Days Go By...

I'm feeling a bit more upbeat the past few days. Husband help out in the house this weekend and things are feeling alittle more organized. And even with the Declan/TV thing has not brought me down. Here are a few funnies I have had with the kids the past week:


Scene I:
Maggie and I were watching the news, the weather was on, it was snowing in Minnesota.

Maggie: Mommy, I want a little Soda

Me: What do you mean?

Maggie: A Little Soda, Like they said on TV, A Mini Soda.

Me: hahahaha- still laughing:)


Scene II:
I was tucking Declan into bed tonight.

Declan: Ma, do you know where my wallet is?

Me: I will look. Why?

Declan: I need it.

Me: Why?

Declan: I need it so I can pay the consequences.

The News...

As The Black Sheep left everyone hanging last night, I will share the news. Queenie herself rolled over for the first time yesterday!The Black Sheep missed it as she was at work:( I then reminded her of Declan's first steps(that I waited 14 months for) That he decided to take during the first and only 24hours I spent away from him. I was giving Birth to Killi. That's okay though because The Black Sheep was there to see that:)


Here's the other thing about TBS, she has always felt that our parents favored me over her(which is not true) but she believed it. What is true though is that everyone else always liked her more than me, so maybe the truth is that my parents were just be a little nicer to me at home so I wouldn't feel so bad out in public. Someday, I really hope that someone will like me better than her:) Here are a few examples:
A- everyone mistakes me for her; never her for me
B- at my grandmother's funeral, she chatted with all her friends; they thought I was the "help"
Well, whatever the reason she's nicer (or people think so:) I wish that I wasn't always trying to be loved like she is by everyone.

A Tough Job...

Husband and I have been faced with some of our toughest parenting issues to date. And while the issues we are dealing with are not nearly as great as what others face daily, they have been tough for us. Declan, our wonderful son, has disappointed us. We have been having some TV issues(him watching what we have said no to) and they are not getting better. Yesterday, He lost his TV for the night and the Wii until Friday. Today, we agreed to give Declan a second chance with the TV and he disregarded what we said and put on the channel anyway. When I went in to check on him it was on, I could not believe it. I actually felt sick. Felt like someone punched me in the stomach, the disappointment was unreal. It was an interesting situation. I was not angry, I was disappointed. What had I done wrong as a parent to make him lie and sneak like that? And how do I make him understand that HE now has to deal with the consequences of his actions? I really wish I had a handbook right about now. One with all the right answers already circled.

Weekend Work...

We had a productive weekend. Got some projects off the list and the house is looking better. I am tired, grouchy and have some serious PMS, so stand clear:) I hope this week is better than last. I have lots more to do and a positive attitude would sure help(I will look for one:)!

Ben is finally on board with the spoiled kid thing so we can get the kids back in shape. I am on board with the spoiled husband thing(he is going to do more, stop laughing:) Now if we could just spoil the mom we'd be in good shape:) Honestly, I never imagined it would be so difficult to stop giving to and doing for my children. The idea that Ben and I would have the ability to give them all they ask for was not I thought our biggest problem as parents was going to be, but it has become that. I know I have talked about it before, but we are still struggling with it. I think we need to go back to the days of Nancy Reagan and just say NO! We are trying.

HELP!!!

OMG- I think I might just loose my mind. I am not sure what happened, but since the week before we left for Florida I have been in a funk. I am completely indifferent towards everything and everyone. Nothing makes me happy, lots makes me unhappy. I am a total stress case about everything! I am in such a downward spiral that I cannot see the opening to get out. Spring is usually such a good time of year for me; what is wrong this year! I should be happy. I am almost finished with school, the kids are almost out for summer vacation, our trips are planned, things are good; only they are not:(

I had gotten myself into a very nice place not to long ago. A place where I was able to see how good my life is. See how much more fortunate than others I am. I am health, have a husband that loves me, three health and happy kids, so why do I feel so blue? Why am I having such a tough time seeing the good and enjoying the time I have with the people I have chosen to share it with. I have good people in my life right now, friend and family to spend time with and enjoy, how have I lost sight of that? Better question is how to I get it back?

I need to find a way to reconnect with myself and my family and friends. If anyone has suggestions, I am open to hearing them:)

Time Out!

I've had a few down days. Lots going on, getting back in the swing of things, baby that wants to reattach herself, house that is very disorganized, it is all making me crazy. All of this is mixed with a bit of PMS, so I am grouchy. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I need a break. A few minutes to myself, a shower, a tv show; right now I would take anything. I may hit my breaking point before the weekends through. I guess I will wait and see:)

Job Done!

