Embrace the Camera

It's been a long week, but it was nice to hang out at the house this evening. Although nobody would cooperate with my cuddling on them for very long.

So I snapped a couple of pics in the few seconds they would sit still (kind of) for our Embrace the Camera day. If you haven't checked it out yet, here's the site where my friends and I got the idea for the Embrace:




And this week is extra special- you need to check out her blog! Yesterday's video made me cry like a baby.  (Shout out here to a former coworker and fellow blogger who's also a big ol' crybaby and isn't afraid to say it. Check out her blog at Independently Weltha )

Anyway, back to my Embrace:

Poor Jacob didn't get into the act, but here is the video from their school assembly today. He worked hard on that choreography. The moonwalk at the end makes it worth watching the whole thing. lol

A Night Out

So after a little chat with a MOM friend of mine, Randy and I recently decided that we each deserved a night out once a week. So tonight, my friend Rachel and I grabbed dinner at Texas Roadhouse, and engaged in our favorite activity- shopping at Target! Too bad I was still wearing my heels from work.

We planned on Tami going with us, but she wasn't feeling well. Boo! Hope she's better soon and can go with us next time.

Rachel:

Today should be What She Wore Wednesday, but I didn't see my "she" until she was in bed. She was in bed when I left, and in bed when I got home. Only bad part about a night out- missed all of my babies. But it does make us all appreciate each other more, right? 

I'm Going to Hell

A friend once told me not only was I going to hell, but I have a fast pass to the front of the line. Kind of like what you get at Disneyland.

Today's random thought is a great example of why I'm in the fast lane.

First, let me be very VERY clear: the catastrophe in Japan is a horrible tragedy. The loss of life and the thought of those people suffering breaks my heart. It truly does.

But.

I was listening to an interview on the radio from Japan. Someone was looking for his missing wife and child. (Horrible-I can't even imagine.) And they said he was handing out descriptions of them.

*pause*

Let me guess: dark complexion? dark, almond shaped eyes? dark hair?

I mean, really? How helpful is that going to be? I know it's not funny-funny, but you have to admit it's kind of pause-for-thought funny.

Kisses!

Finally, they show some real affection. They don't fight much, but I've been waiting for this while watching the other (albeit older) twins get to this point.

I know it looks like she's about to bite his nose off, but trust me it all worked out. I just had trouble timing it right. :)

Happy Sale Day!

Today was the big, semi-annual TMOMs sale. Our girls did a fantastic job this year, especially with publicity. Here is our spot on Channel 6 news:

News On 6 TMOM story

I didn't buy much big stuff. Well, I got a side by side stroller, but I only had to pay $30. Great deal!

I picked up some cute clothes, including one or two things for Abria and Zanissa. Sure makes the clothes budget go a lot further.

I had dinner last night after I unloaded my stuff with two MOM friends and lunch today with another MOM friend. It was nice to get to talk to them when we weren't in a huge group. Chit chat was definitely the best part of the event!

Anti Blog

No blog tonight.

Watched "The Hangover" with Randy- I needed the laugh. Boy, did I need to laugh. Sigh. Please pray for my family.

Separation Anxiety

The babies have developed a little separation anxiety. I don't remember it ever being so bad with any of the boys, but it could just be that it's harder when there are two little widgets following you to the door crying.

And when I get home-holy guacamole!

Jake and Jack still usually run out to greet me. And the babies are standing at the door, already crying to be picked up. I secretly like it a little that they are so happy to see me. But I need to remember to use the restroom before I leave work, because it takes forever to get a chance once I get home.

Today they were especially clingy. I bribed them with "cookies" (animal crackers) so I could get the lasagna in the oven. They ate so many though, that I'm sure that part of the problem was just that they were hungry. And they still ate a TON of lasagna. Like, an impressive amount.

All in all, there are worse problems to have.

    (See her little leg sticking out? Silly girl.)

When in doubt...

