I'm Not Your Mommy Anymore

Mommy to Super Wy, "I said no."

Super Wy to Mommy, "I wanna."

Mommy to Super Wy, "I SAID no."

Super Wy to Mommy, "Whatever... I'm not your mommy anymore."

Mommy to Super Wy as she holds back a laugh, "Fine... but I'm still your mommy."

Super Wy to Mommy as he tries to figure out where he went wrong in his declaration, "Fine, whatever."

Trip to China

Yesterday evening:
Spending the evening watching movie with my sister and brother in law. All the kids are located throughout the house playing.

My oldest nephew runs in from the back room, "They're throwing mud piles in the bedroom window!"

We hurry out back to find the little boys in the middle of their dirt play area digging a hole. Gobs of mud are on the wall, on the sidewalk and all over the grass. Scolding is performed and dirt is picked up. The kids are all tight lipped about the reason behind these antics and my sis and I chalk it up to, "they're boys...nuff said."

This morning:
The little boys and I are eating breakfast and they are busy talking about where they're gonna go.

Confused, because we had no plans for today, I ask, "What are you two talking about?"

Holy Terror hushes Super Wy and as the oldest speaks for them. "We are digging a hole to China."

"No!" Super Wy hollers. "I wanna dig a hole to the beach!"

I realize what they were doing the evening before. My next thought is whether I should give them a lesson about the realities of digging a hole to anywhere then realize how busy it'll keep them...what to do? What to do?

I'll admit it, I went with, "Okay, just keep the mud off the wall this time."

The two spend the remaining breakfast arguing with each other. Afterwards they hurry out back to get going on the hole.

This afternoon:
Holy Terror has given up the effort and is playing in his room. Super Wy comes in from the backyard, dejected. "I'm never gonna get anywhere without Holy Terror's help."

He passes through to the back of the house. Thoughts of China and the beach go up in smoke.

Hot Dogs and Sandwiches

Super Wy hurries to the front room from the back, where he's supposed to already be asleep. He peeks out twice until I finally smile at him. He pops out and begins:

Gesturing like he's reeling in a fish. "I'll use hot dogs and put them on the fishin' pole...because that's how you catch really big fish."

"Really?"

He grins wider and puffs out his chest in a very important manner. "Yeah, the small fish like the small green things, but really big fish like hot dogs...and sometimes sandwiches."

His blue eyes twinkle...my heart falls all over again for this little man. What a crazy nut.

"So we're all going fishing and bringing hot dogs and sandwiches for bait?" I shrug, fully accepting this theory. What do I know? I don't fish. "Okay, sounds good. Just let Daddy know tomorrow."

He nods really big then giggles and runs back to bed.

There, his message is parted and duly noted. Can't wait to hear Daddy's reaction to this advice.

The Jacket

Hurrying to get ready this morning Hubby and I rushed through the normal routine. You know, normal morning stuff:

Shower, dress, argue with teenagers, dress little boys, argue with teenagers some more, fix breakfast, kick the teenagers out to school, find little boy's jackets and shoes...yadayada

Hubby tosses me Super Wy's jacket and I turn to him. He spins around and his eyes twinkle with magnificence.

"Thanks...gotta put my jacket on to be an assassin," he says, pausing for dramatic effect and then adds, "of eee-vil!"

Life's Many Twists

As you can see, I haven't posted here in a couple months. I wish I could say it was because we at the Norris Ranch have been having too much fun. Life can't be all roses and laughter, I guess. There were good doses of that during this lapse...but unfortunately, our personal life has taken one of its many unwelcomed turns.

So weird when the other areas have been going so well. Our finances finally leveled out. My publishing dream is coming true in spades. My children are strong and healthy and doing (or not doing) exactly what they're supposed to for their ages. My husband and I are more in love and connected than we've ever been. Work is rewarding and challenging.

I feel sucker punched.

Stunned disbelief turned to panic turned to denial turn to distress turned to frustration turned to angry.

Yes, I was -- and still sometimes am -- angry. I can admit it in the framework of words on screen. I want to throw something, yell at someone, and...blame anything other than the fact "it happens". "It happens" is not tangible to me. I can't grasp it, come to terms with it and then tuck it away.

It's there. It's not going away any time soon. It's causing pain. With the anger came the fear of acceptance.

I have a brain tumor.

With the acceptance, I gazed around and noticed life continued ticking. Nothing halted. The world kept going and I could either falter, freeze, and stop going with it...or, I could work through it and beyond it.

I could get through it. I mean, come on, I have the best ammunition in the world. A loving husband, 4 awesome kids, a large supportive family, and really great friends. Who could ask for anything better than that going into something soooo scary?

No...Not Again

It's started. I'm now in the first stages of unneeded. Woke up Saturday morning regular time and the boys were eating their breakfast.

