I have been feeling pretty crappy lately and just having a hard time. I hate the end of school and summer can never get here fast enough especially this school year for some reason.

Then I read something today that made me cry tears of joy and all of a sudden every thing is going to be ok!

I don’t know who Jen is, but I think that I love her. If I knew where she lived I would have dinner delivered tonight to her house, but as another blogger finding out that info and acting on it, my luck would get me arrested for stalking. But then again, that would mean someone else would have to make dinner and mine would be handed to me!

Jen wrote a hilarious and all too close to home post today about the end of the school year. You can check it out HERE. The tears I cried was tears of relief. I suck right now, and I know it. BUT apparently I am not the only one, and for some reason that makes me feel better which then makes me feel bad that I am glad someone sucks at being a Mom just as bad right now….

Let me tell you about my last week.

• Our faucet has been slowly leaking for a month or so. Every night I put a bowl under it as to not waste water and use it for the dogs in the morning. It has gotten to where we could not ignore it anymore and my husband took it apart over the weekend ( in the middle of the Oklahoma donation drive) and then found out that you have to order the part from ONE warehouse and it will take a week. He lost the original piece and so I have NO sink for 5 more days. Awesome. I guess we are eating out and I am doing dishes in the bathroom?
• I was 20 minutes late to my daughters 25 minute program.
• I told my 11 year old to forge my signature on her homework folder because I knew I was going to forget to sign it. Suspiciously she did a really good job…
• We dropped my daughter off for her band concert for warmups. We came back at 7 for the concert. Only it had just gotten over, we missed the entire thing. It started at 6:30. I told her we were in the back and they sounded great.
• This morning at 5:30am I made the preschool teachers Chocolate Lasagna for lunch. I just realized it is still sitting in the fridge at the school. I never got it out to give to them. Today was the last day of school.
• For 3 days now I have counted swimming in the neighbors pool as a bath for the 4 littlest.
• I tried skipping pages reading to them the other night but they caught me. They knew I did it on purpose too #fail
• I washed my sheets 2 days ago, they are still in the dryer and every night at midnight when I go to bed, I am so tired I have slept on the futon in the playroom instead of making the bed. My husband I *think* has slept on the couch. I wouldn’t know, since I have not seen him other than a high five in passing for a week now.
• I braided my daughters hair wet at night so she could have cute hair in the morning. It was just so I didn’t have to curl it in the morning or find the curling iron.
• My son in high school had a group project that they have worked for about 80 hours on. They needed me to edit a video for them (which I am pretty good/fast at) but getting the different formats to work together from 3 kids was a nightmare. The morning before it was due I stayed up to 3:30am trying to get it all to work. I finally went to bed. I got up at 6am and started again. NOTHING was working. He missed the bus, then the start of school at 7:05 and finally at 9:30 ( the class was at 10:30) I paid $120  for software that would make it work…. and it did. I got him to school at 10:15.
• The kids went to school yesterday with a bag of pretzels, a cheese stick, a Capri Sun, and mandarine oranges. The five year old says, “why don’t I have a sandwich, and why is everything in a package?” The bigger kids just walked away.
• The 2 year old asked to play Black Ops and I told her “sure” thinking it would give me time to go to the bathroom by myself.

I am sure I am forgetting something and I bet if you ask, my kids can tell you. But I have dishes to wash in the bathroom sink or outside before it gets dark (which thank you, I know is against my deed restrictions) and I need to make my bed because I am about to pass out. But when I say my prayers tonight, there will be an extra special mentioning of Jen and thanking her for taping out this spring as well!

Well, this is how we did. Filled about 30 feet of a 48 foot semi truck! You all are amazing! Had we taken clothing donations it would have been more then full, but those will have to wait.

There are a list of people who rocked this all week and today. Kroger kicked some serious butt by letting the truck park in their parking lot, they fed us, and handed out info. They truly were awesome and the nicest people in that Sterling Ridge store. The manager Eric, was so friendly and even set out carts ahead of time to block off the space for the truck. They let my kids play in the play place today for a few hours so they were not having to sit in the sun and run around a parking lot, which took such a weight off my shoulders. Kids loose in a parking lot is NOT my favorite.

You would think I would have remembered to apply the sunscreen more then once… I am dreading the shower I want to take right now from sweating all day. At some point you would think that natural disasters would be more considerate and happen when it is cool outside and not in the hot spring or like hurricanes in the Sept. when it is still miserable here! LOL!

We had reader Katie and her family drive up from Sealy with a truck and trailer full of items collected from their town. They also stayed and help for 2 hours load the truck.

Heather and her Mom drove in from Crockett just as we were leaving tonight with her VW bug PACKED FULL with donations. I have never seen so much come out of a bug before! She must be a master tetras player!

Today we had reader Amber help for a few hours and blogger Vickie and her friend for another 2 hours…. my sister who is pregnant showed up and “helped” by eating sushi in the parking lot and watching! Hopefully she doesn’t get sick!

Yesterday reader Mary and Maritza ( I know I spelled that wrong!) came up to help for a few hours and also the entire Bowen family got up early to take the first shift.

