It's Monday and it is raining here in Dallas! Can I get an Alleluia please??? Rain may seem like no big deal to many of you, but we are in the worst drought we have had in 50 years and this rain is very welcome!

Coloconnect (Author of the blog Second Chances) and I have been working on our rain dance and I dare say we have finally reached our goal! Amen! I think she and I must pretty damn good rain dancers!

This weekend seemed to be a bit more smooth. I think this might be in part because R and I approached the weekend with a game plan. What a difference that made in the zoo I currently call my house.

Saturday R took his 2 kids, and his nephews to spend the day with friends. This gave DB and I a chance to spend some much needed Mommy and Daughter time together. It's been long over due.

So...what did we do? We do what girls do best that's what! We hit the mall and shopped, had a wonderful lunch together, and then went and looked at things we will decorate her new room with when we move. It was great spending one on one time with her. I was in a great mood.

R looked a wee bit tired after his adventure with the 4 rug rats. Yet, all in all...everyone was in a good mood.

Sunday I had my own plan. The kids and I were going to plan and make a big dinner. Everyone was going to help out and have a "job".


I love cooking. The kitchen is by far my favorite room in the house. I own every kitchen gadget imaginable and I love cooking big meals for family and friends. I thought this would be a good "project" for the kiddos.

DB and the youngest two were in charge of the table. They spent hours making placemats, napkin rings, place cards, setting the table, and creating a master piece of a center piece! They were so creative and proud of themselves!

The two nephews were going to help me cook. They helped me plan our meal and then I took them to my favorite grocery store...Central Market to get what we would need for our meal. For those of you unfamiliar with Central Market...it is a top line grocery store...I could spend days in there! If you have one near you....you MUST pay it a visit!

Once home we started cooking our meal. Each of the boys had their jobs and seemed to really be enjoying themselves. It was amazing to see them doing something together without yelling at one another or beating the crap out of each other.

We had the music playing, and there was a very light hearted atmosphere rockin' in the kitchen. I had told R he could kick back and relax while we all worked on dinner, but he was drawn into the kitchen by the laughter. Pretty soon all 7 of us were in the kitchen together having a blast!


I have long believed food brings people together. I know that yesterday it brought us all together, and that it was one of the most peaceful happy days we have had in weeks!

The end result was an amazing meal. I'm not trying to brag, but I dare say we created a meal that would delight your taste buds! All of the kids were so proud of themselves. When we all sat down to eat there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. I loved seeing the smiles on their faces, and enjoyed even more the laughter that floated in the air!

They were all proud of the meal and table they made possible for all of us to share and enjoy. R and I were pleased that we found a way to bond the kids without chaos!

It was indeed a success! I have to pat myself on the back. Sorry...I just have to do it! The kids are already asking when we can do it again! I think there may be a new Sunday tradition in our home!


So, on a final thought this weekend got me to thinking. If you have any favorite recipes that you would share with me and the kids I would really appreciate it! I am sure you guys have some yummy dishes we could prepare. If you have one.....send it my way!

Gotta go. The Village Idiots are beckoning me. I think I should just go play out in the rain instead!

Take care out there!


AM

Well "R" and I had a fight last night. We don't argue and this argument could have easily been avoided had either one of us approached it with any "smarts"!

He started out a conversation that should have gone smoothly and without confrontation. Yet, my hormonal roller coaster allowed this "convo" to turn into a war of words.

First of all my mood resembled a cross between the Abominable Snowman, Lex Luther, Joan Collins, and Oscar the Grouch. Now isn't that a pretty picture?

Secondly, the kids were all in rare form yesterday. I almost dropped kicked the two nephews a million times yesterday for their constant sibling bickering. DB had a total melt down as she forgot her homework, and the youngest was still fighting his ear infection and was constantly attached to my leg.

To say the least between my "pregnancy mood swings" and the pleasantness of the kiddos my mood was already soured by the time R arrived home.

After dinner and the kids were in bed all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and watch some mindless TV. R had a lot on his mind apparently and was a brave soul in even entertaining the thought of having a grown-up conversation with me.

