Yeah, I like corn... you wanna make a big deal about it hot shot?

I could have lived a thousand years and done without seeing THAT!

I just knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Maybe it is the realist in me, maybe it was karma but it came back to bite me thrice! You always think you are prepared for the worst. You try to think about what you will do and you get yourself mentally prepared. Putting together scenarios with different outcomes. There is a plan B, C and sometimes even a D. I have worked very hard to prevent it from ever happening. Now that it has happened I have a "renewed vigor and enthusiasm not seen by many" (anyone know where that quote is from?) to prevent it from ever happening again. But at least I have now been to precipitous edge, looked over it and lived to tell about it....

What am I talking about you ask?




The poopie in the "Little Swimmers!" Yep, ALL THREE of them! I will spare you the details but let's just say I "discovered" it, I was NOT informed of it:( Luckily I had a hose at my disposal:) It gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "that is just wrong."

A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.
Saki (1870 - 1916)

Al

July the 4th, twice the fun!

We had a great 4th of July! We had some friends and my Mom over starting around 10 am. I pulled a "man move" and lost the air plugs for the inflatable pool, again:( Oh well, we pressed on:) In our back yard we have a Little Tikes swing set, a BIG swing set (graciously donated by one of the Shepards at our Church), a Little Tikes plastic pool with slide, a three piece inflatable pool/sprinkler set, and a toddler size bounce house with a climbing wall (also graciously donated by a family at our Church). When I got done setting it all up, along with our sun shade, in the back yard it looked like a mini-amusement park for toddlers. We threw in balloons, bubbles and Freeze-pops the fun really got rolling!

I figured that we can include Holidays like the 4th in our "eat anything you want" event category along with vacations and camping. The ladies (one of the CFO's best friends was also in town) fixed lunch while the guys played with the kids. Through the application of sunscreen by the Moms, and God's grace, no one got sunburned! After lunch, an outside shower for the kids and naps (for everyone) we got ready for party #2.

Some friends in the neighborhood had a 4th of July party starting at 4pm. We made it there around 5pm. Our small group was invited so we thought we knew how many kids to prepare for. Keep in mind this is primarily a mental preparedness:) When we got there we were pleasantly surprised to meet more families than we had thought would be in attendance. More kids is a mixed blessing at any event, as you may know. The more kids, the more fun! But there is also the propensity for more fit pitching, dirtiness, sweating, and just general mob mentality issues that come with groups (gangs) of kids. The Triplets took full advantage of the playhouse and trampoline. Yes, I let them get on the Trampoline, twice! Both times I was right there keeping everyone in line:)

We got home around 7:30 pm in time to give baths (again) and get them to bed by 9:30 pm. We were sad that we did not make it to see any fireworks. Maybe next year.

The Triplets got their first taste of Freeze-Pops.... they're hooked:)

Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Benjamin Franklin

Al

Happy 4th of July!

I, like many people, have always enjoyed the 4th of July. But I do think that it, like many of our Holidays, might give us the wrong idea. Independence and Freedom are values that we cherish but I think that they give us the idea that we are "free and independent." We really get riled up when someone "takes" some of our freedom or Independence. Or is it maybe that we are just mad that their actions really just point out that we weren't all that free or independent in the first place?

Take for instance the phrase "the freedom to choose." It could be argued that with all the advertising and labels being put on people that very few of us (if any) are really "free" to choose. Like during the election last year when there were some students in different parts of the Country that were labeled as racists for supporting John McCain. Or when people who are for helping the least of these (increasing social services) are called Socialists for their views on sharing the wealth. Whose "wealth" is it really anyway?

I am constantly reminded that if we put our faith in anyone other than God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit we (I) will be sorely disappointed. It is funny how mad we get when So while I LOVE discussing politics especially with some of my (Facebook) friends who are "true believers" one either side of political spectrum I realize that at the end of the day none of it really matters.

All that being said we are truly blessed to live in a Country where we have the Freedom to discuss ideas/beliefs and the Independence to make decisions on those ideas and/or beliefs. Just remember that to give freedom is not free and it costs EVERYONE. So while we are "free" to become wealthy (in a worldly sense) and make our fortunes so are we "free" to become homeless, hungry and destitute.

This is the best definition of a Democrat and Republican that I have heard....
A Democrat is a Republican who has been arrested. (They want ALL the "protection" the legal system can afford them or should I say all the legal protection they can afford)
A Republican is a Democrat who has been mugged. (They want the book thrown at the offender and the criminal to be "punished" as to extract a pound of flesh)

Al

Sleeping in.... well, kind of:)

The CFO and I treated ourselves to a date night last night. My Mom was gracious enough (as always) to come over and babysit. We went on a double date with some friends who have a family member visiting who was also generous enough to baby sit for them. So yes, we stayed up WAY too late talking. To be specific, the ladies talked and the dudes played video games. I may be a SAHD but I try my best to keep my man card when I can:) The girls even left the restaurant together and let us guys play a video game there before heading home. I got trounced in Galaga and Ms. Pac Man.

Upon crawling into bed the CFO said "who knows, maybe the Triplets will let us sleep till 8am." I laughed.... Well, at 6:15 am I woke up to Jackson rubbing my head. Addison was snuggled with the CFO (sleeping) and William was on the floor (also sleeping.) Lucky me, I drew the wide awake one:) Jackson and I got up. And guess what..... EVERYONE else slept till 8am! UGH! Dang the CFO and her optimism:) My realism (the CFO calls it pessimism) bit me in the rear again. Once the rest of the family got up the CFO let me get my two hours back in the form of a nap till 10am. That is why this post is so late:)

The CFO letting the kids have some fun...

Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given.
Deepak Chopra

Al

How do you get it all done?

I still wonder how stay at home parents get it all done. I feel I get a good bit of stuff done but there is still a lot I need (want) to do. My #1 goal, outside of raising the kids, is to get everything done around the house M-F so we don't have to do anything on the weekends. That leaves our weekends for family time.

One way I can see more things getting done is if I can keep it "fun" for the kids. Here the kids help Daddy play with his new "toys."

I hope that when I die, people say about me, 'Boy, that guy sure owed me a lot of money.'
Jack Handey

Al

Rough night?