True Thanks Given

Because I miss my love, I went to see him after I stuffed myself, to full capacity, with all the "good stuff" Nov. 27th brings. (Flattering, I know, but he still welcomed the visit!) And got to see exactly what it is, he is now doing. I'm grateful for the sacrifice that he is giving to ensure security for the family. I love you papi!!!

Of course when a picture presented itself, it did not go untaken. And gave me more to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the beauty of the natural world so that I can take a picture of it... and blog about it later. ;o)

Strawberry Res. This was the coolest cloud formation. There were highlights in the water from the sun rays but I didn't do a very justifiable job capturing that. (I need a camera/super lens like Alisha.)

Close-up

Full view. (which one do you like the best?)

Kenney Res. Colorado

Top of the "mountain" near the oil rigs. Somewhere in Col.

Felt like a dream, but it wasn't...

This morning at 3:30, dylan woke up and so I had to rock him back to sleep. That took about 45min. When I went to go back to bed, I thought, "Hey, I'm awake already, why don't I just go get a little shopping done." (Oh and my alarm clock just went off too.) SO...I did. Well, I tried! The stores opened at five and I just wanted two things. Surely that wouldn't be so difficult. Slip right in, grab those two items and slip right out. I'd be back in bed in 30 min. top! Well, when I pulled into the desired store. (Starts with Wal and ends in Mart) The parking lot was PACKED. On the way, I noticed lines at target, sears, and best buy, so I was expecting there to be a line at WalMart. So when I reached the parking, my hopes were lost because no line was to be seen and thought, "there's no way they stocked enough camera's and dvd players for me to "slip right in and grab one" and SHOULD'VE turned around and gone home then. But the pull of the shopping and more so, the curiousity drove me deeper into the parking lot. I actually found a decent spot and ventured in. Of course the first thing I see are people, people, carts, and more people! In all the years of my shopping at 4am, I've never seen this! WOW! They/we were packed in their like cockroaches in a sugar bowl. People were climbing over others, One woman (I heard by a friend of mine that I happened to see) was pushed down in the crowd as they stampeded into it once the doors were opened. At one point I was stuck... boxed in by a bunch of carts! And then I hit gridlock at the corner of photo developing, electronics, and housewares. I couldn't move! Mind you...I had NO cart. That would've interferred with my "slip in and slip out" mission. I was finally able to make it to the photo counter and ask where the camera's were. He pointed not 20 ft. away and it took me 5 min. to get there. ONLY to find that the "display box" which held them was completely crushed to the floor by the many hundreds of feet that continued to crushing it. My next venture was for the dvd player but had NO IDEA what direction to even go. SO, I let the crowd take me. It was like being swept away in a current of water. It wasn't even worth fighting against the grain. I ended up at the front of the store and thought well...since I'm already here, I need oil for the car, and started that crusade in that direction. I did make it there and was on my way back to the front when a man with an arm full of dvd players passed by. I inquired to its whereabouts and he said, "frozen food isle". Oh...lovely. That was on the others side of the store. Knowing full well that there wasn't going to be any left, I still continued on. BUT this time, avoiding the "crowded isles" and detoured throught the smaller ones. I did make it, but as was expected, to nothing but people loaded with carts. The thought then came to me, "what would happen if there was a fire alarm? I definitely didn't want to be here at that time." (That had to be against a fire safety code, I would think.) So I took my oil and headed to check out. Seeing the lines, I opted to set it in some random place and come back later. I didn't want to wait 30 min. just to buy a $3.00 quart of oil. I drove back home and went back to sleep. Empty handed of course. And that is just fine with me. It gave me the reminder, that I get every year I do this, that some things just aren't as important and others. My two littlest ones were in my bed waiting for me to snuggle up to and fall back to sleep.

Are there any of you out there that join in the chaos on "Black friday"? What crazy things have you seen or heard about?

*note: my mom was here with the kids for those of you who may have wondered why a mother would leave her children alone. Not this one.

A recomendation, if you please...

I'm in need of a new look. Blog speaking, that is. My layout has gotten a little old, acutally REALLY old! And I've noticed through my stalking that many of you have given yours new looks. I've spent countless.........minutes, web surfing for new cute layouts, but obviously, unsuccessfully. Let me know where you all get your super cute layouts so I can retire these lovely dots that I have now. Thanks a bunch!

Yes, I'm bragging...So what!?

Ok...I'm thrilled with my brothers family pics SO much so, I've dedicated this post to them! (See Joe, I DO love you!) I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little extra peepin. So check it out here! What beautiful kids. LOVE THEM!!!

What can I get for you....

