Shucks

Ripping out three layers of luan and three layers of tile (not to mention 8 layers of dirt) on a day that is close to 100 is seriously not the smartest thing to do.

Pictures to come later. If we don't pass out from heat exhaustion on our new floor.

*tap* *tap* Hello?!

I...uh..am back?

I am at a loss at where I should start on here again. I've recently realized that you should never say that you are busy, because life will come along and show you what busy really is for you.

There is alot floating around in my brain right now. There have been losses in our family, a certain 6 year old who talks back like it is a sport, preparing for a parent to move in, and school sneaking up for Weasel and I. This whole being an adult thing is very overrated.

So, this is what is going on this week:

We are starting behavior charts for the boys. They save my sanity, and I need to have them around again. It is so helpful for Weasel to see his progress.

J and I are getting ready to rip the floor out of our kitchen tomorrow. I am very excited to get a new floor! It is one spot in our house that has needed some TLC since we moved in - over 4 years ago. I can't wait to see how it will change the look of the kitchen. I'll do some before and after photos when we are done.


My mom and her boyfriend are moving back to the area and are staying with us until they find a place. It will be nice to catch up with them, and for them to save a bit of money not having to rush into a place that might not be exactly what they want.

My sister is no longer pregnant. I can't even put into words how strange and painful it has been to see them go through all of this. I can say that I am thankful that she is okay physically and that I have the utmost love and respect for anyone who suffers a miscarriage.


My nephew E calls me May now. It is close to a version of my name, and I love it.


Ferret's speech has improved so much lately that I can't tell him apart from Weasel most of the time.


Our summer has been eventful and filled with family. I would not have it any other way. We had our three nieces in with us for two weeks this summer. Their ages range from 16 (almost 17) to 8. It was wonderful seeing them and being immersed in all things girly while they were here.



So, that is a short run down of what has been going on. I hope everyone is having a great summer, and I promise I'll try to get my brain functioning enough to come on here more. xoxo

Unfazed

You know you are a parent when the following occurs and you don't blink:



You see more butt shots than a gastroenterologist.


You can tell how bad a kid is in pain by the type of cry.


You actually teach your kid the diarrhea songs without thinking of public consequences once.


Your kitchen tools become tools of destruction or honor depending on the mood.


You giggle over things said like this, "Your scream is creepy, but you are beautiful."


You actually have a bathroom word run down before you leave the car. Do not say...


Your sink looks like this on occasion:





There are days when the fact that your armpits don't smell, the children are intact, and the house is standing is considered a good day.


You've rediscovered the joy of all types of spraying water.


You make up really off lyrics to kid songs with your spouse.


Sunshine, kid sweat, and sunblock is one of your favorite smell combos.


The surge of love you feel when a tiny hand slips into yours.


Referring a fight over a 6 inch piece of string is normal.


Finding cars shoved under your pillow makes you smile.


You are in awe that you and your spouse created the most amazing and complex mammals.


Sometimes you forget that they are mammals and not tiny, little brain sucking aliens.


You don't feel bad typing sentences like the above because humor is mandatory.


Your husband willingly agrees to go to the store, and you know that he is coming back with something for the boys that he thought of. Or is that only a thing that goes on in our house?


You actually wonder if there is any merit in the idea that peeing on a bad guy will make them go away. I mean, really, who wants to stick around someone who pees on them?


You type out a blog, mention bathroom stuff more than socially acceptable, and then realize maybe you need more alone time.

Rejoice!

Do you know what a lot of




And






And





Makes me?









Congratulations to my sister and brother-in-law. After 6 months of quietly trying, they are going to have another baby. I guess something good came out of all the rain that we've had.

New email

I fixed my email account on here, so all is fine and dandy again. I promise I was crafty, but not too crafty.


Now I have Beastie Boy's - She's Crafty stuck in my head. I promise am NOT that kind of crafty though.

Oh Jeez

I love rain. I mean, I am positively giddy about it - except...except...it is COLD and rainy. I should not have to be wearing comfy pants and a thick hoodie. I really shouldn't. It is MAY for Pete's sake.


To top it all off, I have cut out sugar and most carbs again. Which is good for me to do when I feel I am pushing it with too much of refined things. I feel better, and my heart doesn't race as much, but seriously...it is cold.


I think I caught a whiny bug.

Readers, Please forgive me.

Not only have I been hit and miss on here, but I made a new email account for your comments to be sent to. Needless to say, I forgot the password to the new account, AND I can't remember how I worded my secret question answer.

