Say, "Ahhh"

This morning I'm going to the dentist. Which in and of itself is nothing. It's a routine exam and hopefully I won't have any issues to deal with.

But it's blog-worthy today because I haven't been to the dentist in several years. Don't judge me. I brush twice a day and floss and do my best to take care of my teeth.

When you get pregnant you can't get x-rays, so I didn't bother to go. Then I had a newborn and thought, six more months isn't a big deal. Then post-pardum depression hit and I didn't care at all. After that I was so focused on both having a baby and trying to get DSS approval to adopt, I didn't think about it. And then we brought home a new child and had to deal with his 3-5 doctors appointments PER WEEK so my medical needs were really pushed to the back burner.

We, as moms, make so many sacrifices for our children - even to the point of completely ignoring our own health and wellness. Yes, I get my annual physical and have been to the doctor for emergency cases (like when I had strep in February), but other things - like my teeth, skin, etc have been largely ignored (I also have a dermatologist I really need to go back to see, but one at a time, I guess).

I promise that after today I will get to the dentist again within the next 5 years (holy cow! 5 years?). And I now have you all to remind me, right? Here I go! Say, "Ahhh!"

I hate shaving

Listen, folks, I'm about to get really honest with you. Be prepared.

I hate shaving. I hate shaving my legs and my underarms and anywhere else that needs to be shaved. Shaving is the bane of my existence. It's wasteful of my time and resources. Seriously.

from pregnancyandparenting.sheknows.com

I don't know who's brilliant idea it was to have women start shaving the hair off their body parts. Was it a ancient day feminist who thought if men shave something, we should too? Or was it a man who thought women would be more attractive with less hair sprouting from their legs?

And why do we shave our legs and not our arms? Why do we shave our underarms? Who decided on the areas to be shaved? My guess is a man did.

Something else to consider is the waste of time and money shaving is. Yes, that's right, time and money! Researchers say that moms should be bringing home an annual salary of $138,646. Holy Cow! We'll revisit that number in another post! That works out to $11,553 and change a month. $385 per day... We'll say a mom works 18 hours a day to be fair for sleep, but we all know she works 24 hours. But 18 hours a day works out to be $21/hr. So if we spend 15 minutes shaving each day...that's like $5.25 we're wasting each time we shave our legs. Over the course of a year that works out to being $1,916.25!!! Look at all that wasted time and money! (and yes, I did just calculate all that!)

Anyway...I hate shaving. So unless I'm in something that ends above my ankle - I don't shave. Shhh. Don't tell anyone. If it's jeans weather - I don't shave. I long for winter months because I do not shave. Maybe once a month just to it's easier to shave come March. But for these next six months - don't feel my legs. You won't like it. And if you rub my calf after reading this just to check...well, I told you so.

I only shave in the summer because I wear shorts or capris and it's the social norm to shave. If I thought I could get away with not shaving, I would. I had a friend in high school who's mom never shaved because her leg hair was so fine and blond you couldn't see it. Yeah...doesn't work on this Scotch/Greek girl with the thick, coarse, dark brown hair.

So there you have it, folks. I hate shaving. Now you know. And PS - Kathy, if you're reading this. I'm sorry. I know that grosses you out!

Kids Songs

My kids love songs. They love to sing. Sarah Bradley doesn't always love it when I sing, but sometimes she indulges me.

SB's favorite song is Twinkle Twinkle Traffic Light. Not familiar with that one? Much like the little star, but with traffic lights.
Twinkle Twinkle Traffic Light
On the corner shining bright
Red means stop, green means go
Yellow mean very slow.
Twinkle Twinkle Traffic Light
On the corner shining bright

Here's a youtube video I found of kids singing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbvsjBa6Ub0&feature=related

One of Mac's favorites is On Top of Spaghetti. One of mine too!

On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese
I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed *achoo*
It rolled off the table, and onto the floor
I lost my poor meatball, as it rolled out the door!

