Howdy, Ya'll!

The beginning of a new year!

In a few days, my oldest will be 21. My youngest will be 13 and my two middles will be 16 and 17.

Where does the time go?

The two youngest....they are as tall as I am!

Wow...they are so beautiful!  And the humor!

I love this crew!

My girls

Don't faint...

But I was cleaning today.

Since the husband left, it's how I keep myself busy.
Anyway, I decided to vacuum.  Cuz I got a new vacuum cleaner...and I wanted to be the first to use it, because I'm selfish like that.
So I'm picking up the random papers strewn on the floor and I come across a neatly folded little piece of paper written in #4's handwriting.
It was a list...a wishlist of sorts.
 1) A video game
2) an Ipad
3) go shopping for more fish
4) that #3 would be happy

I teared up.
and I shared it with #3 so on those days when she doesn't feel like anyone loves her...she'll know at least two people do.
#4 and me.

Just ranting...

So I'd like to know what the fascination is with death and dying nowadays.
My kids use the phrase like it's nothing. "I'm going to kill you" or "I'd like to kill that person".
The stories they write are about death...
"The person killed half the dragon family so they went to hunt him down and, even though he said 'Sorry' they burned him up with fire."

What they don't get is that threatening to kill people - even if you don't mean it - is deeply frowned upon in the public school system lately.
And that means I get called by the school counselors, teachers and principals.
Alot.

Yes, I talk to them.  Yes, they are good kids.  Yes, they understand the value of human life.
Apparently what they DON'T get is how to manage their mouths when they are angry.
Psalm 4:4 in the KJV says "Shake with anger but do not sin"...

I guess sometimes I wonder if it counts if you SAY it but would never actually DO it.
Then again, what do I know?  After several failed relationships and life circumstances that have blindsided me out of the blue, I have come to understand that I'm an extremely poor judge of character.  What if, someday, one of them does "it" - the unthinkable?
Is this how the parents of the kids from Columbine feel?  Kids in gangs who take other people's lives without a second thought? Do their parents look back and think "If only I'd seen this!  If only I'd done something."

This is WAY too deep.  What can I do except raise them the best I know and pray.
My son said the other day "You are an awesome mom - and an incredible dad, too."  It's tough being a single parent, especially after traumatic relationship fails.  Parenting kids with PTSD, OCD, Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Hallucinations, SID and Aspergers while working full time is tough.
I don't know how anyone could do it without Someone to lean on.
Someone who has my back always.  Someone I can trust.
In the last couple of years, my best friend has passed away, my second best friend walked out on me to make a new life with my boyfriend. All of the guys in my life have decided I am not good enough because I don't have time for them.  I guess all that working and parenting stuff gets in the way of their fun.

Whatever.

But I know that God loves me.  I know He's there for me.  He has proven Himself over and over.  I'm honored and blessed and a daughter of the King of Kings.

I'm also lonely.  I wish God had physical arms to hold me when I cry.  An audible voice to remind me that He's here...He's got me...It'll be ok.

Sigh.  **Pulls up big girl panties**  time to get back to work...

So much has happened....

I miss my blog...
Really! I do!
with no Internet at home, writing has become a luxury.

OK, I guess I COULD write them off-line then publish them, huh?
If I had a brain...
which I do, but unfortunately, due to menopause and resulting insomnia, said brain has refused to cooperate with me most days.

OK, every day.
This past week, my life has done a 180 and I'm facing a whole new future.

Had to take a leave of absence from midwifery.
I know, it sucks. But after excitedly awaiting the completion of my practical experience and the promise of a partnership to follow my licensure, I was deemed to have "gaps in my knowledge" and instructed to study more before attempting to sit for the written NARM exam.

I couldn't face another year of existing below poverty level...for my children and for myself.
So I got a job...

Yep! a 8 - 430, Monday thru Friday, honest-to-goodness J-O-B. It's only seasonal, but one never knows...and it will help dig us out of a hole. Dispatching trucks delivering potting soil.
It could be fun, really. It involves two of my favorite things...trucks and talking. Just sayin'....

Also, I got married this week.
legally....tied....the....knot

He's sweet, kids love him, 10 years younger than I (I think that classifies me as a cougar), and he can cook!
He's also disabled and has hepatitis C.

Catch your breath...**PANT PANT**

It's not that bad, really. He will have to undergo a year of interferon treatments soon, but for right now...we just have to be very careful with anything "wet and not ours" as they say in EMT class.

