A New Look

As you can see, I have a new look and blog name. Nan over at Life is Like a Lunchbox made me this great new banner. Thanks, Nan!! You Rock!!

The reason I chose Enjoying Life One Juice Box at a time.. is simply because I am trying to slow down and enjoy my children and life more. The way my kids love juice bags will not last forever so I need to grab it while I can. The banner has a picture of each of my kiddos doing one of the things they like most, inhaling a Juice Box (or bag whatever the case may be). Even Baby A gets in on the action with the bags that get set down somewhere she can reach. So hopefully you will see a bit more of my personality in this banner and a lot of Nan's hard work.

Let me know what you think...just don't say my kiddos are ugly are anything like that because I won't believe you.

Two cart experience

My shopping habits are definitely different during the summer than they are during the school year. Besides the obvious fact that I will take my four children with me to the store instead of my youngest two there are other differences as well.

The most noticeable one is the fact that I buy a lot more "junk". And by that I mean all those pre-packaged snack items. I do have to admit that it's not just my children eating them though. We seem to have one of those houses where children meet up and the snacks are brought out. So essentially I am feeding the entire neighborhood "junk". I also buy a ton more Popsicles and ice cream for obvious reasons. They play outside so much it's a quick cool down for them and if I buy the right kind I can limit the sugar. We do buy more fruit in the summer since it's in season and my kids do actually eat it and enjoy it so at least there is one healthy thing tossed in there. But the thing I notice the most that we go through literally by the gallons is juice bags. I can buy a big package of forty drinks at Sam's and they will maybe last a week. Again thanks to my children's hospitality to any breathing soul within a five mile radius at our house.

I went to the store this morning and had all my children with me. We bought our usual items and then some, since each kid (except Baby A) begged for one item. Our cart was overflowing. So at the checkout line I realize there is no way that all those items in my cart will be able to fit in my cart once they have been bagged. So I had to ask my son, Z to go and get another cart just so I wouldn't have to fight with the bags to make them all fit without falling off.

So it's official, I have had to use two carts at the grocery store. I wonder if I am going to need more carts as the children get older. You know kind of like those people you see on TV that go shopping with two vehicles just so they can fit all the family and their groceries in at the same time. I mean let me be honest, I really don't want to be the lady that everyone stares at in the grocery store because of the obscene amount of food I am needing to buy. Hopefully it won't actually progress to that though. But if you should ever happen across a lady with four kids in a grocery store with two full carts...it's not me..no really, it isn't.

I scare Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is our next door neighbor. He's a big guy and a policeman to boot. He has a great heart and his boys are about as tight with our sons as they can be. Apparently I scare Mr. Greg and he is afraid of me.

This is nothing new to me. He has always said this to me and about me so it's really no secret. But why would a big guy with a gun who is trained on how to use it be afraid of me. I guess it's in my genes. You see I have a bit of Greek and Mexican blood in me from my mom, along with all the whiteness that my poor dad could give me. So when he first met me he thought I was just another white girl moving into the block.

That was until he first heard my oldest son, Big Z,who was four at the time, sass me with a bit of back talk. I just handled it the way I always did by taking him inside to talk to him and put him in time out. But for whatever reason he decided that from that day on he would be afraid of me.

So yes, the policeman next door is afraid of me, in a general sort of way. Although he always tells me it's really not fear he has it's just a healthy respect for me and from where I come from. I'm not really sure how to take that one, since really I'm not a ghetto child or anything. I come from El Paso and a nice middle class neighborhood. I always got good grades and was in the drill team. I never got into any trouble, well except for the one time the cops brought me home in the middle of the night. But that's another story.

But even though he claims to be afraid of me I know that deep down he really like me. He is a great friend to me and to my husband. And maybe one day, just to get a reaction from him, I'll even tell him how yep, I do know how to shoot a gun.

Something to Ponder

No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.

~Saint Francis of Assisi

It's an Apronpalooza contest

Nan over at Like a Lunchbox is hosting a cute contests for aprons. Go check it out if your interested. I know my kids always get excited when my apron comes out since it usually means I am baking something yummy.

