"Wow, Mom You're tall!"

Yes, those were words spoken to me by Graysie on Saturday evening! Words, I have never thought I would hear! I know I sound caught-up lately with my height and I do want everyone to know I am OK...I have come to grips with this "vertically challenged" state of being. It just so happens that it's been coming up a lot lately!

On Saturday night Josh and I had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser. The attire was your best oriental attire or formal casual....WHATEVER that means! Well, I was tired of getting the same old "little black dress", I knew I wouldn't have very many occasions that call for oriental attire and it was going to be freezing so I went for a nice versatile pant outfit. It was bright orange though and I needed the perfect shoes to pull it off so we (yes, WE I had Josh and the six kids trailing after me...a sales mans worst nightmare let me tell you) headed off to find a pair. I ended up finding the perfect pair the only catch??? They just happen to be 6" heels. For most of you, you realize I have a hard time walking in 1" flip flops! After much debate I tried them on and I. LOVED.THEM. Josh's first response was "I've never had a tall wife" where I informed him "YOU STILL DON'T!" They are the most comfy shoes ever though. Seriously, I thought how in the world am I going to make it without falling? I even warned Josh "don't leave me alone I may fall and I don't want anyone picking me up off the floor but you" I did make it without falling and honestly they are easier to walk in than most shoes. The pants I bought needed to be hemmed.....that is until I found these shoes. I now need a pair in every color.

So, the kids were obviously enamored by how tall I was (6" made me 5'5" which now made me almost normal) but the funniest was Graysie. We stopped by our new house (yes, we found one...yeah...move in at the end of February and can't wait) and Josh mentioned the light fixture in the breakfast nook was crooked. I went over and messed with it a bit and straightened the thing out, all the while Graysie is just staring at me. Then the words she spoke were like music to my ears..."mom, you are so tall!" yes, I was! Even if I had a little help from my shoes.

Life Theme

Why is it that I seem to walk around with the same life theme? No matter how old I get people have always wanted to do "back-to-back" with me! Really, why? This is NOT fun for me at all! The fact is, the odds are really in your favor that you will be taller than me if you are much over second grade. I know how tall I am so if you just ask I can give you the measurement and we can save the whole "back-to-back" drama. Instead, my whole life people would call out "let's do back-to-back!" "oh, yeah, let's" while inside I am thinking how much clearer can it be that I am shorter than you? I look straight into your neck! I always did pick out the short girls for friends (thanks Kate!) hoping they'd maybe not notice how short I was... but inevitably they'd just be so thrilled that they finally found someone shorter, that they too would call out "back-to-back".

So, when I had children this was my time to shine! No more Crick in my neck so I could look someone in the eye. No more ridicule for shopping for shoes in the kids department. Best of all no more "back-to-back"! OR SO I THOUGHT!! Until last night when Emma got home from soccer. They had taken measurements and she was over 5" tall and the little snot says "mom back-to-back" Oh the pain of it all! Yes, my eleven year old is officially taller than me. She had outgrown my shoes some time ago (Josh laughs to himself every time I tell her to stop wearing my shoes, she's stretching them out) and my shirt sleeves are about 2" too short for her long arms (her arm span is enormous...if she grows into them she will be like 8' tall). When I shop for her pants I hold everything up to me to see if they will fit her. It was really a weired feeling to know my not even middle schooler is now looking down on me. I think it was the highlight of her life. I really wouldn't know that feeling since I've only ever been taller than much younger people and even all of them keep passing me by.

Then I realized at least I am a female. Poor little Kaidon he is 9 and the poor guy got my short gene. Yes, we held him back in Kindergarten so he is a whole year older than all of his classmates and yet he is the smallest in his class! Mihya who is 7 is already taller than him and I think she outweighs him by his whole self. People used to think they were twins but now they think she is older. He's got a sad road ahead of many "back-to-backs".

Recently we went to dinner with a couple and I found out she was my height I made some comment about never having anyone as short as me when Josh and her husband joked "how tall are you?" and come to find out they were the same height too!(6'3") I was shocked! I looked at Josh and said "I am THAT much shorter than you?" because she is tiny compared to her husband and I guess I never noticed that I am really a lot shorter than Josh until I saw them standing next to each other. Maybe because I hold more power than he does?.....or maybe because he's never asked me to do "back-to-back"!!

