WARNING: loud background music..

We had a great weekend... I wasn't going to do Easter baskets because everything is insanely overpriced... but on a trip to my favorite thrift store, I found all Easter merch half off. I got 3 baskets, easter grass, eggs and large stuffed bunnies. 4 bucks. Because I am awesome.

Then I skipped church. On Easter. I'm like the opposite of the holiday churchgoer. But, I went last night. See, here's the deal. No disrespect whatsoever to IHOP. But Sunday morning services around here are so white. Like Whitey McWhiterson and the Cracker Band. WHITE. No soul. So a couple of weeks ago, when I tuned into the Sunday evening webcast here (we'll see if that link works), I saw soul. Eddie James is an amazing worship leader... and they were having CHURCH, y'all. So finally last night we went and it was so refreshing. I probably woulda got my dance on if I wasn't holding babies and wearing cowboy boots. I'll know better next time. So that's my new church. I go to night church with all the college students. Because I need less white in my life.

New pix going up momentarily over at http://www.clarkfamilypix.blogspot.com


Oh, and Richy got his first real royalty check from a guy who recorded You are Holy... I'm so proud of him!

Not a pleasant subject, folks.
I don't like bathroom humor, and I try not to talk bathroom subjects at all... but COME ON ENOUGH ALREADY.
The babies, to put it delicately, .... there is no way to put it delicately. Sick tummies and yucky diapers and soaked clothes and waking up to get thrown in the tub and all the clothes thrown in the washer... ugh. I hope we're through with this bug or virus or whatever, so I can bleach my arms and hands and get on with my life.
Anyways, I wish I had a more pithy or relevant blog subject. But this is what my life has been consisting of to a great extent.

Toby is keeping the scream alive. He accidentally locked himself in his room a minute ago... I just let it be for a couple of minutes before I rescued him.

bright
smiles and blue eyes

brynn means hopeful, you know
you remind me every day

deep
my heart aches over you
tiny one, my baby girl

you bring joy
in countless ways
and you aren't even trying

you are beauty and song
we celebrate you
with kisses and nicknames
and the ocassional piledrive from a brother

feminine
your rosebud lips and dainty charm
tiny fingers and fingernails always reaching

happy 1st year, let's have a hundred more
mommy

Well, it's finally snowing. Glorious. I went out on the porch last night and let myself get snowed on. Oh, and I took pictures of myself. No TV needed. I am a one man show.

Toby is a determined, independent, persuasive and persistent person. He has strong convictions and is not easily swayed. He is passionate about the things that he loves, willing to fight for what he feels is right, or rightly his. That sounds pretty good. If I make it through the next 18 years, he is going to be a DOOZY of an adult. Actually, saying it that way gives me a little perspective. Maybe when he wakes up from his nap, he won't frazzle me so much.

I am officially lonely. I don't want to make new friends, I don't like them. I want my old friends. Okay, fine. I'll make new friends. But sheesh... how do you make friends when you have three little kids? Maybe other people with little kids... sheesh.

I don't want to think about it today. I'll think about that tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I am supposed to be having a date by myself tomorrow, to spend my grand and highly exalted Barnes and Noble card. We shall see.


Beautiful..phone books in the snow

OH- and go check out the new Radiant Worship Blog!

No blog today. My brain is fried from children.

Toby and I went to the library today. I made it about 1/4 of the way through the fiction section... and what a workout! He is nuts. He had the greatest time of his life running through the racks. I didn't have quite as much fun, but at least I got out of the house.
Speaking of the house, if you didn't see the house tour, go watch it. On yesterday's post. I'll wait.




Okay, cute little house, eh? I am going to be putting photos and videos up as time allows on my photobucket account here.

In other news, we drive to Cincinnati tomorrow night... we are attempting to make the drive easier for R2, so we're leaving late afternoon so most of our drive will be in the dark. Then Saturday is the Call Cincinnati (look at the spelling of Cincinnati.. not what I thought) and then Sunday we drive back to KC. And maybe, if we figure it out and finances permitting, we take the crew to the Veggie Tales movie which is going to ROCK.

And that's all for today, folks.

except for this gratuitous cuteness.

My mom is so great. She gave me an apple. It's cold. I think I should tell her it's cold. It's cold. It's cold. It's cold!! It's COOOOOLLLLLDDDD!
She said it's cold back to me! YESSSS.
An apple is kind of like a ball. A ball. Ball. Appo. Ball. Appo. I will throw it. WOW!
Mmm. Appo.
Where did she go? I will go stand by her arm and eat my apple. She probably misses me all the way across the room. I will touch her arm. Feel my hands, they're wet and cold and sticky. COLD!
Uh-oh... choking a little. I need to cough. WOW! My apple chunks landed on Mommy! WOW! I will cough some more. FUN! Now, I think I will walk around dropping little bites of apple on the floor everywhere from my mouth. Bite. Appo. Wow. Table? No. No table.

