T.M.I or....Too MUCH information???? NEVER!

As far back as my memory allows, I remember reading annnnnnnnny and everything I could get my hands on! From the back of shampoo bottles, books, magazines, encyclopedias (oh boy, that dates me),  I've always loved (random), information. I remember sitting for hours reading the dictionary at a very, VERY young age FOR FUN!!!!! (Remember that cute little boy from Jerry Maguire when he asked if Jerry knew how much the human head / brain weighed), Yup! That was (afraid still is), Me!!!!

How odd and random to be such a wealth of information! But, I've always been this way!

Fast forward to today, not much has changed with my quest for information. I have the MOST random thoughts at times and find myself at the mercy of what I call "Random Google search of the day" With information readily available and most times, in.the.palm.of.my.hand (cell phone), off I wonder into the land of Google. Here are some yummy and recent topics of interest I have looked into just recently......

"What was the evidence against O.J. Simpson again" 

"When to get a second opinion from another Doctor" 

"What is Mesothelioma.... and why the fig do they have commercials on late at night"

" Marsh mellow Fondant  tips and tricks"

It makes for great conversation topics at least! Never a dull moment with this chick...

Oh, and in case you're wondering... Here is some info you may find helpful: 

"The weight of a human head is entirely dependent upon the size of the individual head. Generally, a fully developed adult human head without hair will weigh between 8 and 12 pounds" Thank you Google!

 

Run Nicky! Run!!!!

Most mommies can relate to the challenge of wrestling with a busy, energetic and curious toddler ( kids in general!) The challenge of trying to do annnnnnnnnything else but give full attention to the little one can get overwhelming. Laundry, bills, (facebook haa ), FORGET about it! This past Sunday I thought I could simply put on my supermom cape and brave “some” of the 12 hour volleyball tournament that James and Jomarie had. As if I was planning for a weekend trip, I packed treats and toys for the kids and was certain my little ones (Nicky mostly), would have a full day to be a busy bee! With coffee in hand, a skip in my step, goldfish treats, a small library, and allllllllll of his favorite toys… off we went to a easy and breezy day at the gym right!?……yeah, not so much.

After pushing the stroller AND our mobile camp site up mountains, thru snow, mud and black ice we finally arrived inside the gym. Too bad it was at THE WRONG END of the court! Sneakers screeching, whistles blowing, crowds roaring, balls bouncing and not a seat in sight for this momma to set up camp!


My 4pound 9oz baby that we brought home from the hospital 19 short months ago has turned into…. Uhhhh, mmmmmm, errrrr, well! A LITTLE BOY AND A DARE DEVIL!!! Long gone are the days of him being content with just being held. No longer is he happy to play with his baby toys! He wants to be independent and running the show!I can only image how the busy gym was so inviting to him!!! Baby Nicholas brought his “A” game and he’s ready to get his fitness onnnnn!!! Moving around trying to escape from his stroller before we have parked his car (stroller) This is gonna be terrific!


Within 7.5 minutes I begin to question ‘why’ I even tried to pull this one off? Imagine the pure delight of nearly being ejected from the tournament from every person in our path! NEVER AGAIN in this short season of him being at this active age will I try to contain him in an open gym… NEVER again! Thankfully my sister was there and lived in the area saving the day! Now able to enjoy the tournament I could take in the day and support my #1 man and my favorite athlete & James’ protégé: JoJo


Now, on to the true intent of this blog entry… Have you ever found yourself admiring a child from a distance? Not in a *stalker* kind of a way, but simply being in awe at how incredibly adorable the little one is? Picture if you can the….most….beautiful…. blonde haired and blue eyed toddler boy you have everrrr seen! (note I did mention blonde, as Nicholas Beppe’ takes the prize for brown hair..wink wink) The word “angelic” pretty much sums up the little boy that managed to capture my attention all day long (of course, when not watching James and JoJo), He was soooo happy to just sit, watch the game and clap his hands. It was unreal how content the little dude was! Thinking back to my episode and epic failure I had with baby Nicky earlier and not lasting 30 minutes, I would have loved to have him by my side so happy like that other little baby.

The afternoon turned into early evening and coach James and the lady Rebels secured their spot in the finals! Yaay team!!!!! We had a break before the finals started, and I found myself next to the parents of the Angel baby as they were on the sidelines against the wall. I learned he was just a few days older than baby Nicholas and his name was “Howie” (of course it was, he looked like a Howie.) I had shared with the parents how I had been admiring Howie all day. I explained that I also had a toddler and that I had to send him away with his Aunt LaLa in order for me to enjoy the game. Hindsight, I can only imagine how my petty complaints of how baby Nicholas wanted to run, climb, chase balls etc sounded to them.


As I shared my admiration for how well baby Howie was, I was soon to have my ENTIRE world and perception of mothering Nicky in this “busy” season ROCKED AND SHAKEN TO THE CORE.