Already made.

Already started.

No Mommy needed.

"We did it ourselves," Holy Terror informed me with a touch of pride.

What was I to do? I smiled and gave high fives. Told them how proud I was. All the while my heart was breaking.

It's started again. The first two, now in high school, started not needing me so much about the same age. Somehow I suppressed it, not wanting to think about it.

Now it's smacked me in the face all over again.

*Sigh*

Well, off to continue my moping.

...sigh again...

I Want That!

Cinnamon Crunch commercial comes on and the little boys yell at the same time, "I want that!"

"We'll see," I say absently with a sigh.

A commercial for Nerf mega gun thingie comes on and the little boys yell at the same time, "I want that!"

"We'll see," I say with another sigh and a shake of the head.

The commercial of an older woman praising the Total Pillow comes up and the little boys stand up and start jumping and yelling, "I want that!"

I pause and look at the commercial then at the boys with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah! Yeah!" They wiggle and dance and chatter on about the awesomeness of the Total Pillow.

The commercial for the Portable Desktop comes up and...yup, you guess it...

"I want that!"

Ringing in 2011

Hubby and I aren't big time New Years celebrators. I know, usually our big family celebrate pretty good on holidays. New Years just hasn't been a big one for either of us growing up and we kind of carried on the tradition. However, this year we decided to at least do a little fun something with just us.

So, the Norris Ranch rung in New Years with a front room slumber party. Hubby went and got treats and snacks then set up the airbed for us. The teenagers piled onto the couch and the little guys made a toddler nest on the ground out of all the blankets.

Over pizza, taquitos, salad, and sodas we watched movies until 11 pm. At 11 we turned to watch the celebration on television. And at midnight --the toddlers already asleep -- we all wished each other a happy New Year.

I don't know what's in store for us in 2011. The last few years have been a pretty mixed bag, but overall the kids are healthy, our marriage in going strong, and we have work and a roof under our heads. All the other struggles in life will come and go, with new things replacing them. As long as we continue handling them together I think everything will be okay and the bumps will be manageable. (Crossing fingers.)

Hope you all have a happy 2011 from the Norris'!

My Peeps

Loving this Sunday evening. I look up from my book to see Holy Terror at my feet playing with his motorcycles and cars. Super Wy is halfway between the living area and kitchen creating his world through Legos. Drama Queen is listening to music on the computer and chatting with friends. And my oldest, Parkour Boy, is playing Star Wars on the Wii next to me. Occasionally, one shares a thought or funny comment with the others and there's giggling or growls and a response.

It's a comfort to sit and relax with the sounds of fake police sirens and burning tires. The chatter of Super Wy making dialogue for his people in Lego land. The clicking of my daughters fingers to the keyboard and the grunts and whoops and hollers of my son to the background of Star Wars music.

These are my peeps and even though we're all doing something separate, we're a unit.

True Meaning of Gifts

Holy Terror puts the last strip of tape on his gift to Parkour Boy. It's crooked as is the wrapping paper and bulky folds. The gift is one of the perfect the little boys have done and the favorite gifts I like looking at under the tree. With a kiss and a pat on the butt, I send him out and call for Super Wy to come back, so he can wrap his gifts.



As I wait for little man to join me, Holy Terror comes in with an old shipping box. He sets it very carefully on the bed and gives me a conspiratory grin. "I need some tape, please."



I hand it to him and he starts pulling off a too long piece.



"What's this?" I ask tapping the box.



"It's another gift for Super Wy." He shakes off the tape from his finger and opens the box flaps. There inside is one of Holy Terrors most treasured fire trucks. Super Wy comes running down the hall and Holy Terros hurries to close the box and we tape it up together.



Super Wy stands next to Holy Terror and looks at the box. "What that?"



Holy Terror smiles down at him. "You'll see on Christmas. Its a secret."



They giggle. I expected Holy Terror to let it sit a few hours before reopening it and taking his toy back. A few hours later, after the kids were put to bed, I went out to the front of the house and there under the tree was the box. Written in rough pen was "Super Wy".



This is the true meaning of gift giving. To give a little something of yourself to make someone you love happy. I can't wait for Super Wy to open it Christmas morning and know that Holy Terror thought enough of him to give up one of his toys.

See? It's Christmas!

"Mom, it's Christmas!" Super Wy comes up to me, bouncing excitedly.

"Not yet. A few more days," I reply.

"No, no! It IS Christmas. Come see!"

He pulls me up and leads me into the kitchen where on the frig is the Christmas calendar. I look closely and notice a yellow color pencil line is drawn through the rest of this week...stopping at the day with the face of Santa on it.

"See! It's Christmas!" He dances in the kitchen, wiggling his booty and twirling his arms.

"Honey, it's only this day," I say pointing at today's square. His smile turns into a frown. "But look, only 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 more days! That's not very far away."

