The Royal Wedding and other hoopla!

I must begin with a little conversation about the royal wedding that transpired this week. Ordinarily, I don't give a rat's [bleep] about the royals, but I was entirely SUCKED IN! First of all, my English friend, Clare, had a viewing party. And the mere fact that not only did I get up, get dressed and to her house by 3:00 in the morning, I learned something new about myself.....I will attend any and everything that I am invited to. The middle of the night? A party? I'm in!!!

I will say that the wedding was beautiful. I loved every minute of it. There were thirteen of us wearing fancy hats and eating fancy sandwiches and mainlining coffee...brilliant! I do declare! (Wait a minute, is that an English phrase or a Southern phrase? Whatever.)

So, needless to say, I am fully on board with the royal baby bump watch. Wouldn't it be awesome if they filmed a reality show?? "English Shore...The Royals" Stay tuned and see Prince Harry flash the Queen!! Watch as Kate fumbles her curtsy and face plants into the royal scepter!" I would so watch that!

Onto other news....I have this little girl who lives in my house. Her age is unknown. While I was obviously present during her birth, I refuse to believe that she emerged from the womb at zero years old. Perhaps in the ten days she lingered past her due date, she grew emotionally a year per day. Which would land her about in the 17 year old range. Here is the latest story from her...

She has a friend named Jordan. Heretofore to be referred to as "BFF". I put Kinsey to bed one night and she was acting sullen. I asked her to spill the beans and she said, "My BFF sucker punched me in the stomach today at school. How could she do such a thing? You don't sucker punch your BFF!!" I calmly explained that no, you do not sucker punch your BFF, or anyone else for that matter. In fact, her BFF owed her an apology. But, if her BFF was going to be mean to her, there were lots of girls to play with at school and she could find someone else to play with. Kinsey took this information in and seemed to feel better. As I was hugging her good night, she said, "Thank you mommy, for making me a better woman."

What. The. Hell?!?!?! A seven year old girl does not say that!! She doesn't even think that! What am I going to do with this child? At least she continues to give me fodder for my blog!!! Hilarious!

One last thing...I am SUPER psyched that we booked a trip for Yaya and Papa to come out to visit! They haven't been able to come since Thanksgiving because my dad is dealing with colon cancer (BOOOOOOOOO!!!! HISSSSSSSSSSSS!). But, he is doing amazingly well and has a super attitude and a rock-star caretaker. So, one week from today we are going to head to the airport to pick them up! I am so excited! They haven't seen our cool basement or anything! Plus, they will get to attend Kinsey's school program and watch Ben's soccer game. I love it when things come together!

A few obsessions....

So, I was sitting there watching reality tv with Doug and thinking about the fact that I am *just* about ready to get a new purse and I realized.....I'M OBSESSED!!! I think that it is so interesting to see what different people are obsessed with. My obsessions are many, but I think that I can narrow down the list (these are in no particular order, I promise!)...

1. Purses/shoes
I recently had a conversation with someone about this topic and when I mentioned the sheer quantity of the accessories in the my closet, he was literally speechless. This reaction made me realized that perhaps I've gone *slightly* overboard. (But, come on!! i'm a bargain shopper, so most of that stuff was practically free anyway! Right? I mean, right?)

2. Reality TV
It's dumb. I know it! But, I just watched the Biggest Loser and I am all inspired to get up and work out in the morning. So, that one counts for something, doesn't it? I haven't yet deciphered the positive qualities in The Rock of Love or The Real World, but once I do, I'll be sure and document them!

3. INSANITY! (Or my workout du jour)
I am not sure why I make it my mission to inform any and everyone about my current workout, but I manage to work it into the conversation. Always. So, in case you DON'T already know, I am doing Insanity!! (Click that if you don't know what I am talking about.) It is intense and I haul my arse out of bed every morning to work out with my Insanity boyfriend, Shaun T. (Don't worry, Doug is fully informed of my dalliances! He even attempted to partake in my daily beatings, but he couldn't handle it. That is all I'm gonna say about that.)

4. My kiddos
I have a blog devoted to talking about their every move. Enough said.

5. Internet shopping
It must be curtailed. Immediately if not sooner! But, maybe after I use my coupon code for the Gap!


OK, after writing this much, I see that my life is pretty sad and without much substance. I vow to become obsessed with something earth-shattering. Hmmm, maybe Pampered Chef?

Changing the subject....

Ok, my last post of was a major downer. The whole thought of someone messing with my friends really riles me up. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hollis family at all times.

But.....changing the subject here. I have had a request to update everyone about my lovely little children. And, they are lovely indeed!!! Here is the update:

Kinsey:
She is wrapping up first grade and Little Miss Sassypants. She continues to be the apple of her Yaya's eye, but she doesn't have ME fooled! That little stinker can be sweet as pie and then BAM! Switch flipped, drama all over the place! She is having a wonderful first grade year, perfectly behaved in class, reading like a whiz and getting all A's. But, the second she gets in the car after school, her head spins around three times and she spews pea soup all over my car! "MOMMMMMM! CAN!! I!! HAVE!! A!! PLAYDATE?!?!?! NO???!?!??! IT'S!!! NOT!! FAAAAAAAAAAIR!!!!! BEN!!!! STOP!! LOOKING!!! AT!!! MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"
Ugh. Double ugh.