Girls Gone Wild!
What a weekend! We had such a blast up at the Broadmoor, and I really got filled back up just being wild with all of my girlfriends. I have been trying to figure out how to explain what a great time I had and I decided their would be no way to describe it to anyone who was not there so I am going to just let everyone I was with know what I took away from the whole ordeal:

*take off your mask* liars dice*booger prayer etiquette*Ambyr really DOES have a gag reflex*who needs therapy when Tana's around?*happy pills*Ginger*where are the stairs?*You know my sister-in-law?*Do you have another question Kaesha?* get real*castle rock outlets*Esther study anyone?*hotel security*re-wrapped chocolates*prayer sisters*cool gifts-almost non existent budget*$20 breakfast*registration issues*irrational fears*Kodak moments*it's getting pretty personal*zingers*what kind of car would your family be?*when was the last time you belly laughed?*$50 worth of pretzels*penthouse suite*how long before our car comes?*Does everyone have your buddy?*cry eyes*boggle*wake-up call*3 hours sleep*Jenn's hospitality?*oxymoron's*her kids go to creekside?*If the state takes your kids I will take care of them and let you visit*just one more question*Jenn's the best liar*Ambyr is too competitive*testa-mints*I liked crafts the best*I only have boy friends*bird dog*you're safe, we have two nurses here*Thelma and Louise*sisters*Is the salsa spicy?*want some of my water?*gum?*no dressing up Catholic girl*Red Robin or On the Border?*If I sit on the horse it may slowly fall over*swans*shoot! if I had brought my workout clothes we could've worked out*Bummer, I didn't bring my suit so I guess we can't swim*gluten free bread*can I have my dessert?*these jellies are cute so I'm taking them*Valerie Bell*great comeback*bathroom?...again?*smell the lotion*these bathrobes are too long for short girls*the clocks an hour off*who are the people in your neighborhood?*grace*sharing life*sleepy Jenn* we can't end on a negative question*that was the cards*why do we need two decks?*one line answers*Do you know how many kids we have all together?*$3 pants*I'm not thanking my husband, it's his job!*work woes over shadowed by family woes*tears of pain and tears of joy*coffee*make fun of my purse all you want, soon you'll need something out of it*there's plenty of room in the elevator, come on in*next adventure?...road trip in the pimped out van!*

Thanks for such a fun weekend!

Finally got a picture...we look pretty innocent:)

Free Disney Tickers

Do You Want Separate Checks?...WHAT?
So, last night our family went out to dinner. It is always a funny experience when you go out to dinner anywhere that doesn't officially cater to kids. What I mean by that is "anywhere that isn't Disney World" Seriously, it's the same routine "how many?" asks the hostess "eight" one of us says. pause. pause. blank stare. counting. We finally put her out of her misery "6 kids 2 adults, no highchairs or boosters" the reply goes something like "It'll be a small wait, I'll have to push two tables together" we say "OK" and wait to be seated. Last night however, was a little more comical so I just have to share. (Especially for those of you who still haven't wrapped your head around why anyone in their right mind would have six).To start the story out right I have to tell you what lead up to the funny moment in the first place.

Josh and I aren't real fast learners so we had taken the kids to look at another house. (where is Dr. Phil when I need him saying "the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour?") It was a frazzling experience to say the least. So, making life much easier on myself I say "let's go out to dinner." Clearly, no one in my family will be arguing that or they will find themselves making dinner, so we were off. After much deliberation we end up at The White Chocolate Grill. (if you haven't had it you really should try it, it was delicious) We have our typical interaction with the hostess but this time she asks "Can I seat you at separate tables?" what? are you insane? is what I think to myself but instead Josh and I shoot a look at each other and Josh says something like "oh, no trust me you don't want us separated" she responds with the usual "it will be a wait because..." gig. We are happy with that so we start to fill every seat in the lobby as we wait. At that point the manager steps in and says "Sir, can I show you the tables we want you sitting at?" and of course Josh is happy to go check out the seating arrangement they'd like to sell us on. It turns out that the tables are only 6 inches from each other they are just attached to the ground so they can't squeeze them together so it works out fine. We sit. eat. eat dessert. and wait patiently for our check. Everything is sounding pretty normal huh? This is where for even us we get a first! The waitress comes to the table and asks if we want separate checks!! HUH? I do my blank stare and whip my head to Josh while looking at him like "ANSWER HER, BECAUSE I KNOW IF I DO, SOMEHOW, I WILL MAKE HER LOOK STUPIDER THAN SHE ALREADY IS!" he calmly answers "no, one check is fine."