Now, for tribe updates...
#1 has now graduated from high school and will start college Spring term.
...For what profession, you ask? excellent question! He doesn't know, actually. I think God is calling him to the ministry...we shall see if he heeds that call.

#2 has played musical schools but is now back in Chaotic Charter School. Diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, tachycardia and an amazing abiding faith in God, she can be awesome or horrible depending on the hour of day. She will be 15 in June and, folks, the idea of her DRIVING with her attention span is enough to make me completely gray-haired.

#3 is also attending Chaotic Charter School. Declared disabled with Aspergers, anxiety and depression, she has a boyfriend that I cannot stand yet tolerate so I can keep a constant vigil on them. They are amazingly physically demonstrative for their age and I'm thinking of calling the whole thing off. At 13, she should not have to worry about him "cheating on her" or have someone clinging to her for complete emotional stability.
Which is probably why I now sit in a hospital emergency room with her. Waiting for an adolescent psych bed to become available in the nearby big city. Battling the creatures that grab at her and tell her to kill herself. The spiders, snakes and foxes are fairly easy to deal with, but the black creatures are formidable opponents as I challenge them for my daughter's sanity.

#4 goes to the Small Town Public School and is in 5th grade. Diagnosed with Aspergers, anxiety, depression and Sensory Integration Disorder. Looking forward to outdoor school. Which I have volunteered to go to...
Before I got this job, that is.
Before her sister mentally snapped, that is.


Turn in my Mommy License again!!

Wait...I don't have one...

So here I sit... "Lean not onto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

I'm trying, God, I'm trying...

number four funny

She borrowed the card table.

The old cardboard one with the warped top. Of course, you know I had to clean off all the spider webs. 'phobic child, ya' know.

Covered it with a sheet and made a tent. So she was happy...

Until "littlest Cat" decided it looked inviting and started leaping at the walls...occasionally scratching her till she was inside crying because she was afraid of him. Toooo Sad!

So Mommy handed her the Anti-Cat Device...
(aka fly swatter)
And watched the evil little grin spreading across her face like the Grinch when he thought up his Christmas plan.

Little cat - JUMP...CLAW
Bekah - WHACK

JUMP
CLAW

WHACK...WHACK...WHACKITY WHACK

It's working, you know. But I think she's having entirely to much fun whacking at the cat...

especially when she starts chasing him into other rooms of the house.

I think I've created a monster...AND it has a name!

"AWRIGHT, you!" She hollers. "That'll teach you to mess with the Bekah-nator!"

Odd experience for me

I've never had one of my children so angry at me before.
It's very ...uh....weird to say the least.

She wants to go to "Alch*my School". She's been watching this "kids" show named "Full Me*al Alc*emist". I must confess, I've never watched it. I guess I probably should if she's getting this hung up on it.

And she sees this ad online for a school down in California. The symbol for the school too closely resembles a pen*agr*m for my comfort level.

So this evening she meets me on the porch and wants to talk. She thinks I will be angry. But I'm not. However, I do tell her in no uncertain terms that until she is 18 and responsible for herself, this will not happen.

And I explain why.
To which she replies that she hates God.
I knew she was mad at Him for not taking away her nightmares, but she says there is something else that has made her hate Him. And she won't tell me what.

I am disturbed by this to the depths of my soul. She has spent all evening crying and will not speak to me.
As you can imagine, I am praying with all that is in me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got an email from my childrens' school. I had previously made it known in no uncertain terms that my children were NOT (and I repeat, NOT) to be included in any S*x education.
Hmmm, yah, I made a stink about it after the crew came home and told me about an all-school assembly they had that day on "se*ual harras**ent".
Call me a prude or an overprotective mother or whatever other unflattering names you can think of but it's my job as their parent to provide that information. My kids and I talk - we have the kind of relationship where they will come to me if they have questions.
No, I am not deluding myself. Seriously.
Anyway, the email I got outlines plans for a middle school health education class and gives me the procedure for "opting out". Which involves a four page "application".

Now, I realize it's been a few years, but last time I checked, I could entirely and completely home school my children without filling out that much paperwork.
I realize there are Federal mandates and the "no child left behind" hoo-haw and grants and charters that have to be satisfied. But she's MY child!
Or am I wrong??

My next question is...if it is an application, what is the options if my app is DENIED?

Great Gobs of Goose Grease!

Guess I really WILL be homeschooling her then, huh?

shots that DON'T HURT!

Had an interesting day today. Took number four to the dentist.