I went to the Food Store today. This is my least favorite job in the entire world. I find it to be absolute torture, yes torture! For the two days leading up to the outing I have panic attacks and tension headaches. I know now that it is worse because I have made it such a huge deal in my mind, but I am not sure how to fix it now. Anyhow, it is done now. Done for at least 6weeks. That makes me happy. My snack cabinet is full, my pantry is clean and full, frig too and both(yes both) of my freezers are full!!! I am very excited about the amount of food we have in the house right now. The trip however took me from 9 O'clock(walked into WalMart) until 1 O'clock when everything was put away! Crazy! But DONE!!!!

Family

When Ben got home with our freezer last night, I was on the phone with Megan and Izzy and I was telling them about the freezer. Izzy explained to me that I needed to check the plug(for reasons I don't really understand:) before I plugged it in. Anyway, Izzy, my favorite brother-in-law, called me this afternoon to check and see how I was making out with the freezer and the plug. That made me happy:) The fact that he cared enough to see if I blew all the circuits in my house. It really made me happy and I needed that today:) So, Thanks Izzy!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

Boy have I been busy! I have spent the past two days running like crazy, trying to get back to my pre-vacation schedule. What has made things worse though is that it is Spring, which means time for a good deep-clean and organization of the house. Too much to do, so little time.

Tomorrow the cow comes!!! I am very excited, but in preparation of the beef, I needed to buy a freezer. So, after dinner tonight, Ben was off to WalMart for a freezer. Now we have a freezer, we are ready for bulk shopping:) I am very hopeful that will be able to save money by buying in bulk. At the very least it will cut down on my trips to the food store(which are few and far between anyway:).

I am looking forward to Friday, I think it will quiet(hahaha)!

Back in the Swing!!

It's Raining, alot. It has been raining since yesterday and not just drizzle really heavy rain. I will not be unhappy though, it is free water for my plants and I will be so happy to see the sun when it shines again.

I had a busy morning. I had to get up at 6:15am to drive Ben down to the bus stop, then shower and get the kids dressed and off to school. From there, Maggie and I were off to the doctor for a "well" check(turned out she has an ear infection). Then off to pick up Gus and drop him for a bath. Then to Dr Tom and to get Killi. Got lunch and finally made it home. Made it home to strip the beds that Maggie peed in(two of them!), do the dishes, clean the guinea pig cage, vacuum, and start dinner. I also paid some bills, put tattoos on the girls, and check to see if my car came in(they say it did, but I will believe it when I see it in my driveway:). Now, it is 2:50pm and I need to get up and go get Declan and Gus and come home to finish dinner before I head to Becca's to lay on her couch and watch t.v. for a few hours while she is at work:) And before bed, an essay and quiz for Stats(which I am not doing well in). Tomorrow will be better, slower, I hope!

We are Back!

We are back! Safe and Sound and very happy to be home. We had a nice trip, long, but nice. We got in last night to NO new car(or old car)! They tell us that it will be in tomorrow, but do we really believe that? I think not.

We got home and all of our pets(that were left home) we happy and alive, that's to Lauren who did a wonderful job keeping them all that way.

The food store was on the list for today, but the weather is nasty and the motivation is not there, so maybe tomorrow:)

Here are a few pictures from our trip:


Killi at Gumbo Limbo


The Girls at Their Private Meeting with Cinderella

What every kid looks like after a day at Disney! What a Thanks:)

Another Day...

Today I bailed on a "family" outing. Awful, I know. I have to say that I am just tired. The day at Disney really wore me out. Up and back in one day, and the walkig through the park was just too muck for me:) So, I opted to skip the tram ride through the Everglades.

Last night Queenie spent the night with us last night. I'll tell you what, I won't take her again! Who ever heard of an 11 week old that sleeps from 10:30pm to 6:30am, by herself! No bottle from 10:30pm to 6:30am! My kids we about 10months before I got a night like that, who am I kidding Maggie will still get me up a few nights a week for juice-water:) Oh Well, I just my sister has had a baby that feels she needs to show-off just like Megan always(and still)did!

Billy and Kelly leave today. The monsters will be sad to see them go. We have two more days then back home where we can pick up our new car! That's right, it is in and will be waiting for us Saturday night when we get in! We are excited to see it!

Disney Fun!!!

So, yesterday we took the kids to Disney. We left my parents at 8am(it is about a 3 hour ride), we got up there about 11am and in the park by 12. As Ben and I went to get strollers, Kelly and the girls were asked if they would like to have a private meeting with Cinderella. As you can imagine the girls were very excited! And the meeting with Cinderella was so cool(pictures when we get home:) We had a long and exciting day, we spent lots and lots of money, but hey, "It's All About The Kids" as Ben reminds me. The best part of the day though was when we in the car, to drive three 3 hours back, and the kids looked at us and said, Mommy and Daddy, thank you so much for taking us to Disney, we had fun!