I don't know about you all, but the way I was raised, anytime something bad happens, make a casserole. Someone sick? Make a casserole. Someone die? Make a casserole. Someone sad? Make a casserole.

Heck, not even just bad stuff. Someone have a baby? Make a casserole. You get the idea.

And casserole can mean, dinner, cake, pie...whatever.

So, our friend Thomas' dad passed away. That's a lasagna right there. I just don't know what else to do, but I wanted them to know we were thinking about them. Plus I make a damned good lasagna, if I do say so myself.

I ended up making 3 lasagnas (2 full, 2 half), Swiss steak, prepped for fajitas later this week (cut peppers and onions to freeze) and homemade chicken pot pie (yay-no peas). I love to cook.

What do you do when tragedy strikes? What have you picked up that your mom used to do?

Piggies

I pin-curled Abby's hair today before her nap. Just so her piggies wouldn't stick straight out from her head. I think I'll get better with practice. Still pretty cute, though.

 And in the interest of being fair, here's one of Avery and his "cheese-face."

 And Jack and his "Mommmm, I'm trying to concentrate face."

The Zoo!

Randy took the kids to the zoo today. I was busy at work and was kind of sad to miss it, since it was the twins' first time. It was nice for Randy to get to be the good guy for a change though. Usually the fun stuff is my idea.

I pre-packed the new camera, but then he took a different diaper bag. So the only pics were from his phone. Oh well. Can't complain too much. Most daddies aren't brave enough to take 4 kids on an outing. (Jacob is still in Texas.)

St. Patty's Day

We made a quick trip to the park after work, since it was so nice. Here are a few pics.

Surprise...the princess didn't want to touch the dirt. 

Wednesday's Post

I have tried to post this video 3 times now. I hope this works.

I met the kids & Randy at the new IHOP in Catoosa for lunch. The babies started playing peekaboo, but by the time I got the camera out, they had switched to a Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil version.

Pictures!

I finally got the babies pictures back. I say "finally" but it was actually pretty quick. They're really good, but there are sooooo many to choose from!  Check them out at www.sheacaseyphotography.com  Go to Clients, then find our album. The password is annissa.

Naughty Little Monkeys

So the monkeys dumped out my purse last  night. And apparently ran away with my keys. I have no idea where they went, but that is my only van key. Randy lost the other set a few months ago and we haven't made a spare key. It also has my key fob to get into work. That's easy enough to replace, it's just a pain.

Where oh where could my keys be?

And wouldn't you just know, I was supposed to meet Josh's dad in Stroud and bring Josh home tonight. Oops. So he had to drive all the way.

But I'm always glad to get my Josh home. Pre-teen attitude and all.

Road Rage

Okay this is not my typical blog- you've been warned.

Here's the deal. I live near (very, very near- like I can't go anywhere without going by) an intersection affectionately known by locals and local newscasters as Dysfunction Junction.  There are highway entrance and exit ramps with stop lights to the north and to the south. (I need to find a diagram.)

Recently the Indians chipped in a bunch of money so that the entire area could be re-done. Adding lanes, new bridges, new stoplights every 50 feet. It's all lovely and traffic flows much more smoothly.

That being said, the off ramps now have double turn lanes. Great. Fantastic. I have no problem with that except: PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS. When you are turning, you need to stay in your own bloody lane. Every day-every.single.day-some idiot comes over into my lane when they turn.

I honk. I do. I feel it's my civic duty to educate these people. Although I don't know if they can be helped. If they're too stupid to follow the little dotted lines on the ground, it is probably a lost cause.

Really, people. There's a sign with a picture for pity's sake. You know the one...two curved arrows. Not two arrows merging into one. Two arrows coexisting peacefully side by side. Never the twain shall meet.

I may turn into one of those crazy people standing on the street corner with a sign preaching my gospel. Although my sign will be an instructional diagram.  Maybe with "STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE" in large letters...

