Sunday, December 31, 2006

Recipe for a Happy New Year

Author Unknown

Take twelve whole months.
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness,
hate, and jealousy.
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don't make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.
Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.
Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation,
and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cup full of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.
You're bound to have a happy new year.

My Wishes for the New Year

I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you generosity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.

Wishing you a Very Happy New Year.

Written by: Author Unknown

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I completed 400 pages in the year 2006!

This is page 400 that I posted both on the triplets blog and on my blog. I keep a running total all year.

In 2005 I did only 315 pages.

So my goal for 2007 is to do more than 400 pages.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Circle Journal

I belong to a scrapbooking group on the internet for many years and this year I hosted a circle journal where a couple members made books that went from member to member throughout the year contributing their artwork and pages to their theme. We are winding down to the last 2 months on the circles. Each journal had a different theme. The theme of this album that I was working on tonight was, "What song, quote or poem expresses what being a woman means to you." Well, I thought and thought about this and searched the internet. I came up with a song by SheDaisy (which by the way is now playing on my blog). Okay, why does it mean so much to me? Well, since I have had the children I feel that me and my husband have drifted apart a bit. We are slowly trying to bring some passion back into our marriage but it is so hard with the children and him working all the time to support us. Every chance we get we try to spend some quality time together.

Oh, by the way these two pages are actually done with real paper and ribbons. Imagine that? It's been 5 months since I touched my papers and embellishments. I so was not happy to get glue all over my fingers again - he, he! I think it also took me longer to embellish these two pages then if I did them digital but hey, the rules were to use paper so I did my best and I'm glad it's now complete. All the papers and ribbons were from Stampin' Up. The brads were from my stash unknown company.


Quote from Oprah

"I am woman in process. I'm just trying like everybody else. I try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it. Life is never dull."

What Makes a Good Mother?

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 am to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 am when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child, when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, or a child dying? This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep depreviation and mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at- home mothers, single mothers and married mothers. This is for all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.

Author unknown

Little Man Tag - Font Challenge




I made this tag for a Font Product Sample Challenge located here using the font DSP Old General Store Font

Credits:
Rustic Affair by Lisa Carter
Gift Tag Template by Rene Bross
Modern Princess
by Lisa Carter
Fatherhood by Lisa Carter

Friday, December 29, 2006

Story of Us - Title Page

credits:
Story of Us by Lisa Carter
Love Song by Lauren Bavin
BB Hopes and Dreams by Lisa Carter
Tuscan Romance by Lauren Bavin
Fonts:
CK Serendipity & Deco Caps

2007 Dreams

Share something new that you want to experience in 2007!

I'm hoping that in 2007 my husband will be able to have more time to spend with not only the children but to also spend time with me and to be more of a family. I can dream right?

No more diapers! I'm hoping in the year 2007 the triplets become potty trained and we no longer need diapers. They will be 3 in 2007 so I'm sure with a lot of hard work this is a realistic goal. Plus this will cut down on our grocery bills.

I'm Having a Nervous Breakdown

Yesterday I really lost it. I think all the whining is really getting to me and the lack of help. I lost my weekly helper about a month or so ago and my mom has been sick so I've been on my own. It was dinner time. I finished cooking a big meal chicken and rice. It was served and put on the table for the triplets to eat. The girls were eating, however, Justin didn't touch his food and was asking for ice cream. I told him, "No, ice cream until you eat your meal." He said, "No, Ice cream!" I again told him, "No, ice cream until you eat your meal." He took his meal and dumped it onto the floor. I got so upset that instead of hitting him (thank God I didn't) I took his plate and smacked it onto the table. Well, it broke shattering plastic all over the kitchen. Luckily no one was hurt.

Anyway I get this e-mail this morning from Ellen. It's a group I belong to about disaplining the triplets. I am also reading tons of books when I have time from the library on this issue. I am doing this alone since my husband is always working. There are days like yesterday that I just can't manage any more. I'm exhausted and to top it off I have another migrane headache. I've been getting them more and more lately. Back to Ellen's comments:

"After the next explosion, I'd try to remember to say to myself:

It's not the end of the world. Anyone can violate his own
standards of behavior- given enough provocation. Don't be so hard
on yourself. No more orgies or self-condemnation. Some of the
guilt you can use- to prod yourself into making changes. The rest,
push away or it will drag you down- paralyze you.

I'll say to myself: 'My temporary breakdown doesn't define me. It
doesn't tell me who I am. I am what I will choose to be- and I'm
not finished yet. I'm still in the process of becoming. What
happened was upsetting- regrettable- but much more important is how
I will conduct myself afterwards.'"

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Diet Tips for the Holidays

Best diet tips and ideas for healthy eating during the holidays. My best advice would be to have triplets or children for that matter. Since I had them I can't remember the last time I ate a full meal. No, I'm wrong. I actually ate an entire meal at the moms club night out last week. I so look forward to those nights without the children.

Anyway, back to the subject I baked cookies one day and in 2 days they were gone. The triplets eat all day long. Not only do they get fed the three meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner but they have snacks as well. By the time I finish getting their dinner all prepared and I finally try to sit down to eat they are finished and want to get down. After getting them down. I finally sit down to eat and they become little doggies begging for me to feed them again. So I never get a full plate because I'm always sharing my meals with the kids and it's always cold.

If you really want to lose weight during the holidays why not help anyone who has children during feeding time. Cut up their food, prepare their plates, give in to their every whim and need so the mom can eat a meal instead of stuffing your face.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Favorite Memory from this Year's Celebrations.

I was a bit disappointed in this years Hanukkah celebration. I guess my idea of celebrating the holidays would be for us to celebrate as a family. However, that did not happen. First, I hated the fact that my husband had to go off on a business trip in the middle of the holidays leaving me home to deal with the children. Even when he was home from his trip he was working. I had to light the candles on the menorah and say the blessing alone and had to give the gifts to the kids alone. Most nights and days I just felt like crying but I managed to stay strong for the children.

I think that the children had a lot of fun opening gifts each night. I tried to make it fun where each night they would open up a gift and then I would sit down and play with them and try to get them to laugh and have fun even without daddy's presence. My only wish would have been if my husband would have had the time to celebrate with us. Sure hoping next year will be different.

Well, back to the subject. My favorite memory from this year would have to be the one night that my mom stayed over. That night we took the children to the Holiday Light Spectacular at the Arts Center. We drove through to see the lights with the kids. No, Mom, this was not the favorite part - keep reading. We traveled over an hour to get to the arts center that cost us $15 and it lasted for about 5 minutes which I felt was a waste of time and money. We will definately not do that again next year. It wasn't until we returned home from that trip and drove around the neighborhood to hear Victoria say, "LOOK, LIGHTS" and "LOOK MORE LIGHTS". She said it over and over again as she pointed out the window in the back seat to her brother and sister. Naomi wasn't feeling very well because she was still suffering from an ear infection and it was past her bedtime by the time we got back home and so she says, "NO MORE LIGHTS!" She just wanted to get home and go to sleep. This was my favorite memory. Thanks mom for being there to cheer me up and make my favorite memory with us. We will definately just drive around the neighborhood next year and maybe make it a family tradition.

Even after seeing the many many lights in our neighborhood the children would run to the Menorah each night and say, "LIGHTS". The funny thing about it was after we would turn them on they would all stand there and try to blow them out. They can be so adorable at times.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Dear Santa

This was forwarded to me via e-mail. I changed the words a bit.

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited their doctor's office more than my doctor, changed a zillion diapers, and picked up items every 2 seconds. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years. Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a new back that isn't in pain and I just hate the smell of bengay which is now my new perfume.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the third month of my pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the
phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with three kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room", "Take your hands off your brother or sister," "Get Down. Don't climb." and "No, No Don't touch that." because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the cat.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, time alone to take a crap or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding bribes as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.

Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, TRIPLET MOM...!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

*Santa has asked that this gets passed on to all the mommies you know

Happy Holidays 2006

Credits:
dabratt_SNL20_Paper3
The night before Christmas by Lauren Bavin
SADS ornament

Colour of your Dreams by Carole King

"Live in the colour of your dreams. Know everything you see is not quite as it seems. Take everything that you have to give. If you believe it, you can make it what you want to. All you gotta do is say you will.

Go for the vision in your mind. Throw all your doubts away, just leave it all behind. You are the owner of the game. Nothing will ever be the same once you have played it. You know you're gonna win if you just say you will.

So dream of the day when you will fly. And let the wings of your destiny carry you through the sky. Take everything you have to give. If you believe it, you can make it what you want to, and be living in the colour of your dreams." - Colour of your Dreams by Carole King.

Monday, December 25, 2006

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birthdate: February 13

You're dominant and powerful. You always need to be in charge.
While others respect your competence, you can be a bit of a dictator.
Hard working and serious, you never let yourself down.
You are exact and accurate - and you expect others to be the same way.

Your strength: You always get the job done

Your weakness: You're a perfectionist to a fault

Your power color: Gray

Your power symbol: Checkmark

Your power month: April

Friday, December 22, 2006

Recipe for Happiness

1 Hardworking Sexy Husband
3 Healthy Good (*Note: I said good not bad) Children
2 Cute Furry Cats
Lots of Hugs and Kisses

Mix first three ingredients in a warm 73 degree house. Add lots of hugs and kisses and cook for years.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

5 Things in Winter

List five things that make up a perfect winter day.

Well, lets just start out by saying that I dislike winter, so, my 5 things will sound negative but I will do my best to turn it around to the positive side to make it a perfect day. Some of what I say may be a fairy tale or a dream because it will never happen in real life.

1. If the temp could be warmer than freezing. 50's are good. Anything lower than that is freezing. Well, really anything lower than 70 is cold to me. However, I can handle 50 with a nice coat and gloves. It's the colder weather that I cannot tollerate. Every winter I wind up getting chapped hands and lips from the cold weather. I'd much rather stay in the house then get all bundled up to go in that cold air. Not to mention the longer time it takes us to get out of the house with all the coats, hats, mittens, etc. It's not easy with 3 little ones who still need help getting dressed.

2. Snow that doesn't have to be shoveled or driven in. If it snowed and it was there for the day for us to play in such as sleigh ride, make snowmen and maybe snowballs would be fun. The children enjoyed the snow instead of cring. Last year they totally hated the snow. I'm hoping that this year it will be different. If the next day it melted so there was no clean up involved that would be a perfect winter snow day. If we didn't have to drive to the store or to work and didn't have to leave the house for any reason that too would be a perfect snow day. Or maybe if we had someone else shovel or snow blow our driveway and walkway so I don't have to worry about my husband having a heart attack while he's cleaning up the snow mess. Cleaning up snow is not fun and just a hassle. Can you tell I hate snow?

3. Come inside after playing in the snow to a hot cup of hot chocolate with marshmellows. Who am I kidding? A cup of hot chocolate any time is delicious.

4. If it didn't get dark so early. It gets dark here at 5 pm which is way too early in my opinion. Why does it have to get dark so early and light so early? The sun starts to show up at 6 am which wakes up everyone. Luckily I got some dark shades for the kids rooms so they can sleep longer but before I got those shades the waking up at 6 am was ridiculous.

5. If we were all healthy and didn't suffer from colds. It seems since winter is approaching we are getting more and more sicknesses in our house. We've had our share of ear infections, colds and even stomach viruses in the last 2 weeks. Last year we stayed inside the entire winter so the sicknesses were less. However, now that they are older and we are venturing out to different activities we are starting to get sick more.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

Loungeroom/Play Room

Our couch has a pull out bed where my mom sleeps when she visits. Drapped over the edge are blankets that my grandmother crocheted for us. You can see the kitchen behind it..........

Our family room turned into the play room when the triplets were born. This is where they watch their tv shows. Favorites would be Sesame Street, Barney and Comfy Couch.

Our tv was purchased when we first got married over 11 years ago. It was serviced once. The wall unit was purchased when we moved into our house 7 years ago. We love TIVO.

Credits:
Element chipboard loungeroom - DSP Designers
Ribbonorama by Lauren Bavin
Text Path 2 by Lauren Bavin
Fonts: LD Beatnik and CK Wellington

Digital Scrapbooking

Fill in the blank and then tell us about it:

I enjoy Digital Scrapbooking now, but if anyone had told me that years ago, I would never have believed them.

This is a totally true statement. A couple of years ago my husband tried to get me to go digital and I kept saying no. I was totally addicted to scrapbooking the paper kind that I just couldn't see myself going digital. My husband kept saying that digital was the way to go and that many others will follow but I guess I just did not believe him. He is always right about everything so why didn't I go digital back then? I guess I was afraid of change and all the money I have spent on papers and embellishments I didn't want to give up. When the triplets turned 2 years old this past August my husband bought me a laptop computer and I decided to take the plunge and downloaded adobe photoshop elements the trial version (30 days they give you free). In the 30 days I took tutorial after tutorial when the children were napping or sleeping. Since August I have not turned back to my regular paper scrapbooking and I have turned into a major digital scrapbooking junkie. I can't get enough of fonts, freebies, and I have been purchasing lots of stuff (which I really need to cut back on). But hey, it's been my major stress reliever. I have even started to make digital items. I have been carrying my laptop all over and find it way easier and faster than paper scrapping. I love the fact that I can take one piece of paper well I should say digital background and change the color to match my photos. I am a major perfectionist and always had to have my papers and things match my photos so doing this digital fits my perfectionism so much better. If I would have listened to my husband years ago I'm sure by now I probably would be a digital designer but right now it's at a slow pace just learning new things every now and then but hey, in 4 months I have come a very long way.

Honey, you are always RIGHT!

Women's Poem

This poem I thought was very cute. I received it from one of the triplet mom's I don't know the original writer but wanted to share.

He didn't like the casserole
And he didn't like my cake.
He said my biscuits were too hard...
Not like his mother used to make.
I didn't perk the coffee right
He didn't like the stew,
I didn't mend his socks
The way his mother used to do.
I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue........


Then I turned around and smacked him...
Like his mother used to do!

Author: unknown

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

What sets you apart from the crowd?

Well, that's an easy question for me. I have 3 children (no not one, two, or twins even) their triplets. They were born all the same day. When we go out somewhere especially if I am alone you should hear the questions I get asked or the stares we receive. It's like we are the circus or I have three heads or something. And, of course, I'm not the mommy of Victoria or Justin or Naomi. People remember me as the "Triplet Mom". It's like I lost my idenity when I had the triplets. However, I am very over protective of my children. I tried for a very long time to have them so that maybe is the reason why I am protective. I just cannot relax when we are out in public. Always paranoid that they could get hurt or even worse get stollen. I have seen lots of moms who don't even watch their children and they wind up hurt.

