My mom got us some corn yesterday FOR FREEEEEEEE!
I was so excited! I love corn. We all love corn. We have found out this new and easy way to cook corn. You don't have to shuck it or anything! You just throw it on the grill, husks and all... mmmm.
Lesson #1: When grilling corn in husks always check for caterpillars in the corn. They don't cook well...
Later that evening I was scrubbing my carrots from the garden and I was dropping some of the leaves at my feet as I was hurrying through, so when I felt something tickling my foot I assumed it was a carrot leaf...
Lesson #2: Never Assume.
It was a big fat greenish-yellow caterpillar inching up my bare foot (ya, so I was barefoot in the kitchen—what's your point)
Marc said, "That won't be the last you see of these little guys." as he points to the bag of remaining corn on the floor of my pantry.
I was up in the middle of the night with Sister and she asked for something to eat. So being the great mom that I am, I tell her I will get her some fruit snacks.
So, as I barefoot it through the dark of the living room I step on a fruit snack. I ignore it because my house is a mess and I don't want to acknowledge that the very thing I am now going to feed my daughter in bed is spread out on my living room floor... wait. These are NOT those juice-filled fruit snacks... what ever I stepped on made a "pop."
I trace back my steps, this time with the light on to see what exactly I had stepped on.
There was half a caterpillar on the carpet. The other have was smooshed into the carpet and then some green avacodo guts were strewn onto the linoleum of the kitchen floor. I dry heaved (because I couldn't scream and wig out—it was the middle of the night). I rushed Sister's snack to her and then went back to clean up the remains of the avocado caterpillar and check for any other of his friends that may have escaped so that I wouldn't step on those too.
There were 2 others.
This morning I found 2 more tiny ones that just didn't quite make it.
Some one had stepped on those too.
Maybe me.
I don't know.
Lesson #3: Clean up your house so that when you step on something in the middle of the night you know it was a caterpillar and not a fruit snack. (Or turn on the lights.)
Our Life
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
..and it ended with pie and Fablehaven
Ah....
My father-in-law came and vaccumed and cleaned my front room carpet and floor today. (Well, actually he tried to clean the floor but, the carpet cleaner broke--so it was fun watching him get soapy water from a big metal bowl onto a mop and squeeze it out onto the floor so that he could then "vaccuum" it up with the non-working carpet cleaner. He is a very dedicated man...) Thanks Gary (smile)
My sister came by for a quick hello.
My dad showed up with a dutch oven lid lifter that he made for me. He is an amazing blacksmith! Ah, shoot, I didn't get a picture of that... to come soon...
A friend of mine came within seconds of me calling to watch Baby for a few minutes while I helped someone with their new MAC computer.
Then my mother-in-law came and did my laundry, cleaned my counters, did my dishes and helped watch Baby all just because. (I know she is such a sweetheart. Someone who came to the house while I was cleaning asked if I paid her for her work... tee hee) Thanks Lynne
Then after dinner, fighting to get my kids to eat dinner, a really hectic bout of homework, swinging in the living room to lessen hyper-arousal, singing and playing giant to calm tantrums a knock came to my door.
A friend with a pie... yes, a homemade, warm, apple pie. There was almost half of it left and she giggled that she was bringing it to me but knew I would like it anyway. Well, we talked for a few minutes and as soon as I heard her van door close I ran into the kitchen and snarfed a couple of bites.... oh... oh... you have got to be kidding me! Yummmmmmmm.... hmm... just one more bite. Then I saw my camera sitting there. I had to take a picture of this moment.
Me eating a lot of pie by myself.
Here is the pie after I had 3 bites out of it.
Here's me eating my 4th bite.
And here is what is left sitting on the counter.
Look closely at the plate.
It says "NO RETURN"
Boy, you can say that again. My exercise doesn't even matter after that splurge of divine dessert! (big grin)
(For my husband: don't worry sweety I left some for you)
(wink)
Then I went and read Fablehaven (the second in the series) to Brother while he drifted off to slumber land.
