hamster funny

by teresa

Had two funny hamster comments this week.
The first was at MOPS. Our craft was to make scented sachets for our dresser drawers. It went along with our speaker from The Full Cup, who came in to talk about the importance of having the correct fitting bra (no uni-boob or butt-crack boob...both of which I have all the time). Anyway, we were making sachets. The coordinator told me she had forgot to get scented chips to put inside the decorated bags. She sent her husband out late the night before to pick some up. He came home with cedar smelling hamster cage shavings. Too funny.
So the ladies spent time stamping, painting and lacing ribbons on these pretty silk pouches. Once filled, they brought them to the tables for all to admire, ready to take them home and place in their intimates drawer.
Then one woman said, "Just what I always wanted...hamster crotch."
I have giggled about this all night.

Last night before bed, Ben fed Pooh (his hamster) and gave him a bit of attention. Then he went to put him in the hall closet. Why? He (Pooh) has been extra energized at night and has kept Ben up chewing his toys and running on his wheel. He grabbed up his cage, clutched it to his body and went down the hall. I hear, "OWWWW! OWWWW!"
Ben came back in half laughing and teary.
"What happened", I asked?
"My hamster gave me a titty twister", he replied.
Ben was shirtless when carrying the cage to the closet. I guess Pooh wanted to have his disapproval felt and gave B a bite on his "beep".

Forget Mary had a Little Lamb. How about The Allen's have a stupid dog?

by teresa

Ben came home yesterday and told me that KiKi (mom's dog), followed him and Kristian to school that morning. All the way to the front door. The principal said, "there's a big dog outside!"
Oh my Lord?!
I would have been like, "I have no idea who's dog that is?"
Ben said she had the crossing guard in a tizzy. The guard was stopping cars for the kids to cross and KiKi was running in between the cars like a nut.
Ben and Kristian were so embarrassed.
This dog escapes the house daily, barks at the old lady who rides her bike through the neighborhood and terrorizes the kids at the bus stop.
I think she needs doggy downers.

olympic fever

by teresa

I am so tired.
The Olympics are on and I find myself up at midnight (or later) to watch the competitions.
It's addicting.
What events do I like?
Anything!
They draw you closer to the athletes with touching life stories. Mom and dad giving up careers to move cross the world for the kid to train with the best. Handicap sibling, cheering from the sidelines. Near death accidents, surviving against all odds, now back to compete again.
Seriously, it doesn't matter what country they are from. I'm pulling for them all.

Ben and I are hyped for the US women's hockey gold medal match tomorrow night.

best conversation of the weekend

by teresa

How'd you sleep last night?

Ok. Except for your farting.

I didn't fart.

Yes you did. You farted in your sleep.

I did NOT!

Well, if that wasn't farting, then your breath was really bad.

Parenthood: That state of being better chaperoned than you were before marriage.

by teresa

With temps in the high 50's, we headed to the city park to run the boys (and dog) around in hopes of wearing them out. An early bed time for them, means alone couch time for mom and dad.
Basketball, football and the dog park made up our afternoon outing.
So much fun.
Chris and I were content to sit and watch the boys enjoying each other. That is, until Nick trash talked Chris about not being able to beat him on an "away" court. (Chris has beat him barely every time at home)
At the end of the game, Chris came out on top (the game had gone into overtime).
Dad was the one in bed by 8:30pm.

"Children are a great comfort in your old age-and they help you reach it faster too."

Let God's promises shine on your problems

by teresa

Spent my prayer time in the hammock this morning.
Shorty wouldn't go out to the bathroom unless I accompanied him.
He was upset with me for waking him from his nap on my bed and just stood at the back door rolling his eyes at me.
Once out the door, the warm all over my body and face was just too wonderful to ignore.
It may be in the 30's, but the sun is shining bright enough to warm you inside and out.
So I climbed in the hammock and had a nice chat with my bff.
At the close of our conversation I heard the backdoor creak open.
"There you are mom!"
"I found you!"


This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

you never get a busy signal

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These are more effective than 911
When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressed, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

Happy 11th Birthday Ben!

Memories:

We decorated your room with a Noah's Ark theme. I loved it so much and had it completed months before you were born. Even though you moved out of that room 10 years ago (and now have a room plastered with soccer stars posters and medals), I still have the light switch plate up in that room (the office). I can't let go of it.

We called you Eeyore as a toddler, because you spoke in slow, low, monotone sentences.

Your love (obsession) of cars began at an early age. You were about 3yrs old when we noticed you were calling out makes and models as we drove from place to place. "Honda Accord" "Ford Mustang!" "Dodge!"

Going along with the whole car thing, was your enthusiasm for keys. You wanted keys, keys and more keys. You had them in your drawers, toy box and pockets at all times. More times than not, you had our keys hidden somewhere. Dad would try to leave for work and we would have to search the house for his keys, which were found 9 times out of ten, in the trunk of your "Flintstones car" in the backyard.

