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Showing posts from September, 2009

October Theme: Come Along for the Ride

Last night when Ralexwin got home I snapped at him. I was pretty worn out by then and the idea that he might be disappointed in a messy house or an uncooked dinner made me angry before he had even opened his mouth. I said: "I need you to know that this month is going to be crazy for me. I've got all these crafts to get organized for the womens social, I have three Halloween costumes to make, two birthdays to plan, four doctor's appointments, three flu shots, a baptism to coordinate, a white dress to make or find, baptism announcements to send out and this house to keep up with. So if you walk in the house this month and wonder why the laundry isn't done or the living room isn't clean it's because I'm feeling overwhelmed and there has to be some give somewhere." He sort of just stared at me. Then he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug. I love my husband, he's pretty wonderful. So for the October theme I'd like you all to just enjo

It's a Miracle!

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Alright... which one of you generous Britainians (is that a word?) did it? You could have saved it for yourself and yet you did it for me. I'm touched *sniffle* Really I am. I mean with those odds. If only it hadn't gone in with my spam messages I could have retired to a tiny island in the South Pacific. *sobs* But really, whoever the generous soul was. Thank you... it could have been you dear UK-anite and yet you gave it to me--an American.

The Unwanted Question

I woke up this morning with several thoughts on my mind: 1) I want to go back to sleep. 2) Ralexwin thinks he's so funny flipping on the light like that. 3) What on Earth am I going to blog about today. 4) I have way too much to do, I'd better just ignore them all and go back to sleep. Then Ralexwin starts singing his favorite morning church song: "Wake up and do something more then dream of your mansions above!" * * * So I woke up, did my motherly duties of sending the children off to their various locations (school, TV, baby swing) and sat down to find a prompt for the blog I couldn't come up with. Nothing was clicking. I didn't really want to talk about the first book I ever read, or my biggest literary hero. Then I found this one: ~Think through an answer. You're standing behind a very pregnant woman in the grocery store check-out line, and your four-year-old asks loudly, "Mom, how will her baby get out?" Mwahahaha . That's something m

A Blog Devoted to One Child

Imagine you are sitting in your room. All is quiet, it's one of those still moments where the air is thick with relaxation and you are reveling in the peace around you, contemplating a nap or a good book. Suddenly a blood chilling scream issues forth from down the hall. You are running before you even realize you've moved. You get closer and closer to the door and worry you are to late. Something is wrong, will you be there in time? You reach the door handle, turn it and stumble into the room. You look around. No one is there. Your mind is frantic to process this new information. Another scream issues and you turn towards the window where it has come from. The window is open and in that moment you see two sets of fingers clinging to the very edge of the wood. You race over to find a two and a half year old holding on for dear life as he dangles from the outside of the window. *** That's what I saw on Friday afternoon. The little tyke tried to crawl out his window instead of

Whew

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Had a long night last night but Ralexwin let me sleep in. Which was pretty nice on his part since I burst into tears at 5AM when the baby woke up. I might note that was the first time she'd woken up... it was my boys that did me in. Like when Albowin decided to play PBSKids .org at 3AM with the volume all the way up. Yesterday was eventful as well. Here's part of a chat session Ralexwin and I had yesterday: ralexwin : Good Afternoon my love! 1:36 PM How did the appointment go? me : hello my honey how are you? ralexwin : 1:37 PM How did the Dr . go? 1:38 PM me : Iyawin fell and hit his head on the tile and started crying, then Remewin started crying cause Iyawin was being loud and by the time I got them calmed down it was time for Remewin to get her shots so she started screaming and when I held her Iyawin freaked out and started crying and the doctor asked if I needed any help. I said I was okay. whew 1:39 PM ralexwin : sounds like a painful experience for everyon

Do You Ever Run Out of Titles?

Busy day for me today. Right now I am waiting for the shirt I want to wear to finish drying then I am off to the doctor for Remewin's 2 month appointment (she gets her first shots today--poor thing), then I have people coming over for lunch and another bunch coming over for dinner. So I've decided to post this hilarious video I came across last night on a friends blog. Enjoy, and I'll see you all again tomorrow. P.S. For all you facebookers who read me go here .