WHY!!!!!!!!!

Here's the problem with kids and vacations; they don't go together. When you go on vacation with kids, everything gets messed up, sleep schedule, meal schedule, rules are altered, it is no good. You would think that by now I would understand this and stop trying to vacation with three kids(6,5,3) so often. We have been here sine Friday night(3 days, 3 nights)we are here until Saturday night(5 days, 5 nights) the kids are already exhausted and in tears. They haven't slept since we got here. They are fighting more than normal(who knew that was possible) and they have lost all of their manners! Boy, if I could convince the husband, I would come home tomorrow!

Maybe we will all sleep tonight and be less grumpy tomorrow(not likely:)

Crazy!!!

Wow, crazy few days we've had. Lots to do, very little time to do it in. We are in Florida, on vacation(haha) where my parents and sister live and my brother is also here with his crew:) Lots of people, Lots to do, not so much time. I have had a migraine since Friday morning and have taken so many drugs trying to get rid of it, nothing is working. Making it worse no is that I am stressed about not being able to get it to go away. We got here very late on Friday after a flight on American where there were many, many crazy, angry passengers trying to get on a plane to anywhere because they had been stuck for days. The airport was nuts. But, we got here and we are safe.

The car, still no car. We dropped the Suburban off on our way to the airport and should be able to pick the new one up on our way home Saturday, but who knows what's gonna happen there.

Fun Stuff:
I got to see my niece again and she is as cute as ever. She is cooing and smiling and cuddles up and sleeps on me. And she still has that awesome baby smell:) My sister is an awesome mom. I am very proud of the way she has taken on this role. I know she was never sold on this kid thing, but I am sure glad it happened because she is a great mom and Gracie is very lucky to have her!

Kelly and Angie had their first plane ride today, Angie loved it(Kelly was fine with some help from her doctor:). Angie is so excited to go to Disney this week, she has never been.

And tonight, the girls are sleeping at Megan's. This is the second night for Killi in a row. First night for Maggie, not sure if she'll make it through, but she wanted to try.

The Sun Came Back:)

It's been a long day. A nice day, but long. We got a late start, but I got Killi and Declan to school on time. Then Maggie and I came home cleaned up, showered and were off to see Dr Tom, pick up Killi and go to Bec's so that Ryan could fix my computer. While at Becca's, Killi, Grayson and Maggie went outside to play and discovered how to make mud! They took all the water they could find and poured it all over dirt! They LOVED it! They we so dirty, and soooooo happy! So, Ryan and I stripped them(outside) and put them straight into a bath:) Then Becca and I took the kids to dinner alone( Ryan was too sleepy and Ben was MIA) they were not very good, they were loud! Then I had to go back to Becca's to get my computer, then home to get the kids in bed. I was happy to tuck them in:)

All in all a good day! The sun even came back, that made me happy. Tomorrow will be warmer and sunnier than today, I can't wait!

FYI- No car yet, still waiting. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, we'll see.

Almost Done!

I have started what I hope is going to be my last quarter at Strayer. If I can pass my Statistic's class, I am not looking forward to this class at all, even week one looks hard! I know that it is only 10 more weeks though and the journey I began 14 years ago will finally be done. Fourteen years, a marriage, three kids, but I have hung in there and am I the home stretch. I hope that my kids will look back on this and see how hard I worked to do this for myself; I am sure they won't though. I have done most of it online, all of it online since they were born, so I am not even sure they know I go to school:) I will make they come to my graduation and clap for me, if only to make myself feel good. It's not wrong to use your kids for alittle pat on the back, is it? I will let them have cake at my party:)

Maybe There Should Be a Parenting Test...

Okay, I don't profess to be "Mom of the Year" by any means, but this is a bad story. My sister has this friend, they had not seen each other for over ten years, but talk and email a few times a month. So, this girl and her "boyfriend", are visiting my sister this week. Here's the kicker, she(the friend) left her son(12) home/in the hospital with his father(who he has only known for about a year) with spleen issues and fluid in his lungs from an accident(fight) he had when he was visiting his father 2 weekends ago. So, to recap, mother left child with father who has been around for 1 of the 12 years of his life, in the hospital, to go on vacation because the plane tickets were non-refundable. Are you kidding me? KID IN THE HOSPITAL FOR OVER A WEEK, STILL THERE- MOM TRIP TO FLORIDA! WHAT DOESN'T FIT HERE?

Rain and Inspiration...

It is still raining:( Seems that it does that everyday lately. I would be alright with the rain if it would stop and let some sunshine though for an hour or two each day. This weather does nothing to get me moving. I need to get in a shower and go see Dr. Tom, run to WalMart, and get Killi at school. I am hoping(not out loud) that Declan's soccer practice is canceled due to the rain.

