I just remembered a conversation I had last week with a lady at my church. Wow, get ready kids, this ones a doozy!
Lady: So, how's your daycare going?
Me: Good, I'm going to start watching a new little baby on Mon.
Lady: Oh, good...how's Joshua doing there at the daycare? Being he's used to going to school and all.
Me: He's doing alright. He want's to go back to school though. He's really ready. In fact, my mom and my sister-in-law are going to help me watch my kids next week.
Lady: Humph...well umm...isn't the point of having your own daycare is so that you can be with your own kids?
Me:*jaws are dropped, just looking at her, astonished at the ignorence of that comment*

Thank you ladies and gentlemen. The next performance will be on Sunday, right after church, in the fellowship hall.

I can't believe that my oldest son Joshua (6 and a half) is going to be a first grader! (Let's hope he doesn't repeat the history of Karlene having to go to first grade for two years in a row). No, he's so smart and he loves school. Especially Math. I asked Josh the other day what his favorite part of school was. (I was trying to get his brain ready). He said Recess. I said, "No, what's your favorite subject in school, like Math, Reading, Spelling, Science?" He said, "Ooo, yeah, Science! What's 'Science'?" What a funny boy. So, daddy told him all about it. Cause mommy's been out of school for a while now. Not that I couldn't explain what science was. It's just that Bob does a much better job of answering questions, with long, complicated words attached in his explainations. Of course when daddy's not there to help mommy out, she does just fine. (Or tries to anyway).

So, I started watching a new little angel yesterday. Her, (yes, I said "Her") name is Sydney. She's 10 weeks old, and so sweet. I just want to kiss her fat little baby cheeks! Finally! God has blessed me with a girl. Well, not my own. But at least I get to take care of a girl in the midst of all of these boys. 4 to be exact. 3 when Joshua goes to school next week. Don't get me wrong, I love boys, especially my own. However, I have three younger brothers that I grew up with and helped raise. I've always babysat for boys. When my youngest brother Tommy was born, I was 7 years old. I remember wanting him to be a girl, (no offense Tommy). Kandy and I used to dress him up like a girl. My dad would come in the house from a long hard day of Patrolling. He would see Tommy all dolled up, and growl at us to take those clothes and that wig off of him.

OK I'm gonna talk about my second son, Caleb. I really don't talk about him as much as I should. He's 3 years old, weighs 36 pounds, and he's the sweetest little boy I've ever known. When I was pregnant with him, I prayed that he would be healthy, and quiet. And that he was. Very, very healthy, (a whole 10 pounds of healthy to prove it), and really quiet. The reason I prayed that he would be a quiet baby, is because his older brother Joshua is anything but quiet. But that's OK because not all children are made to be the same. I feel that we've been blessed with two very different, healthy boys.

I know I haven't posted anything in a while. Been real busy, ya know? I don't know what to talk about anymore. I mean, who should I talk about? My husband? My kids? My mom and dad? My In-laws? The kids in my daycare? My brothers and sister? (Happy-Happy-Birthday Kandy!) Their girlfriends/spouses? All of the crazy people that have been in or are currently in my life? I don't know. Hey, why don't you all pick for me? Does that sound like a plan? I'll go with the most votes. So, get out there and vote people! Vote!

You are Aurora from Sleeping Beauty!


What Disney Princess are you?
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I've always loved "Sleeping Beauty."

Woo-Hoo! I have the day off. My boys and I walked to the bank to deposit our extra money that the Goverment decided to give us. We walked because my husband takes our only car to work everyday. It's good for us though. We stopped to admire a big old house on our way to the bank. The owner happened to be walking her dog into the back yard. I asked her when her house was built. She said, "1900." I was in awe. I told her that my parents own a house that is over 100 years old. It went on from there, and we went our separate ways after that. Nice lady, she shared the name of my grandma Bette. Cool.

We also went to the mall that was across the street. They have this cool food court, and play area for the kids. My boys were very excited to play freely after all of that walking we did. I was glad to just let them run and play, without having to worry about strangers coming up to them. That's always a relief. There's always that one rowdy kid in the bunch, though. Josh took nicely to him, of course. Wherever there's controversy, you can bet that Joshua's right in the middle of that action. All in all, it was a nice day out with my boys. It should get a little nicer by dinner time. We're supposed to go to La Mirada park for music, food, and fun. I guess my mom goes to this every Thurs. They're gonna have an "In-'N-Out Burger" truck there, that's really why I'm going. Don't tell anyone, k?

Homeschooling memories (all of which happened in a period of one year...one reee-hee-hee-heeeeeeeally long year)

• Mom nursing my youngest brother Tommy, all day.
  
• Mom trying her hardest to make the rest of us 4 kids to sit down at the dining room table and do some schoolwork.
  
• Mom babysitting... ALOT!
  
• Me and my older sister (Kandy) babysitting our three younger brothers.
  
• Work books, work books, and yes, more work books.
  
• Me, missing my friends at the public school down the street.
  

