tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1978214288854568792023-06-20T05:31:19.748-07:00Mommy to 3Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-60313365759138192742010-07-20T13:44:00.000-07:002010-07-20T14:02:43.608-07:00Lamitcal JourneyThursday will make one week of Haley being on her new meds. While I know this is going to be a constant uphill battle, I am (cautiously) optimistic about the Lamitcal. Haley has, on average, 25-30 seizures a day and they last anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. I know that doesnt seem like a long time, but its 30 seconds where her brain is firing off too many impulses. Its 30 seconds where she has no control over her potty. I know we are lucky compared to other families that deal with epilepsy. Haley does not lose control of her bladder when she seizues. She does fall to the ground with her arms and legs jerking around. They type of epilepsy we are fighting is mild, which also makes it harder to fight. And the chances that Haley will grow of it are very slim.<br /><br />Our trip to Madigan was incredible, despite the 3 hour drive there and back. Her neurologist was great and spent more time talking to Haley than to me. He gave me 2 meds to look up and let Curtis and I choose which one we wanted to try. She had already been on Depakote and it worked but no all that great. I wanted to try a new medication and I was willing to accept the side effects of Lamictal. After a fiasco at the pharmacy at Navy hospital and phone calls to just about every other pharmacy in town, the pharmacist at Walgreens swooped in like an angel!! Marjorie told me that didnt have the meds in stock but could order them and they would be in the next day. I gave her all of Haley's info and asked what I needed to do so that she could bill our insurance. She told me nothing!! I didnt have to do one thing besides coming in to pick up the meds!!! She would (and did!) take care of everything. So, we show up to get the meds and I'm expecting to pay about $30 since Lamitcal was a brand name formulary drug in the top tier of our insurance plan. Nope!!!!! $3!!!! Marjorie fought with my insurance so that I would have the lowest possible copay! I could have kissed her at that moment!!!! Its service like that that makes we want to never deal with pharmacy on base ever again. And for Haley's meds, I wont. I know she will end up with more prescriptions and I will take all of them to Marjorie.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-17775056957289913222010-07-14T21:40:00.000-07:002010-07-14T22:14:17.553-07:00Vacation plans<div style="text-align: center;">We leave in just about a week!!!!! I'm so flippin excited to get out of WA (well, mainly Oak Harbor) for a bit. My plans are as follows:<br /><br />~maintain some level of sanity between here and Eureka.<br /><br />~spend a weekend forming the foundations of new relationships with family<br /><br />~watch my girls stare in awe at the Avenue of the Giants<br /><br />~use my Nuther Mother's back deck to soak up some sun<br /><br />~chase the girls through the backyard while Nuther Mother cooks dinner and can listen to the giggles and squeals<br /><br />~celebrating Anda's first birthday along side Gran's 70th<br /><br />~learn how Jelly Belly's are made<br /><br />~watch Anda get passed from person to person and get covered in kisses<br /><br />~taking Haley and Laura to their first baseball game<br /><br />~hoping Anda decides to walk at Grams and Buckos<br /><br />The next week is going to get crazy insane but it'll so be worth it. The girls will come home with the awesome memories and tons of new Aunties and Uncles. I'll probably come home with some awesome tan lines and severe case of exhaustion. The only thing I would change is that we has more time so that we could make it San Diego. But medical appointments dictated when we have to be home. It is was it is.<br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-2535567100552266562010-07-05T19:55:00.000-07:002010-07-05T20:07:39.604-07:00To Kindle or not to KindleMy love of books drives my husband nuts!! I have 1 bookcase downstairs for favorite books and new books. Plus, a bookcase in our bedroom and like 3 tubs of books in our closet (plus stacks of books located in random places around the house). I'm always reading something. <br /><br />So, seeing as how I've read easily 3 books in the last week, I started looking at the Kindle and the Nook. As much as I love the idea of being able to carry a crap load of books with me everywhere I go, I dont know if would actually <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> reading like that. When I read, I like the sound of the pages turning. I love the smell of a new book! I love how it feels to crack the spine. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of a Kindle.<br /><br />If you have one and love it, more power to you! Your books are alot cheaper than mine!!