"So I'm Stuck With You All Day??"

So my precious little princess Elisabeth goes to pre-school Mondays thru Thursdays from 8:30 - 11:30. So yesterday (Friday), I am getting her dressed for our day. She asks me sweetly "Do I have school today?" To which I reply, "No, it's Friday". She says back "So I'm stuck with you all day?" Makes a mom feel loved and appreciated.

And I just want to say it is amazing to me, after three boys, to realize how observant little girls are. We went through Sonic for our drinks yesterday. Elisabeth gets her usual strawberry slush and immediately says "Mom, look! They changed the cups". Sure enough, they had holiday cups with snowflakes on them. And she says "Aren't they beautiful?" My boys would have never noticed. Take time to notice and enjoy the little things this holiday season, like beautiful snowflakes on your Sonic cup!! Happy Holidays!

Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco

Think this is about mid-way through the race.....

I SURVIVED!!! And better yet, I LOVED every minute of it! It was so much fun. The picture of me coming across the finish line, my head is down but I have the biggest smile on my face with my arms in the air "Hallelujah!". I feel like this was such a major accomplishment for me. I highly recommend it, it is such a rush!! I couldn't have done nearly as well without my "Sole Sisters" who stayed with me and cheered me on every step of the way (well except for miles 11-13 when they had to split off to go on to do the whole marathon, those over-achievers. haha). Jacque and Karla, you will always hold a special place in my heart and I couldn't have done NEARLY as well without you both there for support and company. There were people along the way cheering for their family members/friends and just when I felt like giving up, Jacque would run ahead and tell them to yell "Go, Christy!" Something about hearing your name yelled gives you a little boost and makes you perk up a little. I remember hitting around mile 10 and whining "how much further" just to hear from my Sole (S-O-L-E) Sisters that I only had 3 more miles. Woohooo! Since the pictures leave much to be desired as far as what they shot during, I will spare you of those. However, later when I get all of my pictures developed, I will blog more about our adventures in San Francisco. We had a total blast!!! And we have some really funny pictures that will only mean something to those of us there....more on that later.

Official results can be found at http://results.eternaltiming.com/event/NWM2008#

I ended up ranked 902 in my age group (30-34) and I was 5240 overall. There were 20,000 runners, most of which were women. Think it said there were like 1,000 of those that were men. Running along, there was a couple who had "Just Married" on their backs. Congratulating them as we ran by, they told us that they met there last year. So, men, if you are looking for a woman, those are some good odds!! I ran it in 2:39:59.730. I was hoping for 2:30 but after hearing a lady at the expo and her talking about the hills and how hard this course is, I had told myself I would be happy around 3 hours. I probably could have pushed harder but after that, I was a little scared about the hills. And I had made myself a nervous wreck before the race, thought I was going to throw up or pass out while standing among 20,000 people waiting to start. Neither of which would have been a good thing, although that could have gained us a little more elbow room. Most of you know, I don't do crowds well at all. Don't think at one point I could have lifted my arms if I wanted to, we were stuck in wall to wall people. Later, it was mentioned how quiet I got right before. hahaha Everyone knows something is wrong when I am quiet. So I struggled more the first few miles due to nervousness also. Had to stop on the very first bathroom stop which is a wait for some porta-potties. Something you must experience to get the full race effect. haha But that would have cut some time as well--unless you are Jacque who we discovered has a talent for the fastest bathroom pit stop ever!!! But I must say, I am glad I didn't push too hard and truly enjoyed my first race experience!

And it was all worth it for the Tiffany necklace that awaited us at the end, given to us by firefighters dressed in tuxedos with the little precious boxes loaded up on silver trays. Although I couldn't tell you what my firefighter looked like, I was just looking for a place to land at that point. This was definitely a women's race--pedicures, massages, a chocolate mile, Tiffany jewelry. Who couldn't love that???

Now, Sole Sisters, where are we going next year?? How can we ever top this one? Hmmmm............

Had a blast and I can't wait for our next adventure!!

Get Your "Honk On"

First day of dance class--Tuesday, September 9th.