My Get Away

Where do you go when you want to get away from the pressures of life, family, work, etc. Since I am a stay at home mom I cannot get away from my children but lately I have been locking myself in the laundry room and shutting the door so they can't come in just to get a breather away from them especially if it is a rough day when they all are tantruming at the same time. The whining and crying can certainly get to you. It's like they know how to push your buttons until you have no patience and explode by screaming. So when this happens I try to distance myself from them for a few minutes just to relax. This is also when I sometimes run outside to get the mail. The fresh air and just that walk to the mailbox can certainly calm me. After they finally go to sleep I then go to my computer to wind down from the day. Checking e-mails or just scrapbooking tends to lower my blood pressure as well.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Hardest Person to Shop for

Who is the hardest person to buy a gift for and why? I would say the hardest person to shop for would be my husband. Every time I get him something he doesn't like what I pick out. He always says that I didn't get the better gift or I didn't get what he wanted. So we agreed to purchase our own gifts this year. He got himself a Wii (which we both have been playing together) and I got myself a lap top bag. Since the children are more into the holiday this year we decided that one gift would be it and the rest we would get things for the children.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Holiday Questionaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
They are wrapped
3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house?
colored. I preferably like blue lights.
4. Do you hang Mistletoe?
no
5. When do you put your decorations up?
We don't decorate except for the Menorah and I usually take that out the first night
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Sweet Potatoe Pie
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Remember when my aunts and uncles would come over with gifts
8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We open gifts 8 nights of Hanukkah and then open gifts at my parents on Christmas
9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
don't remember
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
We used to have a green tree with blue lights that I donated to the church
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Dread it
12. Can you ice skate?
Last time I tried I could but it's been years since then.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
no
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
spend time with my family
15. What tops your tree?
n/a
16. What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
singing songs
17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
rather receive
18. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
my aunts recipe of those salteen crackers and chocolate
19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
already answered this earlier this week
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
don't really care for them.
21. What is your favorite Christmas special/movie?
Grinch who stole Christmas

My Experience Today

Using your 5 senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste), what will/did you experience today? I stayed up really late last night putting together art desks for the children with my mother. My back, legs and hands were aching since the automatic screw driver died when we were putting together the first desk. Figures. There was 50 screws in each desk. So we put together 3 desks with a total of 150 screws by hand. My mom had a big blister on her hand. Mine is just sore. Anyway, I had only 4 hours of sleep because the children woke up and were screaming from seeing their new desk in the kitchen. To top it off my throat was a bit sore. I wound up taking Tylenol sore throat medication before we left for our big outing today. Because my nose is stuffed up I did not experience any smell today nor did I taste anything. After going out to lunch and taking the kids to the play area where they played all different types of things such as fishing with a magnetic fishing pole, tossing bean bags into a wooden board with holes in it, coloring, jumping in the moon bounce, playing puppets in the theatre, shopping and playing house. On the way back to the car I stopped in one of the gift shops to get something sweet to eat and when I returned my mother was all nervous because Justin was whining and when she looked down his ear didn't look very good. His ear was crusty and when she went to wipe it there was a pool of yellow liquid oozing out from his inner ear. We frantically walked back to the car and I called my husband for the pediatritians phone number. The doctor said that he may have had an ear infection (which his sister Naomi does have) and that it may have ruptured his ear drum. Since we were over an hour away from home the doctor called in our presciption and we have to go very early tomorrow morning to see him.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Peculiar Gift!

What's the most peculiar gift you've ever received? Describe what happened when you opened it and your reaction. At my bridal shower I received strange looking ball like bowls. It was really ugly looking blue glass with an iron like frame that they sat in. There were about 3 or 4 of these glass bowls. They were sort of like glass tube shaped. I had no idea what in the world it was. My husband didn't even know what it was. So, what did I do with it? Well, I tossed it in the trash can. I just didn't know what it was and thought it was so ugly and definately not my taste at all. Anyway, a couple of years later, I finally found out what it was. It was for candles. You would have thought that the person who gave us this gift would have included the candles in the original gift but since they didn't I had no idea what it was. Luckily they were from a distant relative so I didn't have to display them in our house nor did I hurt anyone's feelings that I got rid of them.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Favorite and Worst Holiday Song

Do you have a favorite holiday song? I say it every year. My favorite song is the one which is mostly instrumental and you can hear the bells chiming. I always have to search for the name of the song because I forget the title. The name of the song is (after searching again, of course) O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night by Trans-Siberian Orchestra found on the Christmas Eve and Other Stories album. It's a fantastic album if you don't already own it. I can listen to the entire album over and over again. It's my favorite. Okay, why do I like this song so much? I guess it reminds me of the time when I was a teenager when I played hand bells in the church choir. I really enjoyed playing the hand bells when I was younger. I only wish my parents would have taken some photos of me doing this back at that time. There is no photo to be found and now it's just a memory that keeps fading away. Another song that I love is the one by Adam Sandler called The Chanukah Song. Adam Sandler just cracks me up laughing every time. Of course, I really enjoy all his movies so maybe that's why I like his song so much.

Which holiday song drives you crazy? I think that song Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer by Dr. Elmo is the worst song I have ever heard. It drives me crazy when they play it on the radio over and over again. Enough already!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Time to Blog?

At what time do you normally write your blog entries? Does it make a difference in what you write? My days are really chaotic, well, I shouldn't say that because I try to go by a schedule every day with the children you have to when you are raising multiples. What I should have said was my free time is really unpredicable. If I go to bed early then I wake up early and have free time in the morning but if I go to bed late then there is no free time in the morning. Normally, I stay up late and then drag during the day. I try to check the blog prompts in the morning and then think about what to write and then later in the day when I have a free moment (like now, nap time) I write. I do like to think about the prompt for a little bit before writing. If I write right away then later in the day I start thinking well, maybe I should have written this or that. It drives me crazy!

Saturday, December 09, 2006

What Do I Crave?

There are days when I crave junk food. I normally go for something salty but then I also have to have something sweet. Let's see what is my favorite salty snack food. I think the top of that list would be popcorn. No not the regular butter kind. I love the kettle corn kind. It is both salty and sweet at the same time. When I went to California for a scrapbook retreat over 5 years ago a friend of mine gave me some and I loved it. When I returned home to the East coast I frantically searched for it with no luck. My friend from Arizona mailed me a case of the microwave popcorn. Now, I can find it normally in the supermarket. Walmart still does not carry it but the supermarkets do.

I also love potato chips not really the plain kind. I like the salty vinegar kind. My husband tried it once and couldn't believe I liked it. But I tell you it's the only thing that if I buy it the bag will remain in the closet for when I have that craving because he won't touch it.

As for sweets. I love twizzlers. No not the regular kind you find in the store. It has to be the pull-n-peel kind. I think I purchase a bag almost every week when I go food shopping. I hate when they get stale though. I like when they are first opened and they are soft and chewy. The bag will last me a week usually if my husband doesn't get to it.

Besides that I think at least once a month during PMS time I crave brownies. I do not like cake like brownies. It has to be fudgy. The more sweet and fudgy the better. I so love it with nuts and frosting. I found the most fabulous recipe last month that I already made 2 batches of them and snacked on them often. The recipe is called Mississippi Mud Brownies.
I found the recipe at allrecipes.com.

Friday, December 08, 2006

Thankful

After posting such a downer I thought and thought. I want to turn my thoughts to positive things so here is what I am thankful for

1. Thankful that no one was hurt in the car door accident. Luckily I or the kids were not in the car and it wasn't a driving accident. The car can be fixed.

2. Thankful that my husband has started a new job. He is very hard working and I trust that he will get us back on our feet.

3. Thankful for a loving husband. Wish we had more time to spend together though.

4. Thankful that my children are all healthy two year olds.

5. Thankful that my mom still comes by once a week to not only see the kids but to help me with my chores.

6. Thankful that we have doctors that we can trust with any medical issues we have.

7. Thankful for the internet and blogging where I can write all my worries and thoughts down so I don't keep it bottled up inside.

8. Thankful for my skills in scrapbooking as that too has been a major therapy to releave some stress.

9. Thankful for digitalscrapbookplace (DSP) where I have become very active in all the challenges and activites while my husband works and I have a moment to myself.

10. Thankful for the Triplet mom's clubs, MOPs Club and MOMs club where I have met other mothers who are stay at home moms dealing with the same issues I face every day.

11. Thankful for my Stampin up upline Meredith who teaches me new things every month. I so look forward to her nights out.

So, you see, there are many things I am thankful for.

Lucky - What's that?

