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It has been so long since I have posted that I thought I should update for anyone that might read our blog! The Brook house has been very busy! First, Addison had to stay home from school for a few days due to not feeling then I wasn't feeling well. Jasson had been working alot at his second job (BOK) and both kids are in t-ball this year! Both practice two nights a week on different nights. My mom was headed out of town. My dad needs open heart surgery and I was worried about a few co-workers and a relative. Needless to say I had been feeling overwhelmed! I read several people's blogs and one happens to be a girl I went to high school with named Stacey. Her son is a cancer survivor. Reading her blog helped me put my life back in perspective. So I stopped and prayed and Thanked GOD for children that can run, have hair (even if it did have lice), a hard working husband, a job that I love and I get to be the boss, people that I work with that I like enough to care about their families, a mom healthy enough to travel to see my sister, a dad smart enough to insist to his doctor something was wrong with his heart, a close knit extended family that when one of us isn't feeling well we play telephone until we know everything is okay. I am a controlling person that sometimes needs a reminder that I cannot control life. That I must slow down and enjoy what God has given me and take one step at a time.

Now the fun stuff: Jasson and I took the kids bowling on Monday and the girls totally won! Addison and I did really well and beat the boys! (okay so the bumpers were up) but we all had a really fun time. We had our first sleep over with cousins Zoe and Kiley on Sunday night. The four of them got along very well. There were only a few times that I had to ask everyone to play nice. We visited the park in Jenks (really fun if you have children). Addison and Jacob are both doing very well in t-ball. They both really seem to like it and Addison does better if I don't watch. We are working on her attitude with adults a few of her recent phrases: "it's not your business" said to cousin Megans mother and "don't talk to my mama" said to a t-ball mom. I use positive directive questioning such as "is that how we speak to adults?" and make her apologize. The problem is I need her not to say those things in the first place. I attended Jacob's parent teacher conferences this month and that went well. He is doing well and the teacher didn't have much to say other than he is ready for first grade. Being the proud parent I have thought that since he entered kindergarten and brought home the same work he did when he was at Miss Barb's. Jacob is growing and growing! He wears a size 2 shoe and 10 in pants! However, as the parent of a tall kid I do get annoyed when people think he is older and have found myself (rudely) correcting people when I overhear them comment on how old "that" kid must be. This usually happens at t-ball. Hello people have you seen his father? And I am worried about my 4 yr-old keeping her thoughts to herself?

On the diet front I have lost 15 pounds since I have started counting my calories and going to the diet doctor. I also write down everything I eat and don't drink my calories. Despite numerous attempts by my friend Marla and cousin Sarah the answer is still "NO" to exercise. I will try to incorporate some as the weather warms up. I know when we open our pool that I will swim daily, but for now the only part of my body that gets exercise is my fingers from typing or pushing the buttons on the remote! In April I will get to go to a conference in New Orleans with the Tobacco Coalition so hopefully I can lose a few more pounds before then so I can fit into more of my clothes. Right now I rotate between three pair of pants! Oh the life we lead! LOL

Well..again..maybe

I am finally over my second round of strep throat only to wake up to two kids with sniffles and sneezes this morning! Hopefully, it's just a little allergies or cold and nothing that will be cause for a trip to Dr. Gordon.

Jasson flies home tonight! Yeah! For all you mama's with traveling husbands how do you do it? I even had my mom with me and am still ready for Jasson to come home.

The diet is going well. I have not eaten over the calorie limit that I have set for myself. To my surprise I am not that hungry either. I do drink lots and lots of water, which I did before I was restricting my calories. I am writing down all foods that I eat. Counting calories really makes you aware of what you eat. Last night I had 500 calories left over and needed a snack so I ate one (out of two that come packaged together) of the little debbie heart shaped cupcakes. I guessed maybe 100 calories or less. Anyway, when I was at the store today a very similar cake was 150 calories per little cake! Won't be eating those again. We haven't started working out yet but maybe this week. Let's not push it you know what I mean? What's my motivation? Addison asking me as she is poking it "if you don't have a baby in there why didn't it go down?" referring to my gut! Kids...gotta love thier honesty.

KA-BOOM

KA-BOOM! That is the perfect word to describe to funny/surprising situations that happened the last two days. First I picked up Jacob from school yesterday to be told by his teacher that he had cut a chunk out of his hair and received a white slip! KA-BOOM! What I was speechless, my sweet, innocent, never in trouble Jacob? It was true. Though you really can't tell because his hair is a mess and grows funny anyway. So he was grounded from television yesterday and lectured by both Jasson and I last night. He was told to apologize to his teacher and I told him I will check to make sure he did apologize.

So the second KA-BOOM came this morning on the way to school. Jacob says Bella (who was headed to the groomer) is eating something off the floor of the car. "man mom you sure have a lot of spots back here" Yes Jacob it's because of you and your sister. "Well you need KA-BOOM you know from oxy-clean it works on most any surface and really gets the stains out" WoW he just receited the entire KA-BOOM commercial. As it turns out the no tv last night was a good idea because he obviously watches WAY TOO MUCH TV!

