Name that song!

Seen at Karin's. So much fun!

Step 1: Put your MP3 player or whatever on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Strike through when someone gets them right
Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING.



1. I searched the world for a song that I could sing.

2. All the world is watching, all the world does care.

3. Will I believe you when you say, your hand will guide my every way?(Walk By Faith - Jeremy Camp)

4. The walls between you and I always pushing us apart, nothing left but scars fight after fight.

5. Scattered words, empty thoughts, seem to pour from my heart.

6. Who knew love would come walking through my door? (Cry a River - Amy Grant)

7. Jesus, you have carried me when I could not stand.

8. You make me weak, I wanna die. (This is my all time favorite song in the universe!)

9. Your smile lights up a room like a candle in the dark. (Missing You - Amy Grant)

10. Make me. Take me. Break me, I am pierced.

11. Times are hard, times have changed, don't ya say?

12. I've been here grounded for too long.

13. Well I can feel within your soul, The more you reason, the more you've shown He's there.

14. Main street USA, boarded up and dry. (Nobody Home - Amy Grant)

15. There you stood, that'll teach ya, to look so good and feel so right.

16. What has happened I cannot explain.

17. We come together with a holy purpose.

18. I waited for you today, but you didn't show. (Never Alone - Barlow Girl)

19. Can you feel the pains of life?

20. When I wander through the desert and I'm longing for my home, all my dreams have gone astray.

21. Your love keeps lifting me higher than I've ever been lifted before. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me - Audio A)

22. Where do I begin with what to say?

23. Pour me some coffee, I've got an hour before I go.

24. It's cold outside, or is that just the chill I feel inside from standing here steeping in my shame?

25. Tired of being clean, sick of being proper.

WTF?

Back in March Bubba went to an oral surgeon to have his wisdom teeth pulled per our dentist. We paid well over $1000 out of pocket for that and the dental insurance was billed the balance, another $850. Today I get an EOB from our dental insurance denying the claim as it first must go through medical insurance. Frustrating, but okay. So I call my medical insurance to see how to deal with that. Well, seems we needed a prior authorization for this! So, now I have to call the primary care Dr. and get him to submit a retro request for authorization and a retro referral for the date of service. and then they'll look at the claim and decide whether or not to pay it.
I called the oral surgeon and they are just going to submit the claim to the medical insurance, who will deny it and then the dental insurance will look at it again.

It's so annoying, Wouldn't you think if your DENTIST refers you, the claim should go through dental insurance? How on earth were we to know they would require this? It's all a big scam to just get us to pay the money and not deal with the insurance I'm afraid!

Bahahaha

The kids and I had a very short time period for dinner tonight between SB's dance class and FE's First Communion class, and since the two things are within a mile of one another and Mark wasn't going to be home anyway, we stopped for pizza at Peter Piper. FE was daydreaming out loud about having $400 to spend on tokens to play games with when the following conversation took place...

FE: If I had $400, I would put it all in and get tokens and play games forever.

SB: It would be really stupid to spend $400 on tokens. I hope if you had $400 you would think of something better to spend it on...Like a new wardrobe for me.

FE: I don't think so Princess.

I just thought it was so funny that he called his older sister a Princess in light of her comment about wanting a new wardrobe. I may have actually spit my coke on the table I was laughing so hard!lol!

Deeply Sad

Have you ever just had a time when getting out of bed seemed to be the hardest thing to do? I'm feeling just a deep sadness right now. There's no particular reason. A lot of small things are eating at me, but none of them are catastrophic. I just can't seem to find a bright side to anything. I don't want to see anyone, talk to anyone, answer the phone, do anything but crawl back into bed. I wish I knew what my problem is...

5 Weeks

5 weeks of school left for the kiddos. This year has flown by, and as much as I love summer, the ending of this year is bittersweet. The end of Kindergarten for one kiddo, the end of high school for another. The end of an amazing year for FE with an incredible teacher. And the end of SB's 7th grade year, which means only one more year before high school. These kids just keep growing!


We've had a lovely weekend. Check out my photo blog for pictures of SB without her braces, our church festival, and amazing Mother Nature. Hope you all had as relaxing of a weekend as we did!

10 years

Karin and I were emailing earlier and figured out that she had met Bubba about 10 years ago when he sang in a Mother's Day Children's Choir at our church that she had directed. We were not new to the Parish, but with two small children, and a third on the way, had just started to get more involved. Shortly after that, Karin and I started taking classes to join the Catholic Church. My third child was born days before the classes started, so he came with me to every class. A definite conversation point. I got to know Karin and her husband and friend during the classes, and after our classes were over, I started singing with their choir. In the years that I've been singing with them, Karin and I have become quite close. She's the godmother of my 4th child and I of her LG. Her husband remodeled my house and employed my son. we've shared a lot together. And Bubba, whom she firs met 10 years ago, as a 7 year old second grader, is graduating from high school in 6 weeks.

