An Open Letter To The Ants Who Have Invaded My House

Dear Scavenger Ants,

You must have gotten word that I was lonely or that I had nothing better to do than chase after you. I see that you have decided to move into my kitchen, and have made your sneaky way upstairs to my bathrooms...in masses, to keep me company. While I appreciate the gesture, I would prefer that you relocate immediately to your anthill (or your burrow, or nest, or secret place under my house, (or wherever the heck you came from). As much as I would love to have hundreds of little housemates, I already have my hands full with my human ones. I am up to my eyeballs chasing after you...trying to figure out where your trail is coming from! I am asking you very kindly to PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE! Please comply immediately. Don't make me go call my big bad pest guy to come and Raid on your little behinds!

From Your Friend and reluctant landlord,
Jen
P.S. You owe me $3.75 for the bag of chips that you infested. I'll let it go if you're out by the end of the week. Thanks.

TGIFriday

Fridays are the days that I usually take the morning a bit slower. I wake up a little calmer just knowing it is the end of the school week. If you saw me on Monday morning you would really wonder why there are two mothers living in this house. Today I am the calm mommy ... or really just a calmer mommy ;)

• I'm happy to not have to think about dinner tonight ... Mike is taking Alexander, Matthew and Catherine to a Florin HS football game.
• I'm happy not to have to think of helping out with homework ... there's no school tomorrow
• I'm happy to have ALL of the kids birthdays behind me ... well, the boys party is Sunday, but it will be simple.
• I'm happy to not have the afternoon/after-school rush ... no soccer practices, no football practices, no Faith Formation classes and no Brownies!
• I am happy to be blogging! This has been a busy week and I missed my "posting time".
• I'm happy to sit on the couch tonight (after I get Andrew and Brendan to bed) ... maybe watch the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy (thanks to my DVR), and just try to relax a bit...maybe even a have a glass of wine...or two!

I am going to try not to think about everything that still needs to be done. The kids have about 1,001 thank-you notes to write, the house is upside down from a very busy September and I need to figure out how to stop being that "Monday morning mommy"!

I love Fridays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Alexander and Matthew OR Happy Mommy Day to me!

Happy 10th Birthday Alexander and Matthew and Happy Mommy Day to me. It is unbelievable to me that I became a mother for the first time 10 years ago. You have both grown in so many ways, and have made us grow in ways I never thought possible. You have been our "guinea pigs" as your dad and I blunder through our parenting philosophies, trying them out, and crying to heaven for the grace to be the best parents we can be. You are very tolerant of us, and our trials and errors!

You are both a gift from God. At first glance you were so small, I hardly saw a babies at all...with tubes and wires attached everywhere. It was a frightening sight and you both were in for a big fight. Not even 4 pounds, you looked like skin and bones, Your bodies so small with problems so big, but you fought hard and continued to grow. So many fears, so many tears. You fought the fight and came out on the other end healthy and happy babies. You have grown into such amazing and loving boys. I love you both more than words can say. Our preemie babies... gifts from God.

Now I see you growing into a strong, sturdy young men, and I could not be more proud of both of you. You have a charming personalities— you are inquisitive, affectionate and polite. You love to play most sports and are quite good at all of them. I will tell you something...I will always love you. You will always be my firstborn sons, my twins boys...such an amazing blessing! No matter what the circumstances, I promise to love you unconditionally. You can tell me anything and rest assured that I will never love you any less.

Boys, on this special day...DOUBLE DIGITS...I pray, "God, thank you for giving me a Alexander and Matthew. Thank you for blessing me with them. Please keep them safe and watch over every step they take— hold them in the palm of your hand. Let them grow into a wise, godly, intelligent men. Let them be a light to others in their lives. And let me be the best mother I can be."

The years will fly by and you will be grown before I know it, but my prayer for you will always be the same. Happy Birthday Alexander and Matthew and many blessing upon your special day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW...Our big 3 year old!

