To My Dearest Husband

Dear Mr Jo,
Today is our 6th anniversary. I know you are shocked that you have survived this long with me...but you have. The past six years have just flown by...it seems as only yesterday that we were dating. I have enjoyed every day with you...and look forward to many more ahead of us. I must say that I need to thank God for blessing me with you. You are a wonderful husband and father...you are strong...yet sensitive..you are everything I need in my life. Granted it isn't always sunshine and roses around here (especially lately) but, its seems as long as we support each other we will get through it. I know that I really couldn't have made it this far without you. It still makes me smile thinking about you....and I hope that never goes away. You are my rock..as I hope that I am yours. You love me for me....and that is such a priceless gift. Giving me strength when I have none left....and making me smile when no one else can. I really do cherish you. It's great knowing that we still can have great fun as well....six years and three kids later we know how to enjoy ourselves. I don't want to ever lose that. We need to remember to always take time for ourselves..and with each other. From the words of a wonderful movie " You had me at hello." I plan on never saying goodbye! I love you more than words can express. Forever and Always.
Mrs. Jo

P.S. Go take some time out today and tell someone you love them....Enjoy your coffee!

My life adjustment...

I think that I must just put this in writing...before it gets bad again..and I don't' believe it.

"Life feels pretty good right now."

Well now that it's said...life will start in a downward spiral into a nothingness! I had a minor...okay major issue about 2 weeks ago. This issue caused me to panic...and truthfully break down completely (to those of you that got the butt end of it...soo sorry)...but it has gotten better. The issue has been solved..well mostly. And we had to get help....but not as much as we were first assuming. Although this little problem caused me to panic..it kind of made me look at my life right now...and readjust my thinking. Which for me was very good..cause I have been in such a negative frame of mind...for many many months now. With the holidays coming..I thought for sure that it was going to get worse. I am stepping back...taking a deep breath...and going forward with my "life on loan"....and focusing on the positive. Realizing that God has a plan for me..and this is just a small bump in my life long road....I am sure there will many more bumps ahead...and it's all going to depends on how I handle them as to how much those bumps are really going to hurt. I am blessed with so many loving people in my life right now to help me work through things...and just be there to listen to me complain...cry..or talk...to those of you many kisses and hugs of appreciation. I think that recently I have stepped back...and looked at life as it is right now...we may be struggling in some senses...but we are blessed in so many more...I cherish that. The days ahead...are only going to be what I make of them...and from now on I choose to make them good. End of story..Enjoy your coffee!

The toys have been conquered!

So I broke down...and cleaned the toy room. The day started with no real intention to clean at all...by cleaning I mean I made all sorts of messes(by trying to organize)...but cleaned some up too. I was supposed to have a friend come over for a play date...so I thought..maybe I should sweep the living room floor as it was looking rather ick....then under the entertainment center caught my eye...there was toys galore...no kidding....cause toys haunt my everyday life. I thought well I have the time..I might as well move it and sweep under there and retrieve all those long lost toys.....and while I am at it..I will move the couch and love seat as well....oh boy did things get busy from there....I was going good...moving things...cleaning under things...(just a side note when looking for new furniture...make sure it sits on the floor and things can't slide under it....things will get lost...for a very very long time)...I grabbed a bin from the toy room(there were obviously empty ones since my children never fill them) and started piling the new found toys into them. After I got done cleaning under things..I grabbed all the toys from the living and dining rooms. Then the issue began...I walked with the full bins to the toy room...and ugh....it was sooo messy...that I could not just set those bins in there (like I wanted to )..and walk away. Soooo being the wonderful wife and mommy that I am...I started to clean...(luckily as this started...our play date conveniently called and cancelled). As I am starting to pick up toys..it's going through my head as to why I should bother...I needed some guidance...some plans as to what to do with the toy drama that is soaking up my life....and my house. So first things first....the play kitchen has to go...it's big..it's dirty...it has crayon all over it (no idea where that came from...Robert!)...so I thought...well I will put it out the curb with a "free" sign attached and see what happens. Although I was sooo not prepared for Rose's reaction...you would of thought that I was chopping off her left arm...the way that she was screaming...crying...sobbing...omg..it was hilarious....I explained to her that we would give it to some other little kids..that really needed it...blah ..blah..blah...(she of course wasn't buying it)...but I am mean(but it did get taken...and she was okay with it ...alot later that is)..so I put it on the curb anyway....(this also allowed to store away ALL the play food..and dishes..etc...*jumping for joy*)...then I had this brilliant idea..that I would ship bags of toys to each of the kids rooms..and separate out the baby toys....boy did that make a HUGE difference in the toy room (not to mention all the crap I threw out)....the room actually looked kind of bare when I was getting close to being done...so being the brilliant person that I am..I thought...why not put the computer desk in there (like it was many moons ago..before our hooligans came along)...and to my benefit removing it from the living room...(ha ha...now Mr. Jo can't ignore me by watching tv and being the computer at the same time)...and the room looks really nice....less toys...so that maybe they will play with them..and toys in their rooms...for when we have no tv time and mommy wants some peace and quiet....and mommy finally might get daddy's full attention in the evenings(ah who am I kididng now he just won't watch tv..and I'll never see him)...I really think everyone will benefit (well maybe not Mr. Jo...but ahhh you can't please them all!)

