My Long Long Day...

Today has been one of the longest day's I've had in a long time!  We had one of my son's best friends spend the night last night and after making a fort and staying up til after 12 they finally fell asleep!  So somewhere around 12:30 I got to bed.  I woke up at 4:30 to the light in the hall bathroom being on.  I thought someone needed the restroom no biggie and layed there waiting for the sounds of sleepy going back to sleep... I heard instead kids not so quietly whispering and making a lot of noise.  So, I get up to check out what's up.  They are dressed with their backpacks full of nerf guns on their backs like their about to head out on a great hunting trip! I let them know that this really isn't going to work for me and they better get back to bed!  Hello! It's 4 in the morning not ok to wake the sleepy Mommy with this sort of thing... So, I go get back in bed and listen to make sure they are doing what they are told.  After 2 more times of going in and getting on to them. I move to the couch because at least this way there is no way to sneak past me and maybe I'll be able to get a little more sleep.  It worked!  Thank you Jesus!  Then here comes my almost 3 year old awake looking for Mommy.  I bring her to the couch with me forget it we'll snuggle and maybe snooze a little.  Who needs sleep anyway... really!

Thank goodness I was able to prolong the snuggles and snoozing until about 7:30 when they all came out and started asking for drinks and food.  :-)  That's ok because shortly after this they went outside to play.

Extra kiddo get's picked up and older son goes with them to watch his friend play at his football game.  We eat lunch and get ready for younger sons Soccer game.  It was SO HOT!  96 degrees to be exact.  To hot to be outside watching 5 and 6 year olds run around chasing a soccer ball.  Sorry I think I just won the worst coach ever awards, but sometimes it's just to hot to be out for that sort of thing.  Poor kids were red in the face.  We were short 3 kids so 3 kids got to play extra which normally they would love, but in this heat by the end of the game they were begging for it to be over already!  They held in there and gave it their all.  :-)

We headed home and shortly after getting home I headed to the grocery stores to get our weekly groceries.  6 stores and 4 hours later I pull in the drive!  We unload the groceries and get them put away.  My sweet little angel had fallen asleep in the car on the way home from soccer so when we came in I layed her down for a little nap.  So, late nap equals up til 11pm not wanting to go to sleep. UGH  I am so ready to go to crash right now, but Mommy duty is not done yet.

My youngest son turns 6 tomorrow!  I am printing labels to put on cookies to send for school birthday celebrating tomorrow!  I love him... I love him a lot... other wise I'd so be in bed right now!  LOL  The things we do for our kids!  He is so excited to have a birthday celebration with all his new friends at school!  I may sound grumpy and tired in this post but this long long day has been good and I am truly blessed to have so much to be grateful for!

TTFN
April

My Clumsy Self and I... Laundry Soap Pods Fail!

Happy Hump Day Everyboy!

So, my goal yesterday and today during the day has been to get caught up on laundry after a super busy weekend where I completely ignored the laundry!  (In my house that means the always present mountain of laundry has grown ALARMINGLY HIGH!) I was admittedly in a hurry starting the next load in the washer when the clumsies attacked!

Ok... so I am always looking to save money, but lately if it makes things run smoother and quicker I have been willing to pay a little more. So, I decided to get these cool laundry pods instead of making my own laundry soap (like I have been doing for about a year now).  I've been using them for about a week and loving that it's a simple grab and toss into the washer. It's great unless you have these darn clumsy genes that have been lovingly passed onto you!  (Love you Mamma!)  

So, I reached up to grab a pod out of the container to toss into the washer and knocked the whole bucket over... pouring about 10 pods into the washer!  Yikes!  I reached in and started fishing out little slippery pods... slippery as they had started to dissolve instantly when in contact with water!  I got about 5 out when the ones in my hand started to leak!  All the time visions of soap pouring out of my washer all over the place if I don't get these out of here... surely that is way to much soap!  So, I got all but two out... plus a little leaking between my fingers.  I dashed to the sink to dispose of the rest of them as there was no saving them now... they were a congealed leaking blob in my hand at this point.  

I washed the blob off of my hand and started adding clothes.  So far no bubbles are pouring out of the washer so hopefully I escaped that nightmare with this clumsy experience... this time!