Here's a youtube video for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0jLgf8rK4c

A few more of their favorites:
We love all songs Laurie Berkner. She's featured on Jack's Big Music Show and her songs are so catchy. One of the faves is Boots, but I can't find a good youtube video of it.
I also sing a song to Mac that my mom sung to me as a child - The Beatles "Blackbird" Maybe not the most child-appropriate song. I loved it as a child and now Mac does too.

What are some of your kids' favorite songs?


Most of the time I don't mind their songs. Sometimes I feel like if I hear them one more time I'll scream, but for the most part. I enjoy the kids' songs. They're cute and fun and most of the time they teach them something or at least get them moving.

Southern-isms

I'm a Southern girl. My father-in-law might argue with me about that since I was born in Maryland, but he was born in Indiana so I'd call that even.

In The South (yes, The South gets capitalized) we have saying that you won't often hear in other parts of the country or the world. I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorites with you.

Bless Her Heart
Bless Her Heart is heard in many church circles - especially Baptists. Annie's uncle died? Oh, bless her heart. Little Jimmy's dog ran away? Bless his heart... You mean Rachel is having another baby? Bless her heart! Joey won first prize? Bless his heart! See it works for good things and bad things! It's a catch all phrase.
The Urban Dictionary says this, "1: phrase used by Southern women to excuse themselves for speaking ill of someone else. 2: an expression of sympathy or pity. 3: a polite way to respond to an ignoramus, particularly male, who showers upon you flattering but unwanted compliments."

Buggy
No, not your eyes. A buggy is a shopping cart. I have to admit, I hate this phrase, but since my daughter started saying it, so have I. In The South, a shopping cart is known as a buggy. I'm not entirely sure why, but that's what it us. Sweetie, please get me a buggy from over there, thanks!

Sucker
A lollipop in The South is known as a sucker. I can only suppose it is because you suck on it, but in my house they are known as pop-pops. Used by small children and teachers across the Carolinas and Georgia. Mommy, Jill has a sucker! Can't I have a sucker?

Y'All
Please don't spell this ya'll. Ya'll is not a word, nor is it a conjunction of two words. You + All = Y'All. In The South, this means "all of you." Said by anyone and everyone Virginia and below over to Arkansas. Did y'all want to go to the Clemson/Carolina game this year?

Okay, I think that's it for today. I'll do more of these in the future so that I can educate all you non Southerners!

FYI - if you are not sure exactly what states comprise The South, here you go...

Notice that Texas & Florida are not included. They are NOT Southern.

Party

Today is our party. We have so much to celebrate!

Marshall turns 30 today. His mom is trying to argue that he's 20, but you know... 30 is a milestone! His third decade. When Marshall was born there were no cell phones - shoot, there wasn't even home computers. Especially not in colors other than green.
I know I don't have much room to talk - I'll be 30 in exactly three months (which, PS, means you have exactly 3 months to get your Christmas shopping done). But Marshall will forever be 3 months older than me and I shall lord it over him for as long as we live. Let me have my moment.

We are also celebrating Mac's adoption. It seems so surreal. 21 months after we brought him home to finally finish this process and start LIFE. Real life without looking over my shoulder, without the constant worry that someone will take him away. It's amazing to know that my son is mine!

Of course, we are also celebrating Sarah Bradley and myself. We're celebrating being a family. It's not just a party for the boys (though they are why we're having the party), it's a party for all of us. A chance to come together with our family and friends and thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us.

I am so ready to party. Aren't you?

638 days

So apparently I'm all about putting numbers in my blog titles these days, but you can deal with it.

Today was the magical day (well, yesterday since I'm posting this tomorrow). 638 days after we brought Mac home, he is legally ours in the eyes of the state. It's a big day!

If you're not sure how long 638 days is, it's 1 year, 8 months and 30 days. Or, 21 months.

So the day was wonderful, but there weren't fireworks or trumpets blaring or anything like that. It was just another day with 4 hour drive and very brief court appearance. To me, this was the end-all, be-all of my life. Like a wedding.

You know how it is at a wedding... there's music. Everyone's in fancy dress and they're excited. It's a magical experience. But adoptions, which is also the marriage of a family, do not get such fanfare.