I told him several times that I was too tired to have a serious conversation, but he kept "gently" insisting we needed to talk about some of the choices we need to make regarding the current child status of our home. I tried to be nice. Hell, I even turned up the TV a little bit at a time in hopes he would get the fact that I was serious. My efforts were futile.

He kept up with the "talking" and finally our conversation turned into something like this. I premise this with the fact that I feel bad about it now, but at the time all I was thinking about was.....myself and ending the conversation. Selfish aren't I? Yes, I know.

AM: I said I didn't want to talk. I am tired.

R: I know Honey. But we really need to start talking about what we are going to do about my nephews. We really need to make some decisions.

AM: Do we have to make them at 11 PM at night??

R: Well, it just seems it's late by the time we can talk by ourselves.

AM: Could that be because we have 5 freakin' kids in the house and jobs?

R: Yes, I know that's why we need to make time to talk at night. Our lives are just super busy Honey.

AM: Super busy? Really Honey, I hadn't noticed! In-between our crazy mornings, my frequent bonding with the damn toilet, my job, the after-school fun, dinner and bed time battles...I hadn't noticed we were "Super Busy". I just assumed we were "Super Stupid".

My voice was slowly and gradually creeping into a higher octave. His however as usual remained calm. This just irritated me even more.

R: I know you are doing a lot right now. I know that we didn't know all of this would be happening right now and I appreciate you very much. I just want us to decide to do what's best for us and if we don't talk about it I can't know how you feel about it. It's our decision to make together.

AM: Have you looked at me lately dear? I FEEL tired. I FEEL queasy. I FEEL like I don't want to have a DAMN conversation about it.

R: It's too much for you isn't it?

He gave me that puppy dog look.

This statement angered me to no end! I sat up in bed and unleashed on the poor soul.

AM: Too much for me? Have I said it was too much for me? I am adjusting to it all. Do you understand the word A-D-J-U-S-T-I-N-G means? Our lives have taken on BIG FREAKING changes. I don't despise these changes or not want the changes!! I just need time to FREAKING think about them and adjust to them and figure out what the Hell we should do. I cannot do this R if you always want to have these "bonding" moments.

He sat there staring at me for several minutes. I should have apologized for raising my voice and being sarcastic, but in the words of DB, "I didn't wanna!”

R: We can send the boys to my sister for a while.

I almost threw my pillow at him.

AM: I didn't say to send the boys anywhere! They have been bounced around from person to person their whole lives which is part of the reason they are acting like such little shits. I told you earlier in the week we need some time with all of us to see if we can make it work. If we want to make it work. How hard is that to grasp "Honey"?

Again he was silent. He got up to get ready for bed. I could tell I had made him feel bad. I didn't want to, but Lord I was grumpy and tired. I was in no shape to have a serious talk with "R" or anyone for that matter.

I rolled over to go to sleep. He came to bed and put his arms around me and whispered that he was sorry. Then I felt bad. He really didn't have anything to apologize for. He was simply trying to talk about something we need to discuss...his timing and ability to "read" the mood was his only fault. The tone in my voice was crappy and mean.

Again I should have said I was sorry. Again I didn't. That's not like me at all. I am usually quick to admit fault. Yet, for some reason last night I couldn't or didn't want to. I just wanted to sleep so that I could start today without feeling like I'd been run over by a semi-truck.

Our morning was quiet. There were no words and when he kissed me good-bye I could feel that he was still upset by last night. He walked out the door and in moments I found myself rushing out the door to his car before he drove off.

AM: I know I upset you. I am sorry. I am just overwhelmed right now..and tired. Really tired. I know we need to talk. Let's do it this weekend when we are both rested and it's a little quieter. Ok? I love you.

He nodded in agreement and gave me a half smile. He told me to have a good day.

Now I am sitting here feeling bad. I am thinking about picking up the phone to call him, but I wonder if I should just let it alone for now. I hate these mood swings. I feel like the White Witch.

Truth is...I have no idea what we should do about the boys. And I don't think he does either.

Pass me back the Bitch of the Year Trophy. I get to claim it again for a little while.

Take care out there.


The Wicked Witch Of Texas

Is it bed time yet??