He smiles -- not as bright as his earlier one -- and nods. "Yeah. Not so far." His little chest fills with air and he lets it all out in a big, disappointed sigh before moping his way out of the kitchen.

Poor guy...if only marking days off a calendar would make the fun days come faster.

Sunday Relaxation

Last day of the holiday vacation. Tomorrow it's back to reality. It was such a wonderful week. I'd upload the photos, but Holy Terror accidentally broke our camera earlier in the week and we had to use a disposable...so, I'll post them once we get them back from the processing center (ha ha, as soon as I get them TO the processing center). It also means Hubby and I are shopping around for a new digital camera.

We spent two wonderful days in Bodega Bay. Then we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. To read about that, visit the Desert Breeze blog where I did a Thanksgiving Guest Blog. Friday and Saturday were all about hanging with my crew.

Tonight we put up the Christmas decorations and begin the last days of 2010. My nostalgia is in full gear, so prepare for the yearly sappy blog posts to start hitting...sorry y'all.

Battle before Chores

The little boys hold their mini hockey sticks like rifles (the ones I bought in a misguided purchase to be the cool out-of-town mom). They crouch at the breakfast bar peeking around the corner and whispering to each other.

"Boys, I told you to pick up your dinner plates and put them in the sink."

They afforded a quick, serious look back, and then continue their whispering. I obviously don't know the importance of this mission.

"ATTACK!" Super Wy yells.

They step out from the breakfast bar wall, aim their rifles and spray the kitchen with imaginary bullets. It's war. There's bloodshed. Holy Terror is wounded and from the looks of his agony while rolling on the ground, it might be mortally. Super Wy continues the battle, moving along the kitchen opening.

Near the far wall he falls, hit by his enemy. It's an ugly death as the rifle flies out of his hand and he sprawls out, wiggling and then staring blank towards the living room.

"Dinosaurs win?" I ask. He nods, still sticking his tongue out (cause that's what dead bodies do). Holy Terror sighs in defeat from his position. "Well, now that you're both dead, why don't you guys pick up your dinner plates."

"Okay."

Stupid Dog

"Super Wy, get out of the kitchen!" I order from the front room.

"Kay, Mom!" he replies, irritated at being busted.

I hear the food cabinet open, doggie nails clickety clacking on the hard floor, then a long pause.

"Uuuuhhhh...no, that's mine," Super Wy whines under his breath.

"Super Wy!"

"Okayyyyy!"

Another long pause, more doggie toe tapping, then another pause.

"Noooo Connor...that bread is mine," Super Wy whines a little louder.

"Super Wy!"

"Okay...stupid Connor."

Super Wy slams the cabinet and stomps out and into the back of the house with his fists clenched at his side. Connor doggie trots after him, still chewing on the bread.

Yippee for the Holidays!

Okay. Okay. I'm having to reign in my excitement. It's nearing THE day. MY day. My favorite, favorite, favorite day...no, not my birthday. (THAT day we never speak of....ever.)

THANKSGIVING!!! I keep finding myself daydreaming about it this week. I love this day so much. It's the perfect holiday. It is patriotic because it's all ours (US of A baby). It asks for nothing but you to hang out with your family. No gifts and no expectations other than eating, laughing, and sharing the family stories with the kids.

I can't until it's here...only 6 more days and whoa-la!

Cause You Mom

This big guy came by our backyard to visit, where Hubby his friend and the little boys found him. Needless to say, I was a little creeped out and jumped a couple step back up to the back door when they invited me to come see. And the bugger was aggressive.

The guys, of course, thought it was the coolest thing ever.

A few minutes later, when they were all trying to figure out exactly what kind of spider it was, the little boys came into the back room to talk about it.

"You not afraid of spiders," Super Wy informed me.

"A little bit...when they're that big," I replied.

"No you not!" He looked at me like I was silly.

"Why not?"

"Cause you Mom. Mom's not 'fraid of spiders...or monsters...or anything," he explained as if it were the simplest thing to understand.

"Oooohhh," I said. "I forgot. My bad."

"Ya, it's okay."

"Well go finish helping Daddy figure out what kind of spider it is that I'm not afraid of at all."

"Kay." He pecked me a quick kiss and ran off.

Poor guy is in for a disappointment in his near future as he starts to beyond the Mom title.

Dinner with Dinosaurs

I knew something was up when Super Wy brought in an upside down laundry basket to sit on instead of the dinner chair. After taking our seats, the boys started growling.

Holy Terror looked at me, "I'm a carnivore!"

"But you're eating mac and cheese too, Honey. That makes you an omnivore."

"NO! I'm a dinosaur. I'm a carnivore!" He growls and takes another bite.

"Okay...Daddy, take away the mac and cheese. He's only a meat eater. He doesn't eat non-meat."

