The Sarge of 4 Has Now Moved...to a new SITE!

Hello All,

The transformation is now complete and the Sarge of 4 has moved to it's permanent site.  To check out the newness go to
http://www.thesargeof4.com/

I will not be posting any more to blog spot....so if you would like to continue to read about the Red's crazy adventures, Sissy Lou's dumping, Belle the Wonder Dog and Gus the hot dog.....oh and the embarrassing tales of Jesse and I, then please head on over to the new site!

The Sarge!

MOVING!!!

HI everyone, just wanted to let you all know that my website will be moving!!!  If you have me saved on your desk top, or favorites, my new web address will be:
http://www.thesargeof4.com/

It should be up and running in the next few days!!!
I thought I could just redirect from this site, but turns out I was wrong....so off to bigger and better things!!!!  Please update my web address to continue getting the sarge's latest post!!!
Love to all!!!

Crazy Weekend with Crazy Kids!

This weekend was full of adventure, friends and mischievous behavior......and I'm ready for SPRING BREAK!!!
We have had a series of several visitors over the past few days which was great, but caused my children to become little aliens!
We love company, and so do they, and to show how much they love company they like to act as crazy as possible!
It all started last Wednesday when our brother in law Uncle Steve came to visit.  The Red's love Uncle Steve and think that he is their playmate.  So poor Uncle Steve was dragged to the basement everyday to play with the Red's.  One of those days Eli got the bright idea to play pool.  But instead of using a stick he grabbed the balls and banged them against the railing of the pool table which resulted in one of the inlays of mother of pearl to shatter!

Uncle Steve left early Saturday morning and we prepared for our next round of guest.  They would be arriving late that afternoon and in the mean time we had our very first baseball practice for Andrew's team.  After practice we headed over to the sporting goods store because we were informed that this years league requires a cup!  Seriously....a cup....for my precious 6 year old!!!  Hilarious!
That afternoon when our guest arrived the kids ran around for a little bit, excited,  and then disappeared.....except for Sissy Lou.  Our guest had brought their little dog with them and Sissy Lou was infatuated with the dog!  I mean, we have never seen her so excited about anything!!!!!  She chased the dog around for the rest of the day screaming "puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy, puppy"......you get the point!
I guess I should point out that this was an older couple who's kids are all grown with kids of their own. We did warn them before they came...promise!

Later that evening after supper The Red's went to the basement to play their play station and Sissy Lou joined them.  Only a few minutes had passed before Andrew came running upstairs telling on Eli and Sissy Lou for dumping out a tub of popcorn and spreading it all over the floor.  You see, Uncle Steve had bought a tub of popcorn from Andrew from the boy scout sale back in the fall and this was the first time we'd seen him to deliver it.  Being nice, Uncle Steve opened the tin and shared his popcorn with my crazy kids and then decided to leave the popcorn for them.  Only problem is he left it downstairs......
When we got downstairs to check out the destruction, Sissy Lou was sprawled out on the floor doing her own version of snow angel in popcorn.  IT WAS EVERYWHERE!!!!!  Jesse pulled out the wet/dry vac and got to work while I sent the kids to B.E.D.!!!
While getting them ready for bed I went into the Red's bathroom only to look down and see something wet and shiny on their rug.  Beside the wet/shiny spot I see my kitchen scissors (which belonged in the kitchen not the bathroom).  So I stuck my finger in the wet/shiny spot and smelled......nothing.......puzzled I went to find Eli (don't know how I knew it was him, but I just knew) and asked him what my scissors were doing on the bathroom floor and what that wet/shiny stuff was on the rug.
He looks at me with his big puppy dog eyes and says: "Mom, I'm going to tell the truth" (I guess trying to prep me).  Me: "Alright Eli, tell me what you did".  Eli: "It's the ice pack".

It took me a second to put two and two together, but earlier in the night Sissy Lou had bumped her head (go figure) and I had given her one of those cold boo boo packs.  She loves them, and carries them around with her.  I guess she had put it down and Eli had grabbed it up.  My conclusion is that his precious curiosity had gotten the best of him and he had to see what was inside of that ice pack....so he cut it opened and poured the geled substance on the rug in the bathroom, then placed the empty, cut ice pack back into the freezer.

Today is a new day and I was hoping for an uneventful day!  Our guest left this morning and we have just laid around being bums!  This afternoon I happened to walk into the Red's room and I was graced with the sight of Eli's name written in RED marker on the CARPET! 

You know the saying "God only gives you as much as you can handle".....Well, I'm there...I'm done...no more PLEASE!!!!! 
I only want to find the man/woman who invented Spot Shot so I can lay a big fat wet kiss on them and tell them how their invention has saved our lives!  Seriously, the stuff can get out anything...including red marker! 

I'm hoping the mischievous nature of Eli has passed and we can get back to some normal behavior.....WHAT am I talking about....THAT is his normal behavior!!!!

