Good bye 2011

Last night on facebook I posted an update that stated that I was going to make the best of the last day of this year. So this morning when I woke up Jeff and I talked about what we should do today. I told him I wanted to do something fun with the kids. He was in agreement. I had wanted to take the kids to the skating rink all break but me getting sick didn't give me much motivation to do fun things with the kids by myself. We decided that skating would be what we did. I looked up the hours online, unfortunately it was at the same time Jeff had planned to practice for winter retreat. No big deal I could take the kids. We told the kids of our plans and they were all excited about it. Fast forward to getting there. They all had bad attitudes. "I can't skate" "This is boring" and "This is no fun" among other negative comments was all I heard for the first 30 minutes of being there. Once the boys got the hang of skating their attitudes changed. GG was pretty much a big party pooper and Peanut was extremely crabby. I was miserable sitting there with two whiny girls. Peanut wanted her skates changed from the settings every 5 minutes and it got old after the first 5 minutes. She wasn't even skating! We had brought her brand new skates she got for Christmas and she was super excited to be skating in them and all she did was sit, what a bummer. Skating was pretty much an epic fail. Oh yeah and I had the camera and the batteries were dead so I couldn't even get good pictures of the "fun" time we had. And I use the word fun loosely. The day was redeemed when Jeff came home and we ordered pizza. I took the girls to 7/11 and got them free slurpees before picking up the pizza. The boys had gotten their free slurpees a few days ago. Also I didn't hear any whining at home because I had told the kids they could do whatever they wanted to do today. So I only heard fighting when they played the wii together...ugh. At least I didn't hear any whining and begging to play the wii, ds, or computer :) I guess you can't win them all. Now I am going to go sit on the couch and watch the hubs play playstation to bring in the New Year. I know your jealous! Good bye 2011. Bring on 2012 :)

I was right!

I woke up this morning and it was a chore to get out of bed and going down the stairs this morning was incredibly painful. Not to mention my upper body from holding on to the tow rope! It was all worth it in the end to be with my whole family for the day doing something enjoyable. Now I just need to get us all healthy so that we can celebrate the New Year the right way...not sick! But I will say this is the first time in a very long time that I have updated the blog with someone being sick. Since I was pretty sore all day we kind of lounged around all day. We watched two movies and played a couple board games and the kids also played their DS and the computer. Then tonight my friend called to see if I was going to another friend's brothers wake. I hadn't thought about it but after talking with her thought it would be a good idea to go. She came over to our house with her family and the men stayed home with the kids and we went on to the wake. When we got back around 7:45 Peanut was laying on the couch with Jeff saying she was tired. She hadn't taken a nap today so I figured she was just tired. We told her to go upstairs and get in bed. When our friends left only 5 minutes later I went upstairs to tuck her in and she was on fire. I took her temp under the arm and it was 99.9 so I took it in her mouth and it was 102.2. My first thought was "oh crap our friends were just here I need to call her and tell her." followed by "I hope it is only a fever and no one else gets it." She is currently laying in my bed dozing on and off. She was having a hard time sleeping in her bed, I think she just wanted me. Honestly, I feel better having her close by just in case her fever gets higher or she pukes or whatever. I get nervous about high fevers and seizures, none of our kids have ever had one but it is still a possibility. Other than Peanut not feeling the greatest I am still battling this stupid pink eye. I have been on the drops for a day now and it looks the same as it did yesterday. I feel pretty wiped out and hope I don't catch anything else. I kind of feel like a sitting duck in the health department. Dear Lord cover our family and protect us from illness!   

Skiing

Today we got up and went skiing. My dad had called on the 24th to see if we wanted to go skiing. I thought he meant Jeff and the three oldest kids. But he wanted all 6 of us to go with him. Yes, I went with pink eye. We got up somewhat early and picked my dad up and off we went to the slopes. My dad got Red and Peanut semi-private ski lessons which was the two of them with an instructor. They had a really nice guy. I was a little worried at first because when he introduced himself to Peanut she clung to me and hid behind my leg. I told her I would walk with her to the lesson. Then my dad stayed with them while I got my ski legs back. I looked over at them and saw Peanut going down the little hill all by herself. I went over to get a few pictures on my phone. I need to learn how to take them off my phone and but them on the computer to share. Anyways, that was the biggest mistake because as soon as I was over there and she had showed my what she had learned so far she was done learning. He hadn't taught them how to stop yet! He worked with Red and I tried calming her down and getting her to finish her lesson. Finally, I got Jeff to come over and I left and she was golden the rest of the lesson. After lunch I took her over to the hill and worked with her and then I got brave and took her over to the bunny hill with the tow rope and took her up. And then she skiied between my legs all the way down. She loved it. At one point we saw the instructor over at the bunny hill and he took her up and brought her down. He was really nice. Then I took her back up and he was at the top and she didn't want me she held her arms out to him to take her down! Haha. And he did. Red was doing great too. Though Jeff mostly worked with him. By the end of the day he was going up the tow rope by himself and going down the hill alone too. Peanut tried the tow rope and fell about half way up and never did try going down the hill by herself but that is okay. They both did great for their first time! I even got to go down the big hills with the two big kids and my hubby! I didn't fall either ;) Though I will say that I can tell I am going to be super sore tomorrow!

Stick a fork in me...I'm DONE!

Today we hosted the last of our 5 Christmases. It was great having everyone at our house but I am just wiped out from the festivities. It doesn't help that Friday morning I woke up with my eye hurting and looking funny. I started doing a bunch of stuff to help it heal. No way was I going to the ER during Christmas Eve or day. I thought it must just be a viral infection in my eye and it will go away by Monday. Well last night my body started having really weird aches and pains. I decided that this morning I would run to the doctor as a walk-in. She said I have pink eye. UGH. She thinks it is viral but it could be bacteria so she gave me a script for an antibiotic but said I didn't need to take it until Wednesday/Thursday. I guess if it is viral it will clear up on its own but if it is bacterial it will need the antibiotic. I appreciate that this doctor didn't tell me I had to take the antibiotic right away, since I didn't get to see my normal doctor I always get nervous. I can tell it is healing. I just have to leave it alone which is hard because it itches SO much. No worries I wash my eyes if I even touch near my eye. I'm that paranoid. And no one else in my family has gotten it and it hasn't spread to my other eye so I think I have done a good job containing it! So with not feeling the greatest and then having 3 Christmases back to back on the 24, 25 and 26 I'm pretty much toast. I decided that I should take a soak to unwind. It was so nice to lay in a bath tub that NO ONE else other than my family members have ever used. And bonus, Jeff washed my new pj's he bought me and changed the bedding in our bed, like I had asked him to do this morning while I was at the doctors. I had been waking in the night and my eye was crusty and I just wanted fresh sheets. I feel so comfy cozy in my bed right now. Oh I forget to mention I got some really great gifts this year. My man can listen and remember! He bought me new pjs, a precious moments Christmas ornament (I think I have about 15 now?), a pillow type thing to use in bed to sit up so that I don't smash my pillow and a seat to use on bleachers. I am the most excited about that gift because I have many years left in me to be sitting at games watching and cheering my kids on and I would like to do it comfortably! And the kids got me some sweat pants and a puffy vest. I got an added bonus when I went to my in-laws, my mom-in-law got a robe but didn't want it. I had actually be thinking of getting one since GG had gotten hers on the 17th. She had been wearing it around the house to stay warm and she just looked super cozy in it. I totally scored when she said I could have it. That was my Christmas of 2011. Hoping that 2012 is a great year for us and you! 

