It's on like Donkey Kong

Be positive, Jenn.

Look at the whole picture and find the positive, Jenn.

Find a positive way to deal with situations, Jenn.

Love they neighbor, Jenn.

The first three statements?  Okay, I can do that and I’ve been actually trying my hardest to practice them.  

That last statement?  Um.  NO.

He has pushed me to my breaking point.  I am beyond livid.  I’m tired of calling the police and I’m pretty sure they are tired of responding to these shenanigans.

911: "911 operator, what’s your emergency?"

Me: "My neighbor is harassing me so can you send an officer?"

911: "What’s your address?"

Me: "123 Happy Street."

911: "Oh, it’s you guys again…."

Okay, so that’s not what they said but I’m sure that when they hear my address they think that! 

The last time I called 911, I told them they needed to send someone like now or else they will find my neighbor in a body bag.  Yes, I was that angry and you would be too if your neighbor was crazy and blocked you in your driveway all because he thought you were prank calling him the night before.  


Seriously, buddy?  I don’t even know your name let alone your number and I have better things to do besides call you.  If I knew your number and your name.  


The first time he yelled at me I started to cry.  It was horomones; I was pregnant with Radical #1.  And then he offered me a piece of candy.  To make me feel better I guess?

So back to this morning…at 5:30am.  I wake up to him yelling and my first thought was oh gosh, what now?  I go outside and the Mister is standing at the fence calm as can be while the neighbor is yelling.  I just have to say that I’m very proud of the Mister for keeping his cool because man, he has a temper.  


So anyway, I asked what all the yelling was about and why are we yelling at 5:30 in the morning?  The Mister tells me the neighbor is mad because Radical #1 makes his dog bark.  He’s mad because we let the Radicals play in our yard or ride their Gator around our property and it causes his dog to bark.  He’s convinced that Radical #1 is taunting his dog on purpose and we need to discipline him.

 *side note: There was one time when Radical #1 was trying to talk to his dog, the dog started barking, and the neighbor yelled at Radical #1. 

Then, the neighbor yells at me to stay out of it and it’s all about disciplining my child and having respect for them.  What the what?  Then his wife or mom or whoever she is starts in with the yelling about disciplining my child.  Oh hell no they did not just go there.  


So what does Jenn do?  She loses her temper and starts screaming too.  Basically telling screaming to them to not tell me what to do/where my kids can play on my property and how to raise my kids.  But here’s the real kicker and when I really see red.  The “wifemom” tells the Mister “ shut your phony bi**h up!”  


Oh man, I lost it.  


Lost it to the point where I was about to walk over there and beat her.  Lost it to the point where the Mister had to grab me and hold me back.  She’s lucky there was a fence standing between us.  The Mister calls the police, they come and tell us the same thing they told us the times before.  Basically they can’t do anything but give him a warning.  They told us to get a TRO today and the next time he says anything, they will come and arrest him.  Whoopdeedo....

It’s always something with him.  First, we’re too loud and we purposely shined our garage light into his wifemom’s room into her eyeballs (he was serious, LOL!).  Mind you, we live on an acre so it's not like our houses are super close together.  Second, I supposedly prank called him and that gave him the right to block me in my driveway.  And now, my 4 year old purposely taunts his dog to bark and they ride their Gator around the yard on purpose just to irritate his dog.

I realize that I’m being stubborn and far from positive but sorry, this is the third strike and he is out.  


No more Miss Nice Jenn.  No more brushing off their multiple personalities.  I’ve had enough.  And why should I have to always feel like I’m walking on eggshells?  Why should I have to limit the Radicals to a certain area of our yard?  Why should I have to live my life paranoid because I don’t know what will set him off?  I should have ran his ass him over the second time he got stupid with me.

via

So now that some hours have passed and I had the chance to think about what the heck just happened, I came to this conclusion…

I won’t get mad anymore, I’ll just get even.

Happy Friday!

Jenn.

Ready…Set…Go…

…with a Confess Sesh for your Monday!

  

Lovelies, I’ve been holding out on you. 

I mentioned in this post that other life changing things have been happening and I promised to give an update later.  Today is the “later” and I apologize for not doing it sooner but shoot, life has been hectic.  Gone are the days of taking 5 hours naps, wandering aimlessly in stores because I’m bored, or taking impromptu trips wherever and whenever just because I feel like it.  