And just to sum up our crazy weekend.....When Andrew got up this morning the first words out of his mouth were: "Hey mom, I prayed to Jesus that he would give you another baby"!
OH LORDY LORDY LORDY, HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME!!!!!!

Sissy Lou...The Artist!

Sissy Lou returned to her regular self last night.  Guess she thought life had gotten a little boring around the house so she had to liven it up a little.

Andrew came running down the hall saying "mom, look what Sissy had" as he held up a black (non-washable) marker.  Then I see Sissy Lou herself toddling in the room with her legs and toe nails painted black.  I jumped up and headed down the hall to see what else she might have colored.  I have already had to repaint this hallway once because Andrew colored green circle down it when he was 2.

When I got down there I saw that Sissy Lou stayed away from the walls and instead colored my hardwoods black. 

I was thinking, no big deal, just get a rag and wipe it up....yea, it wasn't that simple and my magic erasers had disappeared (or I had used them all...I keep them in bulk).  So I went to the next best thing....409!  It took it right up...except on Sissy Lou who I scrubbed in the shower later. 

While I was hard at work scrubbing my hardwoods brown again, Sissy Lou ventured into the kitchen where she opened a drawer and fished around until she found something that felt good. All of a sudden I hear this load beeping and I take off running.  Sissy Lou had activated our alarm system with the remote control!

I didn't have much time so when I grabbed the remote from Sissy I hit the off button and prayed I wasn't too late.  It was then that I felt something slimy all over my hands......VASELINE!  I had a small tube of Vaseline stored in that drawer for when Andrew gets a nose bleed (which is often).  She had it smeared up her legs, arms, floor, remote control, and key rings....hey, at least it helped the marker come off a little easier!
That girl is busy, busy, busy!  Please pray for me!!!!!! : )

Go and See It!

The other night we had a "go and see it" with the Cub Scouts...oh wait....Tiger Scouts now...oops.  This glorified field trip was to Wave 3 News (our local news station) for the little tigers to see how the news is made.  Curious myself (and hoping to run into the weather guys) I decided to join in...guess I should explain the weather thing..I follow the weather religiously and it drives Jesse nuts!  I read the weather blogs, and watch the weather channel and even have the weather guys at Wave 3 as friends on facebook...yes I know it's crazy weird, but that's me!

Anyways, back to the "go and see it".  The whole family loaded up and headed downtown to meet the other scouts. We piled into the news station and were given a guided tour.  I guess I didn't realize that they would actually be doing the news at the time we were there so the fears of what the Red's would do didn't start until we arrived. 

The first room we entered was the control room with lots and lots of buttons. Andrew was standing in front of me, but Eli was becoming elusive and freaking me out a little.  I could only imagine him pushing some important button and shutting the whole place down.  Sissy Lou was in my arms and kept saying "down, down" and I kept saying "no, no"...that's all I needed!

Next up was a series of not so important rooms that led to the "important" room....where the news takes place.  Cameras, wires, news casters, were everywhere and there we all stood in the corner grasping our 6 year old scouts mouths as they filmed the news.  They went on break and I see where Andrew was standing.......out front and center of the news casters desk as the news man talked to the scouts. 

It was then that I noticed where Andrew's finger was...UP HIS NOSE....digging out some of that precious gold!  Then he does the absolutely most unthinkable thing....in front of the news guys...HE EATS IT!!!  MORTIFIED....I slipped to the back and hid and let Jesse take the looks. 

Hey, it could have been worse....the cameras could have been on Andrew!

Just another remider that The Sarge Of 4 will be moving to a new website soon!  Keep a look out for the new info!  If you are afraid you will loose the Sarge you can always become friend on facebook so you can get all the post and new web address!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sarge-of-4/118453054884863

Would You Be Sad?

This weekend we had a pretty intense conversation with the Red's regarding death.  There was a reason.........plus the fact they have had questions of their own.  What spurred it on was playing baseball.  They were throwing the ball up in the air and hitting the ball, which is great, but they weren't paying attention to their surroundings!

 A few years back there was an accident up at our local ball field involving a bat that was swung and hit a kid in the chest resulting in that child dying.  So we sat the Red's down and talked about "bat safety" and I told them the story above.  Not to scare them but to make them aware that bats are not toys and they can hurt someone.  (Sorry if you don't agree with my method, but I'd rather not live through what the other parents lived through).

They seemed to get the point and were more cautious the rest of the afternoon. 
The next day Jesse was driving the Red's somewhere and here's the conversation that took place:

Eli:  "Andrew, would you be so sad if I died?"
Andrew....not looking up from his DS answers: "No, I'd just play with your toys"
Eli not missing a beat replies: "Well if you died I'd just play with YOUR toys"

UM.....I think they missed the point!