Hopefully your day is less exciting and clumsy as mine!  :-)

TTFN
April

No More Binkie! Day 1

I decided today is the day!  Today we start no more binkie!  I've been thinking it is time to get Chaeli off of her binkie for a while, but knowing what I am getting into with her teething on top of the whining that will go on for a few days I just haven't felt up to it.  I decided today is the day.  It's not going to get any easier!  

So far it hasn't been to... bad  She fussed some but I kept crackers handy and tried to keep her busy and distracted.  Nap was a little bit hard.  She cried, but she did fall asleep after a little bit.  Daddy went and snuggled her for a minute since I was in the middle of lunch with the other kiddos.  She loves to get Daddy snuggles!  :-)  

What do you think?  I know there are lots of opinions on if kiddos should have a binkie or not.  My oldest had a binkie for a short while, but changed over to sucking his fingers early on. (BTW it's much easier to take away a binkie than sucking fingers in my opinion!)  My second had a binkie but we weaned him off of it easily pretty early.  Mrs. Chaeli just loves her binkie!  I just don't want her to turn out like her Mamma and almost go to Kindergarten with it! LOL

Where does all the time go?

I find myself again today wondering where did the time go? My baby girl is turning 1 in one week! How did that go by so fast?

Truthfully I know how it happens...
It goes something like this:

Somewhere between 5:30 and 6 Wake up and get ready ( this actually is a lot more like hurry to put my self together good enough so I don't look like I just rolled out of bed when my babysitting kids start arriving because I slept in just a little to long... Again )

6:30 wake up boys to start getting ready for school...( this involves facing walking through the jungle of boy stuff all on the floor, dodging the play pen that didn't get put up from the day before, all in the dark while being bombarded by what can only be described as a boys room musk! Ewww) Start coffee, make lunches, pack younger boys backpack, check weather, start laundry, make my breakfast, get baby up, change baby, sit baby in high chair with breakfast

6:45 wake up boys again tell them what the weather will be like.( particularly important to remind my middle boy that this means he needs to wear pants and long sleeves or what ever is appropriate) Make younger of the two sit up in bed, eat my breakfast (quickly while doing other things) make breakfast for younger boys as they are both up now, down first cup of coffee( if I haven't finished my first cup by this point we're are all in trouble)

7 wake up oldest boy again threaten to get ice cubes if necessary! Prod middle boy along are you done eating, get your shoes on, hurry up buddy! Get baby dressed

7:20ish babysitting kids start to arrive, chatting with parents so I know how kiddos are doing, etc, continue to prod middle boy along

7:30 wake husband, continue to prod middle boy along, rinse dishes, general craziness has started, youngest boy wants cartoon, babies are all underfoot, or getting into stuff.....

7:40 wake husband again you have to get up and take kids to school... Now!

7:45 boys out the door on the way to school. Feed babysitting kids that need breakfast
At this point it varies day to day but involves a lot of chasing babies, changing diapers, getting juice and snacks, cleaning high chair, kissing boo boos, giving hugs, trying to squeeze in all the millions of other things I need to get done, starting cartoons, putting babies down for naps, and really a ton more! 

By the time the kids are picked up I am usually pretty wiped out, but the day is not over there is still cleaning up, making dinner, getting homework done, eating dinner, ( if there is any events like football practice or choir concerts this just adds to the fun!)kids bathed, quiet time ( which is just quiet time watching a show as a family) getting kids to sleep. Trying to squeeze in folding clothes, cleaning, and whatever I can before I pass out in bed!

How could a day like this go by in a flash... I don't really know since looking at this now I am thinking it's no wonder I feel over whelmed a lot of times, but that said... It does go by in a flash.

So my baby girl is turning 1 and in a way it went by so fast. I am excited! My girl is such a sweetie and I am loving watching her grow and learn. Her little personality blooms more each day! She is so fun! I knew it would go fast, it really did! I just keep trying to make the most of each day, remember the big moments, and continue to be so grateful that I get to be here with her everyday to see and share those big moments!!

The Difference of A Peace Filled Mind!

Howdy!  

It's Wednesday!  Which all by it self makes today a great day!  I can remember when I was in elementary school my Mom would tell me, "It's hump day your half way there."  I was not a fan of school until a little later in my schooling years so getting me up to go to school I am sure was a bit of a chore.  Somehow knowing you are half way there makes you feel like you can get going and face the day.  

