Happy Birthday Bambi!!!

Today is Bambi's birthday!  Go on over and wish her a happy one!

Happy Hour Friday and Happy Christmas to All!

Today is Friday, so for Bambi and Otin, that means Happy Hour Friday.  Go check them out.  They've always got something to be happy about.

Today I'm happy it's Christmas.  A few of Mom's neighbors came over for a Christmas morning feast.  I'm happy that after breakfast we loaded up the gang and went over to a park near the Truckee River to walk around.

I'm happy we've been having some nice quality family time.  Here Aunt Bambi and her nephew are checking out the dart guns Santa left under the tree.

There's lots more to be happy about.  Check out Bambi's post for the happy tale of our walk to Emerald City and the happy story of the turkey.

Have a happy Friday, everyone!

George has Found A Forever Home

Last night I got some wonderful news from Jackie at Hope Rescues .  Our latest foster dog, George, has found his forever home.  George wasn't up for adoption when we took him in shortly after Thanksgiving.  The rescue was worried about placing him in a home because of his medical issues.  George had distemper as a puppy.  It is a horrible disease and it left George with lasting neurological damage.  He has some obvious defects; his facial muscles don't work and his eyelids don't close.  He walks a little funny too.  But he is the sweetest dog.

When he first came to us, Jackie said she wasn't sure if he could bark because they never heard him.  For the first few days, he was very quiet.  Then one day, as Ginger and Sassy barked at the door, he joined in.  He also would not go up or down the stairs.  We weren't sure if he was unable to climb them due to his neurological issues, but it seems he just didn't know how.  Once he got the hang of it, he was running up and down like a regular dog.

I'm so happy for George.  What a wonderful Christmas for him.  I don't know the family he went to.  But I'm sure they are going to love him like we did.  Merry Christmas, George.  We'll miss you!

He's Touching Me!

Today I've had the 3 boys home by myself.  I know, I'm their mom.  It's my job.  But it was a somewhat difficult day.  Hubby wasn't here, it's cold outside, and everyone was in a grumpy mood.  At one point I yelled at them to just not touch each other.  Next thing I knew, one of them was saying "He's touching me because he's touching the couch, that is touching the floor, that is touching my chair, that is touching me!"  There are days that I think I can't win.
Will I ever get caught up on the laundry?
Will I ever get caught up on the dishes?
The dining room table has needed to be cleared off since before Thanksgiving.  What am I going to do with all that crap?
What the hell am I going to make for dinner?
Will I be able to teach these kids to love and respect others?  I've obviously failed at teaching them to love each other.
How are they ever going to be able to navigate this big scary world?  I want to be a good example for them, but I'm not perfect.  I get frustrated and lose my temper.  I yell more often than I wish I did.  But I don't pick up the nearest toy and throw it when I'm frustrated.  I don't hit back, or kick back, or pinch back.  How do I get them to understand that they can't do that?  Why would a kid think it's OK to be mean to his own brother?  Especially when that brother is younger and smaller?
How do any of us grow into responsible adults?
It's really a big responsibility - to raise kids.  And sometimes I wish I was doing a better job.
But I'm trying my best every day.  Hopefully, something is getting through.  My youngest got a "gold slip" every day last week for being generous at school.  My oldest has been volunteering his time helping  at the adoption days for a local dog rescue.  The middle kid is my most empathetic, and is the kindest to his brothers when he's not being mean.

You may be wondering why I'm thinking about this at 10:25 on a Saturday night.  Well, I was just over visiting The Mother Load  and found her description of life as a mom so true.  At least my hair was clean today.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Hour Friday

Hey Everyone.  Thanks to the Wizard of Otin and Rxbambi we have something to be happy about on Fridays.  So go check them out, link up, and tell everyone why you're happy today.

Today I'm happy it's Friday.  I'm going out to dinner with my hubby, then we're going to the St. Louis Blues hockey game.  Lately, since we only have two seats, we've been taking turns taking one of the kids to the games.  But tonight we are going together!

I'm happy that there are lots of presents under the tree.  Only a few are for me, but that's ok.  I hope the kids aren't too disappointed.  Their lists were long and they are not getting everything they asked for.  But it should be good Christmas for them.  And Santa will be bringing a few other things too.

I'm happy I got to go to the skating rink with my 3rd grader's class yesterday.  It was fun to see all the kids (well, all the ones that got to go.  if they hadn't behaved during the semester they had to stay at school) skating around with their teacher.  My son's teacher is a really funny guy.  He was wearing an old blazer complete with a couple of rips and a buffalo hat complete with horns.  It was cute to see him out there helping the kids that couldn't skate well on their own.

I'm happy I remembered to take my camera yesterday but I couldn't get many good pictures.

I'm happy I'll be attending my 1st grader's Christmas holiday party today.  Just think.  An hour with 21 first graders, excited that today is the last day of school until next year and pumped up on sugar plumbs.  If this is my last post ever, you'll know why.

I'm happy I have dogs. It makes me happy to see Sassy sitting up in her chair.  And I like how Ginger follows me around the house.  If I'm home, she's usually in the same room with me.

I'm happy we're going over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house for Christmas.

So.  What are you happy about?  If you want to play along, go see Otin and link up.

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

Today I've been married to my wonderful hubby for 21 years.  (21 long years, he'd say!)

This is us on our trip to Scotland.  We went to celebrate 20 years together.  We are on the shores of Loch Ness.

I just wanted to say "Happy Anniversary, Hubby!" and let everyone know how lucky I am.

Rant and Rave Wednesday

Thanks to Little Ms Blogger, we can rant and rave on Wednesdays!  Go check her out.  She's always funny.   And Rxbambi has some good ones too.  

Santa said last week that I couldn't have any more rants until after Christmas.  So I guess I'll just rave.

* Rave: hmmm.

ok, ok,

* Rave: I'm just about done buying Christmas presents.  We are not really going overboard this year, so it wasn't too hard.

* Rave: I still have one kid that believes in Santa!

* Rave: I was totally glad to see that Mean Owen did another post!  Check him out. :)

* Rave: I stopped by Hope Rescues yesterday and got the scoop on Tommy's new home.  It's on several acres, with a family of totally devoted "dog people".   He's got 2 doggie siblings, both girls, who have already put him in his place.  (he needs that, according to Jackie).  And he's as happy as can be.  A true rags-to-riches story if I ever heard one.  Go to the website and read his story on "Tommy's page"  if you don't know it.  But be prepared to cry, tears both of heartbreak and of joy.

I may add some more raves as the day goes on.  Thanks to Santa I won't be giving any bad thoughts long enough to rant!

Happy Wednesday!