These Nine Years

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Today is my 9th anniversary. On this day in 2000 Ralexwin & I were very young and excited. We wanted to start a family. (2002) And share our life's experiences. (2004 a day before Ralexwin left for Iraq) We wanted to grow together. (2007) And have fun building memories. (2008) But most of all we wanted to share eternity with each other and our children as a family. (2009) Along the way we've experienced happiness, sadness, trial and tribulation, and learned that the more you endure together the stronger your love becomes. Happy Anniversary Ralexwin. I love you.

TV: The Food of Champions

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Good morning my people. It is once again too early to be awake but the Remewin has decided it was time, so until she falls asleep I am here. Waiting. I was reading a magazine yesterday and it had an article that began something like this: If you haven't heard of Julianne Hough by now you are in the minority. Um? Okay. Have you heard of Julianne Hough ? Because I have no clue who she is. Well, now I do, a little. She's some TV personality. And that is where the problem lies, I don't have any channels. *shocked silence* Yep, we are non TV people. There was a time when we were BIG television people, but I decided that wasn't working for us. So when we moved from Phoenix we conveniently lost the rabbit ears and, surprising as it may seem, life went on. Nearly three years have passed and although we rent certain TV shows (thank you NetFlix ) we have not gone back to having channels. There is one drawback though--I'm not very up to date on the current fads. I only see

Pepe LePew

It's one of those terrifying moments in life where you're trying to calmly talk a two and a half year old back from the edge of certain doom. When one sudden move could spell doom for the both of you and every fiber of your being is screaming while struggling to keep your voice low and reassuring. It was one of those moments. Friday 11:55 AM The Mischievite was outback exploring his domain. My friends were going to be over any minute and we needed to go. So I called for him to come in. He didn't. I called again. Nothing. So I went to find him and discovered him curiously staring at a mound of fluff that was hiding from the dog. I looked closer. The fluff was white. Hmm I thought, and took another step forward. The fluff was also black. My heart stopped. There he was, sitting six inches from a skunk as the dog barked two feet away. Like I said, one of those moments. "Come to Momma." I nearly cried. "SLOWLY!" He got the tone. That was the beginning of a

You Big Wimp

There's this song from the '80's by Alias. It's one of those songs you still hear on the radio pretty often and really it's not to bad. Here's some of the words: Here I am at six o’clock in the morning Still thinking about you It’s still hard, at six o’clock in the morning To sleep without you And I know that it might Seem too late for love All I know I need you now more than words can say I need you now I’ ve got to find a way I need you now Before I lose my mind I need you now Do you recognize it? I used to like this song, until I had kids and then it started bugging me. Wanna know why? I'm sure you do or you wouldn't still be here. This guy is a big wimp. He's sitting there in his house at 6AM thinking 'Life's so hard, my girlfriends gone and I'm up at this horribly early hour crying about it.' What a wimp! Oooh , 6AM to early for you? This is a man who needs to have some kids around for a day or two--just long enough to get a fe

Wait A Minute

Have you ever wondered about how much time you spend waiting? Has it ever concerned you that you might be spending half your life waiting? I was thinking about this, worrying really, the other day as I sat there. . .waiting. How much time in my life have I used up doing this? How much of my life has been wasted? Long distance car drives? That's got to be over 200 hours probably more like 300... so we'll go with 250 Plane trips? Hmm, if I take the amount of overseas and add it to the cross country flights I come out with approx. 100 hours of flight time. Dental appointments? *cringe*If I've had one every six months my entire life at an hour an appointment (and I doubt they were that short) that's 58 hours add to that all the 'work' I've had done and you get another 10 hours probably. Ouch that's 70 hours in the dentist alone. Doctor's appointments? I've had four children... that's 60 hours right there. Plus all those appointments with the

Guest Blogger

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Hello. My name is Remewin. My mom likes to do my hair (because I have so much of it) but my dad keeps saying these things to her like: "You're such a weirdo." or "Why don't you bind her feet while your at it." I don't know what all of that means, but I sure don't like Dad's tone... I think he's mocking me. What my dad doesn't realize is that us girls like to get dressed up to go out and since I have so much hair I guess my mom figured I'd just start a little earlier than usual. The only problem is that this hair band sure makes my head hurt. I'm glad I have this pacifier in my mouth, they always help me when I'm feeling off.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's the most wonderful time of the year With appliances breaking And cars that start shaking As holidays near! It's the most wonderful time of the year - They'll be parties for hosting Sweet relatives boasting Of all the things they have acquired There's the clothes that need sizing The coats that need buying And pricey things to be admired-- It's the slap-happiest season of all! When the bank accounts bleak And the Mastercards peak And the creditors all start to call! It's the most wonderful time, Oh the most wonderful time... It's the most wonderful time... Of the year! ------------- Did I mention our dishwasher broke... and is evidently not worth fixing. *sigh* I don't know why we keep calling repairmen, that's all they ever say.

