Its cold & I don't like it!

Winter is here. I don't like it! I don't like the cold air. I don't like that my kids are becoming the disgusting little kids with snot running down their faces. Ugh! Winter.. I hate being cold.

Dominic told me yesterday that I should tell him when its nice outside so he could go play. I told him that it wasn't going to be nice for a long time. He shrugged and said with no hesitation, "let's go to the beach then!" Haha! I wish... 


Don't get me wrong I love the holidays but the frigid air is not for me. As a mother, for me, it's hard in the winter time. My kids live outside when the weather is nice and that's basically all year except 3 months. Those 3 months start now. It's hard to keep them occupied inside. They don't watch movies and aren't into playing video games and Spongebob can only be on for so long before I feel like my brain is turning into a pineapple in the sea. 


These are the months where the creativity in me really has to come out. I have been on the internet a lot lately trying to find new crafts, recipes & games that we can play. We recently got a new printer on Black Friday. It really has come in handy lately. I printed out almost every NFL team helmet & let the boys go to town coloring them. That was awesome! A hour & a half of pure helmet coloring bliss!

These are the months when my fuse HAS to be a bit longer than normal. The arguing & fighting definitely will become more. The picking on each other has gotten worse. Dominic doesn't let stuff slide anymore. He now stands up for himself and gives Jordan a run for his money. I like it but that just means more work for me- more discipline. I'm not complaining but those are the moments when I'd like to say, "take it outside!"

These are the months that truly test me as a mother. I mean everyday is a test but these months seem to be a little harder, at least in my world.

Any ideas of things to do with my little men on the cold blustery days would be appreciated. Websites? Crafts? 


Thank ya, have a great day!


oxox, jess

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

I finally made it out from underneath my laundry mountain. Whew! Not having a washer & dryer for 9 days is completely ludicrous. I counted 12 loads & we still had more to go. It feels so good to have everyone's dresser full... for now.

Today we went to a small, quiet orchard about 20 minutes from our home & cut down our Christmas Tree.

Hank's Christmas Trees & Corn Maze was tucked away off a dirt road. It was awesome! Kid friendly & such great people! We always get a real tree but this year is the first year we went & cut it down ourselves. Haha.. lemme rephrase that, Demond did the cutting I did the, "over to the left, over to the right, no, I like this one, oh wait.... look at that one over there!" He was very patient, he always is. The boys on the other hand, not so much. The first tree they spotted was good for them, 12 feet high, half dead on one side and the other well there was just one side. 

Ok Mom, I'm cold & ready to go home....

We broke out the Christmas decorations & began decking the halls. Half way through decorating Jordan requested Buffalo Wings. I threw some wings on the stove and went back and fourth between trying to show them that not all the ornaments needed to be in the same spot & stirred the wings.

Every year Christmas seems to get more exciting. Jordan & Dominic truly 'get it'. 

I love seeing their faces light up. 
I love their little conversations about Christmas, Santa & snow.
I love the togetherness we have for that solid 30 minutes. EVERYONE is all about it, no distractions. I say this because I know there will be a time that I probably will be the only one decorating the tree. 
I love looking at old ornaments.
& best of all, I love that we went from 4 stockings to 5 :)

 

 Our Tree 2010

A few simple decorations...

 

I hope yall had a great weekend! Oh, I almost forgot.... my sweet baby is 8 months old today! Love you Dycen Carter :)

 oxox, jess

 

 

The show must go on....

I didn't feel so great today. I woke up with the shakes & felt nauseous . But either way.... the show must go on.

I called my mom at work..... to whine. How silly is that? What could she do for me? I guess just hearing her voice, telling me to drink ginger ale and relax is what I wanted to hear. Is it just me or do lots of people want their mom when they're sick? I sure do and I'm almost 30. 

As the day went on I began to feel better. Weak but at least I wasn't vommiting like I had been. I've actually gotten good at being sick & taking care of my kids. Sounds crazy but I really think that it's something you've got to practice. 

Dominic really helped me alot today. I mean, as much as a 3 year old can and for as long as a 3 year old can. He played with Dycen, changing his toys out every few minutes so he would stay occupied. He blocked the the couch so Dycen couldn't see it, to try to hang on it. I layed down on the floor next to them... not very comfortable but it was the best situation and I was thankful.


That lasted maybe 30 minutes, maybe. Dominic was futsing in the corner for a little while, when all of a sudden he comes running in with his kite, holding it up as high as he can. He ran in circles, ran around the table, ran through the kitchen. Somehow thinking the kite would just all of a sudden take off in thin air. Wishful thinking son.. please just sit down. Ha! Not a chance.... he was on a mission. 