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-74725462551547450202010-06-14T07:46:00.000-07:002010-06-14T08:13:08.253-07:00Cookbook ChallengeWhen Haley said "Fried chicken again?" I realized that I have fallen into a rut with dinners. I try to vary what we eat but with 3 kids, a husband who works weird hours about half the week, and everything else we have going on...well, I have used certain dinners as a crutch. I know my kids will eat spaghetti, fish sticks, meatloaf and breakfast for dinner is always a winner! <br /><br />I hate that this has happened, especially when I have a bunch of cookbooks. So, I decided that I'm doing 30 different recipes in 30 days. I know there are some things that my fam (including me) just wont eat. And, if I'm going to be making "new" stuff, I need to keep some of the no-fails around to keep the boat from rocking too much. So I sat down last night and made my list of "need to try this" foods. I completed my list of 30 and realized that I only used one cookbook. Wasnt my intention to do that but it worked out. Every recipe came out of Grandma Mel's cookbook.<br /><br />This cookbook came from Curtis' grandma. It is full of family recipes and has little stories that tie into some of them. Sadly, I only met Grandma Mel twice before she passed away. I have gotten to know her through stories told around the dinner table at my in-laws house, through bits and pieces of memories that belong to other people. I know we will hear many more stories when we are in Eureka next month and I know it will be hard on my husband. The last time he was there was 2 years ago for his grandpa's funeral (this being the second time I had met Grandma Mel). Sadly, he wasnt able to go back last year for her funeral as I was about ready to have Anda. <br /><br />So, getting more off the beaten path (but it ties in, I swear), Laura and I were talking about our vacation the other day. She asked me if she would be able to meet Grandma Mel when we go to California. I knew something like this was going to happen and I was <span style="font-style: italic;">somewhat</span> ready for it. I swallowed the lump in my throat and told my daughter that Grandma Mel lives in heaven now so we would not be able to see her on vacation. She seemed satisfied with this and turned to look out the window. After a minute, she looks back at me and tell me that Grandma Mel left her cookbook here so we can get to know her through the food. <br /><br />And that is what I intend to do!! My list contains 30 recipes from the <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">best</span></span> cookbook to ever come into my house!! My list has chicken dishes, beef dishes, pies, cookies, cakes, casseroles and breads. And probably some other things that I forgot. I know as I make these dishes, I can change things to suit my family and our tastes. I know as I make these dishes, my list of 30 will grow ever longer. I will find recipes that I missed and add those to my list. Curtis will remember something from growing up and my list will get longer. <br /><br />I'm sure as I cook my way through the book, I will update things on here. I have not had a "fail" come out of the cookbook yet and I'm hoping to keep it that way!!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-88884740207976062802010-06-09T10:00:00.000-07:002010-06-09T10:15:04.519-07:00Vacation Time!!!So, I've had a few people ask why I am so excited to go on vacation next month. Well, the answers are abundant!!!<br /><br />First and foremost, I have not been back to California since we moved almost two years ago. I miss the heat and the sun. Washington is beautiful and we have been able to see things that are not possible in CA, but I could never live here. Both hubby and I were born and raised in Cali so its in our blood.<br /><br />#2~<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anda</span> is almost a year old and has hardly met any of the family. I'm so excited to be able to take her and let her meet everyone! She will be passed around like a hot potato, be squeezed and kissed from the moment we get there until we leave. I cant wait for her to feel all the love everyone has for her.<br /><br />#3~We are lucky enough to be able to celebrate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Anda's</span> first birthday with everyone! Not only that, but she will be able to have her party her Gran's 70<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> birthday. What a special day it will be for both of them!<br /><br />#4~By taking this trip, the girls and I will have the chance to (finally) get to meet so many people on Curtis' side of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fam</span>. The girls have not met anyone and the one time I did, it was not under the best circumstances. This time, however, will be different. It will be a happy day!!!