When the going gets tough...

The tough take a 2 month hiatus, runaway to the city of sin, invest in plenty of diet coke, baby-sitters of all various sizes and shapes, and fail to not only remain sane in the sincerest form of the word, but pretty much. Lose Their Minds. I can only thank my friends, and my family, the family that isn't sharing off their rocker status right along with me, that is. Mostly my 9 month pregnant sister in all her perfect angels flying out her hind quarters glory. She really is a saint. I love her.

So. Inquiring minds might be inquiring as to what I've been up to lately. Or they might could care less. I know not. That's how out of it, I've actually been. See. What people fail to mention is, when your mother was the only woman alive who could not only command an army of 12, keep a house spotless, and sew quilts for homeless in her spare time, she leaves LARGE shoes to fill. Larger than the ones I was almost forced to purchase during the last trimester of my second pregnancy. Thems was big shoes.

I've still not learned the art of keeping children in line, keeping laundry piles small enough to not suffocate wee babes when they topple over, and the toilets spotless enough that when Mia chooses to drink from them, they offer little toxic waste. But. I have learned a few things these past months. A few. I won't share all of them, as I'm sure you all have as much free time as I don't. But I will give you some updates. We all love those. I say all. But really. I just mean those who actually pay attention.

I'm getting fat. Yes. that's happening. Seems eating from a drive-thru plastic bag for 2 weeks in a strange city isn't the most conducive flow to weight loss. Nope. I'm gaining. More-so than  the DOW after the google merger. I know. Easy fix. Stop eating. We'll get there. Eventually.

I'm back to streaks. Oh yes. That too happened. I decided enough was enough. If a 26 year old mother of 4 at the end of her long and painful rope wasn't allowed to don streaks and sport her hair in Vegas, nobody should. I give you, exhibit A.

 

Don't judge me. Or do. I'm past the point of caring. My children are free of streaks. This will please some of you. The rest will be forced to complain over my lack of appearance in the scrapbook world. Say what? Scrapbook? Please. Define? Can you use it in a sentence? I've not picked up a piece of paper that wasn't white and used for the removal of residue, since the visitors, a group of women and their offspring we so lovingly referred to as "the reprobate hobos" came to dwell in our midsts.

They turned out to be less than what was originally foreseen when my father purchased their tickets to come and hang out with us, but we did learn alot about the type of women one can meet on the internet. Dad is sticking to locals for the dating time being. I couldn't be happier.

The kids. Are friggin' huge. Mia turned 1. a month ago. Um. Hi. did I not just give birth to her insanely adorable face yesterday? Some of you may remember that. Well, unless you were one of the under paid hospital workers who was forced to watch me give birth to her sans epidural, you don't remember much but what I relayed to you, but it still remains, she's growing. Too fast. Does she not slightly resemble a fat little sumo wrestler? Only with a tad bit more cloth?

Yes. She's a ham.  A stuffed little ham.

Moving on to other children that I do also have in my care. Charity. Still wearing diapers. Dedicated to those bad-boys like an Amway salesman to his clients. We've made some progress with her talking, and she seems to be full of life. Like any child of mine lacks that? She's getting so big. And pretty too. I mean, she's not just my little chubby girl. She's a beautiful girl. She gets that from her sister.
Ah. Yes. The ever elusive Aubree. Still my most dramatic and attention seeking offspring. She's learning to read. I mean. Like. Teaching herself. I love that. She's smart. Not just a brat. A smart one.  It's been difficult lately to be the mom my kids probably want me to be, and try to maintain some semblance of normalcy in all the chaos we've been submerged in. I know I'm rather vague on alot of my posts about life lately, and I hope to change that soon. I just don't know how much of my life I really feel comfortable posting at this time. See. Vagueness. There I go again.
Mikey is doing amazing, as usual. Trying to run the world from the privacy of his own 2x2 square inch of real estate.   They are the most resilient and amazing kids. I wish sometimes I was more worthy of them. I feel like a failure alot when it comes to them. Doesn't help my little sister makes it her duty to point out what I'm doing wrong. Did I mention this is the sister that has NO kids? yeah. She's great at advice. 

I know. I suck at this whole update thing. It's all I can do to get through the day without bears diggin through my garbage. Blogging has taken a back seat. More like it resides along side the trailer hitch.

I feel it's pointless to ramble on anymore about the monotony that is the daily life we lead here. We've spent alot of time at the movies, the park, the ER, apparently MRSA is rampant in these parts, and guess who got infected. Oh yeah. That'd be me. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before something else happens and I'm forced to not only have my right cheek cut open, ( yes folks, I'm referring to THAT cheek) but some other slightly vital part of my body that already hates me for shoving 160 pounds of me into skin that was clearly meant for 120 pounds. You win some, you lose some. I tend to be the one taking home the medal they give to everyone for participating. But I'm still here. That has to count for something? Right?

