Welcome to the Gun Show

Knock, knock.... who's there?

I am not sure who taught the kids "knock, knock" jokes but I think they missed a part or two....

• Knock, Knock...
• Who's there?
• ......
• ......
• ......
• HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

They EXPLODE in laughter. I love it! We are living on the extremes these days. They seem to either make me laugh or make me want to scream. The "whine flu" has now infected Addison and it seems more virulent than ever because she is whining ALL the time. Thank God for all the Love and Grace he gives parents for it is our duty to give them to our children.

Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Franklin P. Jones

Al

William shows his smarts

William seems to have the largest vocabulary so far. He also impresses us and others with his comments. For instance last night at our small group get together from Church. I was watching all the kids with two other friends when Addison started crying. I looked over to see her spitting the raw carrot she was eating into a friend's hand. The friend says "Oh, it's a carrot!" She thought Addison might have had a toy or Lego in her mouth. William walked up with a carrot and said "it's not a toy, it's a carrot." Now that's funny!

His intellect also showed at the Triplets' Birthday party. They each got a stamp set from some close friends. William immediately fell in love with his. He asked SEVERAL times if he could play with it. I told him that we could after naps. He did not like this answer. So I noticed him heading for the door. Luckily I caught him:)



There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Al

ARrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

At the Triplets "family" Birthday party they received a TON of gifts. One of the gifts they received that gives me a laugh most days are their new Pirate outfits. The outfit consists of a one piece pirate outfit, a hat and an eye patch. We already have one eye patch that is MIA so they share the two we have. The eye patch seems to be the main ingredient in making a now three year old a Pirate.

Addison is the funniest saying "Arrrrrrrr, I'm a Pirate!" She even has a very good and very convincing scowl on her face while saying it. No, we do not have sword nor do I see sword in our near future. We have several friends who have swords but they also (only) have one of two kids. A sword fight with three quickly devolves into bedlam, mayhem and crying.

The average man will bristle if you say his father was dishonest, but he will brag a little if he discovers that his great-grandfather was a pirate.
Bern Williams

Al

Those little daredevils.

I am always amazed at how the Triplets go after life! They have little to no regard for their own safety. I usually think of the possible (bad) outcomes when they try something, especially if it is new. We went to a park the other weekend and I stretched my comfort zone with the kids. Is my trepidation really THAT evident in the pictures:) BTW, Addison demanded on wearing the jacked AND the sunglasses. What a diva!

Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!
Friedrich Nietzsche

Al

Alas, poor cupcake... I knew it well

Rosie strikes again!

You may remember that Addison's Train "Rosie" has a history... She likes to eat hair. Rosie has gotten Addison twice before. Last night she struck again but she hit a different target... William! William was making a "tunnel" for Rosie to go through when she struck. He started saying "Ow, ow, ow" but he was not yelling or crying. I thought maybe he was stuck in that position. After quickly surveying the situation I saw Rosie in his hair. I turned her off but before I could do anything else William pulled her out of his hair. Rosie kept her prize, his hair. He did not cry or anything. The CFO asked "William, did that hurt?" His answer? "It didn't hurt that bad." He has a VERY high pain threshold. I think anyone else that had a chunk like that ripped from their head would at least shed a tear but not my "bruiser" William:)

The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world.
Georgia Harkness

Al

It's party time!

We had the Triplet's Birthday party this past weekend at our house. I spent much of the week getting the yard ready... mowing, edging, pulling weeds, cleaning the swing sets and other out door furniture. All that really paid off as God decided to bless us with more rain:) I try to never get upset about a rainy day. When we lived in Dallas we had a Summer where the drought was so bad that all out door watering was banned and everything died.

On to plan B, the basement. The only problem was that the basement was full of.... well, let's just say that I still had camping gear out from our last trip two months ago:) Thanks in no small part to a good friend from Church, we had room for a lot of stuff in our new storage area. The CFO took Friday off. The Triplets played in the basement while we moved stuff around and started the transformation from a huge junk room to a basement we could use. We worked on it from 9am - 11:30 am, had lunch, then I took a nap with the Triplets while the CFO continued work on the basement. I would have let her sleep with them but, well.... let's just say that me "working" on the basement without her "direction" would be counter productive to our goal:) She continued working on it through dinner. The in-laws came in town Friday night and they bathed the Triplets while I cleaned the house. After we put the Triplets to bed (very late) the CFO was thinking it wouldn't get done. With a little of my annoying positivity she was coerced into head back down for one last go at it. We finally finished up and got to bed around 2am.

