Holy Shit! It's A Real Update...

Ok, so i promised a "real" update. Not a "I HATE THESE %&^*$%# CHILDREN" update. So what's been going on here? Lets see...

• Last weekend was Hannah's ISCU Reunion. Every year, any child that was in the ISCU at Evanston Hospital get invited to a little "reunion". Mary J. said that she went last year and it was alot of fun. So Danny, Danielle, Hannah and myself all went Sunday morning. Each preemie got a name tag and a ISCU Reunion duck! As soon as we walked in we saw our favorite nurse Terry. She recognized us right away. She even asked Danny "Wheres your bears shirt?" Maggie and Danielle spent the morning going up and down and in and out of the moonwalk and the inflatable slide thingy. After that they stood in line for what seemed like forever for the train ride. And of course, as soon as Maggie got on, she decided she had to pee. No train for Maggie! Then it was snack time. And what do they serve at an ISCU Reunion? Goldfish Crackers and Apple Juice of course!!! The men, Danny and John, just stood around and talked man talk. You know, lawn mowers and grass seeds and stuffs. It was a fun morning.

• Next on the agenda for the day was the Hamp block party. The Hamps live just a few blocks North of us. It was Liam and Ethan's birthday party also. Jimmie grilled a bunch of food while Debby ran around like a mad woman attacking all the kids with her water gun. Then they moved onto water balloons. After the water fights were done, she decided it would be a good idea to play egg toss and "walk with your egg on a spoon in your mouth." As you can see, ummmmm, Debby got egged!!! Then time for Karaoke. Jimmie did a pretty good job with Toby Keith's song "Big Blue Note" (that's what its called right Kay?) Danielle shocked us. Karaoke lady called her name to sing. She got right up there and sang a Hannah Montana song. She just got right up there and sang her heart out!! By this time we were all exhausted and needed naps! So we went home, Danielle went right back outside to play with "the girls", Danny layed down with Hannah and i read my book!



• So this week has also been "Sparkler Week". Every single night after it gets dark i have at least ten kids on my front porch ready to light sparklers. I line the steps with candles and give each of them a handful of sparklers. The cutest thing they have done so far is get into a "Friendship Circle". They all light there sparklers at the same time then stand in a circle with all the sparklers touching in the middle. Then they say the pledge of allegiance and sing the Star Spangled Banner. Too cute.
• 
  Since it is summer, it is also sleepover time. Katie usually sleeps here since Danielle WILL NOT LEAVE MY SIDE!!!! God forbid i don't let her sleep right next to me. You would think it is the end of the world or something.

• Saturday is McKellin's night!! I haven't had a McKellins night for over a year! Steve has been bugging me and reminding me for months now that this weekend is his "free" weekend. His Danielle is in Michigan with his parents. So Steve, EZ and Myself are all going out!! MUST PACE MYSELF!!!


• Murphy needed to get Savannah's state ID since she lost hers and they are going on vacation. So, Danny got her a new one. Savannah was all excited to come here since she has never met Hannah before. So she just stared at her!! Then all the monsters went in the pool. I even paid Savannah $10 to throw Murph in the pool fully clothed. And, It Worked!! Ha Ha!! I even "paid" her an extra Hershey bar too!!!

• BUMBO BABY SEAT....never heard of one before. Ellyne and i went to register when i was prego and saw one. Baby on the package looked kind of weird. But, we registered for one anyways. Didn't think someone would ACTUALLY buy it. But, Geraldine did!! And i gotta say, i love the thing!! She looks so funny sitting in it. I cant wait until she is a little bit bigger then she will love it!

• And lastly, Baby Hannah is 14 weeks old!! She just ate a jar of banana/pear/apples, took a nice, warm bath, mommy put lotion on her, a nice clean and soft pajama (charlies of course) and drank a bottle. She is now passed out cold next to her daddy (who is also passed out cold!) All the girls are at El Salvador. They are playing Tic-Tac-Toe! Let's see how long they last before they start fighting again. I am shocked that they are not playing kickball. But, then again, Jonathan isn't home. They all fight over wanting him on their team!
• 

So, is that enough of an update for you? Well, it better be because i am tired of typing! Now to upload some pictures to be printed at Snapfish!!!
Have a good weekend!