"Wait...I eat everything," Holy Terror decides.

"Then you're an omnivore. Lots of dinosaurs ate both." I'm not sure if this is a lie, but sacrifices must be made and it's one uncertainty I'm willing to live with to ensure they eat their dinner.

"Yeah, I'm an omnivore."

Super Wy bites into a slice of steak dripping in ketchup with only his mouth. After several bites and a scowl at the vege's and mac and cheese he growls and says, "I AM a carnivore."

...Can't win them all, I guess...

Catching Up

Wow! Has it been that long since I've last posted? Don't get us wrong, we haven't been doing nothing. I think the problem is, we've been doing too much. As this is semi my memory bucket, I think I'll catch up on what we've been up too.

Let's see. We had Super Wy's birthday party which was lots of fun. Of course, it had to be a dinosaur themed party so I made a Dinosaur Valley cake with volcano and all. He was in the limelight and loving it.



I helped host a baby shower for an awesome friend and baked the shower cake. It was loads of fun hanging out with woman, talking about babies, and just watching the excitement of a soon-to-be new mother.



Then this last week was all about Halloween preparations. Costume finalizing, candy purchasing, pumpkin carving. Friday I went with Hubby and the boys to Holy Terror's Kindergarten Halloween party. They were so silly playing fun games, doing crafts and walking a costume parade.



And then next thing we knew, it was Halloween. Drama Queen was a Psycho Clown Nurse, Parkour Boy was a Dead Car Victim, Holy Terror was Optimus Prime, and Super Wy was Sheriff Woody.

Phew! What a couple of weeks!




I think now that we've started the holiday season it's going to be a little hectic for the next couple months. As you all know, my favorite holiday is coming up...Thanksgiving.

But before we dive into that busy stuff, Hubby and I will probably take the kids to the beach for one last relaxing day before it all kicks off.

Today is a Special Day

Today is a special day for me. It is both my anniversary and my youngest son's birthday. Yesterday evening my husband asked if I was excited about today. At first I didn't know what he was talking about, which I think might have hurt his feelings.

I didn't mean to, and I had to apologize again this morning for seeming so callous. There's a reason why it didn't ding with me right away. I was never a big wedding person (obviously as it took 10 years before I'd get married). So, the anniversary is not really the highlight of my year.

What is that highlight is the daily gift that my marriage brings to me. I know I don't show it well. I can write down emotions and feelings, but verbalizing them is a WHOLE other potato that doesn't bake well with me.

Every day is more important than the one day a year, because whether I've had a bad day or a good day, I know that my husband will be my champion. He'll try to fix what's wrong (even if all I need is an ear) and he'll try to make me happy when I'm sad or upset. He understands my faults and my demons and loves me anyways.

I can see that love when he's riding my waves of irritation, moodiness, or introversion. I can see that love when we're doing nothing but riding the boat up and down the river in complete silence. I can see that love when the four kids are all talking at dinner and he and I share a look across the table.

I love him.

I love him more than he'll ever understand because I can't verbalize or write it well enough. I love it when he's grouchy. I love it when he laughs and tells his stories. I love that he'd take on 3 criminals just to get a friend's bike back. I love that sense of home and place he helped teach my gypsy soul. And, I love that he'll stretch out of his comfort zone to share adventures with me. I love that we'll both geek out over late night B movies.

Most of all, I love that even when he's not around I am comforted and strengthened by his presence and the love we have for each other.

So, as I do every year (a day late sometimes), I'll get him a gift and a card that won't express enough how much I love him and inside I'll know that we'll have a lifetime of anniversaries because we were meant to be together forever.

True love really does exist.

The Real Superman

Holy Terror and I settled onto the counter stools at the Foster Freeze with our treats. It was our Mommy-Son date before I headed off to my business trip. It was his first time ordering a sundae.

"You like it?" I asked.

He smiled. "Yup. Dad can make this for me...just like this." He waved his hands and gives that know-it-all Norris look. "Better, probably."

"Probably."

Later on in the discussion, he looks around at the car posters. "When I get bigger, I'm going to have a hot rod that's all these colors."

"That'd be cool."

He nods in and tosses that cocky grin. "Yup. And Dad's going to make them all go really fast."

After treats, we took a walk around the park. "Let's holds hands because it's evening."

"Well," he says with a confident and reassuring look. "If bad guys come, Dad will be there and he'll kick their butts...and I'll call the cops and Dad will make sure the bad guys get arrested."

"Really?" I try to sound serious. "But Dad's not here right now." I was hoping he'd say I could protect him...Nope

"Well, Dad's teaching me how to grow up. So, I'll be able to kick their butts...and you can call the cops."

"Okay. Sounds good."

...No wonder they believe in Super Heroes...their Dad is one...