To the handful of people who have inquired about my pregnancy. Thank you. To the people who point out a stray grey hair. Thank you. I am not pregnant, but I am getting older. Again, thank you for reminding me.
The self esteem is at an all time low.
9/23/2009
9/22/2009
9/19/2009
Company Picnic time
The girls and I are headed out to Six Flags on Sunday for my company's picnic. Each of us get Daffy Dollars, unlimited drinks for the day, and a Six Flags photo. We get a catered lunch and a raffle for prizes afterwards. I'm not sure how the kids will handle the rides, but there are plenty of them to choose from. I need to see how tall Haley is so that I will know ahead of time what she will and will not be able to ride on. We are all very excited! I haven't been to Six Flags since Madison was a toddler!!
9/14/2009
Daydreams
Life is slowly coming together. Ben and I are slowly putting down on paper what kinds of things we want to put into a house. It's interesting to notice the little things that "we had to have" ten years ago compared to what we want today. There are still some things that are surprising! I think when we start to think of houses, we are really trying to capture all of the little things that we had as a child. We need to have this or that so that we can feel warm, safe, and happy in our house, just like we did when we were little or when we were at Grandma's house. Sometimes we talk and we want a HUGE house, and sometimes we want a small and cozy hobbit house. I think we have agreed on something in between! He has been home since the beginning of August and i have loved spending time with him. Six weeks straight. I am really going to miss him when he's gone next week. (and most of October for that matter)
The school year is off to a wild start! I couldn't wait until the kids got older; surely things would calm down when they could do for themselves. I couldn't be more wrong. Madison is the busiest, hands down. She is a freshman in high school and everything is new and fun and exciting. Her day starts at 6am, swim practice at UTA, and finishes at 6pm with after school marching band practice with the color guard. Fridays are football games, and Saturdays will be swim meets and/or marching contests. She was supposed to start going to her girl scout meetings on Tuesdays, but I have her out of that until October. Ben and I are going to a confirmation class at church on Tuesday nights through September, and we needed a babysitter. There's a booster club for swimming, band, and choir. Rebecca sings with the children's choir at church, and she had practice on Wednesday evenings. Haley is in the fall softball league and has a game every Tuesday and Thursday through October. I'm not sure when they will be able to practice! Little Lex is along for the crazy ride, and I can't complain. He's a happy boy and doesn't complain about all of the carpooling.
My plan for the rest of the year is to start developing the digital pictures that are sitting on my conputer. Wolf Camera has a special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays that let you get prints for six cents each. I figure if I can get pictures together in groups of 100, it will only cost $6 a week. THEN, I can start using all of my scrapbook kits. I have been getting a kit every month for the past three years and I have only put about ten of them together. I am starting to feel guilty about spending the money and then doing nothing with it.
The girls and I have decided what we are going to make for everyone this Christmas. I have really been talking with them about handmade versus store bought gifts. They always want to go out and buy things for people, which isn't terrible, until they have to spend their money. So I have offered an alternative. I can't say what we will be doing, but it is something that we can make and give to each family group within our big family. BUT, we need to start now if we're going to have enough of a time cushion to get it finished up.
I am really going to try to keep this up! Let me know what you're up to!
xoxo
The school year is off to a wild start! I couldn't wait until the kids got older; surely things would calm down when they could do for themselves. I couldn't be more wrong. Madison is the busiest, hands down. She is a freshman in high school and everything is new and fun and exciting. Her day starts at 6am, swim practice at UTA, and finishes at 6pm with after school marching band practice with the color guard. Fridays are football games, and Saturdays will be swim meets and/or marching contests. She was supposed to start going to her girl scout meetings on Tuesdays, but I have her out of that until October. Ben and I are going to a confirmation class at church on Tuesday nights through September, and we needed a babysitter. There's a booster club for swimming, band, and choir. Rebecca sings with the children's choir at church, and she had practice on Wednesday evenings. Haley is in the fall softball league and has a game every Tuesday and Thursday through October. I'm not sure when they will be able to practice! Little Lex is along for the crazy ride, and I can't complain. He's a happy boy and doesn't complain about all of the carpooling.
My plan for the rest of the year is to start developing the digital pictures that are sitting on my conputer. Wolf Camera has a special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays that let you get prints for six cents each. I figure if I can get pictures together in groups of 100, it will only cost $6 a week. THEN, I can start using all of my scrapbook kits. I have been getting a kit every month for the past three years and I have only put about ten of them together. I am starting to feel guilty about spending the money and then doing nothing with it.
The girls and I have decided what we are going to make for everyone this Christmas. I have really been talking with them about handmade versus store bought gifts. They always want to go out and buy things for people, which isn't terrible, until they have to spend their money. So I have offered an alternative. I can't say what we will be doing, but it is something that we can make and give to each family group within our big family. BUT, we need to start now if we're going to have enough of a time cushion to get it finished up.
I am really going to try to keep this up! Let me know what you're up to!
xoxo
8/12/2009
7/10/2009
Picture post
Alexander and his pinwheel.
Miss Haley couldn't wait to wear all of her July 4th gear.
Miss Rebecca had to have a skirt, with shorts underneath of course.
Madison's first parade! She was so excited and didn't mind the heat or the almost 3 mile walk.
7/02/2009
Where has the time gone??
