20 Things About Mom

Dear Hassie Clare & Quinnie Ray,

I thought this would be a fun blog entry for you guys to read when you are all grown up. Many of these things you might already know about me and some of the things you might not want to know about me! I hope that I'm still around to elaborate on the stories but if I'm not, I'm sure your Dad or one of my siblings or friends will be able to fill you in!

These are random things in no particular order.

1.  I NEVER mix gold and silver jewelry together.
2. My first love was Rod Smith. We met when I was 16 and he was 21. He left for the Gulf War a year after we met and I didn't think I would be able to live without him. We dated for 2 years. It was a great first love! Somewhere in an orange Nike shoebox there are a ton of love letters from him. Read them. It was young, stupid puppy love but it felt real at the time.
3. I hate chicken fat. It grosses me out. When I make chicken, your dad cuts all the fat off for me so that I can still eat what I'm cooking. I'm picky about all red meat. It has to be lean and no grizzle!
4. I've had bangs since I was a freshman in college. I was at a party, in the woods, by some lake, in southern Alabama with a bunch of friends and my hair was hanging down in front of my face, loaded with hairspray and it caught on fire. Thus ... bangs were born!
5. I was a late bloomer. Started my period 2 months before my 17th birthday. I became a woman in more then 1 way that year (see #2).
6. I was engaged to another man before I met your Daddy. He was my college sweetheart. We dated for 5 or 6 years (throughout undergrad and grad school). He was a big ole football player and a few years ahead of me. We loved each other very much but we were not meant to be together as husband and wife. We had a lot of great times. I met him in a giant cow pasture, way out in the country during a benefit concert called Chick-N-Aide (or something like that). It was like Alabama's version of Woodstock. I'm friends with him and his wife.
7. Your nana (AKA my mom) is my very best friend and I'm scared every single day that I will lose her. Your Maema is everything I wanted a Mother In Law to be and exactly the kind of grandmother I wanted my kids to have.  
8. I can pop my ears. It makes a loud sound and freaks people out. I can also wiggle my ears - your Great Grandpa Jack taught me how on my 5th birthday during a trip to California.
9. When a person claims to be a "good Christian woman/man" it freaks me out. Don't tell me about it, show me!
10. I had cancer in my mid twenties. It was a bad, bad year but could have been so much worse. Obviously, cause I'm typing out this blog entry 8.5 years later!
11. I grew up in a cove, at the top of a big hill, in the middle of a neighborhood. There were at least 15 kids my age that lived near us. During the summer we would meet out in the street after breakfast and not go inside until the street lights came on that evening. We chased fire-flys, played hide-n-seek, built forts, played kickball, climbed trees, built and set up rat traps in the fields, swam in the ponds, climbed up on our roofs to watch the airplanes, walked to the little store that was a mile away, waited on the creepy ice cream man, played war (card game) for hours in a garage on rainy days. I could go on and on - my point is, I had a lot of fun growing up in Greenbrook!
12. Your Grandpa Fred is the sweetest, most kind man I've ever known. He rescued us when I was little. I will love him forever and always be thankful for him.
13. I've traveled all over the U.S. playing sports but I've never been outside North America and I don't have a huge desire to do so. I can't wait to take trips with you guys and your Dad. We talk about it all the time. I hope by the time you read this we have many great memories from our travels.  
14. The scar on my right knee is from a glass salad bowl being dropped on it when I was a kid, the scar on my left knee is from jumping off a fence and catching a nail, the scar under my right breast (formerly on the top of my chest) is from getting bit by a Pit Bull (It wasn't his fault. I scared him with my face being painted after getting home from a church carnival.) The scar on my eyebrow is from a girl scraping my face with her fingernail, through the volleyball net, during a match. The scars on the back of my thighs are ant bites (I feel out of a trialer onto an ant pile during a football party in college). See #11 for the giant scar on my abdomen. The rest of the little scars are all sports related.
15. There are few things in life that I regret but that doesn't mean that I didn't make mistakes along the way.
16. Being married to your dad and being your mother is more rewarding then anything I could have ever imagined.  I hope and pray every day that I'm doing a good job raising you. Regardless of the outcome, please know that I tried my best and always know that I have loved you unconditionally from the second of your existence.
17.  I married the right person, for the right reasons, at the right time in my life. I patiently waited to find him and I thank God for him everyday.
18. I think my best quality is loyalty and my greatest weakness is being naive (and food and spelling but that is neither here nor there).
19. I am envious of people that do not challenge their faith or belief in a higher being. I wish I had that comfort. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my God exist because I feel him in my heart but I can't seem to wrap my mind around anything organized when it comes to religion. But I play the part.
20. When I love and/or care about someone, that love and care lasts forever ... no matter what.

