Today I...

Baked bread for the entire month from scratch. And I whistled while I did it.

Shampooed my carpets by hand, using cloths that I wove myself.

Taught my children long division and worked on their Hebrew.

Calmly sat down and discussed with my toddler why putting his baby brother in a choke-hold is not a "good choice." In the middle of the Wal-Mart parking lot. Then we held hands and sang a song while rubbing noses.

Made every person in my family their own favorite meal and felt happy and complete as they all ate every bite and complimented each other the entire time.

Whipped up a batch of homemade laundry detergent.

Sanitized every toy in the playroom and returned each to its proper and labeled home.

Ran five miles with my dogs. Uphill. Practicing Cesar Millan's world-renowned dog training techniques. Oozing pack leadership the entire way. Oh, and no, they do not have to be on leashes. They are so well-behaved.

Sent every one of my friends a hand-sewn satchel of love with a written note telling them how much I appreciate them.

Led an impromptu Bible study on the corner of my block, strumming a harp and singing "Kum-ba-yah."

Stroked my hubby's ego as soon as he walked in the door and then sat and watched the entire Star Wars series to show my complete and utter devotion.

Wait, you think I'm lying? That I'm making this all up? What??!!

You know me too well.

It went more like this:

Scooped up all the bread on the day old rack to cram in my freezer for the next month. I like to stay well stocked. Which is why, right before we went to the store, we had PB&J on saltines. Mmmm...    :o/

Moved my couch down a couple inches to cover a stain on the carpet. Just until I get a hold of a shampooer.

Gave my kids a preschool workbook, some markers and a couple pairs of safety scissors and told them to learn something. Just until I finished watching Oprah wiping down the counters.

Told my toddler that if he didn't let go of his brother, I'd personally take him down WWF style right here, right now. In the middle of the Wal-Mart parking lot. Then I told the lady staring at me to pull up a chair for front row seats.

Heated up leftovers for dinner and upon hearing the "Chili, agaaaiiin?!" whines, I said it doesn't count as leftovers if you didn't touch it the night before. Then I mentally zoned out and took myself somewhere far away and exotic as the screeching and food flinging ensued.

Added a little water to the tiny bit of laundry soap I had left so that I could at least wash my husband's work clothes. And no, he did NOT ask me to wash him so clothes because he had no clean ones left! That would be really terrible.

Tossed the toys in the play room at the end of the night. And actually, yes, I was completely satisfied as long as they were just inside the doorway. Sanitize? I'm not running a hospital here! ;)

Walked to the mailbox. All thirty feet. Slowly. Without kids. Definitely without dogs. Enjoying the quiet. I have no idea what either the kids OR the dogs were doing while I was outside. I DO know that when I go back both kids' bedding (ALL of it) was downstairs and my lemon tree in my backyard looks like a stick person in the ground. :(

Forgot to call a friend and my MIL back until it was too late. :o/ Sorry, guys.

Pondered whether I could consider looking at a craft blog with a Bible verse picture tutorial my devotion for the day. Thought God probably didn't think that was funny. Stopped blog hopping and did a devotion.

Scoffed at my hubby's television choice for the night. Ancient Aliens vs. Ellen?? No brainer!

All in all, I think it was a pretty nice day. Just a friendly reminder that this blog is not portraying a picture perfect mom, family or life. Rather, the story of me trying to be a mom, take care of my family and keep up with life. :)

Belle sings SIlent Night

A couple weeks ago, when I put Son down for a nap, we had one of those insane moments. The screaming, flailing, hitting, kicking, arching back, levitating, running up the walls and drop-kicking toys, speaking in another dialect...you know, when a kid does NOT want to nap so badly that they go all 

Emily Rose on you? Yeah. It was kinda like that. 

I tried to reach out and rub his back. 

He jerked away.

I tried to calmly say his name and talk to him.

He screamed at me.

I tried to cuddle him.

He hit me.

I tried to leave.

He threw stuff and screamed to come back.

