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Coffee Date : I'm Still Alive

Good morning, Lovelies!  I’m linking up with Alissa over at Rags to Stitches for Coffee Date Friday.  Wanna join me?

If we were having coffee, you would probably tell me “it’s about darn time!” to which I’d reply “I know, right?!”  Shoot, life’s been chaos busy.  I seriously forgot what life was like with a baby; they gotta eat, they cry, they gotta be carried and cuddled and loved.  It’s been non-stop from one Radical to the next and sometimes I feel like I’m hanging on by a thread.  I’ve been in my own world trying to survive life with 3 Radicals and man oh man; time totally flew by like it’s nobody’s business.  Can you believe we’re 2 days away from July?  Holy cow!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell that I have so much to tell you.  Haha!  I guess I would start with how we had to postpone our move (with tears in my eyes).  Moving cost money and it never fails that when we’re almost there…something happens that involves spending money.  The truck broke, the boat broke, a family reunion, and the list goes on.

Are y’all wondering why the heck do we have a boat when we’re trying to save money?  In my dysfunctional brain, a boat = leisure time.  Well, if we were having coffee I’d tell you that the boat is our income.  And the source of my irritation.  I’m just kidding.  Or maybe not.  Anyway, now that the boat (and truck) is up and running, the overnight trips have returned.  It’s bittersweet.  Great on the making/saving money; not so great when the Mister is gone for days.  Hmph.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that Radical #1 starts Kindergarten this year.  I was doing great emotionally until I went to get his application.  My anxiety returned with a vengeance as soon as I walked out of the office.  I was having hot flashes and all.  And I’m now finding every excuse not complete it. 

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m so excited to go home for the 4^th of July.  I cannot wait.  I haven’t seen my parents since Mother’s Day.  That’s a long time.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that Radical #3 will be 6 months in 4 days.  6 months?  I’d tell you that I feel guilty for not doing his monthly updates.  I’d tell you that because I don’t want to blog your eyeballs off, I’m hoping to get his 1-5 month highlights post up tomorrow.  Keyword: hoping.  Haha!

If we were having coffee, I’d ask you how the heck you’ve been.  What have you been up to?  How’s life?

Jenn.

Coffee Date Friday :: 5 Things You May Not Know About Me

Happy Friday, Lovelies!  Our little family got a visit from the germs last week so we’re still trying to re-coop.  Actually, this is the second visit from them and I’m hoping and crossing my fingers that they leave soon and don’t come back for a really long time.  Even the wee one is sick, poor guy!  If I have another baby, remind me to plan around cold season.  Haha, I probably just gave my MIL a mini heart attack.  Just kidding moms!  But no, really.  No fun having a baby during cold season.

Anyway, I’m joining Alissa for Coffee Date Friday today and I’m going to tell you 5 things you may not know about me….dun, dun, duuun…

They make my heart sing

#1 I always have to drink with a straw with the exception of bottled water.  And wine.  And if no straw is available, whatever I’m drinking tastes funny.  I don’t know what it is but it just tastes so much better with a straw.

#2 If I have a goal, like if I want to lose weight, I have to start my goal on a Monday.  It can’t be on a Tuesday or some other day of the week.  It has to be on a Monday.  Don’t ask.  I have no idea why I do that.

#3 Alissa told us about her Hawaiian name so with me also being part Hawaiian and from Hawaii, it sparked a thought about my name.  It’s not even Hawaiian although some people will argue with me that it is.  “Neola” (the youthful one) is actually Greek.  Sounds Hawaiian but it’s not.

#4 Um…I hate massages.  I don’t like people touching me.  I mean, I can handle hugging and handshakes but other than that, I don’t like people touching me.  Hmmm, said the person with three kids…

#5 Oh, my dad adopted me when I was…6? I don’t remember how old I was.  Although we don’t share DNA, he raised and loved me as his own.  He is and always will be my “daddy.”

Good gosh, that was hard.  So there you have it.  5 things you didn’t know about me.  And now you know too much.  Haha!

So, tell me how you have been?  Did you have a great week?  How was your love day?  Wanna tell me 5 things I don’t know about you?  C’mon, spill the beans.

Happy Weekend Eve, friends!

Jenn.

Things don't always go as planned.

Hey lovelies!  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy February!  Sheesh.  I know, I know…I always go MIA on y’all but this time?  This time my world was flipped upside down and I’m slowly making my way back. 

Side note: Sorry in advance for blogging your eyeballs off my first time back in 2 months.