Our 9:30 court time was pushed back. The court house was PACKED. Amanda said they were doing a lot of TPRs today (termination of parental rights) - so all of humanity was in that room. You know what "all of humanity" means, right? I really try not to be judgemental, but really... it was kind of a scary room.

We were finally called back about 11:15. Amanda (adoptions social worker) was called to the stand and testified that we were the family chosen for Mac and that he was bonded to us and that adoption was best decision for everyone.
Then I was called up. I did really well and only teared up when they asked why I wanted to adopt. It was so cute because as soon as I was done, Mac came running up to me saying, "Momma!" Marshall was called up next and he answered several questions as well.
After that the judge looked through our book. He really lightened the mood by saying, "I see all this Clemson stuff and I really question your values here..." LOL! Everyone started laughing. If you're not familiar with Clemson and USC's rivalry, it's very strong. Very strong. But for a large number of people in South Carolina it's also very good natured. So the judge ribbed us a little bit about being Clemson fans and even pointed out a picture of Mac in a shirt that says, "I eat chickens." He also commented on how well behaved the girls were (SB & Carly) during the whole time.

Despite his not being so big on Clemson, the judge finally decreed that the adoption is granted and that from this day forth Mac would be known by his adoptive name! More tears and we all filed out of the room with hugs and a small round of applause!

So now it's done. But nothing changes. Honestly, not even his name. He's been Mac for 638 days. He's been my son for 638 days. And now he'll be my son forever.

I'm so happy. Thank you, Lord!

Mac high fiving the judge

Our family with the judge

And can I just share these two with you? This is Mac with his adoptions worker Amanda today and the day we brought him home...

Mac & Amanda today

638 days ago...

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One Week.

1/52 of a year.
1/4 of a month.
1 week.
7 days.
168 hours.
10,080 minutes.
604,800 seconds.

In one week we will legally go from a family of three to a family of four. I know, we've been a family of four for the last 21 months...but in the eyes of our state and legal system, we are just a family of three plus an additional child.

It killed me earlier this year when I had to fill out the 2010 census as Marshall, Allison & SB...with legally residing foster child __(legal name)__. I hated having to do that. I almost cheated and put down Mac's adoptive name. Because when he gets older and his descendants get older they're going to see our census and wonder who this person is and where was Grandpa Mac... (while we plan on keeping the adoption talk flowing in our house, that doesn't mean it will be well-known in 100 years).

But one week from today we will be in the courtroom for the final time in Mac's case (21 LONG MONTHS!). We will be a family of four. Finally.

I'm so happy I could cry. This has been the hardest journey of my life so far. But he's worth it...so worth it. In one week nobody can ever take him away again except God (and He knows how hard we fought!).

My poor boy conked out on the floor after a hard day playing...

Minor Success

Mac is having minor success in the potty training arena. It's very exciting as that makes us one step closer to being diaper-free in our house. He wears PullUps to school and church and most days out and about (it makes going potty much easier while we're out).

He doesn't make it every time, but he does go 2 or 3 times a day, and other times he tells me and it's a narrow miss. Ah, well, he's learning at least. And that makes me happy.

Here's a bonus picture of my big boy (who recently decided he's a baby again since Miss Michelle has a new baby).

Heros: Take Seven. Never Forget

Today’s Hero should be a no-brainer given yesterday’s date.

Today I would like to honor all the men, women & children who lost their lives on 9/11 nine years ago. The innocent victims of the terrible crashes into both Twin Towers and the Pentagon. And especially those heroic enough to have taken action on those flights to try to stop the terrorists. 

I appreciate not only the loss experienced by their families, but also the reaction our country had to what happened.

We did not go into hiding. We did not cower or even bite our fingernails (okay, maybe we did for a day or two).

Instead, as a country, we banded together. We waved our flags proudly. Every car was decked out in red, white & blue, every house and overpass had a yellow ribbon displayed. People who previously had not gotten along were suddenly putting aside our differences.

The goal of tearing our country apart turned into bringing us closer together.