I can’t forget my friends who helped for 3 hours on Friday night separating and boxing all the donations brought to the church. The King family, Shasta Howard’s family and Lindie Markle + her kids!

Finally, Samantha M. for busting her butt all week getting donations from vendors at her work and getting us all the boxes, tape and water!

Also, whoever set up the truck to be at the Sterling Ridge Kroger was brilliant, just saying… people would walk up ask what we needed, and come back with a CART full! I had 2 ladies walk up and write checks for $300 and $200 each. AMAZING!!!! We collected almost $1,000 dollars to buy the bigger things like shovels, rakes and cleaning up tools. PLUS, with another $250 from Savings.com (who without being asked sent a gift card to my house! Unbelievably cool!) we were able to help buy towels, blankets, coloring books, crayons, water, Gatorade, wrapped snacks, gloves, brooms, and 2 kids bikes. Checks were made out to “Week of Compassion” and handed to the Pastor here who is overnighting them to the Pastor in OK who has certain families who need some help. It was really cool!

I am exhausted and heading to the shower where I am going to freak out because there was someone I forgot to thank! Please forgive me for the time being!

::UPDATE:: 

We have no one that can help today from 2-4 pm at Kroger. If you can help please email me and let me know, mylitter@mac.com us and let us know. We just can’t be there all day with all the kids. Help would be appreciated. 

This is currently what the semi looks like!!

We REALLY need people to help on Sunday at the Kroger location in The Woodlands, loading the semi truck there.

We will be at the Kroger Grocery Store in The Woodlands, 6700 Woodlands Pkwy, The Woodlands, TX 77382

• Saturday 8am – 2pm & Sunday 11am – 4pm 

We also need 4 volunteers for 2 hours shifts each day… Saturday 8-10am, 10-12am, and 12-2pm. Also Sunday 11-1pm, 1-3 pm and then 2-4pm.

PLEASE fill out EMAIL me if you can help! * Saturday 8-12 is filled. Need Saturday 12-2 and ALL DAY Sunday! mylitter@mac.com

** NO CLOTHING IS BEING ACCEPTED **

This WAS my office, and it is now full, so we have moved to filling the library!

Please go HERE for more information and what items are need!

::UPDATE – PLEASE READ!!!:: 

Jake’s Finer Foods has generously offered a driver and semi truck for a trip to Moore, OK and we are helping them fill the truck!!! BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!! 

We will be at the Kroger Grocery Store in The Woodlands, 6700 Woodlands Pkwy, The Woodlands, TX 77382

• Saturday 8am – 2pm & Sunday 11am – 4pm 

::This is what they need::

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Soap laundry detergent
• New towels and wash clothes
• Toiletries – Shampoo, conditioner, razors etc.
• Baby items – Diapers, wipes, etc.
• New pillows
• Sheets and blankets
• CLEANING SUPPLIES!!!
• Paper Towels
• Trash Bags
• Pet Food
• NO CLOTHING!!!!

Thank you to: 

• Maria at Harmony School for getting the word out!
• Football Coaches from Cypress Falls High School!
• Shelly at Consolidated for making it an office wide project!
• Heather from Freebies4Mom for dropping off items!
• Kaylene, from Clements High School and Highlands Elementary for letting them know how they can help. Her kids at the High School LOVE to help with projects like this! Way to go!
• The ladies who already brought in supplies this morning!

This is the deal, we will be working with a Disciples of Christ church near Moore as a location to where we are dropping off these items. People will be getting some help from the Red Cross as far as gift cards to get supplies and some clothing. We are trying to help them get through until they start getting insurance help.

They will not be needing home items at this time.

Think, “what would you need to help your family with basic needs…” Bedding is ALWAYS needed, items in good or NEW condition. SOCKS! Toiletries and wipes are ALWAYS wanted!

See how to make a hygiene kit HERE. 

I will be at The Woodlands Christian church all day tomorrow. You can email me at mylitter@mac.com with any questions.

::Helpful Tips::

• Red Cross – Register and find friends and family
• Oklahoma Fans Facebook Page 
• Salvation Army
• U-Haul offering 30 Days Free Storage to OK victims
• The Salvation Army care for disaster survivors and first responders. Text STORM to 80888 to donate $10 to the recovery and relief efforts.
• In an emergency you want to text, not call because it uses less tower frequency and leaves the lines open for emergency personnel.
• Also, if you want to donate to aid agencies, go online… don’t text – online donations get there faster, text donations have to be billed through the cell phone companies and take longer to get there.

You might remember that we went to China last year to visit my parents, it was AWESOME! We spent most of a day walking the great wall and probably MAYBE went 5 miles… IT IS NOT FLAT. For some reason I guess I thought it was. But it is STEPS all the way, and up and down hills.

And yes, it is a WALL. In the middle of a forest on a mountain range.

Have I mentioned how it is NOT flat yet?? And the steps… oh the steps… they are NOT even. I cursed the men 2,000 years ago who built it with their bare hands! Why not make the steps a perfect 13 inches apart? Huh?!

I have never ran a marathon. I don’t plan on it, I am a horrible runner. I don’t run unless I am being chased and even then I probably would have to take my chances and fight someone off, because I am not running.