It's hard to believe that we are getting ready for the Fourth of July. Madison is practicing with the color guard this week in preparation for their parade debut. The camera is emptied of pictures and the battery is charging.
Today is the beginning of a four day weekend for me and the kiddos. Ben is working today but will be free from work starting tomorrow. Today we are working furiously to get the house in order so that we won't have to "work" for the rest of the weekend.
The weekend will consist of watching movies, going to a concert with fireworks, swimming, and grilling. I have two July 4th albums and I want to fill them both with pictures of this fabulous holiday. I don't know why it's one of my favorite times of the year, but I love it. We will put out all of our flags this afternoon and then rest until dinner time. It's way too hot to have the kids out for any amount of time.
In about two weeks, my baby will be two years old. How did this happen?? I can remember his first birthday and it seems like we just had his party. He's walking and talking, riding his tricycle, and colors on everything. I really can't believe it. Time moves faster the older that I get.
Facebook has been interesting. I have found old friends and some not so much of a friends. Most of my family is on there, so you get the good and the bad. :) You can look me up and keep up to date by the minute, if you so choose.
I will do a picture post at the end of the weekend.
Enjoy your Independence and don't forget that it was because of a handful of people who saw that our country was great, and that it should be ours alone to govern. Not many people have the opportunities and freedoms that we sometimes take for granted.
Today is the beginning of a four day weekend for me and the kiddos. Ben is working today but will be free from work starting tomorrow. Today we are working furiously to get the house in order so that we won't have to "work" for the rest of the weekend.
The weekend will consist of watching movies, going to a concert with fireworks, swimming, and grilling. I have two July 4th albums and I want to fill them both with pictures of this fabulous holiday. I don't know why it's one of my favorite times of the year, but I love it. We will put out all of our flags this afternoon and then rest until dinner time. It's way too hot to have the kids out for any amount of time.
In about two weeks, my baby will be two years old. How did this happen?? I can remember his first birthday and it seems like we just had his party. He's walking and talking, riding his tricycle, and colors on everything. I really can't believe it. Time moves faster the older that I get.
Facebook has been interesting. I have found old friends and some not so much of a friends. Most of my family is on there, so you get the good and the bad. :) You can look me up and keep up to date by the minute, if you so choose.
I will do a picture post at the end of the weekend.
Enjoy your Independence and don't forget that it was because of a handful of people who saw that our country was great, and that it should be ours alone to govern. Not many people have the opportunities and freedoms that we sometimes take for granted.
6/20/2009
Facebook...ughh
Facebook.... yeah I am on it. Look me up if you want to be friends. I don't know how active it will be, but I need to know meeting and practice times for M.
6/02/2009
Almost finished!
School is almost over. Activities are finished for the summer. Ben is out of town. I will start my first training session at the gym tomorrow morning. Madison made the color guard at school for next year, and Rebecca took home four academic awards today. I will post pictures on Friday, if I make it that long...
5/26/2009
Memorial Day
Madison and Haley bury Uncle Andrew in the sand.
Rebecca, Haley, and Audrey taking it easy on the beach.
Alexander did not like the beach at all, but he did like having snacks.
Going home, we were sun burnt and tired but it was worth it.
Rebecca, Haley, and Audrey taking it easy on the beach.
Alexander did not like the beach at all, but he did like having snacks.
Going home, we were sun burnt and tired but it was worth it.
We went to South Padre Island for some fun and sun this weekend. We had a blast and the kids did a great job riding in the car. From our house to the condo was a ten hour drive. They all toughed it out and had a great time.
5/22/2009
Picture Pages
I have been on the go every day this week. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.
Haley's field day, Tuesday
First place prize, Hula Hoop
Rebecca's field day, Wednesday
First prize, Tug O War
Madison's Eigth Grade awards were last night and they took group pictures, I am waiting to get those from the teacher. I will post it when I get it.
Haley's field day, Tuesday
First place prize, Hula Hoop
Rebecca's field day, Wednesday
First prize, Tug O War
Madison's Eigth Grade awards were last night and they took group pictures, I am waiting to get those from the teacher. I will post it when I get it.
5/15/2009
5/10/2009
bits and pieces
Here's a brief wrap up of the past two or three weeks.
It started when Ben went out of town. He was going to be out for 12 days. It was a sucker punch because he had been home for over a month and we were all in a routine. Things went smoothly, he was home for dinner, and practice, and anything else that came up during the week. Then, he's out for a long show. Normally when he travels it is for about 7-10 days at a time. It's getting to the point where it's normally 10-12 days per show. Don't get me wrong, we are very thankful that he has a job and is working as much as he does. Every little bit helps.
Where was I....Oh! So now we're all out of schedule since daddy is out of town. He left on Monday, and by Tuesday night all of the error lights on the car are on. I take Wednesday off to get the brakes fixed, but the battery light is still on. I get a new battery and everything is great. Thursday go to work, and when it's time to go home the car won't start. It's not even turning over. The battery is dead, so I beg a ride home from a coworker. Friday, I work from home. Well, that's the plan anyway. I get the girls up for school and they are picked up by the carpool. Alexander is home with me because his eyes are goopy again. Every time he gets green goopy eyes he has an ear infection. He had finished a 10 day round of antibiotics a couple of days before so this is alarming. The girls are out of the house and I call the doc. They want me to bring him in to recheck his ears. Sure enough, instead of one ear being infected, they are both infected. 10 more days on a different antibiotic. Oh yeah, the car! Before we went to the doctor's appointment I had the paople from enterprise rentals pick me up so that I could have a vehicle for the coming week.