On a complete seperate note.....The Sarge is MOVING!!!!  The Sarge of 4 will soon be moving to a new site!  When everything is up and running I will make sure to let everyone know the new web address!  As always, Thanks for reading!
The Sarge

Are You Smarter Than a 1st Grader?

A few weeks ago Andrew was sent home with some math homework to complete.  It was all about the "Fact Triangle", which I had never heard of.  And if you do know what it is don't turn your nose up at me yet....it's been a while since I've been to 1st grade ; )
Back when we were in school I had to walk five miles, with holes in my shoes, up hill and knee deep in snow just to get to the school house.....oh wait, that's not me, that was my mom and dad's story!  Did everyone's parents use that story?
Anyways I digress (as usual).....I promise I'm getting to the story. 
If you're not a teacher and have been away from the teaching process for a while you soon realize that teaching methods have changed....for the better!  There are new concepts out there that make learning easier for kids. 
Here's a little lesson in "Fact Triangles"......

Looks easy right...well the worksheets look something like this:

Blanks...that's all I saw was blanks....and well, I  was confused.....so I did what any rational mom would do and decided I had to run to the store.  I handed the homework off to Jesse and told him I'd be back and to "take care of it".  Surely he would be able to figure this "fact triangle" puzzle out....surely.

When I returned home I found a frustrated husband sitting beside an even more frustrated 1st grader.  They had been at the homework for a while and were almost done (~Whew~I dodged a bullet)!
So I slid the homework in Andrew's backpack and sent it in to school.  A few days later the homework was returned home again with a note from Andrew's teacher that read: "Try Again".  So of course I LAUGHED OUT LOUD!  I couldn't help myself.  I mean it is quite funny that two parents with College degrees couldn't figure out a 1st graders math homework......and the kicker....Jesse was the one who did it wrong!!!!!  HA! (He's gonna hate me for this post)!

Here's where he went wrong, he added the numbers around like this:

12 + 6 = 18

6 + 6 = 12

6 - 12 = 6

12 - 6 = 6

Where he went wrong was the 12 + 6 = 18, all the numbers should equal one of the numbers in the triangle. 

The only reason I know this is because I turned to my best friend "Google" and it pointed me in the right direction.

I helped Andrew correct his homework and it clicked right away with him.  The reason he had been so frustrated with Jesse is because he was learning one way in class and Jesse was teaching him another.  Then I wrote underneath the teacher's note "Sorry, Dad's fault"...*hehe*!

I am well aware that this post makes Jesse and I look like complete idiots, but it was way too funny not to share!
Wow......my poor kids, maybe we should get them tutors now!

How To Get Things Done

You could say that I am the smartest woman on earth......or the biggest klutz on earth, but I'm leaning more toward the beginning part of this sentence.

On Saturday I began cleaning the house like a mad woman, all the nook and crannies.  Not sure why, but I just started finding "spots" that I didn't like so one thing led to the next.  My eyes landed on my kitchen sink faucet and to a nastiness that had taken up residence between the faucet handle and the base.  So I got my heavy duty cleaners out and began scrubbing.  Not satisfied that I couldn't get to it all, I made the decision to unscrew the faucet handle and really give it a good scrubbing.
However, when I unscrewed the handle it just popped off.  Upon further inspection I realized that I had just broken a key piece in this faucet...*OOPS*! 

I am well known for my "accidents" around the house, so I called Jesse (cause he was out playing) and told him this:  "Hi honey.....you know when I decide to do something that I have good intentions for and somehow I end up making a mess of things.......well....I broke the kitchen faucet....so you'll need to stop by Lowe's and pick up a new one.....and install it today....okay, love you, bye".
I could hear him chuckling on the other end of the phone, because he thinks my "accidents" are quite funny.  Just like the 3 different times I knocked the mail box over while mowing (yes, I mow, I like to mow...it gives me a good base tan for the summer...and yes I wear sunscreen)!
Later that afternoon in walks Jesse with my new faucet!  He pulls out his plumbing box and gets his plumber pants on (that's code for butt crack) and gets to work.  After a few minutes I had my new and improved faucet installed and ready to go.

He's not mad...this is just his "tough guy" face : )

Eli wanted to help with the installation!

Now......do you believe that I am a klutz and break things on "accident" or would you like to believe I know how to get things done.
Somehow I have a feeling that my stove, and bathroom tile might be subject to my "accidents" real soon.  I'm even thinking of letting Sissy Lou and the Red's in on the action to have some "accidents" of their own with the walls....they sure do need to be painted again.....
Those honey do list are too boring....try to liven it up a little and have a few "accidents" on your own ; )

I really am the biggest klutz...I just had to make myself look smarter than I really am :)

Worry....It's a Killer!

The other day I took Andrew for his routine 3 month check up for his ultrasound and blood work.  I have mentioned before that Andrew has Beckwith Weidemann Syndrome which puts him in a high risk category for developing tumors in his abdomen.  Since the kids with this syndrome are prone to these tumors (Whelms tumors...which are very fast growing), they must be screened every three months to make sure everything is alright.