We go to a pediatric dental school. You know, where all the dentists hope to be able to work on kids when they grow up? In other words...they are all pretty much CERTIFIABLE!
I have heard the tenured professor talking like Donald Duck. I have seen more rubber glove and tongue depressor puppets than I can count. And the NAMES they come up with for ordinary tools to make them sound harmless - wow! Imagination abounds!
Anyway, it was another morning to turn in my mommy license. I was late. AND I forgot I had to take another grownup with me if they were going to be able to do the pre-medication. Ummm, the happy juice that keeps her from hysterics....that stuff.
SOooo, we aren't going to get it.

OH my.

Talked to the resident and, well, we are going to go for it. Give her some "funny air" through the "elephant nose" tube and hopefully we won't have to restrain her with duct tape.

JUST KIDDING!! well...kinda...

So I walked her in and helped her in the chair, kissed her and petted her hair. The eyes got big and puddles started to form. I looked at the resident....she looked at me...I looked within myself at the quivering mass of sobs lying just right under the surface of the skin.
AND we decided Momma should make a quick exit - stage Left.

When she came out an hour later, her face was numb and she was cranky about that. And she couldn't figure out why her jaw was sore. So -

and this tells you how good these people are...

she wants to know how her cheek got numb. So I tell her, "Well, Baby, it was probably that shot they gave you."
And she looks at me like I have lost my ever-lovin' mind! "THEY GAVE ME A... W H A T??????"

Yup! That resident was so good, #4 didn't even know she had been injected. **Giggle**
She says "Hmm, well, I must have just passed out then!"

OH my word. What a princess...

God is good...All the time...

Good morning! Don't know why I actually have a few spare minutes this morning. I think I will count that as one of my blessings as I write this post for my dear friend Lizzie's Works of God Weekend. I need more practice on counting my blessings...so let's see...

I am very grateful that all my kids are healthy right now. We got some new medicine this week that TOTALLY cleared up my #4's eczema for the first time in 6 years! She is SO happy...which means I am, too. Wednesday night I was putting the ladies to bed and #2 asks "Momma, where is my father from? I forgot".
"You mean, what country or nationality?" "Yah, That."
"I understand he is Scottish."
"What about you, Mom? What are you?"
So #4 pops up from the top bunk and hollers "MAMA'S A REDNECK!!"
Hmmmmm, Didn't know that was a country...
Actually, they discuss rather frequently whether I am a biker mama (tattoos, ya know), a Hippy (alot of baking, wear take-off-Birks, make Kambucha tea) or a redneck (wear jeans and zip-neck sweatshirts and say "Ya'll and Yeehaw" alot).
It's an ongoing debate... Maybe all three. Bikahipaneck. Redbyhip.
OW, that hurts my brain. Too much thinking....

I am SO grateful to have dental coverage! Had a root canal last week and one of the files broke off inside my tooth. She couldn't get it out so just filled around it and left it there. Freaked me out at first, but it really didn't hurt that much once we got past the shots. So now I have a creative excuse for not passing the metal detectors at the airport.

I am grateful for God's little directional arrows on my path. I've been working toward attending an intensive midwifery certification class at the end of the year in Boise, Idaho. I'll need SO much help - caring for my kids, temporarily relocating, finances. So I've been trying to leave the particulars up to Him - So far he has gotten me in touch with two old friends. One has lived in Boise for many years and is willing to help me locate resources there. The other might need a place to stay for awhile and used to be my babysitter!! All I can say is - oh WOW. He definitely seems to be leading me in this direction. And it's a VERY exciting step of faith.

AND I am grateful for my friend Lizzie. Her blog has often uplifted me and often touched my heart. To ride the roller coaster with her on her journey back to a "normal" life with her husband is a true blessing. I am humbled and honored to have her in my life.

I'm feeling better!

Not 100%, but better.
Still struggling to catch up on my homework...don't even know if that is a possibility at this point.
Was cleaning my room and found a check for $40 that I had forgotten about so at least I will have gas money to get through the weekend.
Still have to work on the cell ph bill and the electric bill...but Loverboy keeps telling me to trust God; that God will provide for me.

I know he's right. But I have such little faith. I'm still scared, still lonely, still worried.
Why can't I just leave it with God? I know I'm a rotten child. I do not in any way, shape or form deserve rewards. But my kids... Surely God will provide for them.