Sweeping in the Rain

Hoss is just like his dad. He must be outside regardless of the weather. If he stays inside for extended periods of time without being able to go outdoors he becomes a bit challenging. Yes, that's what we will call it challenging. Normally it's not a big deal since he can go out in the backyard to play whenever he wants. But this spring has been very wet for us here in our part of Texas. We have had so much rain and then more rain and then just a bit more rain to top it all off. Well when dad is out in the garage working I send Hoss out to him. After all they are carbon copies of each other, so it's only fair. It was raining yesterday, and Hoss being a boy, couldn't resist being in the rain. So when I went out to check on Hoss this is what I found.




A soaking wet little boy who was having the time of his life. He and his friend E, (who is just like Hoss when it comes to being outside) were trying to help the water down the drain. So they grabbed their dad's brooms and set to work. I think that they literally spent two hours out playing in the rain. And being the mom that I am, I just let him. After all, he wasn't hurting anything and he was happy and safe since dad was watching.

It turned what for him would have been another boring day cooped up inside the house into an adventure. And I for one say let him have his fun while he can. He'll grow up soon enough and then he won't want to be out playing or in his case sweeping in the rain.

Gigi..my dumb dog

Gigi is our dumb dog. She is a boxer and really like any other boxer has way to much energy and enthusiasm. I don't know what on earth my husband (because I blame him completely) was thinking when he decided that a boxer would be a good fit for our family. He wanted a dog, I didn't. He wanted a big dog, if I had to have a dog it would have to be small. I didn't want any dog hair shedding any where in the house and never can a dog be allowed on my furniture. Well, this dumb dog does both. Above all we both agreed that if we had a dog it would have to be great with kids, which is true in our case.




Gigi is great with the kids. She is always willing to play rough with the boys but is very gentle with the girls, especially Baby A. But if you aren't a member of her pack, then she is very protective and has a very big bark to go along with her. So when I got my new camera I thought what better subject to practice on then my dumb dog Gigi. After all she wouldn't pose like a goof ball and beg to instantly see the image on the camera like my children would. And she cooperated initially. She just lied there on the couch she wasn't supposed to be on and let me take her picture.

But when we went outside, it really became to much for my dumb dog. The fact that I was kneeling down was much to appealing for her and she came running towards me thinking she was going to get to play. And ding bat that I am, thinks to myself, cool I can try out the action feature of the camera and see how the action feature works on the camera. Only that dumb dog didn't stop, she kept on running at full speed and knocked me and by brand new camera right over. Then she has the gall to actually look like she is having fun. The dumb dog.



Tell me again why we have you here. Oh yeah I remember now, it's because I'm a ninny and can't say no to my husband and kids when they begged and pleaded for a dog. And then upon agreeing on a dog, I get one that is completely opposite of everything I envisioned. Your huge and you shed a lot, you snore and you drool real bad on top of it all. Yet still I can't get rid of you, because as the kids say, Gigi is family. Dumb Dog.

The Royal Spa Treatment

I have been to a spa today and received the royal spa treatment. The proprietors of this spa are in my immediate family so I got the works for free. The oldest owner (8 years old) decided that mom needed a special day. Off he went in search of his massage tools. After enduring all that I could take of his gentle shoulder massage I begged for a moment to just to savor how relaxed I could be. It's amazing how much more relaxing it was after he stopped.

Not to be out down the other proprietors (ages 4 and 2) decided that I needed to have my hair done. Off they went to find the brush and comb. I was then brushed and combed until my hair was hanging as limp and straight as it could possibly be. I'm sure that my two year old remembered the times that I encountered tangles while brushing her hair so decided to give a little bit of payback.

Sadly I was unable to stay for the manicure and pedicure since it really was getting late, but maybe next time. All I know is that after such a relaxing day provided courtesy of my children I feel the need to make an appointment for a real massage, but I think I'll have to try a more established spa to frequent. I just won't mention it to my children.

I love flowers

I haven't always been into gardening. It just grabbed hold of me in the last few years. Since then I have tried many different flowers. Some I like and others I pulled out and planted something new the next year. But these are some of my favorite perennial flowers and I love the the way their colors can brighten anything up. This is my hydrangea. It only has two blooms so far but this is only it's second year and is still very small.




I also love the bright color my pinks have. They are such a small flower but pack a big punch, I think.




