The columbine that grows in our garden underneath the playroom window. 10 years ago, my oldest daughter was preparing for graduation ceremonies with her pre-kindergarten class, while my middle girl spent the afternoon with her "lunch bunch" pals and I attempted NOT to cry as I desperately tried to nurse my infant son. I was unsuccessful on both counts. Little did I know, the tears I shed that day would be no match to the gut-wrenching pain of watching my 15 year-old child walk out the door, without saying goodbye...again. "Where's Holly?" My 10 year-old son was teasing my youngest... Read more →

Welcome to the This Full House 3rd Annual Spring Break Staycation -- where wearing our pajamas and sliding around the house in dingy socks are standard issue -- this year, the kids and I have got lots of laid back and fun things planned for the next few days: Sleep in Color eggs with Mama and Papa Sleep in Visit with my twin brother and his wife in Ft. Dix Sleep in Go to Grandma's house for Easter Sleep in Visit with Aunt Cheryl and Uncle John in Cape May Sleep in Sleep in Sleep in Especially, since Heather (formerly... Read more →

Heather and Mike Spohrs' (a.k.a.The Spohrs are Multiplying) gorgeous little Maddie passed away unexpectedly on April 7, 2009 after being admitted to the hospital for respiratory problems. No, I don't know Heather or Mike (personally) still, as a parent, I can't help but feel connected to them. I know that they must be absolutely heartbroken at the loss of their precious Maddie. It's like my friend Mrs. Flinger says: If the sheer power of twitter and internet could heal broken hearts and bring Maddie back, she would be here as strong as Wonder Woman. I feel sick at the thought... Read more →

Look, I know my kids start spring break...like, tomorrow...and everything...but, did I really need to find these guys in the shower, looking LIKE THIS, this morning? Seriously, this sort of stuff could scar a parent...FOR LIFE! And here everyone was so worried about Dora the Explorer. I mean, what's next...tattoos...oh, wait...never mind. Edited to Add: Okay, so my friend Deb (a.k.a. JerseyBites) says I should ask you guys to leave your favorite captions, since she's got kids and, you know, has a few sick thoughts...I mean...creative ideas for a title, as well. Go ahead...heaven knows, we ALL could use a... Read more →

It's the first Monday of the month and you know what that means [sound of crickets chirping] I'm hanging with the Imperfect Parent, today -- talk about dirty hands and smart mouths, my son hates the b-word -- oh, and I'm also getting my house in order for spring break, which starts on Thursday this week, the same day I take my 13-year-old back to the pediatric surgeon and find out whether my middle girl's going to need some more emergency surgery, or not. Sounds like fun, yeah? So...um...yeah...aaaanyway...did you know that my first time blog crush Mindy's going to... Read more →

It's hard to believe that my middle girl was only 7 years-old when I started This Full House in 2003 and now...DAYUM!...but, look how we've BOTH grown! So, what's this about then? It's all Mrs. Flinger's fault -- I've been reading my blogging friend Mrs. Flinger for a long time, now. She's a very lovely mom, a wickedly talented html coding diva and her Tweets make me snort coffee through my nose (she is THAT funny) and we've both been around the Internets for a while and can still remember when Dooce was just a girl who couldn't spell Dude.... Read more →

My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on in there? Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need a shout out, go for it...I'm listening! I mean, who couldn't use a little linky love? Okay, I'll start: Comment (or, don't if you don't... Read more →