I had a funny thought......

Life throws us curve balls - Some we catch, some we drop and some we just miss altogether.

But the joys of life are found right within the walls of our own homes. I have decided to share with you all some of the thoughts that go through my mind in this house - Many of them are repetitive thoughts, and some of them are actual things, said or done by one or more of our family members. I believe I have a sense of humor, and the thoughts I get sometimes reinforce that belief. Lucky for me, everyone in this house has a sense of humor in one way or another. And, heaven knows, I don't think we'd be where we are today if we hadn't laughed our way through some of our experiences.

1.) It doesn't matter whether you tell your teenage daughter that she looks beautiful. She's always going to change her clothes, re-do her hair and put on more makeup.

2.)When your son grabs his crotch and dances around he HAS to pee. Even if he fusses and says he doesn't have to go, he does. He may fight you until he cries, but the moment he's at the pot, he'll go.

3.) The apron is a part of a mom's wardrobe. All my children will expect to see me in it, as will their friends, their friends mothers, my friends, and maybe even my friends mothers.

4.) Doing the dishes means all of them...not just the few in the sink. The ones on the counter next to the sink are included.

5.) How is it possible to lose a pacifier EVERY SINGLE DAY?

6.) My son says I'm old and fat. My daughter says I'm beautiful and not so fat. My husband says he loves me just the way I am. I think he agrees with both of them.

7.) Sometimes every detail really counts - And when I say to put the clothes that are in the washer in to the dryer, that usually means to turn the dryer on as well.

8.) Wadding up the clothes and throwing them in a basket is NOT the same as folding them.

9.) Super Mario Bros. is not real.......You really don't have to stay up to keep playing the game so that you will save the princess. She'll still be there tomorrow....and however long it takes to finish the game.

10.) It pains me at 11pm to see that though the dishes may have been done, and the counters are nicely cleaned, the stove top is still covered with pots and pans still full of food that never got put away in leftover containers.

11.) Yelling at me only makes me want to scream at you. I'm your mother, not your enemy.... But I can be if you keep it up!

12.) "Cooper, you must hold my hand while we walk through the parking lot - Once we're inside, you can walk alone". "But, mom..you said when we're at Walmart I don't have to hold your hand. We're here....See? The sign says W-A-L-".........."Yes, Cooper, I know. But there aren't any cars to run you over in the store.....just out here in the parking lot so you need to hold my hand". "But, there are carts, mom.....And we always crash the carts in the store...same-same!!"

Why must my three year old analyze EVERYTHING I say??

13.) I'm sorry is not just something you say for the heck of it. So, until you figure out the real meaning of "I'm sorry" you can shove your sorries in a sock, Missy.

14.) The living room is an ever changing work of art. It's quite possible that even the spiders get lost in here, as often as it changes. Maybe one day I'll remember what it's like to sit in one spot for any length of time.

15.) If we're out of dog food, tell me before we're out so that I can pick some up at the store. It's no fun to get informed that "we're out of dog food" at 8pm, when I was at the store this morning.

16.) Your ipod headphones are NOT designed for you to blast the music loud enough to hear it without having the headphones on. That completely defeats the purpose.

17.) When I say it's time for bed, that means get ready for and GO to bed...to sleep. It does not mean it's time to write a story, read your books, listen to your music or sneak a TV show.

18.) My girls are ready for potty training. But it just dawned on me that they think going "potty" means flushing the toilet. It doesn't help that our toilet water is a pretty blue!

19.) If I say my blood pressure is up, don't tell me something bad.

20.) You're right honey - you're always right. And I'll leave it at that. Because if I went on to discuss this any further I may get so frustrated that I'll honestly believe it.

Share your laughter with those you love - See the humor in everyday life. A laugh shared between anyone, even yourself, speaks so much louder than words. So laugh.....cause' you can.