I'm 4! Birthday Girl!

Get Your Honk On!

Elisabeth is FOUR years old today! Doesn't seem possible. Of course, neither does the fact that she is four and this past week, I finally hit my pre-Elisabeth weight as well--took four long years. So those of you out there struggling should feel better about yourselves now.

So to celebrate today, we took donut holes to Elisabeth's preschool class and then I told her we could do whatever she wanted to do this afternoon. (I even offered up sensory overload Chuck E Cheese) She chose to come home, curl up on the couch with me and watch her new movie "Barbie and the Diamond Castle" and ride her new Princess bike in the garage (it was raining outside). She is easy to please!! Something tells me this won't last. Mental note to self, pull out this blog around birthday #13 and see how easy it is then! She told me she couldn't be 4 today though because she wasn't "any taller". I assured her she had to have grown a little overnight because she was indeed 4. She got a horn for her new bike as well and was totally excited about "putting my honk on"! So all of you get your honk on today! Honk, honk!!

And since I am so brain dead, I mean delayed in getting pics downloaded to the computer, here is a back to school update as well. This year was quite different. All of the kids started in new schools this year. Rogers opened a second high school and McKenzie is a junior there and Garrett a freshman. McKenzie is driving himself and Garrett to school everyday. So that means mom saves about 3 hours (yes, you read that right) in the car daily from last year. It was a shuttle and wait situation and then round back around in some cases for the next load. Not to mention the gas and expense of that! Although I still am having to go and get Garrett daily and take him to baseball after school as McKenzie has basketball. But then, WHATEVER would I do with all of my time if I didn't have them to shuttle around?? It is just so odd to go from always taking your kids on the first day of school, walking them in, to them driving off on their own! Jacob is in middle school so until Elisabeth starts school, I have no elementary school kids. I threatened to walk Jacob into middle school but he assured me that was NOT happening. Maybe next year...... So here are some first day of school pics. (Jacob refused to participate.)

This is what I think of school!

A true girly-girl accesorizes with the coolest backpack--in this case Hannah Montana. (Although we have now already changed to a cheetah print one instead! Fickle, fickle!) The boys driving off--freedom!

Fly and Drive!

So yesterday was a huge milestone for McKenzie. His father bought a new (to us) Honda Pilot. Phillip had asked McKenzie if he wanted to "buy" (funny, he has no job to buy anything) his SUV for the trade-in value if he got a new car. McKenzie said yes. That was 3 months ago when he turned 16. We had given McKenzie a check to use toward a car, he never cashed it. Didn't seem interested in finding a car on his own at all or even driving for that matter. So, Phillip has bought this car, I am driving my car to meet him to eat, and then McKenzie is going to have to drive Phillip's old car off the lot. So on the way there, McKenzie suddenly blurts out "I don't want to buy Dad's car. I changed my mind." Can you say, it's a little late, son?!? So I tell him that he is driving the car home. He says he doesn't want to, then says "I like you driving me around, mom". OK, did I sign up to be a chauffeur for life? NOOOOO. So I say to him that ready or not, he is driving the car home, it is time to fly. And if he doesn't want to drive to school this fall, then he can ride the bus but I will not be driving to the high school this year. To which he brilliantly replies "You would make Garrett ride the bus too?" Thinking he is going to hitch a ride on his younger brother. When in fact, his younger brother will be hitching a ride with him to high school. ; ) All that to say, we finally convinced him that I would be in front of him in my car, Phillip would be behind him in his car, and we would "sandwich" him on his first solo journey. And once he got behind the wheel, I looked in my rear view mirror to see him with a HUGE smile on his face. I think that drive gave him some much needed confidence. (Probably helps when your mom isn't sitting beside you yelling "GET ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD"!) He did awesome, made it with no incidents. Well, unless you count the fact that he accidentally turned on his windshield wipers (it wasn't raining) and couldn't figure out how to turn them off. I pulled over on a side road, went back to his car and we had a quick lesson in that after I noticed them going back and forth. He has now talked his brothers into helping him "detail" it this weekend in return for a trip to Sonic on Saturday. And he and Garrett both took out their sunglasses tonight and put them in the car so that they will look "cool" for the ride. Ah, brotherly love!