Christmas Letter

This year I didn't get family pictures taken in time to get Christmas cards made and mailed so I just skipped it all together. There is always next year right! Maybe I will just send out a picture of the kids...that might be easier. On to our Christmas letter. This was our first full year in our new house. We have done quite a few projects in our home this year. In the family room we bought an entertainment center so the television got off of the table it was on! Then we made shelves in the closet and put the kids toys in it. The dining room floor got ripped out and replaced with the same flooring we have in the living room. We also painted the dining room. In the kitchen Jeff took the little closet that had only one shelf and added 3 more to make it my pantry! So much better than having boxes on the counter tops :) We got the stairs and upstairs hallway refinished. We also got ceiling fans in all four of the bedrooms. And the BIG home improvement of the year was the PINK bathroom. We gutted it and replaced everything. It looks so much nicer and it was finished yesterday! It will be exciting to see the changes we make to the house this coming year though I do feel like I need a break from construction and spending money.
Our trips this year, we went on a cruise to the Bahamas sans kids. We went with another couple from church. That was in February. Then in October we pulled the kids out of school for a couple of days and went with Jeff on a business trip.
This year for GG...she is in 5th grade! Which is the year they can be apart of different sports teams at school. She tried out for the cheer squad and made it. She also made co-captain! We have enjoyed watching her perform.
Monkey: He played baseball for the first time and was a natural. I look forward to the next season. He is in 4th grade this year and has a male teacher. He is doing great this year academically!!!
Red: He graduated Kindergarten and is now in 1st grade and is gone all day. I miss him a lot during the day. This summer he went off the diving board for the first time and a week later he mastered the high dive. He is my little fish.
Peanut: She is loving gymnastics and has gotten really good at cartwheels. This school year she is being homeschooled by me. We are having a great year being together just the two of us. I am not looking forward to her being gone half days next year.
Jeff is still in the same position at work and we are loving his hours. God is so good to us in that way. He has been able to be involved with the kids activities which is GREAT!
Me: I'm just doing the mom thing and I added watched a few kids a couple times a week to my to do list! I really enjoy my new job. And Peanut does too because I watch a little girl who is 11 months younger than her.

2nd Family Christmas and other random things...

This Christmas party (Saturday) was with my dad, step mom, my older brother and his family (9), my brother and sister neither are married or have kids. My favorite moment of the day was when Monkey opened his last present from them. He pulled out a Brian Urlacher jersey! The kid was absolutely speechless. He was so happy his eyes were tearing up too. He has worn the jersey since he opened it. Yes, he wore it to church. I finally made him take it off and put it in the laundry so I could wash it. I normally don't like my kids or myself wearing clothes without washing them first but how could I do that to him?! The other kids got some great gifts too. No one walked away from that party disappointed that's for sure. Peanut has been wearing her fairy dress ups all day today. Every time I saw her she had changed into a different fairy costume!
Last night was Jeff and I's 12 year wedding anniversary. I decided that I was going to get a sitter and we were going to go out. I have learned that if I have all these romantic thoughts about what is going to happen on our anniversary I will be disappointed. We went to the mall and ended up seeing two people we knew. The first was at dinner, the boy's gym teacher was there with a lady friend. And the second was the Jr. High youth pastor at the church Jeff and I got married in, and his wife. I never had him as a pastor but I knew him.
Today has been kind of lazy. I feel kind of yuck not sure if it was because I went to bed after midnight last night and then Peanut came in our room at 6 something and wouldn't go back to sleep or if I'm getting sick. I feel congested. I just want to keep us all healthy before Christmas. Afterward I don't care if they get sick, ok that's not true I don't want any of us sick...EVER. Anyway, the kids and I went to the library and got some movies. Then tonight Red and I went to the store so he could pick out gifts for his siblings. Then I wrapped some before GG and I watched a movie together. Tomorrow I am going to the chiropractor and then we need groceries. Then we are going to chill at home.

1st of 5 Christmases!

This weekend was my grandparents Christmas party. Everyone was there except for my oldest brother and his family. This year we stayed in the hotel instead of just driving home. When we checked in and got our room we walked in and it was HUGE. We had asked for a double queen and we got a king suite! The upgraded our room for no extra charge. We found out why they upgraded for free. Our room was above a bar and we could hear the music and talking until it closed. At least the kids were able to sleep. This party is one of my favorites every year because I get to see most of my brothers, I have 9, and I get to see my Uncle Tracy and Aunt Lori and their two kids. We eat, open presents, kids go swimming, order pizza and then play games. This year we played "What's Yours like?" and then we played Just Dance 3 on the wii. Good times. I was so happy that my grandpa was able to come this year. Last year he was too sick to be at the party but we stopped by to see him before hand. I am so mad at myself because I didn't get a picture of my kids with both of my grandparents. I just got the 4 generation picture with my grandma, mom, me and the two girls. We have done that picture every year since GG was about 4 months old. I think it is so neat that my kids are so blessed to have two full sets of great grandparents. And the two older ones had three full sets when they were born. Anyways, this post is pretty much brought to you for my Uncle who at the party said, "Are you going to update your website about this?" I asked him if he wanted me too and he said yes. So here you go Uncle Tracy :) We really should get together more than once a year you guys are so fun!

I'm sorry

I am really frustrated with a certain child in my family who accidentally hurts people but doesn't feel it necessary to say I'm sorry. I've had several talks with said child about even if it was an accident you still hurt someone and you should say your sorry. But this kid will some times argue that they didn't in fact hurt one of their siblings while that siblings is crying from being hurt. It is so frustrating. Well last night this child hit me in the face with their jacket zipper, right on my lip, a very sensitive area. They could see I was hurt by my face but instead of saying anything they just acted like nothing happened. I even said, "That really hurt. You got me right on the lip with the zipper from your coat." Nothing. It made me SO mad. Then fast forward to tonight. I was walking down the stairs and I rounded the corner and accidentally stepped on their un-shoed foot. I was wearing my hard soled slippers. They grabbed their foot and started hopping and saying "ouch" immediately without thinking I said, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Are you ok?" Then I stopped and looked at them and said "mm maybe I'm not sorry because you know after all it was an accident and I didn't mean to hurt you so maybe I'm not sorry." They knew I was trying to make my point from last night's incident. Then seriously not even two minutes later one of their siblings did something to hurt them. And that sibling IMMEDIATELY said, "I'm sorry". To which I said, "Look did you see two times you got hurt accidentally and both of us right away said what???" I was able to use that to show them how if neither one of us would of said anything to them they would of felt unloved and uncared for by us. And when they don't apologize when they accidentally hurt someone they are telling that person they don't love or care for them. It should be the first thing out of your mouth if you hurt someone whether on purpose or by accident. This is a major struggle for this child. Not sure if it is a pride thing or what. But other than that they are so fun to be around, helpful around the house mostly without complaining, obedient, loving, and just a great person. I just really wish we could get this "I'm sorry" learned and they will go far in life.

