Before I work on tonight's Blog idea, I must RANT! I am still not over the fact that Supernova chose Lucas to be the frontman for their band. Tommy, Jason and Gilby what on earth are you thinking? I thought they wanted a new innovative rock band! Not a spasmodic, unintelligible singer who looks more like a demented leprechaun then a rock star! OK OK I know that was pretty harsh but come on. Who was voting for this guy? Did he have the most votes by a lot or a little? Dilana was my girl & Toby was my second choice, Lucas I couldn't even fathom the band would select him. I just don't get it!!!!

I feel better now. Time for positive thinking ~ mantra mantra ~ Oh yeah I know Amazing Race starts next week. That is my all time favorite show. My Hippies won last year, TTOW! I like to imagine I am traveling along the journey with them. I love to see all the cool spots they visit and the challenges they take on. Some border on ridiculous but that's what makes the show so much fun to watch. AHHHH Ok now I am in a much better mood. Here are my guys from last season.

Today's DSP Blog prompt was to take the letters of your first name and write about yourself. Here it goes:

J ~ Jubilant

E ~ Ebullient

N ~ Nutty

N ~ Nurturer

I ~ Imaginative

F ~ Funny

E ~ Eclectic

R ~ aRtistic (ok I know this one was kinda cheating)

DSP Blog post: Using an idea of Ali Edwards'....
What is your happiness today?

I am glad to say that Happiness is not something that eludes me on a regular basis, even though my mornings are hectic and I need my coffee to push through. Those little faces (some not so little anymore) shuffling or running through the kitchen, preparing for school pull at my heart strings. The hugs and "I Love You MOM" I receive as they fly out the door fill my soul with warmth. I busy my days with a long list of things to do. Many of which don't get done, sigh. I update the calendar and plan my route for after school driving. Some days run smooth others are a disaster. But everyday ends the same way. I tuck in the baby with a lullaby, my kindergarten daughter gets a story + 2 hugs and a kiss, the 4th grader needs prayers of protection and I turn on the EAMS (Electronic Anti-Monster System), finally my 7th grader who always asks the hard questions at bed time (stalling? ). Upstairs I sit with my hubby and we laugh about the day, or watch a favorite TV show. Sometimes we sit on the couch side by side working on our laptops. As I sit back and reflect on the day, no matter how the middle went the beginning and the end remind me of my true happiness, being a MOM to the four best kids I know. Thanking God, for helping my husband and I create them and for choosing us to be their parents. They are my Treasure!

I was going to post my thoughts/feelings regarding all that happened on 9/11 but as I wrote about that day my feelings were still too raw. I had to stop and just couldn't get back on for a couple days. Maybe in the future I can revisit that day ~ just not yet.

Blog prompt for today was what would you do for one day in there were no consequences?

Interesting question!

As a parent with the responsibility of four children to raise there are many things I would love to do but won't because It wouldn't be fair to my kids if something happened to me. What would I do? . . .

My church in NJ did mission trips to Haiti I really wanted to go but due to the turmoil in that country I passed. Mission Trip to Haiti

Travel to space on the shuttle. Even after the Challenger disaster there has been a small voice saying wouldn't it be cool to see the earth from space to experience the power of the launch, to float around inside the shuttle like we've seen so many times on TV. Travel to Space

This one is totally frivolous but I'd love to jump the guard rail at the "Today" show and speak my mind on national television regarding my current pet peve, "political ads and negative campaigning". Ask me in a month it will be some other pet peve! Steal the "Today" show

I think we would all be exhausted after a day with no consequences. Is it even possible? Kind of like neutralism, hard to say that there is any way we can exist
on this world and not have some effect on someone or something. Most assuredly if you could wave some kind of magic wand and have a day with no consequences the days following would be changed forever because you would be a changed person through whatever experiences you had that day. How you behave and relate to the world around would be different even in a small way.

It's been fun thinking about the opportunities such a day would present. I think it would make a great episode on "Scrubs". I can already see JD's bubble musings as he dreams about his day with no consequences (look out Dr. Cox).

Click below to participate in today's fun quiz. HEHEHEHE told me I was 25, I liked that. LOL
http://blogthings.com/whatagequiz/">What Age Do You Act?

Oh and one last thing. Rock Star Supernova was awesome last night! Dilana (you go girl) was back in full force and rocked the house stealing the show. Toby did real well, his origianl is so fun, but I think honestly, Dilana kicked his Aussie butt last night. (sorry Cynthia) Lukas again what can I say, who thinks he can sing? I just don't get why he is still here. Magni, Tommy put the first nail in his coffin. So can't wait for tonight's show and the final three, then the winner announced. (Dilana, Dilana, Dilana) The power of positive thinking on the cosmos, ya know. Till tomorrow, ROCK ON.

My Life List:
1. Sail/Teach on the School on a Boat
2. Help to save an endangered species
3. Illustrate a children's book
4. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity
5. Learn to Pray more powerfully
6. Learn to throw a pot that doesn't rock
7. Become an Art Teacher
8. Find a way to help teenagers deal with their struggles
9. Learn to speak Spanish
10. Take all my children traveling abroad
11. Go backpacking with my son
12. Watch my grandchild be born
13. Live in a tree house
14. Own horses with my daughters
15. Travel to Spain with my husband

Ellen DeGeneres is asking people to join her in making a Life List of things you want to accomplish before you die. Why would anyone want to make a list of things to accomplish? This seemed silly to me. As I thought more about Ellen's challenge I began to question my thoughts about the list. Why was I opposedsed to making it? Maybe cause if I write it down then it's real. What if I don't get a chance to do any of the things on my list? Would I feel smashed like I let myself down? I've never been the type to worry about checking things off a "To Do" list. Would that change if I made this Life List? I remember a fellow employee some years ago who had panic attacks if she had to forward her tasks to the next day. I was convinced she put certain things on her list because she was sure she could cross them off before 6pm.

