Maybe we are doing something right

Have you ever questioned your ability as a parent. Seriously there was no test - they just let you walk out of the hospital with a baby. Even with big boy - we filled out some forms and had a home study (which meant I frantically cleaned my house for 5 days making sure the closets were organized - just in case) but no true test of parenting.

Earlier this week one of husband's co-workers lost her house in a fire. He knew I was home, so he texted me to tell me. I immediately wanted to know what size clothes her boy was wearing. He was somewhere in between big boy and little boy. He found out and told me.

I went upstairs to little boys closet which is really a storage shed for everything baby and started to go through clothes. Princess walked in the room and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was gathering clothes for a little boy who had lost everything in a fire. She said, "that's so sad Mama" and off she went.

She returns 15 minutes later, her arms brimming with toys. She said Mama you can't just give him boring stuff. She was so right every toy that child had was also lost in the fire.

I told the story to my mother in law who wasn't at all surprised at her grandaughter's generosity and she reminded me that as an adult we only consider the practical. What do I need to make it through the night. My princess was thinking what would I miss most, her toys.

She then asked if we could go and get him some new coloring books and crayons. Of course I said. I was so proud of her. It was there for a fleeting second that I realized that maybe, just maybe we are better at this parenting thing than we thought...

I'm surprised they are still eating it....

PUMPKIN that is. I thought by now I would have pumpkined my family out. We've had pumpkin bread, pancakes, bars, dump cake, ice cream and tonight it was pumpkin soup. The kids still haven't tired which is good, believe it or not I still have more pumpkin up my sleeve.

Perhaps because I am varying the preparation? I'm not sure. I don't make pumpkin all year long until I want it to be fall. So 3 weeks ago I started whipping out the pumpkin. Perhaps it was last year's pumpkin shortage - do you remember that? Panic in the pumpkin aisle!!! It was kinda funny. Stores here in Tulsa were advertising that they had pumpkin.

I hope I never live to see another pumpkin shortage. It was ugly.

Not your Typical Wednesday

Today wasn't your typical Wednesday. Well, it started off normal, but it wasn't. I got a phone call from my husband. This wonderful woman he works with, lost everything in a house fire today.

My husband works for a fantastic company! They were rallying the troops by 11am. I called him the second I got the message. Her little boy is in between my boys - so I went digging through the clothes boxes. I found some pants, shirts, pj's, sweaters and a coat.

My daughter came downstairs and she was asking me what I was doing. So, I told her about a little boy who lost everything in a fire. I was getting some clothes together for him because he only had the clothes that he was wearing. She said, that's sad and went back upstairs.

She came downstairs a few minutes later. Her arms were overloaded with toys. She looked at me and said, Mommy you can't just give him boring stuff, he needs new toys too! I almost cried. She then told me that we needed to go and get him crayons and some coloring books. So we did. I love that girl and I was so proud of her in that moment.

In that fleeting moment I thought maybe I am doing something right...

How fun!!!

Okay - so I've been revealing a lot about what my kids like to eat. And here is another plug for food that they like!

CORNDOGS! State Fair Corn Dogs, the #1 Corn Dog Brand (my kids personal fave) has a fun chance for you to get a coupon - an interactive video. It's like one of those choose your own adventures books! But better - this time if you choose wisely - you get a coupon!!!! AWESOMENESS!

THE State Fair Corn Dog Interactive Video


In addition - let me say I've peaked your interest in State Fair you have a thirst for more - check them out on the web!

State Fair Brand

Wanna like them on Facebook? Go here - State Fair Corn Dogs & Facebook

We are talking free peeps!

Who doesn't like free food?!?!

There is one thing that my family loves for dinner - TACOS!

Well great news people if you have a Jack in the Box near you - you can get free TACOS on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16TH!!! You can get 2, yes, 2 free tacos. NO PURCHASE REQUIRED!!! Not even a drink - just walk in and demand (politely) your free tacos!

There are 3 different ways for you to connect with Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box website
Jack in the Box on Facebook
You can follow them on twitter

SO MARK THIS ON YOUR CALENDARS FRIENDS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16TH - FREE TACOS AT JACK IN THE BOX!

It's November!!

Some people think of it as a gateway to the holidays, in our house it is so much more than that!

It's our dog's birthday! Zeke will be 3. But no, that's not it. November is National Adoption Month!

It's a big deal around our house. One of the happiest days of my life was the day I became a Mom. It was through the love of another woman that I got that achievement. I owe everything to this woman. My big man is amazing. He is sweet, caring, the best big brother EVER! Even when he was 21 months, he was the sweetest thing ever (that's how old he was when I brought Princess home).

I think of our birth mother everyday.

This poem makes me blubber every time I read it:

Legacy of An Adopted Child:

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.

Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.

One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.

And now you ask me, through your tears,
the age-old question unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.

© Author Unknown



A few weeks ago, I had the most awesome experience at work. A birth mother was delivering, the adoptive parents were in the waiting room. I worked with the adoptive family and the other nurse worked with the birth mother. I forgot (well, sort of) how awesome the experience was. I got to tell that adoptive mother all about her new baby. How much she weighed, how beautiful she was. The best part, I got to take that new Mom to the back and watch her hold her baby for the first time. As she cried tears of joy, I was back 6 1/2 years ago remembering that same flood of emotions, I cried with her. I took the first picture of her holding her new baby. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

If you ever have the chance to meet an adoptive mother ask her about the first time she found out she was going to be a Mom. I have experienced both - the positive pregnancy test and the phone call that I waited years for.

Both experiences were awesome (don't get me wrong!). The adoptive experience is so unique, so unfamiliar to most. Take the time, ask the questions, investigate the story. You'd be surprised....

I knew this day was coming...

I have officially become nothing more than a taxi cab in a minivan. I thought it would take a little longer. Like all of them being at least in kindergarten. Alas, no such luck.

At 5pm, I needed to slice myself (and my wheels) in at least half. We had to be at school to pick up the big boy, at basketball with the big boy, and at gymnastics with the princess. Do you think any of these places are close to each other?! Not even. Granted my house is in between all of them - that meant I drove by my house 4 times as I ran the circuit. It was awful. The baby really let me have it! We got in the car at 4:45pm and didn't get out of the car for more than 5 minutes until 7:10pm. He screamed, writhed, and cried to let me know he wasn't happy. Poor guy. Oh and didn't I mention he hadn't eaten (no wonder he was MISERABLE!).

Daddy came home sick from work this afternoon - he went to bed at noon and didn't get up until after 8pm. We (the kids and I) had just gotten over the flu. Ugh. So, he isn't going near the kids with a 10-foot pole. So, no help there! I did try though - his phone luckily was out of juice and it went straight to voicemail.

Oh, here's the frosting! When I spoke to the coach on Sunday - he gave me the wrong time. Basketball didn't start at 5pm -oops! He said, oh right, sorry, it starts at 6pm. ACK! We were late for tumbling for no good reason!!! FRUSTRATION! Not to mention this is rush hour traffic here people!

Ahhhh, I can't wait for next Tuesday! Same thing different day! Except this time I KNOW basketball doesn't start until 6pm!