With all my love,

Your Secret-less Mom

Guilty dog

The girls potty seat sits on top of the garbage can in the bathroom when they are not using it on the toliet. I'm not saying Ruby is guilty of getting in the trash BUT .......................

Taylor was still laughing hours later when I got home for work. Thankfully she captured a picture of Ruby girl with a dirty toliet ring around her neck. Ruby has been such a bad girl lately ... maybe she is going through the terrible 3's with her sisters!  

Valentine's Day 2010

My mom always made Valentine's Day so special for us when we were kids. She usually bought us a new outfit, a toy and candy for each of us. She would decorate the kitchen table so pretty and set everything out. She would get us Happy Meals or order pizza - which was a huge treat for us back in the day.


This year me and the girls sneaked up to the Mud Monkey pottery place one evening when Jamie had to work late. We made him a picture frame. The girls got to paint it and write their first initial to their name. They put their handprint on it and picked out all the colors. They LOVED it! I have a feeling we will be making a ton of homemade gifts for folks in the future.

The girls had a party at their Mother’s Day Out. We made their Valentine’s Day cards and candy for them to give their friends. Quinn was very excited about wearing a dress with hearts on the front and Hassie Clare was beyond excited about wearing her ruby red shoes her Maema sent her (cause they are just like Dorofee's shoes according to HC).

The morning before we left for school.

"Mom, it's 30 degrees out here and you put us in a shorty dress. HURRY UP!"

 

With Mrs. Pam - their teacher.

On "actual" Valentine's Day, Jamie and I decided to take the girls out shopping and out to lunch. Jamie and the girls LOVE LOVE LOVE to shop. They ask all the time to go shopping. We hit a few antique stores and then Target. We have not eaten out in 29 days so it was a huge treat! I finally have enough will power to resist temptation while on this diet. Anyway, the girls ate their weight in cheese dip at our fav Mexican resturant. Then we went to Nana's and PawPaw's to take them some Valentine goodies. We finished the night off with grocery shopping. Romantic - no. Fun - mostly. Productive - yes!

A Valentine's story

Eight years ago today (Valentine’s Day 2002) Jamie proposed to me. Here is our story:

We lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. We had been living together for 7 months (Mae – in separate bedrooms I SWEAR:). The day fell on a Thursday so we both were working … or I thought he was working. Later I found out he had taken the day off. Late in the afternoon he called and asked me to leave work on time and go home and put on something nice. He would not answer any of my 500 questions (those of you that know me will understand that statement).

When I arrived back to our apartment I assumed I would walk in to something romantic but the apartment was empty. There was a Valentine’s Day card on the counter that instructed me to get dressed and to pick up my next clue in our apartment mailbox at the main office. In my mind I was thinking, “What is this damn Yankee up too?”

The card in the mailbox was sweet and listed an address for me to go (I can’t remember where this one lead me). Long story short, this little scavenger hunt lead me to The Embassy Suites in Memphis, which I didn’t realize until I was pulling into the parking lot. There is a great restaurant in this hotel that is impossible to get reservations on Valentine's Day so I was super impressed. I went to the front desk, as instructed, and the clerk handed me my next envelope. All the while I was glancing around the atrium looking for my Valentine. I started walking towards the bar (assuming that is where I would find him) while I was opening up the envelope.

Much to my surprise, there was a room key in the envelope. I will admit my first thought was, “I can’t believe he spent all that money on a room, on a work night.” I had no idea how my life was going to change forever once I went into that room on the second floor.

The Embassy Suites rooms have a living area in the front with the bedroom in the back. I tried peeking in the front window but it was dark so I went ahead and opened the door. For the first time in my life, I was shocked beyond belief. The beauty of the room took my breath away. The room was covered in several arrangements of roses all over the room. There were tons of balloons and at least 3 dozen small tea lit candles. Standing in the middle of the room was Jamie, dressed in a tux and sweating bullets. He was shaking and crying. As I walked into the room he led me over to the table (which was lined with Peanut Butter Twix – my fav candy at the time), after giving me a great big bear hug. I sat down and he kneeled down on one knee. He said the sweetest, most sincere words I had ever heard. Then he asked me to marry him. We were both crying so hard I’m not sure what was said next. He pulled out a big, ole fat diamond ring and slid it on my finger. We did not take I single picture that night but it is forever etched in my memory.

