-12 degrees. Where is the global warming when you need it.

-12 degrees and it's not fun. We live in an old farm house and the insulation is almost non- existent. We had the walls filled with blown insulation when we bought this home 12 years ago but I'm sure that it has fallen down the walls.
The windows are old and our dear old oil furnace is chugging along without a break. Once in a while I will hear it stop, only to hear it start up again.
The kids have three comforters on the beds. I have a electric blanket on my bed.
The kids are going stir crazy because they can't play outside. Even I, who believes in daily outside play time, won't subject them to such cold.
Now I might just sound like a big waa waa, especially to my Fargo moms,
but it's cold.

TB Scare

We just had a TB scare at my home.
When my children were adopted 3 years ago, I didn't do a full post adoption work up. They had so many other health care issues that I put it on hold.
I decided to have a full work up done late this past year and I'm so glad I did.
I found out my son was anemic and I was told my daughter had latent TB.
What a scare. I understand how she got TB. The conditions of the orphanage were ripe for the transmission of many diseases, but I was still in shock. On one hand I was glad it wasn't active and contagious TB and she didn't have any symptoms. But with latent TB, the child still has to be treated for 9 months with medications to completely kill the disease. That's a lot for a child to go through.
But we heard about the quantiferon blood test to double check the PPD and we did it. Yes, she had to have blood drawn but it was well worth it. We just got the results back and she is negative. Yeah! A big scare but I am so grateful that we had the tests done to confirm the diagnosis.

Registration for Mommy Time

I think the problem with registration is resolved. For the time being, when registering on Mommy Time, I need you to fill out the registration page, accept terms and wait for the Welcome email. This email will link you back to fill out your family names so that I can complete the background check.
I hope to get the process back to one step soon but for now at least it's working and you can have access within one day.
Now for those of you already registered, email a mom and get yourself some Mommy Time!

My birthday.

Today is my birthday. I wanted to write a long thoughtful post about my life as it is at this time. Unfortunately, today is so busy I can barely find time to post these few words. Maybe tomorrow.

Read this if you plan on registering.

To all of the moms registering at this time, I am having some site problems. If you register, try to complete all of the pages right away. Registration, terms and family name info. It looks like if you stop after the first page and try to complete later, the site may not let you in. I have someone looking into the problem and it should be resolved soon. For those who can't get in at all, email me with your name, address and family names and I'll manually enter you. So sorry!

To those of you who have emailed the last 2 days, I have returned all of my mail. The family was at the Kalahari Water Park in Wisconsin Dells for a winter get away.
I usually like this place but today the water was COLD. My 6 year old was shivering after a few minutes and I who has ample body fat was shivering as we floated down the lazy river. Not good. And the internet access was $5 per every 15 minutes so I waited until we came home.

Save Baby Gavin

I received this information and wanted to share it with everyone.

I am writing to you about a 10 month old baby named Gavin Winslow. My hope
is that you can help us save Gavin by posting the attached flyer at your
place of business. I received your name from the business directory on
Milwaukeemoms.com.

Gavin was born with Congenital Kidney Failure. Without a kidney transplant,
Gavin will not survive. Sadly, without a payment guarantee, a child cannot
even be placed on an organ transplant waiting list. That is why his family,
in conjunction with the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) has
started a fundraising campaign, in his honor, in which they are trying to
raise $100,000.

To help reach this staggering amount of money, I have organized a Children's
Concert and Kids Fest featuring award winning children's artist Jim Gill.
Your support advertising this concert would be appreciated.

A CONCERT OF MUSIC AND PLAY WITH JIM GILL
Sunday, January 21, 2007
3:30 pm (doors open at 3:15)
Sheraton Brookfield Hotel in the Brookfield Ballroom
Purchase tickets at: www.savebabygavin.com or call 262-548-0614

Activities after the concert:
Pictures with Elmo
Magician
Balloon Artist
Face Painting
Tattoos
Silent Auction with great family and children items for bid

Again, I would sincerely appreciate your support advertising this concert
with the attached flyer.

One hundred percent of all funds raised are used for patients' transplant
and transplant-related expenses. COTA's priority is to assure that no child
is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to a
lack of funds.

To follow Gavin's story, please visit www.savebabygavin.com.

Gratefully,

Samantha Christiansen

24 is here!

Well, the new 24 is here and I just sat through the first 2 hours. I warned hubby that I will be unavailable except for emergency's from 7-9 pm and I even got the kids down to bed with 3 minutes to spare!!! Yipee!!!I have to say, I don't know if I'm tired tonight or Jack is just getting a little too predictable. Of course I love 24 and will watch every episode and all of the reruns I can find on cable. Channel 9 in Chicago has them on regularly for my 24 fix. It just seems like how many bombings and how many presidents are we going to have? And how did Wayne get to be president?
All right, I must just be tired and I'll be perched on the edge of the sofa tomorrow at 7 pm for another 2 hours.

My Thinking Spot

Just like Pooh Bear- my daughter needs a thinking spot. I found her climbing into the small cupboard that has my rags in the utility room. She said it's a quiet spot and she likes to go in there when the wash machine is on.
We all need a place to get away and I'm glad she found hers.

It's 3 am, what are you doing?

Well, this 3 am and the kids are having a party. Actually my son woke up and couldn't sleep who in turn woke up my daughter and their playing woke up the dog who woke me up and now after getting everyone settled, I'm the one who can't sleep.
Good thing I have nothing scheduled for tomorrow. It's going to be a sleepy day.

The world will stop until you do.