Happy Birthday ANDREW!!!! I cannot believe how fast the past 3 years have just flown by. I sit here and at times find myself wanting to cry, not because I’m upset or sad but because I am reminded of how fast time seems to be going...(or maybe it's that I know that "3" is harder than "2')!

Andrew, you can charm your way into anyones heart with your boyish ways. You are able to say about anything and you understand people so well. Everyday you impress us with what you know. You say "please" and "thank you," and "sorry" when you think you've done something wrong...you know how to say a short prayer before meal and bed time and your "God bless you's" melt our hearts every time. You are so full of adventure and are the first to try anything new. Other kids can't help but want to be around you knowing that you will lead them into something fun. All the older kids love to watch you, and you hold your own...hanging with them and acting like it is where you belong. You have a complete obsession with trucks - especially garbage trucks and scoopers. If we pass a truck when driving you can tell me the exact name of the truck and what it does. (ie- no mom that is a side loader garbage truck, not a front loader. Or that is an excavator, not a backhoe). You can spot a "slug bug" or a PT Cruiser from a mile away (and yes, "you got it Andrew"). You know all your colors and can count to 20 with very few mistakes. You love all sports, especially if you can get someone to play them with you. You have some great one liners that always keep us laughing. Your speaking has just taken off this year and you love to talk on the phone or in person. You listen to everything that is said around you and are very aware of the world.

Andrew you are a great brother, both to your big siblings and your baby Brendan. You are so loving and mean (well, I gotta be honest). Since the big kids are in school all day now, I have so enjoyed watching you and Brendan become such great buddies. You love him with all your heart and are there to protect him from anything and anyone else. (anyone but you that is). You love him to death, and sometimes try to squeeze him to death :-). We have had so many giggles watching the 2 of you learn to play together this past year.

Andrew, thank you for all the laughs, hugs, kisses, and fun you give us. We love seeing you become a little boy with your own personality and strengths. You are happy spirited and loving...simply a beautiful soul. "I pray that the Lord will bless you . . .as long as you live."(Psalm 128:5). Happy Birthday big boy. You are a blessing to all of us and we pray that your days will always be full of happiness and peace. Andrew, and always remember our story...I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER!

Andrew on his 1st Birthday

Andrew on his 2nd b-day

Andrew on his 3rd B-day!

A little something about me...

A friend of mine sent this to me via e-mail and asked me to play along. I thought it would make a good post for today, since I seem to be a little dried up in the writing department. Enjoy a little peek into "me"!

What I was doing ten years ago?

Mike and I had been married for 3 years and living in our condo in Dublin. I was working as an Assistant Administrator at ManorCare Health Services. I was 30 weeks pregnant with twins (we didn't know boys or girls) and thinking I still had at least 6-8 weeks of the pregnancy ahead of me. Little did I know that in a matter of days I would being giving birth to our now almost 10 yr. old BOYS...Alexander and Matthew!

Five things on my To-Do list today: (oh, if there were only 5!!-HA)

1. Workout
2. Laundry (there is always laundry)
3. Take Catherine to her 7 year old check-up with Dr. Warden
4. Take Alexander and Matthew to football practice
5. Buy/make party favors for Catherine's birthday party tomorrow

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Hire a cleaning lady and a chef.
2. Put a bunch of money aside for higher education (for the kids).
3. Buy a house near the ocean and decorate it completely from the Pottery Barn catalog.
4. INVEST and make more so that my family and I could live comfortably and so I could help out my extended family as needed.
5. Be an anonymous giver to various organizations and charities

Three of my bad habits/qualities:

1. Can't say "no" and tend to take on more than I should.
2 Bite/pick at my nails when I am nervous or bored (gross..I know!)
3. Procrastinate (that's why I am doing this as opposed to my "things-to-do" list above)

Five places I’ve lived: (OK, I added a few)

