are you kidding me?!?!

it's been a long time....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Over six months. Yikes. I'm terrible at this. So much has been going on I don't even know where to begin! The last six months seem like a blur to me. I'm sitting here trying to remember what all we've done and the only thing that stands out is that we moved last month. I think I've lost all my memory skills. I really cannot remember one thing. You really do lose brain cells with each child.

Speaking of children, mine are doing great! They just started back to school today and only a few tears were shed (by me, of course), so all in all, it was a successful day.

I promise, again, to get better at being more consistent but for now, I'll just ask that if you're reading this, you'll say a prayer for my brother in law, Bram and his family. Bram is 43 and suffered a stroke last week. He is in rehab, but has a long road ahead of him.

Thanks. Peace.

just updating...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:07:00 +0000

nothing is going on. no news to report. Sorry.

sick and sicker...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:12:00 +0000

So the past week has been nothing but illness in our household. Fun, fun, fun. Especially when I'm working a new(er) job and really shouldn't be missing so much work. But, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

Last week, Princess K had tonsillitis, Little Prince had sinus infection followed by NASTY cough and now I have some nasty virus that the doc says will linger for about two weeks. It starts with sinus congestion and pressure, combines some coughing and follows up with diarrhea. Fun, huh? So, I've missed work the past three days, am going stir crazy and am sick of laying around. Going in tomorrow, no matter what.

Anyways, enough of that, how have you all been???????

happy new year....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:20:00 +0000

Yes, I know! We're already almost to the half way point for January 2009 - I can't believe it! Time sure is flying; but, so far, 2009 is giving me no complaints (knock wood).

Things at work are busy, which I am enjoying (as much as work can be enjoyed) and everyone in the house is healthy.

As for my mental state, things are going really well. I'm feeling VERY normal and even starting to feel a little bit of my creativity coming back. We shall see what lies ahead.

The kids are doing great. Excited to be back at school after a two week vacation. I am amazed every day at the things they say and the new things they're learning. Love them so much.

Well, that's all I've got to say right now, but I'll be back sooner next time. I promise.

update to the war in my brain...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:38:00 +0000

Things are much better for me. I am continuing with my therapy and it seems to be working, the only drawback, that I've noticed is that I just don't "feel" creative anymore, but I think maybe I'm just making excuses. Anyways, thank you all for your prayers and your kind words of encouragement. I truly do appreciate them all!!

Top Ten for 2008....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:22:00 +0000

This year, I've decided that I need to make a list of the top ten things I'm thankful for. Some will be obvious and others just might be silly, but I'm thankful nonetheless. And, by the way, these are not in any particular order, just in order of the way they spilled out of my brain.

I am thankful...

10. ... that my two gorgeous children are relatively healthy and have no serious medical conditions.

9. ... for my gorgeous husband who puts up with me and even cleans the house and does laundry when I don't feel like doing it.

8. ...for the smell of Downy fabric softener. Puts me in a good mood every time I catch a whiff!

7. ...for a clean house. Enough said.

6. ...for a place to live. Too many people don't have the privilege.

5. ...for friends who put up with my psychosis/neurosis, whatever you want to call it.

4. ...for facebook.

3. ...for my new job.

2. ...that I haven't totally screwed up my life and have made relatively good choices.

1. ...that God's grace is sufficient.

Hope you have ten things you are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!!

my name is april and i'm a ...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:50:00 +0000

facebook addict. Okay, there, I admit it. I said I wouldn't even use it, but now, hourly, here I am, checking to see if some blast from the past has found me. And you know what? Usually, it is something, or rather, someone that I've thought about many times and didn't know how to go about locating them. So there. I'm officially a facebook addict who doesn't even go on her myspace page anymore.

Have a great weekend!

help!!!....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:39:00 +0000

I need birthday ideas for Little Prince's SIXTH birthday which is fast approaching - we're down to 24 days!!! And, I have absolutely NO ideas on what to do. There are EIGHTEEN kids in his class, plus another maybe ten kids that he just knows that I must invite, so it needs to be something economical (read: CHEAP) and yet cool enough for six year olds.

Now, the good news is that tonight we went to dinner where they have a balloon artist and Little Prince asked the guy if he could come to his birthday party....so we've got a start, but how much can one guy entertain that many kids?!?! The problem with having the party at my house is I don't have a lot of room outside for the kids to play...I was thinking of doing an "old fashioned" party, with the old standard party games that kids don't play anymore, like pin the tail on the donkey, etc.

So, here's the contest. I want your ideas and in return, you'll win my undying love and adoration! Let's all get those creative juices flowin'.

and the winner is....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:22:00 +0000

Here's the pumpkin for 2008...isn't it great?? We took the kids to the "pumpkin patch" and this little guy won the prize! Here's a couple pics of my other little pumpkins, too, that'll have to make do until I can get the Halloween ones uploaded.

