305.4

Dear Life,

I went to the doctor today.  I have had an issue with one of my feet and needed it checked out.  Did I mention I haven't gone to the doctor in five years....since I had my last baby.  I know...I know.  It's been difficult to find the time to take care of myself because I am taking care of all these boys...

I have lost myself a bit.

A lot.

Being a caregiver of a special needs child has made me hypersensitive of my boys needs...

But I forgot mine....and I am ashamed to say on occasion my husbands as well.

(Hangs head in shame)

I realized that I needed to step it up with my marriage and my husband awhile back.  But I didn't realize how much I have let myself go until I stepped on the scale at the doctors today.

305.4

COME AGAIN??????

In my head I'm big...but not that big.  Talk about denial. 

I knew I needed to lose weight.  I knew clothes were fitting horribly.  I knew my back has been hurting.

But in my head I remember this:

So I must still be this thin right? 

WRONG!!!

So today was a huge wakeup call.  But I have woken up.  Boy have I woken up.

I'm starting weight watchers this week....

And getting a gym membership this week...

NO MORE EXCUSES!

Tomorrow I have to get my blood drawn to check for cholesterol, diabetes and a liver panel.  I say "Bring it".  This has got to change...and I'm the only one who can change it.

From....A BIG Mom of Boys

I am who I am...

This is a prompt from Salena at A Little Piece of Me...here's to getting to know a little bit more about Moi...

I am finally happy
I wonder if I will ever lose weight
I hear music all around me and it makes me happy
I see my kids growing up right before my eyes
I want to find out who I am now...
I am finding peace


I pretend I am a model
I feel tired...a lot
I touch people's lives in words
I worry about my kids future every day
I cry when my kids are hurting
I am a mom and a wife


I understand that life gives us challenges and we must adapt (Doesn't make it easier though)
I say things without thinking sometimes
I dream of spending quality time with my man ALONE
I try be a better mom all the time
I hope I can learn to be more patient
I am a nurse, a doctor, a caretaker, but I am still ME

Sunday Sassy...or Fashion Faux Pas?

Dear Life,

Today was one of those days.  In my head I planned it all out...get up, get everyone ready for church....get myself ready for church....have a great spiritual feast...go home....decorate my Christmas tree....


FANTASYLAND called and they want their dreams back!

First....no one got up.  Me included.  9:30 I sit up......CRAP!  We have 9:00 church.  I lay back down and think for a minute.  Wait!!  I can salvage today!! I call my father in law to ask if he wants company at church today.  Of course he does!  I rush around waking everyone, getting people in showers and getting clothes together for Stuart to iron.  After I shower, I start blow drying my hair when I realize that my hair dryer is blowing only cold air.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME????  
I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!!
Plan B:   Curly hair with a hair wrap from Little Penelope Lane it will have to be.

Rush and put on makeup, get dressed...and assessed the outfit.  Not a fan of what I pulled together on a whim but had no time to change.   At least I know the shoes are cute!

And I didn't realize until later that the cute necklace I just got from Classy N Sassy didn't match the outfit AT all!!!  And it kept getting caught.  Again...at least it was cute....

My friend Summer at Made By Munchies Mama always tells me that I have to own it....believe that you are wearing the cutest thing ever....I'm really good at make believe but as you can see....today was a faux pas for sure!

Oh well...there's always next Sunday!

From....A Mom of Boys!!

Thanksgiving Special

Dear Life,

I am thankful for this man.....he is the better part of who I am.

I am thankful for my family....they have formed the woman I have become.

I am thankful for my Grandmother who has always been a rock in my life and my sister who has stood next to me through everything.

I am grateful for the family I have married into...they shaped the little girl I was to the mother and wife I am now....and loved me as I learned.

I am thankful for God giving me a father on earth to replace the emptiness I had....and for giving me a wonderful Hawaiian family to show me what unconditional love looks like.

And I am grateful I was able to pull a cute outfit out of my closet.....

And I love that this boy loves me and loves to be in front of the camera like his mama!!!!!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

From...A Mom of Boys!

