The Tooth Fairy

Today we were greeted at the door by our sweet little girlies. What a great way to return from a night away! They were both so excited to see us! Madison was jumping up and down holding a bloody paper towel and a cup!!! Inside was a tooth! She had lost her 6th one!

She was thrilled that she would hold the title for the first tooth lost in the month of December in her class.... a big deal for a 1s grader! She also immediately was asking where the tooth fairy pillow was so that she could get it all ready!

I told her that I would look for it in a few minutes and asked her to put the cup with the tooth on the kitchen counter. A few hours passed and I cleaned the kitchen and of course you know how this part of the story goes... I totally forgot that the paper cup on the counter was holding a precious possession and apparently washed it down the sink. Madison was extremely calm about it all and assured me that a note to the tooth fairy in the pillow would be fine. Remember this is the same girl whose mom knocked her tooth out in the middle of the night at the hospital last summer and then had an xray that proved the tooth was indeed in the belly....she has experience with teeth mishaps and her and the tooth fairy seem to be in good standings on minor complications with mothers who knock out and trow away teeth!

A few months back when Madison lost a tooth Olivia expressed great concern about her fear of the tooth fairy. Her exact words were "that tooth fairy freaks me out"! We seemed to have worked through it and she calmed down after I reassured her that all was fine!

Today I was paying close attention to see if amongst all the tooth fairy talk the fear of the freaky tooth fairy would be brought up by Miss O. It never came up so I believed that maybe it was a thing of the past.

At nine o'clock after a few hours of playing games by the fire and having a great night with the family we headed upstairs...Maddie bounced into bed so excited to fall asleep... I went and got the tooth pillow, some paper and a pen and sat on her bed and wrote the note...

" Dear Tooth Fairy,

Madison lost another tooth today! It was a big one! We had it in a cup getting it all clean for you and I accidentally threw it away while cleaning the kitchen. Please leave Madison her surprise as this is my fault. You can look in her mouth and see that she indeed has lost another tooth! Thank you so much for your understanding. Sincerely, Nikki Smith ( Madison's Mom)"

As I wrote the letter Madison was looking over my shoulder reading it out loud. I noticed that the more I wrote the tighter Olivia held on to my arm. When we were done we folded up the letter and placed it in the pillow pocket. Madison snuggled in and was ready to go to sleep. It was then that I realized Olivia's little body was trembling. I walked her to her bed and she grabbed on to me and said "please don't make me sleep in here!" Madison told her that she could sleep in her bed with her but I knew that was never gonna fly... that would put her IN THE BED that that the freaky tooth fairy was looking for.

As I sat and tried to calm Olivia down she would ask her sister questions...."Madison, do you feel it when she lifts your pillow?". "Can you feel it when she walks around on your bed?" "What if you open your eyes when she is on your bed...is it freaky?"

After a few minutes she looked at me and said " mom, please let me sleep in your bed". I agreed and felt horrible that she was so scared. I tucked her in our bed but could see that she was still so afraid. I did not feel I could leave her like that so I crawled in bed next to her. I snuggled her up and said that I would lay there with her. I could instantly feel her body relax.... Just as I would think she was asleep a sweet hardly audible voice would ask yet another question.... "mom, how small is she.. is she like this big?" her little fingers would give me the size that she was referring to. I told her she was tiny like Tinkerbell.... "How does she get in our house?"

A few minutes later... "Are you sure it is a girl or is it maybe a boy?". A few more minutes and then my favorite question.. "Do you think she will try to fly up my nose?" - "Can you get out of bed and close your door so that she does not come in here?"

As she was almost asleep she quietly said... "When I lose a tooth I do not want any money. I do not want her to come here anymore" I told her that since the tooth fairy is just looking for the tooth pillow that we could certainly hang it on the front door that way she would never have to come in the house. She nodded her head and agreed with that idea. I ran my fingers through her hair a few more times sure that she was just about asleep.... As I started to get out of bed she said in the same small sleepy voice -" Mom, I don't believe you that she is tiny." I crawled right next her and asked why she would say that. Without opening her eyes she said "Because that note that you wrote her was way to big for her to read if she really is as small as Tinkerbell!". I had to hold back laughter. I assured her that she was safe and that I would be with her.... she never said another word and she drifted off to sleep.

