Must Love Tots

Hurting

2010-06-30T15:37:00.001-05:00

I'm at Stronger Than Cancer today. Hurting.

Random Bits

2010-06-07T20:34:00.004-05:00

I hate Mondays. The reason for that is here.

The time frame for the Powerade Play sweepstakes is coming to a close. Make sure you have
entered.

I have a college ID. Again. After 6 years.

I'm afraid my online Anatomy class is going to kick my A-double-s's.

Daelyn asked when I was going to lose my belly. While I appreciate her honesty in the fact that I've gained weight, baby girl better watch herself.

I'm debating the wisdom of having 2 dogs. Especially when one eats every-damn-thing and the other is a jealous B-i-t-c-h.

Daelyn is reading. I've known she could read for a while now given that was her homework in Kindergarden. But now she is picking books up and reading them and reading signs. The time of spelling words out to hide what you are talking about is O-V-E-R.

Speaking of reading, I have finally finished a book. This makes 2 books read since mom passed 2 months ago. I'm not used to this. I can't sit still long enough to read a book and I don't have the mental capacity to comprehend it anyways. This is odd to me.

what I want

2010-06-02T12:30:00.001-05:00

So here's the thing. I'm not really doing that great. I want to be, but I'm not. I've been pretending. But, dude, this is hard. I want my mom.

Quote of the Day

2010-06-01T19:33:00.002-05:00

An actual quote from the man's t-ball game tonight:

Oh, there he is, doing a headstand on third base.

As you can tell, he was sooo into the game.

***
He finished his game off with a bottle of POWERADE PLAY. Is your kid drinking it?

What I'm Not Good At

2010-05-31T22:03:00.002-05:00

A couple of years ago we got the Wii. And I love it. For a while, unfortunately, we didn't play it much. Lately, however, is a different story. You see, I'm addicted to the Super Marios Brothers for the Wii. It's like the Mario Brothers souped-up on-crack I-can-beat-your-brother version. And it rocks.

The problem? I'm not good. At.All. In fact, I suck. It's not like the old school game where you take turns playing, no, you play at.the.same.time. TOGETHER. I'm Mario. You're Luigi. At.The.SAME.TIME. It's hard. Really hard. Well, for me it is.

The other problem? HH is good. Really good. As in he can dance circles and play at the same time and still kick my ass. I, on the other hand, constantly kill myself and some times, nee a lot of the times, kill HH too. He gets pissed. Not extremely, but in a I-can't-believe-you-just-did-that kind of way.

An example?

We've, and by we I really mean HH, already beat the game. But now we have unlocked a whole 'nother special world. But to unlock the world you need to get all the big star coins that we didn't give a hoot about the first time around. So, anyways, we're playing the worlds again, trying to get those damn coins. I can't play the ice world. Or the water world. Or the bullet world. Why? Because I die. And I take HH out with me. So here I type while HH is playing and getting all the big coins by himself that we can't get together as a team. Because I suck. Yes, that bad.

****
Don't forget to visit Must Love Reviews for a chance to win some cold hard moolah in the amounts of $125 or $500 before your time runs out!

This Whole Softball Thing

2010-05-25T13:11:00.005-05:00

Daelyn is playing softball. Softball. As in no more tee. The ball is pitched to her now. No more t's. Ever. No more gentleness.
Baby girl stands there with a littly bitty bat poised above her head as a ball is hurtled towards her.
And there are practices. Hours long practices. No more just show up and let's hope you know what you are doing.
There's a girl on her team that I swear is as tall as me.
And most of the girls have more softball savvy to them than I have ever had.
I wanna go back to t-ball.

Don't Forget!!

2010-05-25T12:58:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to visit Must Love Reviews for a chance to win either a $125 Visa gift card or a $500 grand prize. Visit Must Love Reviews for more info...

Mission Monkey

2010-05-21T12:58:00.004-05:00

Hello blog-world! I am participating in what's known around the world as Mission Monkey day! What is Mission Monkey you ask? Well, there's this blogger friend of ours known as Pixie Momma, aka Michelle. Michelle has a little girl, or Monkey as she's known by who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. To learn more about it, click here. Monkey is a sweet little 16 month old girl. She doesn't deserve this. Nobody deserves this.
But the good news is that Monkey only has Stage 1 (low risk). The bad news is the medical bills are mounting and the Physical Therapy (starts today) isn't covered by insurance. Michelle is using the donated money to offset medical bills. She will donate and unused portion to another family dealing with the same issue. This is why the blogging universe is banding together like never before to rally around Michelle and Monkey to provide support.
In addition to further entice you to lend your hand, and donate to the cause, we have over 50 items that have been donated. Many bloggers are hosting these fabulous giveaways and all you need to win one of these items is just one raffle ticket. To see the fab prizes and donation pages, click here.
You may donate any amount of money via PayPal as it's linked directly to Michelle's bank account. However, in order to be a part of the raffle, this is how that's going to go. If you donate the following, you get the subsequent number of entries:
$10 - 2 entries
$20 - 5 entries
$30 - 10 entries
$40 - 15 entries
$50 - 20 entries
$75 - 35 entries
$100 - 50 entries
$200 - 125 entries
The raffles for each item will start on or around July 1st.
Click on monkey to donate!