To misquote Clint Eastwood: Do you feel lucky? So much has been happening here and it's not the lucky feeling I have been having. Maybe it's the when it rains it pours feeling I have been having. Lets see, in the past couple of months well since August I would say. First, one of our cars gets damaged. No, it wasn't an accident mind you. I ran out to put money on a deposit for the kids birthday party at Shoprite and when I came back out my husband's car had this big dent on the door. So much dented that we had to get insurance involved. The entire door needs to be replaced which, of course, my husband still hasn't brought in for servicing.

My husband gets laid off again. This is the 2nd time this year. Our finaces have dewindled down to almost nothing. We are struggling to make ends meet. Luckily he has started a new job and I'm hoping things will get better.

The kids are in their terrible two stage. Lots of whining, crying and fighting. There are days I feel like I'm going to really lose it as the noise level in this house is unbelievable. I look forward to the time they go down for naps and the time they go to bed. Am I bad mom? I just struggle to make it through the day. I lost my helper so I'm a bit stressed. She used to come by 6 hours a week. I'm behind on all the chores and just so tired.

Not only that, my husband has developed some medical issues which I am so praying that they are not serious. I worry all the time and pray that G_d doesn't take my husband away from me. No, he doesn't help out with the kids that much but he works very very hard to provide for us. We could not have all the things we need without him. There is no way I could work as day care would cost way too much for the triplets.

So will I buy a lottery ticket. Heck, no! So much has been negative around here that I doubt very much that we would win anything.

How Old?

How old would you say you are, if you didn't actually know your age? I feel like I'm 50 yet I'm in my late 30's. Why would I say that I feel like 50? Well, I am very tired. Some people can't raise one toddler and can't imagine raising 3. I have 3 to raise. I am so wiped out by lunch time that when the triplets go down for their nap I too take a nap. I guess that's my secret for making it through the days and staying up late to get other things done. My eyes are starting to get black circles under them. Oh, I don't think that I could have raised triplets at age 50 though. I sure wish I was in my 20's with the triplets so I could enjoy them more. I just don't have the energy like a 20 year old has. The triplets are all over 23 pounds and since I lift them day in and day out and am constantly bending down to pick up things around the house that my body aches. My shoulders and back hurt. There are days I just can't sleep because the pain is really bad. You would think my middle name is Ben Gay because I wind up putting that on my back almost every night. I'm starting to get gray hair too. I so need a haircut and coloring. Oh and did I mention yet that I'm starting to lose my memory? This week I actually missed a triplet mom's night out which I was looking forward to and even RSVP'd saying I was going. I even had it circled on the calendar yet for some reason I completed spaced out and missed it. This is not the first time this has happened. This summer I even forgot about a speech therapist appointment for the kids. I sometimes don't know what day it is. I really need to start crossing the days off on the calendar.

Christmas Gifts

What if Christmas didn't require giving gifts? Would it still be the same? Oh, I so wish there was no such thing as gift giving during the holidays. It is so stressful trying to pick out gifts for everyone every year especially if you are lacking funds to do so. Okay, December for me was a very stressful time when I married my husband back 11 years ago. You see, we celebrated two different holidays at that time. I would put up the tree and get no help. We would wind up fighting and I would be in tears over decorating. So I began to dread the holidays because it was like this year after year. Four years ago I decided to convert. I did a year of studying and finally converted in December 2003. I donated my tree and all the decorations to the church as I already posted earlier this week. Anyway, once all that was removed from my house it was like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders. No more fights and no more tears over decorating. We still, however, have to get gifts for everyone but this year we are only getting the children so it's a bit easier.

Favorite Games

Favorite board game - Boy it's been a while since I played a board game. I'm so tempted to get candy land and shoots and ladders for the kids but I still think they are too young to play them. Okay, back to my favorite board game. I would have to say "Life" was my favorite board game when I was younger. I used to play it with my sister.

Favorite video game - I don't play video games that often but my all time favorite video game would have to be pac man. But hey, did anyone get to play with the new game system that is out now called the wii? My husband just had to get it and it is a lot of fun. My mom even likes playing it. One night when she slept over we played tennis and bowling together. I think her favorite game there would be the tennis as she played for hours and then the next game she likes is the bowling. You certainly can get a workout playing this game as my arms and shoulders were killing me the next day. I also played the boxing. It was a great stress releaver as I played with my husband and I felt like I was beating him up but really wasn't. He! He! It was one of those bad days when he didn't help with the children so we faught it out with the game system. It was a lot of fun.

Favorite card came - I would say my favorite card game would be UNO. It's a lot of fun playing this game with a group of friends. But, of course, haven't played this in a while as well.

I did recently purchase a BUNCO game set from BJ's. I bought the one which has the case and I did actually get to play it the one time my grandmother slept over recently. It's a lot of fun but I really think we played wrong though as we were mainly trying to follow directions from the instructions that came with the kit. I know BUNCO is very popular in the west coast but here in the east coast it's really foreign. Wish I could find someone who really knows how to play here.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Cooking Skills 11 Years Ago

When I got married over 11 years ago I hardly knew how to cook. Of what I remember growing up my dad did most of the cooking and when he didn't I remember ordering out a lot. I remember pizza deliveries, chinese food, chicken or whatever being delivered to the house. Of course, my mom said she cooked yet why is it I don't remember her cooking? Oh, it could be I'm losing my memory as I have been forgetting about things lately. Luckily I'm not alone here as I have spoken with other triplet moms and they too are having memory problems. It could be caused by mommy brain they call it from having way too many children. Okay, now stop laughing.

Anyway, I have learned a lot by taking cooking classes at the local supermarket and I have also watched tons of food network shows. While on maternity leave I think that's all I ever watched was the food network. My favorite cooks would be Paula Deen and Giada De Laurentiis. I have also watched Rachael Ray but I find that yes her meals are quick 30 minutes but I can't find the ingredients to make it or that it's not to my family's liking. Our family are very picky eaters. No fish of any kind. We no longer eat pork. So we are left with chicken and beef. My husband won't eat any veggies but yet has to have a meat for every meal. So the meal planning thing is a major struggle that I face almost every day. "What's for Dinner?" is a question I get asked often and I tell you there are days I just don't know what to feed us and luckily those are the days we have take out - pizza or chinese as that's the only thing that delivers here in our area.

Favorite Decoration

Do you have a favorite ornament or decoration that you display at this time of year? Tell us its story. All my ornaments and decorations were donated to the church when I converted 3 years ago except for a tree skirt which I quilted. I think I gave the skirt to my sister as I have no idea where I put it. It was blue and green and silver because my Christmas tree was decorated in blue and silver every year to coordinate with both Hanukkah and Christmas.

We have always had a Menorah that you plug in and use orange light bulbs in but when I converted we learned that the true Hanukkah lighting of the lights was not a light bulb but real candles. So 3 years ago I purchased a silver Menorah which you put really skinny candles in. The first year we did the blessing over the lighting of the real candles but it caused a big mess from all the wax burning and each night I had to clean it up to light more candles so last year we just used it for decoration on the kitchen table. Unfortunately, this year we will have to place it higher somewhere out of the reach of little hands since we no longer have anything on the table for them to reach. We continue to use the fake Menorah in our living room window using the orange light bulbs. Last year my husband took turns each night doing the blessing with each of our children. I'm sure we will do that again this year.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Favorite Childhood Cartoon and TV Show

I don't remember any cartoons that I watched while I was growing up except for the Flintstones and Tom and Jerry but I didn't watch them on a regular basis.


I think my favorite tv show would have to be the Brady Bunch. I must have seen every episode. I liked the show so much that when my parents asked me what I would like my little sister's name to be I gladly said, "Cindy". My sisters name is actually Cynthia but for short we call her Cindy. Hey, sis, if you are reading this, yeah your name probably came from the show I used to watch at age 6.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

What kind of Tree Would I Be?

