Happy Memorial Day!

As we all get together for BBQ and family and friends, let us take time to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Happy Memorial Day!

Friday Funny- So I'M the High Maintenance One?

Remember a few weeks ago when Zoe begged to go on the Brownie Camping Trip? She was completely undone that she was the ONLY one not attending. Remember the conversation (during which I was completely mortified) with her Brownie leader stating that I was more of a mani/pedi, take you to the mall kind of mom? That I was not a camping kind of mom....

And you know, I AM a Nervous Nelly when it comes to leaving my children with others when I'm traveling. But after the conversation with no less than six other moms convincing me she would be absolutely fine and they would watch over her like a hawk, I was convinced to spend an extra six hours packing her camping gear and errands and preparing a small but sweet thank you gift for the Brownie Leader and editing the travel agenda with more phone numbers than the Yellow Pages.

So needless to say I was a little rattled when Aunt Bet called me on Friday morning. After having countless conversations with Zoe, she told me that Zoe was absolutely freaked out about going camping and was adamant that she was NOT going under any circumstances.

Now, knowing my FearlessIMustBeTheFirstToTryIt Daughter, this concerned me. Why, all of a sudden, after all of that planning and begging and and pleading, was she completely going off the deep end about camping?

Being the person I am, after talking with Aunt Bet, I relenquished. Honestly, if she was that set on NOT going, surely there had to be a really good reason. As well, I believe that sometimes you just have to go with your gut... (you know, the whole,"I really felt like I should turn onto this street that day even though I NEVER do that and it saved me from a nasty car wreck that would have ended my life kinda thing. Yep. I'm that girl.)

Turns out.... one of her Brownie mates was not going because there were spiders and the bathrooms were disgusting.

And I'M the one who can't camp? It took everything I had not to say anything. Every last ounce of restraint. I know the important thing here is that Zoe can trust that I am listening, even when I'm on the other side of the States, but dagnabit! that was six hours of sleep I will never get back.

It's true. Children make you gray before your time.

Yours, knowing this will probably happen a few more times, and loving parenthood in spite of it,

Melissa

THE CAREGIVER ORGANIZER HELPS NURSES FOR NEWBORNS!!!

Today, we decided it was our turn to give back. With all that’s going on in the Midwest right now, Melissa and I know how lucky we are. So we wanted to do something good in our own backyard.

After a lot of deliberation, we picked Nurses For Newborns to be the recipient of 275 hardbound books. They are an awesome organization helping babies here in Missouri and in Tennessee. Well, instead of trying to explain what they do, I’ll just let them tell you (from their website):

Nurses for Newborns Foundation exists to provide a safety net for families most at-risk in order to prevent infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by providing in-home nursing visits which promote healthcare, education, and positive parenting skills.

Nurses for Newborns Foundation provides services to babies who are born with medical problems, born to teen moms or born to mothers with disabilities/mental health concerns, or who are born into families who do not have money for even basic necessities.

In addition to medical care, we assist families whenever possible with donated materials needed for safe care, such as diapers, formula, baby food, clothing, bedding, and cribs. We welcome hundreds of volunteers each year who help us manage the logistics of this work.

So we thought they would be able to use our Caregiver Organizer for MY Child books and also for MY Special Needs Child books. They were overjoyed, which overjoyed Melissa and I! If you’d like to help out this incredible organization, you can also make donations at their website.

Gotta say, I’m feeling pretty good today!

Karen

Monday Madness

I'm sorry dear readers. It was completely my fault that there was no Friday Funny last week. I guess you'll have to read all about Zoe's camping trip this coming Friday. (Nothing like shamelessly building a little anticipation, right?)

And I'm grateful to Karen for blogging last Monday while I was stuck in San Francisco. That's an entirely different matter that I'm not certain I'll be able to truthfully blog about without repercussions. Let's just say, this time, it was CLEARLY NOT.MY.FAULT. And yes, I'm holding on to that card for the appropriate moment (insert knowing smirk here).

Today is the Monday that I come to kicking and screaming every single year. I know it's coming. My subconscious has been warning me for two months now, diligently ticking off reminders. I'll bet you have this Monday in your household as well.

Yes, dear readers, it is:

The Last Monday Before Summer Break (Chaos/Boredom/Complaining/Threats Involving Military Academy) Begins.

(Insert hair raising screams and quite possibly an ugly adult meltdown here).

I'm breaking out in hives just thinking about it.

This summer, however, taking a cue from Karen, and from memories of summers past, I have signed my children up for some camps. And swim team. You see, I don't get my summer off now that I have a job that is administrative. Yes, I'll be working a lot from home. And trying to mind the children while I do so. (OY!) Don't get me wrong, I love my children with my entire being. But you know how it is- the moment you MUST get something completed, you become a magnet for all things child related. It's the law of the universe. So this year, I've decided that my Z1 and Z2 will not spend EVERY moment of Summer together. I think it's going to be okay.

If not, there's always chocolate....

Yours, trying to get EVERY last possible thing completed before their break begins,

Melissa

SAVING MONEY FOR SUMMER!!!

