Tobey's new things

I am not sure if it is because of the new house or Tobey just hitting a developmental stage, but the boy is having some changes.

Lately, he has been humming Lady Gaga's Paparazzi to himself, like non-stop. It is cute but I am totally blaming his Dad on that one. Occasionally he will actually sing the words. I guess that it is normal for non- verbal kids to sing, but in my feeble mind I can't understand why he can't have a conversation yet. I guess it is not for me to know, I am thankful for what I get from him.

He has decided that he likes mirrors and this house being true 70's style has a lot of them. The funniest thing is he goes into the bathroom and checks himself out in the medicine cabinet. Unfortunately the Tobey in the mirror is non-verbal and the conversation does not get very far. He also enjoys dancing in the mirrors that we have in the living room, lately he has been dancing to Lady Gaga and not The Beatles.....Eddie will pay for this one!

Another new thing with Tobey is the boy is very fond of books. And he is insistent on me reading to him every night. To be honest because of his activity level I haven't read to him that much. It is very hard to read when you are being jumped on! But now, as long as the book involves Cars he is all too happy to sit down and read.

And the last is he has started watching TV, now we watch a lot of TV in this house....too much. But Tobey can not usually sit still for us watch anything with him but now he is into Phineas and Ferb ( I am like 100% that I spelled that wrong!) and he is really loving it. So, I would like to take a moment to thank Comcast for having it On Demand. You have given me 20 minutes to breathe.

OK, so I lied the last thing is he has become the official toilet flusher of the house. The dude will stand outside of the door and wait for you to get out. And just as I am typing this blog he has flushed the downstairs toilet 3 times. No one has been in there, but he must have seen a need. I am excited to see what my water bill is going to be.

So that is life with Tobey, and I love the dude....but when does school start up?

Holstein update....

So, here it is, one of those boring days in between Christmas and New Years....The kids are getting bored already and I will probably send them outside to play in the yard. Except for the three youngest which have all got fevers and runny noses.

Our new neighbors came over yesterday, very nice couple. They came with cupcakes, night and day difference from our old neighbors who kept trying to have us impounded. Anyway, they are retired and actually complimented us on having a quiet household. I think their hearing may not be so great, maybe a blessing.

The house is coming along nicely, Eddie got some things actually hanging on the wall and the kids are giving me all sorts of ideas on how they want their rooms. We even have our first stray who hangs around and I am thinking of trying to start a new friendship with a squirrel that hangs out on our patio, or I as I refer to it....the lanai (Golden Girls).

So this Friday is New Years Eve....usually we have a junk food fest with the kids and play games, and enjoy my Nephews company. I am not big into going out because I am terrified of the drivers out there, and who else other than my family would I want to spend time with on a holiday. I am not usually in to making huge plans because my side of the family has had some unfortunate events around this time of year. First off my Mom's birthday is on New Years, so my Dad doesn't believe in having parties on those days. But one year 1995, he was talked into it.

Here is the story. Eddie had stayed the night at my Dad's (no, we were not married...whoops). Anyway I had stayed up on the 30th to help Dad's girlfriend plan a New Years Eve party because she thought the whole lack of celebrating was insane. Anyway we cooked, called people and bought...the beverages. So, since the 31st was on a Sunday, Dad's girlfriend Sandy got up to get ready for Church. I guess it was about 20 minutes later that I heard my Dad screaming (rare occurrence) and I will never forget hearing him say "I think Sandy's dead in the bathroom!". I was in shock...Eddie called 911, and I started CPR. I knew though I was only doing it to help calm my Dad down, I spent a few years working in a Nursing Home. There was no chance of her coming back. So, instead of going to Church and having a party we spent the day at a hospital with her kids, consoling them. We gave Lena Sandy's middle name, and that is why she is named Lena Elaine after my Mom and my Dad's girlfriend. She was quite the woman. Lena should be proud to have her name.

This year though I have a dear friend staying with us for New Years, along with 3 of her kids. She had something devastating happen to her on Christmas and she needs to have some fun. I may have to actually put up some balloons and streamers and have a more "normal" party. I will probably just not tell my side of the family. I do think that it is going to be pure chaos and fun having 11 kids here...I wonder if the neighbors will still think we are quiet?

So, that is all today....talk to you later.

Christmas at the Holstein's home....

Well Christmas 2010 was a success, the kids are happy, the house is nearly back to normal and I am not a fan of the Lego company anymore....I mean really how many freaking pieces do you need?

On Christmas Eve we woke up at 4 and went to Meijers to finish shopping before the crowds hit and then we came home to get our baking done. The kids opened up their Bernie gifts before Church this time and they had a hard time waiting to put on their new pajamas. After a nice service at Church we came home and decorated cupcakes for Jesus' birthday (which the kids LOVED!) and we read them The Night Before Christmas and Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus, we looked up Santa on the Norad Santa Tracker and then laid out cookies and milk and wrote the letter and threw reindeer food out the front door. And then for some unknown reason Eddie and I were exhausted (go figure) and we meant to only take a nap, before all the Santa prep. But, we both fell sound asleep and then I woke up in a panic at 1 in the morning because nothing was done. Most of the gifts were not wrapped, stockings laid there empty and we stayed up until almost 4 finishing up. The kids then woke us up at 6!


The kids loved everything they got....and Edwin got his precious Mighty Beanz....I thought he was going to cry. Lena's favorite gift was an art set, Alison was a Paper Jamz guitar, Olivia's was her baby doll. Tobey's was a steering wheel that launches cars, Emily's was a Belle doll that won't shut up (ever) and Melody's was a baby doll. We then all ate our breakfast casserole and I started our Christmas dinner.

All in all we had a great day that was really laid back and just so happy to be in our new home. I made Eddie watch Sing Off on Demand with me and he acted like he didn't like it, but he really did. The group I wanted to win came in second but hey that's life.

I thought I would share our Breakfast Casserole recipe since I had some questions about it on Facebook. I apologize ahead of time because I am not one to really cook with measurements, so here we go. And also this is the most unhealthiest thing on Earth, which is why I only make it once a year.

Christmas Morning Breakfast
20 pieces of bread buttered on both sides and then cubed up
1 pound of bulk sausage
10 eggs
4 cups of mild cheddar cheese
1 can of Cream of mushroom soup
salt and pepper
milk

So, the biggest pain is the buttering of the bread, messy and takes forever. I simply let Emily do this part and she did great. While Emily buttered bread I fried up the sausage ( I like Bob Evans sage one) and then added the cream of mushroom soup to the sausage and thinned it out with a little milk. I then took 10 eggs ( In know, heart attack) and broke them up and mixed them with about a cup of milk and added salt and pepper. Emily is still working on bread but starting to complain.

I then cubed up the bread (about 9 bite size pieces per piece of bread) and put half of them in a 9 x 13 buttered cake pan. Then take the sausage mixture and put it over the bread and then add the rest of the bread on top. Then you take the egg mixture and pour it over all the bread and sausage. You them throw on all the cheese and cover it and place in the fridge all night.

The next morning you put it in a 350' oven with the foil still on for 40 minutes and then take the foil off for another 20 and that is it. Extremely easy if you aren't the one buttering the bread and it tastes awesome.

So if you guys like that one I will give out my recipe for my Apple Sausage stuffing which is so good Eddie has told me it is why we are still married. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. besides everyone having colds we are enjoying ours. Later.

Up since 3!!!!

Tobey has decided again that sleep is overrated, so here I am at 7:13 in the morning and in desperate need of a nap. But, thanks to Tobey I was able to make sure that I got the number count right for the gifts, it has to be even you know....Went to Meijer's before the crowd hit and I am getting ready to go and make some cookies with the kids and do some activity sheets with the younger ones. And then Eddie is taking over because this is going to be a long day....

Edwin is running all over the house this morning, the boy is hyped about Christmas this year. He is currently role playing how Santa is going to eat the cookies and how he should place the presents. He has also wrapped up some of his old toys to make the mock Christmas complete.

We have not been able to find the kids stockings from last year, we told the kids that they have to do it like they did it in the old days and use real socks. They looked at us with disbelief....now I can't say for sure but I have it under good authority that Santa may leave them new stockings this year....he may have found them on sale at the The Christmas Tree Shop and used a coupon, just saying.

Until the madness hits tonight we actually have a pretty easy day of just getting a few things done and getting ready for Church tonight, kinda nice. I am hoping for a stress free time today, now watch the last time I said that Melody got stitches....forget the last thing there.

I have had several people tell me that I need to write a book or something about our lives. I am not real sure if it is because of our past life story, having 7 kids or the Autism factor....but I have talked it over with Eddie and I have decided to start off by sending in an article to Parents magazine something similar about the challenges of the the boys, I am trying to think of a quirky title like Mom of the 'tism or something like that. I want it funny but honest.

And on the non-national level I want to write a letter to all those people who write in to the South Bend Tribune about parents using leashes. I am so sick of the comments about Tobey being on a leash. I have heard everything from "Oh, there must be something really wrong with that kid" to "Don't you know how to control your kid?". Just drives me nuts! And then on the rare occasion that I speak up and say "He is a non-verbal autistic with ADHD and a seizure disorder" well, then I make them feel like crap and it turns into a pity party. Do I want to use a restraint on my almost 6 year old? No, but I also don't want to have him get stolen, hit by a car, or not be right next to him if a meltdown is getting ready to start. So, I will use the leash and I may just have cards printed up to explain his entire medical history to people......

Maybe I will wait until I am not quite so passionate on that subject before I put it in the paper....they may want to restrain me!

So, I will see you later....I hope that you are having a great Christmas Eve!

The calm before the storm....

I woke up today to a silent house, all except for the loud buzzing of the fridge which Emily left open sometime in the early morning to get an orange. Lena slept at CJ's house so there has been no screaming at the teenager this morning. It has been a good morning so far.

