I sense change on the horizon

I'm becoming a .com!!!!! YEA!!!!!!

so, be ready for some changes world, I'm moving up!

Now, how to make this transition seamless - hahaha!

It's Baaaaaacccckkkkkkkkk!!!!!!

WHOOT IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN! THAT MEANS FRIDAY FOLLOW TIME!



Welcome to the third Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's How to Play:

* * Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.
* * Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.
* * Follow as many blogs as you like
* * Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* * Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each host blog. Here is the great part, we will follow you back.

** Please note that a link to co-host Tami @ Hearts Make Families is not included on this week's linky because she is having technical difficulties with her site. Tami should be back in full swing next week. Thanks for understanding.

Ice Storm???

So, hubbie got sent home early from work. Little girl had school canceled today for the ice storm.

Ummm, I don't see it. It is rainy - yes. It is cold -yes. It was not slick when I was out an hour ago. We (hubbie and I) love the weather guys around town trying to make something out of nothing.

In real news - haha! I had the baby at the dr AGAIN today. My ped was making fun of me as all the nurses know me and my kiddos. Different nurses were asking about the other two kids who were not there. Sad but true.

The good news - little man isn't any worse. The bad news - he isn't much better.

He has lost some weight (because he hasn't been eating)...but the Dr said put that on the back burner....

And as of right now - the Red Cross is standing by....for rain. And people are walking carefully through the Walmart...stay tuned!

I sense that we really will have something later this evening, but the constant news coverage is a little ridiculous (No Oprah, No Dr. Phil)......

Frequent Flier?

So, the baby is sick....I am bringing him to the dr this afternoon. He has this chesty- croupy cough. He needs an expectorant - but we can't give babies those anymore. I have tried the steamy shower and firm pats on the back to no avail. No fever but I am about to start my work week - which also means that if I don't take him things will take a sharp turn for the worse.

Sigh. I was just at the dr's office yesterday with my almost 6 yr old to get his stitches out.

This means that since the 18th of this month - I will have been at the ped's office 4 times. YIKES!

New Followers

WOW! That FF is AMAZING!!!

Welcome to my new followers! Thank you - I know that you have a choice in blogs to follow and I am delighted and thrilled that you have chosen to follow me! I still have about 175 blogs or so to follow. I'll be working on that late into this evening.

So, grape juice is bad. Especially bad all over my kitchen - twice today. To liven it up we decided to let the dog walk through the juice. FUN!

The best news - go SAINTS!!!!!! I'm so glad that the Saints won. Not just because I'm a bitter Packer fan (which I sorta am!). I think that New Orleans deserves it.

Ballet Slipper Bandit

We have a thief in our house. The thief takes all kinds of things but on Saturday mornings, this little jerk is notorious for stealing ballet slippers.

I’ve coined him the ballet slipper bandit. I would be lying if I said I had been able to find the slippers in the last two weeks (because I have not). I have ripped the house apart – alas, no ballet slippers.

My husband hears me roar, run around, and tear apart the house I so diligently cleaned on Friday. (You would think I would learn to look for the darn slippers on Friday – negative ghostrider – that would be too easy). He has learned to stay away, wrapped cozy in a comforter safe from the crazy woman he married.

What’s worse is I’m a loser – well, not a real loser (I don’t know maybe I am a real loser) but a loser of things. Keys, purse, shoes, pens, phone (ALWAYS THE PHONE) if I need it, I lose it. My father-in-law jokes that it isn’t a visit with me until I have lost something super important and am frantically looking for two minutes before we walk out the door.

Did you know that this is a genetic trait? My daughter has inherited my ability to lose things. The two of us together are an awful pain for the boys who live with us.

I have tried to solve the problem. I put things “away”. It’s a mystical, magical place called away, I never know where it is later. Sigh.

DARN YOU BALLET SLIPPER BANDIT – TIL WE BATTLE AGAIN NEXT WEEK!

FRIDAY FOLLOW

This idea is a fun way to find out about new blogs, find new friends, and grow in followers. Come join the party. We had a great turnout last week, let's make it bigger.

Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each blog. Follow a few or follow them all.