As a side note though Mr. Jo did take a table I was trying to use as my craft table...although it wasn't working the way I had it....and put it in the empty spot in the living room....he even organized all my scrapbook stuff..into bins ..and drawers....it looks amazing..and the fact that he did that just for me....was very very nice of him....he just might have to be rewarded...but enough about that...Enjoy your coffee!

Toys... to play with or not to play with?

Why....oh why do I have toys for my children? Why ...oh why do I have a special room just for their toys? Why..oh why do my damn children mess up their toy room and then NOT play in it? Why..oh why do my children like to play with their toys in the living room..and NOT the toy room? Why...oh why do I not just throw them all away? Why...cause I am a nice mommy (that is completely losing her mind) that's why!

Okay here's what Wikipedia says:
A toy is an object used in play. Toys are usually associated with children and pets, but it is not unusual for adult humans and some non-domesticated animals to play with toys(I mean seriously...they had to put that in there!). Many items are manufactured to serve as toys, but items produced for other purposes can also be used as toys. A child may pick up a household item and 'fly' it around pretending that it is an airplane, or an animal might play with a pine cone by batting at it, chasing it, and throwing it up in the air. Some toys are intended primarily as collector's items and are not to be played with.

The first line "A toy is an object used in PLAY!" A toy is not to be thrown out of the basket or bin that it is so nicely stored in....a toy is not to be stepped on...a toy is for your entertainment. My children obviously missed this memo. Toys are not just for messing up their special room...you actually can play with them..and then PUT THEM AWAY! I know..you might think that I am being a little harsh...my children are still little...but I am not. Those little heathens literally go in there...dump out the baskets and bin...pull out the draws..pull all the books off the shelves..and then their play time is over(and this is always right after mommy has spent her time cleaning it). I mean ...really...and then they have the nerve to not want to play in there anymore ...as Rose says "cause it's messy"..well DUH..you did it....I should just give them all away....or sell them....or just pack them up and hide them...but then again..that's a lot of work for me...and I am just not willing to give up my precious time of sitting at the computer for that.

Enjoy your coffee!

Sick or Dead?

So as I am begining to be well aware that having a almost four year old makes my life way more interesting. The conversations I have been having with Rose lately are just priceless! We are driving to Nana's house last night on the way home from dance....and we see an ambulance turn the corner on the opposite side of the road..with it's lights flashing and sirens going. This is the conversation that followed:

Rose: "Mommy....what is that thing called again?"

Me: "It's called an ambulance."

Rose: "Oh..right an...andulamce...I member."

Me: " No honey, it's a.m.b.u.l.a.n.c.e."

Rose: "that's what I said......someone must be sick....OR dead!"

Me: "No I am sure they are just sick honey...not dead...why don't we say a prayer for the person in the ambulance that they get better."

Rose: "They ARE sick or dead mommy...probably dead."

Me: "Let's not say that they are dead...if they have their lights on that means the person is just really sick (making this up..hoping to get her off the dead subject.)"

Rose: "When you are dead you go to the dr.......dead people go to dr's...."

Me: " (OMG)....no honey when you are dead you aren't alive anymore so they won't need to go to the dr...."

Rose: "But...they are probably dead...right?!"

Me: " Can we please just stop talking about being dead...we will just assume that the person in the ambulance is sick..and going to the hospital..ok..?!"