I was thinking how different my life is than it was 10 years ago. The obvious, including another child and a house. And the not so obvious at first glance. The changes inside my heart and in my spirit. 10 years ago I was still in my 20's, although barely. My outlook has changed a lot. I'm less judgemental. I've gone through more. I've lost both of my grandparents, who were rocks in my not always easy life.

I wonder what 10 more years will bring. 10 years from now, my children will be 27, 23, 19 and 16. I'll have been married for nearly a quarter of a century. It's somewhat likely I'll be a grandparent. My 40's will be nearly over. My mother will be in her early 70's, but my in-laws will be almost in their 80's. What will my inner changes be like? What will I be doing with my life? 10 years feels like it's flown by, but at the same time, so much has happened. What an adventure...

My Boy

My eldest son and I are very much alike. Often too much so. We haven't had an easy relationship since he was about 12. We have honeymoon periods and periods of normalcy,which are becoming longer and longer as he gets older, but really, we are both temperamental and quick to anger, particularly with one another. He's told me he hates me, and trust me when I say there have been times when I haven't liked him very much either.



My child is a teenager. Growing up in a world that is vastly different than the one I grew up in. I wouldn't want to be a teenager right now, for sure. He's made some choices that I wish he hadn't He's done some things I wish he hadn't. I've spent sleepless nights. I've prayed my days away. I've beaten myself up for parenting decisions. I've wondered where we went wrong.



And there are times I look at him and my heart swells with pride. And times when his kindness and consideration bring me to my knees. I never have to worry or be ashamed of his behavior regarding his elders. He is respectful and kind to his grandparents and teachers and coaches. He may roll his eyes at me, but never to them.



The choices that he has made about some things are not choices I would have made for him, but I KNOW about all the choices. Because he talks to me. About everything. As turbulent as our relationship might be at times, he always talks to me. Maybe not until after the fact, but I daresay there are many parents who will never know some of the choices their teens made, or may not hear of them until adulthood. But my son knows he can talk to me about anything. And I think that speaks volumes about where our relationship will end up.



This weekend was a rough one for my boy. He had his heart broken, not for the first time. (How evil teenaged girls can be is a whole 'nother post). After Prom he had gone to an all night party at the lake. He and I texted back and forth for a while that night, about making good choices and being trustworthy. And he kept all the promises he made me. And on Sunday morning, while everyone else was asleep, he called me. And we talked. About his broken heart. About the tree he's wrestled with the night before to get some of his emotions out. About how he was feeling about making positive choices the night before. About everything. We talked for over 2 hours when his friends started waking up and were ready to drive home. And he came home. And we went to take his tux back. And we drove for an hour and talked some more. About nothing. Because he wanted to talk to me. Just me. There was nothing earth shattering in the conversation, but he just wanted me. And last night on my way home from church. he called me and asked me if I would go to a movie with him. And of course I said yes. Even though it was going to be a very late night for me. Even though I had a million things I needed to do. Even though I had no desire to see the movie he wanted me to see. Because when your 17 year old asks you to spend time with them, you MUST. And you must connect on their level. And do what is important to them. With teenagers it's all about being ready when they are. If you put them off until you have time or are ready to talk, they'll have moved on. They are the people you must meet where they are.

During one of our myriad hours of conversation over the weekend, he said something that touched me to my very core. There was something he didn't want to do because he has a hard time with one of the people involved. I asked him why he had such a problem and he indicated it was because this person often gives me a lot of heartache and grief. And he said to me "I know that in the past I've said I hated you. Like when I'm mad and you won't let me do something. But Mom, I love you so much. And anyone who hurts you, I just want to hurt them. I would kill someone for you Mom". Now, I don't want my kid killing someone, obviously, but the fact that my 17 year old boy can say that to me makes my heart soar.



Parenting this boy has not been easy. It's often a tiring and thankless job. There's been a lot of joy, but our fair share of heartache. And hearing stories of people who sail through the teenage years with no problems from their kids is painful. But I get these glimpses of a bright future with a young man who has fought a hard battle to be who he is. And I know I wouldn't trade who he is for an easier kid because then he wouldn't be the boy I love so much. And maybe, just maybe, struggling with or for your kids makes you appreciate the times that are wonderful just a bit more.

Do You Think?

That how late my children slept in is in direct correlation to the fact that I told them we were going to be cleaning house when they got up???

Everyone is better! Hooray! Mark actually got sick Thursday night and was home in bed all day yesterday. FE's teacher got the same thing as well as my male day care charge and his mother!
I have not gotten sick, which I think is a miracle since I was taking care of the starters of the illness and five of the people they infected! And, can you believe the parents of the infectors didn't get sick either? Bizarre!

Tonight is PROM!!! We have only to go pick up the corsage late this afternoon. Bubba's picking up his date at 5:30 and then they are coming back here for pictures. After that, they'll head to dinner at Carver's ( a local steakhouse) and then on to Prom. Bubba's driving Mark's car since his does not like to drive much faster that 45 and they must take the freeway to get to the dance!lol! SB had offered to wash the car fro Bubba for a Starbucks reward. My children are well trained.