Is it bad that I am so dedicated at reading to him mostly because I, myself, LOVE the book?
Na!
My father-in-law came and vaccumed and cleaned my front room carpet and floor today. (Well, actually he tried to clean the floor but, the carpet cleaner broke--so it was fun watching him get soapy water from a big metal bowl onto a mop and squeeze it out onto the floor so that he could then "vaccuum" it up with the non-working carpet cleaner. He is a very dedicated man...) Thanks Gary (smile)
My sister came by for a quick hello.
My dad showed up with a dutch oven lid lifter that he made for me. He is an amazing blacksmith! Ah, shoot, I didn't get a picture of that... to come soon...
A friend of mine came within seconds of me calling to watch Baby for a few minutes while I helped someone with their new MAC computer.
Then my mother-in-law came and did my laundry, cleaned my counters, did my dishes and helped watch Baby all just because. (I know she is such a sweetheart. Someone who came to the house while I was cleaning asked if I paid her for her work... tee hee) Thanks Lynne
Then after dinner, fighting to get my kids to eat dinner, a really hectic bout of homework, swinging in the living room to lessen hyper-arousal, singing and playing giant to calm tantrums a knock came to my door.
A friend with a pie... yes, a homemade, warm, apple pie. There was almost half of it left and she giggled that she was bringing it to me but knew I would like it anyway. Well, we talked for a few minutes and as soon as I heard her van door close I ran into the kitchen and snarfed a couple of bites.... oh... oh... you have got to be kidding me! Yummmmmmmm.... hmm... just one more bite. Then I saw my camera sitting there. I had to take a picture of this moment.
Me eating a lot of pie by myself.
Here is the pie after I had 3 bites out of it.
Here's me eating my 4th bite.
And here is what is left sitting on the counter.
Look closely at the plate.
It says "NO RETURN"
Boy, you can say that again. My exercise doesn't even matter after that splurge of divine dessert! (big grin)
(For my husband: don't worry sweety I left some for you)
(wink)
Then I went and read Fablehaven (the second in the series) to Brother while he drifted off to slumber land.
Is it bad that I am so dedicated at reading to him mostly because I, myself, LOVE the book?
Na!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Water, Wind, Waves and Wistfulness
Man, I haven't been to this water park for, I think, 10 years. I was so excited to go there again with my kids. Funny...
My dad had invited us to come to a big party at the water park that he was involved with. The attendees at this party--99% were single college kids (free food + free water fun = poor college kids). We were the only family with young kids who showed up. So right off the bat we felt a little out of place as we traipsed into this college gig with our 2 diaper bags, HUGE stroller and 3 kids. Poor Brother was so overwhelmed by the big slides towering above his head and all the people that were there (900 were in attendance)--he fell apart until he saw the soda machines... ah... soda! We walk over to the soda machines that are just out there calling Brother's name. All the kids were just staring at us as I walked up to the soda machine and in desperation tried 3 times to get Sprite out of the spigot... oh, this is why no one is lined up for soda. They have just put these here as decoys to torture my children. If you think the college kids were staring at me and Brother and Sister before, just imagine as Brother broke out into crocodile tears and screaming as he ran over to his dad and crumpled into a mound of tears...
Luckily my sister Kirsten and her hubby Jeremy showed up. Brother loves them to pieces and he calmed when they came and sat by us to eat our pizza.
Although it was a bit windy we decided to brave the water anyway. We went and changed into our swimsuits. The kids were so excited for the lazy river and the wave pool. My mom and dad showed up just in time to put my children even more at ease and help with them and take pictures with Marc's camera. My dad did a good job. It was so fun seeing my dad giddy with a camera...
Once I was able to squeak my butt through the see-through tube provided so graciously by the water park, I hope that no one saw my modest-swimsuit-turned-into -a-thong-with-bare-butt-cheeks-pressed-up-against-the-inner-walls-of-the-see-through-tube before I was able to re-adjust!!!! Good grief! As if it's not bad enough to have to parade around in my swimsuit—let's just magnify it by making tubes you can see through!!! Whose idea was that? Really, Kirsten and I couldn't stop laughing—so funny. As you will see from the pictures, though, Brother, Sister and Baby had a wistful time in the water.