I blame all of this on:

A) stress from school

B) my children sucking out what little memory I had left

C) I am so crafty in filling out "valid" information that I sometimes even stump myself

D) all of the above.

I'll let you decide which answer is correct.

Sorry if you have commented, or sent me an email. Not that anyone would comment, or should comment, or even did comment. Oooo listen to those pretty violins...

Music Spotlight

Periodically, I'll be doing Music Spotlights. I heard of Emily Wells almost two years ago while I was at my sister's house. NPR was on in the background and I realized that C and I were both bopping around while we cleaned. We fell in love instantly. The more I listen to her, the more I find out how talented she really is. She isn't afraid to mix different types of music together. She credits Bob Dylan and classical music as some of her first influences. She later fell in love with various artists that range all the way to Rap. She has been playing the violin since she was 4 years old.


Enjoy!!


In the first two videos you can see how she loops her music together. The last one is purely instrumental and you can hear her classical music influence very strongly.

If the Rottens Ruled the World

Ferret and I picked up Weasel from school yesterday so I could vote before school. My Rottens have a big problem with littering. They cannot stand it, and if they see something, they most likely will pick it up. Unless a certain mother eeks in disgust of serious germs. Then we leave it because you never know what kind of flesh eating bacteria is living on something. Worse, what if it is a super bug that doesn't come off no matter how much we wash our hands, and then who can eat with the thought of stranger germs still on your hands?!


*ahem*

So, we were driving along and Weasel said that he wishes we ruled the world. And so began the rules of a world ran by Johnny Rottens.


Rule #1: Everyone has to have nice yards

Rule #2: Everyone has to pick up their trash

Rule #3: Everyone has to cut their grass

Rule #4: Everyone has to plant lots, and lots, and lots of trees


Rule #5 came in from the Ferret. He simply stated, "How about everyone just be nice?"


I wish I could live in their world.

Remember

Allison Krause

Jeffrey Miller

Sandra Scheuer

William Schroeder



One Mississippi

Two Mississippi

Three Mississippi

Four Mississippi

Five Mississippi

Six Mississippi

Seven Mississippi

Eight Mississippi

Nine Mississippi

Ten Mississippi

Eleven Mississippi

Twelve Mississippi

Thirteen Mississippi

In those thirteen seconds, 40 years ago on May 4, 1970. Those four people named above were shot by the National Guard. Killed because they did not agree with a war. Killed because they were exercising their First Amendment Rights. No one was charged with their deaths or of the injury of 9 other people.

In those thirteen seconds 9 other people were wounded. Making 13 people shot for each second a gun was going off.

In those thirteen seconds a sister, brother, son, daughter, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, cousin, grandchild were killed.

In those thirteen seconds, lives were changed around the country.

In those thirteen seconds, people who questioned our government, had a true, blood red, right in front of them reason. It wasn't overseas anymore. It wasn't from seeing someone they knew come home from a thoughtless, political war. It was on their doorstep. It was in their face.



Injured for life:

Alan Canfora

John Cleary

Thomas Grace

Dean Kahler

Joseph Lewis

Donald McKenzie

James Russell

Robert Stamps

Douglas Wrentmore

In those thirteen seconds dreams, hope, trust, lives, and respect were shattered.

Remember them. Pray for them.

All in a days work

I've only been up for two hours, and in no particular order I have:

made breakfast
packed a lunch
saw people saved by Action Guy
sent off two of my guys for the day
raced a boat
met a rock star
doctored a local "circus guy" after a fall
put away dishes
started the last bit of my final paper


I need a nap already.

My dark secret.

I cheated. It started off so innocent. A little look here or there, or a little stare as I went by. Then one day, I paid to experience how it would be. Oh, yes, I not only cheated, but I dabbled in prostitution. Before I knew it, it consumed my every thought. I even started looking up things online.

I would say I am sorry, but we all really benefited from it. I mean, seriously...we all did. Well, everyone except for my Subaru. I just couldn't help but be tempted. Stow and go seats, better miles per gallon, the Johnny Rottens are farther in the back which means we get to talk without interruptions - which by the way, as much as I love The Weasel doing so well in school, it really s-u-c-k-s that I can't spell things out to J anymore.

Wait a minute! You know I was talking about our new van, right?!? I mean seriously, who could ever cheat on a man like J? Especially because I dislike cheaters - unless you are cheating on your car, then I'll help - I mean...encourage...ah crap. Seriously, people the man wears Carhartt. Need I say more?

