So what?? It's snowing...

Ok...I live in Western Pennsylvania. I need to tell you that because to fully appreciate this post, you have to know that I don't live in North Carolina or Texas or somewhere warm where snow is a big deal. No. I live in a place that averages 58.95785 feet of snow per year.*

Today it is snowing. Well, not really. Not yet anyway. What I should say is that the weatherman predicts at some point throughout the day and into the night it could be snowing. We could get like 2 or 3 inches of snow. Right now, though, it's just raining.

Soooooooo, then why is it that the salt trucks are already out and salting (it's 39 degrees)? And, why is it that it took me 20 minutes to get home from work (normally a 7 minute trip)? And, why is it that the grocery store is out of milk and toilet paper? It seems we're in a bit of a panic mode, no.

And, while I am at it, why is it always that milk and toilet paper are the things that sell out. I mean if I were going to be stuck in my house for several days with no chance of getting out I probably wouldn't buy milk and toilet paper. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate the value of toilet paper, but if I were going to be stuck in my house for days on end, I would buy valium and cookie dough or something. And, let's be clear. When I say toilet paper, there are plenty of single rolls left at the store, it's just the huge mulit-packs that are sold out. Surely there must be some other cold-weather related use that I am missing. Otherwise, why would people flock to the 24 roll pack?

It seems like if you live where I live, 2-3 inches would be no big deal.

** Not an official number, just something I made up :)

The REALLY most exciting election of our time.

It was held yesterday and it was for third grade president of [-----] elementary school. Ryan decided not to run, which, as you might imagine, given my love of all things politics, was a little disappointing. I wanted to run for third grade president vacariously through him.

Back on November 7th, they had primaries. Each classroom picked a top candidate. Then they had two weeks to pick their vice presidential candidates and to campaign.

Apparently in 3rd grade, there is no law against buying votes as DAILY Ryan would come home with laffy taffy, cookies, candy, etc etc.

There was one candidate that I would have to say was like the DNC, what with their full-sized, personalized "Vote For Me" candy bars and their 30 minutes spot on prime-time TV that could delay the World Series...er....anyways, the other candidates didin't quite seem to have that type of budget.

I did love how seriously Ryan was taking his vote. He told me he wasn't even going to vote for a boy just because he, too, was a boy. And, he told me he wasn't going to vote for someone who was his friend just because he was his friend. He told me he was going to listen to each of the final speeches and decide who he wanted to vote for from there. Candy couldn't buy his vote, he said. Then, he paused. "I do really like the candy, though." :)

A young gentleman from Ryan's class was the winner. He shall henceforth be known as Mr. President. In the end, I was glad Ryan didn't run. I'm pretty sure I would've cracked under all of that candy pressure! Because as we all know, there can only be one president...everyone else goes home sad AND overloaded with sugar.

Moyer the Destroyer

My Hayleigh. She sure is cute. And sweet. And cuddly. But don't let all of that fool you. No. Don't let the cute dancing and book-reading and babbling and waving and snuggling and giggling and playing fool you. It's simply a clever disguise. For underneathe all of that cuteness lies MOYER THE DESTROYER!

Moyer the Destroyer rips pages out of school books and colors on walls...all at the same time. Moyer the Destroyer can cleverly hide pieces of food in her mouth or in her hands and then, when you go to pick her up out of her chair, she can wipe them on your work clothes, your furniture, or your cat. Moyer loves the blinking blue light on my computer and has already twice, during this post alone, touched it to turn the computer off. Moyer can single-handedly, in a way that makes an 8-year-old jealous, throw toys and things all over a clean playroom floor in 2.4 seconds. Those socks I just put on her feet? In the toilet. The bow I just put in her hair? Stuffed between the heater vents.

Moyer is also very smart. She's crafty enough to know when the kids are getting ready to go to the busstop and waits patiently by the door. Once Ryan or Trisha or Jonathan leaves to go, out she runs right in her barefeet (it is 20 degrees and snowing here). How does she move faster than me? Clearly. Cleary, the only explanation is superhuman powers.

Oh, and don't try to tell Moyer no or pick her up and take her inside or remove her hands from the toilet water and clean them off. Whatever you do, don't do that. If you try, you will face the wrath of Moyer. And, Moyer is getting old enough where she expresses wrath. Oh, yes...she expresses wrath.

I've saved the best trick for last, though. Because despite all of this chaos, with the breaking of a smile or a little dance or a little word or with a little snuggle, Moyer can melt her mommy's heart in the blink of an eye.

Stick a Banana in Your Ear

Our home has been taken over by a somewhat crabby, somewhat creepy unicorn. His name is Charlie. If you are not familiar with Charlie the Unicorn, you need to view this first:



I picked the short one. Since I do not smoke pot and since I am not, you know, 11, I have a hard time really getting into Charlie. I guess it is somewhat mildly amusing. I think you can see how annoying it would be to have four children (and ne adult male) going around saying "Charlie" and "Shun the nonbeliever...shun" in that voice all day. It is better than fighting, though. I'll take that over the sound of siblings fighting anyday. However, I feel I must state for the record that I better not get a Charlie T-shirt for Christmas. I mean it. I don't want it. No.