My Peanut

This girl is growing up way too fast. She cracks me up daily though. We have been remodeling our bathroom which means the kids have had to use our bathroom for showers. After the first couple of times trying to help Peanut in the shower I started taking one with her, so much easier. Plus, her hair needed conditioner in it after the shampooing because it was getting too tangled. She calls the conditioner "air conditioner" and it is just too funny. I have corrected her a handful of times but figured I would just let it go the way she says it. Another thing she did recently that cracked me up was she came in our bed in the middle of the night. I asked her what was wrong and she said she was scared of the zombies. The next morning when I asked her why she came in my bed she said the same thing. I asked her if she knew what a zombie was and she proceeded to say, "Yes, zombies eat brains and hearts and trees and grass and houses, no they don't eat houses, but they eat people and cars..." She pretty much said they ate anything she could see at the time, except for houses she took that one back! I love her so much.

Night time at our house...

For the last about 10 years (well since our oldest started talking at 9 months) most nights one of our four kids talks in their sleep. Not sure if I have ever posted on this topic or not. Anyways, sometimes you can clearly hear what they are saying and other times it is just a mumble. Also I don't believe we have ever had more than one kid sleep talk in a night, which is amazing. And the best part is that Jeff and I are usually still awake because they tend to sleep talk between the hours of 10pm and 12am. We had a funny incident the other night and I wanted to make sure that it was documented! Just like any other night we were laying in bed talking just about to go to sleep when GG started talking. It was very clear what she was saying but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. I just remember that Jeff and I got a good chuckle out of what she said. Then two seconds later she got out of her top bunk bed and walked down the hall. I waited a minute and went to check on her. She was walking back toward me. I gave her a hug and told her she needed to get back in bed. I walked her to her room and she climbed into bed. Then I checked the bathroom and bed room to make sure she didn't do anything that should be cleaned up. The next morning when we asked her about it she had no idea what we were talking about. That was the first time we have had a kid sleep walk. Oh boy I hope the other kids don't follow in her foot steps and that was a one time event. I can handle the talking but the walking is really kind of scary.

Missing it

After posting EVERY day for the last month being gone the last few days feels kind of weird! Today was such a wonderful day. This morning the three oldest kids and I got up and went to a birthday party at an organization that packs food for hungry children. It was such a neat and fun experience. I can't wait to go back. The funny part about it was that this morning all the kids were complaining about going to the party because they wanted to watch tv instead. One of the comments was we aren't even going to get a goody bag at the party. I thought "oh brother seriously?" We got to the party and we started and the kids had a BLAST. They had so much fun that when it was over they were sad and said they want to have their birthday parties there! What a change in these kids in just a few short hours. I can't wait to go back and do it again. Though Peanut has to be 5 years old it is an age requirement. Then we went out to eat with my dad who had Peanut. Then to a basketball game and they won. Then to clean the house and have our small group over. Well that was my day in a nutshell. Jeff's was much different then mine. He got up and his dad and him worked on the bathroom then he went to work and then worked on the bathroom some more. Then the guys in our group helped him with the counter top that he just got from the store today because I wasn't going to be helpful in anyway shape or form! I am a weakling. I really need to get stronger because half the time I can't even open up a jar of sauce. Yes, I have to ask my 9 yr old to open it when Jeff isn't home. The other day it was just Peanut and I and I couldn't get it opened so I asked her to help. She's 4 and couldn't get it open so I stabbed the top with a knife and it came off easy peasy! Good thing I had to use the whole jar for the recipe ;) The bathroom is about 90% done. The toilet works so that is good!

last day of the month

wow I can't believe I did it. I posted what I was thankful for 30 days. I think it has changed my perspective on a lot of things. Because I will be having a bad day and then I get on here to post what I am thankful for and feel like I have nothing but by God's grace I have found something to be thankful for each and every day this month! I don't think of myself as a downer but these dark days certainly don't help with my mood. I miss summer :( Moving along tonight the kids had their Ark performance. It was the first time Monkey had a speaking part and GG had a bigger speaking part. And it was the first time Red was in it. So that was really fun to watch! I also had my Bible study this morning and I am SO thankful for this group of women. I have grown so much during this study. It has motivated me to really learn what the Bible says instead of just reading the Bible. Sure when I do read the Bible I get something out of it every time but digging deeper into each verse has just opened my eyes to things I've read so many times but never really understood. I just love it. We are studying Daniel which is closely related to Revelations and the end times. It is so exciting and scary at the same time. Exciting that His return is very near with each passing day but scary because I want my family to be with me in heaven. Though I know that when that time comes I won't be worrying about them I will be in awe of Christ. It is just so hard for me to wrap my brain around. What we think and how we act are not how we will be after the second coming. It is really confusing to me but very fascinating too! I'm ready for the rapture but not really, there are more people I want to know about God. I am thankful for learning and growing more in my faith and in the knowledge of the Lord. As next month comes and we celebrate Christmas I want to focus more on the real reason we celebrate. The birth of the pure spotless lamb who came to cover all our sins. Thank you Jesus for the best gift ever = salvation.

catch up

Today was my catch up day on all the errands that got neglected while the kids were home last week! Peanut and I first had to get do a few things at school. Then it was off to Whole Foods to grab some sunflower oil for my experiment I'm doing. Just not sure I'm ready to share with the world what crazy thing I am doing now to help improve my overall health! But if you see me go ahead and ask because I love to talk about it in person. Then we went to the chiropractor which I haven't been to in about 3 weeks because I needed a break from going and also our wallet needed a break from paying for it. I am seriously thinking of making this my last 12 weeks there. I was not happy leaving there today after the doctor made me feel horrible that I pulled my kids out of care. Hello it is expensive and we just can't afford it right now so make me feel like dirt, not cool. After that we headed over to Toys R Us to pick up the cyber Monday deal I got yesterday. And then got a few more gifts for Peanut making her done and a few more gifts for Red making him done now! Marking off people from my check list and it feels good. Our first Christmas get together is on Dec 10th so I need to get the gifts ready for that next but that isn't hard because it is only 2 gifts. Then I think we might have another Christmas on the 17th and then for sure on the 18th. And I am hoping the 24th with my in-laws after church and then our Christmas on the actual day. That makes me tired just thinking about it. Whoa I totally got way off track here. Our next errand was to get groceries. My goal was NOT to shop at all last week though I did end up going grocery shopping twice. ugh. Once all the groceries were put away it was lunchtime and then school time. Then I realized that GG was going to be needing some stuff to finish her project due tomorrow so we went to wally world (walmart) because it is seriously 5 minutes from our house. I got the stuff I needed and a few more family gifts for Christmas so I am totally and completely done now, ha. Oh yeah and I paid the mortgage. Then I came home and made an appointment for family pictures and ordered my present online, which I am super excited about! Today I am thankful for the energy to get all the above done and not be pooped by 8pm. Uh oh I just yawned I think I have been sitting too long better get up and get moving...

Back to school they go...

