Happy New Years and May All Our Dreams Come True!

I am sitting here thinking about the end of one year and the start of another.  I am listening to Jesus Culture’s song Come Away and it so stirs my heart and brings tears to my eyes,

“Come away with Me, 
Come away with Me

It's never too late, it's not too late

It's not too late for you: 

I have a plan for you

I have a plan for you

It's gonna be wild

It's gonna be great

It's gonna be full of Me

Open up your heart and let Me in”

I could listen to this song all day long. I think it may be my favorite song James McDonald plays at church!  It gives me hope! I am so thankful that God has a plan for my life.  I am so grateful it’s not too late for me! I thought I had a plan but my life has turned out so different than I thought!

Did I do all that I wanted to in 2011? No!  Did I impact as many lives as I wish I had? No!  Do I have regrets? Yes!  Do I wish I would have worried less? Yes!  Did I over-react too much? Yes!  Did I panic too much? Yes!  Do I wish I would have slept more? Yes!  Do I wish I could stop time and just enjoy my life more? Yes!  Do I wish I would have sat down, stopped my chores and talk with my kids more? Yes.  I truly want God’s very best in my life!  I want to do whatever it takes!  I don’t want to end 2012 the same person.  I want to listen more, trust more, hope more, believe more!  I want to worry less, slow down, and spend time with people I love that I never see.  I want God to talk to me more and I want to obey and trust His plan! 

I want to be a better example to my kids.  I want to stop yelling at bad drivers. I want to be more patient with idiot sales people and I want to stop saying idiot so Eddie won’t say it anymore.  I'm grateful that I started exercising last year.  I hate that it took some freako sickness to get my attention to make good health a priority   There are so many things I am believing for in the new year!  Most of all, I want the very best for the 5 Wogs and yes the dog too!  Happy New Year to all and may we all be blessed beyond measure!

Star Wars Weekend at the Wogs!

Dan was beyond stoked!  His mom and dad gave him the blu-ray Star Wars movies for Christmas!  I am pretty sure he teared up with pure joy!  Today was the kick-off of the Star Wars Weekend at the Wogs!  We have 4 days to watch 6 movies not to mention the 3 bonus disks (the kids may have to skip school next week!) We all hunkered down on the couch with our popcorn and cranked up the surround sound!  All was going great watching the Phantom Menace until KC decided she wanted her seat on the couch and kept trying to push Annie and Eddie off.  We had to throw her outside a couple times and finally everyone shifted around and she could have a seat…geez!

I spent a lot of time during the movie reflecting on my Star Wars journey.  When Bubba was 3, he became completely obsessed. Bubba had to have his adenoids and tonsils out and got stuck on Attack of the Clones.  He said it so cute “Attack of de cones.”  I still say it in his crazy, baby speech issue, kind of way.  We would watch it from morning until night over and over again as he lay on the couch, recovering from surgery.  Bubba and I both memorized large segments of the movie.  It was so impressive that my brother would tell his friends about it!  He honestly thought he was a Jedi. I fell in love with the movies through Bubba.  I remember his 3^rd Christmas, he got the Millennium Falcon and his first (of many) lightsabers. We went to a couple Star Wars Weekends at Disney and hunted down whatever lightsaber he was trying to find.  My friend Carole got him a little Star Wars book that identified all the characters and he studied that book like crazy.  I am a little appalled that I took him opening weekend to see Revenge of the Sith when he was barely 4!  I did have to take him out of the movie crying when Padime died.  (What was I thinking??)  We won't even get into our psychotic compulsiveness getting EVERY Star Wars toy from Burger King kid's meals. (Yes I did buy a few off ebay to finish "our" collection)  I am not sure I will ever recover from the freaky time we went to a "Trading Night" at Burger King when all the other people that need therapy came out to try and trade for their missing characters.....oh my! (Yes I did get a couple missing ones and was beyond ecstatic)

When I was pregnant with my fourth child and found out it was a girl, Bubba thought we named Annie after Anakin Skywalker.  We may or may not have told him that to help him with the disappointment of not getting a brother on this go around.

When Eddie was just learning to talk, I took great pride in the fact that he could say all the main characters names.  Dan thought I should probably be working on the ABC’s or something but I am dedicated to my younglings! (Force-sensitive children who undergo the early stages of Jedi training at a Jedi academy.) My Star Wars obsessed friend Sean Yost, gave me a guide book on how to raise younglings and the force is helping me to do so!

