crazy times

I like Sarah Palin. There I said it. We have a lot and common, her and I, and we are
close to the same age. Is there something wrong with voting for someone who you
relate to? UM no. I saw an interesting interview with Bill Clinton on The View the
other day and he was very eloquent about his thoughts on the way people vote.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODoSotQmkKA
This is Part 1 of 3. You will be able to link from this point for the rest of the inverview.
It made me feel better for the warm and fuzzies I feel for this woman. I liked John
McCain, but didn't really get that excited. His policies I agree with yes, so I would of
voted for him, but Sarah Palin really got me going.
I like that she has a voice and strong opinion even with children under her roof.
I like that she has a strong husband at home that supports her. I like that she knows
how to shoot a gun. I could go on and on, but I don't want to bore you.

touched by an angel

Have you ever felt the moment where God is talking to your through your children? Or the moment where they say something to you that is so heavenly you know that being a Mommy is worth all the trials you go through each day?
Last night Dylin begged to sleep with us and I kept saying no. She finally talked me into it because Chris wasn't home from school yet. She cuddled up next to me and said "I can't help it if God makes me love you that much"...melt.
Drew came home from school yesterday and thanked me for letting her wear mascara since some of her friends Mom's won't let them (small blessings from her because she is 12).
Delaney said to me before bed one day "Mom thanks for not wearing clothes that would embarrass me".

So in between the stress of being a Mom there are little blessings along the way.

weekend friends

Labor day is always a weekend packed full of pool time. Lots of friends came from all over to spend the weekend with us. At one time there were three Moms and about 8 kids in the jacuzzi. For some reason we have a lot of little girls, there were three boys. I don't think the boys made it to the jacuzzi for fear they would get cooties.

Monday we went to the OC to check hang out with some old friends from high school. The guys sit together and get caught up and the women sit together and do the same. We are very lucky that we all get along and have a blast! Our visits are about once or twice a year, depending on what everyone has going on.

The house we went to backs up to PCH in Huntington, but there is a wash between. You aren't supposed to fish there, but um we did anyway. Delaney especially enjoyed it and stayed out there for hours, jumping over the fence back and forth a few times to eat and drink. She never did catch anything but are looking forward to going fishing on our next vacation, so she has more of a chance. Kids are back to school today and are looking forward to our next favorite holiday, HALLOWEEN!

football seasons a comin'

Chris and I joined a Steeler fan club in our town. The couple that started it used to drive down a ways to go see the games with some other fans, but thought they would like to keep it closer to home. So we showed up on Saturday night to meet them. They are from Pittsburgh, but seriously Chris new as much Trivia about the Steelers as they did.

They brought the cups, plates, bear, the Steeler Fight Song (which I did not know existed!), table cloth and other stuff. They let the kids use the cups for their soda. It was so fun and interesting to see someone love the Steelers as much as my hubby. The girls all wore their Ben jersey's. I can't belive I didn't get a picture of that. DARN! Our new friends also invited us to join the American Legion since Chris' Dad was a Navy Seal. I think we will take them up on the offer! We have spent many fun nights at the American Legion here and there. Cheap drinks - haha.

girl time

Is there anything else in my life other than girl time? Not much, since there are four of us in the house. Chris doesn't stand a chance except that he is ALL GUY! and makes sure we know that on a regular basis. He is out of town, so things around here are a little more lax. I didn't do the dishes for 2 days, the laundry is everywhere and the trash gets taken out everyday. Yes - the trash. This is not my "job". He is supposed to take it out everyday, but when he gets home he is so tired this slips his mind. I actually had to take the cans out for trash day which sucked.
When he is not here my house is a wreck. No one to answer to except for Drew who says she gets anxiety looking at a messy kitchen. Really? I don't. HAHA

ode to the grandmas

Our Grandmas
Joanie, Wendy and I were the lucky ones. I am speaking just for the girls because well, we are girls and will always be girls even though we are all approaching 40. The three of us had the best Grandmas on the planet. My Grandma Ann, Joanie’s Grandma Muriel and Wendy’s Grandma Ruth. They were all sister in laws. We three are the result of their hugs, kisses, love, support, a little cash here and there and some really great Christmas presents. Yes, we love our parents too, but Grandparents are where it’s at, just ask any one of our children. Look at us, didn’t we turn out good? No noticeable tattoos, body piercings or purple hair.
I have talked a lot to Joanie and Wendy about how lucky we were to have these wonderful women in our lives and we all have very similar stories. We all say, “no one really knows what our relationships were”. Even as an adult I talked to my Grandma weekly, as did Joan and Wendy. As a young child I would visit my Grandma numerous times, she would pick me up and we would go to church, shopping, to lunch or for a visit with my Dad. As a teenager I would drive my 1963 VW bug on the 91 Freeway all the way to Orange from wherever I was living at the time. This was very dangerous, especially since my car was barely holding together, but the thought of a home cooked meal was too hard to pass up. I was rewarded by all my efforts because my Grandmother waited to die until I drove with my husband and children all the way from California to Arizona. I prayed the whole way she would wait for me and she did so that I could tell her how much I love her.
My Grandma Ann drove my brother and I around a lot for someone who didn’t learn to drive until much later in life. The most fun was when we would drive to see Aunt Muriel and Uncle Hank. I always thought they were bigger than life! Swings in their living room? Creeks with bridges in their backyard and their great big Cadillac’s! Aunt Muriel was always pretty and smelled good. Her guest rooms that I would get to sleep in were like living in a dream. She always had a great big hug and smile for me and always asked “How is your Mom? Please tell her I said Hi!” My greatest memory as a child is when we went to Sea World together and she got me a gold ring with a real pearl. I thought she was so rich! My eyes must have been like saucers! I just told that story to my daughter when we were at Sea World. I guarantee we all have these types of stories about my Great Aunt Muriel.
Now as I look around the room a lot of Grandmas and Great Aunt’s are gone, but the memories will stay in our hearts forever. There are a lot of Aunts and Grandmas here today that are taking over the legacy we have in our family and I am very grateful to have them in my children’s lives. I will miss Aunt Muriel very much, but really do believe they are all together, right now, up in Heaven playing bridge and drinking Manhattans.

the girls

School started on August 5th. I was happy to send them off to school. We did a lot of fun things this summer and kept them relatively busy. It seems that when that happens the days we are home and doing NOTHING they get super antsy. Fighting, messes, experiments in the kitchen, dressing up the dog, makeup, sleepovers, swimming, no sleep curfew and lots of TV.
What happened to the days of playing outside? Digging in the dirt, playing soccer in the street. The only real outside time is spent swimming, which I guess is a good thing especially if you have been watching the Olympics. I can't really blame them with the heat. It was 99 degrees here yesterday with about 50% humidity. The weather is plain strange.
Drew started middle school which is going well so far. Dylin is in the 2nd grade and Delaney started 4th. It seems like yesterday we moved out here - it has been 5 years. DJ was just 2 1/2, she is now 7. My little baby is hard to carry these days, but I still attempt it because she will always be my baby, as the song goes. Some days she acts like a baby, which is completely my fault.
School is full of boys that want to kiss my girls. Last year it was Delaney. The teachers caught wind of it and put a stop to it immediately. This year it is Dylin. The teacher again was told and the boys were promptly told not to attempt to kiss Dylin until she is 16 (16! she should of said 20). Drew at this point wouldn' t tell me anyway if a boy wanted to kiss her, she barely tells me what classes she has in the 7th grade. I am happy to report that Drew still wants to cuddle with me on the couch and doesn't completely turn away when I hug and kiss her.