Oh Jolly Man in the Red Suit.....

Dear Santa,

My wish this year is both personal and for the world.  First, I want my kids to be happy and healthy as well as successful in their education.  Second, I would love to see less hurt, losses, and a lot more love all around.  I have had a lot of friends this year lose those they love, and have suffered loss of jobs, and other forms of heartache.  We need more brotherhood/sisterhood in this world, and I pray that we can all gain this in the coming year.

Now, onto my personal list.....

My van need to be detailed inside and out for two very important reasons....oh I love my kiddos lol

i just absolutely LOVE this type of dining table.  

I need a new microwave stand to house my Keurig (sorry Sara) and K-Cups

But, more practical and convenient, I would like gift cards to the following establishments:

Target, Walmart, Olive Garden, Amazon (kindle), and famous footwear.

Now for my Doctor items....I am a hoodie junkie, so of course i NEED a Doctor Who Hoodie

My Doctor is 10 (David Tennent) and this iPhone 4s case would be bloody brilliant to have.

And of course just about anything 10 would be ideal.

With that, I bid you all a great day, and a wonderful upcoming Holiday season.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

My Other Job

Not only am I a part time employee at a big box hardware store, but I am also a Gold Canyon Home Fragrances Consultant.  It is the holiday time here at GC, and SO many yummy smells, and accessories for your home to decorate with.  You can visit my website here and window shop or even shop away.  Feel free to check out the sales tab as well as the gone but not forgotten section.

So, now let me tell you about a very cool opportunity for you to get a 26oz Fresh Orange Gold Canyon double wick candle.  It is very easy to enter.  Go to my sister's page, and follow Fluffimama and enter in the provided section.  She is a great mom, crafter, idea extravagant, and a lover of Doctor 10 (swoon).

Enjoy both links, and I hope that you win.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

The Small Wonders That Mean A Lot

I have been wondering for a week or so now if Ginger has diabetes or not.  It does run in the family on both sides.  More closely..her father has it.  Her symptoms are as follows:

Sweet breath

when she drinks, it is a lot

gets moody, and moody about being moody (could be a ginger thing too)

she does have blah moments too on a daily basis.

While at the local high school football game this evening, I ran into our family doctor (which was a HUGE relief).  I told him my concern, and he does not think that she has it.  He stated that if she did, she would be pretty sickly looking.  I do trust him, but I pray harder that he is correct.  Monday is our day to go in and get her well child check up, and to test for diabetes.  I know it is not the end of the world if she does, but for her not to have it would be a HUGE blessing.  

I did tell Ginger though this evening my concern for her.  She took it extremely well.  Of course, she hopes that she does not have it because she doesn't want to have to test her blood like her dad.  One day at a time, and even one moment at a time.  One more hurdle that I know we can get over.

Until Laterz,

Insomnamom

Just Thoughts

They say that your heart is an open book, live and let live.  Well, something like that LOL.  Anywho, my dream last night was about being back with some peeps that I love with all of my heart and that I miss on a daily basis.  One of which has had my heart for longer than should be.  I see them every year for a short time, and then I wait eight whole months for their return again.  I know the time is ticking in when I will not see them anymore.  So, I try to live and let live, but it is not without struggle.

Secondly, here I sit with a degree in Early Childhood Education, and no job in that field to show for it.  My current job has me on a roller coaster of hours and no REAL answer as to why it is that way.  I look for work in my degree, and everything is full thus far.  I long to work with children, especially those with autism, (working on my bachelor's degree for that), and to feel fulfilled in life.  The feeling as I was going to punch out for the day was the feeling that my time was limited there.  Not because of getting let go, but because I feel that it is my time to get out of there.  I pray that I am right about those feelings.  Being trapped in a position that you know is not what you are supposed to be doing is not fun.

