Thursday, August 28, 2008

Today I am 29 years old. I say this, not to elicit many birthday wishes or greetings from my hordes of blog readers :), but to say out loud that I am indeed 29. This is my last year in the 20's. Yet, I feel no older than 18. My son will be 10 this year *gasp choke gasp* and yet I feel like I could be headed to college at any moment.

So what is it that makes us feel "grown up"? I can walk into any bar and order any alcoholic drink I'd like, lately I haven't even been carded. Which is quite sad now that I think about it. I must look "grown up". Yet I don't feel it. I can buy cigarettes or porn legally...not that either of those are an option for me personally. I have five children, ranging from 9-2 and that doesn't necessarily do the trick either. I have a house, cars, two dogs....but none of these have had a growing up effect.

So will I coast through my 30's and hit 40 and realize, oh crap...I'm a grown up? Interesting birthday ponderings...

Blah blah blah....anyway, yesterday my darling husband kept the children all day while I got to escape to Grand Rapids to have a birthday day with my mom. We went out to lunch, went to the beautiful Rivertown Crossings Mall(yes, I even waved at Rob Bell), and saw Mama Mia. I laughed hysterically at this movie. I can't wait till it comes to video. It was a lovely day and I felt quite refreshed when I came home. Where I found all of my children asleep in bed and my house clean. It was the perfect gift.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

My comment lines have been bare lately...I know everyone is so busy, I am too. I confess that I've gone from blog to blog and read but didn't comment so I suspect this what others are doing as well. It's just sad to type into nothing ness...ok now that I've laid the guilt nice and thick....

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Camp is over and we survived. I think the kids had a good time.....Jonah was a little reluctant to say he had "fun", but I believe it was slightly enjoyable. We went to Family Night on Thursday and saw the kids sing a song and then got free run of the camp. The big kids convinced Dad to go with them out onto the lake in kayaks while Syd, Thomas, Grandma and I watched. Sydney and Thomas went in the water of course...who can keep small children from water?? We also hit the mine shaft which is a huge, long slide that's buried in a hill. Yes, it's all underground. While I was content to sit with Grandma and watch the kids ride down this black hole, my kids were insistent that I try it. Well let's just say that getting me onto the sled thingy you slide down on was quite the feat and pretty much hilarious. The counselor in charge of the top of the slide and I were laughing so hard I thought I'd pee my pants! But I got down and it was....exhausting. But all in good fun right??

My quote of the week is from Emma (of course). This was said to me on Thursday night after Family night..."Mom, I entirely adore camp." lol

My excitement level is high today as I get to go on a double date with our good friends tonight to celebrate Matt's birthday. Yeah for grown up outings!!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Shhhh.....it's so quiet at my house. And no, despite my previous post, I have not injured any of my children or locked them in their rooms. No, it's simply quiet. My three biggest kids are at the YMCA camp this week. They leave at 7:30 AM on a bus and return around 5 PM. Thomas goes down for a nap at around 12 and Sydney fell asleep on my bed. So it's so quiet. Indeed the only sound I currently hear is my own fingers striking the keys. It's glorious.

*note to self: ALWAYS pick the very last week of camp to send the children! It's just the outlet they need at the end of summer and a much needed break for me!


Things swirling in my head as I sit in the quiet....

I have all of my "big" presents for my children bought and paid for and stashed in my bedroom. This is a HUGE thing for me as I usually hit December 23 and panic because we have no money. Thank you Ebay...

I'm addicted to Ebay

Molli and Emma are getting American Girl dolls for Christmas, Molli gets Kirsten and Emma gets Felicity. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for them to get them. Matt has made me swear that I would not give them early. So tough. So instead I bring whoever happens to come over into my bedroom to show them the beloved treasure I have. Even the Comcast man....poor guy.

Jonah is getting Guitar Hero for the Wii...along with a set of earplugs, for my benefit.

Sydney is getting the Dora twin babies. I still think Dora is the most annoying thing on the face of the planet, but Sydney adores her. So I will swallow my bile and present her with this treasure.