Dear Lord what is a mother to do.... leave the 4 year old trembling thinking about the Freaky Tooth Fairy...probably resulting in needing therapy as an adult OR destroy the dreams of a 7 year old who right now is sleeping, fully expecting a trail of fairy dust from the window to her bed that the tooth fairy left just for her... along with a few dollars.

Speaking of a few dollars.. I gotta run. Not sure I have any cash.

Oh the joys of parenting!!! Never a dull moment!

didn't get a thing done today.....

I totally am having those days where at the end of the night you are EXHAUSTED but feel like you got nothing done.... I was in the shower, at 5PM, discouraged about just that...getting nothing done. I started trying to run down the list of what I did all day so I could figure out why I never get things crossed off my list... there are piles everywhere, dishes in the sink.....

*I got up at 7 after not sleeping AGAIN, even with the sleeping pills.

*Got two kids up

*Got them both dressed

*Fed them both

*Peed

*Packed 2 backpack

*Packed one lunch

*Found 4 shoes

*Found Frog costume since Olivia was sick and missed Noahs Ark day last week

*Took pictures of said frog outside

*Drove both girls to school

*Made breakfast

*Peed

*Did 2 loads of laundry

*Did dinner dishes from last night

*Checked email
*Cleaned living room enough so I could sit on the couch and eat cold breakfast I had made half hour earlier

*Watched 10 minutes of TV

*Paid bills

*Got to school to do room mom duties at pick up time
*Went to courthouse with crying child to make sure my husband does not get arrested on Nov 16th for subpoena that was issued yesterday (that's another blog entry!)
*Got all the way to the courthouse door and was told I could not bring my cell phone in....walked all the way back to car to THROW phone in the front seat.
*Went back to courthouse
*Gave proof of immunizations for our freakin dog to lady so husband does not get arrested
*Explained to still crying child why we WERE NOT asking the guy at the desk for a sucker (the answer... I was pissed off he made me walk back to the car with my phone and crying child)
*Went to vet to get money back for overcharge on immunizations

*Sneezed and peed... my pants
*Went to post office
*Return carpet samples
*Got groceries
*Kept my cool while Olivias hid in every available location at grocery store
*Went to bank
*Unloaded car
*Started wash as I only have one pair of maternity jeans and they had been peed in.... its not funny!
*Made lunch for me and my child
*Helped Olivia with crafts
*Got homework ready and sorted
*Called loan officer to see why the refinance is taking so long
*Paid speeding ticket online (self induced, you do not have to feel bad about this one!)
*Started load of dark socks so my husbands shoes do not crawl off tomorrow
*Coddled an Arbonne client
*Mailed check to same client
*Peed
*Cleaned buckets for Arbonne party tonight
*Loaded car for party
*Picked up Madison from school
*Was informed she had a "pee infection"
*Called doctor
*Wondered if maybe I have a pee infection
*Remembered I was 30 weeks pregnant ( had forgot all day!)
*Started homework
*Had to explain why all the homework was going to be done again because it was so messy
*Got in a "fight" with a loan officer over the phone about car loan
*Did dishes while arguing with loan officer Called father-in-law to verify that the loan officer was smoking crack and I was right

*Was assured of crack smoking being done by loan officer by wise father-in-law

*Ordered school pictures online

*Picked laminae and tiles for a non paying design job

*Called to find a place to hold a moms night out for MOPS( I think the bar is the best answer!)

*Saw husband arrive

*Husband side swiped by stories of "pee infections" and nasty foods

*Took shower

*Helped Olivia memorize her Awana verse while I was in the shower.

*Signed awana book with eyeliner

*Started dinner

*Tried to update husband on all activities for the night while stirring food and holding up to small towel around huge belly

*Worried about cars driving by that could see me in the front window, stressed and barley covered.

*Decided if they did see it they would never look in my windows again when they drove by

*Finished getting ready

*Swallowed Dinner

*Took TUMS

*Went to Arbonne party

*Realized I forgot to put Mascara on when getting ready

*About died when I remembered taking to woman about how great the mascara is.

*Wondered why she bought the mascara when my eyelashes are not even visible tonight.

