Top 11 because they couldn't fit in 10 reasons I am happy to turn 36

top eleven list about turning 36

11. It really beats the alternative.

10. If I want to stay up late watching dvr'd TV and eating the whole bowl of popcorn, I can. I can even eat ice cream right out of the carton - the ice cream i picked out at the store just because it sounded good.

9. I have friends that I have chosen. Not friends I have to have, because that is all that happens to be in your class, town, college, etc. Friends that I choose to share my life with, because they make my life better, richer and so much more fun. Friends that keep me sane in my most insane moments. Thank you all far and near.

8. I have a real career. I don't work at sonic anymore, billy's chili and bar bar, zios, or nursing homes. I get to see tragedies, miracles, and recenter what is really important every time I go to work.

7. I am able to wake up every morning and drink hot expensive coffee with real cream and read the paper from front to back. Mmmmm can't wait to do it all again tomorrow.

6. I live in a nice house, in a nice neighborhood with really nice people all around me. I love to have so many fun kids my children can play with, a park down the street, a beautiful walking trail, and a swimming pool. Awesome.

5. I am old enough to appreciate all that I have. I don't complain that my car is old, I am too fat, too tired, too broke. I am truly grateful for what is surrounding me - plenty of not so great alternatives out there.

4. I have two parents, aunts, uncles and three brothers nearby. I see none of these people enough, but I am so lucky that I get another year to change that.

3. I am young enough to be able to run a 5K, do P90X, and insanity and not have aching hips yet.

2. I have had the gift of cradling four unique little newborns in my arms - knowing that I was a part of creating these little blessings. They are my happiness, fear, anxiety, beauty, amazement and worry all rolled into perfect little packages. I love having something so important to me I would die for them without blinking an eye.

1. I live with the one adult I choose to be with forever. He makes me feel every single day that I am the most beautiful, smart and funny person he has ever known - even when I am tired, grumpy - and clearly not the least bit pretty. I have every confidence that he will continue to make me feel that way when I am sitting in my wheelchair, wearing a depends with eyebrows drawn on and bright red lipstick - probably with part of my creamed peas still on my bib.

Look forward to that vision babe, we are another year closer.

people never stop surprising me...

we went for a night swim at the neighborhood pool last night. jeff was finishing up his workout, so i ran up with kids. they are all getting very manageable now, so no fears in taking them alone anymore.
while there, this cute little girl came up with a lady who was wearing jeans and high heels. i despise people who go to the pool with small children, and they are not in swimsuits. they have no intention of getting in the water with their little one, its just cruddy.
she then approaches me and says "can i borrow your cell phone, i forgot her life jacket and she totally can't swim, so i wanted my sister to run it up here."
i don't have my cell phone, sorry.
she then tries to get her child out of the pool, but the little girl starts crying and saying she doesnt want to leave.
so this really smart lady says to her, you stay right here, dont get in the water, and i will be right back.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? did i hear that correctly? oh yes, i did. this gal leaves her child at the pool, walks back home to get the jacket.
i ask the little girl how old she is.
"im four years old and my aunt brought me to the pool. i promised her i wouldn't let any stranger steal me."
awesome.
she only fell under water twice when the aunt was gone, but we were close by and helped her back up.
not to bad for a 4 year old, who can't swim, left alone in a pool for 20 minutes.
this is why there are horrid stories on the news.

a classic

responsibility

dont you love it when you have somebody else's kid over to your house - and they are obnoxious - and your spouse and you can talk about what great parents you are, i mean, compared to them? i mean, you are both like, our kids are so sweet and loving compared to so and so, our kids would never act that way... and on and on, as your heads swell like hot air balloons.

what i hate - is when somebody else's kids come over and might(gulp)be more responsible little beings than your kids. crap - right when you thought you were really on your game, some other rock star parent has to one up ya.

my children's new little friends totally did that to me. these kids are pretty much the love and logic text book perfect children. im sure they make a mistake here or there, but it certainly has not been here.

so - i hating to be behind the game, had to get serious. yes i do know that the most important thing is to love your children and turn them into loving adults. i feel pretty strongly that it involves learning how to function first in your home, second in society.


totally stealing my friend's system - we are starting lists for the day.

each day of the week they wake up to a new list of what needs to be done before bed.
i am still tweaking it - so this may change a little - but i think im (she) is on to something.

example (this was today's):

Thursday

~ clean your bathrooms. clean the mirror first, then counter, sink and finally toilet. empty trash if it needs it. put towels into the laundry.
~ clean your rooms. make your beds, organize toys, pick up any clothes and straighten any extra items.
~ do something loving for one of your siblings
~ help clean up the kitchen after every meal. put dishes in dishwasher, wipe down counters and table, rinse out sink.
~ pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them

each day, they change and you get different areas cleaned, including vaccumming!

this is not child labor, right? i will let you know how it sticks.