Hello, my name is...I have an addiction

To pinterest. If you haven't heard or visited this creative waste of time you are missing out! Get ideas for anything from photography to kids playrooms to the yummiest of recipes. I can spend mindless hours "pinning" away and being flooded with news ways to upgrade my home life. I have done several small projects. Mostly things that include my boys and I like to call wierd science. I want to share the fun with you as we go along...if I remember (lets face it mommy brain does not always disappear once baby is born). The most fun and continually fun for my boys has been making slime. Follow these simple directions http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/09/kids-in-the-kitchen-slime/ ~we used white glue. Easy, safe, and once you get to the step of mixing with your hands it will make your tarantula moving, cricket grabbing, dog poop scooping husband gag! That was my favorite part ;)Go! Join the cult! LOL Happy pinning!

I had PUPPP, NOT puppies

Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, easier said as PUPPP, is yet another screwed up thing 1 lucky percent of pregnant women go through. I, of course, was one of the lucky few. On a positive note it was my 4th and LAST pregnancy thankfully otherwise some of these boys wouldn't be here! I figure you know how to use a computer if you're here and you can google all the nasty info/photos you want. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruritic_urticarial_papules_and_plaques_of_pregnancy) I'm here to tell you how I treated it. Mine came with a devastating force. One that brought me to tears more out of embarrassment than pain. (Although pain was a close second.) I would like to say my methods kept it at bay and even cut it short but I don't want it to fail another unfortunate soul and have her heartbroken for it. First I hid out and cried. When that didn't cure it :/ I started using Grandpas Pine Tar Soap (http://www.grandpabrands.com/pinetar1280.html) as recommended from other mom to Be's. Yes,it's as unappealing as it sounds. Well unless the smell of an overflowing ashtray is your thing. It didn't seem to do the trick for me so my husband, not willing to let ANYTHING go to waste, started using it and loved it. Next up was a life saver. Neutrogena body oil...aww! That soothed my skin for at least a few hours leaving my hands to do better things than try to pull my skin off. When the effects of that wore off I moved to slathering myself in Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion. I believe the oatmeal was the savior in that case. I do not like taking medication of any kind while pregnant but at bed time I broke and took 1 benadryl so I could make it through the night in peace, minus the countless runs to the bathroom due to a head, foot, or god knows what poking at my bladder. The rash itself faded away leaving a few moments of itching only leaving behind what I described as a warning to wear sunscreen. The sunburn look stayed until after my sons birth when the rash came back for a day to reveal my normal suntanned skin under it. I feel deeply for anyone who has to deal with this for not only weeks but months. There is relief somehow out there. May you find it.

Scar tissue

For the last 5 years I have taught myself to survive with a hole in my heart. It's painful but fully possibly. Watching a person pass away, especially when it's your child, changes you. And not always for the good. But just less than 2 weeks ago my heart began to repair itself. My youngest son was welcomed into our world and mine began to change. I have become more complete. The joy of everyday has found me again. The lack of sleep has become worth it. Even the small sliver of bed he leaves me with feels like more than enough when I look into his eyes. I will forever have a scar where the hole once was. My son will never be forgotten. His strength and will to survive taught me more is his 1 month than the time I've had on Earth. I am blessed I was chosen to be that little boys mom. But right now, this day, this moment given to me, has completed me. How lucky can I get beyond this? Only time will tell and I can't wait to find out now.

I WILL smack your hand!

They say life moves fast. Sure, I believe it. I see it in the faces of my boys everyday. BUT...if you're pregnant you just watched slugs surpass you in the express lane and leave smoke in your face. The painstaking weeks between appts. The only 4 more weeks you repeat to everyone who not only says "wow, you're big" but also tries to touch your protruding belly. I've never been a toucher. Doing or accepting, so I dont get it. I would never walk up to a non-pregnant person and start rubbing so why now at a persons most uncomfortable stage would you (most likely a complete stranger) think this is the time to become personal friends?! But as said yes, only 4 more weeks! SO you'd think it's over soon right? WRONG! This STILL leaves you with the touchers. It all begins with hospital staff. Of course their hands (freezing cold usually) are always welcome in the throws of labor but once that baby becomes his own person can we focus on I'm not the practice dummy in med school! There's always a hand in or on something :/ And God help the "oh I just love babies" touchers everywhere you go once you decide to venture out in the real world. I don't know where your hands have been! For all I know you ARE that person at the red light who is knuckle deep in their nose. (seriously do those people think that their glass isn't see through) Stop it! I do believe in the "everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten" rules it states...KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF! Now please excuse me while I stock up on Purell.