Tomorrow though is Christmas Eve.....oh, the magic of that day. I LOVE Christmas Eve. There is a sparkle in every child's eye, even the teenager (we actually refer to Lena in that way now) as they are waiting for Santa to come. I don't have a ton of great memories of my Mom but, she always managed to make Christmas awesome. She would put powdered sugar and glitter on my Dad's boot and make tracks all over the living room, we always put out reindeer food and carrots and cookies. Somehow she dragged my Dad out of bed to open gifts with us.

So, this Christmas Eve we are going to do the last minute shopping, and go to Church for services, come home and bake Santa's cookies, let the kids open their Bernie gifts, read the story and then send them off to bed while Eddie and I watch It's a Wonderful Life and wait for Darlene Love on Letterman. Now will this go as ideally as I hope? Not a chance in he__, we will probably have a lot of screaming from me, and telling the kids to stay in their freaking rooms, I will probably get to the point of tears from just being tired of Tobey jumping on the bed....but they won't remember that part, I didn't really when I was that age. What they will remember is Santa ate all of the cookies and somehow he got in our house with no fireplace.

So, here is some of our Christmas traditions....Bernie the head elf brings pajamas on Christmas Eve every year while we are at Church. The kids love getting pajamas and I love how cute they look the next morning in them.

I always make the same breakfast casserole with cheese and sausage and bread and eggs that sits in the fridge all night and then it bakes while the kids open their gifts.

We stay in our pajamas the whole day, my in-laws may swing by this year and they will have to put up with us being in them while they visit with us.

So, that is all from the Holstein's. I didn't get cards out this year so here are my holiday wishes for you....

I hope that you never lose the magic that is Christmas. I hope that the child in you looks in the sky for Santa tomorrow night, just in hopes of seeing that sleigh.

I hope that you Thank God fro the gift that he gave us in his son Jesus, and that the story of his birth and life stirs something in you and that you never lose it.

I hope that you appreciate everything you have in your life and remember that not everyone is so fortunate.

I hope that 2011 is the best year ever for you. I have seen a lot of pain and sorrow in 2010 for a lot of my friends. I hope that 2011 is going to be the greatest adventure and that the ride is just crazy fun!

So that is the Holstein's card this year....Happy Holidays from the Holstein's!!!
Love, Eddie, Melissa, Lena, Alison, Edwin, Olivia, Tobey, Emily and Melody

And then there is Tobey.....

This year for New Years Eve my nephew Trace is coming over to spend the night so his parents can go out. Trace is 2 months older than Tobey and he is just a really neat kid and I love having him here. But I always break down when he leaves because I see a blaring example of where Tobey should be. To be honest it is really tough....when I found out I was pregnant with Tobey we talked about raising them together especially with them both being boys and then we both picked names that started with T's, in our minds they were going to be best friends and hang out all the time. But it was obvious from the beginning that Tobey was different. Besides being small he had no eye contact with me, just this blank stare. Trace was talking. Tobey would stare into space. Trace played with toys, Tobey watched fans spin. Every time I was around Trace I could not deny that there was something wrong with Tobey....it became easier to just not spend time with Trace, and accept denial about Tobey. But then, reality crept in and I had to face facts, Tobey is different and that's that.

I am not sure if it was my alienation with Trace's mom or if they just didn't know what to say but our relationship has never been the same. To be perfectly honest I don't think any of our family relationships have been the same since Tobey, some have gotten better and some have backed off. They try to act like he is like the other kids, but there eyes drop and their tone changes. They don't talk to him, just about him and that is the worst part. I think that is why I talk about him so much on here, people need to know he exists....he can't tell everyone that he spelled his name at school with a machine, but they need to know how amazing this guy is....so there you have it.

On to a cheerier subject, we attempted to make a gingerbread house and train with the kids yesterday, notice I said attempted. After working on my house for a half hour I told Eddie that it looked like it had been hit by Hurricane Katrina and I simply left the table to watch the Young and the Restless. Eddie made the train by the time he was done with it the candy was gone, and we gave up for the day. I did make a cake with Emily yesterday and that turned out really good, so I tried to make a memory for at least 1 kid, the other 6? Well, I am getting there.

Today the cable guy is coming, again...The last guy was just odd. Hopefully this one is more normal and knows how to get the DVR going. I can't wait to try that out! We have never had a DVR before! We are coming up in the world now. Little does Eddie know, I will DVR every episode of Golden Girls and reality TV that I can!!!

So, I have no regrets about the tattoo but I think somehow I messed it up. There are like sections coming off on one side. I did everything they told me...so I guess I will be going in for the free touch up. I honestly think the itching is worse than getting the tattoo...driving me freaking nuts!

So, I am off to get the kids ready for the day! Later!

Vegetables....

My kids LOVE vegetables...I don't know what made this miracle happen....but they actually have fought over who gets the most Brussel sprouts. I know...weird. Anyway, the whole crew loves them except for Edwin. So the other day he asked me for a salad, after pinching myself and realizing that this wasn't a dream, I made the boy a salad. He then wanted seconds....what in the world is going on here? Does he have some sort of brain injury? He then after putting his plate in the sink (what?) went into his bedroom and looked at himself in the mirror, shirt off and flexing his muscles. He then told himself to get stronger. And then it hit us....he was reenacting The Regular Show. It is on Cartoon Network and to be honest I frankly think the show is stupid, but it got him to eat a salad when there is no one in the Memorial Health network ever could. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart Mordecai and Rigby....I owe you one! And to the countless nutritionists that have worked with Edwin....watch more TV!

Today we are getting my piano over to this house....Eddie is so happy with me that I insist on dragging a piano with me everywhere when I can only play 1 song. Can I help it that the one item in the world that helps me remember my Grandma weighs 900 pounds? Sorry big guy...I am keeping the piano so get over it!

Well, sorry it is so short today I need to get the house clean for the in-laws....have a good one!

What a week!

I am exhausted but happy....this has been the most insane week EVER!!!But now? I have a little bit more unpacking and, a little more shopping and then a week of Christmas festivities for just us!

So first and foremost we are loving our new house....I couldn't ask for anymore.Last night after our third holiday party in 2 days we sat around our tree and watched TV with the kids, and we felt at home. We are safe and warm and blissfully happy, and we were also jacked up on Chocolate...perfect life.

I got my tattoo on Friday...I got the "Imagine" part done. The portrait is too time intensive and expensive for a week before Christmas. The pain was not bad, and I have not died from infection so life is good!

I went to the Civic theatre with CJ and friends to see Miracle on 34th Street, this has become a tradition that I love and gives me some time with Lena.

The boys are adjusting to the new house pretty good. Edwin is sleeping in his bedroom and he loves it in there. And Tobey I think finally realized yesterday that he is home. They get to stay at their school which is such a huge relief to me...the kids are so happy at Darden and that is one less change on them.

Today on the agenda I am finally going to the grocery store and I am making gingerbread houses and trains with the kids...God help me because I really suck at these things and my patience for them quickly flys out the window. Eddie is going to work at the old house and come home in time for dinner and go to work....so that is the plan today. If I come on here ranting and raving tomorrow you will know that the gingerbread experience was an epic fail....See you Tuesday!

HELP ( I know another Beatles reference)

So here is the update....Nipsco will be on today, and water and AEP are already done, and phone on Thursday....is this really happening? The plan is we will be at the house tomorrow night, so Eddie will virtually have no sleep for 326 hours again, he has done it before....I told him that we will be able to sleep again some time after Christmas.

Edwin did his own packing yesterday....he put 6 matchbox cars and a Incredible Hulk action figure in a shoebox and told me that he has all he needs. I asked him about clothes, he told me he is wearing clothes....I was then speechless. (Rare occurrence folks!).

Today...December 14th, is kind of a holiday in the Holstein home....15 years ago today Eddie proposed to me...and it is also my Grandma Sims' birthday. I know I promised to write more about her, but it is super hard for me to talk about her still. I still just miss her so much and she has been gone 10 years. So on this date every year we have the Holstein's annual A Christmas Story night....but we will have to move it to Saturday, I already packed the pans and we are living off of sandwich stuff and frozen pre-made dinners. I am so looking forward to the kids covered in mashed potatoes....I wish I could figure out how to keep the cabbage red...any ideas?

So, here is a glimpse of what the rest of the week looks like....

Wednesday-get the keys! And move all kitchen stuff, living room stuff and beds over. The little girls re staying at CJ"s so this is totally doable.

Thursday- Wait for the phone guy and unpack everything while Eddie keeps hauling stuff over...and also pray that Tobey is liking the house.

Friday-Finish the extended family Christmas shopping, wrap gifts, grocery shopping , laundromat, get my first tattoo (my Christmas present), going out with friends to the Civic Theatre to see Miracle on 34th street.

Saturday- Get more stuffed unpacked and put up Tobey alarms (windows and doors) and take the kids to in-laws for their Christmas party. Come home to kids that are hopefully near a comatose state and have Terri help me with kids and getting ready for our Christmas Party on Sunday....I also need to do some baking!

Sunday- Make Italian Beef, set up for party, help out in Kids Kanyon, go with family to 11:30 service. Have my sides party @ 2, and then fall down dead from the week!

Monday-finish the move!!!!!! So, if I don't blog for a while you see why! Insane, people...I am insane!

So, here is our theory...If we have this insane week this week, and finish everything we need to do....We will have an easy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, looks good in print, probably won't happen!

Well, I am off to get stuff done, see you soon!

What Olivia wants for Christmas....wait for the 15 second mark.

2 more days.....