Potty Training Update

I have had a very stubborn 3 year old up who has basically refused to potty train. I think she is using this as a test that her will is stronger than mine. Which it is for the most part. For instance, when I am staring at a potty at the ballpark and she is saying she has to go, I then change to "Why don't you just go in the pull-up? It's really dirty in here." So now I have totally confused the poor child. Well, time is up. The deadline is here. In order for her to begin preschool in a few short weeks, she has to be trained. Talk about some pressure. So all that to say, I told her last week when the pull-ups were out, we weren't buying anymore. And the last THREE days now, she has gone totally accident free! Go figure! I had previously tried the "potty party", buying trinkets and toys, M & Ms, charts and stickers, buying new character panties, any kind of little treat I could. And all it really took is me saying "I'm not buying anymore pull-ups"?? Sometimes we just make everything more complicated than it should be.

Embarrassing Moment #1,356,789

Those of you who know me well, know that embarrassing moment #1,356,789 is probably a gross understatement for me. But this one is too good not to let out. Give you all a good laugh for the day. If you can just picture this.....it is Friday evening, I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to and back from Branson, then worked four hours, Phillip has just came back from a week of work in California, we don't have any of our boys. So we decide to treat ourselves to dinner out with Elisabeth. Who by the way, spent a few hours at Silver Dollar City this morning and is worn out. We should have really thought that one through. She was crabby when we first sat down, I kept getting evil stares from the couple next to us who obviously were having a Friday night date night and couldn't appreciate a less than pleasant acting 3 year old. Friday nights in Rogers eating out always require a wait also, even though we went at 5 PM thinking that would help. So we finally sit down, I cross my leg and my flip-flop BREAKS. So I say to Phillip, "my shoe just broke, I need to try to go to the bathroom to fix it". Still thinking about how I am going to hobble there with one working shoe, I put my other foot down and THAT flip-flop breaks. NOW WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THAT HAPPENING???? About the same as the number of this embarrassing moment probably like 1 to 1,356,789. My old high school teachers would have some math probability solution to throw in here. But seriously, I am thinking HOW am I going to walk to the bathroom now?? Phillip just keeps saying "I can't believe they broke at the same time." So I do the best I can, poke the broken pieces back down in the bottom of my shoes, start out towards the bathroom--which now seems 5 miles away--think I am doing pretty good, walk about 5 steps, when one comes out, I trip over it as it flops back and lays back behind my foot, then the next step, the other one comes out. I am just trying not to land on my face or hit my head on anything, as I seem to be well known to do in instances such as this. If I had a video camera, no one would have believed it. I had to have looked like a deep sea diver, coming out with those flippers on, you know, walking, slapping along with my broken flip flops dragging behind me. That was certainly a dignified walk to the bathroom. So then I sit in the bathroom, wondering what to do. I can't seem to fix the shoes where they will work at all. I haven't had the forethought to even bring my purse, where surely there would have been some tape, dental floss to tie something together, or even some stamps to try to glue them together to at least be able to walk in them for a short time. No boy scout tools available at all. So what's a girl to do?? After about 10 minutes of sitting there thinking about it, I actually made a smaller, new hole in each of my shoes, digging it out a little at a time with what little fingernails I have. Stuck the little tab down in there and viola, they worked at least to walk in. However, I traumatized a little girl who came in to wash her hands and wanted to know what on earth I was doing. Sure that was something she had never seen in the bathroom before. "Mama, there was a lady in the bathroom playing with her shoes." So, girls, when those flip flops are the most comfortable and you have them all broken in, just remember, they could give at any moment and at the SAME TIME. Only me. And yet another restaurant that I won't be able to show my face in again for quite sometime.