Anyways, as I said, I took Andrew for his test and came home.  A few days later the doctor called with the results, which immediately made me catch my breath because she never calls....it's always the nurse.  As soon as I heard her voice my heart started pitter pattering and my mind began the downward spiral thinking.  I was trying so desperately to make the small talk with the doctor and at the same time my mind was racing out of control.  In a matter of seconds, (in my mind), I had my son....with cancer and on chemo already.  My fears were quickly relieved when she gave me the results and told me everything looked great.
When I hung up the phone I took a deep breath to calm myself and then I was awestruck on how quickly I let worry and fear take me over completely.
What just happened?  Where was my faith?  Where was my trust in God?

WORRY...it's a killer...of the soul!  It strips you of self control, rational thinking, trust, and faith. It takes you over and gives you anxiety.....for what exactly?  Things that we have fabricated in our minds.  Things that are all out of our control. 
CONTROL......loss of control causes worry....but when did we forget that WE are NOT in control....GOD IS!
It amazes me on how often throughout the Bible, God talks about worry, fretting, and letting Him handle things!
He all but begs us to lay our life down (which includes not only our heart and soul but everything in between..our house, our jobs, our kids, our spouse, our families, our church, our friends, our health, our MONEY).  He commands us to "Do Not Fret"!
So why is it that we consume ourselves with worry?

My Mom always used the phrase with me growing up: "Don't borrow trouble". How profound that statement is. 

The Bible says it this way: " But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34.

Sorry for my ramblings everyone, not sure why this hit me so hard, but I felt compelled to share it with you today! So, "Let Go, and Let God", "Don't worry, Be happy" Had to throw that one in : )
And my most favorite:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

My prayer for each of you today is that God would grant you peace over your "worries", calm your pitter pattering hearts and allow Him to take over and direct your paths!
I love you all so very much and I am thankful for each of you!

The Rambling Sarge

Eli... My Little Stinker!

The other day while picking the Red's up from school, one of the teachers wondered over to me and said "I have a story for you".
With a *sigh*, I said, "alright, let's hear it".

Laughing a bit she tells me that While in class that day Eli was a bit squirrely and so she had him some and sit on the floor in front of the class with two others that had gotten in trouble.
After a few minutes passed, she walked up to the first two students and asked them if they were ready for their second chase.  They both looked at her and said "yes". 
Then she made her way over to Eli and asked him if he was ready for his second chance.  Eli looked up at her and said "no, not yet".
She said it completely took her by surprise and she had to turn her head so she could laugh.

Guess you never know what Eli might say.....little stinker!

My little Hoarder

Over the past few months I have watched my daughter evolve into a hoarder. It all started when I was taking her jammers off one morning and found 3 whole cookies in the foot of the pj's.  Guess she was saving them for later?
The next week I was changing her diaper and found about 5 Lego's stuffed into the top of her diaper.
From there the trend continued and I have found countless toys, & food items shoved in her diaper or clothing.  Like fruit loops, doll clothes, &money (which I can totally understand...since she doesn't have a bra to shove it in).
This morning I witnessed the phenomenon first hand.  Anytime she sees me use tape she thinks it's a sticker (which she calls "pretties" ).  She held out her hands said pretty and so I put a piece of tape on each hand.  She then pulls the tape off and shoves it down her diaper!  This leaves me a little baffled!
I would love to know what she is thinking.....I do throw those diapers out, so the point of saving for later is kind of obsolete.  Either way, it sure is funny!

Eli at the Ballet Coppelia

Just an update to the Ballet Coppelia field trip with Eli's class.

Eli was so excited that he woke up himself bright and early and came and asked if he could get dressed.  So I got up and fixed his breakfast and then we assembled him nicely in his "handsome" clothes.

Then he asked if he looked like his daddy...too sweet!  Since he looked so handsome and dressed like his daddy, they wanted a picture taken together....both in their ties!

Sissy Lou saw the camera and came running....and had to have a picture too with Mr. Handsome.

Andrew was feeling a little left out so he jumped in for his picture moment as well!

I sent Eli on to school and told him I'd meet him at the Ballet later that day. 

When I arrived at the Fine Arts Center downtown, I walked out to meet the buses as they pulled up.  Out poured kids and I was handed the four that I would man for the day...3 boys and 1 girl. 

We marched inside in a straight line and headed straight for our seats.  Once seated we began our wait of 30 minutes until all the other schools loaded in.  By this time my rowdy boys were getting anxious and wiggling a lot!  One even told me that if they didn't start soon that he would be leaving. So of course I asked "how exactly are you going to get back to the school?", and with that he looks at me and says "on the bus" (Why didn't I think of that?) HA! 

Then it was time, time for the Ballet to begin and the roars of the children could probably be heard for a mile!  They were whooping and hollering and so excited!