So what are your kids doing this summer? Going to camp? Daycare? Maybe staying at home with a sitter? If a sitter’s coming, do you have all the information organized? And I mean EVERYTHING? Will she know the kids’ schedules and habits? What about emergency instructions? Time limits on electronics? Will she even know how to turn on the Wii? And if you have a Special Needs child, does she understand all that entails?

You’ve seen Melissa and I write about The Caregiver Organizer many times. Now is your chance to get one at 25% off for the summer. Maybe you’ll be using a new sitter, or maybe your child’s needs are just changing. Whatever the reason, The Caregiver Organizer can help you!

So here’s the Summer Special:

25% OFF

The Caregiver Organizer for MY Child

(use coupon code “child25”)

AND

The Caregiver Organizer for MY Special Needs Child

(use coupon code “snchild25”)

Click HERE to get to our website and download your eBook today at 25% off the regular price (which, by the way, is pretty inexpensive anyway!).

Here’s to an organized summer for you AND your babysitters!

Karen

 

FAMILY REVIEW OF THOR

Saturday night my family went to see Thor. Before I continue, I can hear you judgmental moms out there saying, “Isn’t that movie rated PG-13? And didn’t I just read that her kids recently turned 10? BAD mom!” Yes, all of that is true (except the bad mom part). Believe me, I checked it out beforehand. The only cuss words used were “damn” and “hell” (and only 3 times total, according to my children, who count these things), there was only one kiss, and while there was violence and fighting, there was very little blood and guts showing. So really, it was way less than most video games!

Anyway, I wasn’t thrilled about seeing this movie, but I figured anything that wasn’t a cartoon would be a nice change of pace for us, so I went along. Well, wasn’t I pleasantly surprised! We all loved, loved, loved this movie, albeit for different reasons.

The kids loved it because, well, they’re kids and there was lots of fighting. I don’t think they really got all the family in-fighting and brotherly tension, but that’s okay. I almost prefer it that way!

My husband loved it because he used to read all those comic books when he was a kid. And he loved it because he’s still a big kid and there was lots of fighting.

I loved it because of Thor himself. Really. Have you seen him? Without a shirt? Oh man! Take a look…

You’re welcome!

Karen

Friday Funny- AhThank you, Mrs. Ha-Wiggins!

My daughter. Completely verbal. You know the age. Knows everything because if it's her opinion it must be fact and she's not embarrassed to tell it. She has yet to find the balance in passing comments that need not be shared, and those for public consumption. Apparently, she was having the need to make things clear when I arrived to pick her up from her Brownie meeting.

I walked up to her leader, who is preparing them for their first camp outing this weekend. All the moms are going- except me.

Her leader and I begin exchanging hellos and Zoe grabs my hand, looks her leader dead in the eye and says,"Yeah... my mom is really not the camping type of mom. That's why she's not going."

Oh really? I had no idea, Zoe. Please, to my absolute mortification, continue to expound on that thought....

"She's really more of a mani-pedi mom. She likes to have her latte and sit on the couch. She'd much rather sleep in her own bed and she REALLY likes to get a massage. She's more of a take me to the mall kind of mom. I just don't think she would make it camping."

Well ahthankayouAhMrs.Ha-wiggins! (Yes, that's a Carol Burnett Show reference.

I had no idea that I wasn't cut out for camping. Mind you, it's not my chosen pastime, but truth be told, I am out of town while the Brownies are on there trip and that is why I won't be there. Thank goodness the leader already knows that. But the looks on the other moms' faces... that was another story.

Yours, wondering if I am now being labeled high maintenance,

Melissa

WHY WE COMPLAIN

Listen in on any women’s luncheon, or read an assortment of mommy blogs, or eavesdrop on a couple of women at their kid’s sports events, and you’re likely to hear them complain about something. It could be their husbands (usually!), their kids, their neighbors, their kids’ school, their contractor, their dog, anything. It doesn’t matter. Face it, women like to complain!

So why do we do it? Well…it’s fun! I mean, really, who wants to sit around and talk about how wonderful life is all the time? Or more importantly, who wants to listen to that? Haven’t you ever read a post on Facebook like, “Happy Birthday to my husband, the most wonderful man ever, who never does anything wrong. I’m so blessed to have you in my life, I’d die without you, I’d be nothing without you. You are my sun, my moon, my world. I love you babycakes.” Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit, but you’ve all seen them. Don’t those posts just make you want to THROW UP??? YUCK!!!

We all want to know that someone else’s life sucks more than ours, right? That’s the bottom line.

But there’s a fine line. We don’t want to be around people who complain ALL THE TIME. That just gets old really fast. So you gotta strike a balance. Don’t be too happy but don’t be too miserable.  Don’t have the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect kids, etc. Yet don’t make everything out to be the worst disaster EVER. That’s just as annoying! Be just right for your friends and they’ll want to be around you more!

Time to get back to my no-so-perfect life. The kids have a half day today. Hmmm, is that good or not so good? You decide!

Karen 

Monday and all of its Madness!