Hopefully our new car will be in today and I can go pick it up:)


Some really cool news on Nate's Blog, Tricia is up and walking and breathing on her own! That is so amazing to me! Their story truly inspires me everyday. Keep it up Tricia and Gwyneth and hang in there Nate! Hopefully you'll all be home together soon:)

Our New Car

This is a picture of the type of car we bought yesterday, and won't get until tomorrow:( Our car is blue-gold crystal metallic(I am not sure what color that makes it). I am excited to drive it and see what it has inside to play with. The kids are excited to watch the dvd player:) I hope we like it as much as we do our Suburban, I am sure we will at the gas pump at the very least:)

Soccer

Below is a picture of 2 of my monsters getting ready to go play in their very first soccer game yesterday. I think they both had fun, and that's all that really matters:)

New Car!

It is over, I caved and Ben is happy. We bought a new car. We were looking to trade our Suburban in for something that used alittle less gas, but still had enough seats for 7-8 people. Of course, the kids wanted a DVD player and I wanted a good stereo and we still need some storage room. It is nice, and smaller than what we have, our payment is a bit less, gas tank 9 gallons smaller and they tell me I will get much better gas mileage. So, now we can stay home tomorrow and do nothing:) I will put pictures up later:)

Here They Come...

Here are a few pictures I took of the flowers that have started to bloom in my yard. I can't wait to see what the rest of Spring and Summer bring!



My Columbine Blooming! They are so pretty:)




My very sad looking, Lone Cherry Blossom, I hope next year is better

Friday is Here...

The big class trip was today. We had a nice enough time, but it was a very long bus ride for 5 and 6 year olds(about an hour) then we only had about 2 hours to spend at the museum and there was a little class and lunch that needed to get done in that two hours; but we did have fun. The kids saw dinosaurs, and climb a tree, played in some water and picked apples, I think they had a good time. For them the bus ride was just as much fun as the museum itself, you know big bus with a bathroom, and no seat belts, a regular dream come true:) We got back to school about a half hour before school let out and I was able to take Declan then so we got home early!


Here's Declan with a new friend, they met at the museum:)


Tomorrow may bring our first soccer games, but it is supposed to rain so if it's a go I'll take pictures; otherwise we may try a trip to the movies, although Ben and the girls did that today:)

A Day in Bed:)

I would have been hard-pressed to do less than I did today. It is the first time, in a very long time that I spent the day mostly in bed(minus running kids to and from school, feeding them, and doing a few light chores:) Never-the-less, I spent no time in the front of the house except for the kitchen which was little time, I spent it all in the bedroom. It was nice, I needed a day in bed. It would have been nice to have the husband home before 10:50pm so that I could have skipped the cooking dinner and bedtime routine, but that was okay, I good good rest. I will be ready for my field trip with Declan's class tomorrow, I can't wait.

A Little Break...

A good night's sleep...when will I get that again? Between the husband(snoring and moving) the kids(all three, up and down) and the dog(why does he think I want to let him out at 2am!) add to that some family and friend drama and I fear I may never sleep again. Good thing my belief is that "Sleep in overrated:) Now, with no kids(they are all at school) I sit in my bed, with my breakfast, computer and tv and blow-off all the things I should be doing. Oh well, they will all still be there later, and heck, everyone deserves a little free time to indulge themselves, right? I am going to go relax, and if you see my mom, don't tell her I went back to bed this morning:)

GOOD NEWS!!! And Life...

First things first, I just saw on Nate's Blog that Tricia is in surgery undergoing a double lung transplant, so please send them some positive thoughts and/or prayers right now. Also, I know they would want you to remember the grieving family that made this moment possible for them. So, if you have a moment, think of all of them.




Ok, onto my selfishness now(which now just seems so wrong). I have never had many close friends in my life and the reason is that I, well there are many reasons. That said, I have more acquaintances then most. Some of this is probably because those that I call acquaintances would call themselves my friend, which is fine with me, but for me to call someone a friend means more. The other reason that I don't have tons of friends is probably because I am lucky enough to have a family that I am very close to(and we are sort of a closed group). We can be nice to outsiders, but don't really let anyone(best friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands) into our little group. We are very hard on each other, but also are always there to pick-up the pieces when needed. And most of all, good or bad, right or wrong, will will defend each other to outsiders at all cost. So, please remember that the next time you are gonna say something mean about my family in shouting distance of me! Sorry, that family rant took me in a direction I was not planning. What I was planning was, that I do not have time for games in a friendship nor to I want to be made to feel badly about myself. It just seems silly to call someone a friend if this is how they make you feel, right?