Wordless Wednesday: A Portrait

2010-05-19T15:17:00.002-05:00

A portrait of me for Mother's Day.

As dictated by Daelyn:

My mom's name is Dawn.
She has blue eyes and blond hair.
Her favorite color is yellow.
Her favorite food is chocolate covered Strawberries.
I love my mom because she giggles.

Don't You Love It?

2010-05-17T20:52:00.003-05:00

Like the new look? I LOVE IT!!! Check out Our Princess in Pig Tails Designs for your new look!

And do you see it? To the right??? I have my very own button! And up on top? To the left of the URL? Heee, I have no idea what that's called but I love it!

UP-DAE-TES

2010-05-16T19:21:00.003-05:00

Daelyn has one more week of school. I'm scared and excited for her at the same time. What in the world am I going to do to keep her busy all summer long? But, wow, her first year of school done already!
****
Me: How'd you sleep last night?
Dae: Sideways

****
She's lost her third tooth. And she's worried that she doesn't have her back molars in. Is this a normal 5 year old worry?

****
Daelyn took me out tonight for a post-Mother's Day dinner. McDonalds. She "bought" a McDonalds coupon for a free small fry at the Good Behavior Store at her school. She even ordered for me.

A Recipe in Pictures: Dirt Cake

2010-05-13T13:05:00.007-05:00

Ingredients:

(Not the bread!)

Crush one large package of Oreos and set aside.

Cream 1/2 stick butter/margarine with two 8 oz packages of cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar. Set aside.

Mix 2 3/4 cup milk with two small packages of French Vanilla instant pudding and one teaspon vanilla. Combine with cream cheese mixture. Mix well.

Add 8 oz container of Cool Whip to pudding mixture. Mix well.

Disgruntled face is optional.

Using a clean, preferably unused, pail or 8" inch diameter flower pot, layer ingredients starting with cookie crumbs, then pudding, cookie crumbs, etc. End with cookie crumbs.

If using pail, add gummy worms and serve with shovel. If using flower pot, add plastic flowers and serve with trowel.

Serves: Many.

Dear dishes and other necessary letters.

2010-05-13T10:55:00.004-05:00

Dear Frozen Pizza Companies:
You are not all created equal. But I love you all just the same. There is just something about the crispy crust, ooey gooey melted cheese and wonderfully delicious toppings that make my stomach go grumble. The brand doesn't matter for me. Store brand. Name brand. Whatever. Just melt the cheese and my heart melts. Thank you for making lunch time easy.

Signed,
Full of Pepperoni

Dear tots,
When I'm driving, I'm doing just that: DRIVING. I can not look to see the cool thing you are doing with your toes. I can not open the recently found roll of smarties. Nor can I help you take your coat off. The thing is, you are precious cargo. Precious cargo that I could not live without. So next time I scream in the car to "SHUT UP!" I don't mean any offense. I just need to focus.

Signed,
Trying to Drive here

Dear yard,

Why oh why do you grow so fast? Yes, I refer to you as the "non-yard" but it's (mostly) out of love and appreciation. You do not need to retaliate against me by growing at a supernatural speed. I can handle mowing once a week. Maybe even twice a week if it wasn't every 2 days. I do realize it takes me only 15 minutes to mow you but that doesn't include pre and post-mow work. Nor does it include the necessary after shower. You have the whole summer to grow, you don't need to do it all in one day.

Thanks,
Caretaker

Dear dishes,

What in the world is up with you? You get dirty at a mind-numbing speed. I can barely keep up. Or rather, I don't care to keep up. Just clean yourself, or something.

Signed,
Not a dirty dish lover

Click For A Chance To Win

2010-05-10T08:59:00.002-05:00

Pssst....I'm over here today reviewing POWERADE PLAY....click on over for a chance to win a $125 Visa Gift Card....

Happy Mother's Day Momma.

2010-05-08T20:35:00.000-05:00

Letter to my mom on Mother's Day here.

A Post Via FaceBook

2010-05-04T11:39:00.002-05:00

Daelyn's Mother's Day program is today at the school. I've been instructed to arrive early and wear a pink dress.

***

Me: Don't you write on my pillow. The Man: I'm not. I'm coloring Gia.

***

Just scrubbed marker off the toilet. I'm not even going to ask.

***

Playing with the man. Got punched in the solar plexus. NOT.COOL.

***

The little man colored himself yesterday. Green. On his butt. And not just the cheeks.

