a newbie in the blogging world

Welcome....I almost feel as though I should say enter if you dare!  Throughout my years in the CED (Children's Emergency Department for those of you NOT in the know)  I have heard, read, and semi-followed co-workers and friends as they blogged about their daily lives and families.  It's like an inside glimpse into the minds of some of the greatest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  A bit envious of their ability to write so beautifully, I followed behind the scenes, pining for the gift of words.  Most recently, in some delicious email exchanges with a new friend, I discovered that I DO actually have the ability.  Well, in my opinion and his of course!  I also discovered that for someone who has a major pet-peeve of poor spelling and grammar, I am able to overlook that for the sake of getting the words down and telling my story.  Here is your official forewarning people....Sometimes I ramble, sometimes I make a point, sometimes I'll make you cry and ache with me, and most often, I'll make you fall off your chair with laughter at the wild1s antics!

We'll make this official today with introductions....This Wednesday is my birthday and I will turn the ripe OLD age of 32.  I've been single for 2 1/2 years now and raising the three wild1s on my own.  The boys see their dad as often as we can swing it, Erin sees her dad on occasion, and I see my sanity on rare occasions!  My first name is Tricia but since the separation, I've gone by trish....introduce myself that way, never capitalize it (don't ask...I don't know why?!?!?), and STILL argue with my Momma about the shortened version of my name!  I am super close to my Momma and sister April and still consider myself a Momma's girl.  I am blessed to have TWO stepmoms who love me too! (Super long and crazy family story here that I won't go into....)

Just me, at my favorite hang out :)

     ~Erin Nicole....This wonderful and amazing creature is 16 and still known as "Baby Girl" at home.  She is breathtakingly gorgeous, smart, funny, and a joy to watch as she enters adulthood.  Yes, I know she is only 16, though taking into consideration that she is hoping to go from a Junior to a Senior in the next week through an early graduation program at school, it truly is the embarkment of adulthood.  I said a week ago that if you think watching them learn to walk is scary, try watching them learn to walk away from you.  You raise them to be independent and strong people with wings, only to watch them fly away.  It's almost like watching your heart walk around outside of your body, knowing that one ounce of pain she experiences is only magnified, a million fold, for myself.

Erin @ her Sweet Sixteen Party

     ~Nicholas Alexander....Oh how I love this boy (as I love all of my children!)  He is so torn between a child and maturity as he faces turning 12 in less than two weeks.  He too has a nickname, which he doesn't really care for...Bubba!  (yes, we are southern)  He hates me calling him that in public and I have made great efforts not to do it in front of anyone but family.  All of his life he has been "Nicholas," as in never shortened.  In the last year, he has gone by Nic.  Now, here is the big ole debate in my house...."Nic" is how I spell it and "Nick" is how he spells it.  We've gone round and round a few times and have finally reached a truce.  After one particular "battle" (the quotes cause it's all in fun) I said in exasperation, "There is not a 'k' in your name son."  His response was so breathtakingly funny, accurate, and a true winner (think, "Ding, Ding, Ding, We have a WINNER!") I think I shut up for a full minute while I digested what he said!!!  "Momma, you prefer to go by 'trish' and last time I checked, there wasn't an 'sh' in your name."  After I regained my thought process, choked coffee through my nose, and regained my breath, we agreed to disagree.  I spell it my way, he spells it his, and he will always be Nicholas to me.  He is the the kind of kid that would rather help me cook dinner, clean the house, and haul out the trash than play a video game.  He has designated himself as the "coffeemaker" and always has a fresh pot with a steaming cup on the nightstand when I awake in the afternoons after a night of work.  How I love this boy :)

Nicholas

     ~James Arnold Jr....Oh my....where to begin with this one!  For starters, he is known as AJ to most, though they use James at school.  His nickname, when he isn't being called Trouble, is Squirt.  Sometimes it is an endearment, quite often not.  I've said since he was born that God knew what he was doing when he made him the youngest.  Had he been first, he may have been an only child!  He is going to be a heartbreaker.  He knows how to spark your anger, tempt your sanity, and melt your heart....usually in a time span of five minutes.  Stubborn doesn't even begin to describe this child of mine.  He was quick, even from the beginning when he almost didn't wait for the hospital to enter this world.  He was walking early, running before his first birthday, talking a million miles a minute (and still does!) from the moment he found his voice, and still wants to do things beyond his capabilities.  This child has absolutely no fear.  Talk about watching your heart walk around outside of your body....he is the one that most often leaves me holding my breath wondering what adventure he may embark upon next.  He is as smart as the other two, very intelligent, but so very, very stubborn that it makes it difficult to find the wisdom buried in him.  He loves animals and Saturday's "question of the day from AJ" was one I wasn't sure how to answer.  "Momma, what costs more?  A hamster or a snake?"  I chose that moment to distract him with putting the stuff in the trunk, making sure everyone was buckled in the backseat, and pulling out of the driveway to meet my sister for our day trip to the beach.  Pulling out onto the main road, I mentally patted myself on the back thinking I had avoided that one....I hear from the back seat, "Mom?  Did you hear my question?"  Stalling for time, I did what any sane mother would do....DENIED!  Hoping for something simple like, "Where do babies come from?" to be asked this time, I waited with bated breath.  No such luck.  He asked the hamster or snake question again.  I answered that I really didn't know.  He threw my favorite response back in my face that had me hoping he would forget by the time we returned home.  "Well, I guess we can just look it up when we get home.  Since my birthday is coming soon, I'd really like one of those for my present.  We can get the cheaper one so it doesn't cost you too much money Momma."  Ahhhh, how sweet he is....trying to save his Momma a little bit of money!!!! (insert sarcasm here)    I went with my standard answer...."We'll see Squirt.  It is kinda far off to be talking about yet."  My oh my, I have a feeling the teenage years with him are going to age me quickly!

AJ (yes, Trouble!)

So now that I have roped you in....with my rambling and wandering introductions, I have to say, I look forward to sitting down, writing my thoughts, and sharing with everyone a day in the life of the wild1s and I as we journey through this wild and crazy ride called LIFE.

~trish

(ps:  When I get this figured out, I'll post some pixs of all of us!)