Mommy of Many®

The day’s far from over, but there are plenty of fun pics to share. Yes, these are all of Gabi and Lex, but Tristan and Max didn’t have parties and the girls aren’t dressing up. So here’s some Halloween fun from the youngest lil Langs~

Oh wait! Here’s one of Max carving his pumpkin last night

Gabi the Prom Queen in her custom designed dress. She’s feeling VERY special today!

Prom Queen and the Pirate. My lil cuties

Halloween party fun!

Some Halloween Goo Fun

Gabi, decorating a lil pumpkin at her class party.

I can’t wait to share the kids’ jack-o-lanterns and the evening’s antics. There wasn’t any “special” carving happening, but they did them mostly on their own, which always makes for a special design.

Happy Halloween!

Doing the Dance of the Dressed Up Children

Dear Lil Blog,

I’m writing to apologize for abandoning you over the last week. I didn’t mean to go, it came up suddenly, and I found myself in a rushing current of life. I could see you on the bank watching me go by, but I just couldn’t get to you. I’m back now, a little bruised from the various rocks that beat my behind as I bumped over them, somewhat weary from the emotional toll and physical struggle of trying to get out of  that rushing torrent, but back none-the-less. I can’t wait to tell you all that was happening while I was stuck and all my thoughts. You were constantly on my mind, but I just had no way of reaching you.

I’m glad you’re still here! We’ll talk soon!

Love,
M.O.M.

Here is today’s amusing conversation between me and Lex. It’s getting so it’s a daily occurrence with this kiddo.

Lex-Mom, you know the bread we eat at church?

Me-You mean the host we receive.

Lex-Yeah, the bread we eat.

Me-It’s called a host and…(I went into a brief, explanation of why we don’t refer to it that way and the respect that’s to be given, etc.)

Lex-Yeah Mom, the bread (I suck in a breath and listen to see what else he’s going to say). Well, since Halloween is coming soon do you think they’ll make it shaped like pumpkins for the next weeks?

Me-(Trying so hard not to laugh, but YOU can!) Lex, they never make the host into festive shapes. They’re not going to do that, Honey.

Lex-I asked the guy and he said they were. He smiled and nodded his head.

Me-The guy? OH….(remembering that he was trying to say something to the deacon at Communion on Sunday, when I shuffled him off quickly. And indeed, the deacon was smiling and nodding and surely not understanding a word Lex was saying). Honey, he couldn’t hear you.

So, an intensive course in receiving communion, what it means and why we do it is in order.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

I thought it would be good to give an update on what’s happening for Max. After writing my last post about him, I received several messages about how to get a 504 plan in place. I didn’t know what this was or how to get it, but the pieces started to fall together and his teacher and I are working together to make sure we keep moving forward on this path. This will help Max and each of his future teachers. Without it, each teacher will have to “figure out” what works and doesn’t work for him. Why put everyone through the frustration when we can take what’s been discovered over the last couple of years and pass it on. Plus, Max needs everyone on board so that every transition to a new grade is smooth.

He’s settling into his new school nicely. He’s got the routine down (doesn’t mean he always follows it), he’s remembering classmates names and is feeling more comfortable interacting with everyone. He’s not always successful in his interactions, but he’s happy to keep trying. Because he has an amazing ability to remember detail, he’s starting to think of certain people and what they may like and he often puts in requests to bring things from home that he thinks people would like. Yesterday he brought an extra snack to school to share with a classmate that he thought would really like that particular thing. I don’t know how it went, but I like that he’s individualizing his classmates.

We had company a couple days ago and there were 2 boys about his age. It went great! They all jumped into “regular” boy play. There was plenty of wapping each other with balloons and horseplay. It was great to see him have a positive experience with new friends, from the beginning!

His school held a cookie dough fundraiser and he got it into his head that he was going to earn a certain prize-A limo ride to a local yogurt shop. This was his singular focus. Sure enough, he approached EVERYONE about buying cookie dough and was a rock-solid salesman until he reached his goal! In a couple of weeks Max will get to take a limo from school and go get yogurt. Whoo Hoo!

One day at a time. One challenge at a time into a successful future!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

This morning Lex called me into the bathroom and as his lil 5yr old self sat there finishing his business he says,”It should be, ‘Humpty Dumpty wasn’t so comfy…because he fell off that wall’”!

Gotta love lil minds contemplating Mother Goose!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

It’s been a hell of a week.

Through out this years-long process of separation and divorce I’ve been pretty quiet about all I go through. I’ve tried hard (and succeeded) at finding the positive in each day and staying focused on what’s most important (keeping my kids safe, stable and feeling as “normal” as possible). But some days/weeks it’s REALLY hard to have any coherent thoughts at all. I keep getting the rug pulled out from under me. Every single time I rely on the information I’ve been given or settle into feeling secure about what’s been agreed upon, it all changes. It messes with me! I go from being a positive, strong, focused M.O.M. to a mush-brained, semi-frantic, mess. I just want to be able to count on what I’m supposed to know!

