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!