One of the funniest memories was Bubba’s 4^th birthday.  We had all his pre-school friends over and Dan dressed up as Darth Vader and made a grand entrance, walked up to Bubba’s friend Luke and said, “Luke, I am your father!”  Sheer panic broke out and Luke was trying to climb the fence to escape.  Dan quickly had to remove his helmet to calm all the little petrified boys down.  It was so classic and wrong all at the same time!  We proceeded to commence our Jedi Training and all was well!  

I felt a little melancholy by the time the movie was over. It really wasn’t because Darth Maul killed Qui Gon Jinn. It was because I can’t believe my little Jedi is so big and doesn’t spend nearly as much time practicing his Jedi moves. Cousins Zach and William were also schooled in the art of the Jedi!  I sure hope Eddie can carry on the Master Jedi legacy in the family!! I know for sure that James McDonald will expect no less!

Bike Ride? - 3rd Times a Charm

Yesterday, Dan was home and he loves to work exercising into the day.  I was kind of ready to stay in my jammies in full Christmas recovery mode!  He was so thrilled that he got my bicycle operational so I could join in on the fun.  We loaded all 7 Wogs and a Dog on the bikes and took off for a scary family ride!  I have never seen such weaving and near death experiences in my life.  Annie only fell two or three times and didn’t have much blood at all :/  Poor girl!  Thank God she was wearing her knee and elbow pads!!  

We got all the way down to 3^rd street on Florida Boulevard and were waiting to cross the road.  I swear someone shot a gun at us and I quickly checked if all the kids and KC were alive.  We finally realized it was Bubba’s bike tire.  Dan raced home with the dog and the kids and I walked back to Jarboe Park to wait. The kids were thrilled to have some park time!  Ed got to see a live turtle up close and personal that was digging in the grass. 

 

We finally got home and decided to divert to Plan B.  We got subs from Subway and went back to that Preserve we found last week off of Atlantic. On the way there we saw Maw Maw in her car and persuaded her to join us on our adventure!  Maw Maw was so enthusiastic about our find and even sported a Miami hoodie when the wind kicked up!! 

Dan got Bubba’s bike fixed again and off we went for another try.  Shortly after we left, Bubba yells to us that his chain fell off.  I made the mistake of laughing and got a mini-tongue lashing from Dan about how I am not the one that has to fix the bikes!  The 3^rd time we struck out was the charm and we visited Dan’s parents, Britt and Laura and attempting to visit with Jaime!  Ed was a hoot!  I yelled out to Dan to turn left and Eddie starts singing VERY loud The Cupid Shuffle, “To the left, to the left, to the right to the right, now kick, now kick, now walking by yourself!”  He would happily greet everyone we saw and especially was excited when we saw another dog! I didn’t know it was possible to talk that much during a bike ride!  KC ran like crazy but if any of us (me) would lag behind, she would try to stop Dan so he would frequently yell at me to speed up! My mom came over and we all ended up at the park again and capped off the day with delicious bacon cheeseburgers on the grill by Chef Dan!  Did I mention I am limping today from our day of exercise/fun?

Wog Blog T-shirts...Oh Yeah!

When I started my blog last summer, I didn’t think anyone would ever read it but probably a couple family members and maybe two close friends who would take the time.  It felt really weird and self-indulgent at first, like you really are full of yourself to think that people would care about your mundane, somewhat nutsy life.

I remember being up at school shortly after I started blogging.  I was walking down a hall and heard someone yell, THE WOG BLOG!  It stunned me!  I was a little embarrassed even though I posted the darn thing.  I turned and saw James McDonald!  He was one of the first enthusiastic Wog Blog Fans.  He was hilarious.  He would frequently strive to make the blog and not so subtlely hint at possible topics.  He has made it so much fun and I really appreciated it!  He has spurred me on many times!  He has gotten a little intense recently sending somewhat intimidating text if I don’t produce a certain blog he requested whether it was sent to me by a Jedi mind trick or not.  Now he has earned the title the #wogblogboss. LOL  I aim to please and keep James happy!  I told him I would do my best to neglect my family and be more faithful to produce my posts!