<br /><br />#5~ I NEED to get out of Oak Harbor for a little bit. I need to somewhere that I can make a "quick trip" to Target. I need to see the sun for more than 1 day out of 7. I need to chance my girls around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Momma's</span> backyard. I need to get sunburned laying on the deck. Well, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dont</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> to do that but I know it will happen. <br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ok</span>, so I could go on forever but those are the most important reasons. I cant wait to go! Haley is excited to see/meet everyone. Laura wants to figure out how the whole "triplet" thing works. And <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Anda</span>....well, as long as she's fed, she's good.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-19987185895255843022010-05-29T20:35:00.000-07:002010-05-29T20:55:50.372-07:00Laura has decided...that she wants to be a boy. I have no clue where this have come from. But I cant say that I'm surprised. She has never been one to <span style="font-style: italic;">choose</span> to wear a dress and actually throws a fit if I try to put her in one. Laura has always been a rough and tumble kid. She would rather be outside eating dirt than wearing anything pink. She'll tell that pink is for Haley, not Laura.<br /><br />Now, she has been telling me for awhile that she wants to pick her clothes from the little boy section whenever we go shopping. For some reason, I wouldnt let her. Then I realized that it doesnt matter. Shorts are shorts. Who cares if the shorts are pink with ruffles or camo? Well, some people might but I dont!<br /><br />So, it's Laura's turn to get some new clothes next month. And if she wants to go straight to the little boy section and get camo shorts, thats where we'll go! I have a feeling that the next time she needs shoes she's going to want little boy shoes. In the end, all that really matters is that Laura likes her clothes. Besides, she knows how to get undressed all by herself so I have a feeling that I put her in something she hates, she'll just take it off.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-28356775696753178792010-05-27T12:52:00.000-07:002010-05-27T13:10:10.982-07:00Its a GM thing..and not very many people up here understand it. Being the we're stationed at an air station, there arent very many GM's up here. Curtis works with 3 others and the squadrons have a few floating around. But thats about it. <br /><br />While we do have awesome friends up here, its hard not having another wife who truly understands what I deal with. Yeah, every Sailor comes home smelling like something but nothing compares to having your husband walk in the door smelling so strongly of CLP that you'd have sworn he bathed in it. And, yes, that has happened to me. Being married to a GM, you have to be able to handle sleeping with someone who smells like gunpowder, even after a shower. I swear, it just seeps into their skin during a gun shoot. And when they're on a ship...oh, they come home sleeping like hydraulic fluid on top of CLP on top of gun powder. Their uniforms have to be washed separate from everything else. Boots DO NOT come in the house!! Especially after range days. And then there are phone calls where all you hear is "blah blah new boots blah blah busted hydraulic line blah gun mount" and all you think is "well, there goes about $130". Yup, thats happened before too.<br /><br />I do love my friends up here but part of me cant wait to get orders back to a ship. It just kinda sucks not having anyone who understands why I hold my breath when putting uniforms into the wash or know its a good sign when he walks through the door reeking of gun powder. Guess that part is a GM <span style="font-style: italic;">wife</span> thing.....Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-82594715794354016312010-04-21T12:01:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:28:03.041-07:00Things...they are a-changing around hereSo, we found out the other day that our good friends are moving soon. : ( It sucks but its part of life being in the military. I have decided that I'm not going to be sad until they drive away though. Right now, we're going to have as much fun with them as we can.<br /><br />Next month, we actually get to celebrate the hubs b-day!! WooHoo! This will be his first b-day since joining the Navy that he'll be home. Well, last year doesnt count because he had to work. So, we're having a bunch friends over for a bbq and a good time. The boys are going to go shooting in the morning (I secretly want to tag along for that part) and I'm going to totally decorate the house. It WILL be a good time with NO DRAMA!!!<br /><br />Speaking of the hubs, he was up for Sailor of the Quarter. Doesnt look like he made it up its still a bullet on his EVAL. It was his first time up for it and I'm sure it wont be his last. I know he likes his job and most of the people he works with, but I also know there is a part of him that cant wait to be back on board a ship. We still have about 2 years left on shore duty before we're back to dealing with a ship though. In all honesty, I miss sea duty. I miss taking him dinner on duty days. It was a schedule that really worked for us and we enjoyed it. Dont get me wrong, we dont enjoy the time apart but its his job and he loves his job.