A mother's worst nightmare...

Apparently you can't blink when you have three kids. This has been the culmination of a "Jorgia you are not listening" week. I lost Jorgia Roen at St.Vital Mall. That's right, panicking mothers everywhere, helpful father, security guards, freaking out oldest son the whole shebang!
We were at the play area at the mall. Knowing Jorgia's habits I usually sit right at the entrance so I can see her if she decides she doesn't want to play or needs to pee or whatever. Today since Olivia had been in the stroller all morning, I thought it would be nice to give her some tummy-time. So I picked a corner in the back so the other children at the play area wouldn't step on Olivia. I was sitting next to this father who was there with his daughter, and he kept telling her to watch for the baby. I could see Carson as he was next to me on the bridge and I was watching this blond head in the train across from me. A blond head I thought belonged to Jorgia Roen. But the head wasn't moving... as is the habit of my daughter, so I got up to check on said Blondie only to find out it wasn't my Blondie. I started looking around, up, under, over, behind to no avail. I couldn't find her anywhere. I asked Carson where his sister was; he had no idea. The dad asked if I had lost something. I said "Yes, I think I lost my daughter". I couldn't believe I was saying that. He looked around after asking what she looked like. With in seconds this thing was full blown. I was shaking, Carson was telling everyone what she looked like. One mother was hold her baby, who was less than a year old in one arm and Olivia in another. I just kept spinning in circles. The security guard, bless his heart, looked just as terrified as I did. In my brain I had two completely different trains of thought. One: this doesn't happen in real life. This happens to Tori Spelling in the ABC movie of the week. And now this is the part where she falls on her knees and yells "JOOOOORRRRGIA" all Susan Lucci style. Then then there was the other:the not so good, (I'm embarrassed to say this) thought of: "That little brat. She just doesn't listen. I could kill her." So what felt like a decade went by, well it was 10minutes tops. Then I heard a group of woman say "Is this her?".I rounded the corner and there she was with two cute young ladies holding their hands, her in the middle, like some too cute baby sister gone shopping Hallmark card. By now I had taken Olivia back form the other mother. I ran and swooped her up in my one free arm.(Oh the dramatics) Tori Spelling beat out the devilish thoughts and I began to cry. Remembering my manners I turned around and thanked the girls way too briefly. (I was so distracted, I should have thanked them more directly and it bothers me that I didn't. Maybe I'll call Ace Burpee on Monday). When I asked Jorgia Roen where she went she said she couldn't see me at the play park so she went looking for me. Later she told me she had stopped the girls and told them she couldn't find her Mummy. God Bless you Mall rats. We promptly went home as I was so shaken up, embarrassed and exhausted. When I put her to bed tonight she looked me in the eyes and said, "Mummy I'm really really sorry I walked away. You're my best friend." Sigh.
I don't know how to get through to her, she just doesn't listen. And because of that she has run into traffic, cut herself on broken glass, eaten poop (I know that's so gross). She is reckless. I don't know what I will do with her. Suggestions are greatly appreciated. Until then I think I might just have to find me one of those harnesses. Do you think they come with the Louis Vitton logo?

By golly she's got it.

Apparently, she's got it. That's right ladies and gentlemen my 3 year old is potty trained. I didn't' think we could do it but... she's done it and I'm so proud. I think what got her was that I told her that ballerina's don't wear diapers. She's having a Ballerina and Toy Soldier birthday party next weekend and will not be wearing a diaper to that event. Yippee! Way to go Jorgia. Mummy and Daddy are so proud

Socks

Apparently knitted socks are the best thing ever! Got a pair for my birthday, yesterday and haven't taken them off. Even wore them to bed. Love, love, love my knitted socks. And now I am determined to learn how to knit my very own pair. Not really thought. But first I should finish that scarf for Jason seeing as it is now snowing!

C'est mon fete.

Apparently 31 is easier to swallow than 30. I don't know I'm still having a hard time with it;however, my lovely friends have made it a tad more palatable. Today I turned 31. That is really hard to say and even harder to read.
I'm reflecting back on the year that passed with bitter sweetness. I found out I was pregnant for the third time on this day last year. We thought we were done but it seems she had other plans for us. And I really couldn't be happier. I often say to Jason she is what love made. Carson and Jorgia were strategically planned. But Olivia was just pure love. And I think now, that is the way it should be.
I have received a fair big of wonderful gifts today. Ace Burpee wished me a happy birthday on air. (Thanks Jason) My children gave me some lovely workout wear, mom pants and my DH gave me a fantastic mauve purse. Yes I said mauve. My wonderful and ever so thoughtful BFF knit me my first pair of knit socks and I seriously haven't taken them off since I received them via courier this aft. (She also fit in some other goods, and a wreath she hasn't given me that I'm not suppose to know about.)My 11 year old nephew(I mention his age only because I can hardly believe he's 11 already)called to wish me a happy birthday on behalf of his father. My baby bro called and we had a great chat, always do. BTW these charming young men are available to a good home. My parents, who try so hard to be technologically savvy sent me their first ecard. How sweet. And last but not least my darling sister came and had really bad Chinese food with me and the kids. She even brought candlelit icing with vanilla cupcakes somewhere underneath. *smile* She really made the day tolerable. Thank you Stinkerbell<3
Today, despite the fact that the ugly mummy monsterreared her nasty head again my kids sang me happy birthday all day long. I'm so blessed to have their unwavering love. I just hope I don't damage them too badly.
Thank you to everyone who walled me a happy bday. Thank you to all of you, my proverbial spoonful of sugar.