As for me? I was in my senior year of college. I was in a computer lab waiting for class to start and I received an AOL IM from a friend saying someone had crashed a plane into one of the twin towers. I thought it was a terrible accident. A few minutes later the same friend came back and said another plane went into the other tower. I, naively, seemed to rationalize that because of all the smoke from the first crash the 2^nd plane couldn’t see and also accidentally crashed into a tower. There was no thought of maliciousness in my mind.

I went to class. After class I heard that another plane crashed into the Pentagon and yet another in Pennsylvania. I was shocked. I went home and popped a tape into my VCR and hit record. I still haven’t watched that tape, but I think I still have it. I also went out at 6am the next morning and picked up 2 of every newspaper I could get my hands on. I vacuumed sealed them and haven’t opened them yet.

I freaked out for a day or two then I banded together with my fellow classmates and we worked through it.

But I will never forget. I hope you never forget either. God Bless you and God Bless America.

Today's Post Brought to You by the Number 34

Yesterday I walked into my kitchen a total of 34 times.

http://stories.mnhs.org/stories/mgg/intro.do?id=35

I have no idea if that's an average number or if that's high or low. Just yesterday. I wasn't even home for about 6 or 7 hours of the day. I can't imagine that number if I had been home all day. Maybe close to 50?

I do love my kitchen. It's pretty basic, not much in the way of frills. But it's mine and it serves me well. But 34 times? I know I don't go into my bedroom 34 times in a day. God help me if I was in the bathroom 34 times a day (though it seems that way some days - especially with training Mac).

Maybe I'll count the bathroom next, but you all don't really want to know that number do you?

How many times did you walk into your kitchen today?

Ode to Naptime

Oh naptime, you are the best,

You are better than all the rest.

The children snooze,

And I can choose

What to do with my time.

Oh naptime, old friend to me,

But I know you will not always be.

I love you, I truly do.

I hope the kids love you too.

But I know that limited is my time.

The kids are getting older and starting to drop their naps. I will not let them. I will not let the wake-time monster win. For now the kids are down and hopefully sleeping. And I hope naptime holds on for a while longer...

Two weeks

In two weeks I'll have a son. I know I already have him, but in 2 weeks nobody will ever be able to take him away.

I'm counting down until the judge says he's ours forever and we can finally put all this behind us and move forward. I can't wait for the future God has in store...

That's all today. I promise I'll try to blog more soon.

Heros: Take Six

Today's hero is a little tongue in cheek. Forgive me.

This week marked the start of football season around the country. Men let out a collect sigh that the master ship - in the form of a football - made a landing on their televisions and blinded them to anything else for the next four months.

Women, on the other hand, let out a collective sigh as well that they now won't see their husbands/boyfriends/men without beer in hand, jersey on back and football lingo on their tongues until after a washed up band plays bad music for a crowd of 60,000 of these men.

So today's hero is a collective of the women who are now football widows until after 2011 starts. May you distract your man to look at your and do more than grunt at you this fall. And may your man not notice when you sneak out during the weekend, credit card clutched in hand ready to shop your way into spring.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/sports_widows.asp

War Zone

My house has become a war zone thanks to a young red-headed lady in our house.

Oh, no, I don't mean Sarah Bradley, I mean our new dog, Dixie.

Dixie

Dixie is an adorable lab mix we picked up from a family nearby. They had to get rid of her and I felt her just pull my heartstrings.

Mac was instantly in love. It took SB a day, but now she's all about Dixie.

The cats have gone into permanent hiding. Marcel seems indifferent...just something else impeding on space.

Oscar, on the other hand, is livid. It's like a war zone in my house with Oscar and Dixie. Oscar is my shadow...I am his human. He lives and breathes by me. Dixie has also latched onto me. Oscar doesn't like Dixie following me, so he's trailing me barking. It scares Dixie, so she's staying closer, making Oscar bark more. It's a nasty cycle and I can't go anywhere in the house for them all around me.

It doesn't help that Oscar at most weighs in at 6 pounds. Dixie is closer to 60 pounds.

I sure hope they get over this soon... I have laundry to do...

Bonus of SB walking Dixie