So, now I sit here and cry before Mr. Twister gets home from school, since I do not want to worry him about mom any more than he already does.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Following in my footsteps

Having kids has been such a joy.  I brought them into the world without any expectations for sports and activities that they should do.  I let them be themselves and adventure in what they want to do.  Let me just say how proud I am of them.  Their activities and sports that they have chosen on their own is such a joy to be able to watch.  I played junior high basketball for two years and had a blast.  I never made any points, but I had a blast.  My son LOVES basketball and will be playing in a week and a half for his 7th grade school.  My daughter, just signed up to do skills and drills basketball and is loving it.  She stated today that it is getting easier.  I feel as if I am reliving my childhood through them.  I just sit back and watch, and give them comforting words if things go wrong, and of course all sorts of praise when they do well.  I never will critique my children or talk down to them.  I always tell them how proud I am of them for giving it their best effort.  I have to admit, for both of my children to want to play basketball I am doing the Jig inside =)

Whether or not your kids are athletic or book worms, cheer them on and be proud of all that they do.

Until Laterz,
Insmomnamom

a sick ginger is not a happy ginger

At 5am this morning Ginger came to me saying that she just threw up for the second time within three hours.  Her temp was at 101.7, and her throat hurt too.  She wanted to wait until her brother was up for school until she went to the ER.  Once at the ER, they wanted to do a throat culture on her to check for strep.  The only way I can describe how the nurses and I tried to manipulate Ginger, and coax her into letting us get this culture done is to give you a visual of having to open a jar of pickles.  You move yourself into various positions, try different tactics, and then you forcefully, but nicely tell it to open.  She finally did open her mouth enough to get a culture done, which did come back positive for strep =(

Here is my list of feel better stuff for my little ginger:
Amoxicilin
Anti nausea meds
A white tiger hat (the one that looks like the animal and the sides hang down)
baked potatoes
broccoli cheddar soup (her dinner request with the potatoes)
applesauce
bananas
ginger ale
sprite
water
powerade
and of course A LOT of TLC from momma

So, come on meds and old fashioned TLC and care do your thing.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Oh yes...it HAS started

Yesterday, I found myself EXTREMELY giddy that I could actually take advantage of the Walmart layaway a few days early.  So, while the Bear/Packer game was on, I ventured out and could not wait to load up my cart full of stuff for my kiddos to put under the tree.  Got my hands on the cart and started to sing Christmas carols in my head, ( cause singing them out loud might get me a few strange looks).  I head straight for the electronic section to pre pick what I wanted to get before my layaway venture would end.  I then proceeded to the toy section with pride and anticipation.  With pride and anticipation....with...SIGH!!!  You know that moment in a parents life when you realize that your babies, aren't really "babies" anymore.  Yea...I had that happen to me last night.  I got Mr. Twister a Lego city truck, and Ginger a Razor Scooter from the toy section.  Usually, I have about a half a cart full just from the toy section alone.  Sigh...  Then I went back to the electronic section and looked long and hard for the video games that they would love to play.  Mr. Twister got Harry Potter: Years 5-7, and Captain America.  Ginger got Zuma's Revenge ( a facebook game that we both love), and Mario Tennis.

With far less enthusiasm that I had going into the store, I trekked off to the layaway counter, with a nearly empty cart.  Good thing is, I can add onto the layaway as more new items come to the shelves as the Holiday's come more and more near.  In addition, we can add small appliances this year to the layaway if we wish, so I am contemplating a deep fryer and the soda maker machine.  

So, my fellow parents with little lads and lasses, enjoy them young, because sooner or later, all those toys that they love to play with now, will come far and fewer between, and you yourself will find yourself with not such a great Christmas cart.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