Please be patient with following or getting followers. With the tremendous response there are a lot to visit. The Mclinky will stay here so you can add followers at your own pace. The Followers widget is busy and may experience some technical difficulties.

Easy dinner

I needed an easy dinner night - who doesn't need one of those once in awhile. It's been a week. One heck of a week.


So tonight a family favorite

Salsa Chicken

There are several ways that I do this - but tonight it's going to be the easy way.


Chicken breasts - boneless skinless
Poultry Seasoning
Pepper
Salt
Chili Powder

Season chicken. I just season according to our taste.

Salsa
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Place chicken in ovenproof greased dish. Preheat oven to 400. Top with Salsa. Bake covered for 45 minutes - remove from oven - sprinkle with cheese - bake for another 15 minutes.

I serve this with Spanish Rice and some type of veggie (typically corn - a family favorite that is nutritionally void).

Sometimes - I bread the chicken and quick brown on the stove and then bake. Not tonight.

Got Milk?

Enter to win a chance for free milk for a year!

In addition you can print a coupon for a free gallon of milk GO HERE!

Who doesn't like free milk?

The Coupon Game

OK this coupon game is amazing! I read all these blogs with these marvelous women that have tons of coupons - they pay next to nothing when they go to the store. I'm not that person yet. I have made a decision to become a serious coupon clipping mom!

Ok, I use coupons (some) if I have one or if my mom gets me one that I need. But I don't have a BINDER with coupons.

I saw this mom and daughter coupon team yesterday at Target. She had a binder, she was organized, she was on a mission. I had to make sure when I got in the line to pay that we were nowhere near her. I would have been embarrassed for her to see how little money I saved (part of that was from bringing my own bags).

So, I need a plan - how does one acquire all of these coupons? We don't get the paper. So, I get the red plum or whatever that mail thing is. I need to get a printer cartridge to print these fabulous online coupons.


HELP ME COUPON SAVVY MOMMIES! WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?!?!??!?! I want to be you! I want a binder full of coupons.....

How we got here

Many of you have asked how little man was diagnosed. This was the diagnostic criterion used by his pediatrician in aiding in the diagnosis. We (the Dr, my husband, my parents, my husband’s parents, teachers, aunts, and uncles) had all seen these symptoms manifesting in my man since an early age. Approximately 3 years ago, his doctor started paying attention and commenting on his behavior. I have to say that we are blessed, we have a pediatrician that we know, love, and trust. Not only is he a family friend, he was our doctor (my brother, sister, and I) when we were little.
Little man’s teacher mentioned something when we had our first conference (of many) in regards to little man’s lack of attention and focus in the classroom. She said it was something to keep in the back of our minds.
The school counselor had gone into the classroom as asked by our pediatrician to monitor his behavior in the classroom for one day to see what she saw.
So little man’s teachers, school counselor, hubbie, his doctor and myself all completed evaluation forms. The questionnaire had questions about home, school, and social interactions in addition to interactions with his siblings.
And without further ado the diagnostic tool (I was actually familiar with the DSM from my rotation in psych nursing during nursing school):

Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – information from ADHD Help.org
AD/HD - Predominantly Inattentive Type

Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
Has difficulty sustaining attention.
Does not appear to listen.
Struggles to follow through on instructions.
Has difficulty with organization.
Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
Loses things.
Is easily distracted.
Is forgetful in daily activities.

AD/HD - Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type

Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
Has difficulty remaining seated.
Runs about or climbs excessively.
Difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
Acts as if driven by a motor.
Talks excessively.
Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
Difficulty waiting or taking turns.
Interrupts or intrudes upon others.

AD/HD - Combined Type

Individual meets both sets of inattention and hyperactive/impulsive criteria.


In order to meet the criteria – individuals must meet these symptoms for greater than 6 months and display at minimum 6 of these characteristics. The symptoms must also be present in at least 2 areas of the child’s life at home, school, or social settings.


