First movie.

I don't remember my first movie, and there must not have been anything outstanding about it, because I have never heard any stories from my parents about it. My brother however, was very alert during his first movie. He saw "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." He stared at the movie screen for the entire length of the show. And he was only 3 months old. My parents obviously talked about this quite a bit.

For Eddie's first movie, I took him to see Shrek 3. He adores Shrek and I figured that he would sit still and not bother the other patrons. Well, we chose to go on a Saturday. And this being within a couple of days of the movies release date, the theater was packed.

I bought Eddie a bag of m & m's and we quickly went in and found a seat. I've never seen a children's movie that packed before. Shrek 3 was playing in 2 theaters. This turned out to be a very good thing. Well, I'm not sure if Eddie was getting sick, or getting over being sick. But he had a little cough. He ate some candy, and then he began to cough. Eddie has a very strong gag reflex. Well, when he coughed, he actually made that signature sound he makes right before he throws up. It gave me just enough time to get him off of my lap and turn him around. He began to throw up on the floor. There were people on either side of us, in front of us and behind us. And the smell began to permeate. I asked my husband to run and tell someone to come and clean it up. After sitting there for a while after my husband returned and nobody came back, we eventually just left that theater. Nobody showed. So we went to the next showing. (phew!) and that was honestly something I will never forget.

Today, I took miss Alexa to see her first movie. Only it was a movie for me, and not necessarily a kid movie. We saw "New in Town." But I have to report, that miss Alexa behaved herself quite well. She even helped me eat a hefty portion of a big bucket of popcorn. Because she listened, and because she sat quietly, I think I'm going to have to go again. Yay!

Yes, I know these pics aren't very good. I took them with my phone.

Bad blogger, potty issues.

Sorry I haven't been around much. In essence, these days I am acting as a single parent. I miss my husband terribly. And it's going to be a tough week. He is leaving our current hometown to go visit another Chilean air base and they do not have wi-fi in their base lodging. So he and I will not be talking very much. That's just plain sad. Thankfully, he will only be gone for one week.

So for now, I am still tackling the ever draining task of project potty training. I hope that it ends soon. I pray. It's clear to me now that I have one of those kids. No matter how much I didn't want to believe it was true. I cannot ignore the signs. Eddie, is one of those children that decides in his own good time, when he will poop on the potty, and absolutely when he will not.

I have tried e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. And I honestly do mean everything. Sticker charts, rewards, gifts, snacks, candies, positive reinforcements, negative reinforcements, early training, letting him go and ignoring it, the alarm method, more sticker charts, new potty seats, new stools, potty chair inserts. I mean it, if it's been done, or written about, I have attempted it. I really have.

Eddie is going to be 4 on April 26. And I really think I might cry if this kid doesn't quit having accidents in his pants by then. He has been pee-pee trained since he was two. I've been amazed to even see that if he has to go pee in the night, that he wakes to go in the toilet. So we have long since said goodbye to diapers and pull ups for him. It's just the poop. He will NOT consistently go in the potty. He does good for like a week, and then he has an accident. And then he will mess up for a week, and then start going again. It's been like this for us. That is my son. That's what I'm dealing with.

And now, little sister is starting to adopt some of his habits. I think I might cry even harder. I caught her hiding behind a chair. She turned 2 in September. And though she's having some successes, I fear she is going to be just like her brother. *sigh*

I am so ready for the kids to use to the potty on their own. I can't even picture a day when this will happen. Other moms tell me it will come soon enough. Can it? Will it? Pleeaaase?? Pretty please?

Sometimes, rules are just stupid.

I am quite sick of being a secondary account holder. It's useless. Idiotic banks won't even allow me to make a payment over the phone to a "joint credit card" between myself and my husband. Don't they want their money? Idiots.

I can't get any information, I can't change anything. Well, I actually do understand that part, but I thought banks would be all about money, so no matter who is paying, it should be all good. Whatev. I'm not in the mood.