Let’s rewind for a bit back to December 28^th, shall we?  I was determined to ring in the New Year with a clean and organized house.  I was 37 weeks pregnant (I know, total fail on the bump updates!) and in pain.  Incision pains to be more specific.  My doctor told me at every appointment that I needed to let him know if I had any incision pains but my definition of pain was if I felt like I was dying and dying I was not.  So the stubborn person that I am kept on pushing to get my house cleaned.  I would just take a break when the pain was really sore and start again when it subsided.

On top of cleaning and organizing my house, I planned to finish prepping for Radical #3.  I had the bulk of everything washed and put away so I just had to tie up some loose ends.  Loose ends also included purchasing some last minute items.  Anyhoo, with the pain, trying to clean, and tending to the Radicals, I was over it and convinced myself to finish the following week since I had 2 more weeks until birth day. 

We went home for New Year’s Eve and the pain was still clinging to me.  I had planned to get my shopping done since my mom would be with me but I was over it once again.  My mom said to give her my list and she would do it for me.  But again, my stubborn self told her that since I had a doctor’s appointment the following Wednesday, I would wrap up everything then.

I survived New Years. 

The plan for Wednesday, January 2^nd, was to get through my appointment, finish up my shopping, and then come home and finish up my cleaning, organizing, taking down the Christmas décor, and to finish prepping for Radical #3.  My appointment was at 10am, I was running late (story of my life), and I didn’t have time to get my Starbucks.  No biggie.  I could get my fix after my appointment.  I go in and do the normal weight check and yada-yada.  We also schedule my c-section for January 16th.  The nurse asked if I was having any incision pain so I told her “yeah, a little here and there since last Friday.”  The doctor comes in a gives me a lecture on how important it is to let him know and gives me background on what could go wrong.  He lays me down and gently presses on my incision and my flinch and “ouch” leads to his response of “I’m taking this baby out today!” 

What?!  I asked him if I could go home and finish cleaning and laundry first.  True story.  Haha!

He told me to get dressed and meet the nurse in the interview room to get my paperwork completed.  I went numb and felt like I was in the twilight zone.  As the nurse was doing my paperwork I tried to get a hold of the Mister who was (insert sarcasm) conveniently at a playground with the Radicals in a no cell service zone.  I turned into a texting maniac and texted my parents and the BFF who (insert sarcasm again) conveniently lived 2.5 hours away.  I made my dad crazy when I wouldn’t answer my phone and when I finally called him back he asked where the Mister was.  I told my dad about the no cell service crap; thanks Verizon, no I cannot hear you now! 

It was 11:30am and I was due up at the hospital at 1pm.  My dad and I planned to keep calling the Mister for another 20 minutes or so.  20 minutes came and went and still no answer from the Mister.  My dad decided to send an officer to the location where the Mister was.  I told him not to because how embarrassing is that?  Then I gave in because this baby was coming whether I liked it or not.  Not that I wasn’t excited to meet him, I just had a bit more “nesting” to finish.  Sometimes having a dad in law enforcement has its perks.

In the meantime, I was debating whether to get my shopping done now with the hour I had to kill.  I was bummed because I couldn’t have my Starbucks fix or eat anything so I sat in my car to get my head together.  I didn’t have my hospital bag packed and there was no sense in driving home because I only had about 45 minutes left.  So I decided to go visit a friend until it was hospital time.  I was surprisingly the calm one in the midst of all the “chaos.”

The Mister finally calls and asks if I’m okay because the officer told him I was in labor.  It reminded me of the “telephone exercise” we used to do in elementary school; the final message does not match the initial message.  I told him I had to be at the hospital by 1pm and we were doing the c-section at 3pm and he said he would be there asap.

I got to the hospital and they got me into a room to start prepping me.  I was amazed at how fast 2 hours went by and as “go time” was approaching, I started to get nervous.  The Mister wasn’t there and my parents were on the road and there was no way they would make it by 3pm.  That meant I would be by myself during my c-section because the Mister had to stay with the Radicals.  

There I was outside of the surgery room.  There was no turning back.  No pausing time.   I was on the verge of a tear-fest because everything was going by so fast and I had to do it alone so I tuned everyone out.  We finally get into the surgery room and I get numbed up.  The curtain goes up.  I hear my doctor and another doctor talking about hospital policies while they are snipping away and pulling at me.  The anesthesiologist is telling me about her car being at the shop, the mechanic is not calling her back, and she needs it to pick up some friends at the airport.  I kept asking myself if they were done yet/how long is this going to take while trying to keep up with the car conversation and at 3:26pm I finally got to meet Radical #3.

 Mark-Simiona Taula’i Lagunte

6lbs 5oz 19in

We’re all doing good and slowly getting back into a routine.  Hopefully once that happens, I get can back into the blogging groove. 

