Just me and my boys

It's just me and my boys this weekend. Dan is taking Savannah on a camping trip with her preschool at the beach somewhere up the coast. (this should be non stop fun! hee hee) I thought it was a great idea so that they could have some bonding time together. Savannah needs that a lot. She has been really emotional lately and anxious about where her daddy is at all times. So this trip should be good for them. She got a brand new Dora sleeping bag - which is a surprise - so she is going to be stoked. She has never been camping before - neither have I for that matter!! Dan really wants us all to go as a family, but it's not for me. I suppose I'll have to try it at least once, but with a newborn the chances are pretty slim that I'll get out there anytime soon.
So this weekend it's just me and my boys. I don't know what we'll do. Maybe I'll take Stinky to the park or something. He is easy to please, he's just happy to be invited. I'm gonna put them to bed early and crack open a bottle of wine and watch crap TV and pack some boxes. Sounds like bliss.
I think it is really important that each child gets some alone time with each parent. That gets hard when you have so many kids....
When I was growing up, we had something called "Date with Daddy". About once a month he would take me out for a "date" just me and him. Sometimes my mom would come too, but I had them all to myself. I have great memories of ice cream at Dairy Queen, the movies, or lunch at Eatons (for you Canadians out there) . I always used to choose green jello to eat - cut up into little cubes and served in a fancy glass with a little dollop of whipped cream on top. I remember it so clearly. Those days were important to me. I want my kids to have those kinds of memories too. I hope this weekend will be one of those great memories that will last in Savannah.

My friend, StapleHead

Meet my friend StapleHead. AKA Stephanie or Stepho (stee-foe) as I call her most often. She's online for the first time now. After all these years she just got an email account. Everybody clap for Stephanie! I had to rethink our friendship when she told me she didn't email. It's my main form of communication. I'd email Dan from the living room to our bedroom if I could.
I met Stephanie many moons ago our freshman year in college. We were quad mates. We both have a very weird sense of humor and didn't quite know what to make of each other at first, but shortly after made fast friends.
Why StapleHead? She fell at work one day and cracked her head open. She worked at Blockbuster late at night, so she didn't call anyone and just went to the hospital alone. The next day she was walking around with staples in the back of her head and no one knew why. It's pretty simple.
She's an odd bird, Stephanie and I love her for it.
She sleeps with her eyes open, has a stuffed dog that she is obsessively protective of (in college we used to hang it in a noose from the ceiling above her bed. It made her cry so I stopped...eventually) and she makes this creepy face called the skeleton head. She sticks her fingers in her mouth and pulls her lips apart really wide...it looks super scary. I used to wake up in the morning and she would be standing over me making this face and I would scream. What's worse is she taught her 4 year old to do it to me now. To this day it creeps me out.
She is a great pal. A wonderful Christian and a loving friend who keeps me in line. I can pray with her, laugh with her and share the worst things about myself and she usually says it is something she does too! She's a normal person - which basically means that she is just messed up enough for me to be friends with her.

Whew glad that's over!

Ok, I am back and with GREAT news. We found our dream house. And it is in fact our dream house (within the realm of reason of course). If I had made a list 6 months ago of everything I wanted in a house - this place has it. I NEVER thought we would get a home this nice. It is 100% the Lord that we got it. It is 4 bedrooms with a family and living room and a beautifully remodeled kitchen and even has air conditioning! God is truly amazing. Can't wait to show you all some pictures. We opened escrow this morning and if all goes well we can move in June 1st! Thanks you all for your support and prayers. This has been a stressful time and it is only God that got me through. We were just about to give up and make a bid on a house that we didn't want. Our top 2 choices at that point were one house that was smaller than where we are living now and the other was a house that a particularly gruesome murder had happened at about a year and half ago. It looked bleak! But in the last minute our dream house called us back and accepted our offer that they had originally rejected. Prayer works, guys. He knows the desires of our hearts and He proved that to me in all this.

Grrr...

We are in househunting HELL. I wishI had more time to write. I promise I will be back soon.

Loopy, but still here

Hey everybody. I am still alive and well. Just super busy. I had my root canal today. I was absolutely terrified, but the sedative that the dentist prescribed me worked like a charm. I slept through almost the entire thing. He said, "Well you sure were relaxed. Would you believe me if I said you were snoring?" Oops. At least I was too drugged to be emarassed. I am actually in no pain. I thought it was going to be excruciating. So I am happy.
We have spent the last 2 days looking for our dream house. No such luck yet. We found one we liked that we have put an offer in on, but won't hear back until at least tomorrow. EVERYTHING else we saw we hated. I am a little worried now because the house we bid on has another offer. This whole house buying thing is so stressful. I can't wait until it's over. Fingers crossed everybody!!

Home at last!

Well, Dan is finally home. It feels so good to be together as a family for the first time. It is a little intimidating being outnumbered by the little beasts, but haven't had anyone lose a limb yet. And it is almost noon! The kids are beside themselves with excitement and so am I.
I'll probably be scarce for the next few days, but I'll try to post when I can.

YEAH!