*Packed lunches for tomorrow

*Remembered no one was going to school tomorrow

*Ran throw tomorrow with hubby as he brushed his teeth

*Called room mom about Halloween Party

*Went and kissed kids in bed

*Blogged about not understanding why I can not get anything done.

If you can figure out how I am not managing my time well PLEASE let me know. I think I am going to have to cut out peeing and eating!

Breathe Life... Not Death

Wow.... A bible study by Sharon Jaynes has been one of great conviction! I was informed of the topic selected for the MOPS bible study and knew that it was one that I could benefit from! The power of words..uuggh.

Today was a great study. First and foremost the woman (all 24! of them) that are in the group are fabulous and the leader is an amazing woman of God! This week we just kinda got started. Started digging in to what the "power of the tongue" means! The verse that we started with was Proverbs 18:21 "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Life and Death? That seems so harsh, so extreme.

We came to the conclusion that it can truly be life and death. Words can be just encouraging enough that they can literally breathe life into someone that was at the point that they were ready to end life. Words could also breathe death into someone. They can be the breaking point for someone that can take no more. No more hurt, no more picking, no more hatred.

There is also the more daily "life and death". The life that we breathe into our kids and husbands when we encourage them, tell them we believe in them or give them courage to go for it! The encouragement that comes from saying... "I love you", "I am proud of you" or "I believe in you".

Life breathed.

Then there is the other...." you'll never be good at soccer", "I told you to listen.... you never listen", "you are making me crazy", "why are you always late, you don't even care about me".....

Death breathed.

The more we dug the more we started looking at what power really means. Strength. Control. Some had good emotions tied to power. Others no so great. Then this definition was brought up.... Sway of influence. Wow. That one really hit me. I looked down at the cover of my book and replaces the word power... " The sway and influence of a woman's words". It took on a whole new meaning when I saw it with just a different set of words.

The sway & influence to breath life or death to those around us.

I think moms are given the greatest chance to exercise just that as we are with those we love the most all day. It is said that it is easiest to hurt those we love the most. So all day we have opportunities to chose life or death with our words. I have never thought of it like this before.

There are countless stories of great people that have accomplished amazing things that trace their complete success back to words that spoke life into them. Maybe by a parent, maybe by a teacher. Then there are the stories of those that can not move past failure or hurt. Most of them will tell you that ever since they were small they were filled with words of doubt, worthlessness.... really words of death.

I am going to be much slower to speak this week as I examine every word that comes out of my mouth. Especially to those who I love the most. I am committing to speak LIFE into my children and husband. To not allow the words of death.

Want to take the challenge with me? Speak only words of life this week and see what happens to the atmosphere of your home... I am not saying do not discipline, do not direct. Just do in a way that breaths life into your child's or husbands heart.

Dear God... give me strength!

Madisons 7th Birthday!

We had a great day at Madison's Bday party! All of our family was here... lots of good play on the new playset with all of the cousins! We tackled tie-dying as the craft project and it turned out great! The kids had a blast and they looked so cool!

Thanks to Tiggi for her awesome Fondant skills & the help with the cake! It urned out so cute!

The Playset!

I have been promising that I would get pictures up of the playset that Jed built for the girls.... here they are! The process was impressive! It is so awesome having a handy husband!

Olivias first day of school!

so this is a few days late... I figured I better get it up here to keep things fair as the girls look at the blog all the time!

Olivia is LOVING school! She is often disappointed when on Tues and Thurs she has to come home with me after dropping Madison off at school. We had her orientation on a Thursday night. Jed and I went with her and helped her unpack her supplies ect. Later that night I told someone that she had her first day of school and she replied..."it is not school until I go alone"! She bounded out of the car the next morning ready to tackle the world! She is my little miss independent!!!! So glad that she is having such a great experience!

Holy Ty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could these pictures be any cuter??? I will have to blog all of the pictures soon. Extreme Home Makeover is in to town to do a house a few miles out of Freeport. It has been so fun. I was able to get to know a few people who are on the production team and have got a few sweet hook-ups. Today Jed and I were involved in a lot of the filming for the show and will hopefully be seen on the show as we are in the mass of people coming to demo the house and then the interview when Ty talks with the builder about the family in front of the house. It has been an amazing sight. When Jed and I got there this morning at 4 a.m. to work the foundation had just been finished. By the time we left at 4 p.m. the ENTIRE house was framed and the roof was almost completely boarded?? The old house was demoed and removed within about 3 hours.