Man was this morning hard to get moving which is weird because I woke up at 5:15 and couldn't fall back to sleep though I did just lay in bed until my alarm went off. I just felt so yuck this morning. Not sure if it had to do with the food we ate last night for dinner, we went out with my dad or the lack of sleep I got because my body didn't want to go to bed before 11pm and then woke up at 5:15am. Though one night during break I got woke up at 12:30am and then again at 6:30am by phone calls. It was black Friday and people were calling to see if we had this or could I get this! But I was able to go back to sleep until I felt like waking up...such a difference. Only 3 more weeks of school and then the kids are off for 2 whole weeks. Man are we going to be in trouble. Anyways...I was a good girl today and only looked at a few stores for the Cyber Monday deals and ONLY bought the one item I had planned on buying for Peanut's Christmas present and I got it at a great price, score. I did see some great deals but if don't need them or can't use them are they really that great a deal..ahem extreme couponers comes to mind...moving along. I worked today and I took the kids to the children's museum and met another mom who nannys. She has 4 kids and they are from 3 different families. Though she has 7 kids of her own but they are either off to college or in school. It is funny to me when I take the 3 kids to places like that because to me it is easy peasy only have 3 and one in a stroller. But there are moms that without fail ask me how I do it with 3. You should see the look on their faces when I tell them that I have 4 and explain that I am watching the two and how much easier it is to have these 3 then my 4, ha! Then tonight GG had her second game cheerleading. Poor girl didn't feel very good this morning but I wasn't feeling the greatest so I just figured it was something we ate or the fact that we were both tired. She was waking up at 9 each day during break! At the game she said she had a headache but cheered anyway. Then about halfway through she came over to me. I talked to her and she wanted to stick out the game. I think she just didn't eat enough food today and was feeling weak. She didn't eat breakfast because her tummy was funny feeling and then she said she didn't eat much of her lunch. And she hadn't eaten dinner yet. I hate it when she doesn't feel good. I feel so helpless especially when she won't eat. I just pray hard against an eating disorder because I know how much I struggled with food when I was in high school and I don't want her to be the same way because it royally messed me up. What I am thankful for today is a God who I can cry out to about these burdens or issues and rest in the peace that only He can bring. I know my daughter is in the palm of His hand. I am just so thankful that he cares for me and each one of us so intimately. What an amazing and wonderful God we serve.

A good feeling

Today Jeff and I got to go on a quick spur of the moment Christmas shopping trip. It was a lot like a date, so nice. We stopped at Walmart and got a few gifts, then headed to Game Stop and got a few more gifts, then we went to the Family Christian Bookstore and got two things none of which were gifts, then to Target and we got a few more gifts. I am happy to say that the two oldest are DONE and the two little ones only need one or two more gifts. Such a nice feeling! Now I just need teacher gifts and some extended family gifts and we'll be completely done. I will say that I am usually completely done by now and it has been a very weird feeling to still need to get stuff. It is almost like panic mode now since it is less than 30 days away. I am thankful for the alone time I got to spend with Jeff today. We had a good 3 hours just the two of us and we got to have fun like we used to before kids came along!!!

Overtime

These posts keep getting later and later. Monday is going to be killer to get up to get the kids to school! Today I am thankful for all the overtime Jeff has been getting at work. Sure it isn't normal hours (11pm to 7am) and he does have to sign up for them but it is still extra money to help cover the cost of the bathroom remodel and the impeding Christmas shopping that I still haven't really started yet. The goal is to get it all done next week while the kids are at school. We shall see if that happens. Anyway, I am thankful for his willingness and the availability of overtime. For awhile the department cut all overtime and the only way to get it was to work a detail which he would always get bumped from by someone with more time on. Now he can do some of the bumping which is nice. I better get to sleep or Monday will be even worse than it already is. And wondering if any one had a good recipe for turkey chili using already cooked turkey? I am making Turkey noodle soup tomorrow for dinner but that is only going to use a 4th of what I have left over. Needing some ideas!!! Thanks :) 

Christmas

It is only 30 days away! I haven't even started shopping for it. I just don't know what to get these kids anymore. But I am really excited for GG as I know one of her presents she is getting from her grandparents. She is going to FREAK. I'll give a hint it is a book lovers dream present ;) Anyway I really need to get on the ball with gifts. That is my goal next week to get most of the shopping done. I really only have to get three kids pj's for Christmas Eve, one more stocking stuffer, and then one gift for each because we are getting them a big joint present of either a trampoline or ping pong table. Oh what I am thankful for today is that I learned I am NOT a black Friday shopper. I went out this morning at 7:30 and returned home at 9:45am. I only went to two stores and the first one I walked out with nothing. The second store I saved a TON of money at. I bought two books (one for a baby shower and the other as a stocking stuffer for Peanut) than I got two really cute summer dresses, a winter outfit, and a t-shirt all to go with the book for the shower. When I sat down to look and see how much I really saved I saved $80 and spent $28. I was happy about that. I am thankful for the experience of today but glad I will not be doing that again!

Thanksgiving!!!

Today was another adventure in the kitchen for me! When I got up this morning the turkey was not completely thawed. I took it out of the package and started picking off the ice. Then I began the water thaw. I was able to get it in the oven by 9am which I thought was pretty good albeit half an hour later than I had planned. I am thankful for the fact that Jeff forgot to turn off his alarm and I was awoken by 6:45 this morning. I had set my clock for 8am and if I had slept that long that turkey would not of gotten in that oven by 9am! I know it is a funny thing to be thankful for but I am thankful that alarm didn't get turned off ;) Any other day I would of not been happy. We had such a HUGE amount of food today. Before the big feast we had appetizers of carrots and cucumbers with dip, cheese, crackers and summer sausage, shrimp and dip, strawberries and cantaloup and chex mix which was a pretty nice spread in and of itself. In addition to the food I listed yesterday my mom-in-law brought cranberries and sweet potatoes and Jeff had bought some ice cream for the dessert! It was some good eatin'. We ate around 3pm and then we let our tummies settle. We were ready for dessert around 4:30ish/5 and we told the kids it was their dinner. Red was so excited. Then the we missed Charlie Brown on tv which really bummed us all out. On all the commercials it had 9/8c and then the website said the same thing but when I turned the tv on at 7:50 it was already playing. The kids were in tears so I am going to have to borrow it from some friends. GG is sitting here reading everything I type and she informed me that SHE was NOT in tears...so I must correct my earlier statement with *most* of the kids (the two youngest) were in tears. It was a great day spending time with family. I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving. Only 6 more days of this month...

Ahh

We finally picked a color! It is a shade of purple :) So thankful for that decision being done. Today I'm thankful for enjoying cooking. It makes tomorrow so much better than if I hated to cook, you know? I am a little freaked out about tomorrow though to be honest. My mom-in-law picked out the turkey and it is 22lbs. I have never cooked a turkey that big before. I just hope it turns out good or we will just be eating sides and getting the meat from Boston Market or somewhere else like that. So far this is what is planned to eat tomorrow. Things could change!

 Turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, (though I would of loved to try mashed cauliflower, heard they were super yummy), homemade apple sauce, stuffing, pumpkin seeds, cheesecake, and pecan pie. We should be eating good tomorrow!

Coming along...

A guy came over and fixed all the walls in the bathroom today and now we have to pick out a paint color! That is the hardest part so far in this process. Jeff and I have such different taste on what the color should be. But we really need to get it painted so that we can keep moving on it. After painting is the floor and then everything else goes right in place! It will be no time once the floor goes in but we need to paint first which requires getting a color :) Anyways, I am thankful for handymen who come in and do a good job at a reasonable price! I'm getting excited to get that extra bathroom back. I have come to like having the master bath as Jeff and I's only. But the kids do need to shower and use the potty so they have been invading our bathroom. And I am ready for it to be only ours again! That doesn't really sound thankful more like selfish, ha.