It was definitely not one of his most charming moments.

I was at a loss and getting frustrated, anticipating that he would be waking Baby up any moment. 

I pleaded with God to cast out the demons. I sat down on the floor of his room, watching my little boy lose his marbles because he was so sleepy, and I started to sing. It was Christmas time and the only song that came to mind immediately seemed to reflect the deepest desires of my heart. I sang Silent Night. Right after the first "Holy Night," he sat down and watched me, wiping his eyes and sniffling that sad little kid sniffle. As soon as I got to "yon virgin," he crawled over and started to climb on my lap. I looked past the boogers and tears and pulled him in, leaning his red, tear-stained face on my chest. 

I wrapped my arms around him and finished the song, rocking slightly. 

I started to sing it again and was about halfway through when he stopped me. 

"Mommy...Mommy..."

I was a little annoyed. Couldn't he just enjoy the moment and fall asleep? Do we have to have questions, or discussions or arguments right now?

"What Son?"

"Mommy...can you sing it two more times?"

"Yes Son. Do you like this song?"

"Yeah, I like dis song. You sing dis song like Belle. So pretty Mommy."

Guilt set in for feeling so annoyed. Thankfulness set in for God helping me keep my cool and showing me what my little boy needed. I sang Silent Night two more times and then tucked Son into bed. 

I have since had the same scenario happen a couple times. Son goes into hysteria at bed or nap time. Demons take over. I pull out Silent Night in my best Belle voice and demons run for the hills. 

I would highly recommend this technique to any religious leader with a sticky demon possession situation or any mother with a sleep demon lingering.

 One or two refrains of Silent Night (using a Belle voice) and your insane child is out. 

You can all thank me later. ;-)

About me...Ten months ago

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it would be fun. Here's a post all about myself, just a few things. Well fifty, to be exact, that you may or may not already know. Feel free to skip. I don't blame you. I'm not the most terribly interesting person.