If I had to choose what tree I'd be it would be the Lime Tree. I accept what life dished out to me sometimes not liking it but again that's my complaining side kicking in. I hate fighting and try to avoid it at any cost. I am not good with dealing with stress. When I am stressed I feel very ill and get very bad headaches. I'm a bit on the lazy side where I hate to clean and only do so if I have to do it. I have many talents but am not tenacious enough to make them blossom. I am very crafty. I know how to scrapbook, rubber stamp, crochet, knit and quilt. I really enjoy digital scrapbooking now and photography. I do not wail but my husband does say that I complain a lot. I am very loyal but have a bad jealous streak. I make sacrifices for family and friends especially if it is craft related.

According to Tree Astrology , I am:
Cedar (the Confidence)
Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, wants to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy, optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Favorite Winter Memory

My favorite winter memory would have to be back in the 80's when I was in middle school when we had a very big snow storm. So much snow that the schools were even closed. You see, I lived in the state of NY when I was growing up and they do not close schools for snow but this was the one time that they did close the schools. I hated shoveling the snow as we had a big driveway but I do remember building big walls and tunnels with the snow that my sister, friends and I would climb around in. We never had that much snow again.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Behind Every Successful Mother is a Basket of Dirty Laundry

Journaling reads:
One struggle I face on a daily basis is the never ending piles of laundry. My children now help by putting in and taking out clothes from the washer/ dryer. They cannot fold
and if left alone you will come back to piles of clothes on the floor after you just spent all your time folding.

Credits:
Mary's Garden by Rene Bross

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Art Journal - Turning Point

This is my very first art journal entry. It was fun to put together and write my story.

Journaling reads:
1995 was when I married my high school sweetheart, Evan. We were trying for years to have a family. The year 2003 was when my entire life changed.

I went for my yearly check-up at the ob/gyn. My doctor asked me what type of birth control we were using and I told her none and that we were trying to have a family for years. So she ran some tests. It was a fightful moment to get a phone call from the doctor with the news that I could not have a family the natural way. I remember that moment when she told me the bad news. My doctor said she could no longer help me and that I had to see a specialist. I cried for hours after that phone call.

Imagine wanting a child for years and then being told you could not physiclaly have any. This was devastating to me. I then went to a fertility specialist. This doctor looked at my x-rays and test results and said that I was a great candidate for IVF, however, I had to have surgery first to remove the excess tissue around my fellopian tubes. The surgery went longer than usual which really scared my husband. When I woke up the doctor said that there was nothing wrong with my tubes. What? I had surgery for nothing. My husband was so mad. How could one doctor say there was no chance for us to have children when this one says there is nothing wrong?

Because of insurance the doctor said that she couldn’t start us with IVF but she had other methods to help us conceive. So we started off with a drug called Clomid which is a pill that increases your eggs and IUI (artificial insemination). We did 3 months with no success. I was an emotional mess each time my period arrived. Why did we have to try so hard? Why wasn’t it working? I guess God had other plans for us. We then went onto injections. We used Gonal-F with IUI. My husband had to inject my stomach with shots every night. Again the cycle was no success. December 2003, I wound up with 3 cysts and had to take a break from all the treatments. I was such an emotional wreck by this time that I was about to throw in the towel and call it quits. The doctors and nurses encouraged me to do one more cycle in January 2004 of Gonal-F and IUI and after if still no success we would move onto IVF. So we tried again in January, meanwhile, I was doing research with the insurance company to see if they would cover IVF for our next cycle.

I so did not want to be disappointed again. Well, I took the pregnancy test and it was negative which I figured anyway. I tossed the test into the trashcan. Later that evening when it was time to go to bed I glanced down in the trashcan and I could not believe my eyes. There was 2 lines (positive). It was like I was living a Friends’ episode! I took the test again and it was positive. The doctor did a blood test which confirmed that I was pregnant, his exact words was, “You are VERY pregnant”. At that time I was thinking twins but no God blessed us with TRIPLETS

Basic Basic Embellishment Pack by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=2 935

Angela's Ancestry by Jamie Rousselle
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ducts_id=7 13

Emerald Enchantment by Lauren Bavin
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 467

Mothersday Word art by Tina Chambers
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...02&cat=748

Monday, November 06, 2006

Mom

I found this on the internet while searching for some word art quotes. I thought it was very interesting and wanted to share with my friends. I am in the 35 category and yes, I do call mom when I have a situation I don't know how to handle. Thanks mom for being there for me.

At...
1 year - Mama.
4 years - I want my Momma.
7 years - I need to ask my Mommy first.
12 years - My Mother is so uncool.
17 years - Naturally, Mother doesn't understand.
21 years - Mom is so out of touch - What would you expect?
30 years - Maybe Mom will have a good idea.
35 years - I'll call Mom and see what she thinks about it. Mom is really a lot of help.
40 years - Maybe Mom and I could do that together.
50 years - I wonder what Mom would have thought about it.
60 years - I wish once more I could talk it over with Mom.

Children Addressing Adults & Manners

In my area most of the people we have come in contact with like the librarian have wanted to be called Miss _____. As for very close friends I am teaching the children to call them Aunt _____. However, people we see regularly we just call them by their first name. The only problem I am now facing is that they have 2 Grandmas and 2 Grandpas so I don't know how to show them the difference between the four. If you have any ideas please post a comment. Thank you.

What manners do you stress in your family? I am trying very hard to teach the triplets to say please and thank you. I am also trying to teach them to say sorry when they did something wrong or hurt someone.

My First Word Art Kit - Christmas

This is the very first wordart kit I have made for a challenge.

Credits:
Bearly Christmas
Fonts are Summer's Bearhearts & Firstgrader - http://www.momscorner4kids.com/fonts/sfonts.htm

Ho Ho Holiday
Fonts are Beyond Wonderland - http://www.1001fonts.com/font_details.html?font_id=2869

Naughty Santa
Fonts are Kids- http://www.momscorner4kids.com/fonts/kfonts.htm
and Hobo Std.http://www.adobe.com/type/browser/P/P_1448.html

Christmas Gifts Money
Font are Beautiful Caps ES http://www.fontstock.net/9100/Beautiful-Caps-ES-Swash-Capitals.html
and Beautiful ES http://catspajamasgraphics.com/cpg_ab.html

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Change It!

I made my own wordart here. Oh, this is going to be an addiction as if scrapbooking is not already an addiction. I really like how this came out and, of course, I need more fonts. I'm sure you will see many more wordarts from me in the future.

This quote I found reads: "If you don't like something Change it. If you can't Change it, Change the way you think about it." Written by Mary Engelbreit.

There are many things in my life that I don't like but many of the things I can't change so thinking about it a different way really helps get through the tough times.

Credits:
Blue Sky Days by Bethy Nixon
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=3994

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Communicating Online

Do you find it easier to "be yourself" when communicating online with people you've never met? I find it a lot easier to write to people then speaking on the phone. I just find that I can express my feelings a lot better on line then actually talking to someone. I guess I clam up when I am put on the spot when the phone rings and I so hate calling people I have never spoken with before, however, I can always go to the computer and write my question which always helps.

And without being specific, do you belong to or visit many online communities, or just DSP? I belong to many yahoogroups. Some which are triplet related and some which are scrapbook related. The best group that I belong to which has really helped me is a triplet list of moms who have children the same age group as mine. It's nice to come to the computer when I have a difficult situation to handle as they are all going through the same situations such as tantrums, potty training and speech problems. I have also met some triplet moms in my area that I found on the internet first. We usually try to meet once a month for dinner which I so need a night out. Besides the internet, I have joined some local mom's groups which is now helping me get out of the house with the triplets. I am trying to be more social as the kids really need some playing with other children to enhance their speech delays.