Let me clarify that I do feel guilt. Mostly when J parked my Subuie behind the van and made it stare at the new mistress all night. But, oh sweet, baby...*sigh* I'll never go back to a car again..unless J gets me a sweet little BMW Z4 when I get my masters. We'll talk then. ;)

It's Earth Day

Our Earth is a gift to us from God. Take care of it. Please educate yourself about Global Warming. It is not a fad. It is not a political agenda. DO SOMETHING to improve what is given to us, so we can give something even better to the future generations.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. It really is that simple.

Mmmmmm Crow! Yummy!

I have found 5 gray hairs on the right side of my head, and I do believe that if I look closer that I'll find a couple more. So continue to read if you want to see me grovel.


Dear people with gray hair that I know,

You know who you are. I don't have to out you. I'm sorry. I mean I am really, super duper, from the bottom of my cotton pickin, cruel, ignorant, heart - sorry. I've told you that it doesn't matter. I've told you that gray hair doesn't mean you are old. Oh, the shame I feel now for being so inconsiderate of your feelings. It really doesn't mean you...er...we are old. J, it does look inexplicably sexy (sorry folks, but he is) on you. You see, you are a man and it just looks good. On women...well I'm finding not all of us can pull it off.

The madness is actually making me want to scratch down hair dye on my shopping list this morning. To think of all those years in High school and beyond that I spent dying my gray free hair! Precious natural hair color time wasted on vanity...oh crap. I'm getting set in my old ways apparently. Vanity you cruel beast, you.

Please forgive me friends. Please! If it makes you feel any better, in a quest to prove that I am not getting old, I tried to ride J's skateboard last night after he put new trucks and wheels on. Karma did not just bite me in the butt, it bit me all down my right side when I fell. I was standing on the board and then the next thing I knew I was on the ground watching the board sail away. Thankfully, Motrin keeps Karma's claws at bay. Kinda.

xoxo,

Crow lover.

Song time with The Ferret

"Hush little baby don't say a wurd.
Momma's going to buy you a mockinburd
If that mockinburd don't sparkle
Momma's going to buy you a camuuulle.

Is dat how the song goes, Momma? Or somethin' close?"

Need --- Want

Weasel came home with a paper with two wagons on it. On one side under the wagon, was the word want. On the other side, the word need was under the wagon. The teacher had the kids cut out pictures of food, a house, water, toys, candy, and games. The kids then had to place the pictures in the appropriate wagon.



I thought of that picture today as I looked around me. I'm sitting in a house that is warm, has clean water, is safe, and has food in it. I don't have to fear that my children will be shot or find an IED while playing outside. I don't have to pray that we might find the money to bring our child to the doctor if they are sick. I get to sit here and watch the trees blow back and forth with their delicate leaves without worrying if a wave will come with the storm and wash everything we have away. I don't have to worry about a hill coming down and wiping out everything that we have. We take so much for granted. Can we possibly wrap our minds around how it would feel to not have clean air, clean water, or to have extreme danger around us?

I'm so thankful to believe in a loving God. I'm so thankful that we have been blessed with what we have, and that we have the ability to enjoy what is around us.


Are you aware of the blessings? Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were in any of the situations I mentioned? What are your blessings? What are you thankful for?

Story Time with The Ferret

"Once upon a time, a long, long, time ago... There was a bull and a bad guy. The bull wanted the bad guy to ride him. The bad guy didn't want to. Then a wolf came by...well (big breath)...he huffed and puffeded and the brick house didn't fall down. The end."


"Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...There was a bad guy and a good guy. The bad guy hurted the good guy and the good guy slic... (mom raises her eyebrows)...well...the good guy screameded and the bad guy never was seen again. The end."

Family

I have been blessed with a large family on my Father's side. My father comes from a family of 11; he has four sisters and two brothers who are still living. He has lost three brothers. Which means, I have four Aunts and two Uncles who are living and they have been a strong influence on me. All of them have been married for many years and have spouses that I love so much. Their spouses bring my total of Aunts and Uncles to 5 Aunts and 6 Uncles. These 11 people are my living history. They are who I look forward to seeing every summer. They are who held me as a baby, watched with love as I grew, and who hold my children now. I love them more than words could ever explain.