I am so tired today. R and I had a late night talking. There seem to be yet more changes floating around the air here in Dallas. Although you would never know it from the balmy 105 degree days we have been having down here. Someone send me a cold front ASAP! I am “summered” out!!!

Life is always changing, and there appears to be little time to absorb it at all. Some days I feel like I am living someone else's life as my life has truly changed greatly the past year. I am not complaining, but I am in a slight adjustment period.

I am working at home today. R's youngest has an ear infection and R has a huge meeting today. Little one's Mother was supposed to come pick him up, but it seems that she is still in need of more time to "find" herself. Don't even get me started. I believe finding herself means spending all of her time with her much younger boyfriend and partying 7 days a week.

As I watch Little One sleeping on the couch next to me I realize I have suddenly become a Mother to not one child but 5. R's kids will now be with us most of the time until she "finds" herself and decides it's time to be a Mommy again. She was supposed to call this morning and check on him...but funny thing... the phone isn't ringing. I am certain there is a problem with the phone company.

It also appears that the two nephews might very well be with us for a long time. It's too long of a story to write about now, let's just say it is unraveling like a bad episode of All My Children.

R and I have big choices to make and once we get all the details figured out I shall fill you guys in on it. Let's just say when I look into my crystal ball I see that once the baby comes we all might just end up being a dysfunctional version of the Brady Bunch.

I always wanted lots of kids. I guess sometimes God fills those wants and needs in ways we never imagined. I wonder if I should have prayed for a Puppy???

I know that R and I are strong enough to get through whatever life throws our way. I know we have amazing communication that will allow us to make the right choices. Yet, there is a part of me that feels a bit overwhelmed. Our days and nights seem to be so busy and crazy that I often wonder where the hours go?!?

Am I ready to be a Mommy to 5 kids and one more on the way? If I am I do know that I will have to make big changes in my own life. Perhaps even entertaining the idea makes me certifiably crazy? Or perhaps in some very weird way I thrive and grow in the chaos??

Though I enjoyed very much the quiet our date night offered this past weekend...I find myself missing the little Rug Rats when they are gone. Yes, there are times when the kids are getting rowdy and wild that I want to stand up on the kitchen table and scream, "NO MORE TALKING IN THIS HOUSE EVER!!!" but at the end of the day it's all good.

Little One has just crawled next to me. We are watching his favorite Barney movie...AGAIN! Someone shoot me! Will we parents ever be able to put this purple Dino from Hell on the extinction list???

As I look down at him I realize that being a parent means many things. Sometimes that gift comes to us in unexpected ways. And though he's not truly my "own" child (whatever that means) my heart couldn't love him more....I love him as my own.

Well, I better start answering some work emails and return some calls. I wonder if my clients will mind if they hear Barney singing, "I love you, you love me" in the background??

Life is changing here in Texas. Here's hoping that change comes to all of us here as smoothly and healthy as possible. Then again I may find that I need a good dose of valium after this baby comes....or maybe a straight jacket.

Take care out there! Happy Wednesday to all of you awesome Streamers!


AM

I am writing this post for my buddy Misty over at LIFE IS NOT ONE BIG JOKE who shares my love of Mondays!

Misty and I have long shared our hatred of this day of the week. A lot of people view Mondays as a day to start a new week and embrace it. R is one of those people, and personally I think those people must be sniffing glue or perhaps were dropped on their heads several times as children.

Mondays are always crazy and hectic on my end. Every Monday as I approach my office I wonder what "joys" will be awaiting me when I enter what I affectionately refer to as the House of the Village Idiots.

I spend most of Monday mornings sorting through voice mails, emails, and filtering out the office drama that seems to continuously unfold within these walls. Most days I feel as if I am a babysitter for over grown children rather than a Director of Sales.

After a Monday full of Romper Room fun with the Village Idiots I drive to get the kids from school. Since our house has grown in the past few weeks I get to play the game of mad dash like a crazy woman! I have to get to the High School to pick up the nephews, then the Elementary School to pick up 2 more, and then to the Pre-School to get the youngest.

On Mondays my lovely children are all in great moods!