1. Carmel, NY
2. Carmel, CA
3. Chico, CA-college
4. Kingston, RI-college
5. Monterey, CA
6. Pleasant Hill, CA
7. Walnut Creek, CA
8. Morgan Hill, CA
9. Dublin, CA
10. Roseville,CA

Five jobs I’ve had: (although I have had many more than 5)

1. Waitress- O'Kane's, Monterey Jack's, Bueno Rico's, University Pub (to name a few).
2. Hotel Front Desk Clerk-The Monterey Hotel and the Doubletree Hotel
3. Weight Loss Consultant- Jenny Craig
4. Human Resources Director- ManorCare Health Services
5. Domestic Engineer/Mom - The best job yet!

Five books I’ve recently read (or listened to on my iPod since I have very little time to actually sit down and read):

1. Eat, Pray, Love
2. I Was A Much Better Mom Before I Had Kids
3. Skinny Bitch
4. Big Words for Little People (read to Andrew today)
5. October issue of Family Fun magazine and In Style magazine

So, that's it! Wanna play? Complete your own and send it to some friends. It might be fun to learn a little something about them that perhaps you didn't know.

Today is not a Happy Hockey Mom kind of day!

I know it's not a very Happy Hockey Mom thing for me to say (especially because I do support the McCain-Palin ticket) but I must tell it like it is: Today's Trip To Target was not such a "happy hockey mom event"!

Why can't we run one simple errand without it taking all of my energy?

Why can't you get off the playground the tenth time I ask?

Why can't you just get in the darn car?

Why can't we make it through Target without somebody hiding from me or standing in between the clothes on the rack or having a major meltdown when I say "no" to buying the 100th thing "he" asked for?

Why must you play with every trash can that you see?

Why am I carrying the three year old and the 13 month year old is walking?...right into the parking lot. ...and I'm pushing the big ol' double Target cart while hoping and praying that a car doesn't run me down?

Why is my car so littered with pretzels that Mike said he was going to eat his half-time snack sitting between the two car seats? He only needs to bring the beer.

Why can't I be a gracious and happy hockey mom?

Why are kids such PITA's sometimes?

If you've never had a moment like this, don't comment. And if you have a problem with me calling my kids PITA's then I am sorry, but I am just having a "not so happy" Hockey Mom moment. I've gotta hand it to the patient Palin....she's got 5 kids (yes, I know, so do I but still...I only had 2/5 with me at Target). Maybe she is qualified to run the country after all.

TOUR DE TAHOE-update and photos

CONGRATULATIONS JEN and RICH

(and the rest of your riding group)!

Well, as I promised, I would update my post about my dear friend Jen and her bike ride around Lake Tahoe. As expected, she and her hubby did AWESOME! According to both Jen and Rich, "it was a blast!". Really, "a blast"! They had so much fun and completed the 72 mile ride in just under 4 1/2 hours. How amazing is that! They both reported to me that even the toughest of hills "weren't that bad"... mainly due to the spectacular scenery and perfect weather. Obviously, they trained hard and were well prepared and it goes with out saying that they are both in fabulous shape (the benefit of dedication). Rich even told me that he could have continued on and gone at least 100 miles.

At the conclusion of the race they were able to relax at a post event BBQ and then hang out with the rest of their riding buddies at an evening of dinner and well deserved cocktails....oh yeah and a little gambling too!

Jen, I am so proud of you and I hope the more I hang out with you , the more your dedication and drive will rub off on me! Here are a few pictures of Jen and Rich and their riding buddies from the day of the event! Again, congratulation to you all!

Happy 7th Birthday "Pookie"

Dearest Catherine,
You came into our world, one early morning, seven years ago, introducing us to an entirely new experience ...that of being a healthy full term-baby. There was such tragedy and disaster going on in the world outside our hospital room in Roseville. I remember holding you in my arms moments after your arrival...counting your fingers and toes and looking at your perfectly plump rosy cheeks, thinking "That's what I have been carrying all these months"? I sang you Happy Birthday with tears of joy and relief streaming down my face. In the back of my mind I was thinking "what have I done"? Bringing a baby into this world now seemed to be a selfish and terrifying thought (less than 48 hrs. after the 9/11 attacks). I prayed God would protect you.... "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11. Catherine, you have definitely brightened our lives over these last 7 years and we are so blessed that you are our daughter. You hold a very special place within our family.