I woke up Saturday at 6am to take a load of trash to the dump to finish the job. The in-laws watched the Triplets until the party so we could decorate. My Mom picked up the cupcake cake and the CFO picked up some balloons. By 10:30 am the transformation was complete and we had us a party!!!!



At every party there are two kinds of people -- those who want to go home and those who don't. The trouble is, they are usually married to each other.”
Ann Landers

Al

The whine flu

No, the title is not a typo. We have been having a bout of the "whine flu." I think it has merged with another flu strain known as the "crying flu." I am worried that it will one day become the annoying "whying flue."

William has the worst case with Addison having bouts of the "mine flue." You may also be familiar with the German variant that she frequently picks up called the "nein flu."

We were told by a friend back in TX who nannied for us that 2 3/4 was the toughest age and I now believe it. I, for one, try to bury any "feelings" I have so all this emotion reminds me of my favorite quote.....

I don't like how emotions make me feel.
Jon

Al

One fine day....

The CFO took the kids' Birthday off and we had one heck of a day!

• 8:30 am - 3 year check up at Dr's office. Everything went great and no shots!
• 9:30 am - Went to Party City shopping for dress up stuff.
• 10:30 am - Went to the Mall
• 1:30 pm - Back home for naps
  

The Mall is where the fun really began! First we rented three of those car-strollers for the kids. I usually pushed the boys and the CFO pushed Addison. We "raced" around the Mall several times with some bump drafting and them swapping paint at times. But then again rubbin's racin! They ate Cheetos while "driving" around the Mall. We then rode the carousel before grabbing lunch. Well, the CFO and I ate lunch. The Triplets ate the rest of their Cheetos. We then parked the "cars" and rode the escalators for a while. The Triplets decided to spend some of their Birthday money from their G-Daddy buying a Plasma Car. There was time for one more ride on the carousel before getting out cotton candy snack. The day was finished with several elevator rides before they collapsed in the minivan on the way home.

After dinner that night we went to Wal-Mart to pick out cupcakes for them to share with their class at school. Whew! The CFO and I were BEAT!

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.
Epicurus

Al

Wordless Wednesday

Good cop vs. bad cop

I was reminded of the "roles" we play in life while watching a VERY guilty pleasure of mine, Dexter. I tend to be the bad cop and the CFO is the good cop. Thankfully for the Triplets, we balance each other out. If it was just me the Triplets would be using sippy cups until kindergarten. If it wasn't for me we wouldn't have a back up plan when things go wrong or a back up to the back up plan or a stocked diaper bag:)

My most recent "bad cop" situations have involved my little angel, Addison. She has gotten quite bossy lately. I have no idea where she gets that from:) I have always let her amend her initial "requests" to make them nicer but I have had enough. I finally realized that she knows the game and is bending the rules. You know what I mean....

• Addison:"GET MY MILK!"
• Me: "what do you say?"
• Addison: "Pleeeeeeeease" with a big.... well, she is smiling but it is a.... you know the kind of "grin" on her face that I am talking about:)

So now if the first request is not nice then it is a "no go." This happened twice the other night at dinner....

• Addison: "PICK IT UP!" (food she dropped)
• Me: "No mam, you did not ask nicely"
• Addison: "Pleeeeeeease"
• Me: "No mam, you did not ask nicely the first time"
• Addison: "Pleeeeeeease, Pleeeeeeease, Pleeeeeeease, Pleeeeeeease, Pleeeeeeease, Pleeeeeeease, Pleeeeeeease"
• Me: "No mam, you did not ask nicely the first time"
• Addison: "I am sad" She then put her forehead on the table.
• Me: I tried my best to stifle my laughter.

The same thing played out when she dropped her fork. So begins a new learning curve, for both of us. These Triplets could put some of the best PSYOPS people to shame. They are masters of manipulation. I wonder who they get that from? :)

We do sometimes switch roles just to keep the kids on their toes but I think the "heavy" must be the one that stays at home. You can't have the "good cop" undermine you but they can "take it from here" from time to time. The sad fact is that I am probably the tough one because I got away with so much as a kid. The CFO on the other hand... well, let's just say we came from VERY different backgrounds:)

Some more pics from the "family" Birthday party.