Meeting for the First Time

What qualities are you drawn to when meeting someone for the first time? First of all let me tell you that I am very shy and am not likely to strike up a conversation with anyone for the first time. I am normally drawn to the person who doesn't ask a whole bunch of personal questions regarding my fertility issues or ones which say something rude about having multiples. First of all, it's none of their business about my sex life and I just find it very rude when they ask me the very first time they meet me these questions. When in public sometimes I just feel like running for cover as the triplets are such a magnet to strangers. Sometimes I get the most stupidest comments like, "Are they real?", "You have your hands full", "I would never go out of my house" or "I would kill myself if I had triplets." Now, that last comment is so rude especially if my children could understand this statement. Luckily they do not at this time but what in the world am I supposed to tell my children when someone says such a nasty comment? Anyway, the people who I am drawn to are ones who understand how tough it is to raise multiples. They typically are other multiple moms as they are the only ones who knows exactly what I go through day after day.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Queen for a Day

If I could be a Queen for a day I would start my morning by sleeping in. My personal staff would provide attention to my every need in a day that would be filled with extravagance. King Evan would kiss me good morning. Breakfast would be served by the maid in bed, she would then prepare a hot shower and she would pick out my attire for the day. After getting ready for my day I would then kiss the Royal Family (Princess Victoria, Prince Justin and Princess Naomi) good morning. The nanny would take care of them while I enjoyed the rest of my fantasy. My chauffeur would take me to a world class spa where I would have my hair done, make-up, manicure and a massage. I would then enjoy a Royal lunch with my girl friends. Then I would go on a shopping spree where money was no object. I would arrive back at the royal palace with all my shopping purchases to find the palace spotless, the Princesses and Prince happy from a fun-filled day with the nanny and the table in the dining room would be set for dinner. The smell in the palace would be the aroma from the chef cooking our dinner. I would enjoy dinner served by the maid with the Royal family all around a big table. If you looked up you would see a big chandelier lighting the room. The Royal Princesses and Prince would be put to bed for the evening. The remaining part of the evening would be with King Evan making passionate love. Unfortunately the next morning I would wake up to find that this was only a dream and that it would never happen in real life. Written by Laura Nov 2006.

Credits:
The Royal Treatment Overlays by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 996
The Royal Treatment Page Kit by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 975
As time goes by by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ducts_id=7 93
rhinestone by Mrs. Schmuck_diamond1

Thursday, November 02, 2006

10 Secrets to Surviving the First Year with Multiples

This was e-mailed to me from another triplet mom. I thought it was very interesting and wanted to share with my friends.

You Can Do It!
10 Secrets to Surviving the First Year With Multiples
By Elizabeth Lyons

While pregnant with twins (or more), you are likely to receive more
than a few comments – most often from complete strangers – about how
rocky the road ahead is going to be. Some folks will seemingly try to
convince you you'll be lucky not to fall into a giant manhole at
every step. I've always found this most unfortunate. In truth, these
folks are partly right; it will be tough. But what they don't realize
is how rewarding and amazing an experience it will be at the same
time.

My husband and I went from one child to three in a matter of
minutes. (Our daughter was 2 when our twins were born.) I've decided
that it's tough raising any number of children. In fact, I'm
convinced that it's the hardest job there is! There's no perfect
spacing, no perfect age range. You are blessed with what you can
handle – what you're meant to handle – plain and simple.

That said, there are ways to ensure a less stressful first year
raising multiples.

1. If you aren't one already, become an organized and efficient
person as soon as possible.
If you are already a proficient planner, capitalize on it and get
even better! Trust me, this is doable. Even if you are the most
frazzled person on earth, you are going to learn to be efficient and
organized quite quickly, because it will be necessary to your
survival.
According to Stephanie Winston, author of Getting Organized (Warner
Books, 1991), "Order is whatever helps you to function effectively –
nothing more and nothing less. You set the rules and the goals,
however special, idiosyncratic or individualistic they may be."

As with nearly everything else during this year, take life day by
day, and do what works for you in terms of organizing yourself and
your family, even if your mother-in-law thinks you're nuts (mine, by
the way, swears she does not).

2. Don't turn down help.
Many people are, by nature, simply more independent than others. It
seems that mothers of multiples often fall into this category.
Therefore, when help is offered, many of these women shy away from
accepting help, often feeling as though saying "yes" is the same as
admitting (at the top of their lungs) "I can't do this by myself!"
Additionally, many women seem to feel that the person who has offered
some help surely has a million other things on her own plate and
therefore, she shouldn't accept her offer.
I consider myself to be a relatively independent person, so I feel
quite comfortable giving you a direct order on this one: ACCEPT HELP!
Be sure that the help actually fulfills your definition, however.
Having someone else rock and sign to your babies while you cook and
clean is often not viewed as "help" by a new mom of multiples.

Accept the offer from anyone willing to bring a meal, clean your
house, do some laundry or run an errand. You will have more than
enough time sooner than you think to return the favor. Think about
it: When you offer to help someone in need, you genuinely want to
help. So does everyone volunteering his or her time to you right now.
Say thank you and open your door (even if you're in your pajamas)!

3. Realign your expectations.
This is of paramount importance to getting through the first year.
Relinquish your need (if you have one) to have your entire house
clean and in perfect order all the time. One secret I rely heavily on
is scented candles (I prefer those by Yankee Candle Company).
The "Banana Bread" scent will give the impression that you've been
cooking all day. "Clean Cotton" will fool visitors into believing you
cleaned the whole house just before they arrived. "Lavender" will
soothe your mind at the end of a long day.
Also, pick up a copy of Forget Perfect (Perigee, 2001) by Lisa Earle
McLeod. McLeod reinforces the importance of putting ourselves at or
near the top of our priority lists instead of the grime behind the
kitchen sink or the toys strewn across the family room. Says
McLeod, "You are not trying to create a perfect childhood, you're
trying to create a functioning adult." Your time would be better
spent singing nursery rhymes than scrubbing walls.

4. Invest in a crock pot and few good crock pot recipe books.
The crock pot is a marvelous invention. Did you know that you can
make quesadillas in a crock pot? The recipes for this contraption
have come a long way, and it's not just for beef stew anymore.
Whenever you have a spare second during the morning, pop the
ingredients in and turn it on. By dinnertime (whether at 6 p.m. or
midnight), you have a fabulous meal cooked and the house smells
fantastic. If, by some small chance, one of the babies needs you the
second you dish up your plate, just put your meal back in the old
crock pot and it'll be warm whenever you're ready – no more cold
dinners! I'm thinking of giving my crock pot a name this year and
looking at it more like my own personal food butler.

5. Schedule weekly alone time with your spouse.
One of the biggest concerns I hear from women with multiples is that
when the kids are grown and leave the house, they and their husbands
will look at each other and exclaim, "Who are you?" It is important
to make your best effort to nurture your relationship with your
spouse to ensure this does not happen.
When your babies are young, this will be easier (though it may not
seem that way at the time) than when they start moving and talking
nonstop. However, as the babies get older and the house gets crazier,
you may feel as though you and your mate haven't talked about
anything other than where you're going as you dart out of the house
just as he pulls into the driveway.

Get a sitter when you're comfortable taking that step; instead of
viewing the cost as an extra $30 for an evening out, look at it as an
investment in your marriage and your family. Or forget the sitter and
just plan on a late dinner for the two of you when the kids have gone
to bed. Sit down and talk about something other than finances, who
tackled whom that day and how you're going to negotiate the plane
ride to Grandma's. I know some days it won't seem like there's
anything else to talk about, but there is. Remember what you did on
your first dates, fantasize about your ultimate retirement or
vacation destination, or better yet, plan a date for the following
week or month.

6. Maintain your sense of humor.
If you don't have one, get one – QUICKLY! Research has shown that
smiling causes your brain to release chemicals that make you feel
good. Additionally, laughter releases endorphins in your body that
allow you to relax. So when you can only laugh or cry, do the former.
It is more fun (and less expensive) than anxiety medication or
therapy.