You are happy to be at the center of the action. I am so proud of the big girl you are becoming: friendly, self-confident, creative, independent, enthusiastic. You often march to the beat of your own drummer. That will not always be the easiest path for you, but if you stay true, I believe that you will be happy and well-adjusted and self-aware. You remind me a bit of myself. Being popular was never my primary goal. I wanted to be liked, but I didn't care by how many necessarily. You are like me, but I'm also reminded frequently that your are not me. You have strengths that I didn't have, and I'm sure you will have weaknesses that I didn't struggle with (as well as unfortunately some that I did). Happy Birthday to my only daughter... my "Pookie". Always remember your are loved by your whole family. Always have faith and stay true to yourself. I have faith in you my beautiful daughter. Your family will love you forever and we look forward to a lifetime of experiences with you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET, SWEET CATHERINE!

Don't ever say "I'm JUST a mom!"

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS in BOSTON says that a stay-at-home family CEO is worth $117,000. The article reads-

IF MOM DREW A PAYCHECK

If a stay-at-home mom could be compensated in dollars rather than personal satisfaction and unconditional love, she'd rake in a nifty sum of nearly $117,000 a year.

That's according to Salary.com, a Waltham, Mass.-based firm that studies workplace compensation.

The eighth annual survey calculated a mom's market value by studying pay levels for 10 job titles with duties that a typical mom performs, ranging from housekeeper and day care center teacher to van driver, psychologist and chief executive officer.

This year, the annual salary for a stay-at-home mom would be $116,805, while a working mom who also juggles an outside job would get $68,405 for her motherly duties.

One stay-at-home mom said the six-figure salary sounds a little low.

"I think a lot of people think we sit at home and have a lot of fun and don't do a lot of work," said Samantha Russell, a Fremont, N.H., mother who left her job as pastry chef to raise two boys, ages 2 and 4. "But they should try cleaning their house with little kids running around and messing it up right after them."

The biggest driver of a mom's theoretical salary is the amount of overtime pay she'd receive for working more than 40 hours a week.

The 18,000 moms surveyed about their typical week reported working 94.4 hours -- meaning they'd be spending more than half their working hours on overtime.

Working moms reported an average 54.6-hour "mom work week" besides the hours they spent at paying jobs.

Russell agreed that her job as a stay-at-home mom is more than full-time. But she said her "job" brings intangible benefits she wouldn't enjoy in the workplace.

"The rewards aren't monetary, but it's a reward knowing that they're safe and happy," Russell said of her sons. "It's worth it all."

After reading this article, I think we should bump up my life insurance policy because if I die, Mike will have to fork out some major dough for someone else to do my job. Also, after this past week, I think I deserve some additional stipend for "pain and suffering" or something like that!!

Tom Brady is Officially Out for the Season

As many of you know ("many of you"... I still write like I actually have readers)...at any rate, those of you who may be reading this know that my husband and boys are a really big sports fans. Actually, anything "Boston" they are crazy about. They have been tracking the start of the NFL season all summer. In fact, Alexander and Matthew logged onto the Patriots Training Camp web-site almost everyday this summer to get audio and video clips about what was going on with the players. To say that all three of the big boys were bummed when they found out that Tom Brady got hurt the other day and that he is going to be out for the entire season is an UNDERSTATEMENT!. The tears flowed and their heads have been hung low all week (I have been having flashbacks to that horrible day last January). I have to admit, when I heard the news on Tuesday morning, I was kind of sad for Tom Brady. We all know he is a good player and I am sure he wants to be playing as much as we want him to be playing. But even more (selfishly so) I am a bit uneasy about the whole situation because the ramifications of his injury will play itself out in my house for the next 4 months.

