It hasn't been quite a year yet.

I thought I better hurry up and post something before a whole 365 days rolled by. I know 1 person who will appreciate this. ;)

Had a weird day today. After being STUCK (and no, I did NOT revel in it) at home with my 3 boys for 4 school days because of the icy weather, I think my body was in need of a metaphoric chiropractor. I ran some errands, but otherwise, I just felt in a funk. Then one of those dreadful migraines tried to rear its ugly head. (Able to keep it at bay so far.) Don't feel like reading. Nothing decent on TV. And the minute the boys got home from school, WWIII broke out. Does the fighting ever end? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that question, but I prefer to live in denial.

We've gone to church now 2 weeks in a row. That may not sound like much, but it's a start. Even bought the kiddos a few new "church clothes" today. It's hard to believe my birthday is right around the corner. And although I believe that I am younger than 90% (or more) of my friends, I still can't fathom the fact that I'm 37. I don't mind growing older; the number doesn't bother me. I'm just amazed at what I have and haven't accomplished in that many years. Of course, I can still gloat that I'm 1 year younger than my dear hubby, henceforth known as Ben or DH.

Weird side note. Found out my vet and my dog have the same birthday - today. One of them is 4. One of them is not. I'll let you guess which is which. ;)

I'm glad the Steelers won at Jerry World yesterday ... I mean, the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. But it was kind of a sloppy game. And it's hard for me to get too excited about a team that's not the Cowboys. Speaking of football, with the induction of Deion Sanders (ex-Cowboys #21) into the NFL Hall of Fame, it makes me wonder how I feel personally about his "Cowboys" status. He only played for us for 4 years. Hmm. To ponder at some point.

Time to quit typing. DH is picking up salad (for me) and sandwiches (for the rest) for dinner after doing the taxi dance for our eldest's band lesson.

To somewhat emulate my SIL for a moment as I sign off ...

Past: Thanks, Mom, for bringing Harry/Papa into my & the boys' lives.
Present: Need to get out of this funk SOON.
Future: And to quote Depeche Mode ... Enjoy the Silence.

April Twenty-Ten

i'll admit it. i'm addicted to facebook. constantly checking the updates to see what the rest of the world is up to. or to see if they're as pathetic as me. ha ha. i really don't have anything to blog about today. but it's been a few months, which means it's time for some kind of update.

son #1 is having surgery this week. i'll leave that at that.

son #2 is either having a difficult week or as he approaches his 11th birthday, those hormones have kicked in full gear.

son #3 just came out of his right arm cast. broken elbow, for those not keeping up with such details of my life. he's been really spoiled lately with getting out of chores, homework, etc. because of his impaired mobility. gotta get back on the ball with those things.

hubby is home, which should be joyful, but is just more stress. since before spring break, he's been home a week, gone a week, home 2 weeks, gone 2 weeks, etc. etc. etc. we had just about gotten used to him being gone (as far as routine goes). now, don't get me wrong, i'd prefer to have him home 100% of the time, but you do fall into a pattern. hopefully we can get out of this funk pattern and back into a good one.

it's hard to believe school is out in just a matter of weeks. i already have the kids signed up for june camps. not sure what july and august will hold for us. can't wait for our pool to be warm enough for spring and summertime outdoor fun. although, if last year is any indication, we'll end up swimming morning and evening rather than middle of the day.

enough for now. respond if you like. i enjoy feedback. happy tuesday!

Happy Holidays

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... or Hanukkah depending on your neighborhood. My neighbors' Hanukkah decorations have everyone on the block beat. Multiple inflatables, signs, etc. I haven't even hung my wreath on the front door. But I did get some specially carved snowmen for every member of the family, handmade by Melvin and delivered today. There's even one for Boo, our Miniature Schnauzer.

I love this time of year. I keep thinking that my shopping is done, but then I go out and buy more stuff. I really think I'm pretty much done now. I think. As usual, I've overdone it. I think. But I've had fun, and I enjoy giving. And receiving. Not sure which I like more. :)

I sent out my Christmas cards yesterday. So I'm pretty psyched that that task is done. Stickers, stamps, stuffing, labels. But I did hand-address the cards this year. Not that anyone will notice (or they will now), but I thought that was a nice touch.

If I don't blog before next year, I hope everyone has a happy holiday season. The boys will be out of school for two and a half weeks. Not sure if that's good or not. :) We'll have fun, though, especially if the weather cooperates.

On another note. Pray for Ben. He is having minor surgery on January 4th. General anesthesia, though. Message me or email me for more details if you're interested.

Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!
Kim & family

Dear Santa ...