Fat Farm

Fat farms do they still have those? I need to go to one. So today I signed myself up for the diet doctor. After three prescriptions, several boxes of protein shake, and a few boxes of protein bars I was finally out the door. Turns out I am fatter than I thought by a whole 10 pounds. So I have decided to stop avoiding the mirrors and come to term with this over abundant skin I have been living in. I am over the vanity phase in my life. You know the way to much make-up, fake tan, etc but this is ridiculous! I have decided that when the weight has taken over to the point that I am too tired to play with my kids then it is time to take control! Jasson and I successfully gave up pop so I am hoping my transition to giving up the extra 1000 calories I eat a day won't be so hard. We are joining the gym and I am going to start walking on my treadmill in the mornings. However, the doctor said 80% of my fatness is what I eat. Turns out I am down with that because I really would rather starve than exercise, but hubby wants to exercise so I will do that too. Watch out Sarah! The new/old me is waiting to emerge! LOL! I vow to longer be the fat cousin! UGH just re-reading this and typing is wearing me out! I can do it I can do it!

On to more pleasant topics. We visited the Isley boys this weekend and had fun. Who knew that Mo has really chilled out since having kids. She didn't mind the screaming, ball throwing, up and down the stair action, around the circles in the house madness. I am sure my children were in heaven! We had a really fun time and by the time we left Jace almost liked me! Not enough to let me hold him but enough for a high five. That's progress! Anyway, Mo is doing my taxes (so nice of you) and is always surprised that Jasson and I can survive on our small income. I guess you spend with what ya got. LOL!

Superbowl Sunday was fun at our house. Jasson bought a new tv (I secretly wanted one too) so it was easier to see the players! The kids played with our friends' kids and had fun. I made way too much food and will have to eat it tonight so it doesn't go to waste. So the above mentioned diet will begin tomorrow.

Addison made it through the weekend with oh maybe 4 or 5 trips to her room (pretty good). The last time I thought hmm she is being awfully quiet! So I opened the bedroom door to find the stroller (one of three) covered in moose. Yes that is right hair moose. "what are you doing" "what its my cleana?" "addison cate that is not cleaner put it up right now and clean this mess". A few minutes later she comes into the kitchen "addison why were you playing in the moose?" "It's so soft and fluffy I just want to jump in that can and swim and float awound mama". moose (sic) is soft and fluffy and some days I wish I could just float around in it too. How can you be mad at that?

Too old for mom?

I took lunch to my mom today and happened to see Jacob in the lunch line. I waved (with exaggerated excitement) and called his name. He peeked up at me gave the slightest most unnoticable wave back. As I walked out the door I heard him say to a classmate "what's she doing here?". NICE. Six years old and already to old for your momma? School really ages kids quickly especially ones as sweet as my Jake.

Addison oh Addison. I received an email from daycare yesterday that my girl was being rude, not participating, telling the teacher they were mean, she didn't have to listen or do what they said. I spoke with her upon arrival to pick her up and gave her two choices: apologize and all is forgotten or go to your room for night, but you will still apologize in the morning. Of course she opted for the latter and spent the evening alone in her room. At first (because she cried) I thought Ah Hah this is working! Then I heard chatter and laughter coming from her bedroom. Turns out that the alone time allowed her to actually play with all of her toys. You know all the ones she just had to have that sit on her shelves and floor unattended too. So much for punishment in your bedroom!

Jasson will be going to LA next week. The kids and I will be on our own. Sorta. Mom will be spending the week with us while he is gone. Jacob has already asked if we could eat out every night that daddy is gone. I told him we just had pizza. Well that doesn't count because we picked it up and ate it at home! Jasson and I have created fast food out to eat junkies!

On the mend

Addison and I have been ill since Monday. I have strep throat and she has pnuemonia with strep throat. Today is our first day back to work/school. It is miserable being sick! I think I have used more lysol and cleaner these past few days then I have in a month. I managed to burn or make my tongue raw from all the cepacol drops I have used. My only relief is now causing pain too! I am sitting at work listening to lots of sirens and wondering what is going on? I am such a nosy or should I say inquisitive person.

I measured the kids today against a wall in the laundry room. We last measured about 4 months ago. Jacob is an inch taller and Addison is two inches taller! I thought her clothes we looking short!

I did manage to spend some quality time with Addison one of the days we were home. We played dolls, did hair and colored. It was fun. I thought wow what a smooth day...until she came into the living room with a green face and a green spotted Bella. The day is not over and I am exhausted!

Happy Birthsary! Jasson will be 33 on Sunday and we will celebrate our 7th anniversary on Tuesday! So exciting. Mom is keeping the kids Saturday for us. So last night Jacob asks "where will Addison go when you go out?" Well she will go with you to Nana's. "so she gets to go eat with us at Boomer rang?" How do you know you are going to Boomer rang? "I've planned it all out" WOW. Now knowing my mother I am sure she will take him to Boomer rang. Crazy kid