Shup...

Yeah Yeah Yeah!
Stop bitching you guys. (You know who you are!)
I am a busy woman dammit. I cant update this damn thing every single day!

I am spring cleaning!! Most of y'all know that the house i live in was inherited from my father-in-law. My husband has lived here since he was 10 or 11 years old. So, needless to say, we have accumulated a ton of SHIT!!!!!! A ton of stuff that my husband REFUSES to get rid of. A ton of shit just laying here collecting dust. Useless crap. Old crap! Just plain old crap!
So, this week has been spent in the basement cleaning out the tool room/boiler room/junk pit! I have loaded up my second dumpster bin of the day. I am covered in dirt. I cant wait for Danny to get home so i can sit my ass in a nice hot bath. After i direct my husband to the boxes of crap that he needs to carry out for me!

Right now i am sitting on the front porch and it is absolutely freeeezing out here. The last few days we have been bitching because it is so damn hot. Now, its like 50 degrees out here.

I am sitting in the middle of a kickball game. All the kids on the block are playing in front of my house. Well, i wouldn't say "playing". More like bitching and moaning and groaning and constantly arguing. They cant play more than 30 seconds without arguing about something. Right now the little punk from down the block is right in front of my screaming that "its not fairrrrrr." OMG SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a stupid game! You are bitching and moaning that a little girl 3 years younger than you hit the ball too far and got a run and now the girls are beating your sorry ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, kids are driving me insane. I need to go in the house. Dinner needs to be cooked.
More interesting post one of these days soon!

Sad Update...

Vacation accident kills mom, 2 kidsEdgewater family on way to Colorado when SUV hits ditch

By Mary OwenTribune staff reporter

Published June 20, 2007

A family vacation trip to Colorado turned tragic for a Chicago family when a mother and two of her children died when their sport-utility vehicle rolled into a ditch on Interstate Highway 80 near Williamsburg in eastern Iowa.Mary Ann Schmitz, 39, and two of her four children, Kassidy Smith, 8, and Jeremy Smith, 13, were killed early Saturday. Belton Kelly Smith, Schmitz's longtime boyfriend and the father of her children, was driving the family's recently purchased Dodge Durango when the vehicle went into a ditch, rolled over and ejected some of the occupants, police said.
Smith and the couple's two other children, Robert Smith, 16, and Shane Smith, 11, were treated for injuries at an Iowa hospital and released, family members said. Robert had a broken collarbone and Shane had a bump on his head, said Irene Schmitz, Mary Ann Schmitz's mother."They came over to say goodbye Thursday night," Irene Schmitz said. "They were so loving. Oh, my goodness, I'm going to be devastated without them. They were such wonderful children. My daughter was a wonderful lady."The family left their Edgewater home shortly after midnight Saturday and were headed to Pueblo, Colo., where Smith's family lived, family members said. They were expected to return Saturday, in time for the christening of Mary Ann Schmitz's infant nephew. She was supposed to be the godmother, Irene Schmitz said.Family members went to Iowa after police contacted them. Mary Ann and Shane died Saturday morning, and Kassidy, who suffered multiple injuries to her head and body, died Saturday afternoon, Schmitz said.Mary Ann Schmitz worked as a legal secretary at a downtown law firm for more than 20 years, her mother noted. She volunteered often at her children's school and at her family's parish, St. Gertrude Catholic Church, on the North Side.She was the youngest of five siblings and attended Robert Morris College, her mother added. Mary Ann and Belton met while students at Senn High School, she said.The children who died attended Northside Catholic Academy, where Kassidy was a 4th grader and a member of the Girl Scouts, her grandmother said."Kassidy was so sweet," said her aunt, Lisa Schmitz, of Lake Villa. "Her brothers always watched out for her."Family members said Jeremy, an 8th grader, was the most outgoing and athletic of the children, playing basketball and baseball. They added that the family was very close-knit and that the children frequently visited their grandmother's house in Edgewater and saw their aunt at least once a week."Mary Ann wasn't just a sister. She was a friend," Lisa said. "I loved the children. They were like my own."Visitation for Mary Ann Schmitz and her two children is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway. A funeral mass is scheduled to be said at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 1420 W. Granville Ave.