Only 2 more days until we are official residents of 1701 Rerick Drive! So today we are going to finish all the packing and try to get Nipsco to turn on the utilities (we paid the deposit at an unauthorized dealer, big mistake). The new house is what they call a tri-level and it is a color of green that can only be described as a green banana hue. We have 4 bedrooms and a huge fenced in back yard and a 2 car garage. The house also has all working appliances and a new efficiency furnace, I am in heaven! The house is also on a corner lot and there is a park on both sides of the road...how perfect is that? And, to top it off we are only 5 minutes away from a theatre that has movies for Autistic families, and all the glories of Grape Road....while living in a quiet area with no Notre Dame traffic! Seriously, God had this one picked out for us!!!!!!! I could not have found a better one myself.

Ok, so on to other things than the magnificence of our green "mansion".....The Precious Stones Christmas Party was awesome! We had a decent turnout, great cookies, and 3 new families show up! The Santa we had was great, and the helpers....oh, the helpers, they were the nicest kids you could ever ask for. The highlight of the night for me was Greg, he was 26 and has not got to see Santa for years....he was so excited that Santa was coming. While waiting for Santa's big arrival I asked him where do you think he is? He replied "the sky!". Do you want to know what he wants for Christmas? Pots, he wants pots so he can cook with his Mom....he just learned how to make eggs. By the way, he was so excited about Santa he could not even get the words out! All he could say was "Ho, Ho". He also made an ornament, his Mom told me that she is now going to have to put the tree up. Heck yes you will, where is Santa supposed to put the pans? Great night, made all the work worth it!

So, I know with all this cheerful news, you probably are asking....Could there be anymore good things happening to the Holstein's? Why yes, there is! Break out the Kleenex, I'll wait..................................Tobey Jude said those three magical words that every mother dreams about hearing her child say to her from the moment they are born. Tobey told me " I of you". He loves his Mama, I was in tears.....I am getting choked up now just seeing it in type. I mean, I know he loves me. But to hear it? Wow!!!!! I never thought I would hear it, I dreamed it....but this my friend was no dream. Just a dream come true. I love you Tobey Jude, thank you for the best early Christmas you could have ever gave me. Geez, I got mushy there....I digress.

So, before this starts sounding like a Hallmark movie...I will stop.

The Holstein's week in review.....

Ok, Ok....I am sorry that I have deserted you for so long my dear readers. But, I have a valid reason (excuse...)! We have been insanely busy!!!

So here was our week!

Monday-We go to look at a house, only to be disappointed that it is WAY too small for a family of 9... we come home disappointed to the point of tears, and on the phone there is a message to go and see another house. After doing a drive-by we know that this is the house for us! We tell the landlord that we want it and we will move in around the first of the year.

Tuesday I talked to my friend Sarah and explained that we have found the house, it is going to work for us, but we need to wait a few weeks until we can move in because of finances. On Tuesday night I prayed to God to get us out of this house because of all of it's issues....heat, lead, no stove, leaks....you name it.

On Wednesday I got a message from Sarah asking me how much we needed and after giving her the amount....which was a lot....she told me that she was going to do everything she could to get us out of here ASAP.

On Thursday our Church gave us a check to cover all of our moving expenses and we will be in our home on Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? I serve an amazing God and I go to an amazing Church. I am still in shock that our family has people that love us so much, we are not worthy.....

On Friday we had a great Precious Stones party and signed all the paperwork for our new home.

Saturday, we took the kids to the live Nativity at Church and didn't even get the kids out of the car. We then drove them around to see lights, but I think they mainly watched TV....yes I got one on Black Friday....I know, I know...I said that I didn't want one. I am going to put it on record that those TVs are the best invention since, well...TV!

And now, here it is Sunday night. I am still in shock how things turned out. I probably shouldn't be, because that is how our God works. We are FINALLY getting out of this home, and words cannot express how grateful I am. I feel like George Bailey at the end of the best movie of all time, I am part of the most awesome family in the world...I am honored that I have such amazing people in my life.

I will blog more tomorrow, I am tired from Kids Kanyon and the 7 I have....see you later!

LIfe at the Holstein's.....

So, the last time I blogged I was feeling sorry for myself....blah, blah blah. Well let me tell you a few things that can help boost your spirits.

My friend CJ bought us a Christmas Tree that contains NO LEAD....and we let the kids decorate the whole thing themselves. Well my kids decided to start quoting Charlie Brown and then turned on the Linus and Lucy song and did the crazy dancing (Peanuts style) and then Eddie getting bored started doing the Robot (yes, the hubby Eddie). It then progressed into something that you would see in a club. The kids were jumping around like crazy and Eddie was acting like the worst behaved kid of them all. Me? I was sitting on the couch crying from laughing so hard.

Today the boys went to respite for 5 hours and leave it to Eddie to say something inappropriate to the nun again...I think that she probably douses the boys in holy water when we leave to save their souls from their father's influence. So, we got a break from the boys and enjoyed a quiet house....Nice. I hope in the future that we can afford more respite care....we'll see.

So, then we went to Church...Now I am not saying that I am yippy skippy and the world is all rainbows and unicorns, but is is impossible to leave our Church in a bad mood. I have experienced more love in that magical place then I thought existed. I felt hopeless on Friday and now I am ready to stop with the tears and the fear and WE ARE GOING TO FIND A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am so lucky to have so many people love me and my family. I am so lucky to know CJ, and Kris and Diane and Jennae and Sarah and Ann and Kelly and Sam.

Tomorrow we are going to try for a house in Mishawaka....it is smaller and less rent (holla....I don't know how the heck to spell that!). So, I am not getting my hopes up to high.....but this place could be good for us!

Well, I am off to watch a movie with the Eddie and wrap some gifts.....see you Monday!

Life right now.....

I know that it is the Christmas season and that I should be happy about that. But I seem to just be going through the motions.....And that is not me, I LOVE being with the kids and looking at lights and putting up the tree, but this year I am simply not feeling it.

I thought that we would be spending this weekend settling into a new home and instead we are looking for another house, I am simply getting sick of the whole process. I would give up my arm if someone would just walk up to me and say "Here is what you owe, now move in!" But that is not how things work.

I am usually this happy go lucky person, but last night the whole situation got to me....I am tired, I am stressed, and to be frankly honest on here.....this whole thing has become depressing. I put on a happy face to the kids, I try and joke about it, I am trying to look at the bright side.....it is getting harder by the day.

I have all sorts of people telling me that God just has the perfect house waiting for us and I need to put all my faith in him. It is so much easier said than done, and I am struggling with it. I am strong in my faith and I go to Church nearly every Sunday and I pray....but is that enough? Is the perfect home going to show up just because I am putting all my faith in him?

I am at a loss right now....(if you couldn't tell) and today I am having one of those days that I just don't feel like fighting the fight....I need to get over it!

I went to A Rosie Place today and I saw kids that may not see another Christmas....and I am selfishly thinking of myself. I see the boys seeing Santa and Edwin explaining his list and I am too involved in the world of me to laugh as he is asking Santa what his name is.

I remember so clearly my saddest Christmas, the year my Mom died.....the magic of the holidays was lost forever. I don't want that for my kids this year...I don't want this to be the Christmas that they compare the rest of them too, forever. I want them to always look back at their childhood Christmas's as those magical times where even though they know the truth...they still look in the sky on Christmas Eve in hopes that Santa is up there with Rudolph.

So, that is life right now....I hope I didn't depress anyone, that is never my intention. But I have had people ask why I haven't blogged and I wanted to be honest.

Edwin, please just shoot me now....

I have simply learned that nothing seems to come easy to us....So now that I expect this, I need to learn how to roll with it.

The house that we have waited for, switched utilities to, and put money down on is not going to happen. I would love to bang my head in the wall! The owner has decided to sell rather than rent. So, here is the dilemma....do we wait it out in a house that has lead, or do we find another house and possibly have to move in a year? I have no idea what to do....I need to make sure that Tobey is safe while trying to make sure that the other kids are happy at good schools and not resenting Tobey for us having to move.

So, here is our plan of attack.....we are checking into other agencies to help us find a house, and looking outside of South Bend a little. We can't move far though because our lives are based in South Bend. We are also in hopes that there is some plan that God has for us to put us in the perfect home for us....but just because you are a Christian and you pray, doesn't mean that it will just be given to you on a silver platter. So tomorrow we are off to look at a couple of houses and hopefully one will work out! Because to be honest I would much rather be spending this great time of the year being with my kids and not stressed out about this stuff.

OK, on to other things....Melody busted her lip last night and that was the big news on the evening. It looks really good. And unlike Obama she did not need stitches, just some love. Alison is already working on becoming the moodiest teenager in the house, she may beat Lena....WOW!

We have noticed something with Edwin this year. Usually that dude is not into holidays, he simply couldn't care less. But this year? This guy is into everything! I am loving this Edwin! He is so much more fun. Everyday he shows me how he wants to open his presents. Everyday he tells me he wants Mighty Beanz (series 1) and explains which Legos to buy. It is so cute.

Tonight one of my favorite Christmas specials is on....Rudolph! One of my favorite memories of my Mom at Christmas time was watching it with her. We had such old TV's and no reception you would have to move around the house to see where it would come in the best....on those 3 channels, 4 if the weather was good!

Well, I have like a million phone calls to make....I will see you later!

The Beacon

Last night, Eddie and I took the kids down to Kokomo, Indiana to see We-Care park. We used to live in Kokomo and we have many fond memories of the stop light capital. We-Care park is one of those memories. Thanksgiving weekend is the opening weekend.

The premise behind this is the We Care charity down in Kokomo. The owners of We care park, Mike and Nancy Wyant, Make this amazing Light display in their yard, and the neighbors end up getting involved as well. To give you some perspective, this year he has literally 1,000,000 lights in his yard alone!