11 years ago to the day....how i remember it

I had just woke up since my three day old wanted to be fed and changed.  my two and a half year old toddler was running around without a care in the world.  As I happily sat down on the couch and turned on the TV holding my little Ginger, I could not believe what I was seeing or hearing.  I was trying to grasp at this reality that I was seeing.  Then, the second plane hit.  I got chills, sobs, and just wanting to hold what was near and dear to me...my newborn daughter, and my two and a half year old son.  My son just wanted to be a kid, so I just held my daughter a lot closer at the moment.  Once I composed myself a bit, I called my parents to tell them what was going on.  My dad thought it was a movie at first, then realized the realness at what he was seeing.  Then I called to see if my sister was okay at school and to see if they were releasing them early.  I knew she was safe, but yet had my reservations.  As much as I wanted to go on with life, I could not tear myself away from the TV.  I wanted to know why, and who would do this to the USA.  Then, hours later we found out.  I was sick knowing that we were attacked by outsiders, and could not wait for us to get the people that did this to us.  Watching the events fold out throughout the coming days, I felt a sense of pride seeing that we had become a United Nation since strangers were helping strangers, families helping families, and states coming to where the help was needed most.  We were a BIG family on that day, and months afterward.  Now, here we are 11 years later, and I feel that we are not as united as we were on that fateful day.  This makes me sad.  Our forefathers wanted us to be United in these States of America for a reason.  WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER!!  As I posted earlier this evening, I have a light on my porch in honor of those who have fallen eleven years ago, and for the families who have lost their loved ones.  I pray that each of you will join me in doing this tonight.  It is not too late to do this.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Shine a light for 9/11

It is that simple. I urge you all to go outside right now and shine anything that lights up into the night sky. Let us all remember the victims and their families of this tragic event that happened 11 years ago to the day.

Until laterz,
Insomnamom

Effects of Insomnamom

Here I thought that the kids going back to school would provide nice sleeping moments for myself.  How wrong was I.  I wake up thinking if my son will be okay on the bus and at school.  Of course he is, but my brain won't be quiet at all.  Then of course there is the never ending battle with my bladder.  I want to sleep, but it thinks it is time for me to get up and take care of it.  How selfish can it get???  The other night, that battle came about again, and this time it had me wide awake for a bit.  So, I hopped onto Facebook, just to glance and see if there was anything new.  Apparently, a friend saw that I was on and we text each other for about a half an hour, which I am not complaining about.  We hardly talk while he is traveling on the road, so anytime I hear from him I am happy to talk to him, no matter the time of day or night.  I will be seeing him for quite possibly the last time for a long time, or even ever.  Yes, through the power of technology we will keep in touch, but it will not be the same.  This has been on my mind as well, and is the cause of my insomnia this week as well.  He has had my heart for quite sometime, not sure if he even realizes it.  If nothing else, I have the best friend that a woman could ever ask for.  So, on Sunday, I will give him a hug, tell him I love him, and say see ya later, even if later never comes.

So, to you, I say as always,

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

13 hours and 13 minutes....

That is what Ginger just told me it was until they had to wake up for their first day of school.  7th grade and 5th grade this year.  There will be tears, hugs, holding onto and not wanting to let go, all by my doing.  It just seems like yesterday that they were toddlers wreaking havoc in the house.  Now they are big kids wreaking havoc in the house.  Ginger's teacher will be going on maternity leave any moment due to the stature of her pregnancy.  Mr. Twister has a whole new set of teachers for 7th grade, including his special ed teacher.  We have met him, and they have seem to have bonded already, which is a HUGE relief.  He also knows quite a few teachers from last year for his home ec/technology classes.  In addition, the new computers teacher at his school, is his old one from his grade school.  Which means that Ginger will not have her this year to which she says.. =(   Tomorrow should be fun to hear all about their day, and to have them do their homework right away instead of procrastinating until later on when they will be VERY tired.  Expect to see pictures of the day tomorrow, and how I survived the quietness of the house, and how they survived their first day of school.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Proud of my Little Ham

We just got home from my daughter, Ginger, from talking to her principal about her fifth grade class to go to the Brewers game next year.  It has been a school tradition for many years at her school, except for last year.  Last year the fifth grade class went roller skating which is a far cry from going to the ballgame.  A lot of kids were sad that they did not get to go.  My daughter does not want this to happen to her class this year.  So, Ginger got all dressed up and looked professional, had her game face on, and presented her plan to her principal.  Her principal loved her ideas, and even gave her a few more ideas and a game plan to present this to her teachers and fellow students.  She is determined enough to not let this fail.  I am very proud of her and I cannot wait to see her shine this year, and make this dream come true for her entire class.


Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Tomorrow is the BIG day!!

After I hit submit on my final paper, I will be the proud owner of an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education.  I have been an online student for the past two years, and I really did not think that I had the discipline for it.  I have made the Dean's List every time while in school, which that is an amazement in itself.  Then, after that, I have to concentrate on getting my kids ready for school that starts next week on the 4th.  We have Mr. Twister's open house on Tuesday night, followed by Ginger's on Thursday night.  My daughter got a letter in the mail from her new teacher which really helped the "getting to know you" stage.  She has wrote a letter back to her teacher which we will be putting in the mail today.  A plus to Mr. Twister's open house on Tuesday is that he can put ALL of his supplies in his locker.  For a PDD-NOS child, this is HUGE.  I can actually help him organize and come up with a game plan as to how things will run smoothly.  At least that is the plan.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Is it Just Me OR........

Is it just me or....does it seem that society forgets how to say, "excuse me"

Is it just me or....does it seem that manners are off in the deep part of the ocean

Is it just me or....does anyone seem invisible when going to the store. (meaning that noone seems to know that you are behind them and move at slower than a snails pace, or take up the WHOLE aisle)

Is it just me or....does the schools seem to have weird rules these days.  SOOO much different then when i was a kid.

Is it just me or....are teenagers more "i don't care" than a few years ago

Just a few things that crossed my mind while I was at work today and at the grocery store.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

P.S.  Thank you for reading my blog =)

T-minus Four Days and Counting

I have been an online college student for about two years now.  Monday, after I submit my final paper, I will be the proud owner of an associates degree.  The online college that I attend is a bunch of five week courses that I take back, to back, to back, to...well... you get the idea.  We have Thanksgiving Day off, and two weeks for Christmas break.  That is all the time off that we have.  My brain is tired, my fingers are worn out, but it was SO well worth it.  My kids have been my motivation to obtain my degree and not slack off.  They know when my homework days are and constantly ask me if I have homework to do.  Gee, this seems awfully familiar...hmmm where have I heard this before?  Actually, I have appreciated them echoing my words to them, it means that they get it, at least I pray that they do.  Next week, I hope to travel to where my college is and take photos with them and show them where mom really does go to school.  Starting on Tuesday  this Insomnamom is taking a four day vacation away from work, and school, and just hanging out with my children and enjoying some fresh oxygen without being stuck in front of a virtual college for hours on end.  I am 36 years old, and I hope that I can encourage some of you to go back to school because it is never to late to get your degree.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Date Day With my Daughter

My daughter Ginger is a Junior Girl Scout and she had some cookie dough money that she wanted to spend at the counsel store. So, we took the half hour trip so she could bye some goodies.

Here she is with her bag that she bought and holding our pager for our table at Olive Garden. She got freaked out when it went off. It was HILLARIOUS!!

We had a really fun time just hanging out together. I encourage more parents to do this with your children. One on one time means the WORLD to them.

This was pretty cool on our road trip too.

My Little Ham

This is my Ginger daughter today.  Almost 11 years old. I cannot believe it.  She was due towards the end of September, but she came into my world three days before the tragic events of September 11th.  Unlike her brother, Mr. Twister, pregnancy and birth with her was VERY painful.  Back aches, hard contractions, and other things made me swear off of having another child.  But, once I saw that cute little face, I had forgotten ALL of the pain that I was in.  She was born happy and healthy and just over seven pounds being two weeks early.  This little Ginger has held up to the stereotype that follows redheaded people.  I really do not think that their is enough duct tape in this world that can hold her down.  When she is mad or upset about something, she WILL let you know about it.  She is an NT child and has really excelled at school.  She even wants to learn her 7th grade brothers work, which really annoys him.  She loves to act, sing, and just be the center of attention.  I remember there was a time when she was around two years old that she was standing on top of a plastic play table and she was just bopping up and down.  I was not thinking the stage for her, but another profession and was saying, "Oh PLEASE no!!"  I am relieved that she LOVES being on stage and doing awesome work no matter what her role is.  She will be entering the 5th grade in a week and a half.  It makes me sad that my baby is growing up so quickly in front of my eyes.  Yet, I am enjoying watching her grow into a wonderful, and beautiful young lady.