I'd already been in three different schools by the time I was in the fourth grade. Kindergarten was in the government school system, 1st, 1st, (no that's not a typo :-p ) 2nd, 3rd grades were in private school, 4th was homeschool, 5th substitute teacher at public, 6th was a tutor/ one room school house, 7th through 12th back to the government schools (where I met Bob, all things for good, right? ;-).

What a zonky life!

Must sleep, need to sleep, can't sleep. Ahhhh.... dangit! What's going on here? I'm always the first one to go to sleep. Now look what's happening, Bob is asleep. This can never happen again. Wanna know why? Snoring, that's why. No, not from me, no, no. From the bear over there in my bed. Oh, wait, it's our Seventh Anniversary today! Sorry for calling you a bear. You are my teddy bear though. I love you Bob!

I found ants in the cupboard today.
This was the straw that broke the camels back. I started cleaning everything out, and I just started crying. Joshua was at the table, playing " Office" with pennies. He heard me sniffling, and said, " Who's that crying in my office? I didn't know that anyone could cry in my office." Sweet baby!
I sat down with him.
Me- Joshua, you know when you don't want to do something, but you know you have to do it anyway?
Joshua- Yes, mommy?
Me- Well, mommy feels like that right now.
Joshua- Why mommy?
Me- Because, I just want to be at home with you and Caleb.
Joshua- You are at home with us right now, mommy.
Me- I know.
I asked him to pray with me, and he did. I prayed that God would help us to see that He is in control of our lives, and that He would help us to remember that He always takes care of us no matter what.
I didn't want Joshua to see me crying, and not explain why I was crying. He's very smart, and I don't want him to think that I'm not human or that I don't have those emotions. But I also didn't want him to worry about me, so that's why I prayed with him. He seemed to be o.k. after that.
I've been wanting to stop doing daycare for a while. I have mixed emotions about it. I know that God gave me the kids to watch. I know that He provides for our family in ways we can't even imagine. I don't want to complain. I am very grateful for everything He has given us. I just need to lean on Him at all times, and trust in Him. Keep us in your prayers. Thanks.

My brother Philip and my new sister-in-law Sarah successfully got hitched last Sat. I cried when I saw Philip crying when Sarah was walking down to greet him. Then I looked at Sarah, and she looked like an Angel. She is very beautiful even on a normal day. But this day she looked exceptionally beautiful. I cried some more. The bridesmaid's dresses were dark red, and flowing to the ground. The groomsmen wore black tuxes and red vests. My husband, my son Joshua and I were all in the wedding. Joshua looked sooo handsome, I just wanted to kiss him. My husband was also extremely handsome. What is it about a tux or a suit on your husband that makes your knees give out? Bob doesn't need to wear a suit or a tux for me to have those feelings for him. He's handsome everyday!

My sister Kandy and Bother-in-law Kip, have left from So. CA to go back to their home in Ohio. I told her on the last night that I saw her that I wasn't going to let them go back. They have to stay here forever now. She laughed, but I know she didn't want to go either. We had a nice Birthday Party for Kandy at the Olive Garden. It was good to see everyone there, (except for my brother Bryan, he had to work). Sorry Bryan! You were there in spirit. We got to go out with Bryan and his girlfriend Kristin after the wedding, along with Kip and Kandy. We went to Claim Jumpers. I told the waitress that it was Kandy's Birthday, and they sang to her. So, Bryan did get to go to one of Kandy's Birthday's. Her actual Birthday is on Aug 15. She's gonna be the big 3-0! I can't believe it, I'm only two years behind. You don't look a day over 25, don't worry Kandy! No wrinkles, no gray hair. Unbelievable. God has blessed you with Grandma Bette's features, (God bless her soul). Grandma Maxine looks pretty good for her age also.

I want to send a special thank you to Kristin for doing all of the girls hair before the wedding. It turned out awesome! I also want to thank Philip and Sarah for having us in the wedding, it was so beautiful. Thank you to my sister-in-law Christine for coming over to my house at 7a.m. to do mine and Kandy's make-up. So pretty! Alright, I'm done with the Oscar moment.

So, I went to the bachelorette party. It was pretty cool. I probably should've went back to my mom's house to get my boys after dinner though. They ended up spending the night there. Bob and I didn't get home until 1 a.m. and everyone else followed us to our house. I made some Midori Sours and it was all good, my friend. Everyone left around 2:30a.m. I think when everyone, including the girls, started talking about different kinds of poop, it was time to go home. I get kinda silly when I have a few to drink. I try really hard not to talk when I've had a few. Because I know as soon as I do, I'll just start giggling for no apparent reason at all. Anyhow, we all had a blast, and we can't wait for my Brother Philip's Wedding this Sat. I'm so gonna cry : (

You are Bubbles that fun loving girl everyone wants
to be around, you are very outgoing and
optimistc and kind to others! people just love
you, and think u r very cute. sometimes u can
be a little stubbern and selfish but not very
often. your friends love u and u can easly be
the center of attation! keep it up!