The Cheer Banquet

I know I haven't posted in awhile...Hayleigh just cut her fourth tooth in the past week. I think that about says it all!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending Trisha's cheer banquet. It was a nice time with awards, a slide show, and dancing. Everyone got all dressed up. Throughout the evening I waxed nostalgic. There were the 6 and 7 year olds dressed in the black patent leathers and big, bouncy dresses with a big bow on the back. They were dancing the night away and having a lot of fun.

And, then, there were the 12 year olds, some of whom, the ones whose parents allowed it, were wearing dresses with necklines down to there and shoes with heels that would break the back of any almost 40 year old. They sort of congregated on the dance floor, way too cool to dance.

And, then, there was my Trisha...somewhere in between. Although getting way too close to that latter group for my comfort. I couldn't help but wonder how it is that we were moving so quickly from patent leather and bows and to trampy dresses and high heels.

Half-way through the dancing, there was a mother-daughter dance, so Trisha and I hit the floor. She wanted to dance like she sees on Dancing With the Stars. But, I wouldn't have that. I grabbed her close and did the bear hug dance.

And, while we did I thought of the other times I have bear hug danced with her.

There were those times in the nursery...when she wouldn't go back to sleep after her bottle. I would rock and dance with her to get her to go to sleep. Or when she was crabby and needed soothing, I would pick her up and dance with her. As she got older, there were dances with her stepping on my shoes and big hugs that involved dips and turns. But, lately, those days have given way to my driving her to this house or another, or to homework help or friendship advice, or mother/daughter pedicures. I do like pedicures. The girl isn't so much into big hugs, dancing, or snuggling anymore. So, I took full advantage of the time I had.

Of course, after awhile One Moment in Time gave way to "Apple Bottom jeans with the fur" and with her cute little grin, a wave, and a "thanks mom" she was off. Back to jumping and down with her friends as any 11 year old should do.

As I watched her having a good time, all I could think was...no, Trisha, thank you.

Post Election Diarrhea of the Keyboard

Just my rambling thoughts about the election...then I'll go back to the witty and thoughtful (if I do say so myself!) mommy posts that are way more fun!

1. Of course, I am disappointed by McCain's loss. I thought that he was the better of the two men and the more qualified. I liked his ideas better. I am somewhat gratified that my county went "red" for the first time in many, many years. Of course, we are "racist and redneck" and "cling bitterly to our guns and religion". Most of PA in fact was red. Only Philadelphia was blue. I am pretty sick of Philadelphia deciding the course of PA politics.

I was moved to tears by both McCain's concession and Obama's acceptance speech. I hope that Obama is able to lead with the same spirit of optimism and bipartisanship with which he spoke. His 1st appointment of Rahm Emmanuel tells me probably not. However, for the sake of this county, I hope and pray that Obama is as successful as any president we have seen. For 8 years, Democrats have tried everything to ruin GWB. Let's not be like that. Let us as Republicans be the first to make it stop.

2. I was also moved by the reaction of people of color. Jesse Jackson, although I couldn't disagree with him more, him breaking down was actually a moving sight. On Fox News, Juan (whose last name I can't remember) spoke of how excited he was that his children have a new role model to look at; something different from a rapper or a sports star. He could now look his kids in the eye and say without any reservation "Yes, son...you can be anything you want." I can imagine how powerful that must be because I still can not look my daughters in the eye and say the same thing. Which brings me to point #3.

3. I am saddened at what happened to the women in this race. More than anything, I can say this race showed how divided we are as women, and for that reason alone I don't see progress happening soon. When Sarah Palin was announced as VP, I was so sickened by what I heard. People who had, all of their lives, preached that women should be at home and homeschooling their children, people who have made me feel like a failure for wanting to work and send my children to public school, people who would not let Sarah Palin preach at their church if there were men in the audience, were all of the sudden applauding her choice as someone who could rule the free world. Conversely, people who have spent their whole lives preaching that women can do and be whatever they want all of the sudden felt very strongly that this woman should be home with her children. People who are for gay marriage and adoption couldn't fathom how a man could stay at home, no...those Palin kids need a mom. Talk about giving mixed messages to our daughters!! When reports came out that Sarah was getting angry and throwing temper tantrums or when Hillary broke down during an interview in New Hampshire, there was that underlying "Oh...there goes that woman being emotional again thing". As women, we are emotional. I am sick of that being a weakness. On the contrary, it is our strength.

I wish Obama well. I will pray for him as that is what God commands me to do. And, I will continue to wait for a day when I too, can look my children, my daughters, in the eye and tell them without reservation that they, too, can do anything.

No Matter What Happens Tomorrow...

I am not sure who first wrote it. I have never seen it with a proper acknowledgement. It's still worth passing on though.


Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election


1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Happy Halloween and Happy Blog-o-versary!

Three years ago, my very first post was a Halloween picture of my little cuties. There was only 4 of them...3 in second grade, and one in Kindergarten. It was when I still had control over their costumes and we did a Star Wars theme. This year, the theme was "pick things out of yours or someone else's closet and get money from dad." I think we still made out since we didn't have to buy 5 costumes. Anyways. without further adieu, the annual Halloween picture...



And, here is just a mosaic of some cute fall pictures.