I cannot...will not...please don't ever make me...

...wear colored socks!

Yes, I know it seems a bit unusual or let's just say it...weird. But it's the truth. Funny thing is that mismatched and colored socks seem to be all the rage right now. Alas...not for me.

I told my Mother this just a few days ago and here's her take on this "so called issue of mine" ..."I put you in colored socks when you were little - of course, you can wear colored socks". No Mom, I'm sorry to say...I can't.

Something has got to be wrong with me, because I tell you the very second I put on any type of color - other than white (which is technically devoid of any color at all) I will begin to break out into a cold sweat, hyperventilate, panic attack and in the end completely pass out. Okay, maybe that was a bit exaggerating, but you get the basic idea.

This issue is now being passed down to all of my children, my husband is excluded from this because...well, he is the normal one. However, each and every single one of my kids have only white socks in their dresser drawers. I think that they believe that's all they sell at Walmart. (With only one exception in my older son's drawers - he has a pair of khaki and dark blue socks for church).

...so maybe there's still hope for me.

Allow me to translate...

With being a Mom, over the years I have acquired some interesting and somewhat unique abilities. One might say that it's a gift, really.

Number one: I have eyes in the back of my head (I CAN SEE -make no doubt about it - if a child is about to get into trouble).

Number two: I have super sonic hearing (again, with the child about to get into trouble...I have four, it's bound to happen you know).

Finally, here's the best part, Number three: I... can... speak... three... year... old. I know, I know. You are impressed and some of you might have some doubts. So allow me to translate...

"Mom, there's bunder and flighting outside".... (translation: thunder and lighting)
"I mam"...(translation: I am)
"I want nunny nut eerios"...(translation: honey nut cheerios)
"Is my done?"...(translation: am I done?)
"Swimmers take your mark - boop" (translation: we spend too much time at swim meets)

I tell you that by the time I enter back into the corporate world I will a force to be reckoned with, especially with all of these supernatural gifts I will have on my resume.

Our little girl turns eight...

Today our little girl turned eight years old. She wanted a Rapunzel birthday party. Her cake (although did not look the best) was a strawberry shortcake cake and was WON...DER...FUL! Good choice my little girl...I mean big girl.

She was allowed to face time Grandmommy and open the presents that she sent in the mail early in the morning, but then came the long wait until Daddy came home to open the rest. I have to admit she was a trooper though, however, as soon as Daddy's foot hit the door she was ready to plop down and tear away.

I love birthday's. I love the way the kids tear open their presents and squeal with delight with their gifts. I love the way she went around and hugged everyone thanking them for the gifts when she was done. But most of all, I love that little girl. I thank God for blessing our lives with such a wonderful child. Happy Birthday my eight year old...

Still swimming...

This past weekend the girls, our smallest boy and I ventured out to a swim meet in Rochester, Minnesota. Our oldest girl was swimming in a regional meet and was so excited. My husband and our oldest boy stayed behind to be delegates at a Republican convention. Technically, I think they both loved having an entire weekend to bond and do the "manly things"...or whatever it is that boys do.

We left on Friday and came back exhausted on Sunday. Our oldest girl came down with a cold during the weekend but swam her heart out during the meet. Of course, by the time Sunday night rolled around and we pulled into the driveway it was all but over for our family. You see, when one person gets a cold...we all get it. Ugh!

Such a wonderful time...

We have never had the luxury of living close to any of our family. I wish we did. It's times like these when the kids have to drop off their favorite grandmother at the airport that's it's hard. They just absolutely adore my Mom...of course, so do I. In my heart, I wish she lived close to us...maybe someday. But until then, we cherish the time that we have with her.

The kids and I basically took her everywhere with us. Of course, I'm not sure the kids would have let her out of their sight long enough if she didn't go with us. We had piano and swimming lessons, school and church. We took in a mid-morning play as a special treat one day and we even ventured out shopping (of course after that, my Mom suddenly realizes WHY I hate to shop). In the end though, the kids enjoyed just sitting next to her doing nothing at all really...they just wanted to be near her. It was so special to watch. Still, three weeks just didn't seem like enough time.

So as we left the airport after dropping her off, we were not even a half a mile away when they were already asking me when she was coming back.

Soon...my little ones...oh, so very soon. (in my heart, I wished that too...we love you Mom! Hurry back to us...)

A long awaited visit...

It was dark by the time her plane was to arrive and two of my four kids just couldn't stand it. It was the smaller two.

"Is she here yet?" our little boy would ask. Followed by our little girl asking "Is that her plane?"

Their grandmother would be arriving any minute for a long awaited visit and they were having trouble holding it all together. The older two had stayed behind at home to finish up their piano and school so that they could have the rest of the night with her.

Finally, she walked off the escalator and our little boy screamed "That's my Grandmom!" and off they both ran towards her. Too be honest, I was so glad my Mom was here too. Seems like we all needed her close to us...

Stinkin' groundhog...

Well, it's February 4th and the snow finally showed up here in Iowa. Up until now, we hadn't even had to start our snow blower (if you can believe that one). Today, it just won't stop coming down in buckets.

Stinkin' groundhog... just had to go and see your shadow, huh?