Thanksgiving Day -- Very Filling....

Dinner was wonderful... Kids ate well, hubby did too... I, well, although I was ill, I ate like a pig. Oink Oink! LOL

We had the traditional Thanksgiving dinner... 20 lbs turkey, homemade stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy.... Yummy....

Everyone was happy and full... Daddy cleaned all the dishes up and I fell asleep... Turkey Coma....

Now we are getting ready for Christmas... Trees up... lights are up...

So what do Mom's do all day?

My husband has always asked my, "Honey, what did you do all day?" well, let me tell ya... I dont just sit on my butt and do nothing...

Well, see this little girl -- she has a rare condition called Mitochondrial Encephelomyopathy and also has a growth hormone defeciency, hypertyroidism, hypothalamis disfunction, heart murmur, acidosis, and is on a special diet.. And today -- she has Pnemonia!! I am taking care of her all day. And on days like today, she isnt in school so she's here all day.

I also have 2 boys -- Austin is 9 and has ADHD and is Bipolar. Getting him ready for school is a challenge in itself. Fighting, screaming (from him), meds (theres a daily fight too) and Cody is 12 -- he has ODD and is a handful by any rights.

Plus, I have 2 dogs, a cat, a quaker parrot, 6 guinea pigs (2 are looking for homes!!), a hedgehog and 60 rabbits in the barn to care for during the day!! Then, there are the "Mom" chores... ya know, laundry, dishes, cooking (especially when the kids are home on holiday), making calls, driving to doctors appointments.

I love being a mom and wife and critter care giver but there are some days that I just wish more people would understand that you dont have to work outside the house to be a good mom!! I do my job AT HOME for my family.

So, what does my husband do?? He works for State Farm and sits at a desk all day -- hmmm... I think I'll stay at home with my kids and "do nothing!"

Crazy Mama

Weekend Reflection

Good Monday Morning all!!

After getting Cody and Austin (my 12 and 9 yr old boys) on the bus, checkin on my daughter, Autumn who's down with pnemonia (poor girl!!) and getting the hubby off to work (it was a long weekend !!), I had a few moments to sit and ponder what this week was to bring. Upon looking at the calendar, I realized that Thanksgiving is THIS WEEK!!!! OMG -- thankfully, I already have my turkey (whew!!)

I then thought of my family... my mom in PA who has been in and out of the hospital with Congenitive Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Liver Failure and uncontrollably high blood sugar. My Grandmother in PA who is still undergoing chemo for breast cancer... my grandpa who is dealing with it all while trying to stay somewhat sane during this whole process... my Cousin, Nathan, who just returned Saturday from Afganastan!! ! I am so thankful he has made it home safe and sound and is planning on making a quick trip from PA to IL to stay here for a few days and visit. I haven't seen him in over 6 years. I also thought of my brother, his GF and their baby boy -- all health wise is great with them but they are still so far away... I havent seen my brother in 8 yrs and I have a new SIL and nephew I have never met.. they have decided to come for Christmas for 2 weeks!!!

Then, I thought of my online family... my Quaker family, my Cavy family, and my Hedgehog family. All of you have provided me with so much love and support of the months/years I have been on these groups. From helping me through family ordeals to critter issues of my own... you are all very loving and understanding even in times when there should have been none. I must admit (and call me mushy if you will...) I am VERY thankful for each and every one of my Quaker, Cavy and Hedgie family in the US and across the WORLD!!! and although we may never meet many of those we speak to on a daily basis, we know we can count on each other for sound honest advice no matter the issues we are having.

Now, those of you that actually know me are probably wondering... "Is Crystal having a break down? Is everything Okay with her today?" I must admit, although this weekend has been one of the worst I have ever had (and my QS peeps know what I am speaking of...) It was much better knowing I have someone just a click away that could understand what I was going through and dealing with...

Dont worry everyone.... the hard, bad A** Crystal is still around... its just one of those days where one tends to reflect and make peace with the happenings of the weekend past.

But, just wanted to tell everyone HAPPY TURKEY DAY... and the I am thankful for each and every one of you!!!!