But, during her good moments, I convinced her that since she is tall and gorgeous and sassy, she needs to become a badass. Hence, martial arts has entered her life. She is currently a white belt with a gazillion orange stripes and one black stripe. What do the stripes represent, you ask? Well, she gets one orange stripe for each class that she attends and participates in fully. Pays attention, gives full effort, etc etc etc. The black stripes are earned by fulfilling responsibility sheets. These sheets are completed by ME and the stripe is not earned unless I say so. In order to get a black stripe, she has to make her bed, talk with respect, clean up her crap, behave in school, treat teachers and friends with respect and that sort of thing. One black stripe = four weeks of that behavior. My friends, mark my words, her white belt will be covered five times with orange stripes before she gets another black stripe. Simply talking to me with respect will be the end of her! Will she ever get it?? Stay tuned!

But, regardless, she is still hilarious and adorable, which is why we keep her around! Check out this crazy kid:




Now, on to Ben. Mr. "I don't do anything wrong, do I Mommy?" He's about as cute as they come, but one of these days, he's going to be more than I can handle. Just today he climbed up on top of the play house in the back yard and I swear I thought he was going to plummet to his doom. But, he just hopped down and said, "Mommy? Are you ok?" Whew. This boy thing is going to stop my heart!

But, he's doing well in preschool, but get this: he gets in trouble EVERY. DAY. He's the class clown. The one who spins around and falls down and tries to get a laugh. He's HIS MOTHER! Holla! What a lucky kid!

His new thing is soccer and it's adorable. He has practice once a week and games every Saturday. It's seriously the cutest thing ever. He has no clue what is going on. He runs one way, sees everyone running the other way, turns around, turns around, falls down, runs and runs and runs. I love it! I hope that he loves it, as well, because I would totally love watching my kid's games for years! After he masters soccer this year, I believe we are going to give t-ball a whirl. Doesn't this kid look like he's having fun?

One of the best things about soccer is that Ben is on the team with his best bud, Ethan. And, Kinsey's best buds, Ryan and Robert just happen to be Ethan's brothers. So, the three of them can keep each other occupied during the games. How cute is this:

They have certainly come a long way since the beginning of their friendship, 4 years ago....



So, enough rambling. I assure you, all subsequent blog entries will be HIGHlarious, now that you are caught up on the goings on in the Kaczmarek homestead. And, I will leave you with my favorite faces:




And, this subject is slightly less willing to smile for the camera....

A weird time to resume the blog, but it's bugging me...

Hello to all of my loyal fans out there! (And by that, I mean Karen Tarvin!!!) I know I have been MIA for a LOOOOOONG time, but I have once again been lulled back. I have something on my mind, so I wanted to spill it. Actually, it's not only on MY mind, but on the minds of hundreds of people in central Illinois, and all over the country.

Let me give you a little history...
I have a wonderful friend named Anne. She rocks. Seriously. She's hilarious and kind and a great mom. We have been friends forever it seems. I knew when she gave birth to three of her children and I knew when she adopted the fourth. (And, I told her she was nuts each time the number grew greater than two!) The birth of her third child, Meg, was the first time I ever saw Anne struggle with anything. Meg was born with Down's Syndrome. And, it was a total shocker, since Anne opted against prenatal testing. But, once the shock wore off and the love kicked in, Anne has been a changed person. Literally. She quit her job at a university in order to devote her time and energy to Easter Seals. Her whole world became caring about children who needed someone to care about them. She fights for them. She yells and argues and drives all over the state for them. She would do anything for them. Her first two children, Noah and Caleb, are the same way. They love everybody. They don't see differences and they are the kindest children ever. This is one of the reasons why I have already claimed Noah as my future son-in-law. And, I WILL make that happen! :)

Anyway, life with Meg changed the family so much that they realized that their family was no longer complete. They wanted to help another child. So, they pulled together resources and filed all of the appropriate paperwork and flew to the Ukraine to adopt their fourth child, another child with Down's, Alina. Alina lived in an orphanage. At this orphanage, like all of the other orphanages in the Ukraine, they do not see value in a child with a disability. They are shocked that stupid Americans want to come and take these children. Their lives are basically worthless. Anne and her husband, Todd, could not let that happen to at least one child. This child deserved a chance and they did everything in their power to give her that chance. I always say that Alina is such a lucky girl, and she truly is. Hopefully some day she will be able to grasp the concept that she was born with one destiny and my friend changed her life and her destiny. She is going to grow up in a house FILLED with love and laughter. She is going to grow up in a house that loves her for EXACTLY who she is and what she can do. She will never be judged in that house. She will never be made to feel that she is anything less than a little girl with a bright future. She is lucky.

But, three nights ago, evil entered their lives. These people, who devoted their lives to loving everyone as they are had their world flipped upside down. Here is the article:


http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=168996&shr=addthis


I am disgusted. I am appalled that someone would have the nerve to walk onto this property and deface their home. I am enraged at the language that was used. I am horrified that Noah and Caleb saw some of the words. I am devastated for my friends. I feel helpless that my friends are feeling so vulnerable and I can't help. I am outraged that people use that language, specifically the "R" word, and think that it is OK. I am terrified that Todd and Anne may not going to catch these animals. I am embarrassed to live in a society where people even think of such evil.

My friends are gold. They have been tarnished by this act of cowardice. But, I know that, in time, they will shine again. I just wish that they didn't have to have their light dimmed at all. It's not fair. It's not fair.