 

I am a little worried I have caused marital strife between him and his lovely bride when she started to make the blog on a regular basis!  She is my Annie’s teacher who Annie pretends not to adore in public!  It’s the craziest thing!  She talks about her non-stop and then does her best to ignore her when she sees her out and about!  Jesse has told me she even dreams about the Blog!!

For Christmas I gave them the best gift a person could ask for…..the inaugural Wog Blog T-shirts!  I thought they actually teared up with joy!  I really hated to trump everyone else’s gift for Christmas but I couldn’t think of two more deserving fans!  

Some other honorable mentions that if I had more time to iron away, would have also received a Wog Blog T-shirt is Lael Anderson, who was a secret, compulsive obsessive Wog Blog fan that was outed by her cousin, Alexandra!  Also, Zach and Laura too! Laura really deserves one because she even has a Wog Blog App on her phone!  Zach has mentioned I need to advertise to make some money to feed all the Wogs!  I get a lot of satisfaction when I run into people who tell me how much they love the blog and are disappointed if I don’t have a daily post relaying some Wog madness. KC is a regular celebrity and has her own fan base.  Next year, you can expect Wog Dog Blog shirts in her honor!   It makes me happy to share my life with others since I am homebound much of the time slaving for the fam!  I like to bring joy to people and it gives me a voice and keeps me connected with others!  Thank you fans and when I can find a t-shirt distributor other than me and my iron, I will give shirts to all!

A Very Godard Christmas!

We had a first today!  My sister Sharri hosted our family Christmas at her house for the first time!  My mom is going to continue to host Thanksgiving and Easter but has turned Christmas over to her kids and Sharri was our first host! What a total blast it was!  Dan asked if I was sad that it wasn’t at my mom’s after it being there my whole life and I said absolutely no!  My mom has earned the right to enjoy and it will be a new, fun experience for all!   Although I do think Brett was trying to exploit the family by gouging us with a ridiculous parking fee! LOL

The weather did not cooperate for my sister’s grandiose plans for eating outside but she improvised beautifully!  She moved her gorgeous tables inside, decorated with her creative style and set out a feast fit for a king!  It was a delicious twist on the traditional Thanksgiving meal as we all brought a dish or two! I brought the most awesome Heavenly Hash (marshmallow, orange, pineapple salad) that my sister despises, just for fun!!  It wouldn't be a true holiday if the family couldn't complain ALL day about it!  Dan redeemed us with his two trays of "pampered chef stone" cookies to die for!

All the kids sat at one table and then all the “adult” kids sat at another and the real adults at the third!   We laughed and cut up while the sun decided to come out, to provide us a fabulous afternoon of togetherness.  The Wog kids were beside themselves with a new environment to explore and somewhat destroy.  I am not sure my sister will be so eager to host another family holiday!  Annie got a skateboard for Christmas and thank God also, knee pads and elbow pads.  She spent all afternoon riding up and down Shar’s street!  Eddie frolicked in the road too and would also open the doors to random cars parked along the street. I hope he didn't steal anything.

The "Adult" Kid Table!

We had a nice surprise and had the Smiths do a drive-by visit and even the newlyweds came by, which was a huge treat!  We had an endless train of snacking on deliciousness which led into another mealtime!  The kids ate an undisclosed amount of treats and Ed managed to eat a whole ham sandwich thanks to his cousin Jaime who bribed him very successfully! Jaime even slipped in a massage on my tight, knotted up shoulders!  Best Christmas gift I could have asked for! 

Eddie mysteriously broke the basketball hoop.  I watched out the window while the medal hoop slowly bent completely over.  Everyone assured me it wasn’t his fault.  He promptly came in and broke Shar’s silverware box on her finest special occasion silverware. I was mortified. The kids seemed to be ramping up more destruction so I knew the time was coming for the Wogs to make a quick exit before an ER visit followed. (Been there, done that and don't want to go again!)

