"Toys"

Each night we let the boys pick out a toy to sleep with. I had to pull a parental-override tonight when I found this in Jake's crib...

A Poem

'Twas the week before Christmas, and wouldn't you know,
Both toilets began to overflow.
We didn't mess around, we rented a snake,
We knew we were in trouble when we heard the head break.
The lines had collapsed beneath the foundation,
So we looked to insurance as our homeowner's salvation.
They sent out an agent to check out our plight,
He looked and inspected and said we were right.
Repairs would be costly, he sympathized,
Because, as he told us, our claim was denied.
So... Six in the house, no toilets to use,
Well, one will flush liquid, but no ‪#‎2s‬.
Fast-forward to yesterday, Christmas Eve,
I've got a stomach bug, it's making me heave.
And today for my gift, what did I do?
Shared my bug! 'Twas the least I could do!
With plumbing still out and two of us sick,
It's hard to enjoy our day of St. Nick.
BUT
We live in a house; we have food on our table;
None of us sleeps in a barn or a stable.
We enjoy freedom and comforts of life,
And hopes of Redemption through His sacrifice.
So, although it's not fun, and really quite nasty,
I'll try to stay positive, try to stay happy.
Merry Christmas to all! Happy New Year as well!
And please, no one take your indoor plumbing for granted because, seriously, you just don't know how bad it sucks to go without it until you have to go without it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Pie for breakfast. Best family tradition. Ever. 

Hyrum-isms

While in the pool I have Hyrum & Jacob hanging on me. Hyrum bellows out,

"We're on the Mama Ship! Full speed ahead!"

As soon as Mark swims over he says,

"The Mama Ship is sinking - get on the Daddy Ship!"

Hyrum and Jacob were watching a cartoon where the little boy character said he didn't want to go to the park. Hyrum says,

"Why doesn't he want to go to the park? Maybe his head is broken."

Hyrum is really into the show Transformers right now. He is constantly "transforming" into cars and "driving" around the house. At church, Hyrum's teacher informed me that Hyrum was not in class that day; instead she had a car speeding around her classroom. (sigh)

When dropping Hyrum off to school the next day, Hyrum turned to me in the car and said frantically,

"Quick, Mom, transform me into a little boy so I can go to school!"

No wonder!

Serotonin.
Here is a quick lesson on serotonin; excerpts from an article written by Christian Nordqvist for Medical News Today.

Serotonin is a hormone found in the digestive tract, the central nervous system, blood platelets and the pineal gland (deep at the center of the brain). It is also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, which is often abbreviated to 5-HT.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that transmit nerve impulses across synapses; synapses are the spaces in between nerve cells. Nerve cells are also known as neurons.
According to Bristol University¹ in England, serotonin is involved in:

• appetite
• sleep
• memory
• learning
• temperature
• mood - Princeton University² says serotonin is also known as a happiness hormone because it contributes to feelings of well-being
• behavior
• muscle contraction
• depression
• cardiovascular function
• endocrine regulation
• regulating aging
• bone metabolism
• wound healing - serotonin is a growth factor for some types of cells

Why the lesson? It's so when I say what I gotta say you'll understand the gravity of it. Or at least know what I'm talking about.
Anyway.
So serotonin. Recent lab tests showed I have none. Like, NONE. Zip. Zero. Nada. Nothing. A big old goose egg none.
Can you imagine?! None!
The doc said he could write me a script for anti-depressants, but they'd be a waste of money since they work on boosting serotonin and I have none to boost.
None.
Nothing to regulate appetite.
Or mood.
Or sleep.
Or everything else listed above.

No WONDER!!
Suddenly not feeling so bad about my weight, depression, crazy sleep habits, huge appetite, brain fog, and complete exhaustion. Not to mention the myriad of poor decisions I can't seem to stop making.

So what does this mean? Medicines, supplements, change of diet, lots of understanding, and, of course, justification!! Hahaha, just kidding. Sorta...

Andrea-ism

"Hey Mom, do you want to hear my story? I understand if you don't want to. It is in a different language."

Beautiful.

My heart is happy. 

Hyrum's Tummy

So I guess Mark got Hyrum started on this whole streak when he asked one day if Hyrum was hungry. Hyrum, likely not paying attention, did not answer. Mark asked again, "Is your tummy hungry?" Ah.
Since then "Hyrum's tummy" has taken on a persona of its own.
"Hyrum's tummy" is hungry.
"Hyrum's tummy" isn't hungry.
"Hyrum's tummy" is thirsty.
"Hyrum's tummy" isn't thirsty.
"Hyrum's tummy" is feeling tired.
"Hyrum's tummy" is NOT feeling tired.
"Hyrum's tummy" does NOT want to go to bed.
"Hyrum's tummy" does NOT want to share.
"Hyrum's tummy" thinks Lacie 'did it.'

Hmmm...

Yeah. I'm going to go ahead and blame Mark on this one.

Speed Zone

Mama-Andrea time!!

Preschool

So after a year of stressing, worrying, stewing, and working hard with his therapists, I finally dropped my little spectrum/sensory guy off at school. How'd it go? Well, lets just say I had a harder time than he did! The teacher had wisely set out paper and crayons on the tables. And my little guy who wouldn't go anywhere near crayons or any other sort of writing utensil a year ago sat right down and started writing his name!! Thank you to all his amazing teachers, counselors and therapists who have helped me get him to this point!! I am so grateful!

Good Morning!

Nothing says "good morning" like a toddler in goth make-up...or a dry erase marker substitute.

What tha...?!

Whilst sitting on the couch watching a movie I felt something lumpy under the cushions. 
Sure enough...pulled out 2 dumbbells, a toy car, a wood block, and part of a Star Wars starship. Yikes.

Andrea-ism

While watching a super heroes cartoon, Andrea hears Count Dracula inform FireStar that he intends to make her his bride so they can rule the world. Andrea comments, "They should really get to know each other first."

Priceless

Star Wars toy at Walmart: $10
Bribery for my sensory/spectrum boy to get a haircut after a year going without: Priceless

Jacob

My little Superman

Boys

Holy Batboys watching Batman!

Andrea-isms

Me: "I'd better stop eating or I'm gonna be...."
Andrea: "Fat?"
Me: "...sick. I'm already fat."
Andrea: "You're not fat, Mom. You're just weight-ful."

~

Andrea: "Mom! Mom! There is the most horrible smell in the house! Ew! Mom! Do you know what it's coming from?"
Me: "Dinner."

Andrea

Andrea with Leilani Munter (race car driver). Yeah. They bonded.

Lacie-ism

Lacie: "While I'm waiting can I think, sing and play?"
Me: "Yes, except no singing."
---Lacie proceeds to sing---
Me: "Lacie, you're singing."
Lacie: "Oh."
....
Lacie: "This is just going to be me talking in a new way..."
---Lacie proceeds to sing---

Friends

Of course my kid has friends! They all just happen to be short, mute and from a galaxy far, far away...

My new lipstick

Looks good on everyone....apparently. :/