We finally did it. We sold our condo! I can't believe after all this time we were able to sell it. I had honestly given up hope and started to settle into the idea that we were going to stay living where we are now. In a matter of 2 months we are gonna be living in our very own house with a backyard! We just have to find one now... :) Anyway, God really is faithful to our prayers, I know we would not have been able to sell it without His blessing and wisdom. So I KNOW that the right house is out there waiting for us. YEAH!!!!

Bad news....I am a big weenie

Went to the dentist. About as bad I imagined. I have to have SO much work done. It makes me resent my husband who has terrible dental hygiene but has PERFECT teeth. Jerk. I was so upset I burst into tears and was a blubbering mess in front of the doc. It embarassed even him I think. (Can you say postpartum hormones?) I have to go in next week for a ROOT CANAL! I am so scared. He actually prescribed me a sedative to take for the procedure because I was suck a mess. Poor poor me.
(Picture in honor of my brother Robby...)

Can't stop shaking

Today is a big day. #1 We got an offer on our condo!! Since it is a buyers market, they are reviewing our acceptance of that offer and comparing it to the offers they made on other properties. They will be making a decision today on which property they choose. Please pray for this. We have been on the market nearly 8 months now!! I'll keep ya'll posted.

#2 Today is dentist day. I am terrified. I have not been to a dentist - yes Shana I know - in over 3 years. And I have terrible teeth. I bet you that I will end up with 10 cavities. So scared. There is one tooth in my mouth that has been really hurting the last week or so - which is what actually got my butt in gear to call the dentist. Novacaine (SP??) really freaks me out. I am scared of needles too. This dentist I am going to is supposed to be a genius with needles. They say you can't even really feel it when he gives you a shot. I think they are full of you know what. More to come on this later....

Touching Photos

I emailed this to a bunch of you, but I was so moved by it that I wanted to post it too,

Here are two pictures that were awarded first and second place at the picture of the year international this year.

First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as one of the most powerful in the process: "See the people in the windows? They'll sit right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They're going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."

Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you! Kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."

The pictures just gave me chills. I see that wife lying there and my heart is just broken. I am so saddened for each and every one of these soldiers families. Let's not forget the sacrifice they are making for us each and every day.

Alone

Today is my first official day alone with all 3 of my children. I am terrified. I know the first 2 are out to get me, the little one hasn't seemed to make up his mind yet whose side he is on. Chances are I am gonna lose that one. So far, all four of us are still alive and still have our limbs intact. I cannot, however, say as much for my parents' house. I think a bomb went off. There used to be carpet, but it cannot be found. My mom will be thrilled to come home to this joint. :) Pray that we survive these dark hours. If I stop blogging, it is because they have tied me up and thrown me in a closet somewhere.

Ah, the sound of silence

I hate mornings. No bones about it, it is the worst time of day. I cringe if I hear an alarm clock or my kids stirring before 7am. However, on a day like today I absolutely revel in the morning silence. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact I don't have to normally get up and get dressed for work. But, today I got up at 4am and took my dad to the airport.
I love having the freeway to myself - the quiet hum of my wheels on the road and soft music - not Veggie Tales - playing in the background. It's always a little chilly this early in the morning so I can bundle up in a cozy sweatshirt and turn the heat on in the car so it is nice and cozy. No one looks good this early in the morning so I don't have to do my hair or put make up on and I still feel prepared to face the world at this hour.
I feel self indulgent on mornings like this, so on the way back I stopped and got a mocha at Starbucks and snuck (sneaked??) back into the house to fiddle on the internet and watch the TV I want to watch before the Stinky and the Red Beast awaken. I probably should go back to bed and get rested for the day, but this time seems precious and I want to soak in the silence. Ahhh...

Don't You Sass Me!

I wish I could say this post is about MY kids but no. My parent's next door neighbor's recently moved and rented out their house to 4 college guys. I have to say they are a normally a sweet bunch. Always polite and all. Not last night - or really any weekend night since they moved in. As to be expected they party EVERY weekend. And like last night into the wee hours of the morning on a workday. My parents are not the least bit confrontational, I on the other hand have a tendency to look for a fight. So I have gone over there a few times to tell them to pipe down. This morning at almost 2am I had enough and walked next door in my pink duckie pajamas, my dad's oversized ratty coat and a pair of flip flops. My hair was standing on end and I had masacara that I had forgotten to wash off smeared under my eyes. You would have thought the sheer sight of me would have frightened them into silence. I looked like an escape mental patient as I passed by a very drunken and loud couple on the way over yelling, "I just gave birth, shut up!"
When I knocked at the door the party was in full swing and some random person answered the door. I asked to speak to "Harry" let's call him. I waited and waited. No one came to the door although I could see Harry looking at me from the hallway. So I POUNED on the door. Eventually Harry's roomate answered. I was pissed but played the nice card .