7. Retain an optimistic perspective.
There's an old saying, "Attitude is everything." Keith Harrell,
author of Attitude Is Everything, agrees. He says, "Your attitude
dictates whether you are living life or life is living you. Attitude
determines whether you are on the way or in the way."
And remember, as a general rule, those with positive attitudes enjoy
better overall health – a true gift from you to your new bundles of
joy. Just when things seem to be at their lowest point, remember: It
could always be worse. When I was having a particularly bad hour
during the first year with our twins, I would remind myself that
there were women in the world juggling sextuplets or more that very
second. That usually provided enough clarity to get me through those
60 minutes.

8. Schedule personal time for yourself on a regular basis.
Many mothers begin to feel as if their lives are somewhat one-
dimensional. They become convinced they are losing their own identity
in the midst of raising their family. It is extremely important to
carve out some time for yourself each day. Even if it's only to
snuggle into bed at night and read People magazine or a chapter of a
book that's been collecting dust on the shelf. Plan to spend time as
often as you can with friends in the evenings or on weekends, and
plan to do this without your kids when possible. Truly, you cannot
take the best care of your family unless you are taking the best care
of yourself.

9. Give yourself permission to make "mistakes."
Write this statement down and put it in a spot where you will see it
at least once a day:
"During this day, I will do the best I can to be a mother to these
children with the information, wisdom and energy I have at this
time."

Hours, days or weeks from now there will be no point in looking back
and saying, "Oh, if I had known THAT I would have done it
differently. " Of course you might have, but the bottom line is that
you will never be able to go back to that exact point in time – with
the information that you now have – and do things differently. You do
the best you can with what you have to work with at the time. That's
all you can expect of yourself – and that's all your children expect
from you.

10. Ignore advice from people whose opinion you don't truly value.
You are going to get advice on childrearing in general left and right
from family, friends and women behind you in line at the grocery
store. People are going to comment on your choice of breastfeeding or
bottle-feeding. People will comment on how crazy the babies' sleeping
patterns are (and how much of that is your fault).
Sit down and think about the people in your life whose opinions you
really value. Now, are any of those people the same ones who you
would imagine attempting to give you "advice" that really feels more
like criticism of your parenting skills? I doubt it. So, when you
want advice, ask for it from the people whom you generally believe
will give it to you with your best interests, not their underlying
opinions, at heart. For everyone else, smile and keep walking. If it
happens in your own home, feign a migraine and retire to your room
until the offender leaves.

As Zora Neale Hurston once said: "There are years that ask questions
and years that answer." This year will most certainly do both – I
guarantee it! And I will make you the promise that my great friend
Mollie always makes to me: You're going to make it!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Last Night's Halloween Memories

The children were all excited about Halloween. For an entire week I told them that they would be ringing bells and saying, "Trick or Treat" and that they would get candy in return. The girls were even saying "Trick or Treat" by the end of the week.

My original plan was to feed them lunch and then leave so they could nap in the car, however, my day started out later than I orginally planned so while they were eating breakfast at 10 am I decided to pack their stuff up and drive to my parents house since it is an hour ride. Naomi was a bit clingy and cried and cried until I sat with her holding her for about 10-15 minutes before she allowed me to pack up their stuff so we could go. Well, we were off in the car by 12. Arriving at my parents at 1. We then picked up my grandmother and off to lunch we went. We went to Nathons for hotdogs. The kids had a great time as we sat right near the big screen tv where they had the movie Elf playing. They each got a balloon on the way out.

Then back to my parents house where my grandfather met us while we changed the kids into their costumes. My girls were chearleaders and my son was a football player. Lots of photos were taken and the kids got lots of oohs and ahhs from all the grandparents. Then my sister arrived with my niece Amanda who was an indian. She looked so cute. Off to trick or treat on my mothers block. The kids did really well walking to each house holding our hands while in the street. Victoria wanted to take more than one piece of candy and kept saying "OPA" which means Open in her language. After doing my mother's block we went to my sisters block where it was jammed packed with kids. They seem to have children bussed into her development. It was so packed that there was hardly any parking left. I did manage to get a spot across the street from my sisters house.

The houses on her block were all decorated. There were 2 houses that were decorated like haunted houses and had sound effects that were amazing. My sister said that they compete with each other every year. As it got darker and darker the lights on the houses were amazing. At one house there was a woman dressed like Michael Meyers and the strobe light on the house really made it look spookey. The children were afraid to go to that house.

My children were in the wagon being dragged from house to house which really got tiring. My son was with his cousin Amanda while Uncle Steve pulled them along. My mom or I pulled the girls along. The costumes of most of the children and adults were cute except for some which were extremely scarey. Some costumes made my son scream and cry. The girls didn't cry but later that night Naomi had a hard time sleeping. She would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. I'm assuming she was having some bad nightmares of the monsters she saw that night. She would up sleeping in my bed which kept me up most of the night. At about 6pm my son had had enough and started to tantrum. It was due to no nap and no dinner. My mom had to carry him back to the house while the rest of us continued down the block. We finally arrived back to my sisters house around 6:30 where we ordered Pizza for dinner.

My goal for next year is to not to plan anything for the next day so we could have a sleep over at my sisters house. We had to return home because my son had a doctor's appointment the next day. Driving home exhausted was not very fun.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Preserving Everyday Snapshots Cover Page

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Credits:
Everyday Antiques Freebie by Tina Chambers
Mustard Seed by Marcee Duggar
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 372
Beautiful Soul by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 871
As Time Goes By by Meryl Bartho
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ducts_id=7 93
Tapestry by Stacey Jewell Stahl
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 568
Juxtapose by Stacey Jewell Stahl
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=3 697

Monday, October 30, 2006

Tips for Scrapbookers and Digital Scrapbookers

The only thing I can really think of that has helped me keep up with my scrapbooking paperwise for the past 2 years is to open up a blogger account at www.blogger.com to keep up with my fast paced world. I take photos on a daily basis so each night I would faithfully post my best photos and journal about the day. Sometimes I would even include a quote or a poem that I found that would go great for that day. When it was finally time to scrapbook those photos I would just go to my blog on that day and get all my journaling and it helps to keep track of all my photos as well.

Since the end of August I have gone digital. Yes, my DH was right. Digital is the way to go. He tried to switch me a while back to digital but I just refused. I guess I can be stubborn too. I have been trying to do the digital pages instead of just posting the journaling and photos, however, if I do get behind which has happened I would again just post my photos and the journaling just to save on time.

Now that I am digital you may want to know how I store all my files. Well, this is a bit of a challenge because I have been collecting way too many files in 2 months. Some freebies from other sights and some which I have purchased and earned by posting pages. The website which I frequent and love their products is digitalscrapbookplace (DSP). Since I have purchased way too many kits from that sight I now have a folder just for DSP and within that folder I have all the designer names and when I purchase a kit from the store or receive a kit as a posting bonus I immediately put it in the designers folder. I also try to print out a contact sheet as I'm saving it so I have a hard copy to look at when I finally get down to using the kit. I store these contact sheets in a looseleaf book under category such as flowers, word art, children, holiday, seasons etc.

As for storing other kits I received as freebies I have been trying to store them by designer name this way I can give proper credit when I use the kits.

Quote for the day

You will never find time for anything.
If you want the time, you must make it.

-- Author:Charles Buxton

Sunday, October 29, 2006

My dad at age 2

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Credits:
Meemaw's Dresser by Elizabeth Weaver
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...ucts_id=2 679
"Faith, Hope & Love" kit. by Beth Nixon

Favorite Items of Clothing

My favorites would have to be anything that is comfortable because I am chasing triplets around the house. I tend to wear sweat suits from New York and Company because they are comfortable. Normally I am cold all the time so when I purchase their sweat suits I get the matching jackets as well.