First, you drive though. Santa and Mrs. Claus meet you in the middle where they hand out candy canes to the kids and dog treats to the dogs. Then, you park where you can and walk through to see all of the little displays. And, inevitably, there is the Hope doll, the symbol of We Care. Here is the story:

While going through some bags of donated toys, Jan Buechler noticed a doll that fell out of the bag. It was worn, clothes and hair tattered, and a stain was on her cheek where there had once been a tear. She decided to display the doll during the local telethon that year in 1986. It was bought and promptly returned to be sold again the following year. This has become a tradition for the We care charity.

Now, for the infamous Holstein twist...

We decide to take a little cruise through Kokomo for memory's sake. As we drove, I noticed a beacon light in the sky. I told Eddie about one of my memories as a kid was driving with my father and tracking down the source of the light. Eddie, being impulsive and fun loving, said,"Let's Find IT!!!"

We drove for about 3 miles till we came to the south side of town. Eddie looked over and exclaimed,"I found it!" We came to a light and then he said,"Uh...I don't think you're gonna like it."

"We have to see this!", I said, excited and laughing.

Imagine our amazement as we drove up to the source of the Beacon...Big Daddy's II...A gentleman's show club. I suddenly felt a blog post coming on...;)

Well, that was our Thanksgiving adventure. We had fun...We had adventure...I hope your Thanksgiving was great! TTFN!!!

A conversation with a 3 year old Melody....

Yesterday I found Miss Melody in the kitchen trying to make herself a soda without me noticing....the look of shock on her face was too much!

I told her "Melody you can not have soda at 9 in the morning."
Melody----" Mom, are you crazy?"
Me---"Not crazy enough to let you have soda."
Melody ---"Are you going to kill me?" ( Edwin quote)
Me---"As long as you put down the soda, we are cool."
Melody----"That's it! I am outta HERE!"

Ahhh, life with kids.....

I am thankful for every moment I have to be a parent to these 7 characters, except for when Tobey doesn't sleep...those moments are the moments when I wonder what the heck I have got myself into.

So as a tribute to my amazing family I will tell you what I am thankful for with each and everyone of them.

To my oldest Lena....thank you for being the guinea pig and thank you for the love that show. Thank you for the sarcastic attitude that you inherited from me and for your zaniness that you inherited from your Dad. I am so thankful for the walk that I see you taking in Christ and for being my right hand man even though you complain at times....you usually do it! I love you Lena.

To my Ali Rose you are such an odd kid and I say that with love. I am thankful that you were a fighter from the moment you were born. And even though things were not looking great, you were amazingly strong and came through like a champ. From you I have learned that the human spirit is amazing, and so are you.

Edwin Jesse, I am thankful for the adventure of seeing life in your eyes. It is hard to be serious or stressed with life when you are apologizing to strangers because you have shot them or sucked out their soul. I love how you think people in suits are guards and seeing you reenact scenes from Adventure Time. You my son, never let things get boring.

Olivia Grace, you are probably the smartest human being I have ever met. Your patience with your special needs kids has already become legend at Darden and you are my favorite lunch date. I love your heart with the way you are with Edwin and I know that I will be learning things from you the rest of my life. You are my princess....

Tobey Jude, from you my ball of energy I have learned that language isn't everything. A hug and a kiss before you go to bed speak volumes more that a quick "I love you.". I am thankful for you showing me how fragile life can be and how fun it is to just simply jump until you can't jump anymore! ( Like that will EVER happen!) You have brought a level of fun and love to my world that words can never express, and you did that my son by speaking very few. I love you Jude Monkey!

Emily Frances, you my dear are the biggest handful I have ever known. I am thankful for your sense of humor and how you keep me on my toes. I love how you help me cook and how you love your sister Melody. Bold but shy, sweet but tough, loving but stern....you my dear are a conundrum....I love you for that!

To my baby Melody Summer....you are insane....but in a good way! You are one of the weirdest, toughest, most original kids I have ever met. I have met no one that could get 22 stitches and sleep through it! I am so looking forward to getting to know you more as you are growing and learning...I can already see how fun you are! I love you odd ball!

I suppose I should mention the husband! He is in the room and I don't want to ruin the holiday with a divorce attorney appointment. To my Eddie thank you for giving me 7 kids, and for working so hard to support them and for being the person who keeps me from going crazy. I love your humor and how you can make me smile in the darkest times. I am looking forward to 50 more years with you, that is if Edwin hasn't "shot" you!

If I don't see you tomorrow....HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I hope that you get lots of turkey and pumpkin pie. I hope for you a peaceful and safe thanksgiving and none of those family fights that I always hear about. Everyone has so much to be thankful for....I know I do! I don't have to cook this year!

Blogging....

I have not been in the mood for blogging lately. I think it is because I am just so stressed out with the move, Christmas coming and everyday life. I am pretty good at being able to smile on the outside and just covering up with a joke or finding the positive in things. I have battled depression in the past and I have no intention of ever going down that road again, it leads to nothing but bad things.

Besides stress, living out of boxes and trying to meet with teachers in an already busy life....I had a disappointing support group meeting. I had a great speaker, awesome cookies and punch and hopes for a good turnout, only to have NO ONE show up! I was heart broken. I want this group to work, but I am wondering if I am just wasting my time. I know that the parties go well, but I wanted resources to be a big part of this also. Sometimes the vision that you have is not the one you get....I understand that. I just don't like it. But, I am not one to give up! And we are going to have some meetings so we can figure out how to make this a success. I know that it is needed....I just need to figure out a way to help other families of special needs kids see what I see.....that they are NOT alone and that there are more resources out there than they could ever even know. Also, I know some families with special needs kids who are amazing and they will be the first to admit that they can't do it without support.

On a lighter note, Eddie and I took Emily and Melody dream shopping today...we never really get a chance to leisurely look around stores. And while we were there we actually talked about stress and came to the realization that we are simply looking at things wrong. Instead of panicking about the move, we need to be thankful that we found a home that is safe and fits all our needs. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that I don't get to cook the kids dinner for Thanksgiving, I need to be thankful that we have somewhere to go and I am getting along with my in-laws well enough to be invited. Instead of worrying about getting the kids a huge Christmas, I need to be happy that I get to spend it with 7 great kids and a hubby that loves me. So, I need to get out of my slump and start looking at the bigger picture.

Well, it is my favorite time of the night....BEDTIME, a chance for peace and quiet and no cartoons playing on the TV.....Good night one and all.

His Cody Lundin....

I am hopelessly in love with my husband! But I also love Cody Lundin, and my husband being the understanding man he is puts up with me drooling over the TV screen when Cody graces the Discovery Channel with his presence.

But 2 days ago while looking for a show On Demand, we came across a show called (and let me apologize now) The Bitchin Kitchen. It goes without saying that based on the title that my children will not EVER watch this show....but I believe that it may be the funniest cooking show out there (not that is much of a competition). Anyway within 2 minutes of this little blond Italian chick came on the screen, Eddie was hooked! Now, the girl can cook I will give her that. And, her humor is insane....but Eddie went to far when he asked me to dye my hair and redo the kitchen! I guess as far as I went when I started calling him Cody and hid all of his shoes.

Since every picture I can find of her has unseemly language and I don't want to offend anyone, here is a link to her website so you can see who my husband is in love with.
http://bitchinlifestyle.tv/ (even the link? Really?)
again, I apologize......do I need to confess even though I am not Catholic?

Melody and Emily have been fighting like cats and dogs all day today....I think they are around each other too much. We should probably work on separating them more, easier said then done.

I don't know if this is true about small families but it seems like when we get one kid taken care of (Olivia) then something else takes it's spot. It is such a hard thing to balance all of their needs. Don't get me wrong I LOVE having a large family, but it is extremely hard to keep everybody happy at the same time. In fact maybe it's impossible...I haven't seen it yet!

Well, I hope to get on her tomorrow....but I make no promises. I have tons to do and my husband is working impossible hours so we can afford to move....so I will see you soon! Have a good one.

Precious Stones

This Saturday for our Precious Stones meeting we are having Kate Sullivan come to speak to our group! I LOVE this teacher! Her energy and love for "her" kids is infectious. And anytime that I am feeling sorry for myself I try to think of all the people I know because of Autism and Kate is always at the top of the list.

I believe that she is going to speak about how important it is to have a relationship with you teacher and the horrors of IEP meetings, and she will do this with her amazing personality and humor.

Tobey Jude will be extremely excited to see his second favorite person in the world (I am first, haha) so I will have to take some pictures of them together. She can get more language out of him than I can....I wonder what her secret is? I think she bribes him with pretzels!

Well, there is not much else going on today. See you tomorrow.

The Kids....

Last night we had a talk with the kids about their new schools. The number one question on their minds was if they are going to a uniform school. Lena and Alison will be in uniform and Olivia, Edwin and Tobey will not.

The older two will be going to Jackson whichlooks like a nice school. I am hoping that they know some kids from Church, so they don't feel to lonely.

Olivia and Tobey will start the first full week of December at Hay. I talked to the Principal yesterday and he seems like a great guy. He said that the Lifeskills teacher will be "thrilled" (that is sarcasm) to get another runner. I know who the other runner is in his class, and I have already apologized! She will probably be the next teacher of the year.

Edwin will not start at Hay until after the Christmas break, he does not handle change very well....so this seems like the best thing for him. The Principal is already checking into seeing if Edwin's Aid can just move schools with him, here's hoping! So, I will be living in the van transporting Edwin twice a day for his 3 hour school days. I think that we are just going to keep him on 3 hour days for a while, he is doing so much better at school....they only call 5 times a week now.