K: This has got to stop. My kids can't sleep, do you think you could keep it down?
Harry's Roomate: Oh, I thought we were.
K: Uh, no. You guys are gonna have to keep it inside. I don't want to be a bitch or anything, but this is going on every weekend and I need to get some sleep.
HR: I wasn't aware it was every weekend. It's not ME doing it.
K: Well from now on keep it down after 11pm on weekdays and have a party every once in a while, sure but not every night. Ok? We really like you guys and think you are super sweet and all, but I just had a baby and need to rest.
HR (sassy): Well, this house is MEANT for entertaining. We cleared that with the owners before we moved in.
K: (getting pissed) This is not Pacific Beach (party town). This is the suburbs. Keep it down. Keep it inside. My 3 year old does not need to woken up by drunk maniacs in your front yard. There are neighborhood rules around here.
HR: Well this is something I am going to have to discuss with the owners.
K: I don't care. Keep it quiet.

I feel seriously old. I almost grabbed him by the ear and said don't you sass me child! I should have. Then they really would be afraid of the scary pajama lady next door.

My Pal Shana

Meet my pal Shana. She is going to hate this post. Isn't she pretty? She is my best pal in the whole world. Shana and I have never NOT known each other. We were in the nursery together at church when we were babies and grew up together. I think God just plunked us down next to each other and said "There's a good fit". If I could have conjured up a sister for myself she would have been the model. I love her. If it weren't for the whole same gender thing I would have wisked her away and married her - so instead we are the best of friends. Not to mention we both really do love our husbands....
We have lived in different countries since we were 13 years old and every time we see each other it is like no time has passed. I don't know any other people who have a friendship like ours - we are really lucky. For any of you who know what I am talking about she is the Jonathon to my David. She knows all my secrets, so I won't say anything here to piss her off. That is the problem with having a friend you have know for nearly 29 years! She knows I can't read a map to save my life, figure out a bus route, or resist any temptation to junk food but she loves me anyway.
Shana is a hairdresser - her salon has a link on my blog. She is the best. I have offered to move her down to San Diego to do my hair and I would pay her in gummie bears, but she has not taken me up on the offer as of yet.
We live a very similar life. It seems all the major life events have happened around the same time. We both met our husbands in high school. Got married within 3 months of each other, had babies one right after the next. It feels like God set up our life so that we would always know what the other was going through. I never feel alone with her in my life.
In an effort to get her goat a little bit, here are a few random facts about Shana:

She broke her uncle's nose one day while he was tickling her. She actually kicked him in the face. Cool.

She is terrified of germs - yes you are. Salmonila gives her nightmares.

She has an odd relationship with oranges - can't get enough of them.

She wore maternity thongs. This I cannot understand. Weren't you uncomfortable enough?

Her 4 year old eats every vegetable imaginable. I think she has brainwashed her or has joined some kind of veggie cult.

At my wedding I made her wear a strapless dress which made her nervous so she had it altered super tight. Too tight in fact, and ended up having her sweater puppies on display for the entire church. Did we ever determine if that picture actually showed nipple??

She doesn't love junk food. I don't understand it or respect it, but I love her anyway.

Shana is everything I am not. We really are a good match. She ended up with all the good qualities. :) Organized, stable, rational. I am the opposite of each, so she keeps me grounded. Anyway, I'll share more about her with you, but there's her introduction to blogland.

So Proud

Ah....there is a little of me in them after all. Heehee. I have one of these pictures of each of my kids. None of them are posed. The first one is Vincent when he was brand new, the second is Breydan yesterday. I have a good one of Savannah somewhere, but is lost in the abyss... We are so proud. This is the Cain signature pose.

Stroller Envy

I had to buy a new stroller. My husband does not understand this at all. I have 2 double strollers, a jogging stroller, 2 single strollers and a bike trailer. I have a use for each and every one of them. But still, I needed to go out today and buy a new one. Because I am vain.
I only have 1 single stroller that my infant car seat attaches to. I bought it when Savannah was born and it is completely trashed. It has seen many a mile and the thing is dirty and falling apart. Very few people get as much use out of strollers as I do it seems. (This pic does not come close to showing how broken down it is)
Everyday we went to the pediatrician this week I felt embarrassed about my icky run down stroller and all these new mommies had shiny new ones. My poor Breydan was riding around in a clunker. My overly self-conscious personality could feel the scrutiny and judgment as these smug women paraded around their fancy new strollers.
So much to Dan's dismay I went out today and bought a brand new one - promising my parents that I would get all unused baby items out of their garage tomorrow by dropping it off at Goodwill. Their garage is currently baby gear dumping grounds. Ha Ha Ha!

Stuff on my mind

Feed the baby

Change the baby

Feed the baby

Take a shower because I am covered in breast milk. I swear these puppies are like high pressure fire hoses.

Feed the baby

Change the baby

Take another shower because I have been peed on. Never mind that I JUST put on a fresh diaper.

Feed the baby

Change the baby

Yell at my kids because they are poking the baby and shaking him in his jiggle chair. This terrifies me because the hospital made me watch a Shaken Baby Syndrome video before I left and I am scarred by it.

Feed the baby

Change the baby

I'll let you know when life gets more interesting. Right now, the highlight of my day is discussing the color of Breydan's poop. Sad.