And of course I can't forget to mention by bright yellow day lilies. I must confess that this was one of the first flowers that really got me more into the gardening thing. It's one of the first to bloom every spring and I always look forward to it's arrival.



I have a lot more flowers that I have just planted and once they mature a bit and fill in then I will take some more pictures. In the meantime I hope you enjoy these as much as I have.

My request

Today is the last day of school for my son. He is already claiming to miss his teacher and is so sad. So now that he is home for the summer, what can I expect? Lots of requests. My oldest son is full of them from everything to special breakfast requests to the playing with friends and anything else that may catch his eye. He sees something on TV and he wants it, he sees it at the store and wants it, he hears about something and he wants it.

So what is a poor mom to do. I get very tired of saying no all the time. With four kids, when one of them makes a request it is inevitable that the rest will soon follow with their own. So for today, I have a special request to make. I request the creativity needed to keep four children and a mom happy and sane over the summer. Notice I am not requesting patience, just creativity and new ways to deal with things. I am sure that my one single request will be lost among the garble of my children's many requests through out the day. Then again, maybe my one request will be heard by others and I will be granted the creativity that I desire.

My Shade Garden

I love gardening. It is always welcomed by me every spring. I like to see the old plants that are back for another year and look forward to the new annuals that will brighten up an area. For me it provides instant gratification. It's easy to deal with the sunny locations of the yard but my favorite spot is in the backyard. I have one flower bed in my backyard that gets very little sun. It is on the north side of the house and has a large oak tree protecting it as well. I have found several plants that do very well there and really love it. But without fail, every year I am required to go and replant all my favorites. This is because I have a very large, dumb dog that refuses to learn and is always digging up my flower bed. So today I have once again planted my Hostas, a new fern and some very colorful Caladiums. Once they have grown some, they will look beautiful along with the pinks, Gladiolas and Hydrangea that I have growing there. I am even tempted to replace the Coral Bells since I really love that plant, but it tends to cover up one of my darn dogs favorite spots so maybe I will just give it a break this year. In the meantime I am excited to once again have my shaded area back in order. All I can do now is try to keep that dumb dog out of my beds.

What my children see

I went shopping for a swim suit today and it was quite the adventure. I sorted through all the racks of swimsuits that I thought were cute that I thought might look good on me. After I had approximately eighty swimsuits in hand, we went off in search of the dressing room. I barely missed out on the handicapped stall since a lady with her one child in the stroller zipped in before me and my two kids along with the baby in the stroller could get there. No worries no hard feelings to you and your single child in that enormous dressing room. I will just cram all four of us in the small dressing room and proceed to try on my eighty swim suits with absolutely no room to turn around in. You and your one child enjoy the big dressing room.

You see I came prepared to entertain my kids with a small snack while I changed. Unfortunately they were far more interested in laughing at mom every time they saw my underwear. What in the world made them find this so funny I do not know but they did and they were laughing hysterically at me as I tried on swimsuit after swimsuit. I really was beginning to develop a complex, I mean if my kids are laughing at me in my swimsuit what will the people at the pool think. Once I finally get it narrowed down to about three suits I ask the kids what they think. It's then that I realize what my child sees when they look at me in a swimsuit versus what I see. All that they see is the big bright flowers and colors and none of the rolls and cellulite. To them the more loud the swimsuit the prettier I was. I just wanted to hug them there on the spot, but unfortunately we were still crammed in that small dressing room and I didn't have enough room to do it. So I picked out what was to them the ugliest suit of all since it didn't have enough colors in it and I somehow managed to maneuver back out of the dressing room. I gave them a quick hug and rushed to the closest check out before I could change my mind.

So I kept telling myself that the important thing to remember is that it will be so much fun for the kids to be at the pool this summer and that is what they will remember most. Not what I am wearing. So today all I have for my children is love, since they have shown me so much of that in the dressing room, well except for the laughing at my underwear bit.