<br /><br />Well, the little girls are up and hollering for me so I'll to post a Part II for this blog. I have tons of updates on the kids. My life is nuts between 3 kids, the hubs, school, girl scouts and who knows what else. So, hopefully I remember to post Part II.....Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-22982731040208978822010-02-24T13:55:00.000-08:002010-02-24T14:24:46.685-08:00My blog, my rantWhy does anyone think they have the right to judge how I live my life? More specifically, who I am friends with? Yes, I am very selective about the people I let into my life. I have my reasons for that and I dont have to justify them to anyone!! Curtis and I are not anti-social by any means. We choose to surround ourselves (and our children) with people who have the same values as we do. <br /><br />Also, these people understand what we deal with everyday raising a special needs child. These friends have got to be some of the best people on earth. I watch some of them deal with so much and they handle it so well. These are also people who truly understand me when I say, "its been a bad day with Haley." While I understand that Haley's issues could be a great deal worse, we struggle everyday with her. She turns 7 on Friday and while we celebrate her day and make sure she is happy as can be, part of me will be anxiously awaiting phone calls from 4 doctors to schedule appointments for her. <br /><br />The other half of our friends are the guys Curtis works with and their families. While some have grown kids, no kids, or kids about the same age as ours, none of them completely get what we go through daily. However, they understand that we, as a family, deal with this every day. We have never hid Haley's issues from them, it wouldnt be fair. If I am going to invite you into my house, you need to be aware of what that entails.<br /><br />So, before you decide to say that I think I'm too good for you, or that I have no life, think again. I do have a life and it revolves around my kids right now. And that will become more apparent when you hear me say, "I cant do that because Haley has an appointment in Seattle that day." And, before anyone points it out, Girl Scouts is a big part of our lives right now. It just so happens that our GS friends fall into one of the above groups. <br /><br />Lastly, I love, love, love my friends!! If you have a problem with who I surround my self with, then say it directly to me, not to anyone else.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-50269594613586307212010-02-01T13:00:00.000-08:002010-02-01T13:32:09.524-08:00Letter to a FriendYeah, I know most people will send an email but this needs to put out there.<br /><br />KS~This one's for you, my dear!!!!<br /><br />I am so grateful for myspace (eventhough I dont get on there anymore)!! For without it, my world would have missed out on all the Southern charm you contain. Over the last 2 (yes, its been 2 years), I've seen you go from an expectant mom praying to make it to 37 weeks to a strong, independent mother. Not saying you were weak before but you know what I mean. After E was born, I would read your blog and I would see so much of what I went through with Haley in them. You have always done what is best for E and never apologized for it. You have spent the last 2 years weeding out the drama and bs so that you would be able to provide the best life for your daughter. I have truly enjoyed being able to watch E grow (even from 3k miles away). She is such a blessing but I dont need to tell you that.<br /><br />Lastly, I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that you have found M!! I love that you and E are able to spend this time with him. Your family is truly beautiful! Life with kids is a crazy, wild, non-stop ride and I'm so glad for you that you're not doing it alone anymore. Oh, one more tidbit for you to file away, remember not to stress about things that have NOT happened yet! Recognize that certain things will happen at some point and be prepared. But then leave it at that. Take things as they come. Everyone says God wont give you more than you can handle so deal with the problems on your plate, cherish the blessings and remember the buffet line, if something is good, you can always go back for more!!<br /><br />Love ya, Yankee Doodle!!<br /><br /><br />P.S. if you havent checked out KS's blog, you should!!! I love her!!! Find her @ http://thekellisue.blogspot.com<here><http: com=""></http:></here>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-24069800680092376962009-11-20T10:23:00.001-08:002009-11-20T10:42:49.922-08:00Bucket List RevelationAs I'm sure most people have at least once, last night, I found myself thinking about my "bucket list". I could have made a list that rival's Haley Christmas list but the more I thought about things, the more I realized that things I thought <span style="font-style: italic;">were</span> important for <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> to do, arent so important after all. Yes, I would love to walk the galleries at the Louvre or ride a gondola down the Grand Canal. But not accomplishing those thing wont make my think my life was crap. <br /><br />I realize now that my list truly consists of things I want to do <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">with</span></span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">for</span></span> my daughters. Sure, all the other things would be great to do but those will just be icing on the cake if I can cross everything off the list:<br /><br />~Disneyland!!!!