Booger Monster

Warning: This post may cause your stomach to turn. And remember, I warned you!

Lately, as I having been trying to clean up a little around the house, I have noticed random slimy boogers wiped all around. I've seen them in bathrooms, on walls, on our fireplace, wiped on the floor, etc. It seems as though the booger monster has invaded our nice little home. Has this happened to you? If it has you know that slimy dried-on boogers are very difficult to remove.

Now, who exactly has become the booger monster is still in question. I know it is not me and I am pretty sure it is not Lee. So that leaves four more little ones that are keeping very tight lipped about the subject. I have yelled, I have threatened, and I have bribed the booger monster to come forward. It has not happened just yet. I am not sure what else to do. Maybe if I start wiping my snotty boogers all over their stuff they will realize how totally disgusting this practice is.

I know I realize I should be blogging about all the many things I am thankful for or catch up on the many wonderful things that have been going on with our family, but quite frankly, all I care about is catching this nasty, nasally, noisance.

I have one thing to say to this so called booger monster: You can humbly come forward and admit your guilt, or I will track you down and expose your guilt and your name on my blog for all to see. It's your choice.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I'm Alive

I can't believe it but I actually got my 3 remaining wisdom teeth pulled...and survived! Aside from really wanting crunchy food, I am doing great. What was I so afraid of? I went to sleep in the chair and when I woke up I had three less teeth. Go figure. I have had no swelling and no pain. It really couldn't have gone any smoother.

I was so terrified the night before. I started thinking of all the ways I could get out of it. Then I would remember the pain I had been having and all the gagging I was doing trying to brush those cotton pickin teeth.

I decided at the last minute, I would be brave just like my kids had been and just do it. There was a tiny part of me however, that was convinced I was going to my grave.

But I didn't, and now I am celebrating the conquering of one more fear. My kids want me to put the teeth under my pillow to see how much money the Tooth Fairy leaves me. I think I will do just that.

Open Wide...

Do you remember this memorable day at the Dentist from last year? I couldn't believe how smooth everything went. I want that day back. We recently went in for our checkups/cleanings and, let's just say it was not as pleasant. Since then, we have spent just about all of our extra time at the dentist:

Last week Emma had one cavity filled and Eva had two. Eva also went to the orthodontist. Looks like she will be needing braces sooner than later.

This week Ella had her first cavity filled, Eva had to have three more cavities filled and Ben had one cavity filled and two teeth pulled.

Next week I will be getting my three remaining wisdom teeth extracted, Ben has one more cavity to be filled and Emma has a turn at the orthodontist.

A few things I have learned from this:
Nitrous does not work on Eva.
Nitrous works really well on Ben and Ella.
You better believe we'll be flossing more often.
My kids are the toughest, bravest people I know.
Giving blood, getting shots and other yucky doctor stuff does not phase me. Going to the dentist scares me to death! I am SO nervous about next week. I am feeling like I need to hurry and update my will.

All I am seeing are dollar signs whenever I close my eyes.

Dental gods, have mercy on us!

Boo!...and Holiday Thoughts

This Halloween was a difficult one for me. I struggled to get into the spirit of the day. I have gotten myself so busy that I am struggling to slow down and enjoy every moment of every day. The kids drew faces on our pumpkins. But because our carvers broke and because I am super paranoid about my kids using knives, I was the one carving all the pumpkins. I am SICK of carving pumpkins.

It wasn't until the morning of Halloween that I woke up to the warm sun streaming down on me and the smell of the holiday season in the air. That was all I needed to get into the Halloween spirit. The kids got all dolled up in their costumes and headed out bright and early for some tricking and treating. Ryan and Cheryl and the kids came over and we had a really good time. I even thought of a new rule of the house for Halloween: For every candy wrapper that fails to make it to the trash can, that person owes me one piece of their candy. It has worked like a charm. They remember to pick up their messes and, every now and then, I get a little goody as well.

kids, cousins, and friends

spooky and sweet

the girls look extra devilish thanks to photoshop

I am now officially excited for the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

Some of you may have noticed that we are already turning on our Christmas lights every night. There is something to be said about leaving your lights up all year long. A very sweet neighbor recently came to my door and went on and on about how on top of things we are because we already managed to put up our lights. For a split second all I wanted to say was thank you. Then the honest engine kicked in and I confessed that we actually just never took them down from last year.

One reason why I am excited for the holidays is because of the fact that we have no money. For many of us having no money around the holidays can get a little stressful. I have decided to make the most of a stressful situation and think about the teaching moments I will have with my kids and most importantly, focus more on the true meaning of Christmas like never before. I believe that if I can pull it off, and with a little prayer in my heart, it will be the best Christmas yet. I want my children to understand that having a great Christmas is so much more than getting great presents.

Let's all have fun and enjoy the holidays and not get caught up with our busy schedules which is so easy to do.