All for the love of children

Oh, boy. I'm about as exhausted as one can be. My Rayla just won't sleep through the night. She did so well for so many months, and then "BAM!" No more sleeping. I tried to let her cry it out, as I did when we "trained" the girls to stay in their beds. But, she just wouldn't give up. And, since I was exhausted already, I just give in after an hour. Ironically, however, after I drag my butt out of bed, get her up, maybe get her a sip of milk or water, I find myself smiling contently as she snuggles into my chest. We usually sit up for a while, and sometimes even "chat". After the frustration of getting up every night passes, and my blood pressure lowers with each calming breath she takes, I am happy that I am here for her. I am happy that I am able to love her, hold her and console her....even if it does take hours. Because for some, that's not an option. Some children aren't blessed with loving homes and loving parents - And some parents don't know what a true blessing really is. So, with droopy eyes, a groggy smile and a dopey slur, I can say without a doubt that every late night I get with my babies is a blessing. Every moment I get to be with them is like a gift to me. And each moment is a constant surprise.

Though I love these moments I get with my children now, I sure look forward to a couple of years from now when they ALL sleep through the night, can be in this house without gates and half doors, and the locks we have installed on the outside of every door in this house can be removed. It's quite funny if you ask me - Our house much resembles a kiddie prison, loaded with toys, balls, locks and gates. Every door has an alarm. Every window is locked kid proof. Every phone is out of reach. We have no coffee tables. Our furniture is kid friendly, and our mini blinds have been removed. Our television is mounted high up on the wall and even some of our light switches are taped down. You may think we're overprotective, maybe even danger phobic. But, we've talked about this many times. And, since our children seem to have no idea how dangerous it is to climb up mini blinds, or how scary it is for mommy and daddy when they go running out the doors at full speed, we know that our protective measures are founded. Even as "empty" as our living areas are of "things" it's amazing how many toys 3 young children can have. We'll be adding to the collection soon: Birthday season is upon us!

The twins turn 2 next month. I commented to Corey on how fast the time has gone by, and how impossible it is that they're going to be 2 already. Corey responded with something along the lines of " Are you kidding?? This has been the longest 2 and a half years of my life. I think I've aged TEN years!!" I see his point. For the last part of my pregnancy with the girls I was on bed rest, in the hospital almost daily, and, with one scare after another, it was emotionally traumatic for all of us. Of course, the chaos continued after they were born with the RSV and the several day stay in the ICU. Then the issue with Kenzie's head. Then the infections. Then the eczema. And this week we top it off with ear infections....In ALL the children, at the same time. Yeah, I see his point. AND HE STILL THINKS HE WANTS MORE?? Good Lord.

It's unfortunate for people like me that there is no manual on how to deal with multiple children. Sure, there are parenting classes. But, the content of most of those classes is on how to discipline your children at different ages and stages. I can discipline just fine (just ask Katie.) But, dealing with 3 children throwing separate temper tantrums for reasons completely unknown can bring on some serious headaches....I mean REAL head ACHES. There are times when I look at my children and smile, and they start to scream. Or I put my arms out to pick up Rayla and she screams "no, no!!" and turns away from me. Naturally, I turn and walk away, only to be subjected to a concert of kicking and screaming, almost like she's mad that I didn't pick her up. Mac is a teaser, and will take every last drop of every second to do something. Even if she knows you're waiting for her, she'll make you keep waiting. Heck, she might even find something else to do along the way, if she feels ornery enough to do so. If she continues this through her teenage and adult years she might have problems keeping a boyfriend.

And I can't go through a single day without being graced with the loose lips of my oh-so-smart little boy. He makes sure that I'm aware of things, when he isn't sure I know. Like, yesterday, he dressed up as Super Mario - Red hat with an "M" daddy made and a taped on mustache. He was getting into the cookies and I scolded him for it, as I had just told him minutes before not to eat anymore before dinner. He made sure to tell me that since he was "Mario" at that moment, what ever I said to "Cooper" didn't count. Cause, obviously, Cooper wasn't here! I mean, "come on, mom.... can't you see that I'm not Cooper right now??" That imagination of his is so beautiful - And even when he questions who does or doesn't have brains - He says that mommy has no brains, but has hair instead - It's impossible not to be so in love with this little dude, and converse with him intently, only hoping to be privy to the next smartass remark he makes so that you may laugh endlessly.

So I leave you today, with a Cute little Cooperism, that's sure not to come true.

"Mommy, I want a baby brother for my birthday"

For shits sake. What's the matter with this family??