In a Different Life

I was a lumberjack

Because It's What Every Home Needs

Flynn saw a commercial, one of those MADE-FOR-TV ones. They were advertising under-the-bed storage things to hold something like 18 pairs of shoes.
She was insistent about us getting it.

"Mom, do we have $10?"

"Not sure. Why?"

"We really need that."

"But you already have a thing that rolls under your bed for your shoes."

"Yes, but that one keeps them all separated."

Better Than a Good-Bye Kiss

Yesterday (because Murphy's Law rules my life), Gabe was up at 6 am or so. And after getting up & telling Jeff good bye & have a good day (who am I trying to kid, I had to lay a big wet juicy kiss on him), I ska'daddled back to my bed to 'nuggle with my handsome baby boy.

The offer must've sounded appealing to Jeff who decided to go tell his boy goodbye. When Gabe saw Jeff darken the doorway, a wide grin spread across his face.
He quickly "scooched" toward the middle of the bed, turned towards Daddy's empty pillow & patted it,
"Here you go Daddy."

Some days are harder to leave for work than others.

Tales of a Tenth Grade Nothing

Remember when I talked about re-connecting with old friends via facebook? Well, these pictures have come to haunt me.

A photo of me (on the right) with a fellow-pommie, Heather. Heather is married to her HS sweetheart (thank God I didn't marry mine!) & is a teacher too. That purse to the left, yah, that's mine. I had neat stuff like that back then. PS The person on the right?: wig or hat??

This would be the Homecoming Dance my sophomore year. (I'm on the left, next to the supplier of these photos, my Pommies "Big Sis", Jenni). And Mom, did you approve that dress? (wish someone hadn't approved that hair!)

A Really Good Allergy Clip

For my new readers, my girl has a severe allergy to milk. She can have at best, a skin reaction to eating or touch any food or substance with dairy ingredients...at worst, an anaphylactic reaction.

It's hard many times, to explain the severity of her allergy. My biggest pet peave is when I go to tell someone of Flynn's allergy & they respond with, "Oh, I'm lactose intolerant too."
IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING THE SAME.

And then others think that's cool if the milk is cooked or if they use the same spoon, etc.

My fellow mom allergy & blogger, milk allergy mom, posted this food allergy video on her blog that I wanted to share.

It's not long. You should watch. It gives a teeny peek into our world. Only we "only" have ONE food allergy to be really worried about.

No Foolin'

Seven years ago, a handsome 27-yr old looker & I went to check on the progress of our house that was being built. We had plans to marry, obviously as we were building a home together, but nothing was 'official',no dates were set, & no ring was upon my finger.

I noticed my heart throb was fidgety, acting nervous, & had (by a small miracle) not only suggested bringing the camera, but had remembered (a huge miracle) to bring it.

And when we climbed the mound of dirt, soon to be the Perry homestead, Jeff clasped my hands in his...
looked in my eyes...
his palms were sweaty...
he looked excited...
and....

HONK-HONK
It was our real-estate agent. She pulled her car through the circle & yelled from her window, "I have some papers for you to sign - DID I INTERRUPT SOMETHING?"
She knew it.
I knew it.

So, we descended from the cloud of romance to come down & talk business.

And as she drove away, there on the road in front of Jeff's Jetta, he got down on one knee & put the most beautiful & perfect-for-me ring, I'd ever seen.
"Amy Julane, will you marry me?"

...and I think you know the rest.

Something I learned that day:

Moments aren't what make magic....the person you are with -- that's what makes it magical.

Jeff, I love you so much. Thank you for asking me that question seven years ago. Life has gotten sweeter & sweeter since that day.
No foolin'.

God's Fingernail?

Yesterday, Daddy was clipping his nails. Talking to Gabe about fingernails.

Last night, Daddy was taking Gabe to bed when he pointed out the sliver of the moon. Daddy told Gabe, "Gabe look, at the moon...it's just a sliver..."

Gabe asked Daddy, "That God's fingernail?"

Dogwood

I showed the kids a dogwood tree. Which they saw as white. Flowers. Tree.

And so.

Every single tree they see with white blooms, is...well, a dogwood tree.

Simple enough.

And so every white blossom they spy through the car window is 'recognized' as a dogwood tree.

"Momma! A dogwood tree!!"

"Momma! Wook!! A dogtree wood!!!"

Make New Friends But Keep the Old

Remember that Girl Scouts song?

Well, I was super excited Wed. to meet up w/ an old friend whom I think I hadn't seen in over 12 years. Isn't that crazy?

I thought of Michelle often but had no way of getting in touch with her. I really didn't want to call her...I mean, what a shock, "Hi Michelle, this is Amy Perry...well, I mean, you don't know me as Perry... um..." She would've been too surprised to be happy.

So I did what any girl would do.
I joined Classmates.

And tracked down my old work pal. And she looks the same! Only with one more kid to the mix. And we promptly made plans to meet for lunch.

And I got to meet little Tori, who is as funny as she is cute. And my kids had a blast with her.