They are tired from the weekend and before we even reach the drive way they are already complaining about homework, and who is going to watch what on TV, and who is sitting too close to the other etc...

Mondays are the start of the homework battle. I am lucky enough to spend at least 3 hours on Mondays trying to sort through their schedules, homework and their busy weeks ahead. They usually make this about as easy as a wisdom tooth extraction.

Once I finally get them started on homework it's dinner time. Mondays in the kitchen always seem to be unorganized. I usually have no idea what to make, as I had spent no time on my Sunday thinking about my Monday.

R usually always works late on Mondays and as he breezes through the door at supper time I often wonder why the Hell he seems so giddy. Again, the boy loves this day of the week, and often I feel like smacking him for it.

After dinner, kid’s baths...then the wonderful bed time battles begin. It appears that two days of the weekend have put them all off schedule and even though they are exhausted...they all kick and scream and declare they aren't tired! Bonus!

Once they are all in bed...I crawl to my own bed. Often I am too tired to wash my face or follow my bed time routine. I usually collapse on the bed watching the 10 o'clock news hoping to catch up on world events. Then I crash and burn.

For those of you who don't know me...this post must seem like I am a whiner and a complainer. This is not the case. I simply do not like this "wonderful" day of the week. The way I see it right now....only 8 more long hours left of this day before I can go to sleep.

Mondays are over rated. This day of the week should be banned world wide. Yet then again...I guess that would make Tuesday the new Monday and I am certain Tuesday doesn't want the bad rap.

This was for you Misty! I know you feel my pain and share in my total utter undying love for this beautiful day of the week that we so "tenderly" address as Monday.

Take care out there Ya'll!


AM

I am enjoying the last few hours of silence before the rug rats descend upon our humble home!

We had a good date night last night. Dinner was wonderful, and I managed to keep it down where it belongs! Bonus huh?

After dinner we hung outside by the pool. R relaxed with some wine and a few cigars. I sipped slowly on OJ all night! Party on! By midnight I was exhausted. R had a good little wine buzz going on and was a bad version of Chatty Cathy!

Lord the boy can talk and talk and talk when he's had a few drinks! I think he was still talking and giggling when I rolled over and fell asleep. Goofy boy that one.

This morning R brought me breakfast in bed. Normally I would have viewed this as a very thoughtful and sweet gesture. However this morning sickness thing is wicked for AM in the AM.

He proudly placed the tray of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and toast before me. The mere smell wafted into my nose like a bad gas from the sewers. I tried to smile at him, but I could already feel my mouth start to water.

I stared at the eggs...made over easy on toast just the way I like them. They seemed to taunt me this morning. The runny yellow yoke that exploded when my fork touched them made my stomach flinch. I wanted nothing more than to politely refuse the meal before me. Yet, since we learned of the baby he has been on me constantly to eat no matter how many times the toilet and I bond!

I slowly...and I stress the word slowly...started taking itty bitty baby bites. My stomach was already screaming at me, "BAD IDEA AM!!" Yet, we all know that I am a stupid stupid girl. I continued with my bites as R scarfed down his own meal, smiling at me, and most of all being damn proud of himself.

It only took about 8 or 9 bites of food before I was literally shoving the bed tray at him and running for the bathroom. When you are going to be sick it feels as if the bathroom is on the other side of the moon! One of these days I know I am going to be making the mad dash for my new friend "Mr. John" and will no doubt slip and fall on my stupid ass!

Oh the relief when it is over. Oh the bitter sweet fleeting moment when the "ordeal" is finally over. There are simply no words.

Upon returning to the bedroom I saw R sitting there on the bed looking at me. He had that "I'm sorry" look on his face. And then without even being asked he quietly took the tray into the other room as if he knew if I so much as even glanced at those damn eggs I would spend the rest of the morning toilet side.

And so the day begins. LOL And so the much needed silence of a quiet house shall soon come to an end. That's okay. A little refresher was all I needed.

Man, it sure seems like all I write about these days are my countless bouts of morning/afternoon/evening sickness. Sorry for that. I promise next week to have something more entertaining and less gross to write about. Well, at least I shall give it a good college try.

Happy Sunday Streamers!


AM