Hmm. Basically done here. I will gently set my apple on the carpet in a corner of Mommy's room. Yes, there. There is good. Now! Time to go pull all of the paper out of the printer. WOW!

Look at the prettiness! And all that strange white substance on the ground! So we filled out all the paperwork, me signing things and scanning and emailing them, and he hobbling about in KC with his crutch and ICE STORMS. 21 degrees. What will become of me?

I am not ready to move. Not emotionally, no. But that will probably never happen. I mean, physically. I have all this stuff and nothing packed. Deja vu? Me too. I guess I'll start getting rid of stuff. Again.

If we get approved for this house then I can start ordering services and change our address and such. Wowzer.

The MOG is flying to Kansas City this weekend to look at some houses... I was supposed to have like 10 scheduled but when it's all said and done there's only 4 appointments. Sheesh.

And all of them have redeeming qualities, and are not exactly what we're looking for.
Hopefully either we hit the jackpot with one of these or somebody shows him some non-listed houses while he's there. This is a little scary.

I didn't blog today... because I was a) busy and b) lazy. All congruent. Anyhoo.

Oh, and recovering. Because yesterday I took all the kidlets to Houston for R2's neurologist appointment. 45 minutes there, nearly 3 hours in the doctor's office, and an hour home. I need a vacation. Here's a little glimpse.

then today, I climbed in the dumpster (twice) to retrieve a cash gift card someone had accidentally thrown away, and then the letter with the activation code... I then defied the tacit order to skip Christmas and bought a tree, by myself, brought it home and set it up by myself. Because I am hardcore. And it's CHRISTMAS.

Smartypants wants to answer YOUR holiday tradition and etiquette questions! Make her day.

Toby is now taking a nap. I don't understand why I hear drums... but he is in his room with the door closed and I am not asking questions.

We are moving in a month. A month from yesterday, actually. Do you know... I have never lived away from my family. All my siblings have, at some point, but me, never. This is going to be weird. And I hope it's not incredibly lonely and sad.
You see, Yablonskis are in each other's business. It's not so much like you have your life and I have mine... unless you want it that way. And even then, somebody is going to know what you're up to or see your picture in the paper and then all the family will discuss your doings amongst themselves. But if it makes that family member feel better, whatever. Anyways. My point is, we're a close family. Different close than we used to be, but still close. What will that be like when I am in Missouri, of all places? I barely even consider Missouri a state.

Here's a blogsite I'm considering moving to. Go try it out. http://www.yablonski.wordpress.com

these posts have been consistently late... so, not coincidentally, has naptime.

This is what I resorted to yesterday...












Today, I attached one of these...point, game, me.











Christmas begins December 1st... I am looking forward to decorating this tiny little apartment. Some people in this marriage are not so Christmassy... I won't name names. SOME people even suggested strongly that there would be no tree in this apartment. Scoff! Scoff! I scoff at Scrooge. There will be a tree. And it will be glorious. PLUS, I have a fireplace, where I will hang the stockings with care! Oh! I need new stockings! And OH Boy eggnog!

I'm into Christmas. It is SO on.

The park was a big hit. We're going again today... glorious cold weather means NO bugs! Which means I can go outdoors! For a little while, anyway. I don't care for the outdoors. A nice book and a window, I'm good.
Why no pictures of Toby's adorable little face, maybe you're asking. Because Toby in motion has no time for the paparazzi.

Sometimes, in the morning, I am thinking about everything I have to get done. And the pressure, it gets to me, man. I start making lists, and wasting time... I need a manager. But the only guy who has applied is a perfectionist. Luckily, lately he's been geeking out on his iPhone so much, I am getting away with it. But I have to figure out how to fit 3 lives into this one. Plus the literal 3 people who have to be fed and so on. The pressure, man.

from yer mama (VKG): My dear sweet babies............

