that's nice.

I am not happy. I've been crabby for two days straight. Really crabby. My children remind me of fingernails scratching a chalkboard. It's not pleasant. For you worried women--No, I do not feel like hurting my children, I just want them to stop talking, whining, and for Pete's sake, STOP SCREAMING!! I understand that the 3rd trimester brings back mood swings from hormone changes but seriously? This is out of control.

I have been trying to get some work done this morning with Ruben by my side. Typically on a work day I make them breakfast and put on a movie for them. This typically works great and I can peacefully accomplish an hours worth of work. Today, not so much. Ruben crawls into a high chair and watches Dinosaurs as I work. This is going well. Evann wants to paint her room. Not now dear, I am still working. "OK, mom. I'll just take this paintbrush to my room and wait for you." Ok fine. I'll be a few more minutes. "Well, I will just open the paint can for you and wait for you." (Now, I know I hammered the lid down awfully tight and that she will not be able to open it but gosh dang it, I said NO.) This carries on with some homework that needs to be finished--I need a few minutes Evann. "Ok, well, I'll just start here and do this..." NO EVANN. WAIT UNTIL I AM DONE!

Then there is Isaac on the computer. A horrible computer that always freezes and this is not something the kids understand so they all end up opening 10 windows trying to get the program to come on and then wonder why it's taking so long. "Mom, can you come here for a minute?" Oh seriously, kill me now. My one hour of work has turned into 1 1/2 hours due to the interruptions. Awesome.

So as I sit here with Ruben at my side he is given a drink. He takes a drink then pours out the drink onto the high chair and splashes around for a few moments. I think, that's nice, as I watch annoyed. This is not getting any better. I return to my work since the damage is done and I really have to get payroll processed. I can't deal with it right now because I will emotionally discipline him rather than with love and logic and by that I mean the words not the true Love & Logic program. But I find myself watching him, irritated and curious why a child would think that was a good idea. He crawls out of the high chair and I think, great, track the sweet juice all over the house. This thought doesn't make me get up to clean him, no, I am busy. I have things to do. I watch him get a towel out of the drawer and return to his mess that he diligently and perfectly cleans up. Wow. That's nice. I didn't say anything to him. That was really nice. It brightened my dark and gloomy day to heavily overcasted with a chance of sun by noon. ...

go usa.

Jacob has asked me numerous times, "Why is everything made in China?' Well son, because they can make it cheaper which makes those companies more money. Usually they not only make it cheaper but they make it smaller.

Jacob is always looking at labels. "Mom, what is H-O-N-D-U-R-A-S?" Hm. That is another country the US sends their product for cheaper manufacturing. "Well, what is made in the US?" Not much anymore, honey. "What about Texas? What is made here?" Gosh, what is made here in the grand state of Texas? Not being a knowledgeable native, I go with the only obvious: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. They make calculators. "Well what else?" Hmm ...

Yesterday I read an email from a friend discussing a desire to shop for USA made products. I suppose there is several of these floating around. I caught myself checking the labels last night as I did my grocery shopping. I felt really good when I did find something made right here; mostly the off-brand but I see nothing wrong with that. I end up saving a few cents in the process and perhaps the job of a fellow American.

Try it yourself, see what you can find made in America. You may be surprised!

we're gypsies.

Yet again I have found myself packing. Perhaps I haven't mentioned we are moving again? We came across a great deal on a foreclosure and the company decided to buy it. So we will move into it, Jordan and Kayla into our current house and then in a year (give or take) we shall pass it on and perhaps be back on the hill if we can get around to it.

Jake will be home tomorrow night and then Saturday will be spent moving the big stuff which keeps accumulating. I'll move the little stuff over the Christmas break. Jake and Jeff are taking a load to Baltimore on Monday which means their chances are small for getting home for Christmas. Surprisingly I am not shocked or disappointed buy this. I haven't particularly felt the holiday spirit and am fine to postpone the whole thing until Jake gets home again. Obviously I did not discuss this with my kids but I think they will understand ...

Truly, I am so pleased that these men have been able to find loads as often and quickly as they have. I partake in the blessings that come from obedience -- perhaps not my own but that of those marvelous men working so diligently. I appreciate the sacrifice ... leaving your family knowing you have no idea when you'll be home again. Evann cries herself to sleep some nights asking when daddy will be home. "But I want him! I want Daddy." It's hard on everyone. But I am thankful for the work and their dedication. Roll on Daddy ...

On another note, 27 weeks pregnant. We know with some certainty that we have a boy brewing. Yeah, and you thought I had plenty of boys. I thought that too until I heard it was and then I quickly justified why I wanted a boy. Evann is our girlie. She wouldn't be Evann anymore if there was another girlie in the house. Besides, she'd be too old for them to be friends--when they would really need it. I'm very happy with another boy. We've thrown around Aaron Kelly but are not set yet. I will admit this is the longest it's taken us to find a name. Normally it is figured out before I even get pregnant or at least within the first month of knowing.

Well, I guess that's all I got. I hope all your merry souls have a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to seeing KaRa ...Be safe. Love you.

missing cat.

I really have nothing to say but I am tired of seeing that mop post so I had to at least blog on something ...

So with that note, our Kitty Kitty is missing. Yes, Kitty Kitty, such an original name. We found, stole rather, a stray kitty from Grandma Karma's yard and made her our own. The kids originally chose Kisses as her name but it never stuck. I didn't care for the name, and yes I know Kitty Kitty isn't any better; but it is what it is.

We bought her a purple flea collar and fed the crap out of her. In a matter of days Kitty Kitty was a fat, happy kitty. Although she was wild she tried her hardest to get inside. She was determined. All of a sudden, no kitty. I don't know what has become of her. Isaac loves that cat. I have not found her body on the side of the road but there is no sign of her. I hope someone took her to a new home and that she wasn't run over. And if that were the case, how cruel to do that to my kids.

I am sure we will find ourselves with another stray as we apparently are in a dumping ground type area. So far 3 dogs have been trying find new homes in my small neighborhood. One was lucky enough to get to Katie's but that ended in sorrow. Not for the stray but for Shadow. As the 2 dogs played, Shadow tried to cross the road but wasn't paying attention and was hit by a car. It was very disappointing.

I, or my kids, tend to do a lot of damage at Katie's home. One day I hope to be accident free... And this will conclude my post for tonight as it is past my bedtime causing me to be a wretch by morning. Good night. Lock your doors.

a recommendation.

If anyone is in need of a new mop..

I bought an O Cedar Pro Twist Mop the other day, actually about 2 months ago, based on its reviews. (I like to do my research ... sometimes.) Because I do not like change I continued to use my old mop until I couldn't stand to look at the sponge anymore. Now don't freak out. I throw away sponges like I throw away paper towels so really, it wasn't that bad but moving on.

I decided today to try my new mop, the Pro Twist. WOW! What a freakin' difference this mop made on my floor. It reached completely behind and around the toilet and cleaned the crud around where the toilet meets the floor. A mighty feat with 2 young boys. My bathroom floor is sparkling. (And Katie, I finally took your advice and got rid of that useless white thing.)

I am in love with this mop. I feel everyone should buy one. They have replacement heads but one head will last about 3-6 months. There is no bucket needed and your hands don't get dirty. It's so clean and effective. Really, try it!!

I am stepping off my soap box now.