Nothing says chaos like 3 year old triplets, 3 1/2 year old twins, a five year old, a two year old, a two month old and two dogs:)




Want a good gift for kids? Buy a mask!

It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.
Dale Carnegie

Al

I want to hold baby Trip

At the Triplets' "family" Birthday party William out of no where said "I want to hold baby Trip," his newest Cousin. Much to our surprise, the CFO walked in the room to find William holding baby Trip. Well, Mimi helped:) He kissed baby Trip then checked him out and his fingers. You can see how happy William was in these pictures. I think that was the best Birthday present he got:)

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one." C.S. Lewis

Al

Am I really a better person?

Until recently I/we (the CFO and I) felt like we have really grown spiritually. I am not saying that we haven't, I just always viewed growth as one way. You know, birthdays never go backwards:) Unfortunately, as many people know all too well, the journey to walk with Jesus is not only uphill, it is also greased, covered in ball bearings and has traps. I now realize my journey is more like a game of Donkey Kong with barrels and fire coming at you all the time.

I have been back-sliding lately. Why you ask? Well, let's just say that I now believe in the Devil more than ever. I have mentioned before that one of my guilty pleasures is watching Dexter. It is a Showtime series. I/we have been waiting for season 3 to release on DVD so we could watch it as we do not have cable. When we finally got the first disk I was surprised at how the language shocked me. I had never realized how bad it was. But as we watched the series I quickly found myself slipping back into the role of it not bothering me and it was invading my thoughts as it once did.

I am reminded about a talk I gave to our youth group at Church. I told them that it is a constant struggle to stay on the path. Especially when you are use to being off the path. A friend and I often talk about which is easier... to have never succumb to many of the temptations of this fallen world and thus remained less "of" the world or to have been "of" the world including it's many temptations and then have made the decision to turn away from them and towards God. Both sides have their arguments. For instance if you do not know the savory goodness of a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut then you drive by the store with little notice. But if you, as I do, know the VERY temporary pleasure of eating one (or twelve) hot glazed doughnuts then you have to fight the urge to turn in when their sign is on. But it also seems that people seem to truly "get" Grace when they themselves have needed more of it.

Of all my worries and regrets the biggest is the influence I have had and will have on others. As one of my favorite songs says.... "be careful little feet where you go, it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow."

Others learn the most from us when we think we aren't "teaching".

Al

The Triplets are turning three

I still can't believe that it has been three years since we were in hospital having the Triplets. It has been a dream... a nightmare at times but mostly a nice dream:) I think I have grown as much if not more than they have and we all still have a long way to go.

Since moving to Birmingham we have been blessed with having some family near by. Last weekend when we picked the Triplets up from Mimi and Granddaddy's they had a birthday party for the Triplets AND me. Yep, I also turn a year older this month:) One thing I want to tell everyone is that they don't have to buy each of them a gift. Don't get me wrong.... the CFO and I love everyone's generosity but it almost makes me feel bad for inviting people to the party. We usually set a limit on how much we spend on birthday gifts and I would not want to have to triple that amount each time we went to a birthday party:) The kids also LOVE getting gifts so maybe me wanting to tell everyone that they should not feel obligated to bring/buy a gift is a selfish thing... OK, it is:) It may even be more insidious than one first thinks. To say I am not good at writing thank you cards is an understatement of monumental proportions. I guess I should rephrase that... I am good at it, I am just too lazy to actually write them.

Enough about me:) The Triplets had a great time with their cousins at the family party and they were so blessed by everyone's generosity that I had to ask a cousin to help us haul the gifts back to Birmingham. No really, I did. The next morning the kids the kid's even asked where cousin Lindsay's car was because it had their gifts in it:)

The Triplets even decorated a cake for me... well, William ate while Jackson and Addison decorated:)

This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.
Unknown

Al

Playing hooky.

School started last week for the kids but we played playing hooky the first day. I have to admit it is for a selfish reason. The CFO and I wanted the kids to be healthy for a trip we had planned for last weekend. A trip without the Triplets:) Being the pragmatist (pessimist) that I am I knew (assumed) that they will get the flu ASAP after going back to school. With the incubation period being 2-7 days they could (would) have started getting sick on Friday. As it turns out we might have already had the flu when a 102 temp went through the house a few weeks ago. I sure hope that was it!