<br />~introduce them to Cinderella, Belle and Ariel<br />~let them get their heart broken (goes against all the protective mom instincts I have)<br />~teach them to get up after they fall (literally and figuratively)<br />~let them paint their room any color they want<br />~give them the strength to be who ever they want to be<br />~give them to tools to be whatever they want when they grow up<br />~take them to swim with the dolphins<br />~let them pick a pet just for them<br />~then let them pick a name (somehow I think we might end up with a dog named Puppy)<br />~let them scream into the Grand Canyon so they can hear their echoes<br />~show them the awesomeness of the Giant Redwoods<br />~teach them to fish (ok, so this one might fall to Bucko or one of the uncles. Curtis and I are patient enough to fish)<br />~give them the wedding of their dreams<br />~let them have the freedom to make their own choices<br />~teach them how to make fried chicken, meatloaf and mac-n-cheese (the last one will fall to Grams since I dont make homemade mac-n-cheese)<br />~make sure they know Daddy's cuddles are just as good as Mommy's (work in progress on that one)<br /><br /><br />I'm sure there will a ton more that I add to this list but Anda is waking up so Mommyhood calls.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-91603803920355836422009-11-18T10:48:00.000-08:002009-11-18T11:01:47.300-08:00One more helping, pleaseSo, I finished the first part of orientation for school this morning. I have 2 more days of that, then my first class starts on the 30th. As much as I'm excited to go back to school, I'm incredibly worried. I'm worried that I took too much on. I dont know if I'll be able to get everything done during the day. School is all online so that makes it so much easier. And the girls go to bed kinda early, again, making it a little easier.<br /><br />My issue lies in the housework. With 3 kids, we average about 3 loads of laundry a day. And thats just the kids stuff, clothes, towels, blankets, etc. You add mine and Curtis' and we're looking at about 25 loads a week. (And now you see why I'm grateful for military housing and no utility bills) The downstairs of my house is mostly laminate floors, and with the kids, sweeping is an every day occurrence and mopping (ok, using the Swiffer wet) happens about once a week. But, I cant take credit for that since hubs does it 95% of the time.<br /><br />Oh, and let not forget the Girl Scout stuff. I'm not regretting getting involved in GS by any means. I love it and it gives Haley and I some time to ourselves. With her being in school all day, its something we need. But with cookie sales coming up, and me being the cookie mom, that will take up a good chunk of time. <br /><br />So, now my dilemma comes into play. How much do I ask the hubs to help out? With me being a SAHM, I feel like he does too much sometimes already. He works so I feel like laundry, cleaning, etc., should be my part of the deal. He's never been one to tell me no when I ask him to throw a load in the washer or vacuum. But, I feel like asking him to help is the same as saying "I cant hold up my end of the deal". I already feel like we dont have enough time together and I might have just made it worse. Oye.......what to do? what to do?Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-447658076622489182009-11-17T07:58:00.000-08:002009-11-17T08:12:04.581-08:00I got tagged....thanks, Kelli!So the rules for Kreativ Blogger are:<br />1. List 7 things about myself others might not know.<br />2. Award 7 people with the award.<br /><br />Ok, so I'm doing the second part cause I'm not sure how many people actually read this. But, here goes....<br /><br /><br />1. I love, and I mean LOVE, potatoes in just about any way, shape or form.<br /><br />2. My favorite days are the ones that keep me constantly busy and force me to pass out before 9.<br /><br />3. I'll lay in bed at night just listening to hubby sleep. (Spending the better part of 3 years apart, I love not having to sleep alone)<br /><br />4. The smell of jet fuel and hydraulic fluid make me feel like I'm 6 years old.<br /><br />5. I secretly love it when hubs comes home smelling like gun powder. It means he's had a good day.<br /><br />6. I have total OCD when it comes to my clothes hanging in the closet. And its rubbed off on the hubs. hehe!!<br /><br />7. I tell my girls that they need to marry someone who loves them more the Curtis loves me. I just pray they are able to do that.