1. My mom made up my name. De'Bran. She has a thing with unique names. My sister is Chantel Zorana. I hated it growing up and have learned to embrace it as an adult.
2. I have one younger sister. She is four and a half years younger. We could not be more different.
3. I love to travel; airports, hotels, rental cars, roadtrips, eating at new places, luggage, packing, unpacking, everything. I have been to Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Mexico, Australia and the Netherlands and absolutely cannot wait to travel again someday.
4. I love to write. I also love English and grammar and have recently come to terms with myself as a grammar and spelling Natzi. Not that I am without error, but I know I have an issue. I always wanted to be a writer and was advised by several teachers throughout school and college that I should write, but I dabbled in other studies for other reasons. That's another story.
5. I love the idea of primping with makeup and hair color and nice outfits and I often go through phases of trying very hard to spruce myself up, but the truth of the matter is I am just too lazy and would rather spend my time and money on other things. Poor Kenny.
6. I moved out when I was 19. Well technically, my parents moved out and I stayed behind. I made them think I had a place to live and did not and when they left I had $200, a loaded down car and a packed storage unit. I seriously considered staying in my storage unit but the hours it was open didn't work with my work schedule.
That's an entirely different story that I could write a post for. Should I?
7. I've had my heart broken only once and learned to love again so deeply it hurts, but in a very good way.
8. I always wanted four kids, very close together. Now I have three kids very close together and I think I may be done. ;-)
*** Well we all know that didn't last ;)***
9. I don't know my father. Another story.
10. I have an amazing dad.
11. I talk to my mom a few times a week. She's one of my best friends.
12. My sister and I just recently have started to get along. It was a long and rocky road to being able to talk without yelling.
13. I hated Hubby when I met him. I called my mom and told her my boss needed serious prayer.
14. She hated Hubby when she met him and of course, by that time, I did not hate him any more. She hated him for a long time. Another story. I should take a poll...which story are you all most interested to hear?
15. I was always raised knowing and learning about God, but truly became saved in high school, when I was fifteen.
16. I was once told I couldn't have children.
17. I switched doctors.
18. I participated in a pregnant bikini contest. Yes, yes I did. Another story. lol
19. I love to read. I'll read anything: books, magazines, textbooks. I like things based on real events or based in reality. I don't do science fiction or fantasy. Same goes with movies and TV shows. Although, I do love tall tales, fables, and fairy tales. I guess those usually have a good lesson to go along with the ridiculous story.
20. I'm a carrier for cystic fibrosis.
21. I have very bad asthma.
22. I played piano, saxophone, clarinet, flute and dabbled with the trumpet, French horn and trombone.
23. Being in an orchestra to record soundtracks for movies and/or play concerts would have been my dream job, besides being a mommy of course.
24. My favorite color is green.
25. My favorite movies are Moulin Rouge, A River Runs Through It, My Fair Lady and Legends of the Fall.
26. I would like to have a little bit of land somewhere much more rural than here and have horses.
27. I used to ride a few times a week.
28. I've always had a thing for all things ranch and cowboy.
29. I really, really do not like bugs. Especially ants.
30. I don't like birds as pets.
31. I am extremely allergic to cats and take allergy medication before I go to certain people's houses and always take an extra emergency inhaler, just in case. I have forgotten and had to leave unable to speak because I could barely breath.
32. I am somewhat lactose intolerant. It comes and goes.
***I've since stopped eating almost all dairy, so now I don't have any issues with it :)***
33. I once had 21 units in college.
34. I love school and cannot wait to go back. I never finished college and wish I had daily.
35. I scored the exact same number on my SAT's both times I took them.
***Update: When I was in high school, I scored very high on my SAT's and have been very proud of those scores ever since. Until the other day when my neighbor's son explained to me that the scoring is different now and every time I "brag" about my scores, they are truly laughable. Phfff...***
36. My favorite job I ever had was working at a coffee shop.
37. Hubby and I were married in Vegas. I was five months pregnant. My wedding dress was $40. Classy ;)
38. I've been accused of having an eating disorder.
39. I once went in a coyote den and saw pups. We ran.
40. I am a fairly laid back person, but I do tend to be sensitive. It is a blessing and a curse.
41. I do not believe in aliens, but Hubby is not so sure. It makes for very interesting conversations.
42. I am obsessed with Christmas, and love all other holidays. Well, not Valentine's day. I only like it for the kids.
43. I drive a Toyota Sienna and I love it.
44. I adore Garth Brooks. Really, really adore him. One of his band members rubbed my belly when I was pregnant with Son.
45. I love to blog, but refuse to feel obligated to it. That is my explanation for any extended absences from blog world.
46. I have never been away from my kids overnight, except to have another baby.
***Update: We did have our first overnight date in February, this year. So this isn't true. Although the next time I'm away from my kids overnight, will probably be to have another baby. lol***
47. I had a miscarriage and still find myself very sad about it. That baby would be two this month.
48. My favorite scripture is Exodus 14:14. It says (NIV) "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."
49. I love to cook and bake. Especially the latter.
50. I needed a signed permission slip from my parents to participate in a class activity in college. Second semester.

Well, there you have it. Fifty silly and useless things to know about me. :)

The Way I See it...

There are two kinds of people in this world.

People like me.
And people like Hubby.
And if there are other kinds of people, well, they just have missed my radar.

You see, I, by true definition, am a morning person.
Hubby, is not.

And that's it, those are the two types of people.

I wake up in the morning and nine times out of ten, swing my feet to the floor, say a little prayer and head downstairs. No time is wasted, I start coffee, breakfast, emails, blogging, reading, getting ready for the day, laundry...all of it within 15 minutes of waking up. Even on the mornings when I am dragging, as in I went to bed too late and some little human woke me up around five in the morning, I still manage to get it together fairly quickly. I usually have music playing and am declaring a dance party by 7:15 am.

