Because you're itching to know...

I wound up being Sarah Palin for Halloween.

Palin poof in the hair, Palin bangs, glasses, blazer, knee length skirt, and peep toe shoes - complete with 4 McCain/Palin buttons to make sure there were no questions...
(Does Sarah Palin wear her own political buttons?)

It was easy.
It was free.
The preschoolers at my school told me their parents voted for me.

All in all, the only drawback was wearing panty hose all day...

A boy after my own heart

The day that I first see it on the grocery shelves is a day of celebration.
I almost skip to the checkout with my purchase in mid October.
I actually called my co-worker this year to tell her that the liquid gold had made its arrival!


Egg nog.

Jaron heard me place this call and was very inquisitive about this heavenly experience called Egg nog.
He tasted it and fell as in love with it as I have.

He asked for a refill. I obliged.
He drank so much egg nog that he couldn't finish his dinner. His tummy was too full.
Talk about responsible parenting. It is a childhood experience that everyone should have - the first egg nog overdose.

He then, in a pondersome manner, asked the very question that I have been asking for years, "Why do they take Egg Nog away from us after Christmas?" (As if it's some conspiracy)

That's when you know you're hooked - when you start to try to figure out a way to get the 'stuff' year round before it's even off the shelves.

Many Christmases and Thanksgivings past, I found myself wondering why the powers that be only graced us with Egg Nog for 2 short months a year, only to snatch it back after it has become a regular part of your day.

Egg nog withdrawal is killer.

It was only a few Holiday seasons ago that I found myself being thankful it was only available for two months out of the year - and equally thankful for the existence of Stretch denim jeans.

Meems

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Kimmie D. Poynor

If you would like to be added to the list of Kim's readers...
Please comment on my blog with your email address ( which I will NOT post online)
I will have her add us.

She had to make her blog private - something about Dave running for President 2012...

kidding... only kidding.

Just comment here and you'll be in.

Best Trip to Wal-Mart...EVER!

I have learned that if I must take my kids with me to Wal-Mart for a sizable load of groceries, I had better provide my oldest with something very interesting to do.

Enter: Nintendo Gameboy

Chris introduced Jaron to video games several weeks ago and it has been both a surprising pleasure and an irritant.

It was as if his need to be constantly entertained was completely satiated - if only for a little while - when playing the Gameboy. I resolved to let go of my opposition to video games, so long as they weren't violent in nature, at least for the length of a trip to Wal-Mart or a car trip.

Back to the story, it's long but it gets really good...

So we were in Wal-Mart and he was GLUED to his Nintendo. All was bliss. I filled my cart and was out of there in half the normal time. I really was amazed! I couldn't find anything to do with my 'child rearing' hand. (I think there's a reason for the term "Child-rearing" but that's another post)

I usually use one hand for tandem grocery shopping and cart pushing - the other is reserved for keeping kids in line... I know, it sounds awful - but if you've never been to a store with us - you surely must reserve judgement...

I had checked out and was walking out to the van. The instant onslaught of sunlight as we walked toward the van gave me the urge to sneeze. This was no ordinary sneeze. It was the kind that roused all mucous matter and rattled it loose from the depths. All in .06 seconds flat.

(I know you hate it when I tell you this stuff, but it's integral.)

The problem with this sneeze is that it 'hit' me as I was crossing the Wal-Mart parking lot. I was pushing the cart with one hand and tugging Jaron by the arm with my other hand as he had his nose buried in his game. It was easier to lead him safely to the car than provoke a melt-down by snatching his game away.

Picture feverish thumbing of the controls and intense eyebrows. This was his state of concentration.

It was at this point of utter helplessness that the sneeze presented itself and its' eminent arrival.
What was I to do but just let it out? So for the sake of my children's safety, I sacrificed a cute outfit. It all went down the front of my slacks. YUCK!!

Avery said, "Mommy, you wet your pants! That's why you're supposed to cover your mouth like this." And she cupped her tiny hand over her mouth.

I hobbled to the van - completely disgusted with what had happened - and unloaded kids and groceries alike. I started the van, tucked the cart away in the receptacle next to our van, shut the passenger door, and walked around to get in my seat.

It was locked. Engine was running. My kids were in the car. I was not.

Don't Panic. Jaron can read. Tell him to push the "U" button.
I beat on the window while a teenage girl looked on at my fiasco. I could tell she was wanting to call for help.

Jaron was buried in his game. Thumbs smoking. Eyes fixed on the screen. He did not budge.

I tried again to get his attention, in a less jovial manner. As I recall, there may have been threats...

Jaron's fingers ablaze. Forehead wrinkled. Completely intent on Super Mario Brothers.

I looked sheepishly at the teenage girl, then back inside my van. I looked at Avery. She was shaking Jaron, trying to get his attention. Nothing doing.

I asked her to climb into my seat and start pushing buttons. I began to draw a "U" on the window while urging her to find the letter "U" and push it. I drew at least 11 U's.

Hallelujah! She did it!

We were saved! All except for Mario and my slacks.

You had better believe that there was a video game-free conversation on the long trip home.

So there you have it - the best Wal-Mart trip. Ever.

And so it goes...

My baby's growing up.

Yesterday I had to buy him size 1 tennis shoes. That's too big.

And today -

Oh Frabjous day! Calloo! Callay! She chortled in her joy!

