the podium and read their speech? How I ask you, how? So I became THAT mother. The one who tries to get her kid to show-up the other kids. But, I tell you people, it was not my fault.

Interims

Interims today.

But first, Rainia woke up with her eye red and swollen half shut, but at least her Dr. office was open, so we didn't have to go to the ER. They are not positive, so they are treating her for pink eye and allergies.

Now, Interims. It's only half way to the report cards so we have time to pull them up, but I am very excited anyway. ALL are better than last year. My kids are AWESOME!!! I am so proud of them!

Brooke:
3 A's
2 B's
1 C

Andrew:
2 A's
2 B's
2 C's

Brittney left her's at school, and Rainia was sick, and drumroll please......

Kyley:
A
A
A
A
A
A

For the first time!!! She has always had a B in math! We are VERY excited!!! And now, Kyley CAN read this book

Trouble in Paradise

Jazmyn is Rainia's best friend. We love Jazmyn, especially Jake, who once said, during a lull in dinner, as he was sitting accross from her staring for a few minutes "KISS ME JAZZY". She of course, was incredibly embarrassed, although I don't know why now that Iv'e had this conversation with Rainia:

Me: Did you have fun at Jazmyn's house?

Rainia: Yes, very much.

Rick: Was that a bebe gun in Jazmyn's hand?

Rainia: Yes, but she was just moving it. She doesn't use it when I'm there. Because I'm afraid of them. She got shot with it once and it hurt really bad.

Rick: Who shot her with the bebe gun?

Rainia: Her ex-boyfriend.

Rick: She's 8 yrs. old, and she's been shot by her ex-boyfriend?

Rainia: No. She's 9.


Rainia and Jazmyn on "Rainia's special day" They were Hannah Montana:

From Doodlebelle

From Doodlebelle

High Honor Roll

Rainia: Kyley, You are not even an "A" student! You're an "A,B" student.

Kyley: So! Either are you.

Rick: Rainia, that was mean.

Me: Rainia, That WAS mean. Why would you say that?

Rainia: It's true.

Me: So What! It's not a nice thing to say, and anyway, there is nothing wrong with getting a "B"

Rainia: Well, she shouldn't pretend she is then.

Kyley: I never said I was an "A" student!

Rainia: Then why do you have that book?

Kyley, Me, and Rick: HAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

Rainia: What? She shouldn't.

I swear they love each other!

A conversation I overheard today between Jacob and Rainia


Jake: I'm gonna wear a suitcase in the wedding. And a tie.

Rainia: You're going to wear a suitcase?

Jake: Yeah, it's black. And a tie.

Rainia: Oh, you mean a SUIT.

Jake: And a tie.

Rainia: Well, I'm gonna wear a tiarra, because I'm going to be a princess.

Jake: You gonna be a ugly princess.

Rainia: Well, you're the ugliest troll in the world.

Jake: Is my teacher gonna be nice at kindergarden?

Rainia: You're teacher's gonna be SO nice. If you say I'm the prettiest princess in the world you can play with my slinky.

Jake: OK. You're the pretty princess.

Rainia: In the world.

Jake: Oh never mind.

It's hard out here for a pimp

It has been SO busy around here that I don’t even know where to start. I have so much to write about, and I don’t want to flood your brains with my stress and craziness. Let me start with school news. All of our amazing kids passed their eog’s. We have not yet received their scores or report cards, but when we do, you better believe that I will be bragging. Speaking of bragging, I cried like a baby instead of a proud mommy at the kids award ceremony. In fear of coming off like a total snob, I will just say that my kids are amazing!

The genius cleaned-up, and in addition to winning every academic award possible also won 1st place in the talent show, outstanding performance strings (violin), and outstanding performance music (singing). Rick had to keep his hand over my mouth, and I bit him, but that was better than my overwhelming impulse to stand up and scream “Ha! Losers! My kid is better than yours!” I refrained myself, and he only needed 2 stitches.

Yesterday was Rainia’s surgery. We spent 6 hrs. there. She took her IV like a sailor getting a tattoo. She laughed at the nurse, and then took her flask out of her pocket smiled sweetly. Her surgery was done within 30 minutes, and the rest of the time was recovery. The worst part was when she vomited, and I immediately convulsed with dry-heaves, and the nurse had to tell me to sit down and ask if I was OK. You would think after 7 kids and countless viruses, not to mention months spent with Andrew in ICU, I would be able to handle a little throw-up. You would think.

When we finally left, we got her a milk-shake, and I dropped Rick off at work. I went to pick up Kyley at horse-camp, in the blazer I have been driving lately. I have been driving it for about a week, so am fully aware that no matter how much or how little gas it has, the gauge says ¾ of a tank. I guess with all the hurrying to get to the surgical center without the required paper-work that I couldn’t find, I wasn’t thinking about when the last time I put gas in was, or finding my cell phone.