My favorite shoes are these slip on sneakers that I purchased when I was pregnant over 2 years ago. My mom hates them as they are falling apart. I do need to get a new pair. They are just so fast to put on where I don't have to bend down and tie them each time I am trying to get out of the house. Fast and easy is the key here especially if I want to get out of the house with 3 little ones on time.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Favorite Day of the Week

I would have to say my favorite day of the week used to be Wednesday but now it's Fridays. Why you may be all thinking? Well, that's the day my mom usually comes to visit. Since I don't have any break from the children at all I so look forward to when she comes to give me a little bit of a break from my hectic routine. It's like the day when I can acutally breath better and can sit down and relax a bit or run out and do errands which I couldn't do when she wasn' t around. I am so thankful to have a mom who wants to spend time with the triplets and help me out. Thank you mom if you are reading this.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

How I feel about TV

I love watching tv when I have time that is. We have direct tv and TIVO. I love my tivo because I can tape the shows I'd like to watch and watch them when I have the free time to do so. Also I can fast forward the commercials. Now basically I only have time to watch my soap opera Days Of Our Lives and occasionally a night time show such as ER, Nip Tuck, Desparate Housewives and I just started to watch Heros. I now have a laptop so I can do my digital scrapbooking sitting in front of the tv.

During the day TIVO tapes sesame street, barney and signing times for the kids. I even did a search last night to tape some halloween shows for the kids so in the next few days we will be surprised taping of "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and some other shows for the kids to watch. I will again do a search during thanksgiving time and hopefully there will be some other types shows for them.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Inherited Traits

What do you see in yourself that has come from your ancestors? If you have children, what have you handed down?

I can honestly say I am definately not like my mom. She likes to garden. I do not have a green thumb at all. I can't keep a plant alive for the life of me nor do I like to get my hands dirty from dirt. She also likes to clean. Cleaning is the last thing I'd like to do. I clean only when I absolutely have to. My mom is just a fanatic when it comes to cleaning. She also likes to talk to strangers and is very outgoing. I am such a loaner and don't like to talk to anyone especially strangers. I do not make friends easily where my mom can easily make tons of friends.

I think I inherited my ability to save money from my dad. He taught me how to use coupons at an early age. We used to go shopping together often when I was little. I am always looking for sales of some sort and clipping out coupons to save money. I have also inherited my calmness from my dad. My dad is a very calm quite person and never yells and hardly ever gets angry. I also inherited my blue eyes from my dad.

I am creative and love all types of crafts. The only person in my family who enjoys crafts or is creative would be my grandmother. She crochets and knits. I know how to crochet and also knit but that is not what I enjoy doing. I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, rubber stamping and card making.

Now to my children. My son Justin inherited my blue eyes. He definately is from my side of the family. More and more I see my dad in my son. My daughter Naomi is more and more like me. I see her picking up books and trying to read them. I think she will be very good in school when she is older. She did, however, inherit her daddy's brown eyes. My daughter Victoria is a lot like her daddy. She is very stubborn and has to have her way. She has his brown eyes and her color hair is just like his. When I look at her I definately see my husband.

Monday, October 23, 2006

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

You Are Best Described By...

Girl With Hair Ribbon
by Roy Lichtenstein

A New Holiday

If I could create a new holiday it would be called MOMMY SPA DAY. Okay now you know I'm a bit stressed out. I just wish I could have a vacation or a day off. I mean when you work and get paid for it you are at least entitled to a vacation and some sick days. Some jobs even give you 2 personal days that you could use for whatever you choose. When you are a MOM you just do not get any time off and when you do get time off when mom comes to visit you are doing things with the children or running errands. Yes, I do get to go out with my friends after the kids go to sleep but that really is not time off. I would really like to go on a spa day or weekend. Get a massage, facial, hair cut, manicure, the works, dinner, ability to sleep late. A weekend to relax. No diapers to change, no noise to listen to, a relaxing weekend away from the kids. If any of my family members especially my husband (which I doubt) are reading this hope you take this as a hint what to get me for the holidays.

If I Could Live

If you could live in any era of history, what would it be, and why?

I don't think I would want to live in the past. There would be no computers, internet, ipods, cell phones, dishwashers, etc. etc. I think we have it a bit easier today with all this added technology. However, the violence is still around.

I wish there was peace in the world. It's a bit scary to know that I am raising my children in a world where there are crazy people lurking the earth. I hardly ever watch TV let alone the news because the kids have taken over the TV or we just don't have it on but just like last week I had it on in the background and could not believe what I heard on the news. 10 little girls being shot in school. Killing 5 instantly. What is this world coming to? It's not even safe to send your children to school.

Okay, I know that now is far better than the 1940's (World War 2). Imagine waking up one day to be hauled off into trains and then put through a gas chamber just because of your religious beliefs. This really upsets me to know that people in my grandparents age group would actually do this to children and adults. What really is baffling to me is when I hear someone say that the holocaust never happened! There is real live footage and people who actually survived this nightmare to tell their story. About 3 years ago I did a walkathan to raise money to help Israel and while I stopped to sit on the bench while my husband and in-laws continued their walk I happened to talk to a survivor. I remember her telling me that her entire family was killed in the concentration camp. When this happened she was only 8 years old.

To this day, I occasionally have nightmares about the holocaust. Maybe it was because I studied it in high school and then as an adult I again studied it reading and watching movies about what happened. It just scares me to death that this did happen and could possibly happen again. Just recently when getting on the hayride at the farm with my family and children those haunting thoughts came to my mind of those people getting on those trains. It really upsets me that those people who were murdered could have been any one of my husband's family members and part of my children's heritage.

How I Met My Closest Friend

Thirty-one years ago I was starting school for the first time (kindergarten). Yes, that's right, my closest friend was in my kindergarten class. Her name is Debbie. Through the years my mom and her mom also became very close friends. In 1975, she lived a short distance from my childhood house. We would walk to each others houses that is how close we lived. Unfortunately, when we were in first grade she moved to another state. Even though we were in separate states we still remained in contact with each other. We would spend the entire summers together. As teenagers we even attended church sleep away camp together. Now as adults, we live only 30 minutes away and still keep in touch at least once a week. She is more like a sister. She has always been there for me. Right after the triplets were born she came to visit me in the hospital. I was very ill after the c-section and she stayed to help. She even helped me take a shower which my husband was too skirmish to help. I am very thankful for her friendship.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

5 Things Accomplished

Five things accomplished this weekend!

1. Food Shop
2. Take Kids to Safari
3. Cook meals each night
4. Paid Bills
5. Went through mail for the week

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

If I was back in school

If I was back in school and had a choice to join any after school activity it would definately be the girl scouts again. I really enjoyed being a girl scout when I was little. I think I liked the arts and crafts part of it the most. I also liked to earn badges. I hope when my children get older they too get involved in the girl scouts and even the boy scouts. Maybe once the kids get older I can get involved in this again maybe even be a leader for the troup or maybe even a helper.

What I'd Like to Improve

This was a bit of a challenge. I had taken the perfect photo for this today. The journaling is a letter to my children that reads:

Dear Victoria, Justin and Naomi,
Now that you are two I am finding myself yelling at you. There are times I think I am losing my mind. I so do not want to fight with you guys. I want to be your mom and also enjoy being with you. I am sorry for yelling and I will do my best to change.. I would also like to spend more quality time with you guys so that is why I have joined the MOPs group and also the MOMs club. I hope by doing so I can be a better mom to you. This photo was taken today at the library at music time. It was a MOMs club activity. We had a great time together and I hope we can spend more quality time in the future. Love Mommy

Credits:
Beautiful Soul Page Kit by Rene Bross
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.c...oducts_id=3871
Weekly Freebie: Mothers WordArt 2005 by Tina chambers
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...55&cat=748
Font: DSP Grandmoms Hand
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=139341&cat=738&limit=recent
Alphabet Go Rounds - Family by Tina Chambers
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3765