That's what I'm asking for anyway.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number four funny of the day -

She crawls up next to me in bed this morning.
"Mom, were you married to our Father?"
"Yes, Squirrel. For fifteen years. Why?"
"I just wondered. What happened?"
"Well, we got a divorce."
"What's a divorce?"
"When you file a paper with a court and end your marriage."
"WELL, THAT is AGAINST the RULES!"
"oh Really!? what are these "rules"?
"#1. you get to be sixteen and you get a boyfriend.
#2 is you go out for awhile and then you get engaged.
#3 is when you marry them.
#4 is that you always talk nice.
#5 is that when you get mad, you work things out,
and #6 is that you are supposed to stay married forever, usually."

Now. Forever...and usually? I may be a redneck, but don't they call that an oxymoron or something like that?
Other than the age issue, she did have some good points, though. I'm just sayin'...

Today

Today was kinda funny.

Bought myself one of those exercise balls. Hard not to call it a "birthing ball" cuz that's what I've always seen it used for. But had a meeting with my Basic Conditioning instructor yesterday and she recommended one. Gave me some ideas.
So I got one...80 inches around and HOT PINK. Came with a DVD, 2 lb. hand weights AND exercise bands.
#3 went to school and told her teacher all about it.
Yah. Major embarrassing.
Plus the kids keep snagging it and playing with it.

I give it about a week before they've popped it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Went on a rescue call today. Older lady, slurring her words, having a hard time staying awake. So I go in and run the call. Have four guys with me. Chiefs are out of town at a conference.
We get back in the rig and sit there for a second. The driver turns around and says
"SO! When did you get YOUR basic?"
Kinda takes me by surprise as I am not sure what he means.
Then it dawns on me that he's an EMT Basic and he THINKS I have gone in and taken over a call when I am a lower ranking First Responder.

I look him level in the eye and say "About eight months. Why? Did I do something wrong?"

He turns forward, starts the rig and says, "No. She's still alive, isn't she?"

Don't know what his problem is. Was he just being sarcastic? DID I do something wrong? Why does he feel the need to challenge me?
He IS shorter than me. I should just go meet him behind the firehouse and beat him up.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Went to the kids' play and science fair tonight.
They did a scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was SO CUTE. They let the kids with bigger parts read from the playbook so it wasn't REAL sophisticated...but that's ok. There are only about 12 kids in the entire elementary school. They made their own set out of refridgerator boxes.
It was the scene where Augustus Glub falls in the chocolate river. The kid who played Augustus is MAJORLY hyper. Can't sit still for two seconds. I'm NOT EVEN exaggerating.
So when it comes time for him to fall in the river, the teacher whispers "JUMP!" and he jumps in between the brown cardboard waves.
The play continues. My number three is "Willy Wonka" and Numbers 2 and 4 play parents of the spoiled children. So I'm trying to pay attention to them.

But every once in awhile...a little sneaker or hand pokes up over the cardboard.
and again. I giggle. His eyes peak out.
and I guffaw. THEN a whole leg sticks straight up in the air.
He JUST CAN'T hold still. Looks like he's doing the backstroke in there.

It was Hilarious!

I needed a good laugh.

Randomalities

Dropped numbers 2 and 3 off at the local pool and number four and I went shopping, running errands, just generally having some "girl time".
When we went to pick them up, they were all SWEET and KIND. Let #4 sit in the FRONT. Held the car door for her.
All of a sudden she stops, plants her hands on her hips and announces "WHO are YOU and what have you DONE with #2?!??"

TOO funny. But she's right. It was WAaaaay out of character for those middle two!

--------------------------------------------------
Did I somehow forget to mention that I got a ticket.
Speeding ticket.
STOP LAUGHING!! We're going to just work off the assumption that I'm a law abiding citizen.

except for That OoooooNNNNNEEE little thing.
Pedis Leadis.

Of course, I got nailed on the OTHER side of the state. Argh!
By a state police trooper when I had an interview with the State police TODAY.
Dern.
Like I can afford that! Where's that rubber wall when I need something to bang my head against.

-------------------------------------------------------------
#4 again. "Mom, I gotta go potty"

"Uhhh, MOM, I gotta go POTTY!!"

Five more minutes dear.

5 minutes go by.

"Hmmm, Mom, did you know you just drove down an exit?"

No, Squirt!! Are you SERIOUS?!?! I didn't know! AH CRUD...What am I gonna do NOW.
of course I knew. It was potty time. But just the way she said it...Guess you had to be there.

----------------------------------------------------------
#3 comes out for a hug while LB and I are walking the dogs. BIG squeeze.

She heads back toward the house and then turns.
Points her head at my Love and says...