I can be up and out of the house early and prefer first thing in the morning appointments and play dates. Dr. appointment at 8:30? No problem. Lab work at 7? You got it. Play date at 9? Perfect. Grocery shopping at 8? I'm there. Garage sale at 6:30? Done.

It's just the way I'm wired. I always have been. When I was a kid, I never slept in. I had no problem getting up and at the bus stop on my own by 6:30 around age ten. I usually only woke my family to wave goodbye. I've always had an alarm but rarely needed it.

In college, I'd drive 45 minutes to school to be at class by 7am, but I'd meet a friend at Starbucks around 5:30 every morning just to start our day off. I worked at a coffee shop for a few years and working at 4am was my favorite shift. I loved waking up, watching the sunrise, feeling the dew as it was falling, the bustle of early morning commuters. I loved all of it.

The first time I slept in past ten was when I was prego with Daughter. I slept one day until noon, you know that ridiculous tired feeling you get when you're pregnant? And I was shocked when I woke up and saw the time!

The downside of all this morning business is that by 7:00 at night, I am frequently checking the clock and yawning, by 8:00 pm, I could very well fall asleep with no issue and by 9:30or 10:00 pm, I am out cold, drooling on the couch.

But it works for me. And for my kids, who are also, apparently, morning people.

Then there's Hubby. He is absolutely NOT a morning person. When his alarm goes off on the days he works early, he will usually keep sleeping. Through the alarm. I usually have to shake him or slap his face or arms to get him to turn it off before it wakes up the kids. Then he'll reach a heavy hand over to his night table, usually knocking over a water bottle or cup on his way, slam his hand down on the table and with eyes still closed, keeping slamming the table until he finds his phone (picture the whack-a-mole game at Chuck E Cheese). Once he finally grabs his phone, he swings his heavy hand with said phone back over to the bed and tries to look at it. Emphasis on "tries." His hand is actually TOUCHING the button that turns off the alarm and even touching the snooze button (both of which would silence the glaringly loud and obnoxious sound ringing from the phone speaker), but having a hard time actually pressing either button.
I am generally next to him, hissing at him to touch the damn button or give it to me immediately! I have come to the conclusion that he actually cannot hear me at this point and is just struggling to open his eyes and comprehend what is going on. He finally slides open the phone (unnecessary to turn off alarm), goes to the menu screen, tools screen, alarm screen, and then clicks the option off, usually after one or two of our young children are awakened by the shrill ringing throughout the house. And I wish I were exaggerating. One time I happened to be outside early in the morning watching the sunrise when I heard his alarm going off. Outside. I heard it outside. I'm sure he wakes my neighbors every morning as well.

Now that the alarm is officially turned off, he will do one of two things. Ask me to wake him up at a specific time (usually 30 minutes or so later) or he will sit up on the edge of the bed and stare at his dresser for ten or fifteen minutes. Sometimes he will actually fumble through his phone menus again and reset his alarm for another thirty minutes and then the whole thing happens all over again (except the rest of the family is up by now, eating pancakes and reading the paper). Other times he will just sit a while longer, staring at the dresser. I used to ask if he were okay. He never answered with anything short of a caveman type grunt, so I stopped asking.

After he finally decides to get OUT of bed, he stands up and walks with a drunk/very old man stumble over to the sink, where he leans against the counter, turns on the water (just for kicks) and stares for quite some time. What does he stare at, I'm not really sure, actually. The sink, the mirror, his eyes could be closed even. It's all in the mystery of the morning, really.



Once he's dressed, he makes his way down stairs, still stumbling, and sits himself down in his recliner. He folds his arms, scoots down in the cushions a little and closes his eyes. Sometimes he'll mumble a little to inquire about coffee being ready or not, and then it's time for a tiny morning snooze. I usually let the dogs in to come greet him (read wake him up) and bring him a cup of coffee. This whole recliner things lasts about twenty minutes until he's finally awake. And when I say that I mean it. He is finally awake and up and able to speak. It's almost like a rebirth, or a coming of age, every morning. A miraculous moment, when all the senses align, all the brain functioning returns, all the motor skills start to get going.