Until Laterz,

Insomnamom

Another Grandma Recipe

Grandma's Mashed potatoes

One package of cream cheese (low fat or reg is fine)
Small tub of sour cream
Instant potatoes (you can use normal potatoes but it doesn't taste the same)
A few good dashes of garlic powder

Boil enough water for the largest amount on the potato package printed. Do not add butter. Once the water boils add the spuds and stir. Mixture should be thick. Then add your softened cream cheese and sour cream and mix well. Sprinkle in your garlic powder to taste and serve. You can place in the oven in a baking dish at 350 for 35 mins too.

Enjoy!!

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

My blog was nominated for a Liebster Award

                                 
What is a Liebster Award, you ask? 

The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It's given to up and coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.  It's a way to acknowledge and encourage each other, and its a great way to spread the word about smaller blogs who deserve a larger audience.  

Here's what I (the recipient) have to do:

1) Each person must list 11 things about themselves.

2) Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you PLUS you MUST create 11 questions of your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award.

3) Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.

4) Go to their pages and inform them of the nominations.

5) Absolutely NO tag backs.

6) Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers 

Here are my 11 questions:

1. Pickles: Sour or sweet? Sweet of course
2. Favorite movie of all time? Has to be One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
3. Handsdown best comfort food ever?  Oh golly..hmmmm....Chocolate!!!!
4. Favorite crayon color?  Red, like there is another...psh
5. Digital or print photography?  I am a HUGE lover of digital
6. Early bird or night owl?  lately night owl (hence the name lol)
7. Coffee or tea?  Tea, Chai, Sweet tea. oh yea
8. Curl up with a good book, or a movie?  Give me a movie please
9. What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?   The airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow is roughly 11 meters per second, or 24 miles per hour, beating its wings 7-9 times per second (rather than 43).
10. Is 3.14 was really a pie, what flavor would it be?  Apple or Blueberry Crumb
11. Doctor Who?  only if it is 10. LOVE me some David Tennent 

Here are my nominees:

A little bit Autistic
Sociology Graduate with PDD-NOS
Autism Family Adventures

And my questions for my nominees are:

1) What is your favorite thing to do when the kids go to bed?
2) Favorite book?
3) Where would you love to go on vacation?
4) If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
5) Hamburgers or hot dogs?
6) The next person to stare at your child what would you say to them?
7) Where is your place to get away on your own?
8) Favorite TV show?
9) Paper or Plastic?
10) Should therapy for Autistic Children be mandatory at any age?

Congrats and happy blogging.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Life With My Son Thus Far