Anyhoo, here it is in picture form thanks to Pinterest and Cia.

Photo by Connie Lou at islandbuzzy.com

And speaking of Pinterest, there are so many cute ways to document the bump!  I should get myself together pronto if I want to succeed at this documenting thing. 

So yes, right there above sits my confession.  And until I get myself together, here are some tidbits of what’s been happening so far:

` I’m at 10 weeks but it looks like I’m about 24 weeks.  Everyone is different right?

` Taco Bell and Pizza Hut are my best friends.

` You can’t trust me with your tub of Cookies & Cream ice cream.  I will dig out all the cookies and leave you with just the cream and microscopic particles of cookies.  Consider this your warning.

` I’m nauseated but trying not to think about it.

` I’m already wearing maternity clothes (GASP!).  Don’t worry; I’m just as shocked as you are.  And this time around, I'm being smart to not stretch out my regular clothes.

` Bursts of energy make an appearance when everyone is sleeping.  It’s not okay to vacuum at 1am.

` I can totally get away with throwing tantrums.  The Mister says “I’m sorry.  I forgot you’re pregnant and hormonal.”

`I’m slowly getting over the fact that Happy Hour is/has been no longer.  I realize that that sounds selfish but it’s the truth.

` I’m praying for the third time’s the charm….in the gender department.  I need a girl but overall, I’m praying for a healthy Radical to-be.

There you go.  

The beans are spilled.  

I have another appointment in 2 weeks and hopefully I’ll have the “bumpdates” going by that time.  

I’m hoping.  

I hope y’all have a great week!

Jenn.

Dear...

The Mister, thank you for leaving me with a sink full of dishes this morning.  And yesterday morning.  And the morning before that.  I’ll take it as my cue to pack your lunch the night before and because I love you so much, I’ll make an effort to roll out of bed and make your breakfast to go.

The Radicals, Although you two test my limits on a daily basis, you guys are still the cutest little stinkers.  Especially when I hear “Come back mom, I want to give you a hug.”  Awe…

Growing Grape, I can’t wait until July 10^th!  That is all for now.

Family on the other side of the island, can’t wait to see y’all tomorrow.  It’s been a while since we’ve visited.

Pier 1, is it true?  Are you really open?  Looks like a pit stop will be in order tomorrow!

Ginormic pile of laundry, I feel we have a love-hate relationship.  Please be nice to me today.

Linking up with Ashley today!  

Hope y’all have a fun weekend!

Jenn.

Finally! Vacation Recap

It’s almost the weekend!  I’m super excited because we’re going home-home sweet home!  Anyway…

I'm finally posting the recap of our vacation from 2 weeks ago.  And my plan of taking pictures of everything went out the window as soon as we landed.  I have a little point and shoot that gets lost in my ginormic bag and with 2 Radicals running in opposite directions, I need both my hands to be free at all times.  And that leads to getting tired of rummaging through my bag a million times and most times, by the time I get my camera, the thing I wanted to take a picture of is gone.  But enough with the boring camera issues and on to our vacation.  

Radical #1 was in awe with the airplane.  He loved it so much that he wouldn’t have known any better if we cancelled the vacation and went home. 

We finally landed and the Radicals were in awe even more with the escalator that took us down to the baggage claim.  They thought it was the coolest thing in the world and didn’t want to leave.  Funny little people…we didn’t even start our vacation yet and they rather hang out at the airport.

We got the car and off we went but before I go on, I have to say that every time we go to O’ahu, driving causes an argument.  All the time.  Never fails.  I couldn’t drive on that island if my life depended on it.  There’s too much lanes, too much signs that I can’t see, too much cars.  It’s just too much and it makes me crazy so I rely on the Mister to drive.  But he relies on me to tell him where to go and if we get lost?  It’s my fault.  Guaranteed. 

Anyway, 1^st stop…Aoki’s in Haleiwa.  Oh how I’ve longed for you.

A visit with Nana and her horses and chickens at the ranch.

