ahhh! where to start

Where should I begin? This blog is going to be an attempt at sharing this crazy life of ours with those we love and hopefully share a laugh and the trials of parenting with you all.  So, just in case you do not know, I am Jenn.....the gookedist mommy of all...

Cast of Characters:
jenn- aka mama
brad- aka dad
angelynn- aka diddo, si si, pinky
landon- aka buddy, moo, brother (the creator of all special nicknames and words)
laine- aka big big, bug, princess
benjamin- aka benny,

Furry friends:
izabella- our corgi
nakita- our boxer
bubbles- landon's fish
alyssa and friends- angelynn's fish
meatball face- the cat

Alright...so here is a quick view of what kind of choas we have here;)
I am a full time mom (previously a social worker, and someday hopefully again).  Angelynn is 13, Landon is almost 6, Laine is 2 and Ben is 5 months. My husband, Brad is a railroader (a signal assistant and soon to be a signalman to be precise).  For those who are not familiar with the railroad it is an interesting way to have a family. The last two years Brad has worked 8 days away (and by away I mean like states away) and 6 days home, followed by 5 days away and 2 days home and now it is anywhere from home every night to gone 4 days home 3, or gone for 2 weeks at a time. SO, when I say I am manning the fort, I mean it! It is me and these wonderfully crazy kidlettes and our furry and finny friends. Did that even make sense?? Anyways, most days are like any of yours, and somedays it is a full blown circus. 

Today for example:

I sent my kidlettes off to school.  For the first week in months I have dropped my kdg boy off on time 3 days in a row. (This issue will be revisited time and again I am sure.)  This kid, bless his heart, moves like cold syrup.....so we are late.....a lot...... There is now a sign out front that says something like "thank you for getting your kids to school on time."  If I manage a full week I am going to dance next to this sign! Anyways, I dropped him off and Laine and Ben and I head to the local grocery store..who am I kidding, it is walmart.  I loathe walmart, but I have a big family and they are the most cost effective..... So, I load Big Big into the ergo pack (why her and not ben??? cuz that is laine for you), and carry Benny in on my hip and into the infant cart.  We do our shopping and this of course includes buying bread.  I get the great joy of seeing a lady friend at the store.  As I get five minutes of adult interaction Laine proceeds to need out of the pack, gets into the cart, starts peeling coupons off some tanning lotion and proceeds to stomp my bread :/ seriously kid?! She thinks this is funny.  Luckily I am a pro at this so I shake the bread and bang on the bottom and it comes back to life (sorta).  This was a great trip to the store....

It is early out day, every Wednesday is early out... this makes life hard. I have to put the little ones down to nap super early. Today was the usual struggle.  However, Laine insisted on first fixing my hair and throwing my nose ring across the room.  This was followed by her desperate need to snuggle meatball face.  Nap finally happened with a nursing Ben on one side, Laine on the other and Meatball Face on my face...btw.. I hate cats.......

We wake up, go get Buddy.  We fly like taranadons back to the car and head home for "clean your room wednesday."  Everyone cleans their rooms....sort of.... while mama tries to get the house in order before Dad gets home...We have dinner, devotions and skype with my folks. 

Now, the kids go to bed at 7 (8 for Angelynn) and I get to try and make Ben sleep.  He hates sleep.  He would rather nurse for hours on end.  This is new. It kills me.  Btw did I mention I live on coffee?? Duck Dynasty is on tonight....I love that show...that and NCIS.  I am excited to keep sharing with ya'll and it only gets more interesting so try and bare with me. Bare? bear?  Man, college was a long time ago....