With "Flu season" in full swing, I would've liked to have been one house that it passed by, but like many of us....wishful thinking on my part. How silly of me to even have hoped. I've been left here to fend this horrible illness off as, one by one, each of my children have had their turn. I've spent enough to have anything I could use on hand so that midnight visits to the store were not necessary. BUT, as each child has had their turn, each one had different symptoms. If only it were the same for all. I don't know about you, but with 5 children residing here....they all prefer their own way of taking whatever medicine is needed. The younger they get, the tougher they are to please. Or for that matter...something that would be easy for ME to give to them. The older ones quickly and gladly take their dosage while the last two have been a battle in itself. As a parent we tend to go for the quickest, cleanest method possible and at first it was going well. After having gone a few weeks of taking the nasty stuff (Yes, we have had it here for that long!)...I was finding myself having to be more creative and rely on whatever clever new way of administering the F.D.A. had come up with. I must say that my new favorite is Triaminic's desolving thin strips. Pop one in the child's mouth and it disolves in seconds. No mess to wipe up! My only request is that they make one for fever/pain reducer. I'd stock my storage with that stuff! BUT...they don't so I have had to go with the Tylenol meltaways. Those worked great at first cause they look like 'candy' and the kids eagerly consumed. Now that it's been presented A LOT lately...they aren't so thrilled to pop one in their mouth and I have to result to physical restraint (e.i. my most effective wrestling hold while trying to squirt the syrup in the water tight, closed lips. To only have it dribbled, or spat out. Of course having a rag on hand is a requirement for this inevitable response, but then hope and prayers follow suit, that enough made it in the system to do SOMETHING good.)

Eli was prescribed amoxicylin, (sp?) that horrible pepto pink looking stuff, and so he HAS to take it. I requested the chewable tablets (thinking of less messy method, of course) but have wondered if that was the best decision. The first dose went well, jared and I got him all excited to take it, but then after chewing it he realized that it wasn't worth all the hype. The next time he needed it he objected and found myself bribing him. After that, I included all the kids in on it and they knew before hand what I was up to and asked who wanted a treat. Like the perfect little puppets they are, they acted right on cue and Eli took the bait. The next time...he surprisingly took it, no problem. BUT, now I am to the point of begging, "PLEASE take this for mommy, please. (Insert sad eyes here.) I now spend the day thinking of a new creative way to get him to take it for the 7 more days he has left! :o/ Any suggestions would be MOST welcomed.

Now here's a question for you

What method have you found to be most effective when it comes to giving stubborn children their "feel good medicine?"

It's an improvement, really!.....

Since I've been loosing more fish than I would have liked... (Ra has recently died as well. I was super upset about that one!!! My only thought is that he missed Sunburst so much, he died of a broken heart.)

I decided that enough was enough! Time to stop being so reckless and try to actually be successful at keeping a silly little fish alive. Really? Does it have to be THIS hard? (This has come a LONG way from just buying a "goldfish" for eli!) I've invested in the fish, tank, decor, rocks, fish, solution, more fish, even a "black light" (that didn't work) to make my neon fish glow, and did I mention more fish?

I finally took the time to research (that should've been done BEFORE hand) and found that ANY kind of tank, fresh or saltwater, has to go through a cycle. I'd attempt to explain it to you but I really wouldn't be able to, properly. I do know that ammonia is BAD, bacteria....GOOD! ;o) You can look up the process here. But through reading, I have since purchased a solution that encourages the process of cycling, quicker. (I'm having to speed it up because of the current residents residing ALREADY. i.e. prevent any more fish from dying.) I have been adding it for about 4 days now and my water is starting to look foggy, YEAH!!!! It's actually working! Because of that....I was feeling a bit confident and bought these three VERY beautiful (double click on the pics to see the super cool markings) fish! Yea, I know...reckless. Oh well. (Still working on names. Open for suggestions) AND....a LIVE plant. (They help speed up the cycling too!)

This one looks A LOT like Ra did, other than the tiger markings on the tail. I acutally bought him before the next two.

The orange one, I liked for the color. And the yellow one.....click on the picture and you'll see why.

Yo-yo and pip-squeak with the new 'furnishing'.

What a happy little active tank! At least until another one dies. :o)

***Post # 100!!!***

...Exciting, isn't it? I saw this was going to be my 100th post, and got all excited. I guess I could throw confetti on myself, maybe I'll go buy myself a drink, but I sure wish I had $100.00 to give myself for whatever. But I guess I'll just go on blogging cause that's all I got. Here it is....Congratulations post #100!

Thanks to Sarah I've been Photo Tagged.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to your pictures

2. Upload the fourth picture from the fourth file

3. Post

4.Tag four friends

This is me last winter with Ash and Eli making a snowman. Not as exciting as Sarah's picture was. But a memorable one none-the-less.

And the tagged ones are: Alisha, Angela, Jenni, and Gwen.

They say, "A picture can say a thousand words." Well.... THIS ONE says a lot of 4 lettered words!

Go ahead, we ALL know about the blonde that couldn't use a computer because..........why? Let's ask ELI where the white out is!!!

Jaden and his silly antics

(Sorry this is side ways....I forgot you couldn't rotate your video's after downloading them.)

Jaden was having such a good time spinning the ribbon...to the point that he had to stop because all the blood in his arms had rushed to his fingers, turned them red, and started to hurt. But he looks pretty funny doing it!

Oh, So tired!