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-24176497941685423852009-11-03T06:05:00.000-08:002009-11-03T06:24:20.484-08:00Additives not requiredI wanted to post about this the other day, but ended up dealing a sick kid then getting sick myself. Gotta love being Mommy!!<br /><br />Anyway....Haley and I were watching tv the other day and a commercial for a new Strawberry Shortcake doll came on. I didnt think anything of it and (honestly) wasnt paying much attention. That is, until I heard the doll say, "Do my makeup so I can be pretty!" I was so shocked that I didnt think I heard it right. Right as I was about to dimiss the commercial, Haley turns to me and ask why she needs makeup because Strawberry Shortcake is pretty without it. So, I end sitting on the couch explaining to my 6 year old that EVERYONE is pretty without make up. I found myself in a position I didnt think I would be in for another few years but, I forogt Haley isnt growing up in the same world I did. I didnt grow up with dolls that came with make up. Sure, Barbie had make up, and boobs, and fancy clothes. But she was Barbie, I never thought she was real or that I wanted to be just like her. Well, aside from the pink 57 Chevy but that WAS a cool car!! <br /><br />As I was telling Curtis about the doll, I saw this look come over his face and he tells me that that doll will NEVER be in this house. Funny part is he used the same tone that he has when the bathing suits come out every year and he sees some of the stuff made for girls. Everything got me thinking about what socitey tells girls, starting at suck a young age. Almost all of the dolls are skinny, have boobs, make up on their faces. wearing high heels, all that shit. So, I asked Haley about it. She said that "Dolls wear those clothes but everyone else wear jeans". Then it doned on me that most of the other women Haley deals with are moms, just like me. She sees me first thing in the morning, with no make up(which I hardly wear anyway), hair all messy, looking very unglamerous. And, while I'm looking so unflattering, she sees Curtis come up behind me, wrap his arms around my waist and tell me I'm beautiful. I dont know what I'm more grateful for, the fact that my husband thinks I'm beautiful at 6am or that my daughters see that just about every day. <br /><br />I realize that as we raise our three daughters, we will be trying to fight the pressures the society will put on them. I WILL NOT raise my daughters to think that they have to be a certain way. My daughters, just like EVERY woman, is beautiful without any "additives". I just wish every one understood that. But until that happens, Curtis and I, along with every other parent, must fight the tide on this one.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-75374827419614433202009-09-30T12:26:00.000-07:002009-09-30T13:00:13.522-07:00I dont have girly girlsBefore anything, I am fully aware that I do NOT have a boy. However, I have been around enough little boys to form an opinion and thus, we begin.<br /><br />I am in love with my 3 girls!!! I've been asked by a few people that if Curtis and I could be sure we would have a boy, would we have another. NO!!!! I like little girls. Little girls are good for me. Boys.......hmm......I like to be able to give them back to their parents. In no way am I saying that I dont like little boys because I do, just not for hours on end. Could I have a little boy in my house from sun up to sundown? Sure. I could even handle a couple of days but not forever. I believe I was given girls for a reason. One of them being payback for all the things I did growing up. I have apologized to my parents more in the last 6 1/2 years than I ever did before. And I take great comfort in the fact that my daughters will call me after they have kids and apologize for things they will do as they grow up. I see it as part of the circle of life.<br /><br />So, anyway.....I was talking to a friend the other day and she heard Laura going "bang bang" in the background. She asked what Laura was doing and I said "hunting bears". My friend about hit the roof and starting yelling at me about teaching my 2 1/2 year old about guns. I told her that guns are an every day topic in my house and she said "Well, I could understand that if you had boys". Ok, so because I have girls, everything is supposed to be pink with ruffles? Whatever!! Curtis works with guns every day and my kids know this. I take them out to the range and they see the pistol strapped to Daddy's leg. Do they touch it? No. Haley and Laura love picking up the brass on the ground. Do they play with live rounds? No. Curtis and I have taken a proactive approach to the gun topic. We had no choice but to do that. Considering Curtis' job and the amount of hunting that goes on on his side of the family, we HAD to. It wouldnt have been any different if we had boys. Our daughters know they dont touch any gun (real or fake) without asking. If its a real gun, we tell them no. I would do the same if we had boys. Why should it be any different with girls?