Our world plus one

Three kids by myself. How do I do it? With lots of help and grace.



Emma Grace was named after my great grandmother, Emma Angelina. She was a strong woman with many talents and a heart of gold. My Emma has graced our lives by bringing us closer. Together, Spencer Abby and I are raising a happy, healthy beautiful baby girl. They are an amazing big brother and sister. They love her and are always willing to help.

A Real Sweetheart

Emma Grace
born February 14, 2010
12:18 pm
6 lbs. 13 oz. 20 inches

for pet lovers...

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however.. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't smoke or drink,
(7) don't want to wear your clothes,
(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ...

Before I Was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Happy Mothers Day

I started thinking today about Mother's Day today-
because my kids were telling me how nice they were going to be all day on Sunday.
Abby was saying to me "I promise I wont mess up my room on mommy's day, mom."
She knows it drives me nutso because her room is always so messy.
Barbies all over the floor and polly pockets too. Then when I tell her lets clean up, she collapses into a heap on the floor
and says shes too 'tie-derd' (lol)
Spencer said he was going to cook for me, and that I could drink as much
coffee as I wanted all day and "could I please take him and Abby to target to buy a toy on Mother's Day."
I'm going- "excuse me? Its MOTHERS Day, buddy. Tell me who the toy is for?"
"me and Abby" he said. "so we can stay busy and we wont bug you on Mothers Day."

Ohmigosh! Is he smooth or what?! Well no matter, there wont be a trip to Target for toys.

I thought about how wonderful it is to be a mother.
Looking into their big eyes, and knowing they are a part of you.
I am always amazed when I look at them- just living and breathing-
and I go "Wow! I made a person!"

I loved being pregnant too. That life growing inside me made me feel full of hope.
Giving birth was one of the most powerful experiences on earth.
I have never felt strength like that again. I felt like the strongest person on earth at that moment.
Like I could take on anything. And while holding that baby in your arms,
you know you will do anything to keep them safe.
Anything and everything.

I thought about my mom and how much she sacrificed for me.
I thought about all the choices she made while I was growing up.
Choices that shaped me into who I am today.
I recalled her working extra hours to pay for my college education. I remember never feeling like I had to go without.
And the funny thing that always sticks with me, is how much that woman liked to iron! Geez!
My clothes were always perfectly pressed and hanging in my closet.
And you would think I would have copied her and that same behavior? nope.
In fact, my kids saw the ironing board and iron set up at my moms house awhile ago- and they said,
"Nanny, whats that?" HA! I kid you not!

My grandmother is such an important figure in my life. She has always been my rock.
Grandma understands me, listens to me, never judges me, and loves me like no one can.
Shes so full of life, wit and wisdom, that I talk to her on the phone
at least once a week if not more. We could talk for hours. I see her very often too.
I remember grandma making clothes for me as a kid.
I remember spending weekends at her house and going to bed at night
looking forward to breakfast the next morning. She always did it up.
I swear I can still taste buttermilk biscuits right now!

There is no love, like a mother's love.
And although there are fathers who love their children with everything they've got, its a different kind of love.
A mother's love comes from way down deep inside. A place that only a woman poseses.
Its just a feeling like they have done something wonderful. That they have offered these children
to the world to do great things, and make a difference.

This is for all of you out there- mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters,
great grandmothers, surrogate mothers, and step mothers.
May you have the most beautiful mother's day ever.
And may you be appreciated for all the little things you do that go unnoticed.
But most of all, may you receive the love of a mother,
and may you feel so full from it that you cant wait to pass it on.

Happy Mother's Day

girlspeak

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right
and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five
minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes
to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and
you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in
fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't do It.

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often
misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and
wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about
nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can
make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before
deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you. Do not question, or faint; just say
you're welcome. I want to add in a clause here: This is true unless she says
"Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO
NOT say "you're welcome" in this case, for that will bring on a "whatever").

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying screw YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning
this is something that a woman has asked a man to do several times, but is
now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?"
For the woman's response refer to # 3.

A bunny tale

Everyone needs a special friend in their life. Someone that they confide in, someone that believes in them.
Someone that is there for them through thick and thin.
A friend who isnt afraid to go anywhere with you.
A friend who is there when you cry, laugh, sing, or dance.
Everyone needs someone who they can cuddle up with, and someone who they can goof around with too.

Finding all these qualities in one person isnt easy. Some will search the ends of the earth. Go to great lengths until they find that perfect friend. The friend who is just right for them.

Abby has that special friend.

His name is 'Nunny.'


'Nunny' joined our family on 2005 on Abby's first birthday. A gift from a good friend of mine who lives in the city, and who doesn't see the kids too often, we had no idea he would become her beloved companion. He was just the right size and was soft as ever. His ears were velvety and floppy and he had the sweetest expression on his face. His body was filled with just the right amount of stuffing and beans to make him perfect for tossing over your shoulder, cuddling, or even holding under one arm.


'Nunny' travels everywhere with us. He has also been left a few places. I have made numerous late night trips to retrieve him so that Abby could go to sleep with 'Nunny' safe in her arms.


One particular excursion sticks in my mind.
it was late one night, Around 9 pm. Abby was ready to settle in for the nite. We had ooked for 'Nunny' for awhile and had not succeeded in finding him. I started to retrace our steps of where we had been. We had shopped at the mall earlier that evening, but 'Nunny' had never left the car, so we knew he couldnt have entered the mall with us. I wondered if maybe he had been dropped somewhere? Then I panicked. What if he fell out of the jeep at the mall when we were getting in to go home? And he was still in the parking lot somewhere? Oh my god! I couldn't bear the thought! I wasted no time. Got in the jeep and raced back to the mall.

Its dark, the mall parking lot is becoming empty. I am driving around, up and down the area where we were parked. Window rolled down. Searching all over for 'Nunny's' poor little stuffed body. I start imagining him lying there alone, arms all sprawled out, with a tire mark over his chest. I fell emotional and I start crying! Omg what a dork! lol! I start wondering if maybe someone may have found 'Nunny' and turned him into the lost and found. But the mall is closed. There is a restaurant attached to the mall and its still open. I go inside and ask if someone turned in a stuffed bunny. No luck. I glance over at the railing that separates the mall from the restaurant. No one is looking. I hop over it and walk through the mall to the security counter. There are still people there! Thank god! I start explaining my story, and before I can finish, the security guard reaches under the counter and pulls out 'Nunny!'


"you mean this little guy?" he says. I start crying again. lol. I am so relieved. I wanted Abby to have 'Nunny' forever. I tuck my little treasure under my arm and speed home.

When I arrived, Abby was already asleep, with a different stuffed friend under her arm. Her little eyes were all red from crying. I carefully slipped 'Nunny' under her arm, kissed her on the forehead, and closed her door.

'Nunny' is still with us, and he celebrated his birthday the other day. He invited all his bunny friends to the party and they all had cake.



I am sure 'Nunny' will be celebrating many more bithdays with us.

So theres my bunny tale.

Happy Easter everyone.