So the phone was left at home with the kids, and I ran out of gas. Luckily, it was only 99 degrees outside. I knew what was happening, and had enough sense to glide off onto a side road. I knocked on the doors of 4 houses, but no one came to the door to help a woman out of gas with a drugged-up, in pain, vomiting 9 yr. old girl. Out of no where, a large coca-cola truck pulled up. I guess he needed to rearrange the coke bottles, or check his directions, or something, but there he was. So, I ran over to the truck, and said “HEY!” He preceeded to quickly roll up his windows, shake his head no, point to his wedding ring, and drive off as quickly as he could get the truck to shift. Those of you who know what the oldest profession in the world is, know what he mistook me for.

I walked back to the car, and explained to Rain that I had to run to find a phone. I locked her in the 105 degree blazer, and took off running. The first thing I came upon, was the lovely hair salon where I buy my Aveda supplies, now what kind of working girl uses Aveda? I called Rick, and ran back to the truck. I dried my tears before I got back to Rainia, because I didn’t want to scare her. I carried her out of the 115 degree truck, and we found a spot in the shade to wait. Luckily, she still had her milk-shake, now milk-soup.

Rick showed up quickly, because he wanted to live another day loves me very much. I drove straight to the gas station, got the genius from horse-camp and went home. After dinner, chores, bath, some more vomit, some crying, and finally all the kids getting to bed, I laid in bed next to Rick. I was trying to cry, because that is absolutely my BEST stress-relief, but for some reason instead of tears, all I had was shock. I mean, I’m a good looking girl, how could the coca-cola guy refuse my services?

Rhymes with???

Written 5/15/08

Just in case....

I need to clear up any confusion. For those of you who do not know us, Rainia IS an unusual name. I MADE IT UP! I was looking for a nickname of Rain, because that is what I like to call her.

Rainia = Rain ee uh

not: Run I uh
not: Rain I uh
not: Rain ee A
not: Rain I A

rhymes with: Pain ee uh
or: Rainy duh

Things she is called on a regular basis:
Rainia
Rain
Rainy
RainGirl
Pain ee uh
lil momma
Rain on my window sill (thx Brittney)
Ga-Ga (don't even ask)
wainia (boys)

and of course:

br..k..a..j..HEY YOU!!!

Shorty got Low

Written 5/5/08

Well, it turns out that Rainia does have to have the adnoids removed. So it will be a little bit more complicated than the tubes in the ears, but they will do both in the same surgery, and it shouldn’t be too bad. Maybe a sore throat for a couple of days.

My job will be letting out for the summer on June 6th. I am very excited because I desperately need a couple of minutes to breath. I am hoping to get everything organized at the shop, get my house clean, and get caught up with laundry all in the first couple of weeks and then relax. Usually the summers get to be pretty hectic with having the kids all home and trying to take at least one good two-week vacation, but I cannot wait!

You are not going to believe this, but I have lost a bin of summer clothes. Well, those who know me can believe it.

I have a Jakeism, but you are going to question my parenting skills after this one. Honestly people, I am doing the best I can. For a very, very, very long time, we didn’t allow the kids to listen to the popular radio stations because of the lyrics involved in all of today’s top 40 songs. We did very well with this, getting our kids to enjoy country, Christian, jazz, classic rock, and even classical. Somehow though, pop culture has invaded our home. The kids listen to the radio stations, and yes, I do too. So this explanation has all led up to today’s Jakeism. Should I write this? Too late now.

Jake: “Mommy, can I give that big booty a slap?”

I am so sorry people. I have long been an advocate for a required parenting class for every birthday that your child has. Obviously, I would fail that class. Miserably. With a big fat F.

Also, his glue spot:

You call this a Vacation?

Written 4/11/08

Sorry about the late post, but this is Spring Break week for the kids. Also, because I work in the school system, myself. I did go to the shop to finish some tax stuff before we sent it off to our accountant, but besides that, home. in the house. with the kids. all week. For the last 7 days, we have hosted the neighborhood. Sat. and Sun.=10 kids, Mon.-Wed.=8, Thur.=9, tonight 11? 12? That includes getting rid of 2 of our own one night and 1 last night. So, needless to say, I haven't had the time to post. Unfortunately, it has been cold or raining most of the week. Cold. Or raining. In the hot, dry south. Of course it was, since it is our VACATION!

The two days that it was beautiful, included 2 different parks, a hike, and countless hours on the 4-wheelers. Yes, we have 4-wheelers. (We are red-necks you know)

Make-A-Wish came out on Fri. Andrew ended up wishing for Disney, which is SO exciting. They informed us though that if we wanted to stay at Give Kids The World, we needed to wait until July or Aug. If we wanted to leave before then, we could stay in a Disney resort. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Any comments would be appreciated, especially people who have experienced GKTW.