Jeremy and Kassidy Smith

Jeremy, 13 and Kassidy, 8 Smith. Beloved children of Kelly Smith and the late Mary Ann Schmitz and siblings of Robbie and Shane. Cherished grandchildren of Irene (late Thomas) Schmitz and Beverly Collins; niece and nephew of Paul (Lynn), Tom (Connie), John (Leni), Lisa Schmitz, and Jason Collins; cousins to many. Visitation Thursday from 3 pm to 9 pm at Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway, Chicago. Funeral leaving Friday 9:30 for 10 a.m. Mass at St. Gertrude Church. Internment Rosehill Cemetery. Donations for the Schmitz-Smith Children's Trust, payable to Robert Dywer may be mailed to funeral home.

Schmitz, Mary Ann

Mary Ann Schmitz, 39, dearly loved partner of Kelly Smith; loving mother of Robbie, Shane and the late Jeremy and Kassidy Smith; dear daughter of Irene and the late Thomas Schmitz; loving sister to Paul (Lynn), Tom (Connie), John (Leni) and Lisa Schmitz; aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway, Chicago. Funeral leaving Friday 9:30 for 10 a.m. Mass at St. Gertrude Church. Internment Rosehill Cemetery. Donations for the Schmitz-Smith Children's Trust, payable to Robert Dywer may be mailed to funeral home. For information call Barr Funeral Home (773) 743-4034

Those eyes...

My great-Grandfather, AKA Gramps, used to say i had "Betty Davis Eyes". I never knew what he meant. The first time i saw a picture of Betty Davis was on one of those "Save the Children" infomercial things. I was APPALLED!!!!!!! EWWWW Look at those eyes! They are all gross and runny. Yuck! What was Gramps thinking? So i asked Fadder. He said "NO Canary! When Betty Davis was young and beautiful, not when she was on death's door!" Oh, OK! Thank goodness!

So, as i was crawling through my basement closet, the klutz that i am, tripped over a box, knocked it over and as i looked down, my grandmother Lorraine was staring at me. This picture was taken when she was about 6 months old in 1933. Look at those eyes! This picture kind of looks like Robert in a dress huh? HA HA HA

My Grandmother, Lorraine Joy Middleton-Mazzone. My fadder's mom. She was only 28 years old when she died. Everyone always tell us how much Robert and I resemble here. I just never saw it. But then again, i didn't know i had that picture. I have pictures of her when she was older. I can kind of see the resemblance but, not as much as this one.

My Grandfather Robert, My fadder's dad, i can see the resemblance there. It is scary to see some of the old black and whites of him and then compare them to the black and whites of Robert. I will have to find a picture to upload. My 2nd cousin Jan says the resemblance is scary. She sees my grandfather in Robert.

Since i had Hannah, i have always said how strongly she resembles Robert. It's the eyes i tell ya!! No, after seeing my grandmother's picture. I can see where all of us get it.

We all have those "Middleton Eyes". Some people are scared of our eyes. Dad and Robert could "give the eyes" to my friends and they would freak out! I remember they used to "scare" Ang but now, she is used to our eyes. Nothing scary about them. Well, unless dad is mad at his perfect daughter (not like that would EVER happen) and he gives "the eyes". I have the power of the eyes too over Danielle. I just give em to her and her lip will shake and she knows she is in trouble now!!!

So now i just need to find Fadder's baby picture! (Ang, if his sumo-pic is on your puter, send it this way please!) Even Charlie has the eyes!

Well, i am off to check on my 103 degree fever child! I shall return...

For Murphy...

Cherish every little moment while you can...

Grab Your Kleenex Before You Start Reading!!!

2 Chicagoans dead, 4 injured in crash on I-80
Associated Press - June 16, 2007 4:24 PM ET
WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa (AP) - Two Chicagoans are dead and four others injured following a crash on Interstate 80 near Williamsburg in eastern Iowa.
The Iowa State Patrol says a sports utility vehicle went into the ditch about six this morning. It rolled over and ejected several passengers.
The patrol says 39-year-old Mary Ann Schmitz and 13-year-old Jeremy Smith were pronounced dead at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Both are from Chicago.
Four other people in the vehicle also were taken to University Hospitals.
Their names and conditions haven't been released.
The accident remains under investigation.