"You know, if you and my mom ever break up, you ain't NEVER gonna find ANYONE like her. All the others will just drink and drink and drink and drink and drink. They'll be NO good for ya'!"

Well...that was totally random! But she got it off her chest...

Gotta go to bed, friends. Catch ya' Manana

Morning Love

Number four woke me up this morning.
Brought me breakfast in bed.

With a cup of left-over coffee that has been in the pot for at least 4 days.
And it's cold...cuz she's only seven, ya' know.

Anyway, a long distance runner who wanted to tank up on carbs before a marathon would have LOVED this breakfast!!
On a Teletubbies plate, I got a dinner roll, a cold piece of toast (WELL buttered) and two chocolate chip pop tarts.

"Oh, THANK YOU, sweetheart!!" Says I. "How wonderful!" and I start to nibble.
She goes to the end of the bed and starts rubbing my feet under the quilt.

"Mommy?" she declares around her missing two-front-teeth, "Isn't this just the BEST DAY EVER?"

Why yes, my little SpongeBob Groupie...I think it's shaping up that way!

Ain't it the truth?

I was sitting at the computer doing one of those quiz thingys that people send you. One of the questions was "What is your biggest fear?"
My answer is usually..."I've experienced all my fears and lived to tell the tale."
So that got #3, #2 and I discussing "fears", and #2 said hers' was that we lose our house. In her ten-yr-old mind, this house means security...even though it is a crappy old drafty doublewide that doesn't even belong to us.

So I said "Baby, if we somehow lost this house, God would take care of us. You know that."
She agrees "Yep! He's got everything in control! We have God!"

And #3 chimes in "Yah, if we didn't have God, all he** would break loose!"

I'm sorry, I was too busy cheering to scold her for the Ach Ee Double chopsticks word. Is it possible I am making a little bit of an impression on them?

whoops

I found this great charm the other day. It's made to hang off your rear-view mirror. About the size of a keychain with three little dangles hanging off of it; 1 cross, 1 angel, 1 car.
And it says "Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly."

Driving the kids home from school yesterday. Had about 20 minutes to get them home, figure out what to make for dinner, get my uniform on and get going to class.

You can SEE where this is going, can't you????

Number one is riding in the front; as always. Cuz he's six foot three now at fifteen and probably couldn't fit in the back of the van if he tried. Anyway, he looks out the window..down at my speedometer...out the window...down...up...

"Ummm, Mom, I think your guardian angel is getting tired."

Kid funnies

Number three says "Mom, what are hazelnuts?"

"just a type of nut, honey. They grow on trees".
"So were are the hazelnut tree seeds?
"ummm, I think the hazelnut IS the seed!"

"Wow! Can I eat the nut and leave the 'hazel'?"

No, sweety...I think they are pretty much stuck together.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mom, remember those crayons I got at the restaurant last night?"

"Yes." hear the apprehension in the mother's voice...

"Well...I'm making them naked."

Crayon wrappers all over the floor of the van...yah.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mom, so do you like Butterflies?"

"They are pretty enough, but they are STILL BUGS..so I'm not real crazy about them."

Hands on hips, huff and an eye roll for effect.

"Good Grief, Mother! Butterflies are the most UNHARMLESS bugs there are!"

I'm serious. That's what she said!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK...if you are sensitive...don't read this one. Just keep in mind it comes from a 15 year old boy.

He can always tell when I am blue or stressed so he asks me if I'm sad.
And I tell him that I am just so, so tired and trying to concentrate.
So his words of wisdom?

"Mom, just remember it takes 44 muscles to frown and only four muscles to put up your middle finger and say "Bite Me!"

I'm sorry. I tried to be serious and scold him...it just wouldn't work!
The nice men in the white jackets will be coming to take away my mommy license any minute now.

Friends or Siblings?

GUESS WHAT! INCREDIBLE WONDERFUL NEWS!!

It's Photo Frenzy Monday over at Family My Way!

The theme is friendship...So I'm joinin' in!

And here's my submission -

This is number three and number one.
It blesses my heart when my kids are actually FRIENDS
because they CHOOSE to be.

a welcome change from all the squabbling.
Sometimes I feel like a referee instead of a mom.
Which makes it all the more AWESOME when they hang out
in a friendly kinda way.

Who can RESIST...

a man who gives you THESE for Christmas!

A fully loaded tool kit...everything you ever needed for any household emergency. Probably couldn't rebuild an engine with it, but HEY, who has the time to do that anyway, ya' know?!