Basketball Hoop

Shar couldn’t have been a more gracious host and so loving and kind to all the Wild Wogs!  It was a different Christmas but a wonderful one nonetheless! A BIG thanks to the Godards for starting a new era for the Smith Clan!  Merry Christmas All!!  Now what should we do for New Years? Godards?? :)

Ed trying to fix the silverware box

Day of Adventure

Last night, when we were on the way to eat at Chick-fil-A the kids asked if they could go out on that long dock off of Atlantic Boulevard.  I told them yes, we would go on an adventure and check it out!  What a huge surprise it turned out to be! We all piled in the truck and weaved all through Atlantic beach trying to find it and finally did.  It was a wonderful nature preserve of trails and wooden decks that led out to the most fabulous long dock. Eddie was so excited and enthusiastic and ran ahead of us loving every minute of it of our "adventure" saying "this is the best day eva!"  Bubba and Dan decided to explore another trail. I was fighting off the fear of a homeless murderer snatching us off the deck and into the woods and may or may not have shared that thought with the kids to try to scare them into staying close to me!  We finally all made it all the way to the dock area and could see forever through the picturesque marsh. What a beautiful find, five minutes from our house.  We explored every path and found gazebos, ponds, benches and another dock area!  We already have plans to go back for a picnic. The kids told me not to blog about it on the way home because it was our secret place to go! (we only saw one person fishing and one walking his dogs) We all decided we need a couple canoes to really explore the area!!

 

Then we had a rite of passage.  All the Wogs hunkered down on the couch and watched ET for the first time.  They were all spooked out and saying they were so scared.  It’s been at least 20 something years since I have seen that movie.  Ed was hilarious yelling ET PHONE HOME!  Bubba says, “That’s famous” at the scene when Elliot and ET are riding the bike across the moon!  I guess he has seen it before!  He said ET is Epic! Yes I cried like a baby along with the adorable Drew Barrymore when ET got back on the space ship and the girls had to comfort me. 

Then we headed out to Al's Pizza to use a gift card that a dear friend gave to us and everyone scarfed down their dinner.  It was probably because of Dan’s promise to go to TCBY for yogurt afterwards.  It’s our first time there and we loved the bright décor.  All the kids made creepy, strange concoctions that really don’t go together (like mint chocolate yogurt with reese's peanut butter cups, yuck) but it didn’t seem to matter!  Ed was enthralled with the whole experience and loved the blinking lights in the ceiling and would call out all the colors as they blinked!  It was good to know he recognized all his colors (poor 5^th kid)  Ed ate every single sprinkle out of his cup.

I am really digging this vacation with the kids and can’t believe a week is over already!  School and activities really get in the way of our family fun together.  I plan on making the most of the rest of our Christmas break with more family adventures!! :)

Day of Christmas Fun

Every once in awhile, I loose my mind, and try to be “fun mom” and do crafts with the kids.  I secretly despise crafting but I know it’s a part of raising kids and oh how they love it!  We went to a JU football game recently and the girls collected these HUGE pinecones.  They wanted to decorate them, so today was the day.  I really went nuts and let them spray paint the pinecones with green paint.  Of course, Ed wanted to spray his own pinecone!  He got pretty freaked out when he got green paint on his spray finger.  

I told them to give the pinecones 30 minutes to dry before decorating!  Then the madness kicked in.  Glitter Fest 2011 commenced!  Ed didn’t quite understand “sprinkle.”  He was more into dumping glitter on his pinecone!  The girls were painting and gluing galore with string and sequins and some unidentifiable things they found in the craft cabinet.  Of course there was some crying and fighting and then a lot of threats to get them to clean up all the mess before Dad got home!  The smartest thing I did all day was keeping this whole fun experience outside! 

Then it was time to go to Ed’s School Christmas Party!  He was so cute!  He sang several Christmas songs and rang his little heart out shaking his jingle bell!  We had some lunch and cupcakes and he would randomly yell hello to one of his classmates!! He gave his teachers presents and got hugs and pictures and then it was home for fun with Dad!  They went on a family bike ride and I frantically wrapped gifts!  

Later, we went to Chick-fil-A for dinner and were terribly disappointed because they were out of peppermint milkshakes :(  At least they had a bouncy house that made up for it! Then it was Christmas light hunting time!  We heard about this house on Snapping Turtle Lane in Ocean Walk that has synchronized lights to music!  We finally found it after several harassing text messages to my friend for directions.  It was seriously amazing.  The best was Charlie Brown’s Christmas song with all that piano playing.  It was so phenomenal and for some reason I wanted to cry I was so happy.  The kids were mesmerized and didn’t want to leave.  Ed begged to get out but I did the neighborhood a favor and kept him locked in the car!  I am so exhausted and it was nice to have a fun night out and not be sitting at home racking my brain about what I have forgotten….now if those missing gifts would only show up in the mail…..