Happy Fathers Day

We were only able to call my husband to send him this wish because he's out digging fire breaks on Fort Huachuca to help protect others in an entirely new way. Currently the closest fire to us has reached 21,000 acres and is only 25% contained. It's scary on too many levels to even come close to explaining. My home luckily is in no danger from this fire but many friends are. We all have been on pins and needles waiting to hear they need to leave their homes. And with wind gusts reaching 50mph today this may be coming soon. The last 2 days we have celebrated the Dad in our life due to the fact we had no clue on if he'd be around the next. This is true right now. Maybe a nice dinner out depending on when he gets here. Hey I deserve a break too! Although fighting the other moms who had the same exact idea isn't my idea of peaceful. On Mothers Day my husband sprang for fast food. Hear the sarcasm?! While he did pick up the kitchen from the mac and cheese he made for the kids it took me at least a good week to find where he put things away. Seems to me everyday is Fathers Day around here. I dont mean that in a mean way at all. But I know for sure that when I run out of shaving cream and leave the empty bottle on the seat in the shower I'm the only one who will not only throw it away but run to the store to buy more. I love the man to death. He leaves me I love you post it notes all around in hidden places for me to find through out the day. But damn it by all means I'm taking this day too! Outback here we come!

Enjoy life!

Life really is not that long. Although on summer days when your children are screaming at one another it sure feels like it will go on forever. I try my hardest to educate my boys that the world is bigger than them. There are issues that not even I can understand over my 30 years on the Earth. But one thing I know without a doubt will happen is we will all pass away. Some sooner than others, and some in more frightening ways. Sadly it may be taken by our own hands or the recklessness of another. But one way or another at one point in time we will no longer walk this land. So to that I say...get out of the house! Buy that stupid item you claim to have always wanted. Take a trip to Hawaii to learn to surf where the best play. Visit the Rockies and toss a few snowballs around. Jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Where ever, what ever, that thing is you want to do, DO IT! You only get one shot at this life. Why go out with regret? Yes, I understand they say save your money. Remember those who you will leave behind. Blah blah. I personally would rather have a life time of memories than a bigger bank account due to someones passing. That is my inheritance. I remember camping with my family as a child. Being co-pilot to my Dad as we flew over the Cascades. And simple lunch dates with my Mom. Moments that fill my heart. Spend the money to visit someone you love. Watch your grandkids grow up. Meet with girlfriends for breakfast once a week. LIVE life! Leave a memory behind.

Blood may be thick but waters run deep

We've all heard the saying. Blood is thicker than water. But why exactly are we supposed to follow it? I have had some very nasty words for family members. More so than I have had for friends. I have had friends who have stood tall at my side during heart wrenching times when family has turned away. As an Army wife I have created bonds that many will never understand. When you go through the tough times a military wife can it's bound to happen. The "family" I created for myself does not have a single drop of blood in common. My best friend, who really should be called my sister, has been by my side for nearly 23 years. Through every stupid, sad, happy moment of my life. Besides my parents I can't say that about blood relatives. Friends know the real me. Family know who I was when I was 6. They dont make you who you are. YOU make you who you are. The adventures you take. The people you gather in your heart along the way. Not the people you are told you have to respect and love because they are so and so son. When my son passed away my friends were the one to watch my other children. He had more friends at his memorial then family. They were too busy to be there. Yes, actual words. I can not and will accept people who do drugs, drink way too much, and have a lack of heart for others to be my or my childrens legacy. The water that runs around me is filled with people who hold their heads high even when the chips are down. People who want to teach their children morals and manners. They have an understanding that life is not always fair but you make of it what you can. I love them for who they are because they love me for who I am. Now I can't forget the people who made me this way. Namely my Mother. Oh trust me I've done wrong in my life and I have never turned my back on someone just based on the fact they have. We all make mistakes. It's the constant lack of compassion that did it for me. But my Mom taught me to be strong and stand up for who I am and what I believe in. I am proud to be her daughter and live with the morals I have due to her. My temper may also be a reflection but it makes me stronger in my ways. Thank you to those who are my "family". You are a hodge podge of nuts, peace, fury, and laughter. Beautiful in your own way and graceful through lifes ups and downs. You help form my world and I am lucky to have you :)