welcome to operation restore order

My house is a disaster, people. A DISASTER.

I know you think I'm exaggerating, but I'm serious. Some examples:

  • When we left on Thursday to go down to Maryland, I said to my husband, "I hope we don't all get killed in a car accident because I would DIE if anyone saw my house like this." 
  • My husband is out of pants. Must iron the huge pile of wrinkled khakis. Stat.
  • I keep tripping over things on my way to the bathroom at night. Like play swords, stuffed animals, bath toys and items for sale on ebay. (What? Doesn't this sound like your bedroom floor?)
  • There is very little surface area visible on the dresser, the desk, the kitchen counters and the top of the washing machine. Its dangerous.
  • Seriously, I can't see my printer.
  • Ohmy WORD, my closet.
  • Don't even get me started on the kids rooms. I may tear my hair out.

So, I am determined to get things in order this week. By Friday, this house WILL be picked up, cleaned up and caught up.

Who's with me?

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This Thursday is the next Try This Carnival!! This month's theme is PASTA!
Share your favorite pasta recipes and you'll have a chance to win one of TWO great prizes!!

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faith like a child

DSC_0491-1Tonight before dinner, we jokingly asked Colin if he wanted to pray for us.

Colin immediately grinned, folded his hands, bowed his head and said, "Tan-too." 

It may have been a much shorter blessing than usual… but it was one of the sweetest ones I've ever heard.

 

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taking the day off

Well, not really. We're going out of town for my brother-in-law's graduation from Police Academy in the am, then his party in the early pm, then up to pick my baby sis up from the Philly airport in the late pm.  (I have optimistically packed my purse with a stash of lollipops to keep Colin quiet during the graduation. But most likely, I'll be standing in the hallway the whole time while Colin runs around refusing to be quiet or sit still for longer than 10 seconds.)

And this is a "day off." Maybe this is why we're so tired all the time.

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I feel like poo. But I'm not sick. No way. Sorry. I can't be. Please.

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Why won't Colin sleep? Why? WHY???
(He's getting better. I'm just feeling like poo NOT sick and wanting to sleep.)

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I'll be back on Monday, ya'll. Here's hoping that next week's posts will be more "Wow!-This-is-so-amazing!" and less "Oh-my-word-I'm-too-tired-to-think."  (How many of these listy posts did I do this week? Like 4?) Oh, well.

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Today I wish I was back in Vegas with my husband and no kids, just sitting in a quiet, yummy restaurant having an uninterrupted conversation:
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What do you wish you were doing today?

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i had something creative and interesting to say

But I can't remember what it was. Perhaps because my son work up at 4am. And wouldn't go back to sleep.  And amazingly, my brain is not engaging  today, despite my drinking lots o' coffee. Imagine that.
So here's a little list for you this morning:

CSC_0760-1 1. Before you freak out on your kids, make sure you know what they're doing.

"Ellie, what are you doing? WHY are you making a such a big mess with your dinner?"
"Mommy, I'm pretending to be Jesus."
"What?"
"I'm breaking bread and giving it to the disciples to teach them about God. See?"
Oh.
"Carry on."

2. Colin only likes to eat the outside of his food. See?
DSC_0179-1  This is new. Anyone else have  kids that do weird stuff like this?

3. So we never got around to Ellie's homework the other night. Her teacher would totally understand if we ended up skipping a night, but I got a lecture anyway. From ELLIE.
"Mom, we have to do our homework and read for at least 10 minutes EVERY NIGHT. My teacher SAID so! It is so important for my learning, Mom! We have to be RESPONSIBLE!"
Well, ex-cuse me, my dear. Let us remember this when you are in junior high, okay?
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4. The Halloween candy is KILLING me. I am not strong enough to be in the same vicinity of an open bag of Reese's Cups. They are just evaporating out of their hiding place in the cupboard.

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momologie

There's a new site for moms out in the blogosphere – and its gorgeous!

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Momologie was founded by Gia Russo and Michele Adams, widely published authorities
on the topics of everyday living and lifestyle advice for women. They met over a decade ago while both working as editors at Martha Stewart Living. (swoon!) Now they've turned their talents toward motherhood, designing a beautiful website that is like reading a glossy
magazine online.

Momologie's approach is to test-drive ideas and then present the best
advice in a straightforward format that is fun, stylish and
solution-driven. Daily e-newsletters focus on a single theme, such as
creating the best setting for homework time, or fun after-school treats
that suit the season. The web site showcases topical articles,
practical check-lists, links to essential sites, and a blog capturing
Gia and Michele's real life experiences.

Be sure to sign up for their newsletter! I've been subscribed for two weeks and I look forward to that  little bit of eye candy arriving in my inbox every day. If you're a mom who loves Martha or Real Simple, you'll adore Momologie!

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try this: pork barbeque

This is a staple in our house. Easy, almost no prep and YUMMY!

CSC_0729 Pork Barbecue

3-4 lb boneless pork shoulder roast
your favorite barbecue sauce (We love Sticky Fingers!)
Rolls

Put a little sauce at the bottom of the crockpot then place the pork shoulder on top. Drizzle a little barbecue sauce on top of the pork. (Not a ton, maybe 1/4-1/2 cup)
Place on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Take out pork and shred with forks. Place back in the sauce and stir. Serve on rolls.

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