Hope you all had a happy haunting day and got lots and lots of treats!!

OH! On a totally different subject, Little Prince asked "Lauren" in his class to be his girlfriend and she said yes!! Could it get any cuter than that??? It's 330 in the morning and I need to get some rest. Peace out.

war...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:08:00 +0000

Really. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, but...

Apparently, the war inside my head is still raging and there doesn't seem to be anything (aside from medication) I can do about it. I got to thinking this evening that I used to do my best writing between the hours of midnight and two in the morning. I did my best housework. I did my best scrapbooking. They say that made me bipolar. Is that really true? Nah. I can't be bipolar. That's for criminals and weirdo, psycho people. Maybe I am just one of those people who actually IS a nightowl. Maybe I really CAN function on less than four hours of sleep a night. Maybe I'm just moody. Maybe??

Only problem with that thought process is that I finally burned out over the summer and unfortunately, those things that I was doing so well during my manic episode have faltered greatly. My house is a mess. I haven't done ANY scrapbooking since January. The calendars aren't updated. I just feel, I don't know.....blah. Did I mention my house is in a constant state of chaos?

I do not like the chaos. I do not like the mess. Right now I'm thinking I would rather be in my manic state, if that makes any sense. I see the shrink lady on Friday, so maybe she can offer some insight. I know that people who are manic depressive or bipolar as we now are referred to, almost always want to come off their meds becuase they feel fine or they feel better in their alternative state.....I don't know. I just don't know.

we're sick...AGAIN...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:16:00 +0000

Took Princess K to the doctor, yet again, because she is full of snotty stuff and keeps vomiting at night time when she's trying to sleep....

anyways, turns out the amoxicillan isn't cutting it, so we've put her on a stronger antibiotic and decongestant, so hopefully, in the next day or two, she'll start feeling better!!!

It's never-ending, isn't it??

kids say the cutest things...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:14:00 +0000

The other day, Little Prince says, "Gee, I sure do miss those good ole days"...broke my heart.

Princess K, for some reason, has decided to add the letter "h" between "s" and "i" when she says "wall sits"...I laughed hysterically.

Today, Little Prince asked me, "How was your day at work, mommy?" Could anything be any sweeter than that??!!?? And of course, the simple, "I love you mommy" gets me every time.

Kids. Gotta love 'em.

rain, rain go away...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:19:00 +0000

It feels like it's been raining for days, and I think, actually, it has indeed been raining for days. Our pool is about to overflow and the kids haven't been outside in what seems like weeks. But, oh well, what's a girl to do?

Not much new in my life right now, EXCEPT, Little Prince has a new girlfriend named Lauren! We went to her birthday party a couple of weeks ago and the little sweetheart knew exactly what he wanted to get her...earrings!!So, we got her two pair of really cute earrings and she kissed him on the cheek to say thank you and has worn them every day since. Ahhhhhhh.....young love.

That's it for now. I'll try to be better at posting, but you know how it gets. You get home from work, fix dinner, do homework, get uniforms together, do a load of laundry, clean up the house, bathe the kids, fight with them to get to sleep and then you collapse into bed without ever sitting down on your own couch. Maybe it's not that way for all of you, but that's how it's been for me lately. No complaints though. We're all finally healthy and enjoying one another. So, goodbye for now, but I'll be back soon, even if it's just once a week. I promise.

Boring Friday....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:38:00 +0000

Ever been at work and literally, had absolutely nothing to do?? Welcome to my day today, hence the posting of a long overdue blog! There's so much to update you on, too.
Little Prince has a little girlfriend....her name is Shelby and she's too cute! We went on a date last week. Took her bowling and then to McDonald's for Happy Meals. He's asking when we can do it again! He also started Kindergarten on Wednesday!! What an exciting and nerve wracking day!! But he had a great time and now I hear of no one but his teacher, Miss Claire!!!
Princess K's hair is growing out and she's looking even more adorable...pics to come soon!!
Have a GREAT weekend and I'll get back to looking for stuff to do.

I'm back....well, sorta....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:51:00 +0000

I got a job!!! After looking for months, one just sort-of landed in my lap - Praise God!! Talk about an answer to prayer. The hours allow me to drop off and pick up the kids from school and my boss is my mother, so when they're sick, she'll understand. So, needless to say, I've been a terrible blogger. Just can't find the time or the inspiration right now. So, I thought I'd take a moment and just update you as to the goings on around here....
Princess K's hair is starting to grow. She actually looks really cute with the new short 'do.