Entitlement?

Dear Life,

Do you think I feel a sense of  entitlement when I  expect a children's venue be accessible to wheelchairs and differently abled children?

Is it possible you don't know that my son can play at a gym too?  Is it ok that my son is not welcome at a kids gym because he rolls instead of walks?  Is it because you feel he's a liability?  Is it because his wheels will make your gym dirty?  I looked over all the fun places that typically abled children go for their parties.  Most of them have different sections that would not be feasible for my wheelin' kid.  I cried. I got mad. Why should it matter. Why does he have to sit on the sidelines just because his legs work differently?

If you know him, you know he does NOT allow anyone to sideline him.  He is always in the thick of everything.  He is with his brothers running to the neighbors and having fun.  He knows all of the teenagers at church by name.  And they know his.

I want to have a fun birthday party for him......and I am offended that I have to ask if you are handicapped accessible before I plan.  Ridiculous!

Luckily....I found the Santa Ana Zoo and it looks like SOOOO much fun.  A train ride, a zoo day, and lunch.  Perfect, right?

When I get rich, I am going to start a gym that is accessible for EVERYONE!!!!

Does this look like a kid who can't play at a gym???

From....A Mom Of Boys!

I'm Blank Because

Dear Life,

I am enjoying being a blogger.  I enjoy reading blogs and feeling inspired.  A piece of me that has been hiding is waking up.  The piece of ME that is about me and for me and not my kids.  It has grown smaller...life does not revolve around me...but in order for me to be a good wife and a good mom I need to find that piece of ME and cultivate it.  That is why I blog.

I was reading  A Little Piece of Me and she put up a little about her....so I'm going to follow suit...a few other bloggy moms have done it too.  So here's to knowing a little more about me:

I'm Weird because:

I love makeup yet I rarely wear it (I don't want to waste it).

In my head I look like my 21 year old self...so I don't like the mirror!

I'm overly sensitive and get my feelings hurt easily...even as a grown woman.

In my head I'm a model even though those days are long gone.

I watch America's Next Top Model and try to "Smize" in the mirror.  My kids think it's hilarious.

I get cranky if I dont' get a real breakfast...can't skip that meal.

I'm a Bad friend because:

I am horrible at staying in contact (doesn't mean I dont' love you the same!!!!)

I get wrapped up in my crazy life and forget to look outside of that to see what's going on with my friends.

My spare time goes all to my family....I don't share it too often with my friends even if I want to.

I think about my friends often but don't always take the time to let them know that.

I'm a Good friend because:

I would be there in a heartbeat if a friend needed me (and let me know if I wasn't paying attention lol)

I love my friends to death.

I will do everything in my power to help you to solve a problem.

I will listen to you cry and cry with you.

I will laugh with you too.

I've seen much....and can sympathize and empathize with lots.

I'm Sad because:

I don't have the relationship with my mother that I wish I had.

Life isn't easy.

My little Kumaka has a lot of challenges to face in his life...and I can't do anything but be there for him.

My Keoni is moving away in August to grow up and go to college.

We don't own a house.

Financially things suck.

I'm not thin anymore....and struggle with it every day.

I'm not as patient as I want to be.

I'm Excited for:

Me to finish writing the story about Kumaka and to see it published (hopefully).

A trip to Hawaii in the summer (can't believe I'm married to a Hawaiian and NEVER been in 18 years of being together)

Seeing Kumaka on Yo Gabba Gabba!!!  :)

Hopefully going to see my friend in Florida and meet her new baby.

New glasses...I haven't had new ones in five years.

Finding a new me...

Thanks for finding out a little more about me.....would love to know more about you!

From...A Mom of Boys!

Fashion Link Up

Dear Life,

I'm loving blog reading!!!  Wanna see one of the fab mom's who have inspired me to find pretty?  Check out her blog...I love her real mom fashion cause she's real and she's gorgeous...and she share's her ideas!!!  

 Momma Go Round

Now I'm off to get cozy....it's cold in Cali!!!