***

Because I said so. That's why. - Favorite Line. Eva.

Stronger Than Cancer & Must Love Reviews

2010-05-01T00:07:00.004-05:00

I'm here. I've been here. Just not in the blog world. I'm still adjusting to life without momma. I think it will be a forever adjustment. Just today I got a bridal shower invitation for a cousin. I can't go as HH graduates that day (insert whooping news!). My first thought was "Well, I'll just have mom bring my gift." Then I realized the horrible truth. I can't. I never will. And reality sucks.

But, anyways, I've still been blogging at my Stronger Than Cancer site. It's memories, poems, and a lot of tear-inducing stuff.

I'm back to here now though. Or at least I'm going to try.

Good news though, I'm doing my first review next week for Must Love Reviews. Yippee!

And I Still Feel Your Love

2010-04-30T07:07:00.003-05:00

I know you’re gone from this earth
You left me way too soon
But I feel your love every time
I gaze up at the moon.

Sometimes I think I hear
A whisper in the wind
It sounds as if you’ve called my name
As your love to me you send.

Sometimes I do a silly thing
And your laughter fills my ears
I know you’re right here with me
But I can’t see you through my tears.

I felt your hand upon my shoulder
And I quickly turned to see
Visible... you were not
But I know you’re here with me.

In the night you sometime come
To visit in my dreams
My hands go out to touch you
But you’re just out of reach it seems.

For just a flash you appear
Standing close to me
Is it just my imagination
Or is it really you I see.

Even though you’re gone from me
And you watch me from above
I long for you everyday
…And I still feel your love.

Thank You Momma

2010-04-06T20:18:00.000-05:00

Momma,

I’m not saying Good-Bye today because I don’t feel you’re really gone. Your spirit lives on. The twinkle in Mark’s eye is from you. I see your smile in your sisters and your work ethic in your brothers. And the stubbornness is evident in your grandchildren.

Instead, today, I’m saying Thank You. Thank you for your unwavering strength. We have all learned from you and what it means to be strong.

Thank you for showing me what motherhood really means. Despite all the long hours you worked you were never a part-time parent. You were at every after-school function. A hot meal was always there. You were always there. You still are, just in a different way.

Thank you for all the late night talks, the constant reassurance, and the without fail I-love-you’s. Thank you for your understanding. And while neither Jonathan nor I can lay claim to inheriting your patience, I thank you for your never-ending supply. You always seemed to know what we needed, even when we could not voice it ourselves. Thank you.

Because of you, my children love the classic cartoons and camping. Even in sickness you were able to provide a grandmotherly home that anyone would envy. Thank you.

Thank you for your smiles, your tears of joy, and the always open arms. Thank you for being you. For being my mother. For giving me Jonathan. Thank you for your love. For everything, thank you. We love you.

The Dates HAVE Changed

2010-04-05T12:23:00.001-05:00

The Dates HAVE Changed:

The Visitation is Tuesday from 4-8 at the Teutopolis Church.
The Funeral is Wednesday at 10:30 at the Church.

Tentative

2010-04-04T19:44:00.001-05:00

Tentatively, the visitation is schedule for Wednesday from 4-8 at the T-Town Church. Visitation is to be Thursday morning. It's all tentative until we talk to the church tomorrow. Easter threw a wrench in planning. Perhaps a needed wrench though as watching the tots giddily sort through their Easter baskets made today a little easier.

Heavy Heart

2010-04-03T19:22:00.002-05:00

It is with a heavy heart I announce the passing of Marilyn Louise Smith. Mother extraordinaire.

Tomorrow.End of the Road.

2010-04-02T16:00:00.001-05:00

The doctor found cancer in the stent. The stent that was just lasered. They will be taking her off the ventilator tube tomorrow. After that, it's only a matter of hours.

Burnt

2010-04-02T12:05:00.007-05:00

This sucks. I'm here in the hospital. Mom's right lung has collapsed due to a blockage. The doctor is going in to remove the block.

I've been in the appropriate hospital since Wednesday of last week. I've eaten mostly nothing but cafeteria food. I'm tired of looking at the same 4 walls. I'm burnt of this place.

I want to see my kids. I want to see my husband. To see them for Easter. But I need to be here too. I want to see my mom open her eyes.

Money is tight though. I have done something I hoped I would never have to do before. There is now a Donate Now Pay-Pal button on my blog.

Hospitals are expensive even when they are cheap. Eating 2-3 X's daily. 10 days. A magazine to ease the intense boredom. A sudoku book to occupy the mind. Sodas and water. As needed. Gas on Sunday. Back on Monday. Gas to go home on Monday when Daelyn had breathing problems. Gas to come back on Tuesday. 1 1/2 hours each way. Thank the Lord they are giving us a place to sleep.

And it's not over.

I hate this.

I Hurt From The Inside Out

2010-04-01T16:38:00.001-05:00

I hate this.