The kids seem to be enjoying "camp" each day while mommy goes to work. We moved to a much more affordable house and are enjoying it so much. We have a giant pool and the kids are out there swimming every day! Plus, it's on a canal so they've been fishing quite a bit with the hubcaps also.

I had a bit of a depressive episode last month, which is probably the main reason why I didn't write much. But, things are better now. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I've stopped crying every day, so that's a step in the right direction. Anywho, hope you're all doing great and having a fantastic summer!

it finally happened....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:20:00 +0000

I've lived the nightmare that I prayed and prayed would NEVER happen....

My five year old Little Prince decided to try his hand at hairdressing. Yep, that's right. He took the scissors to Princess K's long, lustrous, gorgeous locks and turned her into the achy breaky heart Billy Ray Cyrus!!!

Picture this...you're sitting at the computer, just finished a phone call and in saunters your precious little three year old, smiling ear to ear. You look at her, realizing something is different, but not quite sure what until she turns around and you see that all that remains on her head is a three inch strip of hair, the rest of it has been chopped as though it got caught in the Pampered Chef food chopper. Then, your son comes out and proclaims at his handiwork, "Look, mommy, now we can see her pretty face!"

Cut to a few screams of terror provided by yours truly and a "what do I do??" to the hubcaps. I did the first thing I could think of.

I made a quick call to my hair stylist, "I have a hair emergency" -- they got me in in ten minutes and the entire salon gasped in horror at my baby girl's lack of hair. Half an hour later and she looks adorable - it's kind-of a Katie Holmes/Suri Cruise haircut. Hubcaps thinks she looks like a boy, but this is better than shaving it and starting over!!

Three hours later and I'm still finding clumps of hair around the house, most of the evidence was lying in her closet. What I've found I've put in a Ziploc for her baby book, there's just SO much hair, it really makes me want to cry. Especially when she looks up at me and asks if its growing yet!

Hope your day was better!! Happy Wednesday.

I'm alive, well, sorta...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:33:00 +0000

I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted, and this is going to be a quick one. I just wanted to let you know I am still alive, things are okay with me, going through a lot right now and just haven't felt "inspired" to write about anything. Thanks to all of you who have sent me emails and notes, I REALLY appreciate it!! I'll try to get on here SOON, I promise!

Happy Tuesday!

you say tomato....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:10:00 +0000

So. As moms, I know we all anticipate the awkward moments when our little guys ask us about those certain body parts, right? I'm trying. I really am. I'm trying to be open and honest and give them technical terms - not 'wee wee', but you know, penis and vagina. I'm doing my part.

I know we've all heard the great V called v-jay jay by Oprah but I've got one better!! Drumroll, please.........
Little Prince has coined the term, "vajama" - sounds like pajama but the meaning is, oh, so much different!!

So, the next time your kids ask you what girls have (as Princess K has decided to ask me, literally, NINE times a day)...you can tell them boys have "enises" and girls have "vajamas". It sounds more fun anyways, don't you think?

Go Big....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:11:00 +0000

Just a quick update....if you go to this site, you can see some amazing stories of what people are already doing with the money they received at church this weekend! So awesome!!

i've got five bucks....now what????

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:04:00 +0000

Today at my church our pastor spoke on generosity. I know what you're thinking, just wanting to collect more money...well, you'd be WRONG. What actually happened, brought tears to my eyes and made me so incredibly proud of Church by the Glades and Pastor David.

Over this weekend, Mother's Day - which is when we have record-breaking crowds, my church handed out $40,000.00 to its members to give back to the community to those in need, etc.

So, here's where YOU come into the picture. I received $5.00. I want to do more than give it to a homeless person standing on the side of the road. Send me your ideas!!!! I wish I had something to give away as an incentive for your ideas, but I don't.....sorry. The idea that does get picked, though, will receive the BEST shout out EVER!! Sound good??

Get busy!

~A

happy mother's day....

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:55:00 +0000

I think I am a lucky woman. I don't get breakfast in bed (although I don't get to sleep in either - ugh). My husband has to work on Sundays and must be there before 7 AM and I have to follow so that I can sing in the choir by 8 AM....so today, was an early to rise day. The kids (and hubcaps, for that matter) made me the GREATEST cards EVER -- Princess K's had a picture she had drawn of herself in the tub and Little Prince drew me a car with a satellite dish on top?? It was so much fun though, because they were just so excited that it was finally Mother's Day....I hope and pray this enthusiasm continues throughout life!!

Not much else to report. Oh! I am looking for a part time job, so if any of you live in this area OR know of something that earns MONEY that can be done at home -- email me and let me know, okay?? Thanks.