The next week goes by without incident. Friday, Ben is flying home, I turn in the rental car, and pick up my car from the shop to go to work.
Third week...It's about 1 in the afternoon on Wednesday and I get a call from the sitter saying that Lex woke up from his nap with a low grade fever. I had been watching for symptoms since Monday. That's when he finished his second round of antibiotics. He had a clear runny nose, and a mucousy cough starting the next day and now low grade fever. I call Ben and he is more than willing to call it a day and pick up the kids early. I put a call in to the doctors office and they want him to be on a stronger antibiotic for another 10 days. AAGGHH!! I was mad. I don't like to give my kids that much medication. I let them run low grade fevers, I let them cough up mucous. I think it's better for their bodies to try and fight the illness and build up the antibodies. By the time Lex is over all of this he will have ha 30 days of medicine, which is ridiculous.
That's my little melodrama for the month. :)
Now, for some little things we're working on. I am slowly but surely getting some of our old things replaced. Last week I bought new bedding for our room, new towels for our bathroom, and new pillows for everyone. There was a sale going on! This week I replaced old silverware, pots, and pans. We have had some of those pans for at least 10 years!! And how do you lose forks? Does anyone else have this problem?
Looking into charter/private schools for the girls. You don't even want to know what goes on in middle schools. It's learning all right, just the unsupervised kinds that you warn your kids about!!
Summer camps are scheduled.
My summer work schedule has been scheduled.
Slowly purging old stuff out of the house and on to goodwill if they are still in working and good condition.
My tomatoes, peppers, and herbs are growing!! I am so flipping excited, I can barely stand it!!
I have accumulated 2 years worth of monthly SB kits, and I have only completed about 8 of them. Need to find time for this.
I should start meeting with a personal trainer this week to do the fitness assessment...aka barely alive...and get onto a work out program. Starting to make healthier food choices for myself and for the family. I don't want them to grow up with the same struggles over food that I have right now.
I hope everyone had a relaxed and wonderful mother's day. I give the gift of blogging. xoxo
It started when Ben went out of town. He was going to be out for 12 days. It was a sucker punch because he had been home for over a month and we were all in a routine. Things went smoothly, he was home for dinner, and practice, and anything else that came up during the week. Then, he's out for a long show. Normally when he travels it is for about 7-10 days at a time. It's getting to the point where it's normally 10-12 days per show. Don't get me wrong, we are very thankful that he has a job and is working as much as he does. Every little bit helps.
Where was I....Oh! So now we're all out of schedule since daddy is out of town. He left on Monday, and by Tuesday night all of the error lights on the car are on. I take Wednesday off to get the brakes fixed, but the battery light is still on. I get a new battery and everything is great. Thursday go to work, and when it's time to go home the car won't start. It's not even turning over. The battery is dead, so I beg a ride home from a coworker. Friday, I work from home. Well, that's the plan anyway. I get the girls up for school and they are picked up by the carpool. Alexander is home with me because his eyes are goopy again. Every time he gets green goopy eyes he has an ear infection. He had finished a 10 day round of antibiotics a couple of days before so this is alarming. The girls are out of the house and I call the doc. They want me to bring him in to recheck his ears. Sure enough, instead of one ear being infected, they are both infected. 10 more days on a different antibiotic. Oh yeah, the car! Before we went to the doctor's appointment I had the paople from enterprise rentals pick me up so that I could have a vehicle for the coming week.
The next week goes by without incident. Friday, Ben is flying home, I turn in the rental car, and pick up my car from the shop to go to work.
Third week...It's about 1 in the afternoon on Wednesday and I get a call from the sitter saying that Lex woke up from his nap with a low grade fever. I had been watching for symptoms since Monday. That's when he finished his second round of antibiotics. He had a clear runny nose, and a mucousy cough starting the next day and now low grade fever. I call Ben and he is more than willing to call it a day and pick up the kids early. I put a call in to the doctors office and they want him to be on a stronger antibiotic for another 10 days. AAGGHH!! I was mad. I don't like to give my kids that much medication. I let them run low grade fevers, I let them cough up mucous. I think it's better for their bodies to try and fight the illness and build up the antibodies. By the time Lex is over all of this he will have ha 30 days of medicine, which is ridiculous.
That's my little melodrama for the month. :)
Now, for some little things we're working on. I am slowly but surely getting some of our old things replaced. Last week I bought new bedding for our room, new towels for our bathroom, and new pillows for everyone. There was a sale going on! This week I replaced old silverware, pots, and pans. We have had some of those pans for at least 10 years!! And how do you lose forks? Does anyone else have this problem?
Looking into charter/private schools for the girls. You don't even want to know what goes on in middle schools. It's learning all right, just the unsupervised kinds that you warn your kids about!!
Summer camps are scheduled.
My summer work schedule has been scheduled.
Slowly purging old stuff out of the house and on to goodwill if they are still in working and good condition.
My tomatoes, peppers, and herbs are growing!! I am so flipping excited, I can barely stand it!!
