Miss Me...

Cause I missed you!

It's been too long. Actually, I can't take all the blame. My internet has been in and out and when it's "in" I am trying to get work done! Ok, and maybe a little Craigs List.

I miss my friends...my bloggy friends and today was the day I was going to get back on track. That was until the swine flu hit. We are supposed to be leaving next Monday, but I am afraid they are going to close the borders. Either before we go or while we're down there. Doesn't matter. Mr B says we're going no matter what, but I am checking out other spots in case they do...Jamaica anyone?

The Other has been a real pain lately. She seemed receptive on giving us more time until she had time to think it over. She now says no. Refuses to go to mediation, although the mediator told Mr B that if she wouldn't go, we would have to go to court and the judge would then make us go to mediation and she would have to pay for it (otherwise it's free).

She also showed up at the door wearing a skimpy, tight, dare I say "hoochy" outfit. I nearly slammed the door in her face. Ugh!

Guess what? I've lost 20 lbs! Woohoo! Just a few more left and maybe a little 'back fat' if you will. :)

So, how you all doing? I promise to try and catch up tomorrow. As long as my internet comes up.

Love and kisses to you all!

Big Changes

I work from home. At the end of last year, my hours were cut down to 5/week. After depleting our savings, we had to sell our second vehicle. No big deal, except on Saturdays. Every Saturday morning, we have to make arrangements for Mr B's parents (who live 45 minutes away) to meet us at the other's house to pick up the baby, so we will have enough car seats (4 total).

This past Saturday, we went to pick up the baby. The Other informed Mr B that if he wanted, he could keep him late. Red flag anyone? Mr B said ok and we proceeded to get into the car. As we drove off, I said "You know she won't pick him up at all, right? She's going to say you agreed to keep him and make you look irresponsible." Mr B shot me an irritated look and said that he would confirm with her what time she would pick him up. We headed over to his parents house and when we got there, he texts her and asked her to be there at 6 (usual pick up time is 5) and she agreed.

Later that evening (around 5:30) Mr B receives a text saying that she loaned her car to her cousin and he would need to drive 45 minutes (in the opposite direction of our house) to drop him off. Mr B texts back saying "Why would you be so irresponsible as to loan your car out when you knew you had to pick up your son? You need to find a way to get here." She replies back that our lawyer said that she didn't have a car and we would be willing to do the pick ups and drop offs. Why won't he help her out? Just a note - after our judge made that comment, she adamantly pleaded saying she did have a car and would be able to make the drop offs. Mr B says that the court order says they have a joint responsibility and one is to pick up and one is to drop off. He then asks her "Are you going to break that order?" She replies she is on her way.
When she shows up in her car she has brought with her all her friends who are seemingly dressed to go clubbing. Surprise, surprise right? Mr B makes sure there is no alcohol on her breath and that he has a car seat. Last time she had a family member hold him in her lap. I was beyond livid.

The next morning, Mr B goes to pick him up (we borrowed his parents car and returned it after church when we went there for Easter) and she gave him a hard time about him wanting a diaper bag. Can you imagine a mother not wanting to send her son out with his essentials? Mr B and I pay for those...its not even like we are asking her to pay for it. Anyway, he tells her again, it is in the court agreement...are you going to break it? About this time, a unidentified twenty something guy walks in...looking like he just woke up.

Mr B brings the baby to church where we work the nursery. The baby is in the nursery room with us and another adult. He doesn't want to play, in fact he cries to any adult who comes in the room. He wants to be picked up by anyone. The kids seemed scary to him, even though we never left the room.

After she came and picked him up, Mr B and I were just heart broken. I hate sending him back to her and after this weekend, I just feel more and more sick that he is there. He doesn't talk, doesn't play, doesn't smile, and doesn't understand kisses. We had a long discussion about it and have agreed that the best thing for him would be to be at our house as much as possible. We are hoping that if we "offer" to make things easier on her and take him during the week, she will go for it.

So I am asking that you please pray for us. That this situation is dealt with swiftly and the baby makes a good adjustment. That all issues and details surrounding bringing this child home would be figured out quickly.

I think for the first time, I can say with all honesty that I have real love for this little boy. My heart is breaking just thinking about him. I wish he was here.

Growing Leaps & Bounds With Marcus

I walked in to check on Marcus today and found him sitting up. This is a recent milestone that I quite enjoy, however, I had never seen him successfully do it in his crib. Guess we're gonna have to lower his mattress tonight. Sorry about the poor quality. I recorded the videos on my phone.

He still can't crawl, but he's getting awfully close don't you think?

Later on in the day, I took the kids down to the park. Marcus has never enjoyed swinging, but today, he really seemed to like it...you might turn down the volume...I use my high pitch/mama voice. I apologize in advance.

Did you notice in both videos that he has discovered his tongue? It's really funny when you go in for a kiss and you are assaulted by that thing! :)

Britney Spears

Mrs M and I went out last night to see Britney Spears preform. Notice I said preform rather than sing. She was definitely preforming. We had a great time. Mrs M got us amazing seats in row 7...

Brit Brit did a great job and looked fantastic. She was a little thick-and by that I mean she has a butt and boobs-, but to tell you the truth, I prefer her that way. No space between her inner thighs, a little cellulite, but definitely healthy and strong. See for yourself.

Edit: Some people are offended by the word "thick". I am only meaning to say that she didn't look like she was starving herself and she had great curves in all the right places. The word wasn't meant to be in anyway derogatory. Again, I think she looks amazing. I would also say that Marilyn Monroe was thick and Kim Kardashian is thick. Both beautiful and both curvy. I hope that makes sense.

I was assuming that there would be lots of tweens, but I saw very few under the age of 18. Actually, the lady who sat next to me and screamed like a 13 year old girl was 30 from Illinois. Makes me look sane! :)

Crockpot Throwdown!

This months challenge is crockpot. I LOVE this recipe and so does my husband and even my kids ask for THIRDS!!! If you don't like salty, I would cut the ranch dressing mix in half.

• 1 beef roast, any kind (2-3.5 lbs)
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package brown gravy mix, dry
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package dried Italian salad dressing mix
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package ranch dressing mix, dry
• 1/2 cup water

1. Place beef roast in crock pot.
2. Mix the dried mixes together in a bowl and sprinkle over the roast.
3. Pour the water around the roast.
4. Cook on low for 7-9 hours.

If you want, you can even throw in cut up potatoes and carrots during the last two hours. The juices make an amazing gravy over mashed potatoes. I know the recipe sounds a little strange, but it is SOOOO good.