I have a dear girlfriend that I have known since my freshman year in high school. First day of ninth grade, I noticed she was on her own. It was pretty hard not to notice it when there's only about 110+ teenagers in your class. I walked up to her and said,"Hi. My name's Missy. What's yours?" We've been friends ever since. We've been through highschool, college, singleness, marriage, divorce, severe illness, having kids... we've waked through life together. Even when we haven't been with each other on a daily basis, we've still walked together. Have friends like that? They're a treasure.

My friend recently adopted a child. She and her husband found the birth mother and they were present for the delivery and the relationship between everyone has been wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, I've been wondering when it was going to hit. Not that I'm a cynic, but it seemed to be going so smoothly that it worried me. They bring the baby home. Life is wonderful for about two weeks. Everyone is loving the baby, my friend and her husband are over the moon in love with the baby and wouldn't you know it, the birth father, who now happens to be in prison, is deciding whether or not he wants to sue for the right to have his mother raise the child.

You're kidding me, right? Seriously? This guy is in prison and gets the right to a free trial while my friends have to fork over another 10K+ to defend the adoption? Something is not right here. I would understand if he was in for a petty crime with circumstantial evidence. Let's suffice to say this guy has a track record which would make any parent think twice about him having influence over a child's life. And he gets to wreak havoc for free. Actually, not for free... OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR THIS.

Someone help me understand this... I'm trying to stay fair and balanced, but I'm just not seeing it. I think if he REALLY wants custody, he should have to fork over the money like everyone else. It's not like he is having an attorney to defend his freedom. That I would get. He's been convicted. Feels like he should have to give up this right too. But then again, that's probably my bias toward my friend talking.

Yours, hoping he drops his suit,

Melissa

Friday...

Dear Readers,

I know it's Friday, and usually I do TRY to tell something funny. Believe me, my life lends itself to humor easily. If you don't think God has a sense of humor, I would say take a look at life and I would beg to differ with you. However, today, if you are near to St. Louis, particularly within the West County and Fenton areas, you might be waking up today thinking something along the lines of,"Finally. Justice has been served."

I'm sure you could google this name, Chris Coleman, and find out more than you want to know about the murder trial. He has been convicted of killing his wife and two sons. Even typing that sentence is incomprehensible to me. I just don't understand how anyone could conceive of killing their own children, even their spouse. It's not that I knew them or have intimate knowledge of their relationship. And I realize there are two sides to every story (sometimes three or four), but for murder to be your chosen option for ending your marriage because you are cheating on your wife (not because you are being abused or feel physically threatened or have a need for self defense)? Wow. I can't even begin to wrap my brain around that. All over my neighborhood, and I know because my friends and I have talked about it, husbands and wives are having the following conversation. I think it's a sad commentary when the wife turns to the husband and says," Really, if it ever gets THAT bad and you want out, just pack my stuff and put it on the curb. No need to draw it out or wrestle with it, just give me the kids and we'll make it okay." Who would ever conceive of having to have that kind of conversation?

Yesterday Chris Coleman was convicted on all counts. Today, friends and people all over the bi-state area are given closure. For me, today, it starts with taking a look at my kids and hugging them a little longer, soaking in and savoring the moments.

May we all savor our moments this weekend,

Melissa

MY (?) NEW CAR.

I got a new car Saturday. Or maybe I should say my husband got a new car, because I haven’t actually driven it yet, except to the grocery store on Sunday. But technically, it WILL be my car, once I get the “okey dokey” from my “car guy” hubby.

See, he’s the “car guy” and I’m the “money gal.” So we’re kind-of a tag team when we buy. He scopes out the vehicle, finds one we both like (he’s happy with mechanically and I’m happy with in the looks and “cool stuff” department), then I swoop in and negotiate the price. It works out pretty well. Only this time, I settled too early and didn’t realize I knew the manager I was haggling with until AFTER the deal was done. I hate when they stay behind the curtain like that! I could have played that “But we know each other” card and probably gotten a few hundred more off the price. Sigh, but what’s done is done. (Although I’ll probably sulk about this for a few more weeks!)

Anyway, so because he’s a car guy, I have to let him go through the car with a fine tooth comb. Oh, I should probably explain that this is not a NEW new car, it’s just new to me. Yeah, car guys like my hubby don’t buy NEW cars (not worth the money, depreciate as soon as you leave the lot, blah, blah, blah), but we buy beautiful used cars. No biggie, I’ve gotten used to driving used German cars instead of new American cars!

So I’m just waiting until I get to drive MY new car. Here’s hoping it’s soon! (Maybe he’s waiting until Mother’s Day!)

Karen

Monday Madness

It's Monday, can you tell? Although today, there's a different kind of feel in the air. Today has been a day of celebration for many, as the word began spreading last night that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a firefight between his forces and US Troops. While I haven't seen most of the reports, and I totally missed the President's speech ( I fell asleep. Sorry, Mr. President!), I know so many people in the world are relieved and feel that justice has been served. I think of all the lives this man and his followers have affected, even beyond 9/11, and I can't say I'm sorry to see him go. I hate the thought of the loss of human life. Of course I always hope for reconciliation, I can see where it would never happen in this case.

It is interesting to note that Hitler was taken out on the same day, in nearly the same way.

Hmmmmmm....

Yours, wondering how this will change things,

Melissa