Tuesday, June 28, 2011

My Sixth Child is a Toshiba Laptop

Or, if you count my surrogate daughters Jordan and Reever, this is actually my EIGHTH child. My sixth child is ...

A Toshiba laptop.


Yep, I put birthday money together with some writing money and made the leap. I'm at McDonald's right now eating fries and informing you of this big event in my life.

In case you haven't figured it out by now, no, I am not pregnant.

Thank you to everyone who gave me birthday money to buy this wonderful material item I have been dreaming of for a long time. No longer am I "chained" to my desk at the house. I can work on articles while I homeschool at the dining room table, outside, or even in bed!

Still no Internet access at home, but at least now I'll be taking my very own computer to Starbuck's to post blogs and submit queries and articles. I am grateful and thrilled.

P.S. I had an amazing birthday ... Aron threw a BIG bash complete with DJ, Mexican catered food and 1970s theme ... I have to post photos of THAT because my husband wore tape-on black chest hair and a 'fro AND rented me my dream car ... a red Mustang convertible ... for the weekend! I love you, babe!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

My Wife

Guest Post.  Today is Kerrie's 40th birthday.  She is eternally young to me and is so pretty I love her very much.  Her laugh keeps me young and her smile brightens my day.  She is a beautiful mother to our 5 children and a patient, faithful wife.  She is a blessing to me, to our family and to all who know her.  Happy birthday Kerrie, I hope to have many more wonderful birthdays with you.  I love you.

Kerrie McLoughlin Turns 40 Today

Yup, folks, I'm 40 today. It's also Father's Day! I'll be busy hanging out with my dad and Aron's dad and relaxing because it's my birthday. I don't want anything special for my birthday ... just more of the same great life I've been given. I wouldn't turn down some chocolate, coffee or Chapstick, either.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Potty Pictures

Yes, I know I am strange. But realize that many other mothers are doing the same exact thing right now: taking pictures of their kid on the potty. It's cute! And she's "reading" while she's doing her business. You can't go wrong with a shot of that! The point is that I love taking pictures ... it's just the getting them in the scrapbooks that is the problem lately! Help!

Monday, June 13, 2011

The Negative Mommy Blogs

I'm sick to death of the negative mommy blogs. You know the ones ... the ones who bitch and gripe about being a mom and how hard it is and how they've lost themselves and all that. Admittedly, there are times when I get that way ... when I'm freshly postpartum or super-pregnant, when I'm nursing all night and have not slept, when my husband and I are in a funk, when my kids Won't. Stop. Arguing.

Don't get me wrong ... I don't love the sappy blogs, either. I'm pretty picky that way.

Anyway, I just want to comment on some of these blogs something like, "Dang, why did you procreate? Did you think it would be simple? Next time your parents say they want grandkids just tell them no. Next time your husband bugs you for another baby, just get your tubes tied." Wait, I forgot, that's not cool. It's much better and more 2011 to TELL your man to get a vasectomy.

I like blogs like ScaryMommy.com where she talks about normal mom stuff like ignoring your kids and how that makes them more self-sufficient. I don't even care if you have your kids in daycare and have to or want to work. Just stop griping about it. That's what your best girlfriends are for.

Now I'm going to comb through my last 3 years of blog posts to erase any negative crap I've posted about my kids. Never mind. I don't have time for that.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Kerrie McLoughlin Cub Scout Leader

I kind of fell into the role of Cub Scout Den Co-Leader. I don't know if I expected to sign up my kid for Scouts, drop him off at meetings and then come get him an hour later. I probably figured either Aron or I would hang around at meetings and stuff to help out, see what was being done, etc. But nobody else signed up to lead our den a couple of years ago, and we stepped up. I'm the organizational genius (ha!) behind the true Leader, Aron. He actually leads the meetings with our tiny den. Joel has one more year of Cub Scouts before he becomes a Boy Scout next February (if he chooses to continue to Boy Scouts). Scouts has taught Joel a lot of good things. By the time you read this, he will have gotten back from a week of day camp with his dad.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Kerrie McLoughlin's Kooky Kids

To me, this is what Life is all about. This is all I've ever wanted: marriage and kids. Maybe you think I'm crazy for having so many kids and for enjoying their presence most of the time. Maybe I think you're crazy for drinking yourself to death or for getting your tubes tied or for being a depressed, negative mess. We're all different, right? We all enjoy different things. I am in love with my kids. None of them were "surprises" ... they were all planned and welcomed. (not that surprise babies are any better or worse ... I'm just saying that Aron and I know what we're doing here and dig these kids like crazy!).

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Kerrie McLoughlin's Husband


I think these two pictures say a lot about my husband Aron. I have known him for 16 years and have been married to him for almost 13. He puts up with a lot from me! I'm a bit of a firecracker, poor guy! I love how he mows with the baby and doesn't mind having all of us climbing all over him. He is the kind of guy who does things much slower than I do things, but he does them CORRECTLY and he FINISHES them. Opposites attract for sure. He also gets my blog posts by email, so I love you, babe! Have a good day at work!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Kerrie McLoughlin's Dad

This is my dad. He was about 32 days from being 21 when I was born, and I am his only child. He was in the Army and was stationed in Germany. He is adorable and funny and he is my best guy friend after my husband.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Kerrie McLoughlin's Mom

This is my mom with teeny little me. I was born about 23 days after she turned 21. I'm her only child. She's also a Gemini (see yesterday's post) and I am a lot like her. She is beautiful, she is tough and she is my best girlfriend. She delivered me in an Army hospital in Germany, and to me that is very brave.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Kerrie McLoughlin as a Baby

Welcome to June ... my month since my birthday is on the 19th and I turn 40 this year. I'm starting out this month with a picture of me at 5 weeks of age in Frankfurt, Germany, where I was born. I am a Gemini, which explains a lot. My husband thinks astrology is a bunch of hooey. You see, he has an identical twin brother and they are VERY different in my eyes. So I suppose in that case astrology is a little iffy ... they are Scorpios and my husband does not act like the typical Scorpio. But I digress. Just read up on Geminis and you will understand me completely, unfortunately.