I cannot write what I have gotten for Matt in the rare case that he will glance at this at some point, but it's really good too.

My birthday is in 8 days. I will be 29....wow that seems old. How is it that I still feel 18?? I'm bracing myself for my birthday to be very low key. The kids all have their school open houses that night as well as soccer practice for Molli. My mom and dad will be in GR with Noah so it looks like a non-celebration. I must state however that Matt is keeping the kids all day on Wednesday so that I can go to Grand Rapids and my mom and I can go out for my birthday. So looking forward to that. Plus, I've already received a gift. Matt bought me the new manatee Webkinz which is so cool!


5 weeks from Sunday we leave to head to North Carolina. We are SOO excited to see Tigger and Jill and all the kids. Plus we get to see so many firsts! The kids have never seen a mountain or the ocean and will get to do both on this trip. Can't wait!

Alright, well I suppose I should use some of this time to do something productive...or maybe I'll just read a book :)

Friday, August 15, 2008

As I sat down to write this, my body groaned....audibly. I started working out again yesterday after a LONG hiatus and oh dear Lord....I'm not sure I will make it. My legs are weak and sore. I'm sure it will get better...if not, I quit!

To add to my misery, I decided to take all 5 of my children school shopping. I take them shopping all the time. It couldn't be that bad, right??? WRONG! Imagine 4 children running from bin to bin grabbing every supply imaginable, yelling "Mom! Found it!". Then we moved onto backpacks....holy cow. Molli must have a backpack that has NO pink on it. Emma must have one with Tinkerbell, Sydney must have Dora (gag me) and Jonah must have one with skulls. What a circus. Meanwhile Thomas watches with mild interest, attempting to escape the cart from time to time. We FINALLY got everyone the backpack they wanted and moved on to shoes. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? We got everyone shoes with only a mild hair pulling incident and only one reminder about screaming. We checked out and headed to the car. As I was loading the van, I was reminded that we had not gotten the supplies for camp that we needed. So off we went to yet another store. All to say that I am so ready for a nap....

How many days till school???

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

So what is it exactly that makes a mother snap?

I am, as anyone close to me will tell you, one the most impatient people on the face of the planet. I can't stand waiting for ANYTHING!! And yet, most of the time, where my children are concerned I am patient. Now don't get me wrong, there are times when looking for one shoe so we can leave drives me to the point of insanity. Or waiting for Emma to go and get, "Just one more thing Mom!" makes me crazy. Yet, I hold it together....till last night.

Noah had asked to come and spend the night. I was thrilled that he could be doing such a thing so soon after his surgery. I had some trepidation as I was worried that something could happen to him in my care and it would be awful. Or that one of my, or several of my rough and tumble kids would do something to him. But we pressed on anyway. The evening was great. We broke out the Wii and had tournaments (I was the champ, by the way). It was time to get ready for bed. We blew up the big air mattress for Noah to sleep on and the girls arranged themselves on the couches and floor. We even turned on the Olympics and the kids were awestruck by the synchronized divers. All of sudden, someone put a nickel in the girls. They were yelling, all trying to be heard over the other, jumping on the couches, jumping on the air mattress...etc. It was insane. I kept my cool and repeatedly told them to settle down. I was getting Noah ready for bed and realized I had left his diapers in the van. I asked Emma to go and fetch them. While I was waiting, Sydney slipped off of the air mattress she was bouncing on (after having been told numerous times to stop) and landed very near Noah's head. I looked at her sternly and told her to knock it off. Now I realize that Emma has jumped on and is riding her bike as opposed to getting said diapers. I begin to lose it. I bellow for Emma to get in here and she tells me she can't find the diapers. So I send Molli. As I turn back to Noah, Sydney falls off of the air mattress(that's right, she had NOT stopped as instructed) and landed on Noah's head. That was it. I absolutely fell apart. I screamed...and I don't mean yelled. I SCREAMED at Sydney, spanked her way too hard and sent her to her room. I screamed for Molli to get the %&*$&*%$ diapers already. She can't find them either. I storm out to the car myself, get the diapers and storm back in. Matt had jumped in as I had went outside and all the girls were now upstairs crying. As I sank in front of Noah, I lost it. He was crying and very upset. His lip was bleeding from Syd's body crashing on him. I sat him up and just held him. We just cried together. I finally got him and I calmed down and he asked to go home. Who would want to stay with a psychotic sister anyway?