I did a 1/2 marathon once. I had a horrible time of something along 3 hours. I actually came in at the same time a friend of ours ran a full marathon. Awesome.

My sister likes to run. Weird. She was just down here for a 1/2 marathon in the Woodlands 2 months ago.

This is me looking up (I am standing) at my kids in front of me. IT IS NOT FLAT. Have I said that?

My aunt Jody and her 3 kids are in China also. They are all runners and in fact my aunt did an IRON MAN a few years ago and regularly does triathlons. My cousins also are runners. Hunter just graduated from high school and has a swimming scholarship for college. So they know what they are doing. I tried to warn them!

The next photos are going to be a little fuzzy, because they are slowly trickling in from cell phones and Instagram from China.

This is the FINSIH line!

From my Dad this morning:

Had to get up at 2:45am to run Hunter to the hotel across town to catch the bus to the marathon. We took the moped and got lost in the city. Had about 10 mins left before the bus left so we found a taxi, I called the apartment front desk for translation. Hunter jumped into the taxi and it took off for I don’t know where! I have to go home and tell his mom I dumped him in a cab at 3:20am in a foreign city of 25million, with No cell phone and 5 bucks in his hand. Fortunately he made it to the hotel and got on the bus, all by himself. Literally, he was the only one on that bus going to the Great Wall marathon. Hunter got 1st place in the 18-21 age group and Hudson got 4th in the 16-18 age group. I got no sleep worrying about where I lost my nephew!!

Anna on Instagram: Just us and 2697 of our closest running buddies!!! Headed to the start and couldn’t be more nervous and thrilled!!!

Anna on Instagram: Off to the start!!!! With Jody and Maddie.

Anna and Jody – Got 8km to go, all uphill…

Anna and Jody – photo stop before climbing again

Anna’s husband Jeff and Tristan waiting at the finish line.

My cousins Maddie and Hunter. Maddie did the 10k and Hudson did the marathon coming 1st in his age group 18-21!

Maddie again and her brother/my cousin Hudson. Hudson got 4th in his age group for the marathon 16- 18 year olds!

They all made it and look good!

The Great Wall marathon is considered a SUPER Marathon. The course is much tougher than traditional marathons there are 5,164 stone steps and many very steep ascents and descents along the way. In fact, Jody said it was harder than the Iron Man.

They are all asleep right now, so I didn’t get as much info as I wanted.. It was amazing and I am SO PROUD of them! Anna is a rock star and kicks some butt! I am sure she will do a cool write up over at CuteMomStuff when she can get some decent internet.

You can follow Anna on Instagram HERE and you can follow me at MyLitter HERE. You can also catch Anna over at Dollar Store Deals and Cute Mom Stuff ( her Fashion blog) when she can get some internet in China!

I woke up this morning and my husband said, “Happy Anniversary! Can you believe we have been married 17 years?” I replied, “Can you believe we got married when I was 10?”

“Your a freaking liar, you were 11, because you are 28 now :)” He says back.

And then our room was full of kids who needed something.

10 Things I love about my husband:

• He must like me fat, because he always brings me home frozen yogurt (he hates it) and Sonic slushies.
• Paul can change a dirty diaper on his lap when there is no changing table available and the person next to him won’t even realize it.
• He has never asked me about the condition of the house. If he has had to push a door open because there was so much stuff on the floor he says, “Wow, you guys had fun today!” and isn’t being sarcastic.
• Everything I cook is “this is the BEST …. I have ever had!”
• I can leave for 5 days for work, leave him with 7 kids and not prepare a thing for him before I leave, or write down the kids schedule. Then while I am gone listen to my friends freak out the whole time about their husbands with 1-2 kids who can’t handle it and are demanding that they leave and come home. Or had to find in-laws to come and help because the Dad had no idea what to do.
• Paul delivered 3 of our kids himself (on purpose!) and assisted with the others.
• He can do a ponytail like no ones business and find a matching bow!
• Once, a week after having a baby I got out of the shower, he looked at me and said, “You are so beautiful” and I know he really meant it. It made me cry.
• Paul says family prayer with the kids every night.
• Sports movies, solider homecoming videos, and ESPN highlight reels make him cry.

THIS IS TODAY!

Saturday is Stamp Out Hunger day. To contribute, simply leave your donations at your mailbox for the carrier to pick up during his or her regular rounds.  They suggest canned soup, meats and fish, vegetables, fruits and juices. Boxed cereal, pasta and rice are also welcome

This is the LARGEST food drive in the country! Want to know more? Go HERE.

Beyond the Call of Duty…

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is a nationwide effort that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. Food banks across the country continue to experience record demand for emergency food assistance.

The nation’s 210,000 letter carriers will collect food donations left at the mailboxes of generous Americans in more than 10,000 communities and deliver them to food banks and other hunger relief organizations.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the nation’s largest single- day food drive, having collected more than one billion pounds of food since its inception in 1993. In 2011, generous Americans donated 70.2 million pounds of food, which marked the eighth consecutive year that at least 70 million pounds were collected.

Campbell Soup Company will kick off this year’s food drive with a pledge to donate one million pounds of food to Feeding America.