Today

Let's see what am I thankful for today? Today I am thankful for friends in our lives. Monkey is having a friend spend the night tonight and that always brings a level of excitement in the house. Monkey has always been really good when he has a friend over in letting his siblings play with them and today was no exception. His friend has one sister who is 4 years older than him so I bet being in our house was not normal for him and having all of Monkey's siblings want to play with them. The last time GG had a sleepover with her bff she ended up getting a migraine that put her in bed for most of the night. Her friend who also has many siblings played so great with Peanut. I think Peanut thought she was having the sleepover! So I am thankful for friends who fit so well with our family and that make life exciting. Though not thankful for the lack of sleep sleepover induce...it is 11:45pm and none of the boys are sleeping yet and I think the girls finally fell asleep about 15 minutes ago.

Thanksgiving Break

I know I just said how much I love the kids school but I have to admit I get really excited for their school breaks. There is something about being together for a week or two to reconnect. The last couple of weeks it seemed like all the kids did when they were with each other was fight with car rides being the worst! Just like the last few Thanksgiving breaks we got a puzzle to do over break. Well we pulled it out yesterday to start it and GG and I were having such a good time together that we finished the 750 piece puzzle in ONE day. She must of gotten her love tank filled because today at grandma and grandpa's house I walked in on GG snuggling with Red. And Monkey sitting right next to them. I haven't seen her be that tender with Red in a LONG time. It brought warmth to my heart. We really needed this break to reconnect. I am thankful for bounding. I hope these bonds last a lifetime.

Leaders

I am thankful for all the leaders I had in my youth group when I was growing up. They poured so much time and energy into me in Jr. High and High School. Now as I am doing the same for this next generation and I finally understand just how much time and energy those people used to minister to me as a youth. I am so forever grateful for those wonderful people. They were so patient, loving, caring, and attentive. And at a time when I really needed it. Those are some really rough years especially junior high. Jr. High can be brutal at least my experience was. Some of my leaders I am still in touch with through the wonderful world of facebook. I just hope I can be used of God like my leaders were. I am thankful for all the people who do sacrifice to work with youth...nursery age all the way up to college age. I'm also thankful for the wonderful people at our church who have poured into the lives of my own kids. And not to mention the leaders in our church the pastors, elders, and adult Sunday school teachers.

Thanksgiving Break

I am thankful that next week we will get to have a lot of family togetherness. I look forward to working on the puzzle we bought for our break, having the kids help make our Thanksgiving meal, sharing a meal with extended family, and putting up our Christmas tree. I wrote on my facebook status a couple days ago that "I really do love my life and the people I am surrounded by!" I really truly am blessed beyond measure. My life isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination but I choose to look at all the things that I have been blessed with instead of the other stuff. 

Our school

Today I am thankful for the school my kids go to. I absolutely love it. There is just such a great sense of community. My husband had won a free lunch for 6 people in town. I was able to invite some mom friends from school. Then tonight was GG's first basketball game that she cheered at. Being at the school and seeing all the parents in her class there to support their kids in their activities was just so great to see. That does not happen at every school from my experience. My brother and mom-in-law also came to watch GG cheer. 

Mom's Night

Tonight was Mom's night in Boys Truth and Training at church. Each of the boys made their moms a turkey (hand) and on each finger was what they are thankful for their moms. It was really cute and sweet the things my Monkey wrote. What I am thankful for today is the ability and the health to go to the Mom's nights for each of my kids and participate in the gym games. Not all moms can and so I am so very thankful that I am able attend and be active in my role. There was a time in my life that I thought my health was not going to improve so it makes me even more thankful for these times in my life because I do have good health now. 

Job

I have a very part time job nannying. I work one or two days a week and sometimes it is only for about 3 to 4 hours. Yesterday though I was there for almost 10 hours. I like this job for now because it gives us a little extra "fun money" which has come in handy for GG's new cheerleading endeavor, it is NOT cheap! I also like it because I get to play with a baby and they have a daughter 11 months younger than Peanut so she gets to be the oldest when we are there. It has been a great learning experience for her. It is almost like counter acting the fact that she is the "baby" of our family when I watch the kids. The girls play great together which is just another added bonus. I am thankful for this family too. They are good friends of ours so it is fun to be able to watch kids that I love like my own. We get to see them outside of "work" at church and other social things. I know that in a few years I am going to actively seek out a real full time job to keep up with our growing family...food and activities. But for right now I enjoy the very part time "job" I do have. 

Monday Menu

Today I am thankful for food. We never go hungry and eat three meals a day and also get to have snacks throughout the day as well. Not to mention clean water to drink. I know this could be debated but for the most part our water will not kill us to drink. I decided that I need to write out my meals planned for this week because I like being able to look back and see what we have eaten. There are only two days that I know for sure what we are eating because I work those days and need meals that can be done before hand or crock pot cooked :) Our meals for this week are: Tonight we will probably have some gluten free pasta and salad, Tue (I work) we are having Turkey meatloaf and green beans, Wed is church dinner, Friday is beef stew, other meals this week are sausage, potato and kale soup and chicken stir fry, and sausage zucchini bake. I will say one of these meals will probably get eaten next Monday because Sundays are usually breakfast for dinner! I am very excited about making my own turkey sausage for the two sausage meals. I hope they taste good and I can keep making my own because it is cheaper and healthier!!! I'll let you know how it goes...

blessings

This morning before church we shared with the kids about last night and getting to meet the band and how Leeland had red hair like Red. But the best part sharing with them was the little girl we are sponsoring. GG was so excited. She wants to start writing to her...like NOW. But we haven't figured out how to write her just yet. All of them want to meet her too. It just blessed my heart at how excited and joyful the kids were about sponsoring this little girl. I am thankful for the many blessings we have and being able to bless other people even people we don't know like this little girl. I am also thankful for my children's hearts and their excitement in sharing God's love in this way.

My charming life :)

Today I am thankful for family who watches our kids for us. Tonight I am especially thankful for Aunt Becky...she watched the kids while Jeff and I went on a date. I am thankful for our date tonight, they are so few at this point in our life but we hope to improve that soon! When GG can sit that will be SO nice. Tonight Jeff and I went to see Building 429 they are such a great band. Leeland and Royal Tailor played before them. I had never heard of Royal Tailor but they put on a pretty good show. I really LOVED watching Leeland. First of all the lead singer was a REDHEAD! He had such spunk like my Red I could imagine him up there singing! Also they had a girl bass player, how cool is that?! Super cool. Then Building 429 came on and played some of my favorite songs. I was SO happy. I absolutely LOVE this song...check it out here and they played it! Then we got some VIP passes to meet the bands after the show. It was so nice to meet them. We got to ask questions and then got autographs. The last question of the night was Jeff's for Building 429 and it was such a great question that the guy had all the bands answer it. Well except Leeland he somehow got skipped. You want to know what he asked don't you? He asked them what their first concert that they ever went to. There was some pretty interesting answers!!! As we were in line getting autographs they asked for help with tearing down the set so the band could get to their next show on time. They offered free tickets to Chris Tomlin for anyone that helped. So Jeff and I helped but we can't go to the concert. It is on Wednesday night about 2 hours away. But we know someone who is going to school where the concert is so hopefully she will be able to use them! It was just such an uplifting night. I wasn't going to share this because I'm really not looking for people to think I am so great but I just feel like it was such a God thing, I just have to share. The band's tour was called the Hope Tour and they were supporting the organization Food for the Hungry. The lead singer of Building 429 was talking about sponsoring a child and I just really felt called to take one of those kids so I kept looking at Jeff to see if he thought it would be ok. He didn't look at me or say anything while the guy was talking. As soon as he was done talking he asked for people to raise their hand if they wanted a child. Jeff immediately put his hand up and he gave us a child. I almost started crying when we turned it over and saw a girl in 5th grade just like our GG. Of all the kids we could of gotten we got one the same gender and age as one of our own children.