Happy Wednesday!

Jenn.

When you live next to crazies...

You, yourself become a crazie!

Forgive my crappy white-out skills.

You see this?  This is what’s been consuming me this week and I can’t even begin to describe my emotions.  This eyesore is all the court documents from the neighbors’ shenanigans.  I’ve been sifting through them so I can attach it to my response to their latest drama.

I haven’t done an update on them because every time I sit down to write, I become very bitter.  And there it will stay until I'm ready.  I just wanted to let y'all know why I've been MIA this week and this was just too ridiculous not to share.

We had a court hearing last Monday to present evidence as to why the judge should grant the restraining order.  After two hours of waiting, maybe 45 minutes of talking, the judge granted the restraining order for three years. 

Done deal. 

Or so we thought.

Thursday, three days after the order was granted, the neighbors’ filed for a motion to dismiss the restraining order because they are claiming I lied under oath.  I will spare you all the looney details of said motion but I will give you a rundown of what’s in the motion:

` I lied under oath because I supposedly stated he yelled at me and the Radicals on Saturday, 11/24.

` He writes in his statement on another page “continued from Sun, 11/25, as she stated…”

So which is it?  The 24^th or the 25^th?  I said Sun, 11/25.

` He writes a novel on how they went to the grocery and then on a picnic with their puppy on the 24^th. 

` He attaches a copy of the grocery receipt for the 24^th.

Again, I said Sun the 25^th!

` He states that because I lied to all authorities and everyone’s-mama’s-nephew’s-cousin’s-teacher (okay, so maybe not that last part) he feels that his rights were abused and violated.

` He is requesting the continuation of the CPS investigation and that I receive psych evaluations from time to time as needed or required (whichever comes first).  Then he states my name and an address that doesn’t exist.

Oh I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that you’re my therapist.  And yes, I will soon need a psych evaluation because you are driving me crazy!

` I’m “served” this looney motion from a tweaker who tells me that he’s not a real legal document server and that the neighbor approached him at the beach and paid him $50 to deliver the looney motion.

Okay, please exit my property now or else…

Is this really happening?  I’ve been to the courthouse three times this week and I’m pretty sure I’ll have to go tomorrow for whatever reason then again on Monday for a hearing.  The Radicals have seen the inside of a courthouse more than they should and I think that’s what works me up.  The fact that I have to drag (not literally) the Radicals through this is just ridiculous.  I’m pretty sure any parent would be just as agitated as I am.

I keep asking myself when will this be over but deep down I know this will never end until we finally move.  Until then, it’ll always be something.  My patience is the size of a grain of rice so I can’t guarantee anything.  I’m a human with feelings and let’s just add the pregnant hormones to the mix. 

Oy.  Guard your loins.

Jenn.

Bump update :: 32 weeks

Snack art: "Mom" by Radical #1

Happy Tuesday Lovelies!  I was supposed to post this yesterday but I spent 2 hours in court and that left me exhausted and irate.  Anyhoo, it’s been what…13 weeks since I did a bump update?  Well, obviously my mission of documenting did not go as planned.  And they ain’t lying when they say every pregnancy is different.  In the beginning I was all cocky and told myself “This is my 3^rd pregnancy so I got this!”  Yeah Jenn, you got nothing!  Man oh man do I feel helpless, frumpy, and dysfunctional. 

How far along: 32 weeks…AHHH!  8 more weeks!

Size of baby: A large jicama?

Total weight gain: 7 pounds and I’m kind of annoyed.  I just don’t understand how I only gained 7 pounds when I feel like I weigh a million.  I eat, honestly I do, so where the heck is it all going?  I’m really starting to believe that my crappy weight gain is the result of chasing after 2 banshees.  

Maternity clothes: Bottoms only and they are tight and uncomfortable.  I feel silly buying more maternity clothes when I have 8 weeks left.

Gender: Sweet baby boy.

Movement:  Lots.  Not sure but it feels like a mixture of him swimming laps, wrecking shop, hanging up some pictures, and tap dancing on my privates.

Sleep: Sucks.  I think I need a body pillow.  And it doesn’t help that I have to sleep at the foot (half on/half off) of my OWN bed because 2 little people think they own the joint.

What I miss: Moving and being able to bend over to pick things up.  Do you know it takes me days (sometimes weeks) to clean up the “play room” because the thought of having to bend over makes me exhausted?

Cravings: Peanut butter blossoms, iced pumpkin spice lattes, and kimchee saimin.  The saimin was on sale for $1 each and I was tempted to wipe out the entire inventory until I got “the look” from the Mister.