I have to say, the Ballet Coppelia was very entertaining and captivated everyone in the room!  Eli even wants to go back and see the whole production.  We only saw Act II. 

Eli did decide that while he likes to watch the ballet (the girls in short skirts and tight, tight, tights) he would not like to be in the ballet....WHEW...close one!

However, I think he will be my artsy fartsy child...and I LOVE that!  He loves to sing and dance....at least I might have a chance of one of my children doing what I love to do....maybe......

This past weekend I sang at our church and the Red's were asking me why I did that and if it was hard.  I told them that I sang because that is the gift God had given me and I needed to use my gift to serve Him.  When I said that Andrew responded: "What's my gift?", and I told him that would be something he needed to figure out.  He then told me that he hoped God gave him the gift of being a scientist?

Eli got up and was walking off when he said "I want God to give me the gift of being a transformer". 

So maybe I will hold out hope a little longer for my little artist to appear ; )



The Dumper Is Back.......

Wow, it's been so long since I've reported a dumping story that I thought the phase had passed....guess not! 
Yesterday after returning home from picking the kids up from school, I sat down to do some "catch up" work. 
After school it is always snack time around here so I let them choose their poison and locked the pantry.  The reason I locked it is because I had bought some fruit snacks for the kids and they have become Sissy Lou's new obsession causing her to frequent the pantry.  Then I got busy with my "work" (that's code for ebay selling....I'm a little addicted at this present moment of selling Sissy's clothing....okay, okay, and buying too).
Later that afternoon Jesse arrived home from work and for some strange reason UNLOCKED the pantry leaving it vulnerable to my innocent yet rather sneaky, fruit snack addict.

Then I heard something...wasn't sure what it was, but knew I shouldn't be hearing it.  So I hopped up, ran to the kitchen only to find this:

That is a whole bag of cornmeal that now graces my floor with it's presence. 

And this is my little angel who was so extremely proud of herself!

At least I caught her before it became a mixture of flour and sugar ; )

Seriously, does anyone else have kids that dump as much stuff as my kids do?  And why must all three of mine be dumpers?  I need answers...if we were to have another, would that child be a dumper also?  And yes I am well aware of the underlining humor in my statements.....I'm just trying to type "dumpers" as many times as possible!Stay tuned for the next dump.....ing story.......

Ballet???

Eli's kindergarten class will be attending the Ballet tomorrow for their field trip.  They were suppose to go in December to see the Nutcracker but we got snowed out.  So to make up for that missed trip they will now be seeing Coppelia.
I have assigned myself as a chaperon for this trip and I have to say I am pretty excited. 
I had the most awesome experience to perform with the Alabama ballet in the Merry Widow Opera when I was in College.  Singing wise...not dancing and background at that, but it still was so amazing to be part of such an amazing production.  I had a wig, costume and a "short" dancing scene with a lead character *gasp*!  Here's just a quick peek at what my outfit looked like...wig, makeup and ballgown.  Scene was set for Paris early 1900's.

This totally isn't what this blog was about, but I digressed!  Any who....Eli is so excited and the ballet has been all he could talk about since he got home from school.  He even helped me pick out his "handsome" outfit to wear and then questioned me on my attire.  So I let him also help and meet his approval with what I am going to be wearing.  At first he didn't like what I had picked and asked me if I had a princess dress to wear : )
Then he looks at my shoes and notices a pair flats that resemble ballet shoes (I guess).  He picked them up with such excitement and said "Mom, this is what the ballet people wear". 
From there he followed me from room to room explaining things about the ballet to me *chuckle*...it was very cute and amusing.  They have really been discussing this a lot in class so they would know what to expect.
Next he started with the ballet dance moves and had to show me each one.  He jumped up in the air and turned around and said "see mom, they do the Mario move".  It was then that he said it....what every Mother/Father....um......never wants to hear......
"Mom, am I the best ballet dancer you've ever seen?"
So I swallowed my pride and answered: "yes son,.......just don't tell your daddy".  ; )
So here he is my handsome ballet dancer:

Up on his toes and everything! Hopefully I'll get a story out of this field trip tomorrow! 

Tornado!!!!!!

