A trip to the optometrist.....gone BAD!

So, yesterday it came to my attention around 4 PM that I was out of contacts and the ones I was wearing hurt too bad to even wear to church. So, I called my optometrist office and asked to just purchase one pair since I had already ordered some and they had not come in yet. She said sure, but you will have to come in to get them (they have a drive-thru) and it will just take 2 minutes. I quickly informed her that two minutes was a long time with 4 kids under 7. She laughed and said "it sure is!" Obviously, she doesn't have children because no one would laugh at that if they did! : ) So, I think to myself, I can handle this, 4 kids under 7 and it's "only" gonna take 2 minutes. I got all loaded up and headed that way. On the way, we are singing Veggie Tales Sunday School songs and smiling and laughing. About a mile from the office, I threw down the rules for the following event. 1. Sit down 2. Don't get up 3. Don't touch anything! I quickly reminded the older two, Jackson and Jagger, that they were in fact leaders to Maverick nd Memphis and whatever they did they were going to follow. They both said, "sure Mom, we'll help!" So, we get there and I "stupidly" decide not to bring the stroller because after all, she had assured me it was only going to take 2 minutes. I walk in holding Memphis and quickly reminded the other three of the first rule, SIT DOWN! By the way, The waiting room is FULL of lots of onlookers! The boys sat down and it looked perfect for about 30 seconds. I was checking in with the same 2 minute lady I had spoken with on the phone and she says, "oh, I'm sorry! You are gonna have to meet with a contact lens specialist and it will just take a few minutes." I should have known!!! I said ok and turned around to check on the kids, trying to hide my "Oh crap!" face so the boys don't realize I am in waaaay over my head. I find Jackson juggling crumpled pamphlets about laser eye surgery which I probably could have read and avoided this situation altogether. Jagger says to me, "Mom, how long is this gonna take? I'm boooored." Oh and Maverick, he has taken off through the office running around. I find him hiding under that contact lens specialist's (the one I am waiting to see) desk who is a helping a client put her contacts in. I said, "Excuse me?" (as if I had dropped something) and pulled Maverick out while he laughed hysterically and meanwhile still had Memphis on my hip, and oh yah not to mention the baby in my stomach! I drag Maverick back to the chairs and find that Jackson's cricus juggling act has gained a participant, Jagger. I tried everything to get Maverick to sit still, drawing, candy and straight bribery. Well, fifteen minutes of "tag" with Maverick and Memphis (because of course he followed Maverick) passed and I still had not seen the specialist. Then, the unthinkable, I did not "catch" Maverick during one of those forced moments of playing tag. He threw his arms out like a windmill and beginning running and spinning similar to that of the tasmanian devil. He hit the most expensive racks of glasses. Vogue, Gucci, Prada and more hit the floor! I laughed in exasperation because I knew if I didn't, I would cry! I went to the "2 minute" lady and said, "these kids are going to have this place torn down in seconds!" "I will pay any amount necessary to get one pair of contacts and walk out of here right now!" I must have looked desperate because she came up out of her chair with my contacts in hand and said, "have a nice day!" I told Jackson and Jagger the circus had ended because of course they were still juggling. I spoke through my teeth all the way to the car which is never a good sign with me. Of course, Maverick finished it all up with darting into the parking lot as we exited the office. I got to the car and had an UNrealistic talk and "more" with 2 year old Maverick about his behavior. I got into the car, started it and flipped the AC to high because I was sweating after playing that fun game of "tag." I laid my head on the steering wheel and Jackson says, "Mom, are you gonna cry?" I slowly came up from my desperate attempt to ignore all life and said, "PLEASE, don't say a word, not one word, until we get home!" They didn't, not even Maverick!

All the way home, I thought about how older people often tell me how much I am going to miss these days as they look adoringly on at my children. You know what?! I really don't think so! When my kids are grown, I am going to go to the eye doctor and many other places without engaging in a game of tag that I never wanted to play in the first place. I am not going to have to catch things mid-air to keep them from breaking. I won't have to share my food or drinks and I might even get to eat a meal from start to finish without somebody needing to go to the bathroom, pooping their pants or screaming so loud that people move away from you! Yes, however, I may miss the sweet moments, like naptime and bedtime!!!

I guess we're "oinking" now?!