• Bullets, bullets everywhere - and nary a drop to drink.
• I am keeping with the bullets. They make for a quick post and need not be cohesive thoughts.
• I got a new dishwasher today! (Albeit a luxury, I am riding this one out like a long waged battle won.)
• My kids are sick again - Can I just change my blog name from "Beautiful Chaos" to "My kids are sick again? " I think that header makes us come full circle...
• I am not sure what I can be for Halloween. We are supposed to dress up at work - but I don't intend to spend a dollar toward a costume. I wonder if I can pull off "DIVA" or maybe "Drama Queen" for Halloween...
• I wouldn't even have to dress up. - (That truth deserves its' own bullet.)
• Seph - I chose not to post your comment. I was being a thoughtful person - and in my thoughtfulness I wondered if you meant for me to actually post it... I thought I'd err on the side of caution for once!
• My old dishwasher is free to any poor soul who thinks they might like a dishwasher that has been recalled due to fire risk. Any takers?
• I need to have an "If you will come take this stuff - I won't even have to have a garage sale" Sale. Does anyone want a somewhat intact elliptical machine or a stationary bicycle for FREE? The elliptical has all its parts - it just got retired during a phase of apartness - and has really truly almost NEVER been used. Free. Please be interested.
• The entry way in my house is a little over half painted. Do you know what the hottest thing ever is? Coming home from work and finding your husband painting the entry way you thought you were gonna have to paint tonight... In true Paris style, "That's HOT!"
• Wallpaper Peelers Beware: I have entered into Wallpaper Peeling Hell. The country-blue-ribbons-draped-between-mauve-roses border in my bathroom is making me wish I could pretend to like country-blue-ribbons-draped-between-mauve-roses border. Alas, I cannot! I hate wallpaper. It IS the Jabberwock.
• La, did you notice my amazing use of the word "alas" in that last bullet? Or were you overtaken by my double reference to "The Jabberwocky" in my blog?
• I thought you'd be proud. We are so vocabulous!! That's a made-up word. Try to figure it out. It's vocabulary and fabulous smoosched together = vocabulous.
• You're such a code-breaker!
• "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" = Wallpaper
• I have been fantasizing and dreaming like a little school girl about our future. I haven't done that in years! I remember playing MASH and really getting giddy with excitement about what the future held when I was a little girl. It has been a long time since I was THIS excited about anything. I really believe that God is going before us and making a way - now more than ever. I have faith that things are falling exactly into place, at long last, and I am giddy with romantical ideas about our new life!
• If you are reading that last bullet-point and feel like you have been left out of the loop, you haven't. Not much has changed yet. Nothing really. I just know that things are about to get way, way better. So way better. I am stoked!!
• Thanks for letting me unload my 18 bullets on you.

Not much for Blogging

So here's the thing.

I don't feel like blogging.
I am having a hard time collecting my thoughts lately.

There are lots of insignificant things and some very significant things going on.

• My Mimi (Mom's Mom) is in the hospital. That's where I was last weekend - visiting her in Lubbock. She's very sick. She had surgery this morning and I am waiting to hear how that went. I have been praying for her. For my mom. For my aunts and uncles. She has such a bad infection that they have already used the strongest antibiotic there is and have not yet controlled the infection. The only choice they had left was surgery but the doctors weren't sure it was a good idea considering her condition. Please pray.
• Insignificant things? Still no change on the job front. I got another certification which should increase the odds of me finding a job. Chris filled out an application! That's a pretty big deal. He also is meeting with a gentleman tonight who might be able to help him in the effort of getting a new job. If that sounds sketchy, I'm sorry - It's all I've got right now. Really. You know I have no secrets. That's all I've got.
• I am excited and hopeful about the next few months - although I know they will come with their share of trials - I look forward to seeing the end result. I know God is preparing a way for us.
• We got pictures with Jenny last week? I can't remember when it was, but we did get pictures. I am sure they are great! She's been waiting on me not to be flaky and bring her a song to put with the slideshow... Sorry - I'm a total flakeout right now!
• Christal scheduled a music practice and I forgot about it. Can somebody tell her I'm flaky?!?! I was so engaged in worrying about my Grandmother in the hospital - I forgot about it and left town... Sorry - I promise not to completely leave you high and dry again!
• One of my students is going to be Booperman for Halloween. I smile every time I think about that. (It's really Superman - but he doesn't say "s"quite right.)
• Fall has fallen. I love it!
• I hit a pole with my van last weekend. It was almost as if I thought my van would bend in the middle as I stealthily turned around this pole. It was 'stealthily' until I heard the screeching sounds. So not cool. That's what 1999 Ford Windstars are for - looking deluxe and dented...
• I voted today. Can I get a WHOOP, WHOOP?!

Yearning for Conversations with multi-syllabic words...

Hello?
Is anyone out there?

I feel like I have been marooned on an island with nothing but preschoolers anywhere in sight.

Poor (whoever I happen to run into next), they are never going to get rid of me. I must have adult stimulus - and QUICK!

Maybe I should say something horrifying, or at least wickedly offensive to see if anyone's there...

Now there's a thought...

Another Unforgettable Moment.

Today is a day that I want to remember forever.
I started thinking about this time last year today. One year plus one day ago this happened.

And today, another very important first.

He lost his very first tooth.

It was so wiggly last week, I thought for sure it'd be out before the end of the weekend.
Plus, he really wanted to take it to school for his turn at Show and Share on Monday...

But the end of the weekend came, and still no tooth.

If only he had fallen face first into the couch on Sunday...
He was so surprised that his tooth came out so easily and "it didn't even hurt."

It must be very frightening to be a little boy with a wiggly tooth, wondering what it's gonna be like to lose it.

It seems just like yesterday that I would let him chomp on my finger and drool down my forearm trying to alleviate the discomfort of teething. That very tooth. How many more "just yesterdays" will we have together? Many, many more.

Afterwards, he acted like he had been doing this 'tooth losin' thing forever.
Now he's sleeping with his tooth tucked snugly in his tooth fairy pillow. How cute!
Before he drifted off to sleep, he accused me of being the tooth fairy. I just don't know what to think about that!!