SO...we received a phone call at 5 a.m. with "emergency" lighting up in the caller id.  Jesse stumbled to grab the phone and when he picked it up he was greeted with a message from the weather center announcing that we were under a tornado warning and need to seek shelter asap!
I sat up and turned on the the TV to see what was happening and saw that indeed there were multiple sighting of tornado's all around us *YIKES*!
So we got up, grabbed a flash light, cell phones and the kids (okay, I grabbed diapers and wipes too...plus a sippy & blanket), and we headed to the basement.
The kids were so groggy that they didn't know what was happening until they saw the lightening and heard the thunder.  We turned on the television downstairs to see the weather and when they said "tornado" the Red's start freaking out!  I mean, question after question after question!  "Is the tornado going to get us?", "Is the thunder the tornado?", "Is the tornado going to take our roof off?", "what is a tornado?". 
Then the weather man reported that there had been a tornado in the town right next to ours that is literally 2 miles from our house...freaky, freaky.  In the next county over, which is about 10 miles down the road, there was a house that was flattened by an F3! 
Finally the storm passed and we were able to return to our bed (plus a few kids), but I couldn't sleep.  My mind was racing, thinking back to the last time I had to "take cover".  You see I am no stranger to tornado's.  I grew up in Alabama where it's ranked to be the state with "highest percentage of tornadoes rated as of significant intensity" (tornadochaser.net). 
And on April 8, 1998 that percentage turned out to be true as an F5 tornado ripped through the middle of the state.  The towns in it's path were Oak Grove, Sylvan Springs (where I lived), and Edge water  leaving a path of destruction 19 to 20 miles long in it's wake.  It looked like a bomb exploded....homes were completely demolished, people I knew lost everything.  I had a friend that lived just down the street that I grew up with and their house was completely wiped out.  They only survived because they went into the crawl space under the house.  We were about 10 houses down from where this tornado ripped through and were thankfully left untouched. 
I happened to be at a friends house that night and was right in the path of this devastating storm.  Luckily they had a storm shelter that we took refuge in and all I can remember is complete silence followed by the loudest roaring sound I've ever heard.  Then the shelter's door began to shake and we all coward low.  After what seemed to be an eternity the winds finally calmed and we climbed out.  My dad was so worried about me that he drove through all the destruction to get me.  On the way home I got a first hand glimpse of the "aftermath" of this F5.  There were people wandering the street in utter shock, debris was everywhere and the town I grew up in was unrecognizable.
The military was brought in and I had to show my license everyday just to get home!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5xMESViHKs&feature=related

It is unreal the damage these storms can do!  So please make sure you have your "safe place" and be prepared and BE SAFE!!!  This is an event that I would never like to experience again!

I didn't think the weather could be so bad here in Louisville, but in the 5 years we've lived here we've experience a hurricane (weird I know), a devastating ice storm, an earthquake (again, weird)....and now a tornado....and let's not  talk about the allergies they are a catastrophe on their own!
I would like to know if there is a state I could move too where I could avoid any natural catastrophe?

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Well the Red's have now had their first official fight!  *Sigh*  We knew this day would come and I thought I'd be prepared for it, but I wasn't.  How could I ever be prepared to sit back and watch two of my darling children, who I love so dearly, beat the living snot out of each other?

Here's the low down:
The bickering began early in the evening over trivial stuff.  Then the name calling began, which turned into some hurt feelings.  With the hurt feelings came anger and with the anger...well punches started flying and legs kicking like ninjas and then I see my sweet little Eli on the ground Christmas Story style with Andrew straddled over him.  Andrew was sitting on Eli and throwing punch after punch after punch.  Finally Eli was able to maneuver Andrew off and the fight ended with Eli getting his tail handed to him. 

I sat them both down and we had a LONG talk about how to respect each other, how to deal with our hurt feelings and how to manage our anger.  I then explained how much it hurt Mommy and Jesus to see them fight with their words and fist.
Since I was totally ill-prepared for this event (and left to man the fight myself) I thought I'd make a few purchases for future events.  See what you think:
First I will need a uniform, just so there is no mistaking who's in charge!

and Sissy Lou will need one as well.....because she is the boss!

Let's not forget my whistle for when my voice is not heard:

and if that doesn't work:

Then I will have Jesse build a ring in the basement...just to keep them contained:

Finally, I will need this:

Not for their eyes....to eat....breaking up fights makes me hungry.....and I'm an emotional eater ; )

Jewelry Sabotager

I tell you.....I have been in the muck knee deep around here.  Some sort of bleak, blah-ness, rainy, cold, non-inspiring stuff, surrounded by sickness, place..ugg!
I realized the other night that all my blogs are sort of redundant, repeating the same sort of happenings with different things.  Like for instance:  Sissy Lou did ________, or The Red's said _________, or Jesse....well Jesse's just funny (in the head)!
However, the thought entered my mind that, that is exactly what I started this blog for in the first place.  I mean.....it's suppose to be about the "what's next" of our family....no matter how redundant, since we seem to be "that" family that EVERYTHING happens to!  With that being said I would like to now get to the "what's next" part of this story.....which is another Sissy Lou did______!

I have this very lovely jewelry case that my father bought me years ago.  It's beautiful and plenty big enough to hold all my jewelry.

Along with my shoe addiction I have a jewelry addiction....but not the real, cost a lot, shiny gold, lots of diamonds type of jewelry.  Nope, I LOVE costume jewelry....just love it and I LOVE to accessorize.  Okay, don't get me wrong, I'll take the real, cost a lot, shiny gold, with lots of diamonds type anytime, but the bulkiness of the costume world just overwhelms me....it's like a magnet to me.  With that being said my jewelry box is nearly filled.