I have accumulated 2 years worth of monthly SB kits, and I have only completed about 8 of them. Need to find time for this.
I should start meeting with a personal trainer this week to do the fitness assessment...aka barely alive...and get onto a work out program. Starting to make healthier food choices for myself and for the family. I don't want them to grow up with the same struggles over food that I have right now.
I hope everyone had a relaxed and wonderful mother's day. I give the gift of blogging. xoxo
4/25/2009
4/21/2009
Day Two
- filled out my fitness info packet for the gym
- 11501 steps so far today
- did some shopping, bought two workout pants, new socks, and a new outfit for work
- the shoes that i ordered shipped today!!
- my car had a mini stroke and will be fixed tomorrow, I will be working from home
Here's a picture of my new addition:
4/20/2009
Day One
- Use pedometer to track the number of steps that I take daily.
- pick up fitness assessment packet at the gym
- take a walk after dinner
- read new cookbook, make a meal plan for the week
4/10/2009
Good Friday
It doesn't seem to matter how late the kids stay up the night before or that they don't have to wake up early the next morning. Haley and Lex were sitting on the bed next to me at 7am. I scooted over so that they could lay down next to me, but they were in the bed staring at me while I was trying to get back to sleep.
So, we're up for the day and eating our breakfast. I will go to pick up Madison from the church lock in at about 10:30 and I expect that she will be asleep until sometime later this afternoon. Today's game plan is spring cleaning. I need to rotate the kids clothes out of their rooms and into storage bins for next season and I need to take the heavy quilts to the dry cleaners. I need to get into the salon for a bang trim and to the store to find a dress and shoes for church on Sunday. BUT, none of this stresses me out because it is FRIDAY and I am NOT at WORK!
WooHoo and GOOD FRIDAY!
So, we're up for the day and eating our breakfast. I will go to pick up Madison from the church lock in at about 10:30 and I expect that she will be asleep until sometime later this afternoon. Today's game plan is spring cleaning. I need to rotate the kids clothes out of their rooms and into storage bins for next season and I need to take the heavy quilts to the dry cleaners. I need to get into the salon for a bang trim and to the store to find a dress and shoes for church on Sunday. BUT, none of this stresses me out because it is FRIDAY and I am NOT at WORK!
WooHoo and GOOD FRIDAY!
4/08/2009
Bunny cake
One of the ladies that I work with brought this to me this morning! How sweet is that? She thought that the kids would enjoy it. They did.4/05/2009
promised pictures
Lukas Owen Mitcham, he was born on Madi's birthday. 3/23/09
waiting to bat
waiting to bat
Haley in the dugout.4/04/2009
disaster and defeat
Disaster:
Alexander fell down in the living room last night. He broke his other top front tooth. Ben met with the dentist first thing this morning to pull it out.
Defeat:
The girls went to Haley's first tee ball game today. It was awesome. She is the first base girl and she got tagged someone out. Her team, the Super Chicks, beat the other team 15-9. They were so excited and they all played REALLY well. The coaches were surprised that they were able to field the balls and move quickly. My camera has a sports setting that I have been excited to use. It takes three consecutive pictures to capture all of the action. I will post pictures tomorrow.
After church tomorrow, we are off to visit with the newest Mitcham baby. I will post those pictures too!
Alexander fell down in the living room last night. He broke his other top front tooth. Ben met with the dentist first thing this morning to pull it out.
Defeat:
The girls went to Haley's first tee ball game today. It was awesome. She is the first base girl and she got tagged someone out. Her team, the Super Chicks, beat the other team 15-9. They were so excited and they all played REALLY well. The coaches were surprised that they were able to field the balls and move quickly. My camera has a sports setting that I have been excited to use. It takes three consecutive pictures to capture all of the action. I will post pictures tomorrow.
After church tomorrow, we are off to visit with the newest Mitcham baby. I will post those pictures too!
3/31/2009
you asked for it
I rearranged our living room yesterday. Here's the picture of our orange couches! We had the book cases divided up on both sides of our television. I just combined them and moved them to the opposite side of the room. It gives the room a defined living room area and it looks a lot bigger because the book cases aren't breaking up the look of the room. We still need to get some stuff for the walls and new curtains, but I will know what I want when I see it. Until then, we make do with what we've got.
3/30/2009
100 posts
Rangers Game 2008
Buzz cuts are cool!
Haley's trip to the zoo with Kindergarten.
Haley's 6th birthday at The Magic Time Machine. 2/2009
Madi's 14th birthday at the Ranch. 3/20093/29/2009
a year in review
Chinese New Year 2009
Christmas 2008
I made three pies from scratch, cherry, pumpkin, and apple. Thanksgiving 2008
Madison and Rebecca with their first communion class and teachers.
Rebecca and Haley for Halloween 20083/26/2009
Catching up on life...
Alexander is doing well, I think I might have been a bit paranoid after the last doctor's visit. His cough is minimal and he had no fever after Friday. God is good.
Our friends had their son on Madison's birthday, Monday. We are all excited to see him next weekend and welcome him into the clan.
Rebecca is a crazy Wii fit girl. She gets on there every minute she can. She wants to beat everyone's records.