In the end I decided to make the list and then decide whether to keep it or throw it out. I was surprised how fast I came up with 15 things for the list. When I was done I was really excited to see my dreams/ideas down on paper. I didn't even know I felt that strong about some of the things till I wrote them down. Who knows how long it will take me to cross one off or even where I will start. I am glad to report that I am not concerned about completing the list as several things are not even possible at this stage of my life. (ie. #1, 10, 12 ) Now on to life's simple pleasures, my children.

This is a recent digital scrapbook page of my baby.


Okay let's see if you dare to answer today's blog quiz!
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoyourbathroomhabitssayaboutyouquiz/

This is a digital scrapbook page I created for my daughter to celebrate her first day of Kindergarten.

Amazing how fast she reached this point, her first step on the road to independence. I say a prayer for her everyday as well as for her teacher. She is the type who isn't just curious about everything she has to experience everything for her self under her terms. She makes me smile when I'm not pulling my hair out!

Last night at "Meet the Teacher" night we learned about all the changes our 7th grader was going to have at junior high. The responsibility and amount of work he is expected to do was overwhelming to me. Sure has changed alot since I was a junior high student. He will rise to the challenge I am sure after making a few mistakes and getting slightly scorched by a teacher or two. One assignment for this weekend is to get his books covered. I was glad to hear he wanted to cover them with the standard brown paper grocery sack. Helps to know something are the same. Mine were always covered with drawings, notes from friends, guys numbers etc.

I hear people all the time say they wouldn't go back and repeat their teenage years for any amount of money. I guess for all of us those years becoming an adult were just too painful in many ways. I have many wonderful memories of that time in my life but I do admit the painful ones I would not want to experience again. As a parent I don't know that I am prepared to watch my son struggle though Junior High. I will have to fight hard to not swoop in like a mother bird and save him. Luckily I have plenty of friends to keep reminding me that something he will have to figure out on his own.

Today's crazy quiz: I am a ~ Iced Coffee

You Are an Iced Coffee

At your best, you are: hyper, modern, and athletic At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you're out with friends Your caffeine addiction level: medium

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

This is a banner my son created. He loves Lord of the Rings books and movies. Isn't he creative?

Last night Storm was eliminated from Rock Star - SuperNova wish it was Lucas instead! So final four for next week then will know. Prepare for a rant from me if Lucas is chosen. I've never much cared for leprechauns. LOL

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Random Thoughts

What is a twenty month olds favorite word? <COOKIE>

What is a twenty month olds least favorite word? <NO>

What is a twenty month olds favorite toy? <A BALL POINT PEN>

Okay, so that tells you how my morning has been. Busy busy busy with a toddler under foot. As you will see below my daughters summer nature project has finally started hatching. This has been alot of fun and educational for all the kids.


Did you know this is a MALE monarch butterfly? The spots on the lower wings designate the sex. Interesting huh! She raised 10 catapillers, all of which transformed into chrysalis' so far 8 have hatched.

She is planting butterfly bushes and milk weed to attract the Monarch's when they come back next summer. She is my nature girl and is always busy with some wild outdoor project.

Here is your quiz for the day. I was a Chocolate Chip Cookie! YUM YUM Cookie, Cookie, Cookie starts with C. Okay too much Sesame Street.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofcookieareyouquiz/

Who Should Paint You: Alfred Gockel

All American yet funky, you inspire an artist's imaginationAnd while not everyone will understand your portrait, you will!

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatartistshouldpaintyourportraitquiz/">What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

This is a fun, quick quiz. I love the Artist I got, too bad he can't really paint me. Let me know who you get!

School is back in session, wish I could say I was excited! Three kids in school this year my mornings are like a tornado. Once over it's just me and the baby, staring at each other!

My rant for today is how much mullah I am shelling out to get these kids what they need for school. Here is a list of what we've spent so far:

• School Supplies for 3 = $92.00
• 7th grade retreat = $105.00
• Gym Uniforms for 2 = $19.00
• Sport Fee 1st semester = $50.00
• Sport Uniform = $12.00
• Sport Physical = $15.00
• Orchestra Uniform = $60.00
• School Clothes = $300.00

Anyone adding as we go? Hurts me to tally but so far I'm at $653.00. I am still getting forms with requests for money supporting all kinds of Booster Clubs. As well as each schools fall fundraiser where all families are expected to participate. Ebay here I come I need to make some cash fast. How do people do it?

Rock Star Supernova is my current obsession. I love the show. Although, I am convinced that Dave and the band have pushed ahead their favorites thru creative editing and comments. I still can't believe Lucas is not gone, he stinks. Dilana despite her faults and hard time of late is my favorite. Toby is my second choice. Guess will know soon.

I will add some of my digital scrapbook pages as soon as I figure out how to do it. I'll probably just ask my 12 year old he is quick with all things computer! LOL