I took my self upstairs and gathered my girls into my arms. Fresh tears were issued all around as I asked for their forgiveness for my behavior. I took a now calm Noah home and explained to my mother how he was almost debrained by my wild children. More tears of course. She was great and we got Noah tucked in. I stopped on the way home for ice cream. That makes everything better.

So what is it that brings a mother to the point of breaking?

Monday, August 11, 2008

A quick update on us as a busy August marches forward....

- The Destefano family descended upon Battle Creek this past weekend to celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday. It was a great time of laughter (playing Cranium..oh my gosh, I'd thought I'd wet myself), swimming, of course EATING, and catching up with each other. My grandma was so happy to have everyone here. It was great.

- Saturday was Matt and I's tenth wedding anniversary. We didn't have much time to celebrate it as we were surrounded by family but I did wake up to a vase of ten different colored, gorgeous roses. We are tentatively planning to go on a cruise sometime in March to "officially" celebrate ten years. What a journey it has been. One of my cousins asked me if it's been a happy ten years...I had to stop and think! My answer was this, "No, not always. We've had joy, pain, sorrow, anger and love. But it's been blessed and that's enough."

- Jonah, Molli, and Emma head to to Sherman Lake YMCA camp next week..boy are they excited about that! How odd it will be to have just Sydney and Thomas here all day from 7:30 AM till 4 PM!! Syd is feeling quite left out so I have assured her that we will have very special mommy and Sydney time.

- Noah is still improving. I got him to get onto the floor and try his crawling/hopping thing. He was very tentative but did it and is now getting himself around some. Mom and Dad take him back to GR tomorrow for them to up his medication again and he will be readmitted to Mary Freebed Hospital probably next Tuesday. Be in prayer for my parents as they are entering a time of limbo and musical lives. MY mom will be up in Grand Rapids with Noah from Thursday to Monday and then she'll come back to work while my dad stays with him from Tuesdays to Thursday when he'll come back to work. They're not sure if Noah will allow them to leave him at night so there's trepidation there as well. Noah knows he's going back to the hospital and is very apprehensive about it. So remember them all if you would.

- I've had yet another encounter with a neanderthal person who insulted my choice of having five children. As we were leaving a check out lane at WalMart, Jonah bumped into a man walking by. He snorted, looked at me and said, "God, lady haven't you heard of birth control?" My mouth fell open and I was dumbstruck. I had no witty comment. As we headed to the car, Molli asked me what birth control was. So not only was I insulted but now had to try and find a delicate way to tell my seven year old what it meant! Why do people think they can say whatever dumb thought that comes into their heads??

- We are LOVING the break in the hot weather. I actually woke up this morning and put on jeans and a sweatshirt! Bring on fall!!!

Monday, August 04, 2008

A quick post to brag on my momma...

She has gone back to school to finish her bachelor's which is a feat worth mentioning in itself. But it gets better. My mom convinced her e-prof to let her write her final paper on comparing and contrasting three versions of the production of Sweeney Todd. My mom has loved Stephen Sondheim for as long as I can remember (she says it's been even longer than that!) Anyway, she wrote the paper, turned it in and has been patiently waiting for her grade.

She got an A+.

But that's not the best part. In the comments the teacher left, there was a note. Apparently the prof knows Stephen Sondheim personally and wanted my mom's permission to send him the paper as she thought he would enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's going to be no living with her now!!

Friday, August 01, 2008

Everyone in my house is asleep and I am bored.



1.You have a tan line anywhere?
Yes, on my chest and an awful shorts tan line


2.How long until your birthday?
27 days baby!