Toe Jam

So I have been trying to run....like I don't run enough in my life. Not the kind of running around I normally do--taking kids from one end of town to the other and back again in my ever-so-cool minivan. But truly running for me, for my health, for some peace of pounding the pavement ALONE. Well, mostly alone. I seem to have neighbors who always want to join me or I "run" into along the way and then before you know it, I am side-tracked into talking, much like I just got side-tracked just now..........which I do love the side benefit of catching up with everyone!! OK, so back to my drama for this week. I have my darling nephews from Mississippi here visiting and they were out playing basketball in the driveway. (Yes, that would make 5 boys for the past two weeks!!) So I decide to play the good mom and take them out a tray of drinks. On a glass tray. Can you say NOT SMART?? Running has become fun, trying to run lopsided with a bandaged toe screaming to be let out of a tennis shoe. Let this be your lesson for the week: Do not carry drinks out to the driveway on a glass tray while boys have balls in their hands. So I set it down, teetering it on Elisabeth's 'playground', turn to see one of the boys' super-awesome basketball moves, and next thing I feel is it smashing into pieces on my foot. I have two cuts on my two smallest toes. And my baby toe is officially broken. It is turned out in a very un-natural position. I thought about taking a picture of it all swollen and purple and cut and twisted but then thought I really do like ya'll and don't want anyone getting sick. So public service announcement of the day is don't get Toe Jam like me. Use a plastic tray please.

The Latest From The Crazy Macy House

So as with everything in my life, it is feast or famine. So this is most likely going to be a lengthy blog (yes, that is your warning to tune out now) since it has been awhile since I have made it in here to update. First, some good news. In April, McKenzie was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Academic Award. We celebrated in our normal fashion--with food.....a long awards ceremony should always be followed with great food. So this is McKenzie, enjoying brunch at Mimi's with his parents. He almost looks like he is enjoying it. He also has turned 16 since my last post and is licensed and legal to drive ALONE.

In Elisabeth news. Let's see, I am going to have a few as she keeps us all entertained with her great statements. May 1st was a big day for her, she went poo-poo in the potty for the first time. The boys weren't real encouraging, holding their noses when they came downstairs to see her amazing feat. Of course, when it sits dry for long in a small potty chair, with no water, it is not the most aromatic. I now know WHY there is water in a toilet. So she decided that was overrated and hasn't really been interested again since they all told her she stunk and to "just go in her pull-up next time". That is great for the training. Thanks, boys!

She loves going to our new Chuck E. Cheese, she is even happy when we just drive by and she can yell out "There's Chuck E. Cheese". She loves their "cop-n-candy" (cotton candy). Sometimes she get the hip-cups (hiccups) though. hahaha Love those little phrases.

May 29th, she says to me, rather emphatically "Are you OUTTA MY MIND?" Yes, she is picking up my favorite phrases. Only she has her own take.

My favorite as of late has to be June 9th, when she was sitting on her Daddy's lap, he is gently stroking her long blond hair, he says to her "Are you My Princess?" She turns, looks up at him lovingly, with a gleam in her eye, and says "No, I'm a witch". She must get this from me too. Princesses are so overrated. Witches have more fun, you can tell by their cackles.

Back Among the Living Without the "C" Word!

First of all, THANK YOU, to all of my WONDERFUL, AMAZING friends who have brought my family yummy food, brought me movies and magazines (although on Percocet, I can't seem to concentrate longer than 20 minutes on any given thing), sent me flowers, brought me plants, called and checked on me, sent cards and ecards to wish me well, taken my kids all over creation (and with the prices of gas, this was a HUGE task!), cared for Garrett for the entire weekend (you deserve sainthood!!), cared for Elisabeth while out of town trying to watch ballgames, picked up and dropped off my kids at school. You all have helped in more ways than I can possibly say!!! It is greatly appreciated, many of you offered your assistance and I am sorry if I didn't get back to you, I was kind of "loopy" on pain medicine for awhile there. Who am I kidding?? I STILL AM! ; ) Although I am slowly trying to wean myself.
I thought this would be a 'vacation' of sorts. What mom doesn't want to lay in bed, watch movies, read books, etc?? Well, it didn't quite go that way. I didn't get any of those things done, other than I have the laying in bed, writhing in pain part down really well.
I am feeling so much better after the phone call I just received from my doctor's office. Due to the "abnormality of the bleeding" according to the nurse after surgery, they had sent off a tissue sample to the lab. I just received word that there were NO cancerous cells found!!! YEE-HAW! (Insert my wacky happy dance here!) However, she did state that the doctor would be discussing other possibilities with me at my follow up appointment since they can't seem to find the reason. Well, I don't really care what the reason is....as long as they fixed it and there is no cancer present, I am good with that! I feel so much better, it is like a weight has been lifted, prayers have been answered and I feel an adrenaline rush. Which is good when you have piles of laundry like I have after being down for a week!! I'm off to tackle the mountains! THANK YOU ALL AGAIN for all of your support. Each of you helped in your own special way to make me feel loved and for that, I love you all! I am truly blessed and it isn't going without notice! Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for all of you!!!! I owe you all- BIG TIME!