After the ranch, we hung out, BBQ’d, and had a few.  It was 10:30pm and we still hadn’t checked in to our hotel which happened to be in Waikiki.  Bring on the getting lost and more arguments because we’re lost.  The only thing I could think of was that the front desk being closed and we would be homeless for the night but alas, we found it and they were open.  Thank you, Lord.  Did I mention it was 12am?

Thursday we went to the Children’s Discovery Center.

And the Disney Aulani Resort to have lunch with the Mister’s cousin.

Then to the Mister’s grandpa’s house for another BBQ.  There were no pictures because I was pooped and couldn’t find the energy to find my camera again.  Can I just say that I was in love with that house?  The kitchen and the walk-in pantry to be more specific.

Friday we went to the zoo and the aquarium with the Mister’s dad.

I’m backing it up just a bit…while planning this trip I asked the Mister if I could have a girl’s day with the SIL.  Just us, no boys, no kids.  I know that can sound selfish but hey, I never have “me time” and if the opportunity presents itself, I’m taking it.  And I mean, the Mister would be surrounded by family so it’s not like I left him and the Radicals in the middle of nowhere to fend for themselves. 

So Saturday was reserved for girl’s day; a day of shopping, eating and hanging out, and girl talk. I was looking forward to this day for a month and when it finally came, I didn’t want to go.  Why?  On Friday night, I asked the Mister what he was planning to do while I was having my girl’s day.  He said he was taking the Radicals to the water park with his brother (the SIL’s hubby) and his kids, and their cousin with their kids.  Really?  I was missing out on family fun at the water park because of girl’s day.  I kind of felt selfish and like a bad mom.  He convinced me to take the day to myself because I always have the Radicals and I never have a break and blah, blah, blah.  I was sad when I watched them drive away and then panicked because I forgot to give the camera to the Mister.  I felt empty.  I didn’t know what to do with myself while waiting for the SIL to pick me up.  I called a girlfriend and rambled away about my feelings and because she’s such a great friend, she gave me a pep talk and encouraged me to take the day to myself.  Thanks Roch!

The SIL and I went to Ala Moana and good Lord, it was overwhelming for me.  Small town girl is not used to big malls.  There were 3 floors and I made it through 5 or 6 stores until I threw in the towel.  I was over it.  I realize that I didn’t even put a dent in the mall but I’m fine with that.  That trip was good enough for me.  I did get all the clothes I needed though.  That was the main thing.

That night the Mister’s dad and stepmom watched the Radicals while we went out to dinner at the Oceanarium.  Good food plus good company and 11 Tropical Itch’s later equaled a good night.

Sunday we hung out at the park with my nephew and the Mister’s stepmom.  My nephew, Kekoa, is a fire knife dancer.  Go here to check out a highlight of his last performance (fast forward to 5:05 minutes).  Then we went to the Mister’s cousin’s house for another BBQ.

Monday was our final day there.  In the morning we went to the Mister’s heaven on earth.  The Radicals and I kept ourselves busy while the Mister perused the goodies.  We met up with the Mister’s brother and cousin along with their families to have a final good-bye lunch.  Gosh, that sounded so final and sad…

West Marine // Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill

All in all it was a great trip.  The Radicals had a blast, the Mister and I had fun and some us time, we got to visit with family that we haven’t seen in forever.  Until we meet again...

Whew, that was a long recap.  Sorry for the overload.  Hope y’all have a happy Thursday!

Jenn.

The one time when my common sense didn’t exist.

Happy Hump Day!  I was going to do our vacation recap today but Radical #1’s episode this morning sparked a memory that I wanted to share.  

I’ve posted many of times about Kona, my home-home sweet home, and how the drive there is about 2.5 hours.  The biggest reason I dread the drive is because Radical #1 gets car sick.  Not fun for the both of us.  We would either make the drive early in the morning when he’s still half asleep or during nap time around noon.  

But there were still times when I had to pull out the plastic baggie because the car sickness kicked in.  2.5 hours of crying, screaming, and puking.  And there were times when I had to drive by myself which would take us even longer with all the pit stops.  

Torture.  

Last year his pediatrician prescribed him vomiting pills and Benadryl.  Apparently Benadryl will prevent him from getting nauseated.  Huh, who knew?  Obviously not me.  It totally helped with the drive to Kona!