I have to admit, we were coming up with some pretty good zingers. "oh, yes absolutely separate checks! The six kid meals on one, ours on the other please" My best bet is that maybe she thought we were on an oh so romantic date? His, Mine and ours? who knows! All I do know for sure is that when it happened I immediately thought..."I'm SO blogging this!" A day in the life of a mom of 6!

Adios!
I am getting away for some girl fun this weekend and cannot wait! We are leaving on Saturday early morning and not coming home until Sunday night. The last time I had some girl time with this group of friends we had to destroy the evidence so we'd all stay happily married (of course not me I'm Innocent!).

We are going to the Broadmoor. I've never officially been, but I've heard enough about it to know we will have nothing but good fun and maybe even some relaxation. I am vowing to forget that I even have six kids. The funny thing is, that is really not that hard for me. I know some mommies struggle with this but Josh and I have gone on several trips, some lasting as many as 14 days, and I've not called the kids once! I think it's a little silly to "get away" and yet be attached by phone calls. A mom asked me after we got home from our 2 weeks in Hawaii "how did you leave the kids?" My answer? "Uh, I packed my bags, set them by the door, kissed the kids goodbye and waved." Truly, it's not hard I will do that same thing on Saturday morning, and I'm SO looking forward to it! If I have any pictures that do not need destroying I will post them when I get back...yeah!

Tragedy!!

This is really some hard news to share. Last night one of Mihya's children got mauled. Yes, she found the victim today on the counter and was devastated at the sight of her oldest child, Mihya Jr.(original name huh?)

The injury left the victim without any toes on her right foot. Mihya's parents frantically tried consoling her but the thing Mihya finally found comfort in was knowing the American Girl Doll hospital existed! When going over the details of hospital admittance Mihya's mother let her know that Mihya Jr. would be coming home with a smile on her face. That is when Mihya wiped her tears away and said "she still DOES have a smile on her face!" and she sure did!

With the tears gone, the focus now turned to the suspect! The family is pretty sure (actually without a shadow of a doubt) who that "suspect" is. One eye witness, EmmaLeigh Hunt, said she saw the suspect with the victim in his mouth late last night and rescued her from his viscous grip. He seems to still be lingering around the victim in a domineering kind of way. Disgustingly enough, he even drools at the sight of her. We're now calling this attack one of the worst this household has seen. Another eye witness, Ambyr Hunt, was sure he would have gone in for another attack had she not been their to rescue the victim. Our camera crews were on the scene and got a good shot of what the suspect looks like. The family of the victim says it is so amazing how this guy can look so innocent and so guilty all at the same time, but that's why these types of characters must always be watched.

In our research we have found that incidents like this must happen often considering the hype around the American Girl Doll hospital! For just around $50 our victim will come back with a hospital gown, bracelet, a get well balloon, new limb,facial and a much needed hair combing. The family is so grateful this happened to the American Girl Doll and not to the Ashton Drake doll that would have been severely disabled for the rest of her little doll life!

Lost Tooth Epidemic

Pictures are worth a thousand words!

Good thing we aren't getting family pictures anytime soon. Mikael is next, he has two loose front teeth too! People are going to start to wonder if we have Munchhausen by proxy and just like the attention of toothless kids. The one good benefit is that I am not fighting for the last apple anymore!

Mixed Messages
Isn't it amazing that any of us turn out "normal"? I mean seriously, do you know how psychotic I sound on any given day? (don't really answer that I don't want to have those comments posted....ha!) Their are so many gray lines with kids don't you think?

So, why? Your asking am I choosing to bring this up now? Well, today Kayela was sitting at the island doing an art project when she just leaned over and blew out a candle I had going. I looked at her with my "why did you do that?" face and asked...well...."why did you do that?" Her reply was "it's a candle" I reply "well. Yes. It. Is.??" she said "you blow out candles!" Which brings me to my comment that it's amazing anyone turns out normal because to a kid I think we all sound totally psychotic.