This Saturday, I learned that one of my Uncles is very sick. He is in ICU and is hardly breathing. Grief has begun to hit me in waves. I know that I've come to the age where I have to watch my family leave us. That is a hard, painful thought to wrap my mind and heart around - my soul understands. Uncle Bobby was not a believer for many years. My Aunt Francis went to church regardless and then one day, not too long ago, Uncle Bobby started going with her. So, my soul understands that he'll be okay...actually a lot better than okay. It is just so hard to think though, that I'll most likely never see my Uncle until Heaven.

What a tease.

Shame on you Spring. SHAME. Why must you give us beautiful weather in which we got to wear shorts, and then freeze us out. You are a fickle, mean season. Don't get me wrong, you are beautiful, but seriously, did you *have* to let small hail fall this morning? You made my Johnny Rottens very sad.

Oh, and do you know what happens to my household when two small boys are forced to stay inside? If you did, you would never have made it so cold and dreary. So please, please, please, let there be sunshine on Sunday for J's day. I am begging of you. I even planted flowers to help you look better around here. I'm trying here, lady.

Breaking the cycle.

J and I both came from broken homes. They were broken in many senses. We both dealt with things that no child should have. We both had things to deal with as we got older, yet through it all, we were watched over.

In high school, we did an exercise in which we made a list of what we wanted our future spouses to be like. Years later, God showed me that person. We both were and still are not perfect, but our broken selves fit together. We are breaking the cycle. I am so thankful knowing that our babies are being raised in a home of love, comfort, and safety. I am so thankful that they have a chance to be children. I am so thankful that the boys have J to teach them. I am humbled by God's work in our lives.


As a mother I know that I can only do so much. I know that right now we are setting the foundation for how our boys will be as men. There is a large part of me that is excited to see who they will be and where they will go. There is another part of me that is scared to let my babies go. I know they will feel pain. I know they will feel scared. I know they will feel confused. There is nothing I can do to keep them from those things. All my mommy powers in the world cannot protect them from everything, but God will always be by their side. He will always hold them in the hollow of his hand.

God let his son come to our world knowing that people would hate him. He knew that people would mock and spit on his son. He knew that his son would be put through unimaginable pain for people who refuse to even acknowledge him. People who rather live a life now just as they want instead of living a live forever more beautiful than we can imagine. He knew all of this and let him come to us because of love. He let Jesus come to us because while temporarily losing his one son, he gained all of us. I could not do it. I could not watch my child suffer pain while people mocked him and ignored him for fleeting pleasures. I do know that God understands what my heart feels for our children because He went through so much worse than we ever will as parents. So, as I watch our boys grow in a house that is a home I am forever indebted to God for breaking the cycle.

Pigs

They are deceptively small when laying down in their house.



Then they come out at feeding time and...oh my.

Powerful

The rebirth that the Earth goes through each year never ceases to amaze me. I love finding little flower buds peaking out of the ground, and seeing the animals wake up.

We have a little pond down the road from the house, and the every year Mr. and Mrs. Goose come to have their babies. The Johnny Rottens and I stopped the other day and got to see her sitting on her nest. All of a sudden, two geese landed in the pond and Mrs. Goose started honking like crazy. Mr.Goose came flying over the trees, landed in the pond, chased the intruders off, and then swam right over to her as they honked to each other. It was so sweet to see their love. After the babies are born and ready to move, they will parade them down our road and walk them into our neighbor's backyard.


I'm so glad that they boys are at the age they are at. This summer is going to be great. :D

My estrogen is showing...

I
DO
NOT
KNOW
HOW
TO
PEE
ON
A
TREE.
HELP.



Seriously. How does one teach something like that?

Worm Song.

I think a 6yr old must have originally made up this little ditty. Do you remember the words?

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,
Guess I'll go eat worms,
Long, thin, slimy ones; Short, fat, juicy ones,
Itsy, bitsy, fuzzy wuzzy worms.

Down goes the first one, down goes the second one,
Oh how they wiggle and squirm.
Up comes the first one, up comes the second one,
Oh how they wiggle and squirm.


The Weasel just can't understand people today. I am typing exactly what he is saying right now as he sits in my room:

"Why everything has to be like this?" "
Why is everyone mean to me?"
"I needed to have a talk with mom, but she doesn't like me. She sent me to my room, and told me she'll come get me."
"Moooommmmma, is break time over?!"
voice cracks "I can't do it"

What an awful day in The Land of Blissful Chaos.

Fog

It is like a heavy quilt on a cold day.

I love how it creeps.

I love how it makes trees look dreamy.