Today, I went to the zoo with Miss Haley belle and her kindergarten class. It was so much fun! They have a new exhibit where you can feed the birds. Of course, you have to buy a seed stick but it was so much fun. As soon as we opened the doors, the birds flew onto the sticks and ate it all up. They were able to walk around with two little birds and it made the whole day for them. My little group crammed into a little photo booth to take a picture, but we soon found out it wasn't working. We were disappointed, but quickly moved onto other things. I am going to try and get the memory card out of this camera so that I can update my page with our pictures. THEN, I am going to put the pics into an 8x8 zoo album that I had ready and waiting. :)
Our friends had their son on Madison's birthday, Monday. We are all excited to see him next weekend and welcome him into the clan.
Rebecca is a crazy Wii fit girl. She gets on there every minute she can. She wants to beat everyone's records.
Today, I went to the zoo with Miss Haley belle and her kindergarten class. It was so much fun! They have a new exhibit where you can feed the birds. Of course, you have to buy a seed stick but it was so much fun. As soon as we opened the doors, the birds flew onto the sticks and ate it all up. They were able to walk around with two little birds and it made the whole day for them. My little group crammed into a little photo booth to take a picture, but we soon found out it wasn't working. We were disappointed, but quickly moved onto other things. I am going to try and get the memory card out of this camera so that I can update my page with our pictures. THEN, I am going to put the pics into an 8x8 zoo album that I had ready and waiting. :)
3/20/2009
Croup
I was at home with Alexander today. He was diagnosed with croup this morning. I was shocked. I didn't realize that children were still suceptible to this illness. Needless to say, I am bracing myself for the worst. The doctor said that it tends to be much worse at night for the first two nights. I need to keep an eye on his breathing. Generally, the illness will cause a barky cough and fever. BUT, because the "voice box" is swollen the situation could turn badly very quickly. If he starts to wheeze or look like he's having trouble getting air, I have to take him to a doctor immediately. He could choke to death. Thankfully, the other three kiddos are away for the last weekend of spring break. Haley is at her cousin's house, Madison and Rebecca are at grandma's house. It would not be as serious if one of the other kids were to get it, since they are much older. Say at little prayer for a speedy and safe recovery.
3/12/2009
Wii Fit
We went out and bought a Wii Fit board and game. The whole family, except for Lex, have weighed in and will start our training today. I see LOTS of room for improvement, and I hope that I can stay motivated and active. I realize that this is not the magic pill for weight loss, but we can get started as a family, and see progress and encouragement as a family.
3/09/2009
Remember the words "crop retreat"???
http://www.shoprememberwhen.com/retreat.html
Check your calendars and see if you guys can make it. I would be willing to pay a sitter to keep the kids while I head up for some seriously needed girlfriend time!!
Angel, it's not that far and we could split the room cost!
How much would you normally spend at convention, Staci??
Melibelle, I know you are dying to take pictures with your fancy camera and get your hands dirty in some inks and paints.
Think about it, check you calendars, and start saving up.
Check your calendars and see if you guys can make it. I would be willing to pay a sitter to keep the kids while I head up for some seriously needed girlfriend time!!
Angel, it's not that far and we could split the room cost!
How much would you normally spend at convention, Staci??
Melibelle, I know you are dying to take pictures with your fancy camera and get your hands dirty in some inks and paints.
Think about it, check you calendars, and start saving up.
3/03/2009
Lex is great!
So far, so good on the new sleeping arrangements. He hasn't gotten out of bed once. He's still not sure what to do in the morning when he wakes up. He knows that he can just scoot off of the bed, but he still calls for me to come and get him. So sweet.
3/01/2009
SUCCESS!
Alexander is sleeping in his own bed tonight. Granted, he is in the same room with Haley, but he is in his own big boy bed. He has just gotten to the point where I can not imagine that he is comfortable in a crib. He doesn't have a lot of room to move around and the mattress is always pretty soft for babies. I guess I shouldn't proclaim success just yet. I imagine if we go the week without him getting up we should consider ourselves lucky. We didn't HAVE to move him out of a crib, but Ben being in town for three weeks straight definitely helps. Alexander sees no one and hears no one when daddy is home and so we thought the transition would be a smooth one as long as he was the one putting him to bed and tucking him in. We are definitely keeping our fingers crossed. We didn't move the girls out of their cribs until they were 2 years or older, so it feels a little premature.
Work is going great, I doubt that I will ever leave. Unless they walk me out, of course.
The girls have spring fever, and are having a tough time concentrating at school. Haley's teacher called to let me know that she will be getting an "N" for conduct. (N= needs improvement) She has had to move her clip quite frequently these past few weeks and she is sitting in a desk rather than at a group table due to her behavior. She is a very social girl and likes to be the boss, which translates to talks a lot.
We don't have family vacation plans for spring break. Madison is going with the youth group down to Houston to work with a church outreach program. Rebecca will be leaving for three days to visit and camp at a horse ranch about an hour away. I am planning on taking off of work the Friday of Spring Break so that I can hang out with Ben and the kids.
I have been able to hang out at the house this weekend. It's the first time in a while that I haven't had plans of some kind. It was nice to hang out and be lazy. I am not ready for Monday.
Work is going great, I doubt that I will ever leave. Unless they walk me out, of course.