A pair of GORGEOUS white slingbacks in JUST THE RIGHT SIZE. I can just see this macho truck driver in jeans and a flannel shirt sashayin' through Payless Shoe Source trying to find Size 13 heels. I think he has an ulterior motive with this gift...Maybe?

And....be still my heart...

An Espresso/Cappuccino maker! WOW! YeeHAW!
Does he know me or what?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We were out visiting him and his Dad on the other side of the state...
I suppose I probably mentioned that he lives on the OTHER SIDE OF THE STATE...
and he wanted to take me out for dinner. So Dad agreed to watch the kids and I got all dolled up.
OK...well, as "dolly" as I can get, anyway.

I come out through the living room in black jeans, a black shell and a red jacket. Makeup (DON'T FAINT...I know, it's a strain on your heart to think of me in makeup) and my hair all poofy.
Number four takes one look at me and says "MOM!" in this huffy, horror-stricken voice.
"WHAT?!?!" Thought maybe I had a booger hangin out my nose or something.

I know, I'm gross.

Anyway, she says "Mother, you are NOT going to wear RED...in PUBLIC, are you?"
Good thing I wasn't wearing the new high heels or I would have fallen off them. Had to lean on the wall when I became faint from laughing so hard.

YUP, I'm a shameless hussy. Wearing red in public. SHOCKING!!

This Kid cracks me UP

I swear...she's gonna be a stand up comic when she grows up.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Number four got some play food for her "kitchen" from Santa. She is kind of compulsive so she is arranging it by food group.
She often asks me "Mom, am I the weirdest kid you ever met?"

Ummmm, YAH!

ANYWAY, she starts asking me questions.
Is eggplant a vegetable?
Is celery a vegetable?
are cranberries a fruit?
And we come to the dairy section...
Is Pizza dairy?
Well, no...it's a combination food. Bread, Meat, Cheese (milk) and tomato (fruit).
"well, I'm just going to put it in the Dairy anyway."

WELL, why did you ASK ME THEN? Huff!

"Mom, is Pie dairy?"
"no, definitely not. It's sugar and fat."
"it's dairy!"
"uh, NO! Sugar and fat!"

"DAIRY!"
"SUGAR!"

here it comes...
"THAT does it! I'm calling my lawyers!"

HUH? I'm serious! that's what she said!
Toy cell phone out, open...beep...beep..boop...boop...

"Hello, Lawyers? ... Yes, I'd like to SUE somebody!"

I didn't hang around to see if it was ME. I had to go to my room so I could laugh uncontrollably.

Too much love

It's early in the morning...Two of my kids are bouncy and two of them are like me (suspended animation until 10 am).

Number four is watching TV and eating her breakfast. Yes, I'm a terrible parent that way.
Number one is walking through the living room and being the big ol' six foot three teddy bear that he his, he grabs her up and hugs her.

She jumps up and yells, "AHHHH, TOO MUCH LOVE...TOO MUCH LOVE!"

I fell off my office chair!

Number Four Funnies

She comes out of the bedroom with a drawing of a Loooong blue dog. It has a black mask on.
"Mom, guess what kind of dog this is!"
Best educated guess here..."Uhh, I would guess a Dacshund"
Eye rolls..."Mother! It's a ninja Weiner Dog!"
OH, silly me!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dog is chasing white cat. Cranky white cat. Yappin' little ankle biter dog.
Cat starts hawkin'. YOU KNOW...like a hairball is about to make it's presence known on my dining room floor.

EWWWWWWWWWWWW.
Girls are running and screetching. "Get the cat, Get the Cat!"
"Quick, catch her, get her out of the house before she hurls!"
Number four is dancing in the middle of the living room waving her arms, caught up in the excitement.
She contributes to the hollering in her own special number four way...

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!! FIRE IN THE HOLE!! FIRE IN THE HOLE!!"

Where in the WORLD does she come up with that?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Little boy is antagonizing her at school.
There's only ten children in the entire grade school, so it's not like she can get away from him.
Mr. Teacher tries his best, but Little Boy still gets her once in awhile...
like yesterday.

She gets in the van.
The door is closed and she is quiet for a minute. Then...
"Mom, today, I called that mean Little Boy a name."
Well, like any mother, I cringe, waiting for Mr. Teacher to come striding across the parking lot to report what horrible foul name my six year old has blurted out at school in her frustration. You can only imagine what what I was imagining as I carefully asked, "Well, dear, what name was that?"

"I told that Little Boy he was a Mister McTurdsalot!"

Does she get this stuff from TV?