From the Eyes of a 3 Year Old....

So Elisabeth came in to join me while I was indulging in my Monday night "Trash TV" night. I must confess that Mondays have become my veg out nights to watch "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor". Which I must say, I am highly disappointed that we had to get a British Bachelor this go-round. What about a redneck Bachelor for a change? Why do they always have to be rich, a prince, or some heir to a fortune? How about a REAL man for a change? But then, guess the girls wouldn't fight and throw themselves at him as much now would they? And that would totally change trash TV. Back to my point......Elisabeth came in during this.....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yoOWeGPlj8A

And her profound comment "WHY is that girl dancing NAKED?" (Speaking about Karina in the "Big Bird" yellow half-costume.) To which I stumbled to find some answer for her, not really having one. But she then replied with "Well, I can dance with my clothes ON!" Let's hope she ALWAYS does. A mother's prayer answered.

Running with My Three Sons

Ok, this should make anyone feel better that might be starting or trying to keep up with an exercise program. I am currently beginning a running routine. I would love to be able to say I was inspired to do this for my health. However, I believe, it was something at a neighbor's party that Cathy and Karla were talking about doing (they have ran marathons in the past). Cathy moved off to Colorado and this is a "girls' weekend" trip to see her in October. In the past, my "girls' weekends" have consisted of a beach if I am lucky, shopping and lots of eating good food. Never has exercise on a trip away entered my mind I must admit. I think a couple of times I might have taken running shoes thinking I would make it on a treadmill in a hotel but never quite made it there. In my defense, I had probably walked three miles at the malls at least daily however.
So tonight my three boys decided at dinner that they wanted to run with me (secretly, I think to laugh at me) so I went out and ran another mile with them (I had already ran for the evening about an hour and a half before this). Their legs are so much longer than mine!!! Garrett was like a 90-year old mall walker. hahaha He was just strolling while I was huffing and puffing. But I kept up and at the end, they all gave me high five and said I was "doing good" and they were "surprised I ran the whole way". At least I could run further than Jacob, he biked it. hahaha oh, to be young again......

Update

Several have asked about what the doctor said. To give you the quick version, I went in on that Wednesday afternoon for a whole battery of tests after my "fainting" spell. (I always knew I was a true Southern woman!) I will spare you the not-so-pleasant details but I had to visit four different "stations" within my doctor's office and every one of them involved either needles or invading private parts of my body! I was remembering WHY I had put this off for over 3 years. I was waiting on some test results, they are ruling out all kinds of things (large tumors were ruled out immediately thankfully!), but was told I would be having surgery tentatively on April 22nd if I was cleared for it once all of the test results came back and if we can build back up my blood supply and iron levels by then. The doctor said he really won't be able to tell how bad anything is until he does surgery and is able to see everything. Then on this past Friday afternoon, I got a phone call saying I needed to come back in on April 10th for another battery of tests, this time in the hospital. So I am not sure if they found something on the tests they are checking out further or what for sure. I was at work and didn't get to ask a lot of questions or really think about them all at that time honestly. At this point, I am also still scheduled for the surgery on the 22nd as well. So that is my update. I am trying to remember to eat my high-protein, iron fortified snacks and just waiting for the next round of tests and surgery. Phillip and I were talking about it yesterday a little and we are both hoping and praying that I get my energy level I once had back. With four kids I certainly need it!!! Thanks for everyone's kind thoughts, prayers, offers for the kids, food, etc. It makes me feel better knowing that my kids will be well cared for while I am down. Love to you all, Christy