From....A Mom of Boys

Sunday Sassy

Dear Life,

I love Sundays.  I love going to church with my family (although I DON'T love rushing to get seven people ready for 9 am church) and I love having an excuse to get all dolled up.  Sometimes I don't bother..if I'm not leaving my house (or even if I am HA) because my boys don't care if I wear makeup or look cute.  I am starting to care...looking at all these wonderful blogs and of course there is Pinterest....I have all of a sudden found an urge to be pretty more often.  SO here it is.....my Sunday Sassy.  Send me some love cause I am a little self conscious....LOL  (PS the photography credits go to my 11 year old Kalani.....we're working on it!!)

Working on working it.....

From...A Mom of Boys

Update on the correct address for Soldiers

Do not send it to that address w/ the recipient addressed as 


"a recovering wounded soldier" . 

After this examiner wrote an article urging everyone to post 


this status, Maj. R. Norfolk (20-year, active duty, veteran of 


the Army, and a Disabled American Veteran) wrote to me. He


 stated "While this might seem like a good way to show 


support for wounded soldiers, the information in the message


 is incorrect. Cards sent to "A Recovering American soldier" 


or similar will not be accepted by Walter Reed Army Medical 


Center. However, cards can be sent to servicemembers via 


the "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign operated by the 


American Red Cross. An announcement on the Walter Reed 


Army Medical Center explains: The American Red Cross is 


sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to 


receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers and 


veterans both in the United States and abroad.




 Welcome to the fifth year of our Holiday Mail For Heroes 


program! As in previous years, we will partner with Pitney 


Bowes to collect holiday cards


 from regular citizens all across the country and distribute 


them to service members, veterans, and their families. If 


you’re looking for a fun way to 


give back a little bit this holiday season, this is a great option.


 Check out our slideshow of cards from previous years for 


some inspiration.



Send cards to the address below:




Holiday Mail For Heroes



P.O. Box 5456



Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456



All cards must be postmarked no later than Friday, December


9th. Cards postmarked after this date will unfortunately be 


returned to the sender.

My love for...

Dear Life,

I have neglected something terribly.  My love.  One of the things that made me happy.



Making my own cards.  Stamping.  Being Creative.


So today I spent one hour working on my Christmas Cards.  AND I WAS IN HEAVEN.  I forgot what it is like to be creative. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in life that I forget to do things in life that make me happy.  And making cards makes me happy...and the people that receive them happy too!

And.....after I decided to send homemade cards this  year, I saw this post on Facebook.

I LOVE THIS...PLEASE Consider! When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one 

card and send it to this address: A Recovering 

American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW

 Washington, DC 20307-5001. If we pass this on and everyone

 sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, special people, who have 

sacrificed so much would get.

Will you consider taking this challenge?  I think it will make a huge difference if we could all take five minutes and send at least one card....if everyone you knew sent one card how many cards would that be?


Thank you for those that fight for our freedoms.


And thank you for crafts.  


From...A Mom of Boys!!

Mama bear is out and she is roaring...and her heart is breaking

Dear life,

I can deal with challenges.  You know I have dealt with and conquered quite a lot over the years.  The challenges now are different.  When it was me, it was different.  But when it deals with my kids...

WATCH OUT! Mama Bear comes out and comes out roaring!

With five boys...Mama Bear likes to rear her ugly head A LOT.  I have learned to tame her...my kids aren't a fan of freak out Mama Bear.  But when it comes to education for my son with ADD or for the health of my special needs boy....Mama Bear stands on her two feet and will give you goosebumps.

Watch out...She's out!!!!!

Kumaka had a scheduled MRI to get a baseline reading of his brain (hydrocephalus) and of his spine (Spina Bifida).  (See here to learn more about Kumaka).  I got the results....he was diagnosed with Tethered Cord.)