After a month "off" of school we are starting to get back into our routine. I sure missed. Maybe now I can start cooking for them again instead of "heating" for them:) After our weekend with friends I definitely need to start eating healthier too.

BTW - I turn 39 this month... time flies! I don't think birthdays will affect me until I hit 49 or 50 as that will be when the Triplets become teenagers. What do you get a 39 year old SAHD of Triplets?..... hopefully a Sony PS3! I have been resisting but the price just dropped and getting a blue ray disc player PLUS a great game system for $299 is hard to pass up. I just hope the kids understand when they MUST take a 3 hour nap each day. Daddy's got to have his game time:)

Here is a pic of us during a hike over the weekend with my favorite shirt on:) Then two pics of the same sunset. One original and one edited.

Humor is just another defense against the universe.
Mel Brooks

Al

Things I never imagined I would say

As anyone with kids knows, you say some pretty silly stuff when you are around two year olds all day.

• You can only see your poopie when you go in the potty
• Give your brother/sister his/her balls back
• Do you like it when someone pulls your tail? Then don't pull the dog's tail, OK?
• Do you want to go poopie in the potty or in your pants?
• You can only touch your own penis.
• Don't take your poopie out of your pants.

I know there are a lot more but that is all I can think of right now:) I slept till 7am today so I will keep this one brief.

I feel like a fugitive from the law of averages.
William H. Mauldin (1921 - 2003)

Al

Grandaddy has a new tractor!

This was the second weekend in a row the Triplets were at the in-laws. Last weekend the Triplets, the CFO and I were in town for her 20th HS reunion. This past weekend Granddaddy and Mimi had the Triplets to themselves as the CFO and I took a short (way to short) mini vacation with some friends. It is funny because the only way my in-laws get any attention from the Triplets is for us to leave. If the CFO or I are there we muck it up:)

They say the only difference between Men and boys are the size (cost) of their toys:) Granted the in-laws do own farm land so you can't really call a tractor a "toy" but it kinda is:)

Jackson was "supervising" Granddaddy putting some air in the tires of the trailer before our hay ride:) Notice Jackson has one hand on his ear and is tilting his head to cover the other ear. Air compressors are LOUD! Seems it tuckered him out... he fell asleep in the CFO's arms.

A man grows most tired while standing still.
Chinese Proverb

Al

OK, I am an idiot, so what's new?

Yesterday morning the phone rings.... it is our neighbor. Here is how the conversation went...

• Me: "Hello"
• Neighbor: "Were you at Wal-Mart earlier today?"
• Me: "Yes"
• Neighbor: "Did you leave your coupon book?"
• Me: "Ughhhh, yes"
• Neighbor: "When I pulled in I saw something in a cart and when I looked through it I saw your name"
• Me: "You ROCK!"

I have almost done this several times but I have always been saved by the kids. Well, they were in school yesterday morning so I was on my own.. no bueno:) To make things worse I had a few rebate Visa cards in there along with some membership (Zoo, Science Center, etc...) cards. God saved me again! No way that happened by chance.

The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it.
Dudley Moore (1935 - 2002)

Al

Forgive me if I correct you...

I frequently find myself saying PLEASE and THANK YOU. Not just in normal conversation where I feel that I do a pretty good job of being polite but also correcting the kids. You know how it goes:

• Triplet: "I want more"
• Me: "Please"
• Triplet: "I want more please"

This happens ALL the time. I usually try to tell them they need to "ask nicely" but a lot of times I just cut to the chase.

This is all well and good but seeing as I spend all my time with the Triplets I am now correcting other people. I don't mean to but it is now habit. I try to warn most people I spend a lot of time with but I sometimes forget. So if I correct you please forgive me:)

That being said I think it is a good idea for us to use please and thank you more. It drives me CRAZY when I hold the door for someone and they don't say thank you. Or how about the car you let in front of you and the driver doesn't wave to say thank you? I also try to say please and thank you to the Triplets as I am a firm believer that the way you talk to them is the way they will talk to you. I know kids do as I do not as I say. Now if I can just do as I say too:)

There is no such thing as an underestimate of average intelligence.
Henry Adams (1838 - 1918)

Al

Please God....