Sick kids.......AGAIN

Sit down, I have some amazing news. My kids are sick, AGAIN. Seems like I have had at least one home sick everyday for the past few weeks. Elisabeth crawled into bed with me this morning and was on FIRE. I awakened long enough to take her temperature and panic when it hit 103.6. We finally got it down some. But it has spiked again (medicine does wear off in that 4 hour time frame!). Then, get the kids to school only to get a phone call 30 minutes later. Guess Jacob was disturbing his class with his coughing (AKA his asthmatic croup). So he is home but feels fine. And I am tired! Time change + sick kids = TIRED mama!

On a lighter note, Jacob's baseball team won 2nd place in their first tournament of the year this past weekend in Muskogee, Oklahoma. His first trophy of the season. Next weekend, Harrison! Maybe we can score some more hardware.

On a more serious note, many of you know that I have not been in the best health lately. Sunday evening, I finally scared myself into action. I started not feeling well at church Sunday afternoon. Had McKenzie drive me home.....while I was saying "HURRY, I am going to be sick." Well, everyone knows McKenzie is a perfectionist and driving over the speed limit was totally against the grain for him. But he got me home, alive, although maybe with a few more gray hairs. Anyway, I hit the door and remember walking into my bedroom and then don't remember anything after that. I totally passed out, like one of those movies where you see someone's feet twisted up by their head, I was in a very strange position when I came to. I woke up by my toilet in my bathroom (another 15 feet or so at least from where I remember being) and managed to get myself out of the contortionist position. I must have hit my head on something, have a robin egg sized bump and small cut on my forehead. My huge nose must have skidded along the nice tile floor. Man, am I wishing I would have mopped this weekend after all like I originally planned. ; ) I have a bruise on my knee and arm and my neck hurts. But good news is, I didn't drown myself in the toilet. Needless to say, I called my doctor first thing Monday morning. And of course, he and his nurse were out for the day. Isn't that the way it always happens?? The nice girl that answered the phone though was polite enough to call me back and ask me if I had visited the emergency room after I fell. I told her noooo, quite honestly I was embarrassed admitting to her what happened. Anyway, they are supposed to call me back today. I will finally take care of myself. I get it, God. Sometimes He has to knock us out to get us to wake up, doesn't He?

Enough of my family health problems. We hope you and yours are HEALTHY and WELL!

Snow Gifts and Snow Balls

So if you are really lucky, you will find a splash ball in the yard
leftover from summer fun. It is much like a frozen, tasty
snowball treat--maybe much like a snowcone. And yes, I was
cringing when she did this thinking of all of the dirt and nasty
things she was now eating......I am sure child services would
be impressed with my mothering skills.........
Elisabeth had fun telling McKenzie that they were going to be
playing snowman, he was it. In other words, SNOW-BALL
FIGHT!!!!!!!! (3-year old interpretation)
When a snow gift is brought by an angel, you don't refuse it!
Oh, a snow branch. Can we keep it?? I think I can climb it.

Snow Day

Elisabeth ready to go and play in the snow! And then her first handful and touch.......

So snow in March. I look forward to snow days, I have visions of productivity in my head. Simply because, I think, it is a day of no outside activities that have to be rushed to. While that may be the case, it seems these days are always busy regardless. Extra boys show up and mutiple throughout the neighborhood. They enjoy coming in and out, dragging more and more wet clothes along with them each time and requiring more and more food to keep them going in their snowball fights. Or if you are Jacob, more energy to try to remove the wheels from your skateboard in order to have a "snowboard". (I am sure someday, this will be his version of us being too poor to afford him a snowboard.) Elisabeth decided today that she is now old enough to join the fun, so she is now joining in the fun. Which leads to all new issues. But however you might spend your snow days, I hope your kids make as many memories as mine are!