Up and Running

Well, I got a new charging cord for my Mac today, so hopefully I'll be back to blogging (almost) every day.

I got the kid-proof warranty from Best Buy when I bought the laptop, so I didn't really have any worries, it was just a matter of making it back there to get it checked out. The only problem with that was that we had to kill an hour in Best Buy. The up side is that I have a new camera (thanks, honey) and hopefully the pictures I post will be a little better.

Also, I've been dying to get Abby in her new outfit from Target. Uncle Andy and his girlfriend Erin bought her a tshirt I'd already had my eye on. So all I had to pick up were the leggings and cute skirt. The little green shirt of Avery's was from Andy & Erin too.

And here is a pic of some of my favorite jammies before they outgrow them. 

I have a couple of other cute pictures I was going to post today- but they're on my phone and right now I can't find it. Jacob looked especially stylish today in his khaki shorts, blue abercrombie polo and flip flops. You'll just have to use your imagination.

I'm still anxiously waiting for my pictures that we had done of the twins on Thursday. Of course, we  exhausted the poor photographer and she probably needed a day or two to recover. And she has to photoshop the big boo-boo off of Abby's (YES Abby- can you believe it wasn't AC?) chin. She has her work cut out for her. I just know they'll be great though. 

What did you do today?

Busy Day

Got the kids off to school (including Jeffrey)
Took a power nap (3 hours of sleep just isn't enough-don't know how Randy does it)
Target trip
Babies photo shoot (Shea Casey was awesome with them.)
Drop babies & Randy off so the floor people could come do an estimate
Ran to order Brittany's wrist corsage (meant to call earlier in the week, but forgot)
Back to Target to return shoes (which I discovered I didn't have with me)
Took all the boys for a haircut
Got my haircut & brows waxed (yay)
Got Jackson dressed up for his gig as a crown bearer
Went to Pryor for Tiffany's coronation as Choir Queen-it's apparently a big deal...was almost like a wedding!
Supper with the Wrights at a Mexican restaurant
I'm ready for bed! (Did I mention I was out until 2 am last night? It was nice to go on a date with no kids for a change.)

Too many pics, I know. But I couldn't choose. He's just so cute! And isn't Tiffany gorgeous? And she has a twin! Lol

Tuesday's Blog

I got the cutest boots for Abby today (Tuesday-just play along) at Shoe Carnival! I only paid $5. This is quickly becoming a tradition, since I got two pairs of furry boots for her last year for $5 each.

Leprechaun Trap & Good Big Brothers

Jackson's class is making Leprechaun Traps. You know, they're tricky little buggers. Whatever you tell them to do, they do the exact opposite. Jackson plans on the leprechaun dancing himself to exhaustion before falling in the hole under the gold. lol

To be fair, his original design was much cooler...but I don't have the necessary tool and equipment. He drew an awesome little blueprint. 

And a pic from this weekend's trip to Kansas:

Both twins were sick, but Abby was having the worst of it during the dinner we had on Saturday at the church. When she was finally able to go to sleep, Josh had to go lay by her in case she woke up...awww... He really is a good big brother. At least until they get old enough to torture. 

Blah

I still don't have much energy. I swear as soon as I have time, I'll make a doctor appointment. Well, first I'll find a doctor. Then I'll make an appointment.

My TMOMS meeting last night was awesome. And Fridays afterwards was just as awesome! AND I think I'm going to be able to attend the OMOMs convention in April. I'm super excited!

But the babies were feeling sickly when I got home and kept me up until after 2, pretty much constantly. And then several times between 2 and 6. AC is really not feeling well tonight, but Abby seems to be on the mend.

Excited to see my great niece Zanissa this weekend. Got the call Monday that they were going to be in Kansas (from Colorado) so we'll make the trip up there this weekend instead of during Spring Break. Surprise! Me & 5 kids in the van for 5 hours. Sounds like fun, right?