Since I have been knee deep lately, taking care of Andrew and Jesse all the while being the "single mother" of the week, taking care of the house, etc.... Sissy Lou has felt a little deprived.  So she has taken matters into her own hands to get noticed.....by raiding my jewelry box!

The other night while running from bathroom to bathroom trying to get the Red's ready for bed, Sissy Lou slipped quietly in our room (we call her the sniper because she always strikes without you knowing) and SABOTAGED my JEWELRY!  There were beads everywhere, and broken necklaces just lying around.  8 necklaces to be exact....these are just the fragments of what is left.

I slid to the floor and wept for a while for my fallen, beautiful pieces that were no more......okay, I'm kidding about that last part, but it did break my heart....just a little. She stripped one side of my jewelry case almost completely!

Good thing it was just the fake stuff...I have always stashed my finer pieces in another place where little sticky hands can't reach!  I learned that lesson back when Eli was little...I seem to have a reoccurring theme, except he was more into my bracelets!

So if any of you know a good "costume" jewelry fixer, I would love to know who to call!

I Am Sick of February!

Alright, I am officially nominating February as the "sick" month for the Richardson household!
It all started with Sissy Lou getting a cold/fever virus that turned into an ear infection that we couldn't get rid of with two rounds of antibiotics.  Then The cold/fever virus found it's way into Eli and caused him to have an ear infection (weird, I know)!  Oh, and let's not forget the head injury!

Then it was Andrew's turn....I reported in a few previous blogs that Andrew had a Flu "look alike" virus...turns out I was wrong.  After a few days of battling a fever that wouldn't budge from 102 with Tylenol and Motrin (which freaked me out a little considering our past incounter with Kwasaki's...I should write a blog on that later),  I caved and took him to the doctor.  Good thing I did, because it turns out it wasn't the Flu....it was STREP!

So we started him on antibiotics on Friday.......and that puts all three of my kids on antibiotics for the month of February!

Today, low and behold, Andrew's fever returned : (  since he is still on his medication it is only to be reasoned that he now has a fever virus on top of strep..GREAT!

To make matters even worse, Jesse came home from work today early....HE'S NOW RUNNING A FEVER....the evil Germies got him!!!!

Here's my sick crew for February!

Jesse went to the doctor and he has the FLU....SHUT UP!!!!!

I need to take my "well" kids and get the heck out of here before it gets me......I'm the only one who hasn't been sick in February....I feel the germie little creatures all around me clawing their way into my immune system...HELP!!!!!

Lysol and hand sanitiser have become my closest companions over the past month and have remained loyal and steadfast in my time of need.
I am leading the charge in the Richardson household to cleanse us of all evil germs that seek to destroy...wish me luck!

Winner of the Giveaway of Great Street CD

Thank you all for checking out my friends CD, and if you didn't win one of these awesome CD's then you can download from itunes, buy from Amazon or go directly to their website:http://www.greatstreetmusic.com/home.cfm

AND THE WINNER IS:

#6

JILLI WORTH

It's a toss up for me between Harry Connick Jr's My Blue Heaven and Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel "IZ" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (yeah I totally copied and pasted that, don't be impressed) ;)

Jilli

Look for more giveaways next month!  Love you all!

Little Treasure's Kid Sale

I have got to say that this time of year is one of my favorites.  Maybe it's the good deals, or shopping, shopping, shopping, or both, but I LOVE "LITTLE TREASURE'S CONSIGNMENT SALE".

Every year they host a sale twice, once for the spring/summer stuff and then once again for the fall/winter stuff.  I guess you can already imagine that it's time for the spring/summer sale ; )
For the past 4-5 years I have been attending this sale and I have found some amazing stuff.  Things that you can't find in the store like: Ninja Turtle Figurines, or Care Bears.  I'm telling you that they have it all!
Last year I purchased a beautiful Strasburg dress for Sissy Lou for $5.00 that was only worn once!!!!
I have also made it out the door with some awesome designer clothes for her like: Tea Collection, Baby Nay, Baby Lulu, Cach Cach, Petit Ami, Amanda Remembered, Peachs n' Cream, & Ralph Lauren etc....
Lot's of boy stuff as well...but that never gets me as excited as the girl clothes!
And did I mention the SHOES!!!! OH HEAVEN'S the SHOES are galore....baskets and baskets of shoes spilling over in every size...

I get so excited before the sale begins that I have a hard time sleeping...I know I'm sick....but if you could take a glimpse of this sale and what it has to offer, you (my fellow shopaholics) would understand! It kindof feeds my addiction in a not so break the bank sort of way....and for that it makes Jesse happy!
If you live in the Louisville/Southern Indiana area and you have never attended this sale and you have kids (that's a big one) then you need to check it out!  You will not be disappointed....you WILL be overwhelmed...in a good way!
http://www.littletreasuressale.com/louisville/index.php

You will find:  books, toys, baby stuff, strollers, car seats, bikes, high chairs, pack n' plays, bumbo seats galore, clothes, shoes, bedding...you name it and they have it!  And most of the stuff is brand new/slightly used!

