My driver's license is lost (perhaps somewhere between Chicago and KC on the way back from vacation)? My passport is expired and must be mailed off for renewal. I need it in 8 wks but I haven't sent off yet because I thought I could use it at the driver's license bureau as a form of ID. Today was the day I was gong to get my replacement driver's license (and finally update my address while at it). As I'm dropping my kids off at my mom's, I call to doublecheck and see what I need for a lost ID and change of address. Turns out a passport must be current for them to accept it. Crap. I drive back home again to retrieve the safe doposit box keys. I then drive over to my old bank across town in search of my birth certificate and social security card in the safe deposit box. Thank goodness those forms of ID don't expire until you do. (notice a pattern here? All of driving it is taking to get a replacement driver's license?)
Suddenly I remember I can't get into the safe deposit box without ID. But alas I have my old passport. I hand it to the attendant hoping it doesn't matter if it is expired. I'm in and find my birth certificate but no social security card. Dang it. So now in my possession, in a highly secured institution, I am holding an expired passport, an original birth certificate, a marriage certificate and every other freaking important document that belongs to either my husband or me that says I am who I am, but without my social security card I still can not get my driver's license. So once again I get behind the wheel of my car and drive home in search of me.
Luckily, my social security card was exactly where I thought it was at home. Not where it should be, but where I remember it being.
Okay, now here's what I find ironic: the National Passport Center accepts an expired passport as the only necessary form of ID for renewal by mail without seeing you. You don't even have to prove that the picture you're providing as a renewal picture is still you. The state of KS won't accept an expired passport even as a 2nd form in person. I could travel the world on my word that I say I am still who I say I am, but I cannot be reissued a state license even with proof of national identification....for a card that is still current and already in the system. Even more ironic - I'm driving all over town trying to gather my identify before going to bureau for a replacement card.
At least the bank let me use my old passport to get into the safe deposit box. I didn't point out the fact that it was expired. Had she known I was going to close the safe deposit box account she may not have let me use it. Now where would that have gotten me? Not far, well, at least not without a driver's license.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Lessons we've learned on our Adventure...so far
So the days have passed quickly since leaving KCMO last Wednesday. Even with the best intentions to post updates on a blog, co-managing seven children under the age of three means that there is no time to do that. However, yesterday Courtney posted a Facebook status update that inspired us to add to it. I would say that the following sums it up, but there is so much more...so very much more. But here is a start:
Courtney Eiterich:
I have learned a few life lessons this week.
1) sextuplets is not an option
2) potty training should be left to professionals
3) must have a "respite" even on vacation. (for you TV)
4) why is it called free time? You have to pay a sitter.
5) sometimes time is measured in naps
6) at 3, life is good.
7) makes you appreciate 9 (miss you aydan)
Sonya Hooper:
8) Meltdowns will occur. Whether it you or the children depends upon the time of day and whether snacks are involved.
9) After 6 days your methods of handling conflict may very well change. For example, when a child runs to you and says, "so and so hit me", on day one you might say, "was it an accident" or "did you tell him/her that that was not nice". By day 6 you find yourself saying "So."
10) Never leave home without a cel phone, band-aids, extra underwear, the potette and plenty of snacks
Bethany Pedigo:
11) Never, ever feed the geese (they're mean)
12) Singing is a GREAT way to get seven children under the age of 4 to sit still... for about 3 seconds.
13) when it comes to pooping in the potty, a 17 month old girl can show up any 3 year old boy out there - go Audrey go!
Sonya Hooper:
14) It is possible to bathe 7 children in ten minutes if Bethany does it and we tag team drying and dressing.
15) You can't have too many "Mater" trucks.
Courtney Eiterich:
I have learned a few life lessons this week.
1) sextuplets is not an option
2) potty training should be left to professionals
3) must have a "respite" even on vacation. (for you TV)
4) why is it called free time? You have to pay a sitter.
5) sometimes time is measured in naps
6) at 3, life is good.
7) makes you appreciate 9 (miss you aydan)
Sonya Hooper:
8) Meltdowns will occur. Whether it you or the children depends upon the time of day and whether snacks are involved.
9) After 6 days your methods of handling conflict may very well change. For example, when a child runs to you and says, "so and so hit me", on day one you might say, "was it an accident" or "did you tell him/her that that was not nice". By day 6 you find yourself saying "So."
10) Never leave home without a cel phone, band-aids, extra underwear, the potette and plenty of snacks
Bethany Pedigo:
11) Never, ever feed the geese (they're mean)
12) Singing is a GREAT way to get seven children under the age of 4 to sit still... for about 3 seconds.
13) when it comes to pooping in the potty, a 17 month old girl can show up any 3 year old boy out there - go Audrey go!
Sonya Hooper:
14) It is possible to bathe 7 children in ten minutes if Bethany does it and we tag team drying and dressing.