AD/HD medication is supposed to be used in conjunction with behavior modification and diet control (reducing refined sugars is a major component). When little man’s teacher had first mentioned we might have issue, I read the research and reduced what little refined sugar we (I mean the kids) were eating. Little man never (okay never might be a little strong rarely might be more appropriate) got a pop tart for breakfast. Typically breakfast is oatmeal or toast and egg, perhaps a banana and yogurt. He never eats sugary cereal. I actually didn’t have to do much to change diet. Thank goodness I love to cook!

Behavior modifications. We had read several books in the last few months about managing stubborn children, raising difficult children. We had changed several things around the house to assist us in dealing with little man’s “stubborn” behavior. We also have met with his teacher, the school counselor, and his assistant teacher in working on various different approaches to him in the classroom. I also volunteered as often as I could in the classroom on my days off, so I could spend more time with him trying to catch him up on the class work. So many of AD/HD behavior modifications, we were already trying. So we weren’t going to be able to do much there either.

So, I just called the doctor’s office….against what hubbie and I had initially felt, we feel that we must put our prejudices aside and for our little man’s success in school – we have to put him on some type of medication.

Our Concerns:

1. AD/HD medications can cause drug use later in life. Thankfully the above referenced website contained many studies which indicate that AD/HD medications are not necessarily gateway drugs. Thank goodness. These studies also state that children who are not treated for AD/HD and suffer from lack of success in school and low self-esteem are more likely to use drugs than their peers.
2. Little man would become a zombie and lose his awesome personality. Never fear, the dr understood our concern on this front. He initially doses the boy at half-strength to see how his behavior reacts. He will be seeing us every 3 months to determine whether or not the medication is effective and if so adjusts will be made. He will also be monitoring his overall health: blood pressure, weight gain, sleeping habits, etc.
3. This would stifle the person that he is meant to become. Would Picasso have been the painter that he was if his ADD had been treated? Our ped seems to think so, he didn’t create his wonderful works until adulthood. Our ped kept referring to the medicine as a crutch that our boy needs to get thru school successfully.


Our hearts were so torn…but we remembered a promise. We made his biological mother a promise. We would help little man to become the best man that he could be. Part of that is recognizing that he may help getting through school. We have to keep in mind his genetics. We don’t know all of his biological makeup. We always hoped that we could nurture past any nature things. But, nope we can’t make neuro receptors respond to dopamine or norepinephrine. Sad but true.

We (husband and I) have to recognize that like depression or any other mental illness that there is a chemical imbalance in our little man’s brain. I wouldn’t ask someone who maintained a healthy lifestyle but continued to struggle with high blood pressure or diabetes not to treat their illness with medication.

More on this to come – baby duty and housecleaning calls….

It's true

1. I am in the middle of my work week! ACK! WHERE ARE ALL THESE BABIES COMING FROM?!?! haha - I know how babies are made!?!! But why are we so busy!!!!

2. Trey was diagnosed with ADD/HD - I am going to gather resources for myself and my husband so we can decide how we want to proceed (quickly). I think that I have found a new passion.

3. I AM A SCRUBBING BUBBLES CLEANING CAPTN! YEA! So excited - just got my TOTAL bath & bowl - just in time for cleaning day!!! WHOOT! More on this to come.

4. I have a leak in the upstairs bathtub - I can't find the water shutoff. UGH!

More later friends! Just a brief update! Time to get the boy off the bus!

I pray for all of those suffering around the world but especially right now in Haiti.

Monday, Monday can't trust that day....

We are huge, huge Packer Fans. My hubbie is the son of season ticket holders from WI. He went to so many games when he was a boy. Now we live in the land of far, far away from Lambeau. Not that being in Green Bay would matter now.

Instead, I had a husband who was screaming at the TV – the older kiddos were banished upstairs. Every time my hubbie screamed, the baby cried ( did I mention that he has tears now?). His poor little face had red spots on it from crying so much. Poor little fella. The baby not my husband.

Then the Packers lost. So sad. Maybe next year. They fought hard.

Which brings me to Monday……

Can’t trust Mondays.

Husband and I have a meeting with the pediatrician this morning. We are both worried. We don’t want to go to this meeting. Have you ever had a feeling of dread? We started the process to have the almost 6 yr tested for ADHD and other learning disabilities based on a teacher evaluation. We were sent home this checklist of “symptoms” and we could put a check by almost every single one of them. Sigh. We just don’t want the little guy to get behind (which he is).