That is what has been on my mind all day. At the time this news report was released, only two were dead. Now, the headlines must change. They must change because a 9 year old girl has also died. Cassidy Smith died just hours after this accident. The Smith/Schmitz family were on their way to visit family in Colorado. Dad was driving. Mom and the four kids were in the car. At 6 a.m. dad lost control of their 2 day old Dodge Durango. The SUV rolled numerous times. Three of the six passengers were ejected from the car. Three died. Three walked away without a scratch.

This accident hit close to home. I knew the mother and i knew the two kids that died. No, i wasn't close to any of them. I knew them from the neighborhood. Cassidy was best friends with my best friends daughter. How do you tell a 9 year old that their best friend has just died? How do you explain that to her? All Gabrielle could say was "WHY? WHY MOMMY? WHY? WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN?
You know how you explain it? You tell her, you beat it into her head that no matter what, YOU WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!!! DON'T TAKE IT OFF FOR ANYTHING!! EVER!! Those three would more than likely still be alive if they were wearing seatbelts. The three that had belts on, they walked away. I cant even begin to understand the hell that Dad is going through right now. Could this have been prevented? HELL YEAH!!

The Dad used to say (about his one and only daughter) "She is my heart...She is my soul...She is what keeps me going in life..This little girl has me wrapped around her little finger...She is my everything!" Now, his little girl is dead. How do you go on? How do you cope? I can't even begin to imagine losing my spouse let alone two of my children at the same time. Now, there is a three person funeral scheduled for this week.

Most of you that read my blog know, i don't wear a seatbelt. I NEVER wear a seatbelt. Everyone, daughter included, yell at me to BELT IT! and my "work for the secretary of state" husband always says "CLICK IT OR TICKET." Now, i am going to think of this family every single time i get into my car.

As i sit here and stare at my gorgeous, sleeping baby. As i sit here and think about how my beautiful 7 year old daughter and her bestest friend in the entire world are right now at the park with my husband. As i sit here and think about my best friends Kay, Ellyne and Murph. As i sit here thinking about what a great family i have. A loving mother and father. Three awesome brothers. I realize how lucky i am right at this moment.

So, kiss your babies. Cherish every second. Because you never know when, god forbid, your everything can be taken away from you...

More photoshop tests...

What do you think?

FOR SIOBHAN...

So stop your bitching woman!!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there!!
(even though no men read this here blog:)!)

All of us went to the track (Arlingotn) today. It was lots of fun. I know Fadder and Bobby were having fun. I bet on the first race by stealing dad's ticket, going to the ticket window and telling the lady "Here, just copy what my dad bet on!!" and sure enough, i won $35.40!!
That was my first and only bet of the day. I took $200 out of the cash station when i got there and i came home with $60!!! Could it be more expensive?? OY!

Ok, i took a ton of pictures as usual. But, I am too lazy to upload them all!! Here are a couple of them!

Toodles for now!

Quick Update...

So, you wanna see Kay's reaction to her early morning birthday surprise??

Here ya go...

She wasnt really mad. Called me a bitch a few times, but, she didnt REALLY mean it. She still loves me!!

Ok, off to the track with Fadder and all. Wish me luck. Maybe i will come home rich!!

(Don't i wish!!)

Toodles!!!

Guess What Flew Into My Neighborhood...

So Hannah woke me up at 5 a.m. to eat. I made a bottle and handed her off to Danny. I decided to stand on my front porch for a bit.

I didn't know flamingos lived in Chicago?!?!?!?

Three on Thursday Time Again...

It's Thursday. Which means tomorrow is Friday. Which means tomorrow is the last day of school. Which means tomorrow starts summer vacation! Let the insanity begin!!


So, let's get on with my boring 'ol Three on Thursday post shall we?


1. I LOVE PHOTOSHOP!! Did you know that? First i downloaded Photoshop Elements. I didn't like it. Couldn't figure it out. Couldn't use any of those cool actions i see all over the Internet. So, i uninstalled it. This morning i decided to try Photoshop CS3. Can i say I LOVEEEE IT? Can you really fall in love with a software program? I didn't think i could but, yep, i did!! So, since Siobhan is ignoring me. I had to figure it out all by myself. Here is a before and after of the first attempt. Siobhan says dad looks kind of scary!!!
