Blessed by the Kindness of Others

I have been blessed today by the kindness of others. So much that it has brought me to tears more than once. You see this morning is my son M. (aka Hoss) last day of pre school. So it's a fun day with pizza and bounce houses and snow cones. You get the idea. He has been looking forward to this for weeks. This morning I went to drive him to school and couldn't get out of the garage. Our spring had broken and we were stuck. I couldn't call my husband since he was in Finland. I checked to see if any neighbors were home who could help me get him to his school. But no one was around. So my very excited little boy took off his backpack and went back inside. He was so upset he asked me if he could go and kick the garage door. My poor baby, little did he know, I really wanted to kick the door also.

So I called the repairman who promised to be here in two hours. Then I called the school to see when the festivities began. When the director realized my situation she offered to come and pick him up for me so he wouldn't miss any of the fun. Which she promptly did, leaving all the activities to be managed by the other women there. She also offered to bring him home if I am unable to get him. Later, one of my neighbors did get home and realized my situation, he brought me his car keys so I wouldn't be home without a vehicle while I waited for the repairman. He then left in his truck for the rest of the day. Truly today, on a day when I needed it, I have been blessed by the kindness of others.

A Week Without Dad

I woke up this morning thinking it was going to be just like any other day. I made it until about 9 a.m. before I realized otherwise. It was at this time that my husband called and asked me to pack him a suitcase. They needed to put him on the plane to Finland before the end of the day. When I asked the dreaded question of how long I was given the answer "just until Thursday". It wasn't until I was counting socks that I realized that meant he would be gone a week. Man is he lucky the laundry is caught up. I explained it to my youngest kids and they immediately went to work making a map for daddy to take in case he gets lost. My oldest son Z, will not be happy to hear about this when he gets home from school. But he is always such a big help when dad is gone that I know I can count on him.

So for the next week it's just mom. I get to deal with all the regular stuff I do everyday, without the hope of relief in the evenings. It's always a struggle at first but somehow God gets me through these times with more patience then I realized that I possess. These trips make me realize how much I do depend on my husband and how much I do depend on God. As they say, God will never give me more than I can handle.

My life of addiction

I have addiction in my life. First thing in the morning if I don't get my coffee then you better watch out. I just don't function without it. I am trying to cut it down. I have gone from 4-5 cups to about 2 or 3. My poor children really know that mommy is nicer after her first cup has been consumed. This is a recent addition that has only been acquired within the last 6 years or so. I'm not the only one with this addiction. I know many other moms who suffer in silence along with me.

My other addictive vice is caffeine free Diet Cokes or diet Dr Pepper. I dream about these drinks. The sweet flavor they have and how if they are so much better when they are ice cold. I refuse to dilute the flavor of these drinks by adding ice cubes. Give it to me plain in a glass where I can watch the bubbles float up. Gosh, how sad do I sound. Yes I know I have a problem. I have shared this addictive problem with my husband only he is not the purist I am and will still add ice to his drinks.

I have also inadvertently shared my addiction with my almost three year old daughter, K. Now please don't think I am one of those mom's who put coke in their baby's bottles because I don't, at least not technically. But for K, she is just like her mama. She sees the way I watch my drink as I pour it and she does the same. Her lips literally quiver in excitement as she ask if she can have some. And bad mom that I am, I give her a sip so that she will go away and leave me and my coke alone. It has gotten so bad that I now have to hide in another room or turn on the faucet, just to open a coke and pour it in a glass without K. hearing it.

I guess the responsible thing for a mom to do would be to stop letting her drink it. And I know if will be agony for both her and I if she sees that I am getting what she so desperately wants. So it looks like now I will have to give up my caffeine free diet drinks along with cutting back on coffee.

Sigh...what else can I do. I truly am sad about this. How sad is that?

Momumentous task

I have tackled a momumentous task this weekend. I have finally gotten every snap shot that has been taken for the last five years into albums. Well most of them anyway, the good ones. I was finally pushed into doing this when my son's pre school requested a baby picture. I couldn't find one and had to dig into a huge tub where all the photos had been placed by my husband. I finally located one for his school. But in the process came across all these other photos of all the kids that really were cute but were hidden away. So now instead of only having baby pictures of my oldest son in an album, we now have all four of the kids from their first pictures to now. Granted some of them may be a bit out of order here and there, but for the most part they aren't to bad and they are labeled. As for the kids, they are excitedly looking at all these neat pictures of themselves from when they were babies and are thrilled.