This week has been remarkable better than last week.  Which, really would have been pretty easy to do. I am so glad that things are looking up though. I think it is matter of state of mind more than anything.  The past few weeks... probably more like a month I have just been in a weird funk.  Do you go through times like that?  I was grumpy!  Personally, I am going through some trials that are really hard, frustrating, and have me on an emotional roller coaster.  High, High's and Low Low's, and they could be within minutes of each other. I would start the day off just feeling down and it would just get worse from there.  Then, the added stress of kids, laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc., etc., etc.   I knew what was going on, but I couldn't seem to drag myself out of it.  I prayed, I knew that I needed to stop stressing, I knew that all will be OK I just couldn't get to my happy place.  

What has changed? Well, a lot more praying!  Also, realizing that no matter what... I really don't like being unhappy all the time and it was making everything else that I go through on a daily basis so much harder.  I felt so out of my element... I am usually a happy person no matter what is going on.  (You know one of those happy people who always see's the good in the situation even if it's a bad one.) I thought I had given it to God, but I continued to take it back and stress over it. Which, I knew was a really bad idea and would not help, but... It was like when I tell my kids no and they keep on and on saying but, but, but.  I just couldn't let it go.  I (think) I have given it completely over now.  That has relieved a great deal of stress.  When I got to the point of... it really doesn't matter because it will all work out (and it all really is out of my control anyway)  I knew and know this, as it has happened repeatedly in my life. I just didn't want to let this one go.  

What could possibly get the "happy to a fault" girl down.  Well, I don't really get a break these days from babies.  Which is a good thing and a bad thing all at once.  I love taking care of kids.  It is an amazing blessing!  It is also the hardest job I have ever had.  I love these kiddo's so much!  There are days... some days it is really hard to stay "up"!  Teething babies, toddlers that are curious and getting into something every waking moment.  They are all girls and they are seriously mean little buggers sometimes.  Then you blink and they are the sweetest most innocent wonderful little munchkins ever!  LOL  High High's and Low Low's.  Then you add in some stress from the outside world.  Such as school just started and my teenager has all sorts of things that he needs money for(not like 5-10 bucks more like hundreds.) Another huge stress has been that I can't seem to fill or keep my spots filled for my daycare.  It makes it pretty hard to continue to do something even if I love it if it is not paying the bills.  I love the families that I care for. I have made great friendships that I don't want to loose.  I love the kids I care for.  When I think about not getting to be at home with my kiddos it rips my heart out!  Plus, I start to go down the road of I can't get everything done now and I am home all day... how in the world am I going to get it all done if I am not here.  Ya, that pretty much sums up the "stuff" that got this happy girl down.  

This week is a tone better.  I have let it go.  It is in God's hands and where I land will be where I should be.  I am making each moment last (as I should do everyday no matter what) I am making sure that at night I get some "me" time.  I have also found that getting outside helped a lot for me.  It is getting cooler so it is nice outside and I feel so much better when I have gotten some fresh air.  Spending time everyday doing something I enjoy.  I love taking pictures, reading, and writing.  I have made sure that I have gotten to do at least one of these things everyday. The money stresses... I have decided that it will work out.  Either I will find a job that pays better, or I'll get another kiddo to watch, or maybe both, or who knows really, but I know it will work out.  It's not my money it's God's money anyway.  

I also realized that the things that are really important have been taken care of.  We have a roof over our heads, we have clothes, food, our health.  All of the things that are most important have always been taken care of.  Sure, I'd like to not have to figure out what can get paid, and what must wait.  I'd love to be able to do, get, much more than we do.  Yet, those things are not as important as the time, love, and fun I show and have with my family.  So the happy girl is back!  :-)  

 The difference in my state of mind has been a peace filled mind.  I have given my worries to my God!  I have faith all will be well.  The peace that I have fills my days with joy instead of heartache and worry.  If you are struggling with stress no matter how big I encourage you to give it to God and see what a difference a peace filled mind can make. 


TTFN!
April

A Day for Remembering

Today is the 13th anniversary of 9/11.  Before sending off my kids to school today we talked a little about what today is and what it means.  Why we remember and why we are more cautious today.  My teen knew and though he was very young when 9/11 happened he remembers.  My 2nd grader understands, but I think it's important to talk about this with him. He has never lived in a world that terrorism is not very real.  He does not have a memory of what America was like before 9/11, but I do want him to know why it is important for us to remember this day.  

