End of the Tunnel

Hooray! Hooray! I did it! 30 posts in 30 days! They weren't always interesting. They weren't always clever. But I have such a hard time finishing anything these days - it was nice to complete this!

My favorite post: Useless Information

Worst post: Writer's Block

Longest post: I'll be at Target if You Need Me!

Shortest post: Halfway

Funniest post: Little Man's Random Quote of the Day

Post with most comments: There's No Place Like Home...?

Tear-jerker: My Dad

Top commenters: BlueberryEyesDesign, Nonna, Heidi, Lynn-nore

Come back tomorrow to see what's in store! And thanks to everyone who commented this month - I appreciate your support!

Answering Your Questions

Okay - it's the end of the month and I haven't answered the questions/ideas suggested here. So, here goes:

Homeschooling: I was a first grade teacher. I had a couple of homeschool kids who would come into my classroom a few days each week. It was madness. The kids were quirky and some had a very difficult time adjusting to the classroom setting. My favorite memory of this was when I told one kid to take a seat and he let me know that he already had a chair at his desk. Yeah. I think homeschooling is a decent option IF you have a good network. Get connected, teach each other's kids, do a bunch of social things together. If you can't - skip it! As for me, I have no current plans to homeschool, but when I say "never," it's like I'm testing fate. So I guess I'll leave it at 'it's not my plan!'

Movies: Some favorites - Gone With the Wind. It's classic. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Isn't Dopey so cute? A Christmas Story. It cracks me up. Uhh, I don't know. I never liked this question. There are movies I could watch a million times. Some because I need a good cry (Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes), some because I want to laugh (It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). If you ask me the same question tomorrow, I might actually have a decent list.

Trinkets: I used to save everything. Then I cut down to things I would scrapbook someday. Now I toss it all. Well, okay not all. There are a few things stashed in the babybooks, a pile of cards from hubby that need to go into our shoebox.

Inspiration: great question.

Prague Wedding: was awesome. I had a blast. I was even able to introduce the idea of tapping the champagne glasses to get the couple to kiss! One thing they did that was different from here - after the ceremony, someone broke a plate that the couple had to sweep up. It's the first work they do together as a married couple. Congrats again Ada & Petr!

eMi: "Engineering Ministries International (EMI) is a non-profit Christian development organization made up of architects, engineers and design professionals who donate their skills to help children and families around the world step out of poverty and into a world of hope." My baby sister Alicia is an Interior Designer. She's been working for an architectural firm for the past few years and recently started feeling that God was calling her to use her talents to serve the poor. She will be working with eMi out of their Colorado headquarters starting in January. This is a five-month commitment, and she needs to raise approximately $6000. During her time with eMi, she will travel to Africa to begin work on a project. If you are interested in helping to support her, please check out the eMi website. Every little bit helps! Thank you in advance!

Okay. So there's some answers. If you have more questions, let me know!

And remember - tomorrow is day #30! Thanks for following along!

Another Exercise in Futility

We got three diapers changed. Put on 6 socks and shoes. Struggled with hats, coats, and mittens for three toddlers. Tried to keep the smaller two from climbing the stairs. It was crazy, but we finally got out the door.

Out the door and over to the car. Then it was keeping an eye on three kids who were fascinated with the street and the door's locks, while trying to fit two more carseats into the backseat. We pushed. We pulled. There was just no way to make it work. And that's when the screams began.

The first was from my son. The second was mine.

Just another reason why I am totally happy with two.

The Curse of the Bambino...in Diapers

I was cursed.

I blame it all on a friend who shall remain nameless (but whose initials are MEL).

When I started potty training my son almost 2 years ago, I thought it was going to be just another thing he picked up easily. He had such a teachable spirit and was so eager to please! But then this friend mentioned that she had spoken to her sister about potty training, and that this sister had said that smart boys take a long time with it.

Now I'm sure she meant it as a compliment. But my friend got someone's attention when she replied - "Your little guy's so smart, I'm sure it'll take him forever to be potty trained!"

Yeah. Thanks. That was two years ago. GO AHEAD AND LIFT THE CURSE ALREADY!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My mom always loved the tradition of going around the table during Thanksgiving dinner and saying what we're thankful for. I am so glad she's not hosting anymore.

It's not that I'm not thankful. It's not that I don't have a zillion things to be thankful for. It's just...well, it's just that it's such a sappy tradition!

It's Turkey Time!

Stressed-out parents + overstuffed relatives + overtired and over-stimulated kids = one great holiday!

It's a Mystery

There have been days when I didn't brush my teeth until just before my husband came home from work. Days when showering happened while my kids were taking their afternoon naps. Make-up was put on as Daddy was walking in the door. Clothes were thrown on when I heard the car door close.

Today I traveled to my sister's for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were cleaning and putting up Christmas decorations (don't ask - just read her comment from two days ago!) when the call came in that her husband was on his way home. In 25 minutes we had the place spic-and-span clean, babies fed, and dinner on the table. It was amazing. And he will never know.

My husband on the other hand, unfortunately never gets that treatment. It's just too hard. And let's be honest. My house at its cleanest STILL isn't as clean as my sister's at its worst! Oh well. Maybe someday.

Answer to my quiz: As a teenager, I sang on occasion, but NEVER wanted to be a singer!

The View From Up Here

My son is a cautious child. He wants to scope things out before he can relax and enjoy. My daughter doesn't see to have this issue. I found her standing on top of the train table today, looking incredibly pleased with herself. Oh boy. If this is 1, what will the teen years hold?