Tonight I just tried to access our tax information for our home that we own (not really own, but we are making payments on) that we aren't living in. Dandy. I was trying to access this information because I have an appointment tomorrow with an accountant to get our taxes done. And the phone assistant tells me that since I am not the primary account holder, and the lowly second joint person on the loan, that I am not eligible to access that information. It's like top secret. Oh? Really?

What, pray tell, kind of danger or harm can I cause by knowing that we spent $11,000 dollars in interest last year? Anyone? I can't change anything vital. I can't suck all the funds out and pay them directly to myself and run for the hills. I just want the document.

I hate rules. The stupid ones especially. Right now I'm waiting for my husband to set up his online identity, because he has never had one. He has never paid a bill online. And once we do this, I can access the stupid tax information. After that, he will never need this information anymore. How stupid. But that's just me.

I'm just not supposed to shop anymore.

Scared ya didn't I? You thought I meant shopping, as in like, for the really good things. Nah, no matter how painful it is, I will always want to shop. But I'm talking about grocery shopping. It's just plain psychotic.

I take my kids to the store, and people stare at us. Not in a good way either. Eddie climbs on top of the car attached grocery cart. Alexa attempts to do the same. Each one of them takes turns grabbing things from the shelves. I scold. I raise my voice, but not too loud. They laugh, they push, they touch. And then they scream. I have to stop what I am doing only a dozen times per aisle.

I try to focus on vegetables, fruits, canned goods. I can't. Alexa is trying to kiss Eddie. Eddie doesn't want a kiss. They squabble, they laugh, and she still tries. He pushes at her, and then calls for my help.... "mommyyyyyyy!!" People are still staring.

I find a box of valentines candy on the floorboard of the little car that the kids are sitting in. I place it back on the shelf. I look in the cart. There are some various items which I did not put in there. I also put those items back too.

I push onward. Carefully I move, as I realize that the kids are alternately sticking their heads outside of the car, and into the path of oncoming shopper's carts. I have to be careful, I have to watch out for their noggins, as they don't have a care in the world.

I don't know why they misbehave so much in grocery stores. I honestly just don't know. But what I do know, as I stroll throughout the building, is that I have the loudest two kids in the whole place. I know this. I attract a lot of attention when we shop. Or shall I say that my two monkeys attract a lot of attention. You just can't help but to look and see what all the ruckus is about. I'm still hoping that one day they outgrow it. Or even tone it down a bit. That would be nice.

10 things that make me happy.

Besides the ever obvious (I'm thankful for being alive, and good health)

1. Waking up to two smiling faces. Followed by kisses and baby voices proclaiming their love for me. How can I not sail out of bed and get them whatever their little hearts desire?

2. M & Ms. Peanut M & Ms, M & Ms without peanuts, and mini M & Ms.

3. Blue skies and brisk weather. The fact that it doesn't snow here and get insanely cold like say, ummmm Boise. (ahem.) It's cold there. And I don't know what to do with that.

4. Finding a pair of Skechers on sale for 19.75, and no tax. Comfy, and sweet.

4. Actually not being pregnant. Not that I thought I was. I am just happy that I am not.

5. Sleeping children. It makes for a peaceful ride.

6. Hearing Alexa sing her alphabet in that sweet little 2 year old voice. Watching other people smile at her as we walk along.

7. Holding hands. Holding my babies, my husband, and yes my blackberry too. (I didn't tell you I got one of those for Christmas?? tsk.... tsk....)

8. The leftover Christmas soaps at Bath n Body works, they are now 1.12 and 1.25. I love that.

9. Pepperoni pizza from Papa Murphy's.

10. The new iced coffee from McDonalds McCafe. I like the Caramel flavor. Yum, and definitely cheaper than Starbucks. ;)

Do you have some favorites? Some things that make you happy? Feel free to make a list of your own. Let me know if you do so I can stop by and take a look!

News of sorts.

It's amazing to me that I have managed even a moment or two to find a little blog time. It's amazing to me even more that some of my favorite bloggers were able to continue to blog through the holidays. Those of you who have, well, you just are the bloggy best! I haven't the foggiest what sort of time management skills you possess, but I am wickedly jealous of those.

