Can I get a SHOUT for the Supermom!!!!

I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face, tears of happiness. I am watching FOX news and to see who has been nominated for McCain's VP pick has filled me with empowerment. To see a mom of 5, a family woman, get nominated for the second highest position in the country is incredible! I gave up my career to become a mom. For the past several years I have felt like a baby factory and a milk machine. I feel like Sarah Palin represents me. For one thing, she will be such a great voice for moms, working and staying at home, plus issues that matter to families. Secondly, if she can achieve this with 5 kids, then I can too! Many people have asked me when I am running for some sort of political office. I LOVE politics. I remember marching in a parade when my Grandpa ran for Indiana Representative with a t-shirt on that said "Vote for my Grandpa." Even as a child, I loved it! He lost, but only cause he was on the wrong ticket. You might say I learned my first political lesson: be a republican! Now, I can see that having children and putting them first, doesn't have to mean it's the death of a potential political career. I think I can see a State Representative election in my future!!!

What age to give a Pedicure

Most of you know how desperately I wanted a girl. I am very much a girl's girl and I needed a Protege. Praise the lord, (and Ben) that I got one! I am so eager to indoctrinate her in the ways of girlhood, but I want to make sure I am not rushing it either.
Whenever I get a pedicure, my mini me spots it immediately. She will squat down and point to my toes and say "Piddy Mommy piddy!" She is 21 months now and I want to paint her toes so badly. I found a cute "little girl pink" today at home, oops, I mean Target. Should I use it? I don't want her to look like a hoochie but it would make her so happy! She doesn't put her feet in her mouth anymore. Is she too young for a toe polish? Respond with a comment or answer in the poll.

See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil

This motto seems to work well for the kids so we'll go with it!

Our GREAT friends Jill and Dave Mapes were here with their kids (Grahm 6, Lexi 4, and Tristan 22 months.) We had a fabulous day with them, showing them around Austin/Lakeway and of course the new house. The kids played until they could play no more. And Lexi and Brannon did what only they can do very best: disappeared, gave us a heart attack trying to find them, and then claiming they had discovered a secret hideout. They babies had to blow each other kisses and poke each other in the eyes, and the oldest boys decided they need to form a club with only themselves in it. We ended the day eating at The Oasis. If you've never been there, it's an Austin institution. Check out the website- the sunset is amazing!

http://oasis-austin.com/

I love Jill like a sister and I am so so happy she came to see me!

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. C. S. Lewis

I'm Baaaaack!!

I know, I've been absent. It occurred to me that I spend all my time blogging about the kids and the family, but not so much about all my adventures. Well, my adventures are what is keeping me from my place in bloggdom. As a few friends and family members know, I have been having some health issues. What looked for the past couple of months to be PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) is now looking to be a thyroid issue. I have been on and of hormones and medications and suffering through so many blood drawls my arms look like I am a crack addict! It's been a long road and it's not ever yet. The main problem is that my blood levels don't show that I have a thyroid problem, because they compare my levels to the "average" person. However, I have almost every symptom of hypothyroidism (too low). The more I learn, I realize there are a lot of people out there that have thyroid problems and their levels weren't "Average" either. If that's you, please let me know, I want to do what you have done/are doing about it! My OBGYN is referring me to a specialist in Austin that is experienced at dealing with "special" people like me. But, the last couple of months have wrecked havoc on me with all the hormones and medications. It's been all I can do to keep up with our kids and new life in Austin.

Ok, enough about, more about the offspring of me (they're cuter anyway!) Wes starts 3rd grade on the 25th. Yes, I did say 3rd grade. No, I am not sure how he grew up so fast either. He's very excited to get back to the social aspect of school, and maybe learn something along the way too.

Brannon still thinks he is a dinosaur. In fact we usually have to address him as "T-Rex." As in, "T-Rex, would you stop hitting you sister." OR "T-Rex, don't bite the kitten." OR "T-rex, mommy T-Rex is getting very angry at you for trying to eat the couch!" He told me today: "Mommy T-Rex, be very careful when you hug me and kiss me because my teef are very sharp."

Tierney is all girl. She just turned 21 months and is obsessed with shoes and hair bows. But, she's also one tough cookie. She doesn't let anyone (mostly T-rex) get away with doing anything to her. She doesn't hesitate to give him a wallop on the head if he makes her mad.

So, that's all for now. I will start posting again more regularly with fun antidotes and stories about what's up. I do miss blogging, and besides, we are now entering prime political season and I have a lot to say about that. I have very strong political opinions (I inherited that trait from my Grandpa) and I am not too good at not stating what I think/feel about the issues. If you don't like it, you can post a comment (I never mind a good debate) but since all but 4 of you don't do that then I guess you'll have to start your own blog (expressing how much you don't agree with my political views.)

So, to quote Paris Hilton: "I love white haired old dudes!"

*These are pictures of the kids at Wesley's 8th birthday party at Dave N Busters (Tierney had been eating so hence the food on her face!)