Ahead ... 99% of the presents are purchased and wrapped. Tree is trimmed. Secondary, smaller tree is up (notice I didn't say it was decorated.) Teacher's gifts - done. PTA gift - done. Christmas cards done. (Just need to send them out.) Popcorn?? Still deciding. I know that means absolutely nothing to most people reading this. It's more of a reminder to myself.

Behind ... Advent calendar that I was going to make isn't done. Haven't even started. The "household," including outdoor, decorations aren't up. The house isn't clean. Christmas baking is on hold while I figure out who and what go in this column of activities/duties.

So, maybe I'm batting .500. Maybe a little less.

It snowed the other day. It would be nice if it would snow on Christmas. Although considering we do some driving around Christmas, maybe that's not such a great wish. I'm fighting a cold as well. Had to cancel a dental appointment that takes months to make. Oh well. You do what you can, right?

I love this time of year, though. The advent calendar was going to help me be organized over the holidays too. Like, I want to drive around and see Christmas lights. We usually don't take the time for this. Going to make it a point to this year. We went to the Gaylord Texan's "ICE" exhibit last year. Trying to decide whether to go again this year. It's still the same basic concept (tons of ice) but different carvings and characters. Got some good pics last year. And I do love me my pics.

It has been sad this fall season with the absence of both Daddy & Harry, and their birthdays and death anniversaries. But I seem to get by. I have a wonderful, beautiful family with me here on Earth. And a new nephew to join the bunch. That makes 2 nephews named Mark. Odd coincidence, considering it's not THAT popular of a name.

Contemplating New Year's resolutions - already. Didn't say I was doing them or not doing them, just beginning to think about it.

Well, this was pretty all over the place, but way over due. I finally wanted to get something down, though. Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Happy New Year! If I don't post before then.

Much love,
Kim

This and that

Rain, rain go away. We've had rain for forever now. Last week's kickoff of soccer season was postponed. Then practice this week has been cancelled - in most cases. I don't know the status of tomorrow's games. Hudson's first - ever. I'm ready for the season to begin. I can't believe I'm saying that. I'm actually looking forward to SOCCER season. What's wrong with this football girl?

On that note ... I am going to the home opener of the Cowboys vs. Giants. Oh yeah, it's my birthday. Oh yeah, it's my birthday. (not really) Ok, Ben is going with me. :) If he ever gets well. A bout of bronchitis. But at least it's not the flu or the dread Pirate Roberts, I mean H1N1.

Did you know that parking is like $50 a car? If we knew anyone else going, we could carpool. But alas, we don't. And parking is anywhere from 1 mile to 1/2 mile from the stadium (more moola for closer). Are we going to be parking in Arlington neighborhoods?

I'm excited for my sis & bro in-laws. Only a month til they become brand-new parents. And I get to go play with them, and the baby too. It's been a while since I've done that. I've really had to subdue the urge to buy baby stuff for them. They're the parents, not me ... but it's all sooooo cute!

I'm on the ball for Christmas already. I have a ton of my Xmas shopping done, mostly online. Now, where to stash it all so the kiddos don't find it?

And the ski trip we're going on in the spring ... already been buying stuff for it. This stuff is slightly bigger (ski pants & ski jackets for 3 boys) so these boxes have taken over the living room.

Slowly but surely. This and that.

-Kim

What I like about being a mommy ...

that new baby smell; the first time they saw mama; the first time they SAY mommy; when they run to you and no one else when they're hurt or scared; knowing i'll have grandchildren someday to swing with on the front porch; making homemade halloween costumes; swaddling; that first real night they sleep through the night, and i don't mean just from midnight til 6 am, i mean a good 12 hour sleep; getting a backrub on command (they don't know it's really a massage); having gained wisdom; being an "expert" on babies, especially fussy, asthmatic ones; having the wisdom to know when to follow your gut instinct rather than the doctor's "advice"; snuggling; kisses; tickle fights; choosing my child's moniker; taking pictures of the cutest kids on the planet; getting away for a weekend refresher now and then; spoiling them ... these are just a few of my favorite things. :)

Death and such

Sick of wacko Jacko. Sad about Billy Mays. May have been a heart attack. Farrah got lost in the MJ wave. She went to UT; did you know that? Ed McMahon was just a few days before. Here's Johnny! Kids feel the Billy Mays one the most because they love the show "Pitchmen," which starred Billy Mays. Heard the Sham-wow guy is a pervert. Caught and everything. Jackson, my almost 12 year old, actually told me that one. Nice.

I haven't blogged in a while. This was just on my mind. Something "substantial" later. It's hot. Bye.