With tears in her eyes, Howie’s mommy said to me, “I would give anything to chase Howie around, to see him run after a ball” (now she’s crying and I’m starting to sob)… “Howie has severe disabilities physically and the Dr’s say he will never walk” she said. You are very blessed she said to me! I was speechless and realized my limited vocabulary would never suffice for this tender moment. I was forever changed as a mother and realized how incredibly blessed I am to have happy, healthy, sound and whole, children! I don’t understand the complex sovereignty of our God, and how Nicholas is perfect in every way while baby Howie has physical disabilities. Howie too is perfect and precious in the eyes of our creator and his mommy.


With that experience I say……. “RUN NICKY RUN, CLIMB, KICK, SCREAM, I WILL FOREVER CHASE AFTER YOU MR. PERFECT

The MOST wonderful time of the year AND a new memory for the kids!

For me Christmas is all about fostering family traditions and welcoming new ones. As a little girl I have many great memories of the holiday season that I will forever cherish.  As a mommy, this time of year is simply marvelous!!! I take my role as ‘tradition maker’ verrrrrrrrry seriously! What a great honor it is to create and capture memories for my children to not only have for themselves,  but to  pass down to my grandchildren one day (have I mentioned I would like a bus load of grand babies?) 

 I’m one of *those* off season shoppers…. I love a good deal and can hardly pass one up! What girl doesn’t right? It’s nothing for me to bring home a Christmas tree in the month of May! Imagine the look on my Jamezee’s face when I need his help with such a project in May! Haa

Here is one of my “fabu-less” finds today

Imagine the life this bowl has already lived, the baby showers, weddings, graduations, the array of yummy and refreshing drinks shared between family and friends! NOW MINE 

Oh, vintage punch bowl, with twenty (make that 19 cups after the car ride home), to share :(  I promise to renew your life!! THE BEST $4.00 bucks EVER!! :(

Welcome

With Christmas music on, our official “lets get the tree out” snowman mugs, we were ready to welcome in the short, yet spectacular Christmas season. This year for me is so precious as Baby Nicholas (The Saint), is mobile! It’s a wonderful sight to see him run around with ribbons and bows, rattling bells, scrunching tissues paper, and simply being a curious little monkey!  

 I’ve had to re-visit almost everything in terms of decorating to ensure it’s fun and safe for him too.  The past few years I’ve assembled a themed tree (now called snowflake violence after the epic accident tonight... story to follow), and this year I’m not able to use all of the delicate trinkets I’ve collected. Tucked away this year, are my gorgeous glass globes and radiant crystals! After my moment of silence, I realized the next time I get such ornaments out; I will no longer have a baby running around!!! I WISH YOU A LONG SHELF LIFE!!! Haa

What did make the cut this year:

"Oprah" as named by Annamarie! She tops our family tree. This year I created a "new" and "priceless" memory as I decided I'd stand on James' drum stool to place her - NOT the brightest idea I've ever had... My knee and ankle are swollen and it's painful to walk still. Thankfully my teeth were spared as I took a nose dive right into the tree and onto the floor. 

This is Frankie and Nicholas Beppe's Tree: "KU / Sport theme"

 I just love the baseball cards and little ornaments Frankie has picked out over the years like: 

When I was expecting my little miracle baby, Nicholas Beppe I found this one: It has a rainbow and It says "God keeps his promises.... YES SIR HE DOES!!!!

Here is Miss Annamarie's Tree: She calls it "Crystal Snow" Too Cute!!

Miss Bella loves all things Girlie and Random.... We had so much fun working on her tree. Miss Bella is one special lady and I'm so blessed to be her MOMMY!

Here is the resident Diva Jomarie's Tree... I think she's going with "Vegas Christmas"??

Jo is so precious and has a slight touch of O.C.D... (I wonder where she gets that from?), every ornament and ribbon had to be PERFECT .... JUST LIKE HER

 I just adore the elephant ballerina... so darling!

I will add that I NEVER pay full price for any of my stuff. I gather stuff all year round... Today, my friend Jane delivered some enormous pine cones that await some spray and bling! I can't WAIT!!! 

Gotta run, gonna try out my punch bowl Oh Jamezeeeeeeeee

The Pressure........ My new gig

I feel like a small town girl (maybe Pam Dawson, from Winchestertinfieldville Iowa?? Yeah, that's it! Winchestertonfieldville, Iowa... Mr. Deeds anyone?). Securing my new *gig* (a.k.a a "blog"), I feel as if I just arrived in *THE* big City, as a writer for a fabulous (and worldwide), publication. With the entire www at my finger tips, I feel as if the world is my audience. Wow! this is it! this is the big league, life in the BIG CITY!!!! The pressure is "on" (you know, from my non-existent "editor / boss"), to razzle and dazzle.  Ugggggggh - Deadlines!!!


So join me, should you dare.... as I assure you that I couldn't make this stuff up (future posts), if I TRIED!!! But not now! I must first get my office in order and find out where they keep the coffee! (Am I supposed to turn in a *draft* for any of this??? What about staff meetings?? Wonder if they will serve coffee??
 ewwe la la... rainbow paperclips and new post-it notes

 ~ N