Veterans

On Veterans day it is only fitting to be thankful for all the men and women who serve our country to protect us all. I am especially thankful to my dad who served in the Air Force and my older brother who is currently serving in the Air Force reserves and in the last 10 years has been deployed 2 times. Our soldiers and their families give up so much to keep us safe. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Naps

I am extremely thankful for NAPS!!! I got to have one day which doesn't happen as often as I'd like but when they do they sure do feel great. I feel so refreshed and ready to get the kids from school and finish up our day strong. It also helps that I got to snuggle I 4 year old while napping. One the days I don't nap there is one person in our house that is napping and I have to say that when she is sleeping it is heavenly! I love the alone time. I am wondering how long naps are going to last in our house?! I think this might be the last year for them?!?! We'll see.

My youngest!

I know two posts in one day but I just have to document her today. On Wednesday I help in the cafeteria at school. I was working and Peanut says she has to go to the bathroom I asked her if she needed to go pee or poop to which she said she had to poop. Ok, she knows where to go so I told her to go ahead and go potty and I would be in in a few minutes to wipe her. I also told her not to scream for me because I won't hear her but I will be in when I am done working. Usually my kids are like 20 minute poopers. Well I guess not today! After about 2 minutes of her being in there I noticed girls where coming out of the bathroom laughing. Then the janitor told one of the cafeteria helpers there was a kid in the bathroom calling for their mom. Um yeah, that would be MY child. I go in there and she locked the door so she had to get up and let me in. Well as she was waiting for me she decided to fill the toilet up with toilet paper. As we were washing our hands we were talking and this was our conversation.
Me: Were you in here screaming for me?
Peanut: Of course I was!
Me: Do you remember mommy asked you NOT to scream for me because I couldn't hear you?
Peanut: I forgot. I just needed you to come in and wipe my butt. I was talking to a lot of the girls while I waited for you.
Me: You did? What did you talk about?
Peanut: You know...stuff.

Oh my goodness this girl is just something else! And I think I need to start working on teaching her to wipe herself. I just think I do a better job of getting her clean and she is with me all day so why worry about teaching her that skill yet?!?! Well it looks like I need to. My baby really is growing up. Next she won't need me to help bathe her...

bathroom

Well after months of talking and planning and buying we started work on our bathroom. On Saturday my in-laws came over and Jeff and my father-in-law demolished the bathroom. I am thankful for how handy my father-in-law is and that he is willing to come over and help Jeff do stuff in our house. (And that my mom-in-law comes with the dogs for the kids to play with.) He has helped Jeff lay the hardwood in the living room and dining room. He is going to be helping us lay the tile in the bathroom once everything gets ready. I am also very thankful for how fast we are moving on this project. When we started we both expected it to take about 6 weeks but as fast as everything is moving along it looks like it is only going to take about 3 or 4 weeks. The plumber is finishing on Sunday and the tub will be installed. Then we have to get a dry wall guy in to do the walls. Next is painting which we will do our selves. Then the floor installation then the fixtures; toilet, vanity, mirror, lights, etc. We have most of the stuff bought and in the spare bedroom just waiting. I think lights and towel racks are the only things needed to be purchased. Very excited about a non-leaking bathroom!!! I truly am blessed with some great in-laws and I am so thankful for them :)

honesty

Today I am having a hard time finding what to be thankful for. My kids decided that they were going to play in my room instead of getting ready for school like they were suppose too and in their disobedience broke a compact florescent light right above my bed. Great nothing like getting out of the shower for a little mercury vapor inhalation, ugh. I have to be honest I was livid. They weren't doing what they were suppose to be doing and in doing so made a HUGE mess of my room not to mention a toxic one at that. What I can't wrap my brain around is why my 10 year old was standing on my bed swinging her arms around when she was still in her pajamas. Yes folks you read that right my OLDEST broke the light. WHAT was she thinking??? Thankfully (oh good I found something to be thankful for) my hubby was still home and he was able to help with the quick clean up. All I could do was bump up the air purifier, get dressed and run out the door to get them to school. I didn't even grab everything I needed! I was able to get back to the mess about 2 hours later and looked online on how to properly clean up one of those bulbs. Yep really didn't do what they recommend. GREAT! I re-vacuumed the room and found more pieces of glass and then stripped the bed. I have the door to the room closed and our window open slightly because it is raining outside. I moved our air purifier into the girls room and turned it on in there because the house was closed up for 2 hours after the incident I want to make sure the air gets clean. Besides my husbands help I am thankful for the internet that I could look up how to clean up the mercury filled bulb properly because I'm sure they were be more broken lights. Though when the kids get home they will get to see for themselves why we don't want these bulbs broken in hopes they will be more careful. Fun times. Can you tell I'm still mad?! It really irks me that it was broken where I sleep. I wouldn't have been as upset if it had been in the basement. Still wouldn't have been happy but at least it would of been far from where we sleep. 

My Dad

Today is his 55th birthday so I thought it would be appropriate to be thankful for him today! Let's see I am thankful for my dad because without him I wouldn't be here and secondly he helped shape me into the person I am today, along with other people in my life. He has always been there for me when I was little and now as an adult. I love when he takes me out on dates just the two of us, those times are very special to me in so many ways! Right now he is having a blast at Disney World so I won't get to see him until after Thursday when they get home. We called him this morning to wish him a "happy birthday" and Peanut told him we were going to Disney in a "few days" so sad that we really aren't.

Monkey

Where to begin?! I love this boy more than words can explain. He is so much like his daddy that it warms my heart and drives me crazy at the same time. He last two teeth recently and they are in the funnies spots! The first tooth is the front top tooth on the left and the second tooth lost is on the bottom next to the front tooth on the right! I really should take a picture because I think it is just too funny :) Monkey is my cuddlier we can often be found on the couch together under a blanket watching a movie or tv show together. This makes the other kids quite upset but we both just gravitate toward the same spot on the couch! The others (mostly Peanut) do try and sit on my lap because they say it is unfair...haha. But as much as he is like his dad he is very much like me too. I can just look at him and know how he is feeling or if something is wrong at any given time, I'm a lot like that too. I am thankful for how helpful he is around the house and especially with his little sister. Those two have a really cool bond and I love seeing it in action. I truly am blessed to have him as my son! I love you buddy boy. 