So, this is Mr. Twister today.  A bright and wonderful 13 year old little man.  He was born happy, healthy, a bit jaundice, and right on time.  He was the perfect first baby that a mother could ask for.  A very easy pregnancy and birth.  As he was growing and getting to know his environment, me being a young and not very educated as to how things should go with babies, thought that my son was just being a boy and not hitting the milestones as he should.  I was very truthful to the doctors about what he was doing and not doing, but no one ever suggested to see a specialist or other doctors.  I heard that he would be a basketball player one time since he was high in that percentile.  I took him to his kindergarten screening and they said he was not ready yet and that he should go into an ECE program.  He got through the program with flying colors and his teachers just loved him.  In kindergarten his teacher was wondering why he would not play with his peers and asked if he had friends to play with.  I told him that he had access to the kids in his church program where we went to, but not many kids in the neighborhood.  It wasn't until his second half of fifth grade when his teacher and a bunch of others and I had got together to have a meeting about his inability to focus.  I was very upset at the thought that they wanted him on meds.  This actually turned to be a blessing in disguise.  We went to his family doctor and he recommended a WONDERFUL child psychiatrist.  In ONE meeting he not only knew that my son did have ADHD, but also asked me what I thought about Autism as a diagnosis.  I immediately started to cry and asked if I could hug the doctor.  He stated that my son was on the spectrum as PDD-NOS.  He was floored that the Children's Hospital here diagnosed him wrong as having mild mental retardation.  So, then it was off to another facility to firmly have the diagnosis, which of course it was.  I cried to much again since we finally had the diagnosis that I had known for a few years since doing my research on my own.  Then the shoe dropped.  My son was almost twelve and the cut off for in home therapy was age 8 in my state.  SIGH AND DOUBLE GRR!!  The only thing that stopped me from really getting upset was his progress in the school that he was in from kindergarten.  He went from being quiet and in a shell, to a talkative and interactive little dude.  So, in a nutshell, this is the story of Mr. Twister thus far.  I cannot wait to see what these years of his life will bring.

Until Laterz,
Insomnamom

Memories.....

When I was growing up I remember going to my grandma's for the holidays.  She would have such a wonderful spread from the appetizers to the desert.  The appetizers always consisted of chips, bugles, and her onion dip.  The other day while at the store I heard someone say that they wish they had the recipe to their families special onion dip, but I guess french onion will do.  This made me smile and think, "betcha I know what it is."  To you my readers, here is what it is:

My Grandma's Dip

One 16oz Sour Cream container (light or regular is fine)

One package of Lipton Onion Soup mix

Mix until all of the soup mix is blended with the sour cream

Let this chill for three hours then serve with your favorite chip

This is the dip that I would try and beat my dad to while we were at my Grandma's because I wanted to be sure that I would get some.  Now that she is passed on, it is my duty and privilege to make this at every holiday for my family.  Enjoy and happy dipping.

Until Laterz,

Insomnamom

Meet the kiddos

This is Mr. Twister 13 and a half years ago.  I remember holding him and singing "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith in the hospital.  Who knew then that I was holding the reason why I wanted to go back to school and get my degree in Cognitive Studies.  The things that I have learned from him have been immeasurable.  He is such a little man now it is scary.  Just yesterday when he and his sister got into trouble, he tried to reason with me and explain like an adult would as to why they did what they did.  Mr. Twister comes from the nickname that his first grade teacher gave to him since he LOVES the storm chasing world.

This is Ginger my almost 11 year old daughter, well 11 years ago just about.  She was born three days before the tragic event on 9/11.  I will never forget this day.  I had just woke up because Ginger wanted to be fed and changed and I turned on the Today Show and my heart sank.  All of the new mommy emotions where going haywire and my then 2 and a half year old son had not a care in the world and would not let me hold him like I so desperately wanted to.  Now, looking at this picture you might be thinking, "wow, she looks like she wants to punch someone."  Well, I am here to tell you that at the present time she is a blue belt in karate.  She also loves to act and is finishing Willy Wonka, Jr. tonight.  

So, these are my kiddos as I first remember them.  Oh were has the time gone??  

Until Laterz,

Insomnamom

Virgin Blogger no More

Well, here I am a first time ever blogger. I have been inspired to do this by my sister Fluffimama. There is a lot on this very tired mom's mind. I have a 13 year old Autistic son who will very shortly be entering the 7th grade. Then, there is my redheaded almost 11 year old daughter. I also have two wonderful parents who are not as up and around as they used to be. Been a lot of stress lately in my life, but I know that God will not give me anything that I cannot handle. So, for my first blog I will keep this short on account I have chicken baking in the oven for dinner. Have a great day all.


Until Laterz,

Insomnamom