Now I’m in a situation where I stand to lose my house and face the real struggle of feeding my kids and where the routine everyone has fallen into is being threatened to be turned upside down.

I don’t have time or energy for being messed with! And honestly, I end up going quiet when it gets like this, because it takes energy just to speak about it.

I know God has a plan. I KNOW and BELIEVE it. I’ve been shown time and time again that it’s going to be ok. But being human, I get all low and scared and my thoughts turn to gloom and doom. It messes with everything! My podcast has suffered, my blogging goes silent and I forget how strong and worthy I am.

Ick!

Yes, I’m strong. Yes, I hold it together while raising these kiddos and making darn sure there’s food and shelter and transportation and meeting with teachers and keeping tabs on what Max needs and pushing forward with getting all that will help him. I cook, clean, do the laundry, fix hair, bathe kiddos (often with the help of Maddi and Anna), support their sports, meet the neighbors and school families, go on field trips, take them to bday parties…

Could I catch a break?! All I’m asking is for a plan that’s agreed upon and upheld. Is that really too much to ask for?!

Ok. I’ll stop ranting. But I thought that maybe, just maybe if I opened this door and let it spill out that the feeling of holding my breath while smiling would leave me.

Doing the Dance of the Children…No Matter What!

This morning Lex woke up early and wanted me to sit and cuddle him. I spent some time holding him and enjoying the quiet of the early morning, but then it was time for me to get to the work I normally get done while the kids are sleeping. So I set him on the kitchen counter while I unloaded the dishes. He watched for awhile and then said, “I really wish you had 4 arms so you could hold me while you do your work.”

Sweet lil guy. He settled for his 2-armed mom giving him a bowl of cereal and allowing him to eat it lying on the counter.

Doing the Dance of the Children~

The great people at America’s SuperNanny just contacted me and asked if I’d help get the word out that they’re looking for San Diego families to apply! I wish I was still there because I’d be the first in line! Come on, we’ve all seen the awesome results these families get. Who wouldn’t want some parenting tips tailored specifically to your own family by a hands-on expert?!

Here’s a little more info;

“AMERICA’S SUPERNANNY” seeks San Diego families!

The hit parenting series SUPERNANNY is moving to Lifetime with an all-new, all-American nanny!

This season we’re looking for families with MULTIPLE CHILDREN of ALL AGES (toddlers to teens) experiencing extraordinary parenting or disciplinary challenges. Mean girls, bullying boys, kickers, biters, screamers, whiners…America’s SuperNanny is ready to take them on!

All types of families are encouraged to apply. If interested, please email Casting Associate, Gina Marks, at gmarks@shedmediaus.com.

Please include the following information:
– Name
– # of children, ages, gender
– Contact info
– Specific region of residence
– Recent family/kid photos (if available)
– A BRIEF account of your situation and why you need Supernanny’s help

For families in need of some super parenting advice, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime!

Apply here if you’re interested.

Good luck, San Diego families! While you’re applying, I’ll be here…

Doing the Dance of the Children~

I had 2 sets of books to give away and 3 people entered to win. So everyone’s winning! Mrs Anderson and Chelsea, you will each be sent a set of 3 What to Expect books from the company and Pilary, I will personally be sending you a set.

Congrats to each of you!

Doing the Dance of the Children~

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a giveaway, so let’s do one!

I’ve partnered with the great people at What to Expect to bring 2 lucky winners a set of 3 What to Expect books. You’ll receive What to Expect When You’re Expecting, What to Expect The First Year and What to Expect The Second Year.

This a perfect set for any expecting or preparing to be expecting mom. Having gone through these years several times myself and knowing that each baby and toddler comes with their own set of surprises, I think you’ll find tons of great go to advice in the pages of these books.

For those of us with older kiddos and teens, I did ask them if they could sent me a copy of What to Expect When Your Kindergartner Cries Each Morning Before School and What to Expect When You Teen Hates the Word “No”. But they didn’t seem to have copies of those. I see a writing opportunity in my future .

To enter, go to the What to Expect Facebook page and like them. Then leave me a comment letting me know you’ve checked it out. Easy! Random winners will be chosen on Friday.

Doing the Dance of the Children and Giving Away Some Great Books~

“Dear God,

Please help me to be a ninja when I grow up. And please help Tristan not be upset if I get to be a pirate/ninja so that I can do ninja-ing on the water.”

I love this kid!

Doing the Dance of the Children~