Well, wouldn't you know this would happen to us?! On Friday, I took Maverick (our 2 year old) to the doctor and had him tested for Strep and Swine Flu. I was just doing it as precaution really because he had been acting lethargic, walking around crying, falling asleep during the middle of the day (if you know Maverick, this is NOT normal) and then started getting some spots in his mouth. Test results were prefaced with my pediatrician telling me to sit down and then the news, positive result for both Swine Flu and Strep. I think I followed with a blank stare and then said, "You're kidding, right?!" He laughed (still trying to figure out why) and said "well, I haven't seen a case like this one yet but I'm not surprised it happened to you." Now, what in the he#* is that supposed to mean? I mean, for heavens sake, I let the kid drink coffee! I thought that was supposed to kill everything! I know, I know, all you first time moms are going WHAT?!?! She lets him drink coffee?!?! It's not like I get up in the morning and make him a cup. I have just learned with multiple kids that some battles are not worth fighting and I let him have sips off mine! So, anyways, he got worse yesterday. He was just walking around drooling because it hurt too bad to swallow with all the blisters (I followed him with a towel wiping up the drool) and he wouldn't eat anything. It just hurt too bad! So, then, I went to change his diaper and lo and behold, blisters everywhere. They were spreading to his hands and feet too! So, back to the doctor, and prognosis, Swine Flu, Strep and Hand, Foot and Mouth. We thought we were headed to the hospital but the doctor decided we should give him an IV of fluids and a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine for all the pain and go from there. So, by last night, he was doing a little better and I was starting to feel like I was coming down with something. I have a sore throat and stomach ache. I am just praying that I don't get it, being prego and all, there is alot of risk. In the words of my imperfect husband, who yesterday had a "perfect" moment, he said, "Lara, you can't get this!" "You are the glue that holds this family together!" See what I mean by a "perfect" moment?!?! Sometimes, he really surprises me and reminds me why I married him! : )

Anyways, in the meantime, pray for us! This could be a very long week! Oh yeah, and STAY AWAY from the "Oinkers!"

So, I'm starting a blog.......

So, I am frequently told I should write a book. I guess I never really thought of my life as something people would want to read about. After all, it seems normal to me! However, I did title my blog, "Am I talking to a brick wall?" I titled it this because I live with 5 men (4 of them under 7) and that should speak for itself! : ) As strange and crazy as my life is, I love it and I hope you will love reading about it!

I am a full-time, stay-at-home wife and mommy. I am married to Greg which you will hear quite a bit about because he is a very "interesting" subject. Sorry honey! He probably won't ever read it anyways! We own a real estate company that sells and manages homes in the Tulsa area. You will be hearing great stories about that as well! As far as the "mom" part, I have four boys and a girl in the oven. My oldest is Jackson, 7, he is my caring, kind, "rule" follower and instructor. He has beautiful Brown eyes and eyelashes for every woman to envy! He is definitely a "first" child! My second is Jagger Stone (after Mick Jagger From the Rolling Stones,) 6, he is my wild child by far. He has an adorable smile and nature that gets him in and out of trouble all the time. He loves girls which scares me a bit, ok alot! He is also my worker bee. He will help me with anything! My third is Maverick, 2, and I have no idea where to begin with him. He is birth control for anyone! I often say if he would have been my first, he would have been an "only!" He is very naughty but so dang cute that you just can't stay upset with him. You will be hearing so many stories about him that will leave you rolling on the floor. However, please know, it is never as funny for me! My fourth is Memphis, 10 months, and oh man is he his father's son or what?! He looks just like Greg in every way and has very similar mannerisms. I often wonder how he is still alive with three older brothers?! He is sooo tough and oh so adorable. His smile has my heart! My fifth is my beautiful little girl in the oven due at the end of January. I have longed and yearned for a little girl since I was a little girl. I can't wait to see, hold and love her. She is a dream come true! Oh yeah, we also have a cat named Pete-y after the OSU Cowboys mascot. He is lucky he is still alive as well! : )

One more person I can't forget, is my great friend and mommy helper, Erin. I must mention her because she lives with us and has become part of our family and will be included in many of the "stories." She is defintiely my sanity in moments of losing it and I love her to death! I have included her in the picture below...

Other than being a wife and mom, I love to sing and play the guitar! I also love photography so much that I turned it into a ministry. I don't get alot of time to do things on my own so most of my time is actually spent at home taking care of babies, church, helping out with our business or volunteering at the kids' school. My life is busy and hectic but I love it!

Now that I have introduced myself, get ready for the stories!