3.Do you have any relatives in the military currently?
My amazing brother Tigger

4.Are you better at math or art?
Gross and grosser

5.Science or History?
History hands down

6.Who was your 4th grade teacher?
Mrs. Haag and boy was she one!

7.Where did you go to pre-school, if you went at all?
I think so but no idea where

8.Who was the last person to call you?
Aunt Carol

9.What's your favorite brand of gum?
Any brand as long as it's wintergreen flavored

10.Do you own a digital camera?
Yes, I want a new one for Christmas though

11.How old is the ipod you have right now?
Just got it this past Christmas

12.Do you know anyone named Tyler?
yes

13.What was the last thing you bought?
Ice cream, it's hot!

14.Can you do a handstand?
in a pool

15.How many funerals have you been to in your lifetime?
Too many

16.Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yes, fish smell.

17.Whats on your wish list for your birthday?
Wow, haven't even thought about it, I don't know

18.Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Nervous for my kids, excited about watching it all unfold

19.Something you dislike more than anything?
People who treat their children like garbage

20.Did you kiss or hug anyone yesterday?
At least 6 people that I know of

21.Do you like surprises?
YES!

22.Do you think people have any misconceptions about you?
Holy cow yes...welcome to being a pastor's kid!

23.Do you miss someone?
Yes

24.Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
yes.

25.Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
Indeed, we serve an amazing God who works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

26.What's your most favorite scar?
I only have one, where I shoved glass so far into my leg they had to remove it surgically

27.Whens the last time you flew in a plane?
Oh boy, let's see...Molli was a newborn so 7 years ago

28. What did the last text message say that you received?
Waiting for you

29.How many kids do you wanna have?
Well I have 5...maybe 1 more

30.Honestly, whats on your mind right now?
Gotta pay bills

31.When is the last time you received a comment?
a few days ago

32.Who made you cry last?
umm...Thomas when he headbutted me this morning


33.What was the last TV show you watched?
30 Minute Meals

32.What are your plans for tomorrow?
Cleaning out my mom's garage with Aunt Carol to get ready for the reunion

33.Given the chance, would you ever perform live with your favorite band?
HECK YES

34.Do you spell words like 'favorite' and 'color' with or without the 'u'?
without.

35.What class do/did you receive the most homework in?
English, without a doubt. My mom was a slave driver

36.What reminds you of summer?
The smell of tanning oil and cut grass

37.Have you ever been on a Slip'N'Slide?
Last week, actually...it was NOT a pretty sight

38.Have you ever owned a skipit?
No

39.Have you ever changed in front of a window?
Yes.

40.Have you ever been to a boardwalk?
Yes

41. When is the last time you got a good work out?
Wednesday

42.Do you prefer to watch scary movies alone or with another person?
Not at ALL

43.Do you think little kids are cute or annoying?
Depends on the kids :)

44. Does it bother you when people disrespect their parents?
This is HUGE thing for me....it's so awful!!

45.Have you ever seen the TV show "Ace of Cakes"?
Yes

46.What was the last parade you went to?
Christmas parade, we FROZE

47.Do you have to make S'mores whenever you go camping?
Yes, but I'd rather have hobo pies

48. Do you think skinny jeans are a hideous fashion trends?
Not as long as you are skinny...hate it when people try to shove themselves into clothes that are clearly too small

49.Isn't it absolutely annoying when dogs constantly bark?
YES

50. So what now?
Bed I think.
Well Noah comes home this morning and we are totally pumped to see him. He still has a long road ahead of him, but at least we'll have him here for a bit.

In other news, Jonah has finished Music Workshop and is now a bonafide member of the Battle Creek Boy Choir. He recevied much praise from the director. Can't wait to see him perform.

I am completely addicited to Jodi Piccoult books this summer. I'm devouring them. I've already read 5. My sister has told me that I MUST read the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer..anyone tried those yet?

We have pumpkins growing!! WE tossed all of our old pumpkins outside last fall and we just checked and they are growing!!

And last but not least 30 days till school starts!