Dycen got away from his mountain of toys and teething rings just to find him sticking his fingers in one of the electric sockets. My time of rest was over... 


I made porkchops for dinner. Didn't really have a game plan but as soon as Demond walked in the door, I handed him the baby & got to work. I cut up onions & green peppers, salt & pepper, italian dressing & who knows what else I put in there... it smelled good & I was using the stuff that needed to be used. 


All I remember was making up songs so Dominic & Jordan would eat their entire plate of food. I was giving high-fives & getting crazy looks from Demond. I was acting crazy.... I told them I would get up on the table and dance if they both finished their plate. They started scarffing their food down when Demond chimed in... "you know the table will break." Everyone went silent and stopped eating. Really? I'm thinking... Really?? We were on a roll... I began to sing again and by the end of my hoopla they both had clean plates... woooohoooo- the things we do!!! 


As hard as it sometimes feels.... it's nothing that I can't handle. I love every moment, even though I may not like it at that time. 

I'm realizing that I blog now,  not just to share my life but to know what I'm thinking. 


oxox,  jess

I stood up to racism, I hope you do the same.

55 years ago today the wonderful Rosa Parks decided she wasn't getting out of her seat on that bus. 

Just writing that sends chills through my bones. 

What a strong, independent, iconic woman! Thank you for breaking down the barriers, Miss Rosa Parks! Times have changed & I'm so glad I'm alive to see the change.

Unfortunately everyone hasn't changed and there are still some very ignorant people out there! And I'm being nice saying that. It's definitely not what I want to say or the choice of words I could use. This subject weighs extremely heavy on my heart, if you didn't know I'm sure you will by the end of this blog.

Last night was going well.... the restaurant wasn't very busy but I had almost a full bar. I'll take that any Tuesday night actually any night at all! I noticed three gentlemen waiting to get a seat. I called them gentlemen but come to find out they were the furthest thing from that.

I had a couple seats open and politely asked one of my regulars to scoot down so they could have three seats next to each other. He obliged. 

Alex, Brad and Bryan sat down & immediately began talking to me. I was my friendly, inviting self and got them menus and drinks. I was glad they decided to sit with me. 

Each of them had on business attire. They actually looked like something out of a polo magazine. They talked about working in Northern Virginia. They spoke like they had an education. Alex actually mentioned how he played football & won some conference championship. Showing me his ring.


When I'm working I'm always aware of everything going on around me. If I'm at one end of the bar talking with guests, I can assure you I can tell you what's going on at the other end. I guess that comes with experience... I don't know but in this case I wish I didn't hear a word.


I began to listen to their conversation while wiping down the other end of the bar. They were talking about how someone had come onto their property, referring to that person as the 'N' word. Alex said he has 345 acres and someone had stepped over on his land when they were hunting. He was angry and throwing around that terrible, degrading, disrespectful word like it was his job. This went on for at least 4 or 5 minutes. N this N that... N this N that....


I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was so upset. I know my face was red. I felt like I was going to pass out. You don't use that word!! I wanted to stomp down there and tell them exactly how I felt. I should have, I wanted to but I didn't. I didn't say a word. For now.... 


I couldn't concentrate on anything I was doing. People were asking me questions and I saw there mouth move but couldn't hear anything. I was in another world. This consumed me. I had to get it together for my other guests... I did.


Their food came out and I walked by.... I didn't say a word. Alex stopped me in the middle of eating & and asked if I was from around here. I told him I wasn't. I said that I met my husband in college and this is where he is from. He then proceeded to tell me that he was born and raised here & graduated from the same High School as Demond. He told me what year he graduated and I thought this was my perfect in..... I replied with... "Oh, you must know my brother-in-law." I said his name... He thought about it and without any hesitation he said... "He's black." I glared at him in complete and utter disgust. "Of course he is!" I said. "And so is my husband and my 3 beautiful children!" 


He looked at me in shock. Why? I have no idea. I then told him how I felt. I told him exactly what I wanted him to hear... in the most professional, respectful way possible... (even though I wanted to jump across the bar and spit in his face, sorry but at this point I was in tears.)

"I heard your entire conversation 10 minutes ago. I am highly offended! I cannot believe that word came out of your mouth so many times and so easily. How dare you! This is a huge problem... you better be glad I'm working right now and I'm as professional as I am! You are not welcome here anymore!"

He sat there like he had just seen a ghost. I was trembling and shaking. I walked away & gathered myself. I made sure they had perfect service the rest of the evening.  I didn't say a word to them. My body language said enough.