Rose: "ugh....but I think they are dea......OH look mommy horses.....can I ride a horse someday...?"

Me: "Sure honey..(thinking..thank God you have ADD like your daddy...and we can stop talking about dead people)

Rose: " Ok ..I will ride a horse when I getter bigger...ok :) "

Some Halloween Help?!

Okay so every year it's a tradition that my in-laws have a Halloween Bash. It is requested that you dress up. Especially if you are part of the family (well duh I obviously am!)sooo..I need help! My husband and I have done pretty good the last couple of years with costumes. This year for some reason I am struggling. We have little money (and boy do I mean little ) ...sooo we need to think of something that we can put together ourselves maybe with a few props cheaply. We have previously been..."A Wizard & Medival Queen"..."Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dumb"...."Pink Ladies & T-Birds"...."Devil & Pregnant Lady (that was Mr. Jo)...."A Bears fan & Bare foot and Pregnant "(we just went as ourselves...i was pregnant with AnnMarie last year...it was fun) So now this year is quickly approaching and I need some ideas. I love dressing up it brings some of the childhood fun into it. We however need something that is easy and cheap...sooo send me your ideas....anything...so go get some coffee and think(maybe some of our ideas will help you..if you are the dress up type)... Enjoy your coffee!

Just wondering...

Does every mom wonder..."can I make it through this?"..."will they appreciate me when they get older?"..."am I disciplining them correctly?" All of these thoughts keep running through my mind the past couple of weeks. Life around here has been somewhat crazy and stressful and I just can't get these thoughts out of my head. Do other moms have these concerns...am I just crazy....how do other people deal? I know I love my kids...and I know that they love me. It's just been a rough patch lately....three small kids....one boy that is a handful...a baby...and a little girl getting an attitude (from me i assume..damn it!)...any help? I guess lately it's just been hitting a nerve with me...but I am sure that I will be fine...I just wish I could stop questioning myself. Enjoy your coffee!

Robert's Art Project

Crayons next time...Enough Said! Enjoy your coffee!

Another shower adventure with Rose

I obviously didn't learn anything from my last shower experience with my daughter..but she was very insistant that she take a shower with me last night (cause she thinks it's such a big girl thing to do)..so being the best mommy ever..I let her. Boy was that a mistake.

I'll set the scene...small town, IL...little two story house on main st......little bathroom...(and little I mean you almost have to be a contorstionist to walk in there)...me..and my daughter, Rose
(almost 4)..undressing to take a shower....

Me: (undressing so I can get in the shower)

Rose: (Looking at me with great question in her face) "I am growing big boobs too mommy." (touching herself as she's saying this)

Me: "Oh, really...that's nice."

Rose: "They are going to be really big like yours...they just are still growing ..right now."

Me: "okay" (thinking..stupid stupid me..for letting her take a shower with me again)

Rose: "What is that ,mommy, on your boobs?" (with the strangest look on her face)

Me: "That is my nipple...." (OMG...trying not to laugh and cry at the same time)

Rose: *laughs..giggles* "Oh....I don't have nipples..hee hee!"

Me: "Yes you do they are right there...(pointing to her little dots on her chest)"

Rose: "Those aren't nipples silly..."

Me: "Okay (thinking..I'll go along with it if it means an end to this conversation)
(Thank God..converstation over...although she is still looking at me with question..but I hurry and get into the shower)

So later that night..we are at walmart(sucky)..and I really need a new bra...I am looking at them..and Mr Jo takes the kids to another part of the store (god forbid he is in the bra section)..but Rose is wanting to stay with me (of course she is)..so I let her. I grab a handful of bras and head into the dressing room...Rose in tow. I tell her to sit down and she does...watching me intently as I am trying on these bras. She is smiling..and I am thinking oh no..what is she going to say now. Then she gets up and giggles..."I want to try one on too." Without waiting for an answer she picks one up...and is trying to open it "where are the buttons on these things she says." Then..she proceeds to take off her shirt (even though I said ...Over the shirt!) but..she obviously doesn't listen. With no luck finding the button she just slips it over her head...now she is standing in front of the mirror..posing..and smiling at her self...(me standing behind her trying to not laugh)..then I realize....How do you know when your boobs are TOO big....when your bra cup is as big as your almost 4 year olds head! Needless to say...I really need to quit letting Miss Rose shower and dress with mommy...she's getting to curious.....and it's freaking me out! Enjoy your coffee!