That is one result I have been dreading...the surgery is scary.  Lots of people have it...lots of people come out better than before.  But tethered cord can cause so many issues; and the surgery can cause issues.  Anyway...we went to therapy today to walk in his RGO's (which he LOVES doing) and as I was explaining the MRI findings, I was showing Kumaka's PT his back and where the tethering is.  That's when I noticed the bubble of fluid on his back by his tailbone where the tethering is.  THAT scared me.  And kinda freaked out the PT too.  If this is not treated it has the potential to paralyze him completely.  Needless to say the PT says that until the doctor okays PT...he is not able to practice walking.  Kumaka was bummed.  I was beyond bummed...at the situation.  Called the neurosurgeon and will meet with him on Friday morning to figure out what the next steps are.  Praying....praying that the answers will come and that Kumaka will come through it all ok.  Praying the the neurosurgeon will listen to Mama Bear...so I don't have to freak out even more.  I don't want to go there.  

Keep him in your prayers...

From...A Mom of Boys

When my life began

Dear Life,

Thank you.  Thank you for bringing this man into my life.

Before Stuart, my life was a little crazy and out of control.  And lonely.  Stuart became my best friend, we confided in each other and started talking every day.  But when he took me to my favorite place....

And bought me a balloon and a pretzel....I fell in love.

Magic must have been in the air.  We became an official couple.

We lived an hour from each other, so we talked on the phone a lot....and we spent every weekend together.  I moved out of the town I grew up in and into Orange County.

I have never felt so much love in my life...until I found out we were expecting a little boy.  Life got exciting after that...

We had our first baby boy in 1994, we got married in 1994, and life just took off after that!
Fast forward to now...

A few more boys, a few more crows feet around my eyes....but an even bigger smile and a heart full of joy.  I never ever imagined that I would meet such an amazing man.

I never imagined I would be the mother of five amazing boys...

I am truly blessed....so thankful for this man....who brought a light into my life.  I wonder if he knew what he was getting into???

Thanks.....From a Mom of Boys!!!!

I love my friends

Dear Life,

I am so very grateful for friends.  Great friends.  Dear friends from long ago.  Friends that care about me and love me for who I am, who I was, and who I will be.  Friends that love me enough to help me take care of me.  I am sure all you mom's know that it can be so challenging to take care of your own health when you have kids.  Not only do I have four kids with normal health needs, I have one that needs a lot of care.  I am so grateful I am a stay at home mom...and I am so blessed to be able to care for my monkeys.  But I am not so good at remembering me. I was tagged in this picture yesterday:


Okay, so October has passed...Did you get your 


mammogram? If not, I will schedule your appointment for 


you. Watch me!

So I saw this when I went to sleep......and I saw it again when I checked into facebook the next day.  So when I had a minute....I called for my first ever Mammogram.  December 1st.  If only to get my name of that list....

Now I am slightly terrified.....but it know I need to do this...turning forty and having my grandma be diagnosed with breast cancer all in the same month should be a huge motivator.  But I needed a nudge from a friend.  Thanks Summer!


Have you had your mammogram?????  Join the flat boob crew....

From....A Mom of Boys!!!

PS....Did you wonder why some have two check marks?  They got their colonoscopies done.  One thing at a time for me.....

Talk from the Table Tuesday

What we are grateful for...around the table of the Jensen's...

Keoni "I am grateful for Buffy"  As in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Mom "Really Keoni????"

Keoni "Ok...Slurpees...and Buffy"

HMMM

Kumaka "I am grateful for potatoes and Mommy"

(I don't see the correlation..but ok)

Kalani "I am grateful the Sumerians created school"

(Which means he is grateful for school....yay!)

Kawika "I am grateful for mommy"

(AWWWW)

Kekoa "I am grateful for Chocolate muffins"

(Will he be grateful for anything besides food and tv???)

The clowns running the circus

Stuart "I am grateful that I have a beautiful wife and she's got back"

(I am SOOOO grateful that he is grateful for my ASSETS)

Tracy "I am grateful for my boys...and everything that each one of them shares with the world...their different personalities and strengths."

And then Keoni read us a story from the scriptures..including caveman like voices to make it interesting.  

That is Talk from the Table.

From....A Mom of Boys!!!!