Our kids wouldn't have forgiven us, had we not made plans for our next meet-up in a couple of weeks. Can't wait Michelle!Flynn & Tori, instant friends

FINALLY agreeing to look at the camera & pose.

"What? We have to go home?"

Dad's Night @ Preschool

A few weeks ago, Flynn's preschool had Daddy's night. She was so excited about this.

She of course, marked it down & counted the days.

They sang songs, did a project, & had a snack (milk-free! yay!).

Flynn has the best dad in the world & he has the best girl!

Eye Love Her

Flynn's left eye has started to cross. I've noticed it a couple of times & Jeff noticed it once.
I'm trying to see if there's a pattern. Like if her eyes are tired...or if it happens when she's focusing on something close or faraway.

Guess she's headed for her first optometrist (or would it be opthamologist?) appointment!

Big Head

Gabe: Finn, you bigger dan me?

Flynn: Yes Gabe. I am taller than you. Because I am older than you. Right Mom?

Me: Well, yes, you are taller than Gabe. And yes, you are older than Gabe. But just because you are older than someone does not mean that you are bigger than that person. As a matter of fact, I don't know how much longer you will be taller than Gabe. Probably soon, he will be taller than you.

Flynn: Why? Because I...

Me: Because he is going to be a very tall adult. Actually, a tall kid. And you are going to be a petite person, not tall.

Flynn: (with revelation) Ohhhh.... it's because his head is so big.

As If Being Cute Wasn't Enough

Those two rascals of mine have reached milestones in the last couple weeks...

On March 12, 2009, Flynn successfully tied her first shoe. And hasn't stopped.

A few days later, Gabe wrote his name without prompting OR help.
Today, he wrote Flynn's.

These Two

Fight.
Make up.
Kiss.
Hug.
Punch & pull hair.
Are less than two years apart.
Will graduate two years apart.
Like different things.
Look at each other when they laugh.
Stand together when we're somewhere strange.
Love each other.

Numbers

8 = How many new freckles Flynn got while playing outside today.
15 = How many minutes went by, sans kids, that their movie played in the van before I realized it.
4 = How many kids I thought I'd have.
19 = How many pounds I've lost since October.
2 = Hours my kids spent outside this morning.
202 = How many times my kids went in & out during those 2 hours.
1 = Hours Hot Hubs & I spent along together last night at dinner.
5 = Months until my "baby" is four.
113 = Coupons in my purse right now.
3 = Number of kids (including me) in my family.
47 = Number of blogs saved in my Google Reader.
6 = Loads of laundry that are waiting to be folded & put away.

And on that note...

My Little Leprechauns

I have 2 wee leipreacháns. Me two small sprites are usually mischief-makers. But sometimes they even trick their momma...and do something that melts me Irish heart.

Like today, when my Flynn asked me for 3 sheets of paper. Was very specific about the amount. So I gave her the paper & she trapsed upstairs. Later, when I went into my bedroom, I noticed a folded paper on my pillow, one on her Daddy's, & one on Gabe's pillow. She made us each a St Patty's Day card.

And when my boy had the chance to play a game at therapy, he was quick to include his sister. Mr. Jacob said, "You want Flynn to play?" Gabe said, "She's my stister!"

I might not find a pot of gold, but have struck gold. And I think if I ever followed a rainbow to its end, it would take me straight home.

Have a little Help from my Friends

A little shout out to my homeys (homies?)...

I blog all the time about the blessings of our family/families. And how we're nothing w/o them. How they bail us out, love on us, & help us with anything we need. And how they're funny & fun & make us proud.

But I'm also nothing without my friends. For reals. No-thing. My friends, all of them, couldn't be better. And are like my own little posse of angels.

My best friends, my friends from growing up, my friends who are like family, my church friends, my school friends, my neighbor friends, my bloggy friends, my kids' friend's moms!

I never have to feel like they are fair-weather. They don't love me because I have money (duh!). They don't love me because I can do something for them. They just love me.

And I love them.

Macho Caliente

I mean, Mucho.On date nights, we sometimes try to get a photo of ourselves.

We can really go hog wild with the photographing, without rug rats demanding our attention.
Sometimes we get lucky & get a good shot.
Sometimes we get downright sassy & capture a keeper.

Then, sometimes. Well. Um, sometimes.
Other things happen.

Spidey & the Princess-Ballerina

The princess-ballerina doesn't care that her recital costume from 2 years ago is almost too small.
She has moves to do & dance hands to pose.

Or that by hiking it up over her sweat pants, she's made them high waters...
And perfect little petite feet with long toes to point.

And Spidey, he doesn't care either. He doesn't care that his socks don't match. Or that he has food on his face. He doesn't care that his momma's wanting to take the perfect picture.

What they did care about was that their Daddy had promised them popcorn that night. And they care about Wall-E. And a movie on the wall.

And they care that right before this photo, they ran from something imaginary in the basement.

A Vday to Remember

Niece Nessa

A dip (or death grip!) from Hot Hubs

My girl (who looks like she's wearing lipstick but she's not)

A jig w/ Papa