Tippy toes. You walked on your tippy toes for years. Sometimes, when you are bare foot, I notice you doing it still. We like to joke that your natural abilities on the soccer field are due to your over utilized calf muscles.

If anyone has any memories of Ben, please add them in the comments.

10 yr old boys do not like to lose

by teresa

Ben's soccer team lost their first game of the season last night.

Out of 65 games played over the past year and a half, they have lost 10.

I won't get into details, just know, it was not a good night in the Green house last night.

I saw this quote and thought it apropos.

"Win as if you are used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I highly recommend the tuna tacos

by teresa

Presidents day.
Chris was off, but the kids had a snow makeup day.
I had plans.
Movie, lunch out...
Unfortunately, the movie I wanted to see had start times after 1:00pm in all local theatres.
We would never make it home before Ben's arrival from school.
So we altered things.
We went to lunch at Olive Garden (in the hopes of catching a glimpse of our oldest offspring), then came home and took a two hour nap. We had an outstanding seafood dinner at Wicker's and then home to pajama's, the Olympics (even though I know it pains him to watch figure skating) and reading on the couch.
My favorite time of the day?
The reading together on the couch.
No, we didn't read to each other...we read our separate books (him The Help and me Redemption) and made comments about how all the figure skaters were busting their butts.
It was the perfect day.

I gave him a card that plays "I got you babe" and fuzzy love dice for his car

by teresa

I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day.
A gift?
Nope.
Just a day with the family (and they all just happen to be on their best behavior).

The highlight of the day was a Valentine's dinner put on by the youth of the church. Ben was a server, Nick worked in the kitchen and Kristian did childcare.
Escorted to the table, candlelight, three course meal, beautiful music and wonderful company. We also played the Newlywed Game, which I thought Chris and I would win hands down (cause I know my man and he knows me). I was wrong. We only got 7 out of 12 correct. But, we had a blast playing it.

Today, Chris is off (for Presidents day) but the kids have a makeup snow day.
That means I have him all to myself.
I am dragging him to a movie (Valentines Day) and then lunch.

Grow up.
Be a giver not a taker.
Take care of your business and don't leave it for others to handle.

questions and comments heard in the green house this week

by teresa

Mom, nobody asked you to go in my room!

Mom is on the couch with her ipod and a book. I guess we are on our own tonight.

Where are my sports pants?
The ones you were yesterday?
Yes.
You got home after 11:00pm...they are on the washer to be washed.
Throw them up to me.
Ew. (picks them up carefully) You wore them all day.
(toss up to him)
(sniff)
They aren't too bad....I'm going to wear them today.

How old were sissy and Nick when they got their phones?

I would like a Va Tech couch for my birthday please.

Where did you go to eat? I found chili on your shirt.

Touch my neck.

I need to put this Olive Garden container on the back porch...it's polluting the house with it's garlic fumes. We could ward off vampires with this stuff.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning, the devil says, "oh crap...she's up!"

I want a five star binder!
I don't care what you want. It's 10:00pm and you are getting whatever binder Walgreen's has. I don't care if it's got puppies on it...you're gonna use it and like it!

ear

by teresa

Time has kinda stood still since the snow on Saturday.
Schools have been cancelled and tomorrow they are closed too.
Crazy!
You can tell this area is not used to having this kind of weather.
Seriously...you are out Wednesday from snow on Saturday?

The kids and I are bouncing off the walls.
Today Ben and I went to the library and the thrift store, just to get out of the house.
Nick and the youth group finally arrived home last night, having been snowed in at Accelerant.
He was exhausted and slept until afternoon today.
Then he got up, ate, watched tv and went back to bed until around 7:00pm.
You know you've had a good time when you have to sleep for two days to recover.

Tonight, Ben has Keagan and Joe over.
They are literally bouncing off the walls.
It is 12:47am and I hear them yelling cannonball...and then jumping from the top bunk. The dishes in the kitchen cabinets sound like they are breaking.

Why am I up, besides the hurricane of testosterone going on across the hall from my bedroom?
Ben burst through our door a few minutes ago. He and the boys were playing with this giant stuffed dog Ben has had for years. I had shoved it in the back corner of his toy closet long ago. Nostalgia? No. The thing cost like $100 bucks and I don't part with $100 stuffed animals without it being infested with rats or something. It has a rip in the seam and they were messing with the stuffing (it probably looks like it snowed in his room). Anyway, stuck inside Darby (the dog's name), was Ben's ear. For those of you not in our immediate family, I will elaborate. Ben called his "blankie"...ear. Because he twirled it and poked it in his ear while he sucked his pacifier. In 90% of the pictures of Ben before the age of 3, he had his "ear" by his side. I guess after he lost interest, he shoved it inside of Darby and forgot about it. Well, after discovering it, all these years later, he was excited enough to burst into our room and share the joy. At midnight.

So I came down to find my ipod and book light (so I can read without disturbing Chris). I am hiding in the office, in the dark for the moment (blogging and checking facebook). If they see I am up, it will draw them down like moths to a light. I will now sneak back up to bed with my book and a little music to tide me over until the sandman arrives.