Rainia still has fluid in her ears, and we go back on the 21st for the final decision of whether or not to put tubes in her ears. They are pretty sure of yes, but they don't want to make a rash decision before making absolutely sure that the fluid isn't related to her upper respiratory/ear infection. I am sure that she needs the tubes though, because I feel that she has had the hearing loss for quite some time. I am also going to have Joshua evaluated, because he doesn't speak english. at 5 years old. I think this is related to hearing loss as well.

Y'all jiss don know haow t tawlk

Written 3/25/08

There is a day after Easter story that I can’t delve to deep into, because kids surf the internet. Anyway, I’ll just say that it involves Rainia finding stuff in our room, and my mother explaining to her that the Easter Bunny always leaves supplies for anyone who works in a school system to make baskets for other children just in case the Easter Bunny forgot to visit their house. Rainia, at 9 years old, had one of the saddest moments of her life. She barely spoke to anyone for the rest of the day.

On the flip side, I felt better today. But first I felt worse. I had to go back to work today, so I checked my school e-mail which I never do on my days off. I should make a point of checking it once in a while, because this was 9:30 am. Of course there was an e-mail from my supervisor saying that there was a mandatory staff meeting at 10:00 am. And do not be late. I have never washed myself so quickly in my entire life. I’m sure I missed some spots, but I put on a little extra perfume to make up for it. I wrapped my hair so tightly that when I took it down this evening it was still wet. I hopped out the door on one foot so that I could save zero seconds by putting my other shoe on in the car. I called Rick on the way to tell him my bum luck, and by the way, I may just run out of gas because the car is below empty. By the grace of God I didn’t run out of gas, and I was only 6 minutes late to the meeting.

This is how the whole day went. I got home at about 7:45 since it was a field-trip night. I honestly did not have time to feel depressed all day, and by the time I got home, the kids had already eaten Rick’s specialty. Rick’s specialty is Sloppy Joes. That’s what we called them up north. Around here, they are called Manwiches. I guess Rick thinks that it is ok to cook them, because they have the word “Man” in them. Because of that, I don’t argue the word. I like to argue the difference between Northern and Southern words, weiner instead of hotdog, y’all instead of you guys, and the one that really gets under my skin, toboggan. Where I come from, a toboggan is a kind of sled. Around here a toboggan is a hat. Since it only snows here once a year, and the snow is gone within hours, I believe that I have the authority over the difference between a sled and a hat. You cannot put a sled on your head! But I let Rick have Manwich, because that and soup are the only things he cooks. And the soup is questionable because last week when I was sick, I had some condensed soup WITH NO WATER ADDED. Lord was I glad to see those manwiches tonight though.

Rick says that it was a good thing that I had that meeting this morning, and had to work all day. He made the point that he would be depressed too if he had to spend the whole day in the house. Maybe he’s right. All I know is that I have a doctor’s appointment soon to talk about medication, and I am counting down the days.

Jacob and Joshua were play fighting today, which sometimes gets out of hand, but I was busy eating the best manwich in the world, so I didn’t stop them. Rick and I were sitting at the table when we heard Jake say to his twin, who is ½ in. shorter, but 5lbs. heavier, “You dont know kawate wittle kid.” We couldn’t help but to laugh.

Sick in Bed

Written 3/20/08

Sorry about the late post, but in the last few days, I have had to endure emotional issues so vile and repulsive that the very thought of them makes me want to vomit on this computer. Thus endagering mine, my fiance's, and a certain 5-year-old who is addicted to nickjr.com's, life-line to the outside world.

Anybody who sent a lovely e-mail about our safety, thank-you. We figured out the reasoning behind my near electrocution and house-fire. The "new" dryer had wires crossed, in that the red was connected to the white and the white was connected to the red. We re-wired them. Now we can sleep safely at night while also drying 1/200th of the laundry that needs to be done.

We fixed the water leak that saved our house, and we re-fitted the robot-arm to safely dispose of any lethal lint. By "we" in any of the above mentioned chores, I mean Rick. "We" also moved a large storage building from a house in the next town over to our current home, so that 9 people's off-season and waiting to fit into the next child-in-line's clothes will have a nice, dry, home. "We" also patched the roof, because a terrible storm blew off pieces of lovely to hear the rain while in bed on a stormy night tin roof all over our yard.

Andrew had a vision exam scheduled at Duke, and while on route, Rick and Andrew broke down in the car recently fixed by the new mechanic. The new mechanic had to drive the 1.5 hours to get them, because Heidi was dealing with vile emotional issues, while also dealing with a terrible cold or the flu or please put me out of my misery virus.

Rainia has hearing loss in both ears, more so in the right, in the lower tones. She has been put on steroids, nose spray, and daily sudafed to try to prevent tubes being put in to drain the fluid causing the hearing loss.

More later, I need to go cry hysterically, or throw-up, or shake violently while covered with three blankets while trying to sip tea with honey.