Where has the time gone? Just yesterday we were wall to wall cribs stumbling over each other. 9:50 my little "Indian" arrived followed 40 minutes later by my "pale face".......Your father gave you these little nicknames. Richy.....you were so red.....and loud ...and you had a black eye. Joke was you and your brother were fighting over who would get out first.....My little Bobby was pale and white and so quiet....and peaceful.........We were all so young........I am so very proud of the wonderful men you have become. I see you playing with your children now, and I gaze with awe..
God has done a mighty work in each of you.........and HE raised you up.....in spite of all the obstacles and struggles and hugs and kisses and tumbles and disappointments...................God kept His hand on you both...He never left your side.........He had His eye on you two every second.... .........you both have grown up to be fine young men and I am proud and honored to be your mother.....You turned out exactly how God intended.......My dear sweet babies who loved it when Mommy sang to them..and thought it sounded so beautiful.......are now wonderful husbands and fathers .....who now know the truth........and love me anyway.

Anonymous said...
Mrs. SP,
Is it really possible to love someone, but not like them?
No Love Louie
Of course this is possible. In the words of that immortal bard, William Shakespeare, " What wretched passion is this, this vile love of one I despise?" Or something along those lines.

Anonymous said...
Dear Mrs. SP,
When will I find my soulmate?
Soulless in San Diego
Your soulmate? I would check the Star Trek convention circuit and area laundromats.

Anonymous said...
How do you know when you have found "the one?"
Look for one with a strong fruity fragrance, a tough rind and no discoloration. Don't squeeze it, just press gently to determine firmness.

Anonymous said...
At what age should bed wetting stop? I worried...
Pee Peeing in Pasadena
The fact that you are capable of navigating the internet and asking this question is of some concern to this reporter.

In other news, today is Richy's birthday. I bought him the only thing he wanted... an iPhone. This is birthday and Christmas... his geeky little heart is singing. It is a phone, a computer, an iPod, etc, etc. It's cool. But it makes my head hurt. Am I futuristic enough by just having a cell phone? I don't even want one of those Cyborg ear pod things... sorry Nate. But they're weird. Just a cool little cell phone that makes calls, texts, takes pictures. I'm good.

Richy is 30. And, you won't believe it, but so is Robert.
Happy Happy Birthday!

This one might not make it past your internet filters. (by the way, if you don't have a filter, get one)

Nudity is the topic of the day. Specifically, toddler nudity. Toby has cast off restraint... I cannot keep him clothed. The trouble is, he's not even remotely potty-trained. This morning, he peed on the porch. Which, gotta admit, is better than the carpet. Except for the whole nekky outside thing.


Nekkid breakfast. Perp is nabbed and taken in for booking.









Perp resists arrest, have to apply the squeeze.












Diaper applied backwards for the confusion element.











Snapped into one piece garment, against his will.











Jeans on top, but without rehabilitation.... this kid will be back on the street, peeing, in no time.









Plan: buy a little potty today. Give it a whirl.

If there is ever a forehead shortage in the USA, you know where to look.

---

Today, tomorrow and Friday I have Steph's boys in addition to my trio. So far so good. I mean, yeah, there's been some screaming and hitting. But I'm sure I'll settle down soon.
Joking. Put down the phone.

Kids continually amaze me with their ability to play. R2 has always been more of a sidekick, in that pressed against your side breathing on your neck continual presence kinda sidekick. So Toby always surprises us by being allured by toys. Off he goes. The problem is that any toy being enjoyed becomes an object of desire for all the other boys. So they fight over it and R2 stands kind of nervously back and then later when they are all fighting over the new toy, he sneaks over and gets the old one.
Good things come to those that wait, they say.

Lunch should be fun. I think I'll start now.

Check out a track from the new CD... due in October!



So we've been working on the big boy bed for several days now. Here's how it's going.

Night 1: Never touches the bed. Wailing and gate-rattling and gnashing of teeth until around midnight, when we check on him and find this:



Night 2: A little wailing and such, then quiet. We check, he's got big bags under his eyes, listlessly playing the drums with a shoe. Panic ensues. I put him in my bed. Party time. I put him back in his bed. Panic. And around 1, Richy checks on him and he fell asleep sitting up, so he is laying on his back with legs hanging off the crib.



Night 3: Less wailing, just playing and harassing his brother. I check on him (are you seeing a pattern here?) and he freaks so I go lay in his bed with him. Party time. So I bail and leave my pillow, and 30 minutes later or so... midnight-ish, he is asleep in the bed, laying down. WAHOO!



Last night: not much whining. 9:20 all is quiet. He is asleep on the floor with R2's Spiderman blanket over his face. R2 is wide awake with no blanket. So there you go.



Currently: we're embroiled in a standoff at the baby gate. He has presented his request to forgo his nap in favor of taking knobs off all of Daddy's studio gear. I have rebutted with the request, repeatedly, that he go night-night.



I'm not sure if Brynn is cute. What do you think?