I Choked On My Birthday Cake

I choked on my birthday cake it's sad but its true I choked on my birthday cake and everyone knew I choked on my birthday cake then spit it back up all over the table and into my cup I choked on my birthday cake and my daughter did cry 'oh no! my poor mother is going to die.' I choked on my birthday cake and learned a lesson or two like--when eating your birthday cake remember to chew.

29--The Eternal Birthday

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My friend was telling me that her son came home from school one day and said, "Mom, it's weird but most of the teachers at school are 29." Then this morning Ralexwin says to me... "Twenty-Nine, my love. That's the Eternal Birthday for you women." I guess it is but for me today I'm being truthful I really am 29. So I'll tell you about that day twenty nine years ago when I was born. . . . . . . . . Sorry, I don't remember anything. I really must be getting old. Okay, okay. I'll tell you what I know. . . . . . . . . . . . . I was born in a hospital in Washington. Haha! I'm on a roll today. Really I don't know much about the day I was born. What I do know is that at the time of my birth my parents lived 90 miles from Mt. St. Helen's. If you know your history a little you might also know that the eruption of said volcano was 29 years ago.... my mother was pregnant with me. She tells me that the ash fell like snow onto their town, that

Happy, Sad.

September 11/Patriots Day: Sad September 14/ Cannwin's Birthday: Happy! The Kite Runner: Sad Cake Wrecks blog : Happy Trying to figure out how to create a Hermione Halloween costume: Sad (or just frustrating) Remewin moving into 'girls' room: Happy Having my two favorite phone friends (mom & sis) visiting each other: Sad Friday: Happy! Cable company informing us they have to bury wiring from the street all the way to the back of our house: Sad Iyawin wanting to wear his Lion King pants while he watches his Lion King movie: Happy Broken Dishwasher: Sad Girls Night Out tonight: Happy No Cannwin blogs for two whole days!: Very sad. Cannwin's Birthday on Monday: Very Happy! ;)

Know Your Role

I absolutely hate that phrase 'know your role,' just typing it makes my blood boil or as Ralexwin likes to say--it makes my "feminist roar." My sister and I were having a conversation recently about how we differ so significantly in our marriages. She is very much a 'take care of the kids and let him take care of the money' sort of girl (did I get that right dear?). I'm not... at all. In fact I'm so much not that it tends to bother me when I hear about husbands who go off all day and leave their wives to deal with screaming, vomiting, bloodied (or otherwise ailed) children. So after my chat with her I got to thinking about this. Was I a bad wife for expecting Ralexwin to come home from work/school when all four children are screaming and the dinner is burning on the stove? If my reason is I'm not sure I can go another minute without beating some one's bum, does that make me weak? Why is it that my sister seems to be able to handle the role of w

Urban Legends

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"Mom?" "Yes dear." " Ayana told me that there's this guy who works at the park that yells at you if you go into the foresty part." "Oh, yeah." "Yeah, but mom." "Yes dear?" " Ayana says that he yells at you to get out of there and then he says... 'Say goodbye'... then he shoots you!" "Honey, that's not true." " Ayana says it is." "Well Ayana's wrong." "No she isn't, she said it happened to her friend." "I doubt it." "Why?" "Because the police would arrest him." "But mom, she says the Mayor hired him!" "He didn't." "It scares me mom. Why would he want to shoot little kids!?" "It's not true honey." "It is! We saw him." "Honey, I can imagine there might be someone who works at the park that doesn't like kids playing in s

24 Hour Cannwin Strikes Again

9:37 AM being a mom to an infant slows life down drastically. Before July 22 my kids and I had routine that required us to be up and moving by 8 AM. It's now nearly ten o'clock and the only thing I have to show for it is that I'm dressed. My teeth aren't brushed, my hair isn't combed, and I'm still in bed--or rather, I'm back in bed...feeding bambina. All efforts at being productive have been stalled until further notice. 11:17 AM has it really been that long? Why do children insist on trying every facet of my patience? It's amazing the things that can be employed to drive me insane... batteries, glass cups, faucets, strollers, or books. And if I can't be as attentive as usual they use these "tools" to torment my very being. In one hour I have dealt with flying books, screaming boys, tattling girls, and broken video game consoles. I've scolded kids for eating batteries, playing in bathroom sinks, cutting up curtains, and retaliating a

If I Were a Rich Man.