Anyway, one time he caught the stomach bug and everything that came with it.  Vomiting, diarrhea, no appetite, couldn’t hold anything down, crankiness, etc.  You name it, he had it.  It went on for four days and we both had enough so I took him to see his pediatrician.  

The ped confirmed that it was indeed a stomach bug but we needed to let it take its course.  You know those times when you know the ped can’t do anything about it but you still want to punch him in the face because he can’t do anything about it?  Haha!  

This was the remainder of our conversation…side note: its okay if you feel the need to reach into your computer and slap me after reading said conversation…

Ped: “Since Tyson’s been vomiting, have you been giving him those pills I prescribed?”

Me: “The vomiting pills?”

Ped: “Yeah, those.”

Me: “Um, no because I thought they were for his vomiting when he gets car sick?”

Ped: silent with a confused look for a few seconds then literally laughs out loud…”Jenn, vomiting is vomiting whether you’re in the car or at home; give him the pills if he’s vomiting!”

I felt like a complete idiot and a total mommy failure.  I made Radical #1 suffer for all those days because I thought car vomiting was different from home vomiting.  Did I really think that?  I told the Mister about the “vomiting is vomiting” conversation and he just shook his head and was all “duh!”  Well duh nothing because it’s not like he thought of giving Radical #1 those pills! 

Anyway, hope you had a good laugh for your Wednesday!  I’ll be back tomorrow.

Until then,

Jenn.

It never gets old

Hey lovelies, I’m back from vacation!  

Well, I’ve actually been back since last Monday but it took me a week to recuperate.  

Life’s been hectic.  

Anyhoo, I’m planning on doing a recap of our vacation later this week.  

But today I’m going to share all of the treasures I’ve been finding in our yard.  

It never gets old…

I was greeted by these one morning

This was right under our stairs

Macadamia nuts

Bloom, gardenia, bloom!

I hope your Monday was great! 

Jenn.

Life happenings

We took our family photos on Saturday.  The last time we did a family photo was never so I was excited.  Photos done by Miss Connie at Island Buzzy.  I didn’t want the “studio look”; I wanted her to get us in action, how we the Radicals really are, and just us in everyday life.  I wanted our pictures to show the real us.  It was pouring cats and dogs but we didn’t let that stop us.  And speaking of real, this is how the weather is most of the time.  Radical #2 wanted nothing to do with the photo shoot so that’s him in true form: sassy and on his own schedule and with his binky.  I like them and I like how they portray us our chaos.  And I’m just stoked that we finally have a family photo.  The Mister and I haven’t had a picture together in 4 years too so I’m happy she got some of us.  So thank you, thank you, thank you to Miss Connie.  And thanks for being a trooper in the rain!  I miss your face and our talks.  Hopefully we can change that in the near future.

Radical #2 rather play with the water fountain

Connie: Okay now, act like you love each other…

Radical #2 still on his own schedule

I don’t want to, dad!

Trying to convince him that taking pictures are fun

Radical #1 was a trooper

I took a blogging break for a week.  Life has been busy.  The Radicals, work, school, keeping up with the house…the usual.  Other life changing things have been happening and I’ll be sure to give you an update on that later.  Promise.

Potty training is in full swing with Radical #2.  It came out of nowhere and it’s to the point where he insists on going to the toilet when we’re out in public.  Oy.  But hooray!  Diapers will be non-existent.  For now….

The Radicals’ room is slowly coming together.  I actually let them sleep in there so see, I’m learning to let go.

And lastly, WE’RE GOING ON VACATION on Wednesday!  The kind of vacation where you fly on a plane to get to your destination.  I am so excited!  It’s been 4 years since we’ve been on a vacation.  Even though we’re just going to O’ahu, I’m still happy to get off of this rock.  I cannot wait to take the Radicals to the zoo.  Sometimes I think I’m more excited than they are.  I also cannot wait to see family.  It’s been a while.  We’re staying for 5 days so I’ll be taking another blogging break.  I’ll be sure to do a re-cap of all the adventures when I get back.    

Today I’ll be wrapping up my work, cleaning house, completing the ginormic pile of laundry, and packing.  Happy Monday and I hope your day is great!

Jenn.