15) You can't have too many "Mater" trucks.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Potty on in Paducah
According to the cars navigational system and the old-style AAA trip tick we have on hand, it should take twelve hours and thirty minutes to reach our destination. Ummm. Well in that case we should be there by now. Instead we are just on the other side of Paducah, Kentucky. Just over half way. Oh yeah.
So the first leg of our trip lasted a "little" longer than expected. In case you've ever wondered it is possible to take more than four hours to get to Columbia from KC and that is without any stops other than gas and potty breaks. We took a lot of potty breaks. I guess that is what happens when three of the four kids that are travelling are still in training mode. Crossing our fingers....no accidents so far.
Ready for the second half of our trip we stopped in paducah, Kentucky and had what you might call a potty party. Each kid took a turn using the. Potette, a portable potty that transforms from safety ring to a free standing potty with disposable bags. While we regrouped and refueled at a convenience store each kid did his or her business successfully with the mini van door open. Who would have thought that a plastic trash bag with what looks like a glorified sanitary napkin would be one of two saving graces. (Of course the other being a dual DVD entertainment system that can run two different movies simultaneously.) Telling others the premise of our adventure during our stop certainly gave them a good laugh. What can we say? Potty on in Paducah.
So the first leg of our trip lasted a "little" longer than expected. In case you've ever wondered it is possible to take more than four hours to get to Columbia from KC and that is without any stops other than gas and potty breaks. We took a lot of potty breaks. I guess that is what happens when three of the four kids that are travelling are still in training mode. Crossing our fingers....no accidents so far.
Ready for the second half of our trip we stopped in paducah, Kentucky and had what you might call a potty party. Each kid took a turn using the. Potette, a portable potty that transforms from safety ring to a free standing potty with disposable bags. While we regrouped and refueled at a convenience store each kid did his or her business successfully with the mini van door open. Who would have thought that a plastic trash bag with what looks like a glorified sanitary napkin would be one of two saving graces. (Of course the other being a dual DVD entertainment system that can run two different movies simultaneously.) Telling others the premise of our adventure during our stop certainly gave them a good laugh. What can we say? Potty on in Paducah.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wow! That's Crazy!
Here we go. T- minus seven hours and counting until Courtney and Sonya's "adventure" begins. We're taking a roadtirp from Kansas City to Kingsport, Tennessee. Not just any roadtrip, but a 12 hour funfest with just the two of us and our four three-year-olds. When I've mentioned our plans to others, without fail, the response has either been "Wow!" and/or "That's Crazy" (with a few variations including "Wow, that's crazy.", "Are you crazy?" or even "Wow, you're crazy."
It makes me chuckle to think about it. I wouldn't call what we are doing a vacation. Really, now. Did you hear the part about FOUR three-year-olds?
We are going to visit another mom of twins with another set of 3 year olds, plus a one-year-old who recently moved from our area to Tennessee. Yes, that's right: 3 moms, 3 sets of 3-year old twins plus a one-year-old. So while we expect to have a great time reconnecting and enjoying each others company, to call it a vacation doesn't really seem fitting. So we began calling our impending trip "our adventure."
I think the only real vacations to be had while we are gone will be those experienced by our husbands staying behind. I already warned my love that if he took a week of vacation from work while I was gone, I would likely return to kick his butt. He jokes (and he better be joking) that he and his friend are heading west to visit Arches National Park and to see the premier of the final Harry Potter movie while we are gone. Those would NOT be wise things to do in my absence. Don't get me wrong, I want him to have a relaxing time while he gets a quiet house to himself for the first time in three years, but seeing the last HP movie without me would cross the line.
Back to the point at hand, I must be a little crazy. Because, truth be told, I am really looking forward to our adventure. And now with bags left to pack and a departure time estimated at 6 a.m. the wow factor and craziness is getting even closer. Wish us luck!
It makes me chuckle to think about it. I wouldn't call what we are doing a vacation. Really, now. Did you hear the part about FOUR three-year-olds?
We are going to visit another mom of twins with another set of 3 year olds, plus a one-year-old who recently moved from our area to Tennessee. Yes, that's right: 3 moms, 3 sets of 3-year old twins plus a one-year-old. So while we expect to have a great time reconnecting and enjoying each others company, to call it a vacation doesn't really seem fitting. So we began calling our impending trip "our adventure."
I think the only real vacations to be had while we are gone will be those experienced by our husbands staying behind. I already warned my love that if he took a week of vacation from work while I was gone, I would likely return to kick his butt. He jokes (and he better be joking) that he and his friend are heading west to visit Arches National Park and to see the premier of the final Harry Potter movie while we are gone. Those would NOT be wise things to do in my absence. Don't get me wrong, I want him to have a relaxing time while he gets a quiet house to himself for the first time in three years, but seeing the last HP movie without me would cross the line.
Back to the point at hand, I must be a little crazy. Because, truth be told, I am really looking forward to our adventure. And now with bags left to pack and a departure time estimated at 6 a.m. the wow factor and craziness is getting even closer. Wish us luck!
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