I told the E.R. nurse I was feeling cruddy for over a week now (give or take a bathroom stop, or twenty) but, I just shrugged it off as the kids sharing a stomach bug, or something, as she continued to draw my blood and nod her head very sympathetically. I stared at the ceiling (I'm not a very good bleeder) recapping my symptoms, the first of many more times to come: Stomach pain, radiating to my lower back Pressure in lower abdomen, similar to contractions Feeling sick, nausea Frequent bathroom stops All of which I promptly ignored, coming downstairs... Read more →

One of the many perks of raising older kids, besides the fact my husband and I have seen each of ours reach double digits and are STILL amazed at our even being able to, you know, count that high. Okay, mostly me. Aaaaanyway, we've tried to raise them to be independent, or at the very least, able to pretty much take care of themselves (get dressed, feed themselves, remember to brush their teeth, take their showers before bed and use soap, the last three being mostly for my son) if need be, and work as a team, if necessary. This... Read more →

I wrote my very first blog post 8 years ago (Happy Belated Blogivesary to me, heh) on September 2, 2003 (at 3:38 p.m.) and poop may or may not have been involved. My youngest was still in diapers and, well, it's understandable, really. Raising 4 kids, under the age of 10, life revolved around my being the center of their world -- handling poop was a large part of it -- which, thanks to the internet, had just gotten a whole lot smaller. I now had the ability to communicate, with other people, over the age of 10, unwashed and... Read more →

Knock-knock. Who's there? Fanny. Fanny who? (see blog post title) SNORT! The kids helped me out with a little blogging project and, since it's been raining cats and dogs, since, like, forever, they built this awesome tent in the middle of our livingroom. Not that it's earth-shattering news, or an epiphany in parenting, that will perhaps, one day, save the world, by any means, or anything. It's just that, you know, my kids are older AND by older I mean: a) oldest is graduating high school this year and b) youngest is moving up to middle school next year (SOB!)... Read more →

Over the years, I've learned to expect less than favorable opinions, from other people, upon learning that I have 4 kids. Then, when other people find out I have 3 daughters, who ALL share the same bedroom, the shock sets in and, well, yes, it is just as complicated and delicate of a situation as anyone can imagine. All I can say is, thank goodness we have a REALLY BIG backyard and, when hormone levels begin to rise and, add in the closeness of summertime, threaten to reach epic proportions (like, yesterday) I can toss them ALL in the swimming... Read more →

Not unlike many cultures, growing up, my twin brother and I spent a lot of time with our grandmother -- especially, in the summertime. Some of my fondest memories are of helping Nagy Mama cook Sunday dinner, or tend to her vegetable gardens, while listening to awesome stories "from the old country." To be REAL honest, there were a few downright scary moments when I think she, along with others of the grandparent-ly-type, made up half of these so-called folktales, just to scare us kids into, you know, being good. So...YES!...I have taken poetic license in re-telling some of these... Read more →

When my son was in the 4th grade, I asked my parents if they'd be interested in speaking to his class about what it was like to have immigrated to America. This year, they were excited to be invited back to Heritage Day by Hope's 4th grade teacher, who heard them speak a few years ago and was hoping they'd share their experiences with her class, as well. This time, I was a little concerned about their being able to go through with it. To be honest, physically, mentally, emotionally, my parents are in a very different place (who isn't,... Read more →