They left. Tipped me $10 on $90. I didn't want their money! I wanted them out!!!!

This is not the first time I have experienced something like this and probably won't be the last. It saddens me how people can still be so ignorant. 

I will continue to grow as a person. I will continue to raise my children right. And most importantly I will continue to stand up for what I believe in and that is everyone should be created equal, EVERYONE! 

So I leave you with this...

"Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome." -Rosa Parks 

Another glass of wine please...

A hot shower & a glass of wine is definitely what the doctor ordered, at least tonight anyway...

What a day! There are some days that go by without me blinking an eye. Some days that are so easy... if easy is the right word. But, then I have days like today that seem to never end and push all my buttons.... even buttons I didn't know I had.

Dycen pulls himself up and proceeds to let go. I have wood floors... not a good look! He has fell flat on his face more than once & I can't count how many times he fell to a blood curdling scream. No matter how many times he hurts himself, he still wants to do it again and again. Putting him in his jumper doesn't work anymore. He cries & cries. I know all he wants to do is go, go, go like his brothers but doesn't he know that he's only 8 months old (in 6 days)?? Doesn't he know he's my baby & there is no rush?? I guess not.... my days of watching him sit quietly or bounce loudly are over. Operation 'Never take my eyes off of him & stay within 4 inches of him' is in full affect. 

How is my house suppose to get cleaned? How are the dishes going to get done? How is the laundry going to get folded? When can I sit down with Dominic & practice his letters & numbers? When do I take a shower? Haha... that was a joke! Who knows when any of these questions will get answered but I do know, there's always tomorrow! 

Be right back, need to pour another glass......

Dominic slammed his toy airplane down & went running to the bathroom. I said,  "Where are you going Nic?" He yelled loudly, "To throw up!" I couldn't get another word in before I heard that awful sound. I ran into help him & before I got there he had already started wiping his face. I asked him if he was ok. He said, "Yes Mom, I ate too much Turkey." 

I looked at him with confusion. "You didn't have any Turkey today", I said. 

He said, "I know but I had it every day of my life." 

Awwww.... I'm thinking he was Turkeeeed out in his mind but as his mom, I know it must have been the chocolate milk & clementines he insisted on eating together. 

Aw well... I cleaned the bathroom & rubbed his tummy all while holding onto Dycen's finger in case he decided to crash down... yup yup, the mom diggity...that's me!


I decided to wait for Demond to get home to go grocery shopping. It's always better that way. Whenever we go together I always spend less & get more. If I'm alone some how I spend more and get less. I swear its fixed.  He says he's a better grocery shopper than me.. I'm starting to believe it's true... anyways... let's get to the point!

The point is NEVER go shopping with 3 hungry children. I should have known but wanted to be a good wife and wait. Ugh! We bought stuff we didn't even need, courtesy of Jordan throwing random items in the cart. We forgot half of the stuff on the list because we were so distracted trying to keep the two older ones in line. Fights over purple and blue Gatorade, fights over fruit snacks or fruit roll-ups, fights over who was pushing the cart & who was walking, white powdered donuts or chocolate donuts..... Never again will we do that! 


After dinner was made I had no energy to put them in the bath tub. Yes I said it! They went to bed dirty.... tomorrow morning they will get baths. 


Now, I'm gonna drink this glass of wine, finish watching the Wizards game & hit the sheets!


Tomorrow is a new day & I'll be ready for it.... tomorrow. 

oxox, jess

Thanksgiving, A little bit late

Wow, I've totally been slacking. Well, maybe not slacking but I've made no time for myself to sit down, reflect & type.

The past few days have flown by. I've enjoyed not having to get up and get Jordan ready for school. I've enjoyed making big breakfasts' and not doing homework. I've truly enjoyed all the little things...


I worked the night before Thanksgiving & we were busy. We like to call it the 'weeds'. So in restaurant lingo, 'we were in the weeds' all night! Many people had family in so I got to meet many out-of-town guests. I asked everyone who sat down, "if they were ready for Thanksgiving?" The responses were all so unique but at the same time..... so alike. It was intriguing to hear the stories about family (good, bad & some down right, hysterical), the dishes that were being made and some of the families traditions. I got some really cool ideas. And then of course there is the other side of that coin. Haha! The lady that told me she boycotts Thanksgiving because she thinks you should be thankful all the time & not for just one day definitely took the cake. She said she makes pizza & spinach salad every year... I actually stood there in shock but couldn't say much...she hadn't tipped me yet!