Pray that Tom Brady has a safe and successful surgery and pray for ME to endure the possibility of a torturous season!

GO PATRIOTS....PLEEEAAASSSEEE!!!

Some days I just need a reminder...

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor!!!!!! So relax, everything is gonna be fine. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.

I need God to open some doors for me right now! Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing...

(sent to me from my friend Amy. Thanks for the reminder!)

Things I will NOT miss when my children grow up and leave...

The endless questions that they already know the answer to because I told them a million and one times.

Asking me for help with something in the kitchen when I am sitting "in the bathroom".

My children asking for my help when I am in serious multi-task mode and there is a perfectly good dad just doing nothing.
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Walking into my closed room when I am practically nude. *I don't need compliments on my underwear either.

The toilets that go unflushed. *Maybe they think they are conserving water?

The bathroom sinks with icky toothpaste all over ... ewwwwww!

The unbelievable amount of clothes that can never seem to find their way to a dresser drawer or a closet. *It's already that time to go through the closets/drawers and remove/exchange things. I HATE THAT JOB!

The itty bitty toy pieces that I find and dump on the stairs until they either get thrown away or I put them away. If someone other than me attempts to find the home for that toy ... it just doesn't happen. My children like to fake me out and just put the little toys in various other locations. It's like their own form of torture aimed at me.

The shoes, the flip flops, the sneakers ... 2x7=14 and my children do not lack in the footwear department.

LAUNDRY ... as soon as a basket of clean clothes gets emptied, it is loaded back up with dirty stuff. My house will never look show ready. So anyone who comes over better know that.

((((SIGH))))) ... today seemed like a very long day.

My Daybook for September 8, 2008

For Today, September 8, 2008…

Outside my Window…darkness (it is 11:30pm) and a wonderful cool air blowing through the screen door.

I am thinking…about the impending week...lots to do.

I am thankful for…so many things.

From the kitchen…I am planning my menu for the week. We have so much going on this week that I need to know what I will serve for dinner each night.

I am creating….(expanding, rather) a more thorough household binder to keep all the papers,phone lists and schedules for the kids, all in one place.

I am going…to try to take one day at a time.

I am wearing…camo jammie bottoms and a hot pink tank top (very stylish).

I am reading…Real Simple "Family" magazine.

I am hoping…to get to the gym tomorrow and to check some things off of my "to do" list.

I am hearing…not much right now, the house is VERY quiet...everyone is asleep. :)

Around the house…cleaning to be done and of course...LAUNDRY!

One of my favorite things…coffee. Blessed coffee!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...send out invitations to Catherine's birthday party, do some shopping for her birthday, facilitate Baptism Prep. Class at church, MOMS meeting, Brownie Mtg (parent helper this week), soccer practices and games, Family Ministry Mtg, Flag Football Mtg. for Alexander and Matthew, Costco (what else is new), mail out Alexander and Matthew birthday party invites (Oh, I love September)!

Here is a picture/thought I am sharing with you…My darling Andrew. He is so full of life!

Peace and blessings to you!

Here's to my friend Jen! Thinking of you today...

OK, so how does this sound for a nice Sunday bike ride... 72-miles!! Not just any 72 miles, but the Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue course which circumnavigates Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totaling over 2,600 vertical feet of elevation gain! The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level. (I am tired just typing about it!).

Well, my dear friend Jen Payan and her husband (along with 2 other couples) are taking part in this event TODAY!! I am so proud (and jealous) of her for taking on this challenge. Don't get me wrong, Jen is a healthy, fit and dedicated person. She discovered her love for road biking not too long ago and has been very much looking forward to this challenge today.

