Just so you don't think I'm lazy

But, I'm still not supermom!

Super Mom

I am not. Most of us aren't; We just get by, barely. But, then there are those who I am sure might take flight any minute, donning a cape and springing into action. I always wonder about these women, these seemingly normal moms with normal life's but who seem to harbor supernatural, superhero powers.

How is it that I've NEVER, EVER, seen so and so without her hair done and her makeup on? I mean, I'll see her at like 8:00 in the morning, long flowing gorgeous hair, beautiful heart shaped pout, dressed to a T. Never, ever a ponytail. Never, ever sweats, never, ever even an eyelash out of place.

How is it that when I drop by so and so's house anytime of day, unannounced, there is never anything out of place. I stop first thing in the morning and her house already sparkles and shines. So, I try again, this time around bedtime, the kids have been home for hours now and she's been busy making dinner and helping with homework. Still, immaculate.

How is it that so and so immerses her day in selfless service? Everyday you can find her helping someone from babysitting to laundry, to driving someone to appointments. All this while balancing her own family and her own needs.

How is it that so and so can take her young brood of four to the grocery store with out any meltdowns or tantrums. How is it that they all sit quietly in the cart or walk obediently nearby without without shrieking "I want this!" or "he hit me". There are no high speed chases through the produce. Just kind, obedient kids.

Yes, these are people I know. I know that they are exceptions to the rule and I like to think that they are hiding some deep dark secret and that their life really sucks more than mine but I only do that to make my self feel better. The truth is, these are the people I try to emulate. The ones who seem to have it all together. The ones who seem to be perfect. But, in the end I always come up way too short. I normally don't try to be so hard on myself but I fallen to new depths of laziness lately. I'm lucky to shower. Make-up? ya right! You come over to my house right now and I'd warn you to not trip over the toys or step in the mushed banana. Chances are, if you come to my house today, Owen will be running around naked, the floor will be unswept, you will be able to smell the laundry rotting in the laundry room. I have given up. Some days pass without me being able to recall even the slightest thing I've accomplished. My "to do" list grows while my "done" list shrinks. Super mom? I am not. A good mom? maybe. Overworked, overstressed, and overweight mom? defiantly. And it's ok. I don't need to be perfect and besides,I like to keep things in balance. Today for instance. I should be doing this

and this

and yes, this too

But...right now I'm blogging. Because...we all know what is more important!

Meet Steve and Lexi

This is Adam's BFF (I'm pretty fond of him too!). He's known Steve since they both made the varsity soccer team as freshmen. We like to refer to them as Uncle Steve and Aunt Lexi. They have 3 beautiful boys:

Son #1

Son #2

Son #3

And in this cute little belly of hers is son #4! AND...


...Daughter #1!!!!!!!!! Yippee!! They're having twins! And one of them is a girl!! I have to say we are all in little shock. Not as much as Steve and Lexi who are still digesting what this all means! Five little kids...Three of them 14 months and under!! Oh my...

Stop, Collaborate and listen...

Ice is back with my brand new invention

I heard a radio anouncement this morning for the upcoming Vanilla Ice an MC Hammer concert. It's amazing the feelings and memories that hearing a song can conjure up! Hearing this song immediatley brought me back to 14 years old and The Palace. It was only the coolest place ever for a 14 year old to hang out and you could find me and my friends there everyweekend! It was dance club and it was one of the few places that catered to high school students one night a week. It was the place I met my first highschool "boyfriend" whose was from the rivaling school, Timpview. It was place I could go, let loose and not worry about any of my problems at home or school. There was a rap room that I was always too scared to go in but many of my friends were cool enough to enter. There was the main floor where you could always count on Ice, Ice baby and U can't touch this and then there was the mod room where you could always count on black lights, Rock lobster and couples making out in the corner. We hung out mainly on the main floor but also felt just as comfortable in the mod room. We would dance to our hearts content, check out boys, make fun of girls. My "boyfriend" Dennis and his friends were always the center of attention with their hip hop attitude and their latest and greatest moves. Man I loved that place! We were cool and we knew it! I remember the little hamburger joint in the parking lot and cramming into Candice's station wagon as soon as she was old enough to drive. We were always primped and ready to party. I remember Ivan and Theo and all the other Timpview boys that we thought were so cool. It was definatly one of my high school highlights! After the palace closed we started going to the Ivy tower but it just wasn't the same. The Palace was the best. I will think of it everytime I hear that song....


Ice ice baby vanilla, ice ice baby vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla, ice ice baby vanilla

Yo man -- lets get out of here! word to your mother!

I am participating in Walk Now for Autism

You will all be recieving the following email from me soon:

Please join me in my fight to make a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today.

I am participating in Walk Now for Autism to help find a cure for autism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.

Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness. Please join me in my fight as I raise money to help fund essential research. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism and/or join my team online using the links at the bottom of this page. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on my page or send me a check made out to Autism Speaks.

Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.

Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Autism Speaks 501 (C)(3) Tax Id #: 20-2329938

Matching gift program: Many companies provide their employees with matching gifts. Please consult your employer on its matching gift guidelines and attach matching gift forms accordingly.

I have decided to go ahead and join the walk now for Autism. I really wanted to do it last year but found out about it too late. I am looking for donations and also a team. There is no fee to sign up and walk but they want everyone to try to raise $250 If you are at all interested contact me

Blaulking

It's official. I've officially fallen prey to some sort of psycho, blogstalking (aka blaulking) illness. This morning I had a friend request from my friend Lezlie. She was my BFF in grade school but you know the story...we've lost contact over the years. When I checked her blog I found a goldmine of links to blogs of others I grew up with but haven't seen in years. So, guess what I've been doing all morning?? Yep. I've been "catching up". I felt so naughty and slightly weird reading about their lives, seeing what they've been up too the last little while, checking out their kiddos. Yes, I am the reason people make their blogs private. I did leave comments though...is it really stalking if I leave a comment telling them I'm there? Please tell me it's not!

Do it for him

If you know me, you know I stay as far away from politics as possible. It's the "don't cause a scene" part of me. Not that I'm not interested in what is happening in our society...I'm just not very out spoken. There is one bill that is of particular interest to me this year. It's called Clay's law and it would required private health insurance to cover the cost of treating Autism Spectrum disorders. This is a HUGE deal to parents with children who have Autism. I can only imagine how different our life would be if this law was in effect 6 years ago when Ian was diagnosed! Did you know that a typical ABA program costs between $16,000-$25,000 a year??? Not even an option for us. This bill would mandate that our private insurance paid for this. Here are the basics of SB 43:

*Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

*Coverage will be provided to individuals under the age of 17

*Coverage under this bill is subject to an maximum benefit of $50,000 annually for a child who is less than 9 years old and a maximum benefit of $25,000 annually for a child who is between 9 and 17 years old

*Coverage provided for treatment of autism spectrum disorders, defined as any treatment generally accepted by the medical community or the American Academy of Pediatrics as an effective treatment for children with autism

*The bill includes coverage of the following treatments: Habilitative or rehabilitative care, Early intensive behavior therapy, Pharmacy care, Psychiatric care, Psychological care, Therapeutic care, Occupational therapy, and Speech therapy

*The bill applies only to fully-funded health plans governed by state

*If passed the bill will go into effect on July 1, 2010

The final vote on this bill is today and I really wished I had rallied around it and petitioned my senator. It's time to step up to the plate and give our kids what they deserve...a chance at life!