I think it is important to remember because as time passes the sting of this event maybe fades a little, but I don't ever want it to fade so much that we do not remember that there are people in this world that hate American's.  People who hate and want to hurt us.  We are aware but not afraid of this.  We live our lives today like we would any day, but perhaps we are a little more cautious.  More aware of our surroundings.  More aware of the people around us.  I know for me I feel a deep pride in my Country.  Being American is a privilege and a blessing.

I love seeing the patriotism that is shown today.  It makes me a little sad that we don't show this amount of pride everyday.  Being an American is much more than living in America.  Being American means you understand the sacrifices that have been made through out history up to and including today that make this country great and free.  America is more than a place.  America is it's people.  It's real people the ones who would fight right now to protect our people, land, and way of life.  American people are fierce, loyal, protective, hardworking, smart, creative, spiritual, and really so much more.  So really 9/11 isn't only about remembering that we were attacked and many innocent people died.  It is also about remembering that these people who would try to bring down and hurt America tried, and they failed.  We came back stronger than ever.  

So, no matter what may happen today.  America remembers and always will.  

April

It's Monday!?!?!?!?

my two youngest and I playing!

It's Monday and with every Monday comes that uggh I have so much to do feeling... and I'm tired already!  That's OK.  It only took me a little while to get motivated and organized today so I am on track.  

How was your weekend?  Mine was... busy... it always is!  Let see to recap...  

Friday it rained!!  Yes this is a big deal around here.  We live in the Texas Panhandle and we have been in drought for a while now.  Rain is good!  We went to one of our favorite burger places in town and ate dinner with my Aunt.  It is so good to catch up!  My oldest (we sometimes call him "The Teenager" since he's the only Teen in the house right now)  The Teenager was wanting to go to a Homecoming Game for one of the local schools (neither team was "his" team).  This was completely to spend time with his girlfriend.  Being that I remember what it was like to be in high school and make those special memories that you will remember for every and ever... I was ok with it him going. Yet, not really OK with the fact that this school was on the opposite side of town.  Anyway long story short he went but there was much Teenage Drama and Teenage Mistake made to where The Teenager was in big doo doo when it was time to get him. It is way to much to go into in this post, but I feel a Teenage Rant coming on so stay tuned!  All is well now, but uggh Teenagers!

Saturday was filled with making the meal plan, grocery list, and actually going to the grocery store.  I don't know about you guys but going to the grocery store is exhausting!  I tried something new this time.  I've been thinking about doing this for a while but money is always an issue and I am still not completely convinced that the little added cost is worth it.  Instead of shopping at one Mega Superstore (aka Wallyworld)  I went to Target and our local grocery store.  The thought was that it would be less crowded, stressful, and the overall experience would be a lot better.  Now Target was pretty good as far as the crowds and experience.  I've always loved Target.  I can't say that the local grocery store was less crowded than Wal-Mart would have been because it was packed!  Then trying to find things in the store and the items available being different.  I am not 100% sold on it so we shall see...  Saturday night I had planned on getting some things done, but fell asleep snuggling my little G man and didn't wake up until 11!  Oh, well...

Sunday was filled with new classes at church, and a great service.  Once we got home we worked on getting some items up in the attic, and moving our old dryer out and the new to us dryer in.(thank you Nan Nan and Paw Paw for the new to us dryer)  The Teenager did a great job moving stuff around.  Sunday evening I made a new meal that I saw on Pintrest!  We discussed a small tweek that we will do next time and then it will be perfect! (and then I will share it here for all of you to try it!)  My hubby's brother came over to help with a toilet issue (he's a plumber so that is so so helpful!)  He stayed for dinner!  More catching up and visiting!  Kids in bed and ready for the new week and then my hubby and I sat down to watch my show!  I am a huge fan of the Outlander series by Diana Gaboldon and it has recently been made into a show on Starz.  I am loving it!  They have done a great job!  Then it was off to bed for me.  

Busy but good weekend!

So now it's Monday and I have so much to get done.  On the list for today:
Laundry, Go to the Bank, get a prescription filled, Write! :-), post about my kiddos fundraiser(hey do you want to buy some overpriced popcorn, or maybe some chocolate?  It's for a good cause!), Clean bathrooms, and if I have time vacuum. This is of course on top of and when there is any free moment while taking care of kiddos! Ahh let the running around like a chicken with my head cut off begin!  LOL


TTFN
April