Symptoms: Swollen, out of breath, sore, back pain and I think the Radicals are taking advantage.  I feel like they tell each other “mom isn’t as fast as she used to be so what can we do to harass her?”  Let’s talk about swollen…not fun.  Cankles, elephant legs, and I can’t make a fist with my hands.  Can I take the swollenness from those body parts and shove them in my tatas?  Why am I the only pregnant person whose tatas doesn’t grow?

What I’m looking forward to: Birth day!  I know I said I have 8 weeks left but I think I’m going to schedule for earlier.  My due date falls on a weekday but I need to schedule for a weekend so the parentals can look after the Radicals.  I’m paranoid though because I keep getting this feeling that he’s on his own schedule and he’ll make a surprise entrance.

Tales of the whacko pregnant lady: I’ve always heard stories about crazy pregnant ladies and their food.  I consider myself a “sharer” when it comes to food and I’d always give the last of something even though I really want it.  Last week, the Mister ate the last of my Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream and I blew a gasket.  I was so angry with him and nothing he offered could make up for him eating my ice cream; not even my beloved peanut butter blossoms.  Good Lord Jenn, it’s just ice cream…get over it.  Get over it I did, but it took me a day.  Sheesh!  True story.

Peace out!

Jenn.

Turkey pumpkins and what I'm thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving week!  Do you ever say things like “Thanksgiving is next week!” and in the following sentences you say stuff like “and such and such will be up on the blog?” But it doesn’t really sink in that it’s really Thanksgiving week until two days before Thanksgiving.  I’m one of those people who say stuff like that not really thinking about it and then panics because I now realize how much shit needs to be done and blogging is put on the back burner once again.

Sorry for the crappy pictures but here’s the Radicals turkey pumpkins we made a couple (or maybe one) of weeks ago.  We got these pumpkins the weekend before Halloween and I didn’t want to just throw it out because they were still good.  I thought it was a fun project but the Radicals gave up two minutes into cutting out the pieces.  In the end I was the one who cut them out and they got to color and stick the pieces onto the pumpkin.  Here’s the link if you want to try it out next year.

We have a busy week so I probably won’t be back until next week.  Me and my big Betty Crocker mouth thought it was a grand idea to make pumpkin pies and cookies and now?  I’m kicking myself because 1) I’ve never made a pumpkin pie in my life and 2) I have so much stuff (like homework and laundry and cleaning) to complete before we leave on Thursday.  I’m praying for myself and for those who will eat the pies.  It can’t be that hard right?

And since I’ve been seeing the ‘What I’m Thankful For’ lists going around, I thought I’d say what I’m thankful for too.  Not to get off track or anything, but I want to work on being thankful every day, not just during this time of year.  I mean, I’m thankful every day but I don’t get all sappy like I do now.  Anyway, I’m thankful for…

…my Radicals.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, they are my world.  If not for them, I wouldn’t be who I am today and I wouldn’t have learned all that they have taught me.  Love, patience, multi-tasking, how to open the eyeballs that has miraculously grown on the back of my head.

…the Mister.  Without him, I wouldn’t have Radicals and the fact that I know more about fishing than I’d actually like to know.  LOL! 

…the parentals.  Advice, guidance, and always being there for us.  Life lessons and the times I thought I was getting the crappy end of the stick which prompted the dramatic “my parents are soooo unfair!!!”

…my brothers.  They make my life that much more interesting.

…my besties.  We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs and in the end, we still are besties that will grow old together hanging out in our rocking chairs on the front porch drinking our brew and shamelessly hollering and waving our canes at the luscious young eye candy that pass by.

…my Momo.  The sister I never had even though we rarely see each other.  I’m looking forward to the for real coffee dates and hang out sessions that will come soon.  Very, very soon.

this is the only picture we have together...

…the SIL.  Without her, I wouldn’t have my very first nephew.  And it’s like having another sister I never had.

w/Radical #2.  I don't have a picture of my nephew yet :(

 …the rain.  I’ve never been so grateful for rain until I moved here because it fills up my tank.

Okay, so this post was longer than I expected.  Sorry.  There is so much more I am thankful for but I'll be kind and stop now.  

I hope y’all have a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving.  Eat lots of yummy food.  Enjoy the time with your family and friends.

And we can’t forget my beloved Macy’s Day Parade!!!  I’m on a mission again to make it to Kona before it starts.  I just need to give the Mister a really good excuse as to why we have to leave before the crack of dawn.  I’ll be happy to be the driver while my family peacefully sleeps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jenn.