I can't believe that next week is Thanksgiving already, not to sound old but this year has gone quick! I am now kinda happy that I don't have to get up early and stick my hand up a turkey's booty. All I have to do is assemble 2 casseroles and a dessert at my mother-in-laws and enjoy the parade with the kids. I am also going to take Coke because I married into a Pepsi family. We are going to swing by my Dad's for a quick visit, so that will be a nice day! Usually we put up our tree that night, but we are going to wait and surprise the kids with it at the new house while they are at school and the sitter's.

I seen an article about those reusable shopping bags contain lead, REALLY? What in the world is so wonderful about lead that manufactures feel the need to put it in everything? Ed and I joke that they probably put lead in Cheerios way back then. I can understand why they used to put it in things, it makes colors pop. But I have no idea why they still put it in things when they know that it could harm children. Besides the house we had several things in our home that contain lead....our Christmas tree, dishes, mega blocks (blue and green ones) and ironically Toby the train from the Thomas the Tank line. Anyway....I go on!

So, that is all today...hope you have a good one!

Emily Frances

I have never met a kid like Emily....she is very cute, very smart, very funny and well....very Emily!

Her middle name is in honor of my Grandma Frances, but I had no idea when I gave her this honor, how much like Grandma that Emily would resemble.

Here is just a few things that happened with Emily. Little girls always want to marry their Daddy's, it is a right of passage that if you are a loving Dad your daughter will want to marry you. But Emily even asked my permission to marry Eddie. We laughingly refer her to as Wife number 2, but Emily takes this to a whole new level. She insists on helping me make his food and wants her own time with him watching Spongebob.

Emily is the only kid that I have ever had to walk out of a restaurant because of her behavior, she had a 10 minute tantrum because Eddie told her that she can't date yet.

If my number goes up at Church the first thing I think is Tobey got hurt and then I realize that Emily has been kicked out again. The last thing I said to her when I dropped her off yesterday at Church was "Don't get kicked out!". She lasted 10 minutes.

When Emily is good, she is the neatest kid EVER, I love having conversations with her. She loves Tinkerbell as much as I do, she has a passion for cooking and her brother Edwin and can be pure joy. But when Emily is bad, watch out! Her fits can last for hours and she will not back down or even compromise. I have seen her hold a grudge for as long as a year. At home she is the most outgoing, but in public if she is behaving, she goes shy!

I know I have said it a thousand times but I need a book on her, I am good on Autism books! Now help me with Emily!

My Grandmother was a sweet woman until you made her mad and then you were done for, she was Valedictorian and everyone knew that she NEVER backed down. She was persistent....when she got Polio in her 40's and could not walk that did not detour her from staring her own business and not retiring until her 80's.

I love the fact that Emily is so much like her, but I sure wish I could talk to my Great Grandmother because there are days I am at a loss! How did she raise a kid like that and remain sane?

I think Emily will grow into quite the woman, but I may never see it from my padded room. I love you Emily Frances even as you are literally pulling my hair out as I write this because I need a ponytail.....you are quite the kid!

Am I weird?

Today since we didn't have to rush around for Church ( the crew goes to evening service) I watched a movie about an odd family. According to the person that writes those little descriptions of movies or shows when you hit that info button on the remote....

Anyway, while I was watching this movie about this "odd" family I came to the unsettling realization that this family was extremely similar to ours.....It almost made me wondered if there is like some camera planted in our home. They got the odd phone calls from the school, the parents got along the same way we do, and the oldest daughter you could tell at times wanted to distance herself from the family. There was lines said in this movie that have been said in our house on a daily basis....just an odd feeling.

So then it made me wonder if we are weird, like are our kids going to need therapy when they move out weird.... I hope that we aren't so weird that they are scared to bring people over because of the odd things that happen here from time to time. Anyway, I digress....and I will find that camera!


See you Monday!

This Thanksgiving....

I love traditions, as a kid growing up we really never had any. And I remember in my childhood mind that I wanted to have one of those families that has traditions. I have succeeded! Every year on December 14th we watch A Christmas Story and then we dine on meatloaf, mashed potatoes and red cabbage (which usually ends up a ghastly blueish/purple. And we eat the meal with NO utensils, no table manners....nothing! It is one of my favorite days of the year, We picked out that date because it is the day Eddie proposed to me and also my Grandma Sims' birthday. It is wonderful every year looking forward to celebrating that day. And I am sure that Grandma is up in heaven looking down on us laughing and shaking her head in disbelief!

Our Thanksgiving traditions are just as fun! The kids always name our Turkey which I understand is a little twisted....giving something a name before you roast it, slice into it and then eat it! But it's our tradition and we love it! The kids watch the parade while I print up activities off of Family Fun's site and then the kids get to set the table anyway they want and we light candles and Eddie says the prayer and we all talk about what has been great about that year. I love that it is just us....no discussion of Autism, not worrying about the kids looking perfect or that they may break something. It is one of the few peaceful days that we really ever have.

But this year we are not going to be home....our Dining Room is already filled with boxes for the move, our oven has officially died and will never see another turkey. I will have the kids dressed up and talk to them about their behavior on the way and also pray that the boys will have a good day.

But, I am thankful, so very thankful for the year that we have had.....even with lead and more issues with Tobey, the endless meetings and appointments, the stress of Autism and 7 kids.....I am so thankful.

Thank you for my God and my Church.....I have more "family" that I get to see and hug and love every week than I could ever deserve. The people that attend my Church are as messed up as I am, and I love them for it! Thank you Pastor Sam for bringing my family back together and for the unconditional love that you and your family has given me.

Thank you Portage management for finally telling us that we are going to move into a safe home for Tobey in just a few short weeks. It is a wonderful home that we will make wonderful memories in, and a nicer home than we ever thought we deserved.

Thank you Steel Warehouse for giving my husband an awesome job opportunity and a chance to go to school in January. Thank you for a paycheck and that gift certificate for Martin's that you always send us....thank you Martin's for the best paninis' I have ever had!

Thank you for my Precious Stones group and for CJ for being my right hand man with it! I am blessed that my biggest problem with it right now is that I have a ton of people coming in December.

Thank you to my kids' teachers, I know you as well as my family and that is because you love my kids enough to care for my kids' education.

Thank you for my husband, who puts up with me and some of my crazy ideas....I have been known to do some odd things like put googly eyes on plants and my obsession with the Golden Girls can be a little hard to stomach. Thank you Eddie for being the best husband than words could ever express and I look forward to so many more years together.

Thank you to the 7 most amazing kids I have ever known, you guys are the most loving, funny and unique people I have ever had the honor of meeting.....and the fact that I can say that I am your Mother is a blessing that I am thankful for everyday.

So, I guess that when it all boils down...our little traditions, even though I love them and will do them next year....are not really that big of a deal! Because look how much we have going for us!

The small stuff.....

Eddie is on 12 hour days right now, so I am without a husband for most of the day! I am getting used to it......

The kids are doing well, I am waiting for paperwork to take Tobey in for his lead test. I can hardly wait to get that level below a 10 and stop walking on eggshells! The theory is, when we get in the new house it should hopefully drop pretty quickly.

Emily asked me in the car the other day why Tobey can't talk....I told her that Tobey has Autism just like Edwin. With a straight face she responded with "Tobey is not mean like Edwin, he doesn't have Autism!". And there you have it the true definition of Autism, explained by a 4 year old....Autism is different for everyone.

Edwin's teacher got teacher of the year. This is the second time that a teacher has received this award with one of my kids in their class. I told Eddie that they must be giving special consideration when my kids are in there and believe with their hearts that these teachers are saints! I can see the conversation now...."Oh, I see that you have one of the Holstein kids....you are in the running for our highest honor if you can handle that one!". I am their Mother, I know how they can be!

People have described my kids with several words....I will only put the nice ones.

• Magical personalities
• Interesting group
• They all look alike ( I don't see that one)
• Free spirits

One thing that I love about my kids is that they are their own people, no two are alike. Lena is your moody teenager, Alison your sweet kid going goth, Edwin the child that I worry may try and kill me someday but loves Church, Olivia the genius with a huge heart, Tobey the non-talking funny guy, Emily the bossy cook, and Melody the superhero who really thinks everyday that she is going to fly. But the hard part of not having clones is keeping up with these guys! At any given moment I can be cooking with Emily, thinking of a punishment for Alison, praying for Lena, trying to avoid being shot from Edwin, adjusting Melody's cape, grading Olivia's homework, and trying to keep Tobey from jumping off the kitchen counter! Motherhood is not for the weak I tell you! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Lena asked me what are our plans for Veterans Day. I am thankful for what they have done for our country, I am related to several people who have served, but it has never really crossed my mind that I need to bake cupcakes for it. Does anyone? I think that I will do something with the kids, who knows? I may just make cupcakes! Maybe I will watch Forrest Gump (like I need an excuse to watch that movie!).

Speaking of Tom Hanks.....I FINALLY got to see Toy Story 3, and I loved it. I have yet to be disappointed with a Pixar movie! I love them so much I can't even say which one is my favorite....it's like your kids, you love them all the same but each one is your favorite for different reasons.

Toy Story was my first love.

Monster's Inc reminds me of Emily (she looks like Boo).

Finding Nemo got me because the Mom died....what is up with all the Disney Characters losing their mom? Cinderella, Bambi, Nemo, the list goes on and on!

Cars was just fun, and I love Bonnie Hunt!

Up was adorable and made me want to get a stair lift!

Wall-e, that dear robot nearly saved my sanity in 2008!

So, if I was not the last person on Earth to see Toy Story 3, I highly recommend it.....have you been hiding under the same rock I was?

See you on Wednesday dear readers! I need to find a new closing...any ideas?

Monday is here......