An adventure in kid raising

For those of you that don't have boys (or boys like mine at least) you are very very lucky! My middle child, Robert, is just a little spit-fire. His new favorite word is "no." Oh yes and as you can imagine..it's just a blast to have him use it. I am all for updating your vocabulary but he could have never learned that word and I would be okay with it. The thing is he says it with such charm and personality, and of course always followed with a smile (cause he assumes that makes everything sooo much better). On top of loving his new word, no, he also has become quite the little terror lately. Purposely causing problems...or throwing things...hitting..biting..you know the fun stuff. My mom was nice enough to take me and the two youngest kids to breakfast the other morning. My sister was with as well..for this eventful gathering. Now the baby, AnnMarie, is a very good baby..doesn't cry for no reason..sits well and plays...but then there is her older brother...oh geez. We get seated in a booth and I have Robert on the side with me. He decides that he is going to talk to the lady sitting behind us (who is waiting for her party so kindly talks back with him)...I am trying to get him to sit down and be a good boy... he's refusing. He is taking the jelly little packets and the creamers and biting into them...I was only imagining one of them squirting open and flying across the table at my mom and sister (now that I think about it..it would have been pretty damn funny). It's time to feed AnnMarie so I have her sitting on the table giving her a bottle...and she knocks over a glass of water...everywhere...I get Robert to stand up..but he is refusing cause he wants to grab the ice cubes so he can eat them...there was water everywhere..and AnnMarie...continued happily eating. I give Robert two of his "people" to play with and a truck (thinking this will keep him entertained...yeah right). He does play for a bit...but decides to drop them under the table(oh and he was playing behind us and the lady thought he dropped a toy down her back)...and refuses to get them...also dropped his sippy cup down there...he thinks it's just hilarious that they are under there....and keep in mind its a tight booth..me, mom, and my sister...can't just squeeze under there. Sooo....the three of us are trying to get the toys and sippy cup with our feet. I can't even see most of them cause they are on my side...my sister is trying to guide me...we are all laughing...and as we get the pieces onto the table...Robert is taking them and throwing them over at mom(and by throwing I mean whipping them)...she is ducking and laughing..well...the laughing contributes to the throwing and Robert assumes we are liking the game he is playing so we are having a hard time getting him to stop. Finally...his fire deceases. At this point we are thinking..can we have the check now...breakfast is thankfully over..our bellies are full...Robert has had his fun (for now that is) ..and my mom and sister are thinking we are Never going to eat at a restaurant with you are your children again! Well....dealing with kids...in public always was an adventure...I am sure there are more fun times to come. Enjoy your coffee!

Our long weekend

So I haven't blogged in a couple of days. I guess I am feeling very ..ummm..blah (sorry that's the only word that is coming to mind). Since we had a long weekend...I am a little thrown off for my week. Considering it's Wednesday and I feel as if it is Tuesday. I guess maybe...since I have nothing better to do today..(well I do ..but who really wants to clean)..I can give you a synopsis of my weekend...it was rather...ehh..umm..boring (i am a mother of three living in the Midwest how exciting could it get plus I wanted to say it was "blah" but I have already used that description)..so since there is nothing better for me to think about writing why not indulge you with the highlights of my life (right..)Here goes nothin:





Friday: Oh yeah...we did nothing. I know shocker. My mother stopped by for a bit...she was off work, but she was on this kick that she needed to be alone...well alone in the sense..she didn't want anyone to go with her for the day (i.e. my children). Which actually I found quite funny. She wasn't working...she wasn't cleaning...she didn't have her grandchildren...she was doing nothing. It was driving her crazy...she looked like a lost puppy. She just wandered around for the day stopping here and there...then going home and not really knowing what to do (you see she is a busy body so this was very funny to witness). By the end of the day she was so annoyed with being alone..(she obviously doesn't have three small children at home anymore to keep her busy)..she says to me "Mrs. Jo, don't EVER let me do that again....this being alone all day stuff...trying to find things to do ...was for the birds." I was laughing sooo hard. After talking with her numerous times that day...my family and I just vegged out and watched the boob tube all night. Very enjoyable.