I know we are blessed, all of our children are physically healthy. The little buckaroo is falling behind in his class. I tried to teach him myself, but he gets so frustrated and angry that it isn’t worth the torture for either of us. It stinks I go into class to volunteer and all the kids tell me that my sweet boy is a trouble maker.

So, needless to say, I am getting ready to pack him off on the school bus, get the baby and the 4 yr old up, fed, dressed, etc, etc. Then drop them off to my mom’s, go to the dreaded meeting (shudder), pick the younger two up. Sigh – home to get the dog, drop him off at the groomers (he smells), try to take a nap, and go to work tonight.

If I have time, I have some laundry that needs to be done.

My Excuses....

What a week!!!! The weather was cold – for Oklahoma. So cold in fact, that school officials cancelled school on Thursday and Friday. Friday, I could care less. BUT NOT THURSDAY!!! I have my whole work week planned around the kids being at school on Thursday. I have the older two off and the baby and I are at home. I work Wednesday nights, so it is imperative that I sleep with the baby. So, needless to say when hubbie came home from work, I was exhausted. (And Bi**hy. – Hubbie Ed.) This was awful, I was so tired I couldn’t sleep. Sigh. I slept maybe 8 hours between Wednesday day and Friday morning.

Move into Friday – we were busy. Dog had to go to the vet. Nothing like wrangling the kids, the dog, and the baby carrier – not to mention purse and diaper bag into the vet office. It was 10 steps but it felt like 10 miles. Then I had to bring the dog home, and drop the boys off at my mom’s house. The girl had a dr’s appointment. Lucky for me, mom wasn’t busy. Then it was off to the store. Cause why not?!?!

By the time we got home again, I was exhausted. My kiddos had spent more time outside the two days they were home then they would have if they had been to school. Friday night I was on call for work and sure enough I got called in. So I worked about 4 hours on Friday night. It was good – busy but good. I needed to go to Wal-mart on my way home for the girl’s birthday party the next day.

It was nuts – of all the weeks, the husband had signed up to take some class to help low-income folks do their taxes ( I’m not saying he shouldn’t help – but really, this was the last weekend and he waited until the last weekend to go). (Never do today what you can leave until tomorrow – H Ed.)

So, the husband was gone. The girl was dressed for ballet, princess dress in the backpack, and birthday gift in tow – she was gone. All I had left was the boys and an extremely messy house and a ton of laundry. By the time the missing links were home, I had almost everything done. The house was clean (relatively) and the laundry was done (sorta).

Now, all that I had neglected was you, my poor little blog. Have no fear! I’m back! The weather is supposed to be warmer next week (so the kiddos will be at school). I don’t have a call shift – I plan on getting sleep ( I’m considering some sort of sleep aide). So, I will hopefully be a happy mommy again…..

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A blog award - yippeee

I never thought I would acquire one of these. Pretty cool! I would like to thank Hale Mom for giving me this award. I haven't been doing this very long (I'm still surprised anyone wants to read what I have to say), so I was completely shocked....still a little floored. I'd almost say speechless.

SO THANK YOU HALE MOM!

Anyway, so in receiving this award, I have to follow the rules and keep it going. So here it goes.

Here are the rules for all the lovely ladies that are now receiving this award:

- Put the Lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- Link to the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.


And the winners are (in no particular order):

1. Faithfully Frugal and Free
2. Miracle Momas
3. Polka Spot Farm
4. Geek Girl Reviews
5. My Cup to Yours
6. The Happy Little Wren
7. Luscious Deals
8. Confessions of An Over Worked Mom
9. Stretching the One Income Dollar
10. More than a Mommy

Drum Roll Please - Coleman Gift Card Winner

And the lucky winner of my first giveaway is -

">COLEMAN WINNER

Comment 6 belongs to:
">SHOP NANNIES


ShopNannies has been notified via email and has 24 hours to respond!

Congratulations on winning my first giveaway!