Thanksgiving is a time to share with family, friends, co-workers or down right strangers. But, no matter how you spend your time, you are with the people you care about. My father-in-law, who is a Pastor, spent his Thanksgiving handing out meals at a local restaurant that was giving away Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate. No matter where you are, you can't help but feel the extra love in the air. This is my hope. Thanksgiving to me is just as special as Christmas. Thanksgiving is everything Christmas is, without the Christmas stress of gifts and other things that lay heavy on my heart.

This year I actually took time to think about some of the things that I'm really thankful for that I wouldn't usually think about.


I'm thankful for my baby. His perfection, his innocence & his smile.


I'm thankful for all the neighborhood kids who are in & out of my house on a daily basis. I love that my kids have them. Life truly wouldn't be as fun & loud without them.


I'm thankful for all the people I meet at work. It really helps me put my life into perspective.


I'm thankful my husband doesn't swear. EVER!


I'm thankful that both of my brothers and brother-in-laws have kids the SAME age as mine.


I have a blessed life & I take nothing for granted. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful, warm, delicious holiday to share how you feel about what's important to you.


My family, friends, co-workers & people I only meet for a short time.... I'm thankful for you. You make my life, mine. 

I remember when it was just Mom, Dave, Matt, Chris & I. Now we're running out of chairs. =)

 

 

 

 

Savannah, Dominic, Isaiah & Jordan were the focus last year. Juliana, my sister in law & I were pregnant with these two little angels last year. We knew it would be great adding two more to the crew but couldn't have imagined something this great!

Nothing more special then seeing my Mom with our children. Grandma makes EVERYTHING better.

I hope each & every person reading this had a blessed, happy, filling and joyous weekend. Happy Thanksgiving a few days late.. from us to you!


oxox, Jess

"A day without laughter is a day wasted."

"Mommy, Mommy, the clouds are falling, the clouds are falling!" 

I looked in amazement at the seriousness in his face. At first I didn't know what he was talking about, but as soon as I got to the door I realized that it was the fog. 

"Santa is coming Mom, I know it! He's gonna be here when I get home from school!"

"It's not even December Jordan, he will be here on Christmas, I said." "Well, it looks like he's coming RIGHT NOW & that's the truth," he replied, with the most irritated attitude there is.

I left it at that.... no need to start an argument before school.  

That was the start of my day. God love him!

I enjoyed my day off. Dominic, Dycen & I waited around for the Direct T.V. dude to come.He came & now we have T.V. Bittersweet, I suppose.

Nic & I built a small fort so Dycen could crawl through..... oh yes, Dycen is crawling. Not just crawling crawling but crawling with a purpose or crawling like someone is chasing him. Good grief!

I walked into the kitchen & left him in the family room with Dominic & his toys. It wasn't even a minute later and he had made it all the way in the kitchen & was right up under my feet. My life changed in that exact moment. I now have 3 mobile children...sheesh, where's my wine?! =)

I caught parts of Oprah's 'Favorite Things' Show. Wow! What a blessing those people received today. How awesome would that be to be on that show?! Speaking of favorite things... I have some & I would like to share.

1. I love when Dominic gets mad at me & says "I'm not your Mom anymore!" That's a fave.
2. I love when I try to give Dycen peas between squash & bananas & he spits them in my face. That's a fave.
3. I love that I clean the bathrooms & I'm the ONLY one who knows how to aim! That's a fave.

Those are just a few that came to mind... =) I like crock pots, jewelery & cars but nothing compares to my FOR REAL favorite things!

Jordan wanted to spend a few minutes with me before he went to bed. We curled up in bed & turned on the T.V. after reading "My Little Lion Cub".

Kentucky was playing Oklahoma in basketball. He has always been around basketball but has never shown a HUGE interest in wanting to play, yet! Football is definitely his thing as of right now.

Tonight was the first time he ever asked specific questions about the game. "Why is the blue team so much faster?" "He just threw the ball & didn't watch where it was going!?" "Are you allowed to pull people's shirts?" He was so into it, but now as I look back, it was probably because I was allowing him to stay up a tad bit later than usual. He was doing and saying anything to stay up with me. 

So I had a question for him.... "What team do you want to win, Jordan?" He stared at the TV for a bit and then turned over & looked at me with those big brown eyes and said, "the blue team because that guy right there booms it like Daddy!" "Booms it," I said. "Do you mean dunk?" "Yeah Mom, you know what I mean, I thought you played basketball." Haha!

Excuse me!

Oh & to add to my list of 'favorite things' would definitely have to be.... conversations with my 6 year old. =) Definitely!

Prayers & bed...

God Bless & Good Night!

oxox, Jess