New Nickname?

Is it bad that I've started calling Bryant "Pudweiser"?  Yeah, probably so.....

Scarlette’s Future Plans

At breakfast last Friday, I asked Scarlette what she wants to be when she grows up. She answered promptly, “I want to be in a rock and roll band.” (Heads-up to Brylie, Katie, and Emma’s parents – she plans to ask them to join her in this venture.) I’ll give her this – she plays a mean air guitar. I personally thought she was destined for a career in law, as she is a great negotiator (Me: “You can have 1 cookie.” Scarlette: “How about five cookies?”). She would also make a fantastic radio or TV broadcaster. She is always popping out of her room to announce the lineup on television – “Mommy, coming up next on NickJr – Max and Ruby!” My response to her plans for a music career: “That would be great! I just want you to be exactly what God wants you to be.” And I do. Whether that’s a mom, teacher, doctor, professional wrestling manager (that was mine), grocery store clerk, or lead singer in a band – just as long as she’s in God’s will. He can – and does – use us in a variety of situations for His glory. And doing what God wants her to do is just where I want her – and all of our children - to be.


Of course, someone may have to remind me of that if she has pink hair and a pierced nose……

Scarlette's "Scary Face"

Are They Twins? And Other Interesting FAQs

Going out in public with multiples is akin to accompanying a celebrity or participating in a circus sideshow. People stop, stare, whisper among themselves, make comments about you to others that you aren’t supposed to acknowledge, and various other activities designed to make you feel rather self-conscious. I feel as though I should start waving to the crowd in pageant fashion (hand slightly cupped, moving slowly from left to right) as I parade slowly down the frozen food aisle. On occasion, some will actually speak to me, and usually some version of the same questions/comments that I hear a lot will follow. I am including them here for your amusement. If you read a question/comment here that you yourself have said to me, please don’t feel as though I am making fun and please don’t feel badly. Just know that you aren’t the only person who has said this, and I enjoy it every time.

1. Are they twins? One woman, two babies that appear to be the same age. Yes, yes, they are. Granted, they could be non-related babies that I keep while their parents work, but here’s the thing – anyone who could wait and go shopping after the toddlers left their care would do just that – wait and go later. I do have a dear friend who is raising a child that is almost exactly the same age as her biological son, so there are exceptions. However, isn’t she the exception and I the rule?

2. Are they identical? One is a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy and the other is dark-haired, brown-eyed girl. So, no, they aren’t identical. Just for educational purposes, twins of different genders cannot be identical. Identical twins are produced from one egg containing the same gender chromosomes. Fraternal twins are produced from two separate eggs. It’s no different from having individual children from the same parents at different times, only they are born at the same time.

3. I bet you have your hands full/ I bet you sure are busy! – You have no idea.

4. How do you take them shopping all by yourself? – You just do. If you need to buy food, shopping with 1 year old twins is preferable to going hungry.

5. (I get this one when all four of the children are with me) Do they all have the same father? – Yes, especially the twins. Thanks for asking.

6. I wish I could have twins. – I recommend high doses of fertility drugs. Worked for me….

7. How old is your 4-year old? – She’s 4. (The lady apologized for this one. She meant to ask another question about Scarlette-Head. It was just so funny, I had to include it here.)

8. Aren’t you so blessed?! – Beyond comprehension!


Have a great day, friends!

Who are Pud-Bud and Lissibet?

And Scarlette-Head, for that matter. They are my children. And no, those aren't their actual names. I'm not that cruel. Pud-Bud and Lissibet are my 14-month old twins. Pud-Bud's real name is Bryant. When he was a newborn, we would refer to him as "Buddy". That was quickly shortened to "Bud". I had a Great Uncle Pershing who was called Uncle Pud (my great-grandparents had 21 children - they ran out of names, as you can see), so I started saying "Pud" from habit instead of "Bud". That morphed into "Pud-Bud", and here we are. I sincerely hope it doesn't stick.

Lissibet's real name is Elisabeth, the "girl one" (we distingush between them by saying the "boy one" or the "girl one". Not all the time, but sometimes). She is named, in part, after Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. When the queen was a child, her younger sister Princess Margaret Rose called her "Lillibet" because she couldn't say Elizabeth correctly. I started calling my Elisabeth the same name, but then changed it unconsciously one day to Lissibet to emphasize the "s" in her name. I'm not saying the logic is sound; that's just the way I went with it.

Scarlette-Head is my four-year old, Scarlette. I honestly don't know why we started calling her Scarlette-Head.

Other characters that will invariably appear here are my wonderful husband, John and our eldest, Briana, age 17. Briana was the best wedding present I ever received. She is so much more than the term "stepdaughter" coveys, so I do not use it. I am so blessed that she is in my life. Briana escaped the nicknaming, fo which I'm sure she is eternally grateful.

Now that the introductions are complete, I must stop for now. People are crying, and I must see to it. Hope it isn't any of my readers. Until later....

Welcome!

Hello! Thank you for visiting "The Adventures of Pud-Bud and Lissibet". More about our title characters in a moment. I'm writing this blog for several reasons, one being to chronicle the lives of my children (hence the title). I also love to write, and this is one way I can get my work published immediately for a (hopefully) large audience. So, interspersed with stories about my little ones will be my musings about various topics, historical facts, favorite quotes, etc. On second thought, that doesn't sound very interesting...I promise it will be much more entertaining than it appears at first glance. At the heart of my writings will be my Lord Jesus Christ. You see, without Him, there would be no Pud-Bud, no Lissibet, no Scarlette-Head, no Tracey, no anything. He is all, and in all. And I thank Him and praise Him for all!

Thanks again for reading! Please feel free to leave (nice) comments, if you wish. Enjoy!!

Now for the answer you've been waiting for.....