On the kids' first birthday's I practiced with them for a good week before their parties so they could blow out a candle and to not reach out and grab the darn thing. (Poor Graysie she still can't blow out a candle and she's six, although, I have to admit it is pretty darn funny watching her try!) Now, I am saying "don't blow out the candles!" Along the same lines, I had a fire fighter come to our house to teach the kids about fire safety. Ironically, 3 days later our house caught on fire and Emma heroically (yes, even got 1 of 7 citizenship awards in 2008 awarded to her by the Parker fire department) got everyone out of the house safely. Now, Mihya is terrified of our gas stove because of the flame! I can't walk to the sink even without her having a mild stroke(do you realize how hard it is to cook a meal when you can't budge from the stove once it's on?) and now what do I say? "It's OK (patience running thin) this is a good fire!"

How about the coat issue! That's a good one for our family. I'm constantly having to remind the kids to grab their coats. When they are running out the door I stand their saying "did you get your coat? Where's your coat? I think you'll want a coat! Are you missing something...perhaps it's your coat? See the snow..a coat would be a plus! Uh, did you not hear what I just said to the five kids that left before you....WHERE'S YOUR COAT?" But.....if we are going to an indoor activity I do not care how cold it is I am NOT holding coats for six kids so then I say "I know it's cold but we're leaving our coats here so we don't have to carry them around the whole time" what?? It doesn't make any sense.

Just thought of another one....I say "How was your day?" they say "fine" I say "can you elaborate a little here?" they say "It was good" I pry a little more "what did you do on recess?" they say "played" I say "OK, what did you play?" they say "games" hmmm...I'm thinking...."so it was a good day?" "uh huh" OK, better move on to Graysie or Emma "Grays what did you do today?" Graysie responds "well...first I woke up when you said 'wake up', then I got undressed, then I put my clothes in the laundry basket, then I walked to the shower, then I turned the water on, then I felt if it was warm, then it was, then I stepped in the shower, then......." I interject "OK, their are 5 other kids here you're not going to be able to give me EVERY detail so sum up your day in one sentence please!" she says "It was good" SEE??? How crazy are we parent's?

Oh, the potty! Before we leave the house "did you potty?". Tucking into bed "goodnight, did you use the potty?" To the boys "why are you doing that? Do you need to potty?" Leaving a restaurant "let's all go use the potty" Seeing one doing the PP dance "Go use the potty" Josh and I alone on a date and I still USE the word "potty" Then here we are ready to board a plane chaotically trying to get the right partner's sitting together when one says "mommy, I need to potty" My response? "Oh, Lord, NOW? can you not hold it until we take off?" Yep, never fails!

I know you all do it too! Seriously, this is not just me! It is not just an "Ambyrism" Think about it!

House Hunters
Can you believe we are thinking about moving....AGAIN!?! In our 14 years of marriage we have lived in 11 houses and our last house we actually lived in for 6 years. We just really don't stay put much. I always tease about once we landscape, paint, and finish the basement; it's time to head off for another house.

Early on in our "house hunt" we decided that bringing the kids was a TERRIBLE idea. When I say early on I mean they only looked at one house and we dropped them back off at home. It was seriously nuts! Because we are both licensed agents we are lucky that we can be alone in this endeavor and even talk openly in each home and not offend anyone or even get excited without laying all of our cards out on the table, but the kids were just way to much to deal with. I would've thought I was on candid camera if they weren't all my kids! REALLY. They weren't doing anything that "normal" kids wouldn't do but when you have 6 of them doing things kids do....it turns ugly really fast! For instance 6 of them wanted the same bedroom...yes like I said....UGLY!

Then their was Josh. He turned into some kind of alien freak! No joke! He has been married to me way to long to be discussing "fixer upper" uh huh! You know what I am saying don't you? That means it's a rat hole. I am totally OCD for those of you that don't know, so dirty anything is like a time bomb waiting to go off inside my body. I reluctantly (kicking and screaming, not kidding!) went and looked at two with him before (making a long story short) I said "How about this. I will look for the house. I will go see the house. If it passes my approval I will then set another showing and that is when you can decide on the house. Glad we agree.I'll get back with you as soon as my part is complete" I am not kidding, he will say it wasn't this bad if you talk to him, but really the houses he wanted had two great acres, keeping Emma in the middle school that she'd go to with the rest of her friends, and literally the dead trees were the highlight. Yep. Not gonna happen. "fixer upper" to me is changing a wall color from what the builder just painted. No, I am starting to budge a little because acreage would be nice, keeping Emma in the right school a must and an already finished basement to set up our Disney stuff in again would be thrilling. I will not settle for rat hole though, a few tweaks may be OK to get what we want for the long term.....long term maybe even being more than 18 months, who knows!