GlamorGirl

Woohoo she made the cheerleading team!!! She came home yesterday with her uniform which we made her try on for us. SUPER CUTE! I can't wait to sit in the stands and watch her. I am thankful for her love of reading even when it drives me completely nuts. I really love her fashion style and have really started to enjoy taking her clothes shopping. So thankful for her reasoning when buying clothes she will pick clothes out and decide after trying them on and LOOKING at the price tag to see what the best deal is, what 5th grader does that?!?! But she gets more clothes this way so she really is one smart cookie. I never tell her the spending limit but when she might go over a few dollars I will just go ahead and get it because she was being very considerate in her choosing...shh don't tell her that :) I love watching her grow up and feel so blessed that God gave her to us as our oldest. I love you sweet girl.

Peanut

She is my little buddy. She goes everywhere with me and I love the company. For instance the other day I had to go back to the oral surgeon to have them take a look she was with me and just chatting away with the doctor. So cute. Today she had gymnastics and I have to say that I absolutely love watching her run around and do the things the teacher tells her to do. The one thing that I have noticed with her that didn't happen with the other kids is I forget she isn't a BABY. When the other kids were her age they were so much more independent in ways that she isn't (chores) but she is also much more independent then they were in other ways (she takes charge of them). I am loving the fact that my youngest (baby) is 4 years old because our family can do more things now. I am thankful for Peanut's sweet little smile and her very fun very much like me personality. I could go on but I won't bore you. She totally completes our family and I am thankful for her in every way. I love you my baby girl.  

Red

I know you thought I was going to go in order...but I'm NOT! Today Red is home from school. He has had a cough for the last week or so. It gets better and then he eats candy and it gets bad again. It is been keeping him awake at night which means he isn't get the sleep his body is used too so he isn't getting a 100% better. Having him home with just Peanut today made me realize how much I miss having him home for half days like he was last year. I loved getting that one on one time with him while Peanut was sleeping and the other two kids were in school. I am thankful for Red's sweet spirit. If I am in the kitchen cooking or doing something around the house if there are little arms wrapped around me I know they belong to Red! He is such a rough and tumble BOY but still so loving at the same time. Today I am thankful for my little 6 year old who brightens my day with his hugs and kisses! I love you Red. Thank you for being YOU.

Thanfulness

November is the month was celebrate our thankfulness so I thought I would post every day this month of things I am thankful for. So far I mentioned my church family. Today I am most thankful for my family. I am really truly blessed with such a sweet family. I am going to use the next few days to expand on what I am thankful for each member of my family! I will start first with my wonderful husband. He so patient and kind towards me especially when I don't deserve it. He provides for our family so that I am able to stay at home with our non-school aged kids. He makes me feel special every day and encourages me when I feel down about my abilities. I love how he leads our family to follow God and to serve others by being a servant himself. There are days when he goes to work at 6am and gets home after 5pm and then proceeds to help around the house. I know I am usually exhausted after a long day working but he does it to help me. I just love him. I realize how much he really does help when he leaves on trips!!! I am so glad that we met 15 years ago this past July. My world has been better because of him. He is truly my best friend. I am SO very thankful to God for him and all he means to me, his children, his parents, siblings and friends. I love you Jeff!

*I felt a little like I was writing an obituary which is really creepy. He is still alive! 

Costumes...

Well I guess I should share the extremely CUTE (that is what everyone on facebook said about them) costumes my kids wore this year. I LOVED seeing them together.

 

 See aren't they just adorable?!?!

I just wish someone would come and take all the candy OUT of my house because I keep wanting to eat it and I have and then it doesn't make me feel very good. Oy. Here are some of my other favorite picture of the night! We went to our churches Trunk or Treat...

The Trunks

 Friends

 The Band

 The fire for marshmallows

 GG drinking hot apple cider

They also had popcorn, a photo booth for people to take pictures in and a contest for the kids! Always a fun night at church.

I'm thankful for a wonderful church family!

Birthday!

it is amazing to me how MANY people when they found out it was my birthday today would ask how old I was!?!?! Not kids adults people. Not that I really care to keep it to myself but I just thought that wasn't a question you asked people over 21 ;) The best was when I would look at them and ask "how old do you think I am?" One guy said, "26" and another guy said "25" both of these people know I have a 10 year old...WHAT?!?! You think that I got pregnant at 16 or 15! I think when I would say that they felt bad and immediately said. Well you look so young. haha poor guys! Other than that my children once again embarrassed me at church during trunk or treat by asking the live band to sing happy birthday to me. I even pleaded *with my eyes* for them NOT to sing to me but it was already out there and so it happened. I am happy to say that another birthday has past and I really don't feel much older but do feel a little wiser ;) Off to open my present from the family which is a really funny story...

Last night Jeff left for church and I said to the kids, "I wish I knew if Daddy bought me the Just Dance for the Wii because if he did we could open it tonight and play it." The kids told me that is what he bought then the search, by them, to find the gift ensued. I finally told them to stop. Then they said about 20 minutes later...that's not really what we got you for your birthday. Fast forward about an hour later I put Red to bed. He was sad about having to play the Wii with Peanut because she "doesn't know how to play" so he really didn't get to play much. I told him that since the kids can't play the Wii together very well that for my birthday I want to throw it away. To which he starts crying "But then we can't play the Just Dance game."  

A dream fulfilled!

When Jeff and I first started dating we talked a lot about being youth workers, we both wanted to work with high school students. When we got married we were both still in college and shortly after getting married (4 months) we got pregnant with our first child. We attended a church on campus that didn't have a youth group because it was all college students. Once Jeff graduated and got the job he has now and we moved by our parents we still talked about wanting to work with youth in our church. At the time we had two small church and we were just not in a place to really be leaders. After we added two more kids to the group we started working with the younger kids. I worked in the nursery and toddler rooms and Jeff worked in the older kids 1st through 4th grade. But we both felt like we wanted to work with the older kids. Jeff started doing worship for the Jr High ministry on Wednesday nights and that led to him working with them on Friday nights. He would come home and tell me all the fun things they did. I felt such a strong desire to come along side him and work together with the Jr. Highers...but we have 4 kids!!! I talked to the youth pastor about wanting to join the leadership team and he said that would be great and they would get a sitter for the kids! This is my second year working with them and Jeff's third. I feel like being with these kids is helping prepare me for when my kids are that age. What a blessing this ministry has been. I truly love the kids I work with and they are pretty funny to boot. I feel like we are finally living our ministry dream even though the though was High School at first but maybe one day we will move up to H.S. but for now we both feel this is where God wants us to be serving.

Also just wanted to update on my tooth removal. It hurt the first day but not a ton. I didn't take any pain medicine until I laid down to fall asleep and was having trouble. I took one Ibuprofen and was good until morning. Now as I sit here I do have a little pain from chewing my food today at lunch. I had to really get it mushy before I could swallow it. I will keep this in mind for tomorrows meals.