I'm sitting here in my sons bedroom while I wait for him to clean feces off of a bookshelf. He just had a rage with hitting, spitting and kicking. Not a good day. He refuses to clean but he knows the mantra "The world stops until you do" No playing, no music, TV, bike or computer until the job is done. He swirls the sponge around in the bucket, rage filled eyes and I ignore him. He may throw the bucket, he might spill it but he knows I'll just get another one. He also knows not to say the bucket is too heavy since I will only add water to it. Wait, he is finally washing.
"Done!" he says, but I ignore him. "I'm Doooooone!!!!!" I ignore. "Mom, I'm done now with washing." OK, I look. "That's done, please start removing the crayons marks from the walls." I sit and write. I see that the sponge isn't working on the crayon so I send him downstairs to get the Magic Eraser."Ok, put your blinders on" and he places his hands on either side of his eyes. "Blinders on, run and get the Magic Eraser from under the sink, no distractions, no talking to your sister or dad, just run."
Wow, he's back in less than a minute and back to scrubbing walls. "See mom, it's working" His eyes are soft and he smiles. The rage is over. He'll finish his task and we will have weathered another post adoption attachment storm.

Happy Birthday Bailey!

Today is our dog Bailey's 9th birthday. The children wanted to have a party and Maria made cookies for him in the Easy Bake Oven and he had a special treat.

He may be the stinkiest dog I know and shed a lot but just like Old Yeller he's the root'n toot'nest dog in town!

Mommy Time for Free!

I want to announce that Mommy Time registration is now free!
I really want any mom who needs us to register and I don't want cost to be an obstacle. Now that we are advertising regularly, I can use the advertising revenue to offset the cost of the site. So, please patronize our advertisers. Order merchandise through the site, visit the directory or advertise in the directory and then choose these businesses and help me keep the site free.

What kind of mom I am.

I saw a Google ad stating "What kind of mom are you? and I had to respond.
Like all moms, I wish I was a better mom. When we adopted our children, I thought because I was in my 40's I would be more patient and laid back. I don't think so. I work hard to be patient. My husband and I never yell or shout at each other but I sometimes shout at the children and wonder where that voice came from.
I am an affectionate mom. We cuddle and kiss a lot.
I am a cooking mom. We love to cook and we spend most of our time in the kitchen.
I am a reading mom. I love to read and I want my children to understand the gift of reading.
I am a gardening mom and I want my children to love and appreciate nature.
I am a firm but kind mom and I believe in disciple and consequences.
I am a Catholic mom and I want my children to have a strong faith filled life.
I want my children to care for the least of our neighbors and see God in everyone.
I want my children to be well educated, smart and useful but I would rather they be the best garbage collector than a thieving CEO.
I want my children to have love of a family to help them and as a mom I try to show an example of a loving family.

Back to school.

Back to school for the kids today. My daughter is happy, excited and eager to resume school and learning. My son was complaining, negotiating and asking to stay home. After school it looks like my son may need a few days to adjust to the school routine again. He was distressed and complained about the noise levels. I think noise triggers anxiety for him and he just can't function. A lot of cuddles and a quiet night and he looks much better. We've been trying the Meletonin at night and it really works to relax him and allow him to sleep. And no night terrors.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all. We are house cleaning, organizing tax info, Ouch! and playing outside. Such unseasonable weather and sun even has hubby smiling:)

Too many toys?

My daughter had a friend over today for a play date. Her friend asked where all of her toys were. I explained that we get rid of the old toys and try to keep the ones that are played with. She said she has rooms full of toys and she probably does have a lot. Why do kids have so many toys? When I asked what she got from Christmas she couldn't remember and my children really can't answer this question either.
When I was a child and returned to school after Christmas vacation we shared what we got for Christmas. Everyone said what they got and it was usually one big thing and a few little things including socks and underwear. I remember my Easy Bake Oven. I got it the Christmas we lived in Aurora, IL. It was a great gift. But that was my gift. My children received about 10 things each. I know it's my fault, maybe we just are too indulgent or maybe we just have more to spend. But it seem that children are used to getting "stuff'" almost everyday. McDonald's gives them a toy, Cost Cutters or the barber shop gives them a small toy or candy, the bank gives them stickers. Hey, these kids are used to it.

Learning to use the computer

As a mom who grew up before computers, I find it fascinating to see my children catch on to computer use so quickly. My daughter just turned 5 yet she is navigating her way around with a mouse and learning techniques it took me a long time to learn.

Reflections on Christmas

Well, the holidays are just about over. New Years has no appeal for me. It's a great holiday if you're single but I don't and can't stay up late enough to enjoy the party.
I'll probably take the tree down tomorrow. I love to get an early Christmas tree but a few days after Christmas Day I want it down, the decorations packed away and my living room cleaned. It will take months to get the fir needles out of the room. Just when you think they're gone in March or April and - move the sofa and find some more.
The kids are happy with what Santa brought them. Hubby is happy and I am happy. The family visits were lovely. Everyone ate too much- even me and as a diabetic I have to be really careful. I even slipped a bit and my sugars are a little high. Oh well, Christmas cookies are only around once a year and I had to try a couple.
I'm keeping up with the morning class for the kids. We started again today. I don't want them to have off 10 days and not write their names or have any counting or math. I'm trying to keep it fun and besides, they don't look at it as real school anyway so they both enjoy the routine.

Merry Christmas!

To everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

First day of Christmas vacation!!!

Well, it's the first day of Christmas vacation for the children. We baked gingerbread for a gingerbread house, watched a little of the movies, "A Christmas Carol "and "It's a Wonderful Life". The kids told us the first movie was too creepy and the second is too boring. No snow this Christmas, just cold rain, rain, rain. The kids went out to play and we had a silly muddy mess.
It's now time for sweet tea and cookies.