And it came at a great time for me since I received a new digital camera and am desperately trying to figure it out. Then I can get more pictures to put in the albums. But the one thing I noticed when putting the albums together, I'm hardly ever in any pictures. I am always the one taking the pictures. And of course I feel silly telling my husband to take a picture of me, please. I guess I really should since the kids will one day want to see the pictures with me in them. Then again, maybe I will just start using the timer on my new camera and then I can be in all the pictures. Anyways, I am just so relieved to have finally gotten them all organized and put into albums. That's a huge thing for me.

A time to read.

I see a book,
I think I'll like it,
I pick it up and then I buy it.

I take it home and sit down to read,
What comes next, my babies done the deed.
So off I go to change a diaper.
I sit down, then daughter calls for me to wipe her.
Flush the toilet, close the door then I go and try once more.

At last I think, I can finally read.
Then in comes my son at full speed,
Mom, come quick you gotta see.

First one thing and then another.
By the time I done with this book,
I'll be a grandmother.

My brother's humor

I have a wonderful relationship with my brother. We have always gotten along, even as children. He is four years older than me and has had his share of struggles. But through it all he has had the funniest sense of humor. Some may call it a dry wit. I love his sense of twisted humor and know that when he is joking around he never means it in a mean way.

He had me rolling on the floor this morning when I spoke with him. He had been talking with my mom who is trying to keep my Uncle Soupy to stay with them at least through the weekend. My uncle can get a bit cranky at times, like any 82 year old can. And with the surgery and being gone from home for so long he is a little bit extra cranky. Uncle Soupy has been wanting to go home now and wants Sister to drive him home today. He also wants her to go to the Dairy Queen and drop him off to visit with his cronies. She doesn't need to stay since all the women do is gossip. Now my brother hearing about this got Uncle Soupy on the phone. He said that he wouldn't be able to leave just yet, and if he tried that my mom was instructed to hide his walker so he couldn't make it to the car. Then my brother asked him what was going on at the Dairy Queen to make him want to go. Uncle Soupy just laughed and said he needed to visit with his friends. It was then that my brother said "Uncle Soupy, let me get this straight. The women at Dairy Queen just sit around and gossip. But you men don't gossip right, your just fellowshippin'. Do I have it right?" Poor old Uncle Soupy laughed so hard he made his chest hurt. He said my brother was right of course but he'd never thought of it that way before. And after all the threats of taking and hiding his walker, he thought he would cut Aunt Sister a break and stay a while longer at my parents house.

Leave it to my brother to make idle threats about walker stealing and comments about fellowship. Truly I do love his sense of humor. Does that make me a warped person also?

Spiderman 3

After weeks of anticipation by my oldest son, Spiderman 3 finally came out this past weekend. He has been begging for me to take him to see it since he knows mom likes these types of movies better than dad. Well scheduling finally permitted us to go and see it last night and he was so excited. What he failed to tell me was that his friends had already filled him in on all the cool things that happen in the movie. So for him it was not as much of a surprise as it was for me. It was still a great movie and he absolutely loved it. I thought it wasn't so bad either but really don't go for all the creepiness that seemed to be in this one. I think I will wait until my four year old gets bigger before letting him see it since it would probably give him bad dreams. For me it was just fun to get out and do something with just my oldest son, at his request. As he gets older, mom is always second fiddle to dad in his one on one time. But when it comes to movies, he knows he can talk me into them easier. That's okay, I'll take it.

Thankful Thursday

Since I really don't have much to say today I thought I would just do a Thankful Thursday post.

1. I am so thankful that my uncle has improved and was released from the hospital. Hopefully he will make a full recovery and be back to his old self in no time.

2. I am thankful that as this Mother's Day approaches this weekend that I still have my mother to celebrate it with. As well as my husband's mother. I have so many friends who have lost their mom's so I appreciate them more.

3. I am so thankful for my faith sharing group. It has truly taught me a lot more about my faith as well as brought me closer to a wonderful bunch of Catholic women.

4. I am thankful of my children and how they force me to slow down and do the simple things like paint together. It's messy but it reminds me that they need me in so many different ways.

5. And a silly one, I am thankful that I did finally find that lost book I was looking for. Now if I can find some quiet time to read it.