He chose The Embassy Suites because that is where I was staying with my girlfriends in St. Louis the night we met. We were in town for the Cubs v. Cardinals series. We had a “no boys allowed in the room” policy. So at the end of the night, when Jamie and I were not ready to part ways, we “broke” into the roof of The Embassy Suites and spent the rest of the night talking, watching the city, snuggling (remember this blog is for my daughters to read when they get older:) and watching the sun rise. It was a night I will never forget – even though I could not remember his name the next day! So me and my friends nicknamed him Rooftop (I found out much later that Jamie's friends nicknamed me Rooftop as well). Anyway, this is why The Embassy Suites is the place Jamie picked to propose marriage to me.

So after all the excitement of the engagement, he had reservations at the restaurant I mentioned. The food was fabulous – a man after my heart. We got our cheesecake dessert to go and took it back up to the room.

As I’m typing this, I keep looking at the beautiful engagement ring on my finger that he designed himself and all those amazing memories come flooding back to me. Someday one of my daughters or granddaughters will wear this ring. And I hope every time they put it on they feel the same magical, unconditional love that I do!

Jamie's 39th Birthday Pics

He is such an old man but good gracious I love him!
I did a blog entry on him on Jan. 14th titled "My Best Friend's Birthday" but here are the pictures that go with that entry. I wish I could figure out how to link them????

1st Snowman(s)

What a fun, unexpected snow day we had! We woke up Monday morning to 5 inches of fluffy, white snow that was absolutely beautiful (especially when you are not use to seeing snow). We had no idea it was coming - so the surprise element made it even more thrilling.

Our special angel friend Dana came over to play in the snow with us. We don't ever get to see her or spend time with her so that made the day even more special.

First of all, it took about an hour to convince Quinnie to come out and play in the snow. She didn't want to put her snowsuit on, or her hat, or a shirt, or her boots. Most of all she did not want to wear a heavy coat. She was not crazy about the idea of touching the snow, or getting cold, or getting wet. After some bribing and begging, she agreed to come out to make one snow angel and then she was coming back in. AGREED. A hour and a half later she was pouting as I dragged them back inside. Hassie Clare could not wait to get all her gear on and get down and dirty in the snow. She was grinning from ear to ear the entire time.

But I think Ruby was more excited then anyone. She thought every snowball or flake of snow was her toy. She ran, jumped and barked like she was a puppy!

The girls checking out the snow for the first time.

Love our camera - look at the snowball in mid air. Thanks for taking all the pics Dana!

 Our angel friend - Dana.

 TEAMWORK. Building their first snowman.

 Our best attempt at "sledding."

They could not get enough but I was BEAT! Look at Ruby's legs to see how deep the snow was.

 "Hasie Clare, we have to go inside because our hands and feet are getting too cold."

"I not cold mommy. I can't even feel my toes or fingers."

 Quinnie getting ready to bomb Has with a snow ball.

 Making snow cream and drinking hot cocoa after playing in the snow.

 Snuggling on the couch, watching a movie while waiting on mommy to fix their picnic lunch on the living room floor (HC was wrapped up in 3 blankets.)

After the girls went down for a nap, angel friend Dana and I worked on her budget and indulged in a few "snow day" cocktails.  

It was a great day. I got an unexpected day off from work, I had a great time playing in the snow with the girls and I got to catch up with an old friend. If only Jamie could have been home to play with us in the snow .... that would have made the day perfect!

I take it all back

I hit "Publish Post" about 2 hours ago on my previous entry and since then I have been reading someone else’s blog. This blog is about a man, a father that lost his 5-year-old little boy to cancer. It is horrible. I have a knot in my stomach that won't go away. I have a headache from crying.

All I can think about is my last post and how frustrated I have been the past few days. I'm such an idiot. Really and truly, I'm a bonfide dumb ass.

What a reality check!
I want to go wake them up from their nap so I can love on them. I want to hold them. I want to kiss and hug them. I want to feel their weight on me.

Because the bottom line is that my life can't exist without them. I have trouble breathing when I even think about it.

Thank you, God, for my two precious, healthy children!

Should I get their hearing checked?

Or at 3 and 1/2 does your hearing automatically go into selective hearing? My patience, tolerance and ability to stay calm have been tested numerous times over the past few weeks. I'm not suggesting that I passed these tests but rather that I have been tested ... too the max!

I don't want to be the mom that yells, screams or gets upset on a daily basis, let alone 5 times a day! They are 3 for God's sake. Am I not capable of handling two 3 year olds?