Le Weekend.

Apparently thank yous are out of fashion. Since when? Friday was Halloween. We had a little less than 100 kids come by the house and I would say that approximately 40% of them said Thank you. Not to mention the 80% who just stood there at the door and shoved their pillow cases at me with out so much as a Trick or Treat.
This morning on the Ace Burpee show they were discussing all the awful things grown ups were handing out to the Trick or Treaters. I was appauled. Condoms, really? Really? The one idea I did pick up was Bailey's shots. There will be Bailey's chez moi next year.
One tradition the hubby and I have started is we make all the older kids with no costumes (on cell phones, yes cell phones) sing Twinkle Twinkle. We had one kid ask me if I was for real. I'm like you came to my house, knocked on my door, didn't say Trick or Treat, or hello even and you expect me to give you something? Like Jason shout out to her "Nothing comes for free!"
I'm looking forward to next year. I have a new perma-date for Halloween. My BFF will be joining me. I love traditions.
Ya know what I don't love. Kids and day light savings. My son's teachers ever so strategacially had a PDday today. Leaving me with 3 messed up children. They got up way to early, wouldn't take their nap and were bouncing off the walls today. Carson even told me and I quote "Mommy, I have to get out of here. I'm getting so frustrated with you." Sometimes I regret the decision we made not to talk to them like babies because this is what I get when he's "frustrated".
On the plus side this weekend Jorgia, our middle child, has consistantly used the potty for number one, and because of Halloween we have a treasure trove of treats to reward her with. She's really taken to gum, just like Violet Beauregaurd, her heroine. (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
All in all a pretty fantastic way to usher in November, my favourite month. Can you guess why?

The kindness of strangers

Apparently random acts of kindness still exist. Today I braved the chaos and took the kids, all three of them to Wal-Mart all for a jug of milk. The same Wal-Mart that at about two months ago I helped a mother and a crying child by taking their oversized Power Wheels home for them because it wouldn't fit in their hatchback. She offered to pay me. I of course declined simply saying "Us mothers, we've got to stick together. Maybe some day someone will do something nice for me.
Today was the day.
I was so amazed at how good the kids were at Wal-Mart, I decided to treat them to a sundae at McDonalds. We ordered one for the three of us (very tight budget sugar and otherwise). We sat down and began eating our sundae when this older lady comes up to me and says "I don't have any grandchildren. I would love to buy your kids something." I was thrown off guard for a moment. Was she taking pity on this mother of three who probably looked a little harried, or was she sincerly longing for grandchildren to spoil? At first I politely declined, "No, no we're okay." She insisted and I realized that a)I probably looked pretty pathetic splitting my sundae three ways and b) perhaps if I allowed her to treat them I was somehow fulfilling a void she may have. I said "Well if you would like you can get us another sundae so they can each have their own." "Sure thing" the lady said. When she came back she said "I have two children and neither has given me a grandchild so I don't mind. Here." and handed us two more sundaes. Now each of us had our own sundae. I thanked her choking back my tears and a bit of shame.
I have so much. I'm blessed with three beautiful children, my health, a roof over my head, and a wonderful husband. And I think I complain hourly, either to myself or to my husband about all the things I don't have. All the material things that is.
When the lady left I thanked her again, as did my two older children. Carson my oldest even said "That ladies was very nice, and she had a pretty hat too."
I told them we should say a little prayer for her that someday she will get the grandchild that she wishes for."
I feel that even though she did this nice thing for us we shared a bit of ourselves as well. I hope tonight when she shares her story of how she helped out a mother of three treat herself and her kids to a sundae, she feels proud and knows that her random act of kindness will not end there. My kids and I are planning on paying this forward...

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. HH The Dalai Lama

Sitting on a Rainbow

Apparently I might be on to something. I'm sitting on an idea for a business venture. It just came to me one day. So I've been doing some research online and I might be on to something.
I'm totally psyched about this and now I think my baby sister is on board. Which is so exciting.
I had to just put this out into the universe and see what comes back. If you build it they will come mentality. I don't want to say too much because that pessimist in me doesn't want to jinx it.