She has been in my thoughts and prayers (for strength, safety and fun) all morning and she will remain so until I get to talk to her on Tuesday. Until then, HERE'S TO YOU JEN.. YOU ROCK MY FRIEND. (Maybe I can get her to e-mail me some pics and I will post them to my blog with follow-up details...hint-hint).

The Simple Woman's Daybook - 9/5/08

Well, the week escaped me and I forgot to post my "Monday" entry for my Simple Woman's Daybook. So, no time like the present and given my overly chaotic week, this would be a good time to slow down, focus and look at simplifying!

For Today, September 5, 2008…

Outside my Window… a beautiful sunny morning. The grass is wet from the sprinklers and the yard is in need of some attention (Mike cut down 2 trees least weekend and all the debris is still around).

I am thinking… about the hectic morning I had getting the kids off to school and feeling bad that they left with feeling like I was angry with them. I am also thinking about....well, there is too much to list. I feel like my brain is going to burst.

I am thankful for… my mom who came to visit last weekend and stayed a couple of additional days to help me get my house in order. We, well mainly she, did much needed deep cleaning in areas of my house I just never get to. LOVE YOU MOM!

From the kitchen… Oh dishes that need to be done - I’ll get on that soon I swear - as for dinner tonight? No idea. I tend to figure that out when I get in there. I can tell you that dinner will be simple tonight..IT'S FRIDAY!

I am creating… lesson plans and craft ideas for Catherine's 1 st grade Faith Formation class starting in a week and a half.

I am going…to go to Costco today..the cupboards are bare!

I am wearing…Shorts and a t-shirt.

I am reading…mostly all of the paperwork that the kids get sent home from school with everyday. Wow, there is so much to keep up with. I wish it was a good book instead.

I am hoping… for greater simplicity in my life and my family’s life.

I am hearing… someone singing on Sesame Street mingled with the sound of the garbage truck out in the neighborhood. Also, the timer going off to tell me it’s time to attend to my laundry …..

Around the house… is evidence that I might have had a housekeeper this week, but no, it was just my mom. I love the fact that my carpets are clean and my ceiling fans are dusted. I get all warm and fuzzy inside when my house is clean! I just wish it cold always look like this!

One of my favorite things… A clean house!
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week (or weekend, since it is Friday)… Costco today, soccer games tomorrow, Ministry Fair at church Sat and Sun., plan Catherine's birthday party (yes, it is only 1 week away and I haven't even sent out invitations), and work on getting rid of 20 things each day this week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…Well, I guess no picture for now. My computer is giving me problems and not letting me upload any photos. I can't waste anymore time trying to figure it out. If I get it working, I'll post one later. But for now, how about just a thought...
Pray, hope and don't worry!

Farewell to my husband and my oldest boys!

Or maybe I should say “it’s game time.”

Did you know that according to Wikipedia “Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League and NCAA College Football? The NCAA usually plays their first games the weekend of Labor day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.” (FYI: This Thurs. 9/4, the Washington Redskins play the New York Giants at 7pm).

What this means to me is that I will only be seeing my husband and oldest boys during half-times and timeouts until Super Bowl Sunday is over in February.

My husband claims that I have this uncanny talent for talking during important plays and not saying a word during commercials. I can’t help it if I find the commercials more entertaining than the game.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have actually developed a considerable interest in football over the past 5 years or so (considering I didn't have muich of a choice if I ever wanted to have contact with my husband or children on Sunday's). I mean really...how couldn't I get involved when our favorite team (The New England Patriots) have had a phenomenal run these past few years. I do enjoy the game (and understand it) more than I ever have. I do get sick and tired of the constant background noise of random football games constantly on the TV. We do need to find a happy medium.

Mike claims that he is being a good father, exposing his boys to sports early, with hopes of them catching the bug like he did, and becoming life-long sports enthusiasts. It is part of his retirement plan that they both get drafted into the major leagues and thank mom and dad by buying us a retirement home in Carmel! Ahh…

Mike believes that football is the only good thing about summer coming to an end!

So, ARE WE READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?