BEFORE AFTER

Not too bad. Yeah, kinda scary!

So, i kept messing around with some pictures. Here is my second photoshop attempt. Not only did i use a photo action i learned how to use the framey thingy too!! Whatcha think?



















BEFORE AND AFTER
So i need a little more practice!!!

2. Kay's turning 40! Kay's turning 40!!! HA HA HA!!!

I will update you more on her "SURPRISE GIFT" on Saturday afternoon. I obviously can't tell you now what it is since Kay sometimes reads this here blog and then it wouldn't be a surprise. Now would it?All i have to say is HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and HA!!!!!!!!!

3. Now for #3. I don't know what else to write. I do not have an exciting life. It's actually kind of boring if i do say so myself. Baby Hannah is sleeping, the girls are eating lunch and i am sitting on my front porch writing. I got my front hall closet emptied, swept, cleaned and a new rod installed. Now i can actually open my front d0or all the way. No coats and sweatshirts in the way. I started a bit on the laundry room. We have wayyyyyy too much clothing for us three (Hannah doesn't count yet). Next weeks project is the playroom/scrapbook room. Danielle needs to go through all her toys. We need to get rid of old, broken or no longer used toys. I NEED MY ORGANIZED HOUSE BACK!!


OK, i am off to switch the laundry. Then i am going to head to the backyard to finish my flower boxes!! Maybe i will go and bother Kay in a bit after Hannah Baby wakes up.


So, be sure to check back here sometime Saturday afternoon for some surprise pictures! I can't wait!! HA HA HA!

Three On Thursday...

It is Thursday right????!!!

Three more days and one stupid and useless hour and school is officially over for the summer!! Woohoo!! Oh and Tuesday i attended the awards assembly at school for my Danielle. She received an award for 4 quarters on the honor roll. Smart Girl (just like her mommy!)

So since its Thursday...How about my Three On Thursday post!! I figured if i can post at least three things once a week , as Siobhan would say, "It's All Good!"

So, here ya go:

1: Can you say HOT? Can you say FUCKING HOT? Hotter Than Hell Hot??

Yeah, as you can tell, i don't do hot. I hate hot. I despise hot.

HOT SUCKS

Yesterday was in the low 60's, right now as i sit on my front porch it is 93 damn degrees. And why would i be sitting out here? Only because i was just opening 11 icky, sticky Popsicles for all the neighborhood kids. Why do they all congregate onto my porch? Why here?

2:Today i introduced Baby Hannah to Starbucks! My friend Dinah was pregnant and due the same week i was due with Hannah. Well, her kid cooperated and stayed in the required time :). So today we decided to meet for, as Danny would say "A coffee clutch to cackle like hens!". And that is what we did! We have decided that Baby Hannah and Baby David shall be married. It will be an arranged marriage of course. The wedding shall be paid for by the grooms family (you reading that Dinah?) Both of the little ones were on their best behavior today. No fussiness No crying No meltdowns. But, I'll have you know that the Starbucks on Main and McCormick has no changing tables. How can that be? I thought there were now changing tables everywhere? Don't mommies usually meet for coffee? HELLO MR STARBUCKS! We need changing tables. Poor Dinah had to sit on the floor and change Baby David! I took a bunch of pictures of them. I would like to post them but its hot and I'm lazy and i ain't uploading my camera at the moment. So there!!!

3: This weekend is Christal and Terry's wedding reception. Oma (Kay and Christel's mom) was at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Doctors said that she didn't have too much time to live. Christel's wedding was supposed to be June 10Th. So, instead of having her mother miss it, they got married at her bedside. I saw the video and it was pretty sad and happy too. So, this weekend is the reception. I have to get my ass in gear. I stole all of her wedding pictures and am making her an album. It is a little emotional to make. It kind of reminds me of Grandma.

OK, so that is my week in a nutshell. Not much other news on this end. Alot of baby changing, baby feeding, house cleaning, etc. etc.

So, i must go make (AKA Reheat Leftovers) dinner. I leave you with two pictures of my girls!!