<br /><br />I will not tell my daughters they cant do something because they are a girl. Just about anything a boy can do, my girls will be able to do. And anyone who has met my kids, knows they aren't "girly girls" anyway. I'm not like that. My girls are going to grow up getting tossed around by their uncles. They're sturdy and I trust my brothers not to hurt the kids. Will bruises happen? Yes. Will one of the kids do something stupid and get stitches? Yes, and I'm quite shocked it hasnt happened yet. I dont understand why these things shouldnt happen because I have girls. I will NEVER put gender based limits on my children!!!! I dont think anyone should. Yes, my house has an abundance of pink and purple and tons of Barbies.....but the Barbies get run over by the dump trucks every day. The Barbies go hunting for My Little Ponies. The Barbies jump off the table. The last thing the Barbies do is sit down for a tea party. Its just how it is in my house. And I love it!!!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-22742342177852954512009-09-25T19:41:00.000-07:002009-09-25T19:59:07.837-07:00Opinions are like.......Correct if I'm wrong here, but opinions <span style="font-style: italic;">ARE</span> supposed to be different, right? Everyone has them and no one is <span style="font-style: italic;">forced</span> to agree. If everyone had the same opinion, would it not be a fact? And any sentence that starts with "I believe....." would be an opinion, correct? Please clarify any of this for me if I am wrong.<br /><br />Now, with that being said, if I started a sentence with "I believe", no matter what I said after, why would someone tell me I am wrong. They could have said "I dont agree with you". How can my <span style="font-style: italic;">opinion</span> be wrong? Why would someone call me ignorant because I do not agree with them and say that <span style="font-style: italic;">they</span> are open minded? I truly believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I do not have to agree with them. And I dont expect everyone to agree with me. But I will <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">never </span></span>tell anyone they are wrong for disagreeing with me. <br /><br />It drives me crazy that people can be so rude sometimes. I'm not asking anyone to agree with me, but dont shove <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> opinion down my throat. Thats just disrespectful...only my <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">OPINION </span></span>though.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-40943697099014449122009-08-17T19:10:00.000-07:002009-08-17T19:32:50.353-07:00Finally...time to blogI have come to the conclusion that people who have their kids really close together might have the right idea. They might be in diapers at the same time but you'll also get them out of diapers around the same time too. I'm jealous of those people at this point in time. Our house some how manages to contain a 6 year old, a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn. I swear, those are the worst ages to have in the same house at the same time. Haley has discovered a love for talking back and not listening. Laura is full throttle in the "terrible twos" and has no issue letting know how she feels about everything. And Miranda....well, lets just say that I havent had a hot meal in the last 3 days. But, seeing as how its not my first time at the "newborn rodeo", I totally knew that was going to happen. Hubby, though, doesnt find it as amusing when she starts to cry right as he has just finished fixing his lunch.<br /><br />Speaking of the hubby, he has been AWESOME!!!!! On the weekends, he'll get up with the kids and let me sleep in. During the week, he takes Miranda til about midnight so I can get a decent chunk of sleep. He never complains (out loud, at least) when I say I need a nap or if I ask him (for the um-teenth night in a row) if he can handle bath time. Granted, we've butted heads a few times but we're both perpetually tired at this point it time. Honestly, I'm surprised it hasnt happened more often. So, I figure we're doing pretty good at this point. We still find time to talk, just the 2 of us. Granted, its nomally about 830pm when that happens and I'm half asleep sometimes, but it happens.<br /><br />In conclusion, I've decided that as long as I have the energy to climb the stairs and fall into bed at night, it was a good day. If I start falling asleep on the couch, then I'll worry.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197821428885456879.post-35683233936933317212009-08-09T14:12:00.000-07:002009-08-09T14:18:05.146-07:00All in one stopAs much as I love Facebook, I cant stand that there is no place to post blogs there. So, here we are. Between both sides of the family, trying to keep everyone updated is just impossible. Thats where the blog comes in. My goal is to make as many things as possible easier on me now that Miranda has shown up and (as of tomorrow) I'll be home with 3 kids (until Haley is back in school) while hubby gets to go to work and play with guns. Maybe one day I can talk him into switching jobs for a week.........Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701435194932397485noreply@blogger.com0