I love the backdrop that it makes.

I love how it makes you focus more on nature, just to be able to see it.

I love its mystique.

I love fog.

March 26, 2004 - The Weasel was born. He was 8lbs 3oz and 21"




Isn't he perfect?






He was so chubby and perfect to snuggle.





Opening up his card from us this morning. It plays the song Word Up. He is so happy





Getting ready to build his Lego helicopter





All done! We were done with this by 7:10 this morning.

Offical Johnny Rotten Rules.

In order to be a Johnny Rotten you must:


1. Be willing to wake up by 6:00am or earlier if you feel like it.

2. You have to know the difference between a Hotwheel and a Matchbox.

3. You have to want to be something cool when you get older. For example: The weasel is going to be a chef and a elk farmer. The Ferret is going to be a veterinarian, firefighter, and there is talk of being an "ostrich rider".

4. You must believe that farts will actually knock down monsters, and will harm bad guys.

5. You must be able to speak Ferret language. It is a special complex language.

6. You must be able to defend yourself with a Lincoln log and a pan lid. This is vital when you are defending the Queen in the playroom.

7. Know that picking up your dirty socks is equivalent to Kryptonite.

8. You must have a borderline obsession for 80's music and mad dance moves.

9. You do not eat regular meat. You eat bull meat.

10. You must be smart, witty, charming, adorable, funny, and loving. You have to balance that with loud, destructive, dirty, curious, and rotten.

My favorite poet of all time.

Rain

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head. --Shel Silverstein


Picture Puzzle Piece

One picture puzzle piece
Lyin' on the sidewalk,
One picture puzzle piece
Soakin' in the rain.
It might be a button of blue
On the coat of the woman
Who lived in a shoe.
It might be a magical bean,
Or a fold in the red
Velvet robe of a queen.
It might be the one little bite
Of the apple her stepmother
Gave to Snow White.
It might be the veil of a bride
Or a bottle with some evil genie inside.
It might be a small tuft of hair
On the big bouncy belly
Of Bobo the Bear.
It might be a bit of the cloak
Of the Witch of the West
As she melted to smoke.
It might be a shadowy trace
Of a tear that runs down an angel's face.
Nothing has more possibilities
Than one old wet picture puzzle piece. --Shel Silverstein


Forgotten Language

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,
Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly
in my bed.
Once I heard and answered all the questions
of the crickets,
And joined the crying of each falling dying
flake of snow,
Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .
How did it go?
How did it go? --Shel Silverstein


The Little Boy and the Old Man


Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."
Said the old man, "I do that too."
The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."
"I do that too," laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, "I often cry."
The old man nodded, "So do I."
"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems
Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
"I know what you mean," said the little old man. -- Shel Silverstein

Blessed

This man.





This very same man






Makes my heart skip a beat

Warfare

I know a secret.



I know of a weapon that is invisible, and deadly.



It only cost us an initial payment of $100 and then about $60 a month.



It can be very messy and hard to handle.




It is not easily portable, but will move when needed.




It comes in a very dignified package too.




Please know, once you know, there is no going back.






To activate: Feed, water, and then sit back. You'll never know when it is coming, but you'll know when the danger has arrived. Your nose hairs will curl, your stomach will revolt, and you'll flee from the room. I wish I could capture the weapon so those of you unfortunate enough to read this blog would be blessed by it's strength. It is like having my own portable paper mill or dog food factory.



If you don't know how those smell, go open a can of dog food, smear it on yourself, and then go get sprayed by a skunk. It won't even be close, but you might get the drift. Let me know how that works out for you.

My favorite sign of Spring

I knew my favorite sign of Spring had to becoming soon. We have been feeding more birds at the feeders, and The Weasel's birthday is right around the corner. So, J came into the computer room/guest room and opened the window and we listened to what we wrote off as a bird right before dark. What it really was is this:




We must have always just wrote off the first peeper we heard as a bird. I opened the door to let the dog in later at night, and I walked out onto the porch to hear this:





The second video has a lot of interesting facts about peepers in it.



I don't let myself get excited over Spring until I hear the peepers at night. They say that the peepers have to look through glass (aka frost) three times before it is truly spring. So, last night (3/18) was the first night. We'll see if that old wives tale is true.

Sights from around the world

This site is amazing. People from all over the world download pictures for people to see. We spent a hour one Saturday morning just looking up any picture the four of us could come up with. It is a very cool way to see countries that you are interested in too.