~List at least 10 things you love about your body. Ideas: pretty eyes, good vision, strong nails, round behind, balance, bouncy boobs, freckles ... Since my theme for this month is 'aging and memories' I thought this ' Oma ' topic would be perfect. I'm getting old, it's the truth. Many of you may be laughing right now because you know that I am only turning 29, but I can feel age creeping in on me. I think it has to do with the four pregnancies, evidently my body doesn't particularly appreciate being in such a state. So that has aged me a bit more rapidly than perhaps others of my age group. And then there's all those little things like gray hairs and extra lines or flabby arms and a pudgy tummy. Add to all of that the simple fact that I am still just 5 weeks postpartum and suddenly writing ten things I appreciate about my body seems like a good idea. There's this site called 43things.com and I go there (infrequently) and fiddle around with lists of

Don't Touch the Boat!

Had an interesting mom experience yesterday, one of those moments where you watch helplessly as something happens and you stand there and holler as if that's going to change the outcome, but it never does. I had to go down to the Dept. of Social Services to re-up my impoverished status, Remewin and Iyawin had to go with me (since it was midday). That's fine, I'm used to such things. After all I am a mom of four now. Except I'm always forgetting the part where the two year old Iyawin is also the king of the mischievites and takes five hands to contain. So you can imagine what happens when my two are occupied with putting a baby back into a car. He bolted. There he was in his little Batman pajamas (that he has yet to wear to bed) and his blanket/cape running for all he's worth down the sidewalk. So I pulled a 'Marlin' (you know, from Nemo ). "You get back here right now!" "Don't...you...dare." "Don't...touch...the boat.&qu

Up, Up and Away

~Blog about a trip that was a disaster. Ideas: "Our honeymoon should have been perfect, but" or "I woke up in Disneyland with chickenpox." It was my second time flying and my little sisters first. We were heading from Idaho to D.C. to see our older sister get married. Parental figures were all on another plane and we were alone... just a 17 year old and a 13 year old. Oh, did I mention the 13 year old (we'll call her emarfar *hehehe*) gets motion sickness? Take off went well... until we started actually moving. It was a good thing they had vomit bags and that the poor man sitting next to us could move somewhere else. It's a three hour flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago (I think) and my poor sister threw up the entire time. NOT JOKING. She was sobbing by the time we landed. I tried my best to comfort her (I've never been the most patient person with sick people) and even went so far as to spend some money on a little water and some crackers. People wer

Mom, I Thought It Was Real But...

I got up early today (4:30AM early) but I did my best to convince myself I wasn't. I fed the baby in bed and kept my eyes closed 90% of the time. That's until I heard the banging around in my daughters room. Now usually she's our best sleeper. She rarely gets up at night, rarely has bad dreams, and rarely wakes at the crack of dawn to sneak in a computer game or two. So I layed there wondering what the heck she was doing at 4:30 in the morning, the baby was nursing though so I didn't have many options beyond listening. I did try to coax Ralexwin into action but his exhaustion made him fairly apathetic. Finally I roused myself and climbed over said infant and husband. I walked cautiously down the hall (it's fairly messy right now) and heard the gentle query of my 7 year old. "Hello?" This is what she says if she hears noise but doesn't know who it is... I think it scares her. So I went on in and found her curled into a ball at the end of her b

As I Recall

I've heard it said that you're first memory is usually connected with your ability to speak... unless it was a traumatic experience, it which case you're free to remember anything. I wonder why no one remembers being born then? My first memory was most definitely of the traumatic kind: I was feeling rather triumphant. I had accomplished an amazing feat that I had never done before, I had climbed out of the crib. I looked back at it happily then decided I wanted to go see Mom and Dad. It must be morning, since I was awake, so I was going to find out why I was still in here. The problem was it was soooo dark. To dark to see where the stairs were, to dark to see my hands even. So which way did I turn? I thought about it for a confident minute, never once considering crying out. I chose to turn left (I didn't know it was left, but the memory is strong enough that I now recognize that it was left). The stairs had to be this way... I might as well run. I made it probably fiv