It has been so fun to see how it all comes together and how it is not at all the way you think it would be! Likethe fact that they demoed the house AFTER the new house was totally up on a different piece of the property!

We have lots of great photos of the other designers, the house progress and the surrounding area that if full of production trailers, food tents - ect!

Had to at least get these up!

I have been held captive since June 15th...really!

"So where the heck have you been.... " that seems to be the question of the summer. I have started receiving death threats, hate mail and other mean, mean thing from faithful blog followers that are not happy with my updating skills.

So what could possibly happen to a family in a few short week...ok months!

Lets see....

June was pretty much spent in the bathroom... Jed was busy finishing the remodel and I was busy hunched over the beautiful new Kohler toilet. Morning sickness had definitely set in. Yes, for those of you really out of the loop...we are preggo!! Smith number 3 will be joining us in January. I am just about 20 weeks pregnant and we are sooooo excited about the new little bundle that will be joining us. The bathroom as far as Jeds responsiblities go is done. My list however is not... The shower curtain, empty frames and less then appealing heap of towel on the floor due to my lack of ability to make a decision due to "placenta brain" are holding us back. I will give you real photos of the bathroom in thenear future when my desire to spend time in the bathroom returns. Right now t has to many bad memories...give me a month or so of non-puking and I should be ok to continue.

We have spent much time away from home this summer....much of which I did not document because I was to sick to think about packing my kids in the car let alone the camera. In July we were in Minnesota in the middle of the Arctic freeze. I think the high the whole time we were there was 75. uugghh. Really messes up my tan thing... but it was fun and relaxing. We got Madison a wetsuit and she was a great sport in the freezing water!










In July I also spent 2 weeks with the girls in Ohio at Ted and Danielle's house taking care of my sweet niece Teagan. Danielle had a major surgery and me, mom and the girls headed to their place to help out. It was awful to see Danielle so miserable but so fun to have Miss Teag! What a doll.

seriously...could I bottle her up???

Late July my pregnant sniffer kicked into high gear and I decided our house stinks and is making me sick. I have spent weeks cleaning, re-cleaning, having carpets shampooed, dogs shampooed and kids shampooed. I have washed every piece of upholstery, scrubbed every surface and am still nauseated at the smell of our home. I tried the FreshWave and it seemed to work for a day or so but the nastiness has returned. I just got a wiff a few minutes ago as I was typing and wiped my nose across every last square inch of the table sure it must be close by and CAN NOT find the offender. I am at a loss. I think I will next paint the entire first floor and have the vents cleaned. Really, Jed is ready to kill me. It is starting to get expensive! What could it be. It is a very distinct odor. One that I can not describe or explain. I need another pregnant woman to come and help me figure it out. I am ready to move to the playhouse in the back yard which leads to the next paragraph.

smelling every last inch of my house.....

In August we decided the kids needed a play set so we found one that we loved, bought it and got trapped right in the middle of a fraud. That is a whole different entry but here is the synopsis.


Bought playset online, paid for playset, waited for the semi to pull up on Aug 10th, semi never showed, called and found out that the site had been stolen and our money was in Beijing and my playset was non existent. Tears, sobs, yelling, throwing(remember I am pregnant and emotional) and several calls to visa laterand there is hope that the money will be returned. However, in the mean time we had to go to plan B to get the poor, sad, heartbroken kids a new set. So we bought a used set that needed a lot of TLC. It is coming along nicely. Power washing and staining have become a daily activity and Jed is in true engineering style remaking this massive playhouse that will be far better then the original figment of our imagination , nonexistent Beijing play set!

Before

During...

Much thanks to bridget and Claire who came and stayed at our house in the midst of the drama and helped a ton!!

And then there is first days of school, church and home commitments and my overwhelming need for sleep and clean air that keep me busy all day every day!

So we are back. I promise this time. I will never leave you waiting in suspense this long again. It was wrong of me...please forgive me!