That was a long weekend my friends.....Tobey changed up his sleep schedule, and that always makes things tough. He was up at 2:30 for 2 nights in a row. Let me tell you, a fun way to wake up is having a matchbox car being thrown at your head. But, last night he slept all night long and the cars stayed a safe distance from my head.

We had a great service at Church yesterday....I know that I have said it before, but it amazes me how the sermons parallel my life so much! Not to go sounding like Oprah here, but I am just going to take that as a sign that we are where we are supposed to be, in South Bend at Living Stones Church.

Speaking of Church, I guess that Edwin was quite the sight last night in Kids Kanyon. Edwin is a rocker....he loves to dance, play air guitar and head bang. So without even being asked Edwin got on the stage and put on a performance. I guess you could say that the spirit moved him. I found this to be really interesting because usually during the music part he would much rather do a word search and block out everything! He is such a great kid! Maybe he has decided that his alter ego "the rocker" can come out of the house!

Tobey got his first "report card" on Friday. To be honest part of me didn't want to look at it. The other kids did awesome...Olivia did so well I think she may be the next kid to skip a grade! But Tobey's was simply a report on things that he hasn't accomplished yet. I am noticing more personality everyday and that thrills me! But scholastically we are at a standstill. He is not progressing the way that I keep praying and hoping he will so I can put him in regular school ever. And to be honest I have no idea how or when he will ever get to be in regular school. It is hard as a parent to face the facts and reality of the situation and still keep hoping for something that may or may not happen. Anyway, I will just keep loving my Tobey Jude and stop trying to "fix" him, as his teacher told me "He is not broken.".

Well, I am off to get a ton of housework done! Have a good one!

Lunch date with Olivia Grace

Today Miss Olivia got some time to enjoy being a single child. After picking her up from a fun night at Buffy's, we dropped off everybody else and went out....just the 2 of us.

We dined at the finest establishment ( Subway) where Olivia immensely enjoyed picking out her own sandwich, and then we sat and ate together. No rushing and I let her pick out all the conversations. We then did some dream shopping and played at the arcade and then stuffed doughnuts down our throats as quick as we could!!!

For less than $10 I made this little girl super happy and I got to enjoy one on one time with her without being rushed around like crazy!

When you are the parent of a large family it is so hard to concentrate on just one of them and get to know them as well as you would like. I am so blessed that I have 7 unique kids with 7 unique personalities.

Well, sorry it is so short today....I have to make dinner because my husband goes into a vegetative state when I am not home "nagging" him, and then it is movie night with the kids! So, have a good one!

Is it Friday yet?

I am so ready for Friday!!! We have no big plans this weekend except we are going to work as a family to go gang busters on this house!

We had an interesting day yesterday....we had the "talk" with Alison....we are fairly open about sex around here, and I was pregnant for like 10 years straight, so I thought Alison would have known something about sex. I was soooo wrong. She thought that a spirit entered a woman's body and then an orb actually makes the baby in there. So the first thing I thought is that she is watching WAY to much on the Sci-Fi channel, and we have failed at equipping her for life! I thought that she at least knew the basics, and that we would focus the "talk" on our own values and beliefs.....but by the time we got to that part of the conversation....Alison was FREAKED out! The best line that Eddie said during this debacle was "I need you to listen very carefully, I can only do this one time today!". So Alison, is no longer innocent and I can only imagine the nightmares she had going through her head last night!".

Tobey has been sleeping better this week, which has been amazing. I don't know if you know what it is like to have a child that doesn't require sleep....I am here to tell you that it is not easy. My favorite sight is seeing that precious boy drift off to dreamland.

So, I know that I have told you before about Buddy the Squirrel...that silly squirrel that eats out of our hands....well yesterday , he surprised me! We got these huge apples from Sam's Club on Monday and I was eating one while waiting with Edwin for the bus. After only 1 bite there was Buddy scampering up the steps of the porch. I bent over to talk to him (yes, I talk to him) and that silly squirrel took the apple out of my hands and raced up the tree with it! This poor thing is going to starve when we move! I have seen him eat McDonald's hamburgers, a hot dog, shrimp, and of course his precious peanuts.....Not surprisingly he is becoming one of the fattest squirrels I have ever seen!

Well, that is today....I had a lunch date earlier and I now have to catch up on things! Have a good one!

I should be fired!!!!!

I have fallen behind on my blogging duties....I am ashamed! I should be tarred and feathered.

Sure, I have my excuses....the kids have been fighting colds, trying to pack, had our Precious Stones party, Halloween and just the everyday things of having a large family with a generous sprinkling of Autism.

We are sooo ready for the move. We have stalked out the house and keep wanting to tell the current family to get the heck out of our house! I am so excited about being on the South Side of South Bend again! Tons more than I thought I would be. Our lives are on the South Side....our Church (that has a vision for the South Side), Eddie's job, our friends (which are our family) and the Target that I used to work at (which I have friends at). Eddie's favorite pizza place and his favorite Subway are within walking distance of the new house, so he will be a happy man!

Eddie is officially in the mood for Christmas. We are already listening to the music and wanting to watch those traditional movies. The kids have made their lists and I am busy trying to find inexpensive activities for us to enjoy. I put on a layaway at Kmart, and we are going to try and simplify the family (extended) lists.

Olivia is home today with a cold and sore throat had a discussion with me about Politics this morning. She explained to me who she would vote for and then we had a talk about what she would do to make the country better. I love the minds of children. She thinks that the grocery store should just give away food and we need to stop tearing down buildings so that the homeless could live there. She also thinks that health care should be free, I think that she said that because she knows how we struggle with the boys' expenses. I hope Olivia runs for President some day, I hope that she never loses sight of what is wrong in the world. A large part of me doesn't want her to lose that innocence of her believing that she CAN change the world. So here is to Olivia Grace for President! Or a Teacher, Vet, or stay-at home Mom! Whatever her heart desires, as long as it's legal!

So that is all today! I hope that you have a great one! See you tomorrow!

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Well, Halloween has arrived my friends....And I can hardly move from the party yesterday!

We had around 50 or so people and it was a blast. Considering that this was my first real "event" for Precious Stones, I was pretty happy with it. But now that morning has arrived my mind is racing with what could have been done better! I would like to take a moment and thank everyone that helped with cookies or games! That was awesome and I love you for it!

The highlight of my day was getting to know a 21 year old Autistic who had a lot of the same issues as Tobey...non-verbal, etc. I saw him sign to his caregiver that he was happy and a big boy now! He absolutely stole my heart, and why I wanted to do this from the get go! I met a lot of people that don't even attend our Church (maybe they will now!) and after talking to them, I saw just how much we had in common with concerns for our children.

Some of the things that were discussed was trying to fit in with parent's who don't understand the job of raising these wonderful kids, frustrations with the medical community, dealing with schools, what if our kids outlive us, and respite. So, I now have tons of ideas for future meetings.

One thing that broke my heart is I think that Tobey will have to go to respite when I have these events. Which just seems insane because Edwin and Tobey is the main reason that I wanted to do this! It was super hard to talk to parents, control the group and meet with all the other kids while my mind was on Tobey and doors that I couldn't keep shut. So, I think that when we have the "events" my Mommy hat will have to come off.....

The kids are ready for Halloween! Lena is dressing up as a Zombie, she said....but I will not buy her a costume because she is not going trick or treating. She will get a little surprise but I can't say what it is in case she reads the blog! Alison will be a Rebel Fairy (that is what the costume says), Edwin will be Finn from Adventure Time ( had to make that one, it looks nuts!), Olivia will be a Gothic Cheerleader, Tobey will be Jake from Adventure Time (a dog), Emily will be Tinkerbell, and Melody will be Superwoman! I will be going as a tired Mother!

So, I am off to get ready for the day! Have a great Halloween!

It's a Major Award!!!!!!

Well, here I am again my friends....and hopefully we are done having computer problems again!

Today, my Tobey Jude came home with a witch in his backpack. Would you like to know why he has a witch in his backpack? Well, Tobey Jude won it at school from the cafeteria staff for being the quietest in the lunch room. Personally, I found this so funny that Tobey being non-verbal won a contest for being quiet, I mean really, it wasn't even a fair contest! So, he is enjoying his major award!

The party for Precious Stones is tomorrow, and I am so excited. One thing that surprised me was the emails that I have gotten asking if they could come. Yes!!! You can come! I will love you and accept your children! It doesn't matter what there disability is, whether born with it or an accident happened, or how old they are....we want you to come! I can't wait to meet more of these special kids!

Besides the party, life has been especially hectic...I will give you the run down....

• Lena is horrible about wearing her glasses even though she looks adorable in them, so they have become yet another thing that I am trying to keep Tobey from breaking.
• Alison has been whining just as a pre- teen should, I do think that if Lena doesn't kill me with the teenage years...Alison will!
• Edwin does not like Tornado drills, I know this because he bit his teacher when she tried to put him in position for it. Part of me is glad that he won't let anyone mess with him. But I now have to find a card from Hallmark that says " I am sorry my Son bit you....he has had his shots!".
• Olivia is doing good, we have a lunch date planned for next week together, so she is happy!
• Tobey started a new thing of rolling his eyes into the back of his head, scared the heck out of me! It looked like a seizure thing, I am still getting it checked out....we need no more issues in that area.
• Emily is getting along famously with Edwin, she has learned to go into his "world", hopefully this does not lead to therapy!
• Melody has decided that she is a super hero, thanks to a craft at Church. I got her the costume today (Superwoman) and she will not take it off, or answer to the name Melody.

So that is all tonight. I am off to eat junk food with the kids and watch Charlie Brown, and work on the party stuff! Have a good night!

Monday.....

So, here it is Monday has struck again....I have tons to do from having too busy of a weekend, and it is looking dreary out. The kids were cranky because I sacked out and Eddie let them stay up too late.