I've been talked into dusting off my scrapbook supplies, and attempting to create something that shouldn't be used to kill roaches. When I do. I'll be sure and post.

Thank you to all of you who have asked about me. I try and respond, and if I've neglected your email, or your IM, I am really sorry. Spread horrible things about me. Tell people my cooking is wretched. I promise, they'll believe it. I'm going to be around more lately. Las Vegas was enough to remind me that no matter how bad my life is, I could always be that woman who thought it was ok to wear a fish net dress over her string bikini to the Cirque show. It can always be worse. Always.

Comments

[Mel Nunn]

Good to hear from ya Ruth... Yes... life could always be worse. So where does one buy a fishnet dress anyhoo?

[andie]

i'm glad to see you are still breathing!!!

[Stephanie Howell]

oh i am SO glad you are back. no one can make me laugh the way you do. glad you are surviving.
xo

[Brooke]

So glad to hear from you. Your children are SO beautiful-as they should be with such a beautiful mom~inside and out ;)Hang in there, girl. You have a huge cheering section~I so wish you could hear us cheering for you. Just keep being you and don't waste a minute worrying about those who judge~they don't matter! Glad to hear you'll be posting more. You inspire me. In life and our hobby. Love ya!

[vee]

so glad you had a great time in vegas!! did you do a dance for me?! lol love your streaks, you wear them well always! :)
xo

[Krystyn]

ALways love to read your posts...your kids are beautiful - hang in there!!

HUGS from TN!!

[Katrine]

I've missed you! Don't be too hard on yourself! You are a good person doing incredible things. Because of this your blessings are great, just look at those sweet kids of yours!

[Laura Solomon]

Glad to see you posting to your blog. I was genuinely concerned. Your kids are just GORGEOUS and you...PERFECTO any way you package it.

[tara pollard pakosta]

SO GLAD YOU ARE OKAY!!!
and your children are so gorgeous!!! keep surviving and learning and enjoying your kids!
tara

[melissa]

Glad to see you post again! Your children are so beautiful!

You have a lot to deal with- my goodness! Hang in there... ((hugs))

[Denise Morrison]

Ruth you are gorgeous with or without streaks! Your children are lovely and your mom is so proud of you!! We are all hopelessly flawed...just trying our best. Hang in there.

[Mary Ann]

So glad you posted to keep us up to date.
The kids are as cute as always, and I love that the streaks are back.
Keep hanging on! We miss you!

[Holly Hanks]

So glad to know you're still alive! So, that wasn't a jellyfish sting on your bum? Or it was, and it turned MRSA? Ouch! Your kids are lookin' beautiful. And, just thought I'd let you know that Hazel told me yesterday, "I miss Roofth." That would be you, in case you can't understand the phonetic spelling of words uttered by a 4 year old. Although, I'm sure you can. She has a mind like a steel trap nonetheless. Apparently, you made quite the impression on her. LOL! Glad to hear Vegas wasn't a bust!

[Debra]

Welcome back Ruth, missed you! Stalk your page often. Kids are beautiful, keep the streaks, you look terrific in them.
Keep your chin up, like you said things can always get worse, even if it may not seem like it ;)

[Lisa]

she LIVES!

Lord girl...you sound like you have been around the block and back 10 times over.

And not to get all off track and preachy here, but I would think that asking a 26 year old mom of 4 with a husband on deployment to fill her mom's shoes might just be a WEE bit much to ask.

Take care!

[Dina]

Love to come here & get a new dose of Ruth. :) Hang in there, you rock.

[Molly]

So so so glad to hear from you! {{{{{hugs}}}} and if you ever need anything, please know I am here. :)

[Kelly]

So so so so soooooooooo glad to see an update from you. I'm glad you're ok, even though that's a relative term. I've told you once and I'll tell you a thousand times - I'm here if you ever need me. KY is not quite sin city, but you've called it home and it's only a plane ride away. After all, what are BFFs for? :)

XOXO

[Jolynn]

ahhhhhhhh.......... it's good to have you back ruth. You are alived and kicking.... what more can we ask???

and...

P.S. LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE the streaks!

[Sherry Wright]

Oh so glad to see an update from you Ruth! The kids look great and so do you.. streaks and all! :0)

[Jenny Dziekan]

So glad you're back. Keep plugging away. We're all standing on our chairs and cheering for you. The 5 of you look amazing!

[Lisa Guidry]

I freakin LOVE your hair, beautiful as usual! So glad to see an update :) Hang in there!

[Nikki Bunnell]

Hey Girly...I can't believe I found your blog...I did not know:) I love it...you are so expressive...

Now to the support goods...I just love ya and think so much of ya! I wish I could be there to take your kiddos and give you a break for a day or two! Hang in there girly YOUR are 100% AWESOME. You inspire more people then you understand...KEEP IN TOUCH!

[tammygraves]

So glad you're back! But now where have you gone again? I'm sure it gets tough sometimes...we all have days...but don't leave us! We're calling ! Are you doing any scrapping lately?