The sale starts Wednesday Feb 23 from 9am-9pm and runs through March 6th.  It is located in the former Circuit city building 4600 Shelbyville Rd.  just North of the mall of St. Matthews.
The best deals usually get grabbed first, so try to get there close to opening day as you can.  They also have a restock day later  so that's a good time also.
Happy deal shopping..hope to see you there!!! 

Reminder of Giveaway!

Just sending out a quick reminder that the giveaway of a fabulous Great Street music CD is ending today at 7:00 pm.  The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.
If you haven't entered yet, check out the post:
http://thesargeof4.blogspot.com/2011/02/great-street-music-giveaway.html

Love to all! 
The Sarge

Andrew Meets Mr. Flu "like" Virus....

For the past few weeks now we have been hearing reports of kids dropping like flies in Andrew's classroom with a horrible flu "like" virus.  As you can imagine I held my breath and crossed my fingers that our household would be spared from the grasp of Mr. Flu.  However, last night we all met face to face at 1:30 a.m.
I was awakened by Andrew at my bedside whining and when I touched him I realized that he was burning up with fever.  I let out a huge *sigh* and woke Jesse to tell him, Andrew has "The Virus"!  I gave him some Tylenol and snuggled him close.  Andrew wasn't feeling so well and tossed and turned saying his head and tummy hurt. So I grabbed the small garbage can and we headed to sleep on the couch.
About an hour later the stomach part of Mr. Flu hit.....
Finally I was able to get Andrew settled again and he drifted off to sleep.
At 5:00 a.m. I was awakened again by Andrew, but this time he was laughing hysterically in his sleep.  At first I thought it was funny that he was laughing so hard in his sleep (this would equate to one of my snot laughs).  But then after 2-3 minutes of this laugh I started to get a little concerned.  So I touched his arm and tried to talk to him, asking him what he was laughing at.
The response I got was something in the realm of little monkey's tickling him and Sissy Lou talking to him (he said she was funny).....
The he snapped out of it, and doesn't remember any of it.
Fever does some strange things people....little monkeys and Sissy Lou talking....hmmmm
Should be an interesting few days ahead!

So can anyone tell me the point of getting the flu vaccine if the sneaky Mr. Flu morphs itself into something furious that drugs can't help?

My Mii

While driving to church the other day Andrew informs me that he and Eli have made a Mii for Mommy.  I have to say curiousity got the best of me so I asked: "oh really, what does it look like?"
Andrew replied: "Eli made you fat"
Shocked Mommy: "What? FAT?"
Andrew: "but it's okay Mom, we gave you great hair"

Thanks boys....that makes it all better....great hair!  Nothing like a 5 and 6 year old to boost your self esteem!

Sorry about the quaility of the picture.....taking a picture of the tv screen!

Don't forget to enter into the GIVEAWAY!!!
http://thesargeof4.blogspot.com/2011/02/great-street-music-giveaway.html

Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup

I got this recipe from my friend Christi Gibson.  I have been looking for a Potato soup recipe for years that resembled O'Charley's recipe because that is my FAVORITE!!!!  I revised it a little, because I didn't have certain things on hand, but gave you guys the true recipe. It is out of this world GOOD and hits the spot on those cold rainy sick days!  Hope you all enjoy!

3 lbs red potatoes, peeled and diced

1/4 cup butter melted

1/4 cup flour

8 cups half and half

1 16 oz package of Velveeta cheese (diced up)

white pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

1 tsp hot pepper sauce

bacon cooked crisp

shredded cheddar cheese

chopped fresh chives

a sprinkle of parsley (optional, and the original recipe called for fresh parsley, I used dired)

(I think I salted to taste also)

Cook the diced potatoes for around 10 minutes or until about 3/4 way done.  In a seperate large pot combine the melted butter and flour and mix until smooth.  Then place over low heat and gradually stir in the half and half.  Continue to stir until smooth and the liquid begins to thicken (I used the Silicone Sauce Whisk from Pampered Chef)  http://www.pamperedchef.biz/tonyabeasley?page=products-detail&categoryId=123&itemId=2481&productId=13823

It works great with stuff like this!

I also bumped up the heat a little so I could get the sauce to thicken.  Now add in your Velveeta cheese cubes and stir until all melted together.  Head back over to your pototoes and drain them, then add to your soup sauce.  Stir in your pepper, garlic powder, hot sauce and salt here tasting after adding to make sure your soup is spot on to your liking!

Cover and cook over low hear for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

When ready to serve, have your bacon crumbled in a bowl, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives all ready to add in!

~Now, sit back, relax and enjoy~