After Edwin gets on his bus, I am making Eddie take me for a drive....I love to drive around in this weather, I also love to cook in it. On tonight's menu....Baked Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans and chocolate chip cookies....that is if the dishwasher can go to turbo drive and catch up all the dishes from the weekend.

So, in planning the Fall-o-ween party for Precious Stones, I had a few things stressing me out....one was pumpkins, no one wants to donate them and I need quite a few. Last night I got a message that a friend of a friend did very well on the BOAT (casino) that he wants to donate pumpkins....yipee!!!! Pumpkin decorating was kinda one of the big events. We were also concerned about volunteers for the event after I finally came to the conclusion that three people could not pull this off, and now I have enough! We also have managed to find a resource that will provide free childcare for our meetings and the big Christmas Party! So, things are looking good!

The move is finally feeling like it's real now...boxes are in my dining room and we decided not to do our own Thanksgiving this year just so we don't worry about putting on a huge dinner before we leave. It is bitter sweet, this house with all of it's problems ( there are lots) was still our home for 2 years. And was a roof over our head when we were virtually homeless after the fire. And even though the whole lead deal has not been pleasant, we have had some great times here... I am excited to see the difference between living in a 110 year old home, compared to a 15 year old home. Some things I will really enjoy with the new place will be a driveway, attached garage, not being by the hospital, no Notre Dame traffic, no scary neighbor (hopefully) and being out of town!

We had a great time at Logan yesterday....if you aren't from the area, Logan is a resource for special needs family that provides jobs, housing, and fun events....I know they do more, but I am just starting with them. I did see that they do help handicapped individuals find homes when they outlive their parents, which is something that we have talked about several times in our home. I think that Edwin will do fine either on his own or living with friends and just support. But Tobey, that one worries me. I used to think that well, I have 5 girls that maybe one of them will step up and take him in. But, how fair is that to them....and how fair is that to Tobey? I want my kids to have the best life possible, and not to feel burdened....or feel like a burden. To me, taking care of Tobey for the rest of my life is as natural to me as breathing. He is a ton of work, I am the first one to tell you, but I don't bat an eye if we have to help him every step of the way. So, I may check into what Logan has to offer in that kind of care. Ahhhh, the things parents do for their children.

The kids are hyped up about Halloween! We are going to Trunk or Treat at our Church, and Eddie keeps saying that he will provide free rides with the wheelchair lift for the entertainment! Only my husband would think to do that! I think that we will leave Lena at the van to hand out candy, while we take the other 6 to get their candy! My mother-in- law who has been doing a great job of staying out of my parenting voiced her opinion on that one though. She thinks that as long as kids dress up they should be able to get candy. I think that 13 is the limit in our home. Lena who is tall for her age got quite a few comments last year, about being to old....My mother-in -law did not understand this. So, because of the age limit this will be Alison's last year, which she is fine with, she complains about the walk! I can honestly say most of my kids are lazy, maybe Tobey sucked out all of their energy!

Well, that is all for today! I am off to load the dishwasher....again!!!! Have a great day!

Hello again!

Well, I have a new keyboard so, I am back in business!!! We have had a busy week, and I got quite a bit accomplished. Yesterday I went with CJ to A Rosie Place....very nice facility. It is a respite home for medically fragile children to stay at and give their parents a break. I was slightly worried because one of the staff members said that Tobey would not be approved, until seizures came up in the conversation. So, here was my dilemma....

I am thankful everyday that I don't know anything about feeding tubes and oxygen masks. I have a dear friend who everyday has to load up her child in a wheelchair. And her strength, not only for that, but her spirit as a human is admirable. And then you have Tobey Jude who on the outside is the handsomest 5 year old boy I know, and his problems are all internal, you can not tell from the outside that he has severe lead poisoning, or seizures that scare the crap out of his Mother, or a mental illness that causes him to not talk and disconnect from our world, and has such severe ADHD that he weighs 32 pounds because of his activity level. How can he not be considered medically fragile? And how can I not get the same benefits? So, here's hoping that Tobey is medically fragile enough so that I can get respite that will be covered by insurance and not us paying out of pocket....isn't that crazy? I did enjoy the facility and the staff were amazing, it was very homelike, and Tobey Jude may be in the South Bend Tribune along with my friend that I admire to the utmost degree.

So, as you may have seen on Facebook....my Tobey Jude had a haircut. It was a sad day here.....I am still holding back the tears. Here is the play by play of the events. At the school on Friday, the teacher timidly told me that they simply couldn't handle his long hair....the bangs were getting in his eyes. They then said he could keep the length in the back....but have the front short. That is a mullet lady!!!!!!!!! So, there was Eddie....thrilled with his chance to cut the boys hair and teasingly saying " My hand could get shaky, and cut all of it off." I informed him in front of the staff that my hand would remain steady on the divorce papers if he even tried that! So, in the fear that Tobey would end up looking like he was going into the service, I tried to trim his bangs. Now, Tobey Jude HATES haircuts and moves like crazy and I swiped off a huge section in the back when he moved. At this point...Tobey is crying, I am near depression and Eddie who tried to help, has managed to take my son from Rocker to Amish looking child. So I don't know if I should start calling him Tobias Judah to match his hair cut....I am thankful that his hair grows back quickly and so I am on the hunt for a hairdresser who will help me maintain Tobey's beautiful locks when they grow back. His hair will be long again, you can bet on it.

We had some birthdays last week.....Eddie turned 35 and Alison turned 12! Alison who I think maybe our child who ends up going goth....wanted only Monster High stuff for her Birthday. I would like to thank Target for having all of it on sale. She also got money, a stereo and Justin Beiber things....I got a headache, hahaha! She got to spend yesterday with her favorite teacher, who took her to Michigan. And then we finally had her cake last night! So she had a good weekend!

To the other parents out there....Do your kids maintain relationships with former teachers? Or is it just mine? Olivia still spends full days with her kindergarten teacher Mrs. Yoder, and Alison spends time with Mrs. Maheiu....I think Lena would like to spend a day with Mr. VanDyke, but that will happen over my dead body. If anyone is spending the day with Mr. VanDyke it will be me, haha! He is adorable, people. Going on....I really like that the kids are that close to their teachers and I think that the fact that they take time out of their schedules to plan a day and take them out is awesome!

So today is a day of fun, we have Church and an event at the Logan Center....and then Church again. I love Sundays! And then home to keep working on the party on Saturday for Precious Stones.....less than a week, Yikes!

So, have a great day....and pray that I get the party done, world peace, Tobey getting into respite and that his hair grows back quickly!

The keyboard.....

My lovely children spilled soda on the keyboard, so I am typing this using an on-screen keyboard. Very annoying.

We have had sick kids again this week,I am starting to wonder if this is just going to be the norm. Anyway, Tobey should FINALLY go back to school on Tuesday.

We have a busy week planned so if I don't blog much, forgive me. We have 2 birthdays and the never ending packing to do. Tobey has also decided that sleep is not a priority anymore, again i say the boy is lucky he's so cute.

2 years ago yesterday we had our house fire. We were having such a great day that day, we put on a Christmas layaway, had breakfast out, and then while getting our Pastor an appreciation card, we got a phone call, that our home was on fire. I think the worst part was losing all our pictures and the kids baby books. Everything else was just things. Another tough part was they never let us back in to see what we could salvage, anyway that is the past.

Well, that is all until I buy a keyboard! Have a good one.

Dairy Queen with the Holstein's....

First off do you see how clever the title is? Holstein's are dairy cows...hahaha, get it? Anyway I will continue on. I know that I am a dork...

We got some news that the new house won't be ready until Thanksgiving, so we have a few more weeks to move, which may not be a bad thing. So, we thought since we haven't taken the kids out for ice cream we would treat the crew...this is how a 15 minute car trip went.

We constantly bicker over the radio, if I had my way it would be non-stop Beatles, Eddie likes Rage Against the Machine, Alison and Lena like anything that U93 plays....so you can see the problem. After 5 minutes of wanting to pull out my hair we switched to the Christian channel, and Edwin who is also a metal head was not happy started yelling at the top of his lungs. Lena then said the line of the night..."Jesus wants you to shut the heck up and listen!", nice....We then arrived at the golden gate, or Dairy Queen to the normal people who don't have 7 kids, only to see that due to a ton of road construction it was nearly impossible to get in, after 5 minutes of circling Dairy Queen we made it to the drive thru ( we hardly go in restaurants, unless we have lost all sense of reality) and then we have 6 kids screaming their order, Tobey my darling boy is just spinning tires on his Matchbox car. Now here is the funny thing, they think they have a choice of ice cream, they don't. They will make a line of cars wait 10 minutes to make their choices....so we order the ice cream and head home. Again, Edwin starts screaming his head off...Can you guess why? Ice cream headache!!!! At this point I am nearly ready to bang my head into the dashboard, it has been a long day. I then quietly ask Eddie to humanely shoot me, which Lena heard. Lena knowing that no one has more shooting experience than Edwin tells him to shoot his Mother. Edwin has seen his Holy Grail, and it is in the shape of his finger shooting me, complete with reloading...


So, I had a first today....I ate Sushi....wasn't too bad. Not life changing by any means. I will probably have to go and get the number 5 from McDonald's, but I am trying to open my horizon's. Eddie is getting the kids ready for bed and then we are going to watch a scary movie together, I will have to hold Eddie's hand. He gets scared during these movies, which I find funny....Me? Nope. I am NEVER scared during these things, I honestly don't even flinch. I do however enjoy seeing everyone else jump. My Mother in her love of horror and gruesome flicks has made me immune to their effects and fake blood. But the gore is totally fun to watch...Is that twisted? Probably. (from the husband--You know what really scares her? me...naked)

I should probably not blog when Eddie is home....well I am off to spend time with the hubby on his only night off....have a good night, and watch a scary movie....I dare you!