Here is a sample of the pictures from there:




Owl




Forest



Waterspout






Katrina





A building in London across from Parliament

Irish Pride

May those that love us, love us.

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts,

May He turn their ankles

So we will know them by their limping.
~Irish Blessing










Grandpa and Grandma Williams. We are told that Grandma was 100% Irish, and when she was adopted, she spoke with an Irish accent so heavy that no one could understand her. By the time I got to know her, her accent was replaced with a gentle West Virginia accent.




Uncle Tom, you are missed. I'll always think of you on this day.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Things you might not know about moi.

1. My favorite season is fall. I love the colors, the smells, and the comfort that seems to float on the air.

2. I lived in Canada for three years (10th grade-12th grade) without my family. I only came home for about 2 1/2 months each summer.

3. I can walk on 3ft stilts. I learned how to in a side court yard at the Cleveland Museum.

4. We played "soccer" on stilts in Wade Oval at 3am.

5. All of this was for a beautiful art parade in which I helped build, paint, paper mache art created by inner city children and artist from around the world.

6. I love the smell of places like lumbar yards, office supply stores, and nurseries.

7. I was left to manage and run a coffee shop on my first day of work. That is a whole other post.

8. I have never been out West, but I have a huge yearning to live out there.

9. I actually use phrases like, "Jeez O'Petes" and "Churches Chicken" when I am frustrated.

10. Listening to Jack Johnson can instantly put me in a happy mood.

11. When I was little, I had four brothers who lived in the walls, and blue dog with sunglasses that would show up when I was sad.

12. If I see something on the ground at a store, I have to pick it up.

13. I am fluent in sign language, yet I still desire to learn ASL for my sister.

14. I heart Garrison Keillor.

15. I love trees - especially wolf trees.

16. I do not know how to do a cartwheel.

17. I am debating if I should have stopped this at 10 because now I feel I have to do this list in quantities of 10. Which plays into a weird thing I have with things being balanced.

18. I've had a best friend since 1st grade.

19. I am terrified of alligators and crocodiles - like pee my pants terrified.

20. Puffins are my favorite bird.

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The poor, poor Johnny Rottens. You have to feel for them. They cannot ride today. They cannot dig for treasure today. They cannot "have any fun in this house". Their mom won't even let them pull out all their toys and leave them on the playroom floor. Do you know that she wouldn't even help them clean up their mess in the playroom today? The nerve of that woman. They even tried mutiny, but alas, their daddy was called into work, so there went that idea. It is so hard to be 5 and 3 today. It is so very, very, hard. You know it is awful when lemonade, Toy Story Cheez it crackers, and a movie doesn't even improve the day.

Their mom said that she would gladly leave to have "Mommy Time", but was informed by The Weasel that it didn't exist. You have to feel for her too. Little do The Rottens know, it does exist. It starts as soon as they close their little beady eyes. It will be thoroughly enjoyed along with a nice cup of tea, a book, and silence.

Soundtrack for the Chaos

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." ~unknown


Music is a constant variable in our home. I cannot imagine life without it. We rocked our babies to sleep to it, danced after we became one, smile when we hear the opening notes, and put it on to see pure happiness flow from our children. It is a life source on cold, bitter winter days. It makes us remember times that are filled with emotion - whether they be good or bad. So, today as I stood watching our first baby go to school to continue forging his path, and watched our second baby giggle over the sound of sand making fat plops in puddles, I closed my eyes and heard our soundtrack for the chaos.

I'd like to say that hardly a day goes by when I don't hear the soundtrack, but that wouldn't be true. There are days when we are so deep in the trenches that forget to see how full our cup is. Then magically it spills over and leaves a sheen that is hard to ignore. Trees become greener, the sun shines through the clouds and life is brighter. It is times like these that I treasure. Today is one of those beautiful days where I hear the soundtrack, and I thank God for putting all the notes in my life.

The Johnny Rottens

Warning: The pictures you are able to view are deceptive and misleading. Do not at any time utter the words "Awww" or laugh. If you find yourself doing any of these things, seek help immediately.



The Johnny Rottens:

Don't let these kids fool you. They are from a notorious gang.

They wear many disguises.

This one goes by Weasel.



This one is The Ferret.




They are dangerous. If you see either one of these members, do not approach them.
They are known to be charming, but hone their skills daily.




Don't turn your back on them. They move quickly and morph into this:






Then they steal your heart, and there is no going back.





You've been warned.