The girls have spring fever, and are having a tough time concentrating at school. Haley's teacher called to let me know that she will be getting an "N" for conduct. (N= needs improvement) She has had to move her clip quite frequently these past few weeks and she is sitting in a desk rather than at a group table due to her behavior. She is a very social girl and likes to be the boss, which translates to talks a lot.
We don't have family vacation plans for spring break. Madison is going with the youth group down to Houston to work with a church outreach program. Rebecca will be leaving for three days to visit and camp at a horse ranch about an hour away. I am planning on taking off of work the Friday of Spring Break so that I can hang out with Ben and the kids.
I have been able to hang out at the house this weekend. It's the first time in a while that I haven't had plans of some kind. It was nice to hang out and be lazy. I am not ready for Monday.
2/19/2009
some Friday fun
I am so excited that tomorrow is Friday. A couple of weeks ago we got an email at work telling us about this project called Empty Bowl. Local artists make and donate handmade bowls. Each ticket that you buy gets you into the event, lunch, and you get to pick out a bowl. I also bought raffle tickets for a homemade quilt. I hope to win and all proceeds go to the Tarrant County Food Bank. I am pretty sure that it will be longer than a regular lunch hour, and they said it would be fine. :)
It will be so fun. I am really looking forward to it. If I ever become independantly wealthy, I will volunteer and organize these types of events.
It will be so fun. I am really looking forward to it. If I ever become independantly wealthy, I will volunteer and organize these types of events.
2/16/2009
It's a good thing
that I am not on my period or going through PMS. The past two weeks of drama would certainly have done me in. You're thinking to yourself, "but it's only Monday..."
I KNOW!
I have officially hit PAUSE on this Days of Our Lives movie marathon.
Some good news...
Went to CVS yesterday thinking that there would be some post Valentine's sales and I definitely wanted to cash in on that. Who doesn't secretly love an assorted chocolate heart?? I know I do! So I go down the clearance aisle to find all things Valentine are 50% off. Not bad for the day after! I found the last HUGE heart and walked it to the checkout line. By the time it was all said and done (clearance price plus bonus bucks coupon), I paid $4 for an $18 heart full o chocolate. :) My heart was happy, and do I even need to mention that I share a house with THREE girls?? IT was a good night for all of us.
I KNOW!
I have officially hit PAUSE on this Days of Our Lives movie marathon.
Some good news...
Went to CVS yesterday thinking that there would be some post Valentine's sales and I definitely wanted to cash in on that. Who doesn't secretly love an assorted chocolate heart?? I know I do! So I go down the clearance aisle to find all things Valentine are 50% off. Not bad for the day after! I found the last HUGE heart and walked it to the checkout line. By the time it was all said and done (clearance price plus bonus bucks coupon), I paid $4 for an $18 heart full o chocolate. :) My heart was happy, and do I even need to mention that I share a house with THREE girls?? IT was a good night for all of us.
2/15/2009
A side note.
The previous post was not directed at anyone in my immediate family, or my friends who read this blog. It just needed to be said so that I could move on. Thanks for the emails and messages making sure that I was all right. I guess it wasn't a good idea to put something like that up around Valentine's day.
All is well in my little world.
xoxo
All is well in my little world.
xoxo
2/13/2009
Three words!
Get over it!
Do you know why "no one can understand" what you're going through?? Because you won't tell anyone the truth!!
Do you know why "everyone is talking about you behind your back"?? Because we care about you!!
Do you know why I am losing interest?? Because at some point you're going to have to wake up and realize you're not 4 years old, you can't hug it out, and you need to learn how to deal with life. We all have.
Do you know why I ask other people about you?? Because you don't answer the phone or respond to emails!
These are all moments that I choose to spend on you! Because I am concerned, not because I am manipulative gossip.
Guess what?? After all of these years, I have finally realized that you have only been thinking about you. If you had taken the time to look outside of yourself you would have seen that you have a family that cares about you.
Do you know why "no one can understand" what you're going through?? Because you won't tell anyone the truth!!
Do you know why "everyone is talking about you behind your back"?? Because we care about you!!
Do you know why I am losing interest?? Because at some point you're going to have to wake up and realize you're not 4 years old, you can't hug it out, and you need to learn how to deal with life. We all have.
Do you know why I ask other people about you?? Because you don't answer the phone or respond to emails!
These are all moments that I choose to spend on you! Because I am concerned, not because I am manipulative gossip.
Guess what?? After all of these years, I have finally realized that you have only been thinking about you. If you had taken the time to look outside of yourself you would have seen that you have a family that cares about you.
2/12/2009
Nuthin'
It's been pretty boring around here folks. I don't have anything new to report, nothing exciting, nothing at all.
We are going to sell cookies tomorrow night, and Saturday afternoon. Then, we are going to hit the neighborhoods and keep our fingers crossed that there are some people out there who haven't bought any cookies this year. I am ready for it to be OVER.
Work is work.
Ben is in Vegas for a week.
In a little over a week, Haley will be SIX years old, Cole will be ONE, Loretta will be ??? ( she won't say), and our little dog Lewis will be SEVEN. Haley wants to go to a restaurant called The Magic Time Machine in Dallas. I have never been there but I hear it's a lot of fun. It's a themed restaurant where the wait staff is dressed like famous people. She will get the royal treatment because it's her birthday and we won't have to cook or clean. :)
We are going to sell cookies tomorrow night, and Saturday afternoon. Then, we are going to hit the neighborhoods and keep our fingers crossed that there are some people out there who haven't bought any cookies this year. I am ready for it to be OVER.