Make sure you check out the video of Marc and Jeremy on the "Boomerang!"
Marc and Jeremy!!
My dad had invited us to come to a big party at the water park that he was involved with. The attendees at this party--99% were single college kids (free food + free water fun = poor college kids). We were the only family with young kids who showed up. So right off the bat we felt a little out of place as we traipsed into this college gig with our 2 diaper bags, HUGE stroller and 3 kids. Poor Brother was so overwhelmed by the big slides towering above his head and all the people that were there (900 were in attendance)--he fell apart until he saw the soda machines... ah... soda! We walk over to the soda machines that are just out there calling Brother's name. All the kids were just staring at us as I walked up to the soda machine and in desperation tried 3 times to get Sprite out of the spigot... oh, this is why no one is lined up for soda. They have just put these here as decoys to torture my children. If you think the college kids were staring at me and Brother and Sister before, just imagine as Brother broke out into crocodile tears and screaming as he ran over to his dad and crumpled into a mound of tears...
Luckily my sister Kirsten and her hubby Jeremy showed up. Brother loves them to pieces and he calmed when they came and sat by us to eat our pizza.
Although it was a bit windy we decided to brave the water anyway. We went and changed into our swimsuits. The kids were so excited for the lazy river and the wave pool. My mom and dad showed up just in time to put my children even more at ease and help with them and take pictures with Marc's camera. My dad did a good job. It was so fun seeing my dad giddy with a camera...
Once I was able to squeak my butt through the see-through tube provided so graciously by the water park, I hope that no one saw my modest-swimsuit-turned-into -a-thong-with-bare-butt-cheeks-pressed-up-against-the-inner-walls-of-the-see-through-tube before I was able to re-adjust!!!! Good grief! As if it's not bad enough to have to parade around in my swimsuit—let's just magnify it by making tubes you can see through!!! Whose idea was that? Really, Kirsten and I couldn't stop laughing—so funny. As you will see from the pictures, though, Brother, Sister and Baby had a wistful time in the water.
Make sure you check out the video of Marc and Jeremy on the "Boomerang!"
And here is the picture of the day.
My mom got Baby to sleep all wrapped up in her towel.
Marc and Jeremy!!
(Yes,I am in the lazy river watching and screaming with delight—you can hear me—promise.)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Please respond!
I have no time...
yet, I just spent 2 hours online at a Fragile X discussion forum trying to get some answers or at least feel like someone else out there understands what I am going through.
It is weird, because I feel like I was wasting time by being online but, I know it is helping me and my kids by learning as much as I possibly can about Fragile X Syndrome. There is so much out there on FXS. So many different ways a carrier or full mutation of FXS can be affected. It is scary and encouraging all at the same time.
It is crazy how when you find people who are going through similar, worse or easier challenges all at the same time it feels like you can conquer the world with your knowledge or bring them all down with you into your pit of dispair.
I feel alone, often. Marc and I were just talking about this as we have faced new challenges with Fragile X. We feel isolated. Not because people are shunning us. No, not at all. Well, maybe sometimes when people try to avoid our kids, but for the most part we feel isolated because we can't just take our kids anywhere we want to whenever we want to. They get overstimulated, overwhelmed, scared. We can't handle their constant whining or running so we avoid certain things/activities.
So here is the deal. I don't want to feel alone anymore.
-Have received information or inspiration from this blog
-Read this blog because you want to learn what a family is like that is affected by FXS (although mostly what you get is the fluff and not so much the poop)
I want to know who out there reads this because they are affected by Fragile X Syndrome in their lives.
Let me know if you just saw this today or have followed for a while. (Family you can comment too, it's OK, I have like 100 cousins on my mom's side so I am hoping at least a few family members will respond.) (wink)
Let me know that I am not alone in advocating for my kids.
Make yourself heard.
I want to know who you are!