Well, I just wanted to get on and say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all my blogger friends, whether your kids are born or not, or are puppies or kittens, here's to ALL womankind! Have a GREAT day.

~A

It's 2 AM...do you know where YOUR children are????

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:17:00 +0000

Mine are both coughing and wheezing and hacking and coughing some more. Poor Little Prince has been to the doc twice in the past week and still not getting better! Now, tonight (this morning, rather), Princess K can't quit the coughing and congestion. She's now half asleep on the sofa watching Curious George and here I sit. Wide awake. Only startled every few moments by her sweet, little, pitiful cough.

I HATE when the kids are sick. I feel so out of control. I am never sure whether to give them an antihistamine or a decongestant, Tylenol or Motrin....too many choices!! Anyways, if you think of it, please say a prayer for my little ones.

On another note, today something came out of my mouth that I just HAD to write down for future use....these words were actually muttered:

"K, do not bite the dog's tail - that's where poopy comes out!"

The best part, is that as I was saying it - I really believed it, but tell me, WHY did she think it a good idea to put the dog's tail in her mouth?? She thought it was hilarious. I know every day I must say something incredibly stupid like this, but this one stuck out.....how about YOU?? Please share!!

Until next time, have a great week.

AND, I can't wait to hear your quotable quotes!!

poison control???

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:59:00 +0000

I woke up Saturday morning being handed a bottle of Spider Man gummy vitamins by my son. He was asking for two of them. I look at the bottle, I look at him, I look at the bottle again and in my groggy state of half sleep, I realize that this was the same bottle I had purchased just the night before. This is important because there were only two vitamins left! Out of SIXTY!! Yes, Little Prince ate 58 gummy vitamins on Saturday morning!!!!

Quick, I dial poison control and go through the list of ingredients and thank GOD, there was NO iron --- my cheapness paid off! The very sweet lady at poison control did, however, tell me that he is not to have another vitamin for two months!!! For those of you who don't have the number posted - here's poison control, I now have it in my cell phone. It's 1-800-222-1222. Hope you never have to use it - although, I will confess...Little Prince is 5 and I've had to call at least four times! Boys will be boys.

So, that was Saturday. We sailed through the rest of the weekend and on Monday morning Little Prince was screaming in pain and holding his ear. Full blown ear infection, so I have him home from school today and this is my first opportunity to even sit down at the computer.

Any good news to report? Well, I submitted Princess K to a couple of modeling agencies and so far, of the five - three want to see her, so I'll keep you posted on all that! Very exciting.

Fill me in on your lives....I miss hearing from you.

Happy Tuesday.

and the search begins...

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:01:00 +0000

My kids have been AWFUL today. And I really, really mean AWFUL. Constant hitting, screaming and gnashing of teeth -- and that's just ME. Kidding, of course. But seriously, they seem to be going through this horrible phase of not getting along and it's beginning to send me over the edge. The big problem for me today has been that it's sooooo stinking HOT and since I ripped a contact lens, I have no sunglasses to wear that are prescription so when I'm outside, I'm in physical pain! So, I'm making them stay indoors. I know, NOT a good idea. They need out. They need to go play in the hose, or run around the cul-de-sac. Right now, though, I have each of them laying in separate rooms watching a movie. Little Prince - Ratatouille and Princess K - Polar Express. Maybe, just maybe, someone will get a nap out of this and if I am included, all the better!

On another note, I've started the dreaded job search. Resumes being emailed. Phone calls being made. All with my children SCREAMING in the background. Nothing says "professional" like two kids yelling over gummies in the background, right? Maybe if I can get them to shut up in twenty seconds or less I'll be considered for a management position. One can only hope.

for real....are you kidding me?!?!

april.floria@yahoo.com (April) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:50:00 +0000

I went to the salon yesterday for some highlights. It's been awhile and I was officially a brunette again...can't remember the last time I was a brunette. Anyways, as she's putting the lovely foils on my head, my hairdresser Nicole, starts yanking on this hair on top of my head.

ME: Um, is everything okay?
HER: Um, yeah, just trying to pull out this gray hair
ME: WHAT???!!???
ME: THAT WASN'T THERE LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS IN FOR A TRIM
HER: It's just one, but it's curly and doesn't want to come out (as she continues to yank away at my head)
ME: SILENCE

She then hands me the "gray hair" like it's a collector's item, or something to be put under my pillow. Maybe if I had put it under my pillow last night I would've awoken to a new item of jewelry or something...maybe? Nah. I didn't think so.

Anyways, this "gray" hair was NOT gray. In fact, it was WHITE and coarse and curly. Does this mean that I now have to maintain constant color? Yepper. Ugh. It just keeps getting worse for me.

So, here's hoping your gray is covered - mine is, for now.

Happy Monday!!