Saturday: We went and took family pictures. I have a wonderful surrogate mother that is a professional photographer (and may I just say that she is wonderful!). We went to a park...the bugs were horrible...and my kids were only semi cooperating. We did get some nice pics...and some very funny ones. I laugh at some of them..because even though it's not your average everyone smiling looking at the camera pic it captures my family to a tee....here's an example:

As you can see....my son Robert is trying to run away (typical he's always on the go)...Rose is sticking out her tongue...and AnnMarie is off in wonder land playing with the grass. As the parents Mr Jo and I are trying to smile ...even though we know that are children aren't participating. But hey that's us..I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday: Well you can see my previous blogs:Broken Car Part1 and Part 2 to hear about Sunday....oh..Sunday the day from hell!

Monday: My sister in law's neighbor was getting rid of a twin bed frame and mattress (conveniently the night before I had told my SIL that I was looking for one)..and she very kindly brought it over to us. Robert has been having lots of tough nights sleeping and we figured that it might have been due to his toddler bed mattress (aka crib mattress) I believe that it was ancient. Mr Jo and I figured that it might be beneficial for Robert to have a new big boy bed so he could sleep through the night (who am I kidding it was so we could sleep through the night). Robert did not like his bed at first he was very upset that "his bed" (meaning the old one ) wasn't there...but that soon changed and now he loves it...and so does his big sister...they have both slept in the bed for the past two nights..and might I add that it has been two nights of pure joy due to that bed Mr. Jo and I have gotten two wonderful nights of sleep..and only sleep! Yea!

Well...that was my weekend...in a nutshell....looking back it was enjoyable ..well mostly anyway...Enjoy your coffee!

Broken Car..Part 2

Well..the trauma is finally over...the van is fixed. Mr. Jo did indeed return from walmart(sucky) with a new battery..and go figure he actually got the right one this time. He went outside and put it in the van....and I decided to follow..nervous as hell that it wasn't going to work. He gets into the van...turns the key...AND ..it starts..yes...at first it seemed a little iffy...but then i completely started up and was running (like nothing was even wrong). I guess that's what we get from buying our battery at walmart(sucky) ..but we did get the other new one from there only cause it was free....so let's hope that it last longer than this one did! We even drove the van last night to my sister in law's and it worked. A big plus that we didn't get stranded anywhere on the road..cause that would have totally sucked. So at least we have one car for now...Mr. Jo's car will have to wait....we will put it on our 20 year plan..it might get fixed by then ;)
Enjoy your coffee!

Broken Car..Part 1

Okay..like life totally doesn't suck right now..let's add another problem to the mix. So I went to go to church this morning..all the kids in the car...everyone dressed nice and ready (keep in mind Mr. Jo was already at church ..cause he had to run sound) and my car wouldn't start! Seriously..on your day of rest God you must be laughing at me...ugh! Let me just tell you that Mr. Jo's car is broken right now too..it has been for about two weeks now...and life in general is just crazy..so this was just the cherry on top of a big "sucky" sundae. So...I called my Mechanic guy and he says that by the sound that is making it is probably the battery. I need to get a jump and see if that will start it. So I decide to wait for Mr. Jo to get home and he tries to jump it with my mom's car (which for some reason is also acting up and isn't doing anything right) sooo..he borrows the neighbors car and lets them sit for a few minutes and see if they will jump...ugh...as you guessed it...NO! But, however it did seem like it almost was going to turn over....so our mechanic guy said that is sounds like we have a crappy ass battery that won't hold a charge(that's what you get for going cheap and buying things from wal-mart...sucky ass walmart) and we should go and get a new one. Great ..cause we are just loaded..so let's of course go and buy a new battery. But, alas I do have the receipt for the battery and it had a three year warranty on it and it's only been 2 1/2 years. Thank the heavens. Soooo Mr. Jo heads off the wal-mart (sucky) to get a replacement one that we don't have to pay for (whooo hoo)...about an hour later he returns with the new battery. He is standing in the dining room and looking dumb founded at the battery and then realized that the battery he got has the wrong connecters..ugh..are you freakin kidding....welllll..he decided to go outside with my father and see if he can find some attachments to make it work...about ahhh 10 minutes later he returns...and looks pissed...he says "ummm I looked up the battery type for my Grand Am and not the van!"...OMG seriously...so off to walmart him and dad go for yet another battery....stayed tuned for more..and really go drink some damn coffee..cause I haven't and it's obviously a problem today!