Work is work.
Ben is in Vegas for a week.
In a little over a week, Haley will be SIX years old, Cole will be ONE, Loretta will be ??? ( she won't say), and our little dog Lewis will be SEVEN. Haley wants to go to a restaurant called The Magic Time Machine in Dallas. I have never been there but I hear it's a lot of fun. It's a themed restaurant where the wait staff is dressed like famous people. She will get the royal treatment because it's her birthday and we won't have to cook or clean. :)
2/02/2009
Maybe I should rephrase...
What I meant to ask is...
If you have myspace,facebook, or blogger accounts, which account gets most of your attention by way of updating?
Right now I only have this blogger account, but a lot of my friends have all of the above. Am I missing something since I can only check the blogger blog? I really don't want to have two more accounts to check, but the nosey me wants to know EVERYTHING. In a good way, of course.
If you have myspace,facebook, or blogger accounts, which account gets most of your attention by way of updating?
Right now I only have this blogger account, but a lot of my friends have all of the above. Am I missing something since I can only check the blogger blog? I really don't want to have two more accounts to check, but the nosey me wants to know EVERYTHING. In a good way, of course.
1/31/2009
IRS
This is actually a funny story!
I had my W-2 information and all of our tax deductible stuff entered into an online form. I was waiting to receive Ben's work info in the mail. We were expecting a $7k refund before I enetered his information. SWEET! I am already trying to decide, mentally, which color van I want to buy. So Ben's W-2 comes in the mail today, and I rip that baby open and get it into the system. Now that I have all information in, the refund calculator is sitting at just over $400.
I guess I shouldn't count on this refund to break the bank. You gotta laugh!
I know I did.
I had my W-2 information and all of our tax deductible stuff entered into an online form. I was waiting to receive Ben's work info in the mail. We were expecting a $7k refund before I enetered his information. SWEET! I am already trying to decide, mentally, which color van I want to buy. So Ben's W-2 comes in the mail today, and I rip that baby open and get it into the system. Now that I have all information in, the refund calculator is sitting at just over $400.
I guess I shouldn't count on this refund to break the bank. You gotta laugh!
I know I did.
1/30/2009
1/29/2009
Edits...
I realized I put down the wrong link a couple of posts ago. Here is the correct website addy...
http://iamsecond.com/
Finally, a message I can get behind. :) Let me know what you think.
http://iamsecond.com/
Finally, a message I can get behind. :) Let me know what you think.
Monster update
Alexander had his 18 month check up today. He is still a happy go lucky boy! He officially weighed in at 32 pounds and 34.75 inches tall. He is the average weight for a 3 year old. Ha! Thankfully our doctor just laughs when she checks his measurements. She has been our doctor since Rebecca was a couple of months old and knows us all pretty well. For some reason, Ben, our kids are humongous. She has definitely seen more of Alexander than any of the other kids. My supervisor at work attributes it to boys versus girls. Either way, he's the most handsome baby boy that I have. :) I will need to find the charger to my camera and then I will post pictures of the kids tomorrow.
I am half way through our tax returns. I am waiting on Ben's company to mail out his information. They usually wait until the last day of the month! I am anxious about getting a refund check. It's one step closer to a bigger vehicle.
I have mentally put together a "want" list. A couple of things that I want: a cricut, and a dyson vacuum cleaner. At this stage of the game, those two things would make my life a lot easier. ;)
I have realized that the way I put these blogs together would horrify a writing teacher. My sentence structure is basic, but my train of thought is all over the place. It's one of the many things that I should work on.
To my friend... I can understand that it might be time to circle the wagons. Just know that I am thinking about you and sending you hugs. Call if you need me, anytime. xoxo
I am half way through our tax returns. I am waiting on Ben's company to mail out his information. They usually wait until the last day of the month! I am anxious about getting a refund check. It's one step closer to a bigger vehicle.
I have mentally put together a "want" list. A couple of things that I want: a cricut, and a dyson vacuum cleaner. At this stage of the game, those two things would make my life a lot easier. ;)
I have realized that the way I put these blogs together would horrify a writing teacher. My sentence structure is basic, but my train of thought is all over the place. It's one of the many things that I should work on.
To my friend... I can understand that it might be time to circle the wagons. Just know that I am thinking about you and sending you hugs. Call if you need me, anytime. xoxo
1/20/2009
We be sick-o!
All of us have varying degrees of illness. I think this is the first time that it's happened, actually. It's not a fun first and I am ready to get on with it.
Tomorrow I am going to see if there are any spots left at a card class that I want to take. My planning ahead friend, Staci, has decreed that the first Saturday of every month will be dedicated to cropping at a different SB store in her area. I thought that this was a great idea. Then her friend, Jeanne, says that she is teaching a card class at one of their stores on the first Saturday in February! It just kept getting better and better. So, now that I know Ben will be out of town that weekend, I need to see if there are spots available in the class and then check with my mom to see if she can keep the kids for the day. I logged into mapquest and found out that from my house to the store is 43 miles. One way. Thank goodness gas isn't close to $4, or I would never see my friend. :) I am excited about taking the class, because you know I love the classes, and seeing my friend(s). Who knows, maybe some of the girls that I have met will become good friends.