Come on, don't be shy... especially you carriers of FXS... (their known to be shy---ya, I know I don't quite fit that category, but I think I use my outgoing-ness to cover up my fear of not being accepted... ya, whole other story.)
And here is a photo that I ran across as I was going through my pictures. It is one that Pointe Digital took last year at our family shoot and pretty much sums up my daily tasks... glad they got this one! (smile--really I am)
yet, I just spent 2 hours online at a Fragile X discussion forum trying to get some answers or at least feel like someone else out there understands what I am going through.
It is weird, because I feel like I was wasting time by being online but, I know it is helping me and my kids by learning as much as I possibly can about Fragile X Syndrome. There is so much out there on FXS. So many different ways a carrier or full mutation of FXS can be affected. It is scary and encouraging all at the same time.
It is crazy how when you find people who are going through similar, worse or easier challenges all at the same time it feels like you can conquer the world with your knowledge or bring them all down with you into your pit of dispair.
I feel alone, often. Marc and I were just talking about this as we have faced new challenges with Fragile X. We feel isolated. Not because people are shunning us. No, not at all. Well, maybe sometimes when people try to avoid our kids, but for the most part we feel isolated because we can't just take our kids anywhere we want to whenever we want to. They get overstimulated, overwhelmed, scared. We can't handle their constant whining or running so we avoid certain things/activities.
So here is the deal. I don't want to feel alone anymore.
I have NO idea how many people even read this blog, and really, it doesn't matter. But, today I want to see how many people read this blog that have done one of the following things:
-Learned from this blog what Fragile X Syndrome is
-Have received information or inspiration from this blog
-If your child or someone you love or know is affected by FXS in any way (FXTAS, FXPOI, FXS, carrier, autism, etc.)
I want you to relate your story in your comment. Tell me how you are affected by FXS and why the information on this blog has interested you.
Let me know if you just saw this today or have followed for a while. (Family you can comment too, it's OK, I have like 100 cousins on my mom's side so I am hoping at least a few family members will respond.) (wink)
Let me know that I am not alone in advocating for my kids.
Make yourself heard.
I want to know who you are!
Come on, don't be shy... especially you carriers of FXS... (their known to be shy---ya, I know I don't quite fit that category, but I think I use my outgoing-ness to cover up my fear of not being accepted... ya, whole other story.)
And here is a photo that I ran across as I was going through my pictures. It is one that Pointe Digital took last year at our family shoot and pretty much sums up my daily tasks... glad they got this one! (smile--really I am)
Monday, September 6, 2010
10 months and scooting!!!
Scooting Baby from Rachael on Vimeo.
I am so excited! After a lot of hard work and occupational therapy she has started to scoot in a kind of combat-type crawl! This is a video of the first time she has moved more than a half an inch... (smile)
We were at Marc's parents for Sunday dinner and 18 was having a good time tempting Baby with her cell phone... too bad she wouldn't actually let her play with it once she got it... tee hee!
I also had to take some pictures of her cute morning fuzzy hair in the sunlight from the window... oh my word, she makes me giggle!
Friday, September 3, 2010
My Anchor
Mindy Gledhill - Anchor
This is my one of my newest (as of today) favorite songs and I L-O-V-E the video!!!
This is for my sweet husband, Marc. Just hearing this song makes me want to cry thinking of the love he has for me. You see, yesterday, we got in a fight... ya, I know, married couples never fight... ...
But... I heard this song for the first time today and have it on constant replay.
When I first heard it I was reminded of that feeling that I feel the moment before Marc kisses me, my heart just leaps. Ah, piercing blue eyes, scruffy face after he hasn't shaved for a day, dark hair...
He is my anchor. When I am crazy and people don't seem to know how to take me he is there to remind me that he loves me the way I am.
This is for the hopeless romantic in me that had all her dreams come true the day I married Marc.
I love you Marc, and I am so sooo sorry. Thanks for always keeping me... anchored...
(I know don't you just love... love?)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Funny Advice
Stop to smell the skunk instead of the roses... it reminds you that God has a sense of humor.
—My Mom, Judy
—My Mom, Judy
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