And usually by this point in the day, the kids and I are ready for a nap. ;)

However Hubby is at his best in the evening, awake, vibrant, talkative and generally annoyed that I cannot stay awake past sunset. It's an interesting match.

And that's just the way I see it.
So what kind of person are you? Morning or night?

Great Party

I went to a party last weekend.

It was so fabulous.

Great food, 

great company, 

cute decorations, 

fun activities. 

They even had "vintage" wagon rides. ; )

GREAT Party

Boys

Quick little funny:

Today, as I was getting Son dressed, he points to his chest and asks "What is that?"

"That's your nipple." I replied.

"Nipple? I have two nipples."

"Yes, you do have two nipples."

"Why are they there?"

"Because everyone has nipples."

"Yeah, everyone has nipples."

Quiet for a minute, the little boy wheels obviously turning.

"I like you Mommy."

I laugh, "Thanks, I like you too."

"I like you because you have GIANT nipples."

aaand...THAT'S a boy for ya! ;-)





And here's a couple more funny pics just to make you giggle. :)

A lesson from Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry is hell. 

Or exactly as I imagine hell.

And it's all because two people fell in love.

See, you create a soft cuddly little human out of love for another person. 

You invite them into your home, give them everything and love them unconditionally. Then one day you come up with the bright idea of a playmate. Apparently at this point you have not yet been introduced to play DATES, where you go play and then come home with just your one human and everything is still peaceful and quiet. No, that's either not an option or not good enough. 

You decided that your little human needs another little human. 

Someone to grow up with, share laughs and clothes with, someone to protect and love, someone to bond with. Sounds like an inspirational song right about now and you do the deed.

Pretty soon you're welcoming your second little human and taking those priceless pictures of introducing siblings in the hospital. People are gawking about how sweet they are and how they have the same nose. You are writing birth announcements and blogs about how human number one just instinctively loves the new little human and is just so kind and gentle with them.

That lasts about four and half minutes. 

Well it lasts a tiny bit longer, but it feels like only four and half minutes. 

And then you're googling how to foster sibling love and sharing.
You're begging for advice from friends and buying multiple identical items to try and keep the peace. 

You've built barricades in the hallway between their rooms and are considering adding that plexiglass shield that cop cars have to the swagger wagon so you don't crash the wagon during a completely 

NORMAL 

shrieking session. 

And then, if you're a slow learner like I am, you decided to go ahead and do it again. 

Human number three. 

Oh. Em. Gee. 

Yes, that is exactly how I imagine hell. 

To help teach my kids compassion towards one another and show them how their actions can hurt each other, I've started telling the offender to ask the offended how he/she can make them feel better.

The offended often times requests a singing sorry-gram or a prayer or a turn with a favorite toy. It actually does work really well most times and smooths over the moment. 

Well one night, I was the offended. My kids were both being so grumpy and yelled at me when I asked them to do something. I must have genuinely had a look of hurt on my face because they both started looking very concerned and asked what was wrong. 

I told them I did not want to talk to them when they were being so mean. 

They talked to each other and then both said sorry. 

I wasn't quite ready to let it go so I thanked them for their apology but said I still had hurt feelings and didn't want to talk to them. 

More whispers.

Then they break out in the most out of tune, off pitch, unsychronized, 

SWEETEST

 version of Twinkle Twinkle I have

 EVER 

heard.

I tried to resist.

I looked the other way. 

I bit my bottom lip. 

And then...I melted.

I turned and watched them sing the rest of the song to me with their big goofy grins and looking at each other to try to stay together. When they finished singing they asked me if I felt better because they sang me that song to make me feel better. 

And then Son offered me the last soggy bite of his graham cracker and 

Daughter said I could sleep with her Barbie. 

Thanks guys. I feel much better.

No thanks on the cracker though, Son. 

You go ahead and finish it.

Daughter, I'll get back to you about the Barbie. ;)