Tomorrow I am going to see if there are any spots left at a card class that I want to take. My planning ahead friend, Staci, has decreed that the first Saturday of every month will be dedicated to cropping at a different SB store in her area. I thought that this was a great idea. Then her friend, Jeanne, says that she is teaching a card class at one of their stores on the first Saturday in February! It just kept getting better and better. So, now that I know Ben will be out of town that weekend, I need to see if there are spots available in the class and then check with my mom to see if she can keep the kids for the day. I logged into mapquest and found out that from my house to the store is 43 miles. One way. Thank goodness gas isn't close to $4, or I would never see my friend. :) I am excited about taking the class, because you know I love the classes, and seeing my friend(s). Who knows, maybe some of the girls that I have met will become good friends.
1/13/2009
Well folks, I think I dodged a bullet. I should have known better. I don't believe that bonuses will be cut entirely. They might be smaller than what some are accustomed to, but they will be there. Thank goodness.
I have been in a totally bad mood for the past two days. I don't know if this feeling, not the bad one, will ever go away. I feel insecure, paranoid, and out of control. I hate it, I hate that it consumes me and literally makes me sick. I want it to go away and never creep up again. I wasn't this way before.
I have been in a totally bad mood for the past two days. I don't know if this feeling, not the bad one, will ever go away. I feel insecure, paranoid, and out of control. I hate it, I hate that it consumes me and literally makes me sick. I want it to go away and never creep up again. I wasn't this way before.
1/12/2009
GASP
Someone said that we may not get a bonus this year, strictly options...
Now this is purely speculation, we won't know until sometime in March. Unfortunately the people that know, won't say anything. No hints, nothing. So here's me keeping my fingers crossed.
xxxxxxx
Now this is purely speculation, we won't know until sometime in March. Unfortunately the people that know, won't say anything. No hints, nothing. So here's me keeping my fingers crossed.
xxxxxxx
1/10/2009
Cookie Time
Good morning!
It's a blustery start to the day. Yesterday we were at a high of 76 degrees, and this morning we are somewhere in the 30's with a wind chill of 26 degrees. Nice. We are supposed to pick up our jump start cookie supplies to sell to the masses. You heard me, 20 cases of cookies ready for the people, by the people. :)
My employer is buying families rodeo tickets this year. We are going to the February 5 show at 7:30. The first year that I started back to work, we won a family pack of box seats and the kids have looked forward to it every year. Haley has her outfit all picked out and ready to go. She said all she needs now is a pretty pink hat to go with it. Grammie bought Madison a down filled vest from Sheplers for Christmas and she is determined to wear the thing everywhere. Rebecca has her boots and jeans, she doesn't care about anything else really. (She's the low maintenance one out of the girls.)
Once I started packing up the Christmas decorations I moved right into spring cleaning. I am on a roll! The kids clothes are up to date, I have gone through all of our important papers and filed them or shredded them, and today I am going to sort through all the junk in the kitchen drawers. We dont actively use half of them and yet they are full of junk!! I have all of our tax deductible receipts and all I need are the w/9's from our employers and we can file our taxes for the year.
I was reimbursed for daycare expenses in December + tax return + bonus check= mini van!!
We have budgeted for a van at the end of March. I usually get my bonus check around that time and it would be the last piece to the puzzle. I am SO SO EXCITED! We have been waiting and saving for this for a while now and we are so close to getting it that I can't stand it.
It's a blustery start to the day. Yesterday we were at a high of 76 degrees, and this morning we are somewhere in the 30's with a wind chill of 26 degrees. Nice. We are supposed to pick up our jump start cookie supplies to sell to the masses. You heard me, 20 cases of cookies ready for the people, by the people. :)
My employer is buying families rodeo tickets this year. We are going to the February 5 show at 7:30. The first year that I started back to work, we won a family pack of box seats and the kids have looked forward to it every year. Haley has her outfit all picked out and ready to go. She said all she needs now is a pretty pink hat to go with it. Grammie bought Madison a down filled vest from Sheplers for Christmas and she is determined to wear the thing everywhere. Rebecca has her boots and jeans, she doesn't care about anything else really. (She's the low maintenance one out of the girls.)
Once I started packing up the Christmas decorations I moved right into spring cleaning. I am on a roll! The kids clothes are up to date, I have gone through all of our important papers and filed them or shredded them, and today I am going to sort through all the junk in the kitchen drawers. We dont actively use half of them and yet they are full of junk!! I have all of our tax deductible receipts and all I need are the w/9's from our employers and we can file our taxes for the year.
I was reimbursed for daycare expenses in December + tax return + bonus check= mini van!!
We have budgeted for a van at the end of March. I usually get my bonus check around that time and it would be the last piece to the puzzle. I am SO SO EXCITED! We have been waiting and saving for this for a while now and we are so close to getting it that I can't stand it.
1/01/2009
Hello 2009
Happy New Year!
My priority this year will be to maintain a connection and relationship with my friends and family. Handwritten letters, phone calls, and all that good stuff.
I love you all, and wish you the best in 2009.
xoxox
My priority this year will be to maintain a connection and relationship with my friends and family. Handwritten letters, phone calls, and all that good stuff.
I love you all, and wish you the best in 2009.
xoxox
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