Tomorrow is a late lunch for my favorite BIL's 44th birthday. His actual birthday was yesterday, which also happened to be the 23rd anniversary of my first date with Mark! Which means I've actually known him and his family for around 25 years. That's a quarter of a century!!!lol!

National Shopliting Day?

This morning I was wandering Target, (Mark was home with the girls who were still sick. The boys were at school.) I saw a teenaged girl being led out of the store, very quietly, in handcuffs. It sort of broke my heart. I don't know what she did, perhaps she's a habitual shoplifter who just got caught, but I've learned not to make those judgement calls. We rarely know the whole story behind something we see.

This evening I was at Mervyn's with Bubba shopping for a couple of things he needed. I was in the Men's department right by the door, and Bubba had gone out to the car to look at the size of a shirt we had out there. I looked up when I heard running, and as I did, saw a 40ish year old guy with two huge stacks of Levi's running out the door. The sensor on the door went off, but none of the cashier's even looked up. Those things go off so often. I yelled at them what had happened and then walked out the door to see if I could still see him. Bubba was just coming back, and had seen the car driving away, but didn't get a license plate number. We gave our little bit of info to the manager so she could tell the police, but it wasn't much.

I've decided that in order to keep any other stores from losing anything else today I'll be staying home!

Ugh!

Two Four puking kiddos. At least it's the eldest and the youngest, neither of whom have testing this week. And my long time day care charge is sick as well. He does have testing. Here's an idea...If your kids are sick? Maybe you should try keeping them at home instead of infecting the rest of the world. Just a thought.

Oh, and? Calling me to ask how I'm doing (or really to tell me your kids will be back tomorrow) and then telling me that your child only puked once when I've got a house full of sick kids, is not the way to put me in a good mood. Perhaps if you'd kept the original puker home for the required 24 hours no one else would have gotten sick.

Some People!

I was all set this morning to go have breakfast with some friends whom I haven't seen in ages. Wouldn't you know it, stupid people got in my way.

(I pulled this part of the post so I don't manage to get myself fired!lol!)

In other news, Prom is on Saturday. I think I'm more excited than Bubba! Tux gets picked up on Thursday, flowers are ordered, dinner reservations made. Tickets will be bought tomorrow. In a bizarre turn of events, the girl he was originally going with ended up having to fulfill some family obligation and going with a cousin or something upon threat of major trouble if she bailed. Coincidentally, Bubba had recently reconnected with an old friend. The only girl of the 3 other kids he want from Kindergarten all the way through 8th grade with. she lives close to us, but goes to a different high school and her mom actually works for our school. They reconnected and so when the first date fell through, he asked her. I think it's really sweet and fun that he' s going to Prom with someone he's known practically his whole life. she's tall too, which is awesome. It'll make the pictures look much better!lol!

And lastly, I'm on my third week back at Weight Watchers. I'm going to the meetings again because that's how I really lost the weight last time. So far so good. I'm down 6 pounds in two week. Not a huge number, but as Mark always tells me "It's a marathon, not a sprint". And losing slowly is healthier anyway!

Tired

I'm glad it's the weekend although there's no rest. An 8 AM game for FE with pictures at 7:30. Plus Generations. And a sleepover for SB. And the lack of sleep that comes with having a 17 year old boy.

I remember vividly how exhausting coping with a newborn was, but at least it was a good payoff. I loved caring for my babies and usually didn't mind getting up with them in the night. With an older teenager it's about waiting to here them come in so you can finally sleep peacefully. It's a worried sleeplessness. It's so much less fun. And for all of you out there who think that girls are harder teenagers than boys? Think carefully before you say that in my presence. And actually raise one of each. Because I'm not buying it!

April Fools!

SB pulled a really funny prank on her hip hop teacher last night.
It's an odd class, with a bunch of girls of different age levels and ability, but SB and her good friend are by far the best in the class. They are the oldest and have been dancing the longest. So, the teacher really counts on them, SB in particular, to help lead the class.

Last night, they had done their warm ups and were getting ready to start working on their recital dance when SB and her friend G walk up to the teacher. I see Sb talking with this really sad look on her face. The teacher is asking questions, but looks panicked and has a really upset look. She starts to run out of the room when I hear the girls say, really loudly, "April Fools!". The teacher turns around and says "Are you serious? Oh my gosh, I almost peed my pants!" The girls are all laughing hysterically. See, Sb and G told the teacher that last night was their last night in class as they were switching studios. And wouldn't be there for recital. And the teacher was so panicked she was rushing out to talk to the owner who was teaching a class down the hall. It caused such a commotion that another teacher, whom the girls have tomorrow, came out and asked what was going on. When we told her, she said "Oh my gosh! I'm so glad I didn't have them tonight!"lol!

Sb and G were pretty proud of themselves, that's for sure!lol!