Maybe it is me and not them. With our recent schedule change, I find myself running around like a chicken with my head cut off, especially on Monday's and Tuesday's. Maybe it's the lack of food I'm eating while on this diet? Maybe it's the desperate need for a night out, maybe even an overnighter ... heck let's just make it a weekend get-a-way:)

Hassie Clare and Quinn have been extremely clingy to me. Almost unbearable. I secretly love it on most occasions but it is getting out of control and a bit overwhelming. They cry over EVERYTHING ... and I mean EVERYTHING! Quinn had a complete meltdown this morning over HC's knee touching her while we were snuggling in the rocker chair in their room. It almost seems like they compete to see who can smother me the quickest. I'm all for healthy competition (well any competition for that matter) but I would rather not be the game, prize or whatever you want to call it. And the whining is seriously OUT OF CONTROL! If I took them to a shrink, I think they would both be diagnosed with Hypochondria on the first visit. I’m serious. Within an hour last night both of them had a stomach ache, hurt knee, hurt finger, head was hurting, lulu had an infection, sore lips from being chapped – 1 hour folks! Maybe I should get the book “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”

I'm making new house rules tonight in the hopes of keeping me from going bonkers. Here is a quick run down:
1) no more tattle telling unless danger is involved
2) if you are not able to listen or act like a human, you will go lay down in your bed until you regroup
3) if you misbehave you will go straight to time out - no more second chances
4) if you are asked to do something or stop doing something then I expect you to listen the first time. If not = time out!
5) Don’t complain about something hurting unless you need to go to the doctor or hospital.

I'll come up with more .... just give me some time!

With best regards,
Sergeant Mommy Thurman

PS – So I wrote this blog entry this morning while on hold and making calls at work. When I came back into the office after lunch, I realized I had not posted the entry. While at lunch, the girls were adorable. The most precious things I’ve ever seen. They shared everything, complimented each other, thanked me for a good lunch, helped me clean up, laid down for nap without any problems and didn’t complain or whine about one thing!

So I’ve learned yet another mommy lesson – If I expect 3 year olds not to whine or have tantrums, then the same rules should apply to their 35 year old mother!

Bedtime routine

· You pick out Jammies (usually a nightgown with an animal or princess on it)
· Go potty
· Brush teeth (Quinnie - electric Little Mermaid toothbrush, HC electric Cinderella toothbrush)
· Story time (depends on how late it is and how tired we are)
· Prayers - "Now I lay me ..." while we kneel in a circle holding hands. Then you say "God bless______." And each of you say the names of everyone you love.
· Touch the beloved chandelier hanging in your room (we've been doing this before bed since you were about 8 months old)
· Rock A Bye Baby song while holding each of you like a baby (about twice a year you let you Daddy do it. You tell him frequently that he can do Rock Bye Baby tonight but when the time comes you always tell him "you just did it the early day" or "maybe next time Daddy."
· Mommy has to be the one to cover you up.
· Daddy is usually running around trying to find all the babies, books, stuffed animals, etc. that you are requesting to sleep with.
· Love On Me session - it consists of at least one minute of Mommy snuggling with you in your bed and whispering sweet nothin’s in your ear and kissing you all over your face. I usually "taste" Hassie Clare's freckle on her neck (I tell her it tastes like chocalate). Quinnie likes to play with my hair and tell me how much she loves me. Then Daddy steps in and gives you hugs and kisses.
· We turn the chandelier on dim and the Tinkerbell nightlight on.
· As we walk to the door you both always squeal "one more hug and kiss."
· After that last hug and kiss we exchange bedtime sayings. A favorite is "dream of bed bugs tonight."
· We turn the fan in the bathroom on for white noise and we call it a night.

I wish it ended here but usually one of you will call us back in because your toes are cold or your blanket isn't covering you up the right way or you have a booger or there is a funny shadow on the wall. We have implemented a little reward system to keep us from making 38 trips back and forth into your bedroom. You start the night out with 2 gummy princess vitamins. Every time you call us into your room for something silly, we take the vitamin away. In the morning, you get to eat whatever vitamins you have left. This system totally works for us and it is making your Daddy a little less crazy.

You guys are such creatures of habit. There is no altering and forgetting any part of our bedtime routine. The entire process usually takes about 30 mins. I realize that someday soon you will start omitting steps to our routine. And eventually it will consist of one little hug and kiss (if I'm lucky) and a “good night.” In the meantime, I will cherish all the hugs and kisses, the snuggling and cuddling and the “love on me” sessions. I can’t think of any other way I would want to end my day!