I am sitting here stealing a moment from washing clothes, cleaning the bathroom, and kitty litter, and bedroom, all the while setting up some files on my dh's computer so he can share with his mother our Christmas pictures when he flies in to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday, just to take this moment in time to blog for you. Well for me too, because I like it. I like blogging. Shoot, the truth is out.

Anyhow, I thought I would go ahead and let you guys in on something. I am extending my stay here in the states. I will be here for an undetermined amount of time. We have had some issues with our home, and we are hoping to get those resolved soon. I have a plan to find a job. The holidays are over, so the search is on. I feel terrible about our family being separated. I do. But sometimes life doesn't always follow the path that you had planned out. So for now I am going to get comfortable and start looking for work.

I wanted to let you know. Say some prayers for my family, if you are the praying type. We could certainly use them. Thanks again for always coming back. You have no idea how much your kind words make me smile throughout the day.

a few more pics.

I just thought I would share a few more pictures from Christmas. Here is Alyssa (and Devon in the background) opening a present.

This year Santa brought bikes for the kids. Their very first bikes. Eddie had a tricycle once about a year and a half ago, but he kept flying over the handlebars and we ended up leaving it outside in the garage. It was way too dangerous. So we thought we would wait and try again. It's time.

Miss Alexa is terribly thrilled with her new bike!

As is Eddie.

And much of Eddie's time with Devon was spent wrestling with him and/or riding him.

It's 2009!

Hi. It's me Leslie. I've been abducted by aliens. I was bound and gagged by 3 slender white gooey noseless creatures. They took me to their mother ship and demanded to know more about the shopping habits of humans on the planet earth. It made sense to me that they would decide to steal me since I am well versed on the patterns of sales and have the uncanny knack to find deals and steals. I have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to shopping in the northern hemisphere. We discussed the sale Dillards has annually on January 1st. A whopping additional 50% off all sale items. They were immensely pleased with this information and decided to let me go. I was released just in time for me to enjoy the sale as well. I bought 2 sweaters, 4 tops, 2 pair of socks, one jacket, and two pair of shoes. I paid 20 dollars. OK. I'm totally kidding about that part. But I did get a good deal.

I'm sorry to all my fellow bloggy buddies out there, I've missed reading and knowing whats going on in your lives, and I missed blogging about my daily nonsense. I am going to try to be better. The holidays are officially over. I think. So I'm going to give myself a pass since I am not in my normal "place and space."

Anyway lately we have had 6 people sharing one bathroom. Good times. Good times. My dh is here and my step kids were also here for a short visit. So this life in this house, has been chaotic, loud, busy, non stop, and loud. Did I already say that? OK. It seems that we ate continuously. And then when we were done eating, we were having dessert. Once we were done with that, we talked about what we would eat the next day. I don't even want to see a scale. Really. The thought is horrifying. But I wouldn't mind seeing another slice of that marble cheesecake. Can someone say, yummy??

My step son Devon is now officially taller than me. It took him 15 years, but he has now reached and even surpassed 5"7". (Me) Alyssa is a beautiful young lady. Growing up way too fast I would have to say. I remember when I was 10. Time sure flies.

Let me share a few pics: Me and Corona. He feels very festive and merry. Even if his face suggests otherwise. He loves to dress up. I have other pictures to prove it.

My darling daughter Alexa.

Alexa and Alyssa. And if you must know, I've dreamt about naming my daughter Alexa since approximately the year 1988. It's true. So while Alyssa was born first, I had dibs on the name long before I ever knew or met her father. ((wink.))

Devon, Alyssa and Eddie at the front door. (mom's house) I can't explain why they are not smiling in this picture. Maybe it was because it was cold outside. Or perhaps daddy had just said that he was going to eat all of their candy. Or because they are related, and have that "I don't feel like smiling gene." Yes. That must be the reason. At any rate, here they are:

OK. That's all the pics I've got for now. I just wanted to get online and let you all know that I did manage to survive. Happy New Year! And belated Merry Christmas! I hope you all had nice holidays with your loved ones!