Don't hate the player, Hate the game...

What does that even MEAN, anyway? I mean, really? If you hate anything wouldn't it be the persn that chooses to play a game you loathe? I dunno.. Whatev. And, yk, yeah..I actually DO say 'whatev' in real life. LOL It horrifies my 9 (almost 10 MOM) year old...nearly as much as when my thong sticks out the back of my pants, but not quite.

I'm answering questions posted in the comment section of the last post. Thank you for posting them..yay!

First, a bunch of you wanted to know about the MIL thing and I have to tell you that my husband reads my blog. Probably his wife bad mouthing his mom isn't something he wants to read - so I'm gonna rise above and try having a little more class than that. It's a new thing for me...I'll let ya know how it works out. HA!

In generalities? My Mil and I don't get along. We didn't ever really get a long but it got a lot worse when we had to live together for 7 months and I learned a lot about her. She was very mean to me. Which sounds childish, I know..but it wasn't mean..it was nasty and hidden. My SIL saw it from time to time but my MIL mostly did it in private..so I have a hard time when she comes around. I try to be polite, for Rob's sake, and let her have a relationship with the kids. It's hard, though. But, yk, I have to admit that even though she surprised me by showing up today and then she and my FIL stayed for 8-9 hours and invited themselves for dinner - I need to get over myself. I had Sienna ask her to play a game - and she did. Then the girls asked her to take them and Corban to the park, and she did. She played with all of the kids and they had fun. So, I'll just tell myself to shut up and stop being a spoiled brat and try to move it right along to answer the comments on that last post.

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Liz wanted to know: how about your thoughts on what others have had to say about you having a big (as in more than 2 kids) family. Another blogger (Jori of Jeff and Me + 3) just had an interesting response when she told someone she was pregnant with #4. What sort of comments have you gotten? What were the most rude/outrageous reactions when you told people you were pregnant with Brennan?

I say: People have all sorts of opinions on whether or not you should have more than 2 kids...none less so than our own families. I have encountered a few strangers that make comments about how many kids we have and are nasty about it. I smile and make a sarcastic comment and move on (and whine to Rob about it). Most recently at Walmart, I was unloading groceries and 3 kids into the van when the young kid in the car next to me said "Good luck with that!" I said "This? Psh. This is nothing..this isn't even all of them." Ha! ha ha! He and his friends exchanged glances and then rushed to unload my groceries into my car while I fought to strap a screaming, writhing 2 year old into his car seat. Oooohhh.. I *am* walking, living, breathing birth control at Walmart!

When we were telling people we were pg with B, our 4th child, we got a lot of responses. One such response happened at church in the foyer, after a service..so, yk, it was crowded. He said "Again?? Don't you know by now what causes that?!" To which I loudly answered, "Yes! And obviously we're quite good at it and enjoy it, as well!" *insert crickets chirping* HA! He brought up my sex life...I just was expounding on it.

I get MORE comments, though, when people say, "2 boys and 2 girls..perfect. You're done now, right?" and I answer. "I dunno. We're waiting for God to tell us." Oh my WORD people have opinions on whether or not we should have more kids. It's just Cuh-razy to me how many, and WHO, thinks they should have a say in our reproductive process.

I could go on...but I'll stop and move on. Thanks Liz!

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Heather! - tell me about your MIL! Vent away, girl.

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Mama SeWELL has MIL issues, too. Sorry I'm of no help, girl!

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Heidi has nothing to blog about, either, but feels the need to run at the mouth like me. So I'm giving her an assignment. Heidi? This is your topic: On this day in 1751, our 4th President, James Madison was born. Madison was the oldest of twelve (12) children. What do you think would be the advantages and/or disadvantages of having eleven (11) siblings? Would you like to have eleven younger brothers and sisters?

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Kasey said I crack her up. Yay! That's my goal! Class clown from the day I was born, baby. I always wanted to be in drama, but never was. Totally missed opportunity on my part, eh, Kasey? *sigh* BTW? I can not WAIT to see your new Hair cut! Are you joining the Hair Dare with it??? DO IT! Ok.. so ...you wanna know where I get my buttons made? Dude. Go see Alexis at Back Acher Designs (tell her that I sent you!) and she will TOTALLY hook you up. She's sweet, funny and just flat out AWESOME. She did my Iron Chef buttons as well as my actual blog button. She's also very reasonable, pricewise. And? I love giving her money so you should, too. ;-)

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Sara said that she was bored, too. Dunno who that is? Oh...she's that Domestically Disabled Spazzy Runner chick. I LUFF Sara. If I lived near her? I would totally NOT go running with her, but I'd wait at the end of her run with a bottle of water for her. Yep. *nods* I like her THAT much. ;-) So, Sara...this is YOUR topic: "March 15th is “Absolutely Incredible Kid Day.” Create an award that you would give to yourself for being so incredible. Be sure to explain why you would give yourself this specific award."

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"Shawn had to make a new blog because her last one had issues with updating. Lame-O blog. ;-) Go say hi to her at her new place. She's so super-freaking-cute and crafty that she'll simultaneously make you sick and make you want to be her friend. *wink* Love Shawn. Shawn..here ya go....I wanna know: Many people feel that being a stay-at-home-mom is full-time job. Do you agree or disagree and why? Do you think that changes once your kids are all in school full time, or not?

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Dawn, who just had some surgery, is having writer's block also. So to Dawn I say: "Recall an uplifting experience and write about how it affected you." Which I SWEAR was completely random, Dawn. SWEAR.

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Lori bugged me about getting a new button (top left of your screen, people. Snag it, use it.) and I got one thanks to Alexis. So to Lori I have to say "Tell me the five songs you want people to hear and think of you." To the rest of ya? Snag my button. Alexis worked hard. HA!

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Mimi, who hosts every Friday Freebie on the 1st Friday of the month, said she needs a topic. Here ya go, Mimi: "Where do you go to get away from the pressures of life and kids and marriage and home? Tell me about that place."

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Thanks, Missy! You're too kind!

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Jill wants me to write a post without using the word 'I'. Uh...dunno if that's possible, Jill. You try it first. LOL

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Another Heidi said: "What would you write about if your blog was read by your friends and family? "

It is! It is!!! Rob reads it and so does my mom. So do some of my dear friends. So, yk, I'm me where ever I go. My policy is to never say anything online I wouldn't say to your face.

What abou you, Heidi? Who reads you?

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My friend 'A Moxie Mom' commiserated with me but then asked: "Another random idea is about your dream vacation...
Where would u go?
Why?
What would u do there? (places & attractions... Don't want the other kind of details)!"

To which I say: I would go somewhere with a masseuse, cabana boy, beach and ceiling fan. I would lay around and read a lot. I'd order margatitas on the rocks and pomegranate martinis and eat fries. I would lay on the beach in a chair and just..breathe.

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Tanya wanted me to blog about the last Devotional book I read. Bah. I can't even remember, I suck. Probably the Five Love Languages! That's how long it's been. We really need to do SOMETHING. Tag me, baby.

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Betty wanted to know: "what would you do with your MIL...Or where would you put her? LOL" And I am glad to tell you ALL that I would LOVE for my MIL to seek and recieve treatment for her obvious mental illnesses. She and I could get along fine, I imagine, were she medicated for her schizophrenia that is, of yet, undiagnosed. I wish she would not be afraid to seek help so she could be truly happy and free from the chains that tie her down.

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That was FUN! I will answer any other incoming questions tomorrow. B is hollering - someone tell me what his deal is, please!? - so I hafta run. Thank for playing, every one!!

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