Who doesn't have a "sleeping in high chair" pic? Just another one to add to the baby book. I thought it was cute. (Love the red hair! Maybe his will actually stay after his first hair cut. Whenever that may be!)

Good thing this high chair Reclines because that is where he stayed for the duration of his nap.

I've fallen behind...

...when it comes to this blogging thing, I always feel that a picture is needed for each post and when I don't have one, I make sure the next posting has enough to make up for it. BUT...the world has continued to revolve and things continued to happen....

First off, Sunburst has "passed," and Ra (I TRULY BELIEVE) is mourning the loss of his friend. (They were the "guppies". Fish with really fancy tail fins. Reminded me of Figero) Everyday since he got the "royal flush" (hee hee hee), Ra only comes up from the bottom of the tank to eat and then nestles himself/herself back down in "it's" little spot. It just happened to be the spot that Sunburst took his/her last 'gulp of water'. Call me crazy, but I'm convinced that fish have feelings. (At least I think that mine do.) I just pray that Ra doesn't decide to join his friend due to a broken heart. I love watching him swim around.

Aaron, Omner, and Himni are doing absolutely fabulous. (Ishould be more careful throwing that optimism around too often, I believe I may have said that about Ra and Sunburst.) Omner's fins have grown back to ALMOST full size. (Remember when Jon was "feasting" upon them?) The triplets just swim around together like a happy little school. Makes me happy to see them so "content" (i.e. not dead!)

Oogie has yet to be replaced, still waiting for my tank to get super icky.

The neon's (yo-yo, pickle, pip squeak, and princess) still doing well. (Again, better watch those cursing words) Little pip squeak has settled down, "hormonally". (if you know what I mean.) My tank is still colorful and "active" and I thank those of you who have requested to see them when you have come to visit. The fish would be quite pleased to know of the fan base that seems to be accumulating. ;o)

Next on the list.... Is an update of Eli's Vegas trip with daddy. I was waiting for pictures to be developed before I blogged more about him, but unfortunately they were too dark and only about 5 turned out. Nothing of him "bititng" the "IBM big shots". I know....I'm TOTALLY bummed! I do have another "Eli fish story" from his adventure to the "shark tanks". This is how I found out about it...

Jared: "Did I tell you about Eli climbing into the pirahna tank?"
me: "WHAT!????"
Jared: "Oh, I guess I didn't. I'll tell you later."
me: "WHAT!??? Pirahna tank?"
Jared: "Yeah, it was pretty funny. But I'll have to tell you later."
me: "ELI CLIMBED INTO A PIRAHNA TANK!?"
Jared: "Yea, I gotta go. I'll call you later!"
Click.....
Ok...So of course you can tell that I may have been a little takin' aback and thoughts were racing through my head.....
"Well, he must not have gotten hurt because I've talked to him and nothing was said about the fish biting HIM!"
"I find it interesting that a place like Mandalay Bay in LAS VEGAS! would have access to a Pirahna tank by a three year old." and
"I'm SOOOOO NOT going to let Jared "forget" to tell me this story!"

When he finally decided to tell me the story this is what had happened.....

There was a Pirahna tank that was about 4ft high with a 2ft step at the bottom. (WHO ON EARTH KNOWS WHY!??? Maybe the "fish feeder" is only 2 1/2ft tall.) BUT, to be fair to the aquarium people...it WAS roped off and there WAS a "guard" standing there.
With a mischevious boy like ELI, his timing was perfect! Daddy wasn't paying attention and Mr. Guard man was "daydreaming". Eli was successful to the point of crawling up onto the "step" and pulling himself (I assume with one leg draped up and over) up to the edge of the tank to "reach" in and "catch a fish." FINALLY, at that point, daddy and Mr. Guard man took notice and the race was on! Poor Eli, having two grown men screaming at him, didn't understand what he could've possibly done wrong. "What daddy? Fish?"
Needless to say, I'm grateful that he didn't fall in or that the "flesh eating fish" weren't "hungry" enough to jump up and out of the water to nip a finger or HEAD off!

One more on the list....I woke up to about 6 inches of snow this morning. (With more in the forecast.) NOT something I'm ready for yet. The leaves haven't even fallen yet and I was waiting for the rain to stop and the leaves to dry up enough to go and play in them with the kids. I guess, we skip the fall play and head straight to angel making and snowball chucking! The only downfall....when unexpected storms like this roll in, it's a mad dash to the store for snow gear. Of course stores have that all thought through and hike prices up to the most possible amount, and IF anything is even left by the time I actually have shoveled my way out of my driveway...I can't swallow the cost of clothing and turn around and go back to my little igloo. (Of course not without grabbing a bit of chocolate on my way out!)
Side note: If there is anyone in my "area" (those of you who know where that is) that just happen to have size 11 or 12 children's snow boots, I've got some feet here to occupy them. If they're girls, I guess I'll take them. Nothing that spray paint can't fix! ;o)

That's about it for my silly stories and rantings. Stay tuned for more. (whenever that may be!)