Guess what Tobey did......

Emily Frances wants to be a chef when she grows up, she is much happier watching Food Network than Nickelodeon. She came name off almost all of the chefs and I am sorry to say that Rachael Ray is her favorite, it should be Paula Deen. But because of this unnatural desire for a 4 year old to cook, she gets in the kitchen and "makes" things. Now, I don't mind her helping me make dinner....but when she goes in there by herself, I am not as happy about. Lately, it has been things in the fridge that interest her....milk, eggs, butter, yogurt, etc. And she has been making some messes for me while I am busy attending to another kid. So, now that you have the back story....here is what Tobey Jude did.

While I was helping Olivia with homework, Emily decided to make a cake....and not with my permission, I should add. Well, Tobey seen her with the eggs and yelled "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!", he then took them from her, brought them to me, pulled on my shirt and said "Emmy!". That's a boy!!! Look at him saving the eggs, and ratting out his sister. Just like a real boy!!! This is so cool, because a year ago, it didn't seem like we really existed in his world. And now? Wow, that is a big thing to know that he sees what is going on around this place, and maybe I will have a second set of eyes around here. He could be like my secret spy, and I can send him on missions to see what everyone is up to.


Eddie and I are planning an at-home date night for Friday. Going out on a night date is simply impossible right now, so we are going to make the best of what we have. After the crew settles down we are going to make a fire and watch a movie and maybe some wine, even. We have hardly got any time to talk lately, so it will be nice to try and have an uninterrupted conversation. He is getting burned out on work, but excited about starting school in a few months....still not sure how the heck we are going to fit everything in. But, where the is will there is a way, and we have a lot of will.

I am loving the weather lately, it has made me in the mood to cook those comfort foods, and bake. Even Eddie got in the mood to bake yesterday, he burned several cookies, but the rest were really good!

Tomorrow we have a ton of errands to do, and Tobey has a dentist appointment, Lord help us. This will be his first time there, so we get the honor of explaining his entire medical history AGAIN. When we went to the eye Dr. last week, this guy that does the initial exam asked me about having two sons with Autism. I explained that there are on different ends of the spectrum and that only Tobey is considered non-verbal, and Edwin goes to a regular classroom. He then asked me what I did differently during my pregnancies with the boys, because our girls don't have Autism. How am I supposed to take that? Does this guy think that I gave my sons Autism? And, considering that no one really knows what causes Autism, am I supposed to know all of the answers? So, I sheepishly told him that I don't know why they have Autism, and to tell the truth, it doesn't really matter now, how they got it.....they do, and I go on with my life.

During one of our growth/support group meetings, that very thing was brought up. Do we blame ourselves for our children's disabilities? To be honest, there are days that I do blame myself, that is just part of being a mother. And as I sat there crying at one of those meetings with overwhelming guilt, another Mom named Sarah that has a son with Autism said something profound, that no one has ever said to me....I can't remember it word for word, but it went something like this....Do you think that we would serve a God, that would punish us for something that maybe we did wrong and give our children a disability? I never thanked her for that, but it changed me. I am not going to say that all of the guilt is gone, but I am better now. I know now, that the God I serve is a loving God, who would not punish me, things happen, sometimes life is not fair....but to be honest again, I can't see my life any other way and I am thankful....I just need to remember that on the rough days!

Well, that is all for today, it is time to take Edwin to school....have a good one!

The house of Holstein.....

I really don't have much to blog about, I have mainly been focused on moving and making lists and stuff. Kinda boring.....

Tobey should be able to go back to school tomorrow! So, I am totally ready for that. I don't know how to put it into words, but when he is at school I can breathe. I have never looked at him as a burden, and I love my time with him. But it is nice for a few hours a day of not having him be my responsibility, not worrying every 2 minutes that I don't physically have my eyes on him.

Edwin has had a good week at school as far as school work, but....well he told some choice words, so he is grounded. He is doing great on half days though and able to keep up with all his school work.

One benefit to having him on half days, is I get his homework done in the mornings and when Olivia comes home I can concentrate on just her. I thought I was making headway with her until this morning when she informed me that I do nothing for her. The whole fiasco started after I told her that she needs to brush her own hair. I guess that she forgot that I laid out her clothes, found her shoes and backpack, wrote a note to her teacher, and oh yeah....gave her life! So, she lost that argument. Maybe we will get this all out of the way before she is a teenager, and then it will be smooth sailing....yeah, that's how it works!

Everyone else is doing great. Lena should get her glasses on Friday, so if you know her give her a compliment (thanks). Emily and Melody have just been a joy this week, and have been trying to help with packing. And the hubby is working 68 hours this week, so I am yet again a single parent....

Well, that is all for today....have a good one!

The post below...

So as you know I am inspired everyday by people with disabilites, I live with 2 of them....But this guy brought tears to my eyes, enjoy.

Winner of China's Got Talent Final 2010 - Armless Pianist Liu Wei Perfor...

Is this Monday?

So, being a stay at home Mom, I am not one to complain about Monday's. But today.....well,I see now what the rest of the world is talking about.

We have tons to do and it seems like the never ending sick kid cycle will ever end. We managed to get Lena off to school, and Olivia is doing well today, but they sent Tobey home already today, because he picked at a sore under his nose and he bled all over their wooden puzzles. So, he will be home for a while....he is sooo lucky that he is cute!

I am not sure how to get everything done, including meetings with new teachers in between a ton of appointments and well, kids that can't go to school.

So, here is my plan of action....I bought a notebook to write down everything I need to get out of my head. So, in my head I am juggling Dr. appointments, sick kids, moving, money to move, Christmas coming up, yet another neighbor confrontation, Edwin and Tobey's new quirks for the week, it is endless.

I have this fantasy , and trust me I am not delusional, I know that it is just a fantasy. Of having this "normal" life when we move. I know that a new house is not going to fix Autism or finances or turn us into this perfect family. I do know that realistically it will help with some things. No lead, more space, no close neighbors, everything works in the new house, and parking....so I know that things will be easier there....at least I hope.

We had an great day at Church yesterday, I got to volunteer at both morning services and that was fun getting to see kids that I normally don't get to. I did however take a nap, while Eddie watched the Colt's win, before we went to the evening service. Reverend Sam (look what I called you!) always has great sermons, I have never drove away from Church and said " Well, that was an OK sermon.". They have always had something in them that changes me for the better. But yesterday's was one that I needed to hear. It was about God's promises and how he always answers prayer, but in his own time and in his own way. It actually got me excited about facing the week, and not dreading it....the stress will not defeat us. " Go Towanda!!!!!". Fried Green Tomatoes reference, sorry......I love that movie.

So, since I am known for my love of reality TV, I figured I would update you on some current events.....

• Sig is coming back to Deadliest Catch, thank you Discovery Channel...I have faith in you again.
• The Hillstrand brothers are coming back, not a fan of theirs, so whatever!
• Cody Lundin will be back for a second season, again I would like to thank Discovery Channel and God for answering that prayer.
• I have nothing to say about American Idol, they are dead to me.
• NEW SHOW!!!! The Sister Wives, a great show about polygamy. I already love Big Love on HBO, so this is the real thing. There are times when the kids get me so worn down, I wish Eddie would check in to that....haha, I am joking here, but....well, I will go on.
• This is the last season of Little People, Big World....kinda sad. I will now have to focus on The Little Couple....there is also a show with little people and animals on Animal Planet, but that previews really creep me out!

Well, that is all for today! I hope you have a great one!

ARGHHHHHHHH

So today Tobey is running a temperature, Olivia is feeling clammy, and Lena is still the same....So, you can guess how fun my day is! We didn't even have to deal with the crazy eyed bus driver, so there is your silver lining.

I have a lunch date today, so that will be fun! And then back to the house to try and get everybody well enough for us to head out of town tomorrow and take my cats to my Dad's house and keep them safe for the move. My Dad turned 61 yesterday, and probably wouldn't be happy to know that I put that on my blog....but he doesn't have a computer. I love my Dad, but he may be the one person on Earth that is less techy than I am. And that is saying something. I love the relationship I have with him now. We talk almost daily, he tells me advice and then I hand the phone over to Eddie so they can battle out their issues with Notre Dame. Eddie is a fan, my Dad is a fan of whoever they are playing that week. If Notre Dame loses my Dad calls and sings the fight song, if Notre Dame wins....Eddie has it cued up on Rhapsody to play it for my Dad. It's funny because a few years ago they couldn't stand each other. But then Eddie started watching football, and well they are living happily ever after.

The kids although they may be sick are driving me nuts with Halloween already. So far the only on we have bought is Tobey's because the other kids have changed their mind like 30 times. Olivia is currently looking through a catalog and racking her brain about what she should be. She is currently considering a dead cheerleader, Ariel, bride, a pirate and now she is thinking very hard about being Silvermist. For you non-Tinkerbell movie fans, she is a water fairy and one of Tink's best friends. I am sure she will change her mind by noon.

When I was a kid I was almost always Elvira's daughter, my mother was always Elvira. I hated that stupid costume, my mother though was obviously a big fan of hers. But I wore what I had to so I could get candy. If you don't know who Elvira is, just YouTube her, personally I would like to forget her. I do however remember 1 year when I stayed with my grandparents and they took me to Hooks and bought me my fist real costume. I was Wonder woman! Does anyone else remember those plastic costumes that came in a box, and that mask you could not breathe in? And then because of the fine quality of the costume that band would break on the mask, and because of your mad dash to get candy the plastic costume became a plastic shredded mess. I am relieved that they stopped making those things, they were not the comfortable plush things that you see at Target now, that is for sure.

Well, I am off to take care of the sickies....have a good day.