Which Powerpuff girl are you most like?
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Cool!

What rating is your journal?
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I don't talk about sex, do I?

I think I have pre-conceved notions when it comes to the music that Bob enjoys. Bob and Dave B. were watching the "Wilco" video the other night at our house. I had never even wanted to listen to that band. I don't know why. I didn't even give them a chance. I think it might be because, when I walked in the room, the main singer of the band was throwing-up in the toilet back stage right before he was going to start his concert. I was thoroughly disgusted. I got out of the room as fast as I could. Then, I yelled down the stairs at Bob, "How can you watch that! Turn it off! It's disgusting!" He says back up the stairs, "You don't even know what you're talking about. You came in the room right in the middle of the movie. It's not what you think Karlene. Just come and watch it with us, this band is so awsome." I went to bed. For next three nights he finished watching it. I stayed up and watched it with him. Bob, I'm so sorry for pre-judging the music you listen to. I'm listening to "Wilco" as I'm writing this post! I had no idea what this band was about, or how good their music was until I actually sat down and listened. They're just awsome! I especially like the stuff he sang before he got into "Wilco." It's kinda country sounding. I promise I won't turn your music off or down anymore. I think it hit me when Joshua and Caleb kept on saying to me, "Mommy, why don't you like daddy's music?" or Joshua said, "Mommy, when we're in the car, why do you always turn daddy's music off?" It broke my heart, and I realized that I didn't know why I did those things. It made no sense. I don't like it when someone comes up to me and says, "You know what, I don't like what your listening to, I'm going to turn it off now." I'm going to stop being a fuddy duddy about music choices. I'm going to branch out and start listening to Bob's music more. Today, I was cleaning the downstairs, and I put a Beatles CD on. Both Josh and Caleb turn and look at me, shocked. Caleb says, "Mommy, you like daddy's music now? Hurray!" Then they start dancing around the living room like little wild banchies.

O.k. I'm back people! Did ya miss me? Nah, I didn't think so. Well, for the next two weeks, I'm gonna be a real busy bee. Friday, I will be attending the Bachelorette party for Sarah, and Bob will be attending the Bachelor party for my Bro Philip. We're all in the wedding next Sat. except for Caleb. He's still too little I think. This Sat. Kandy and Kip are coming! Yay! Can't wait!

I'm sorry if this offends anyone. I just thought that it was interesting and a little funny.

The Dance
Joshua is out of school, and home with Caleb and I for the summer. Joshua is so sweet and generous, you wouldn't believe it. He's gotten a lot better at these attributes over time. I have to be patient and understanding with him. I recall being just like him in the way of getting so frustrated. If a dolls clothes wouldn't go on the right way, MELTDOWN! If I spilled something on accident, MELTDOWN! And according to my mom, I was pretty loud and vocal about it. The screaming is probably what I remember the most. Eventually, I became the peacemaker in the family. I don't exactly know how that happened. Well, God of course changed me and my ways. This is why I have hope for Joshua. I have faith that God can change anyone. I know that only God has the power to do this. I also have to be the kind of mother to him that God wants me to be. I have to have the fruits of the spirit, yet still show him that I'm not perfect and that I make mistakes just like he does. But we have to repent, turn away from our sinful ways and ask for forgiveness. This is a very difficult dance to learn, but with Gods help, I will master this dance. Please pray for me in the meantime ;.)

[take the test] - [by krystaljungle.com]

I don't know if this is true about me or not. I used to like spelling when I was in school. I think I've lost some knowledge in the subject. It might have something to do with having kids that suck the life out of you. I also feel a little overwhelmed by my husband being so smart and he's always reading, writing, or just thinking about a certain subject way too much. I'm glad he wants to keep on learning and striving. I admire him for that. I hope in the future I can try harder at learning new things, and reading more books, (or any books for that matter.)

Daily Morning routine

6:45 a.m.- Roll my carcass out of bed. Shower, & get dressed.

- Go in boys room and make Humpback Whale sounds to wake them up gently. (If we neglect this important step, Joshua will absolutely freak out!)

- Go downstairs and attempt to make lunches.

- Rip the boys away from each other. They think it's fun to wrestle and get stains on their fresh, clean clothes.

- Put shoes on boys.

- Caleb protests. Takes his socks and shoes off as fast as his little feet can flip them!

- Joshua's screaming. He can't find his Humpback Whale he wants to bring for "Show & Tell."

- Both boys start yelling, "Doody-doody, doody-doody. Oo-dah, oo-dah!" (They always say this when they're doing something they're not supposed to.)

- Boys run outside.

- Bob comes downstairs. Regulation Time, Baby!

- We all get in the car.

- I forgot Joshua's backpack in the house.

- Retrieve backpack, and we're off!

- Arrive at Grandma Marlene's. (My daycare).

- Bob drops Caleb and I off, takes Josh to school, then goes to work.

- I'm exhausted, and the day has just begun.