Tooth

About 3 weeks after my oldest daughter was born I had horrible tooth pain. It hurt so bad that I wasn't able to fall asleep for 3 days straight. I was an emotional wreck. I had a no born baby and I was a first time mom. I felt like such a failure because my tooth hurt and I couldn't do anything. Also remember around that time I got a bloody nose while breastfeeding it just added into the sense of failure I felt. What was wrong with me?!? Why was I having tooth trouble and a bloody nose? Well it turned out that I needed to have a root canal because the tooth was really infected. I went in and they drilled the cavity or infected part out of my tooth then packed it up and sent me home. Not even 4 hours later my mouth hurt just as bad as it did before I had the drilling done to it. I called the dentist again and they met me at their office after hours I believe it was like 9pm at night. They took the temporary filler out of my tooth and the pain was instantly gone again, yay! Fast forward about 10 years later. My root canal tooth the one that is suppose to be dead is causing me trouble. I talked to my dentist and we decided that it was time for this tooth to be removed. After doing some research online about the connection between teeth and your whole health it all started to make sense! Here is the meridian tooth chart I looked at. My root canal is tooth number 14 which is related to...drum roll please ;) THE STOMACH! I have had so many issues with my stomach. I am really hoping that I can start to heal once this tooth is removed. I am also really nervous that it will throw my whole body out of whack in a good way but that I might not feel very good while my body is able to heal properly. I also have a strong desire to get the 4 mercury fillings removed from my mouth. One hurdle at a time, though I think I found a dentist that will do it safely. I am just ready to have this metal out of my mouth and this dead tooth as well. Did you know that dentistry is the ONLY practice that takes a dead organ and keeps it in your mouth?!?! That is crazy. Now off of my tooth soap box ;) I hope to be a healthier me on Saturday! I also hope it doesn't hurt because my birthday is coming up soon and that would stink to be hurting for that.

Fall is HERE!

We have been busy busy around here. The weather has been pretty nice and we have been able to have the windows open during the day and heating the house up to 70! We have gotten leaved raked (no pictures) and pumpkins from our garden carved (with pictures!). I must say that this year was by far my favorite year so far of pumpkin carving. GG did everything by herself. Monkey did almost everything on his own too. Red and Peanut both required help which I helped Peanut and Jeff helped Red. It was GREAT! The kids also sorted the pulp from the seeds so that I can bake the seeds. Here are a few pictures from our carving adventure...
  

 I asked her to put the seeds in the bowl so she did a great job making sure they all got in there!

 

On Friday night Jeff and I went to a David Crowder Band Concert! Some friend of ours also had tickets so we were able to meet up with them at the concert. I had so much fun even though we stood for FOUR hours. There were 3 bands that played before David Crowder came on and then he played for TWO amazing hours. It was such a great night and I wish we had more money to have been able to take our kids to see them too. David Crowder Band is Red's favorite band next to Toby Mac! We do want to share the joy of concerts with our kids we just have to figure out what is a good age to stand that long!

Mini Vacay...

Jeff went to a career fair at the college we both attended a few years ago ;) Since we still have friends down in that area we decided to all go with him. The kids were super excited to get to miss a few days of school. We stayed out our friends Ted and Joanna's house for the first night (Sunday night) and the second night we stayed in a hotel minus Red he spend the night again at our friends house. Ted and Jo have two boys one in 1st grade like Red and the other is 13 days younger than Peanut. We had a great time just being able to hang out with them. On Sunday when we got into town the first thing we did was eat at ISS (International Sandwich Shop), um I lived on that place when I was pregnant with GG. Then we headed over to Ted and Jo's. The kids played outside because the weather was fairly nice out. They got to take rides on the gator type of a thing which they loved. That night was hilarious trying to get the kids to fall asleep. I think it was like 10something before they were all sleeping. The next day we were going to see if our two youngest could go to school with their kids but their 4yo woke with a fever so it was a doctor's appointment for him instead. Jeff went golfing and we hung out at the house until it was time to get him. We dropped Jo and Jake at the doctor's office and picked Jeff up and then went back to the doctor's office to see the midwife who delivered GG and Monkey. I like to stop in and see her when we are in town. After that we went to check into the hotel and then went to Wally world to get stuff for lunch and birthday presents for this weekend. We have 3 parties to attend!!! Jo and I wanted to see Footloose so we drove by the movie theater to see the playing times, the first show time was at 1:15 and it was 12:55. We noticed that Dolphin Tail was playing too at the same time. Jeff decided he would take all 5 of the kids to see that while Jo and I went to see Footloose! It was a really cute movie but now I'm really curious to see the original again just to compare the two movies. I have seen the first one but it has been a long time and I don't remember a whole lot about it. After the movie we went back to their house and played Just Dance Now on the Wii. I have to say I really like that game. It was so much fun plus I was really good at it, which helps liking it ;) Then we went to Rocky's for dinner. I love that place. The mozzarella sticks are the best I've ever had. As we were walking out a guy Jeff, Jo and Ted worked with and I had a class with walked in. He was in town for the very same thing as Jeff and the next day their booths were very close to each others. After dinner Red went back with them for the night and we went to the hotel. It actually worked out great having one less kid because everyone fit in the bed! Jeff was able to get a ride to the career fair with his co-worker so that the kids and I could relax that morning. After we ate breakfast we went swimming. And at this point I saved Peanut's life. She was hanging on to the side of the pool moving down toward the deeper end. On her third of forth time down her hands slipped off the side and under she went. I had a hard time grabbing her because she was flapping her arms trying to get to the top. I did get her out very quickly but as it was happening it felt like an eternity. Her eyes were open under the water and you could she the terror in her face. As soon as I pulled her out I just held her so tight. That had to be one of the scariest mommy moments of my life. I have no idea what I would do without my little side kick. The kids swam maybe 10 minutes longer than we went back to the room to get showers. The only bad part was that we got out of the pool before Red came back which meant he didn't get to go swimming. He wasn't very happy about that. Once we checked out we went to the Old Dairy for lunch and then headed over to the Union to see Jeff. We got a pretty close meter spot and score it had 1hr and 10 minutes on it!!! I planned it so that the fair was almost over when we got there so the kids walked around and got some goodies right before it ended. Then we went to the bookstore and bought some stuff. We do that every time we come to town. Oh and get a load of this, I brought my camera so I could take pictures of the kids playing and what not but I never brought the camera out! The last day we were there we met Ted and Jo at Pizza Hut and got a quick picture but one without Jeff or Grant (their 1st grader). At least I got one picture though. That little mini vacay has thrown off my calendar though. I kept thinking today was Monday!   

Figured it out!

So I figured out why I'm not feeling good and it has nothing to do with the dog. It has to do with the floors we just had refinished. The chemicals that were used are really doing a number on my body. I honestly think I have lost 5lbs in the last two and a half days. It is so bad that tonight I have opted to sleep downstairs away from the flooring to see if that helps. I am really upset because Red has his field trip to the Apple Orchard tomorrow and I am planning on going but I feel like absolute garbage. I have gone on field trip feeling like this before it is just no fun and I feel like it is unfair to my kiddo. But at the same time he is really looking forward to this field trip and me going with that I really hate to bail on him. If you read this before tomorrow morning just pray that I can sleep good tonight and wake up refreshed and ready for the field trip. Oh and if you could add that food would actually stay in me that would be great too. I'm starting to feel weak, which I so dislike that feeling.

Hmm

Can dogs get you sick? I haven't been feeling very good since Tuesday afternoon. Today all I've had to eat is a few carrots and some nut thins and tons of water. And even when I eat them they don't tend to stay in my body very long, ugh. Today Maggie hasn't been eating very much either so I wonder if she is not feeling good either. Anyway, I am going on a field trip on Friday and I want to be feeling better by then. Nothing worse then going on a field trip feeling bad, trust me I've done it before. I am going to go to the chiropractor tomorrow morning for an extra adjustment to see if that helps get me feeling well quicker. Speaking of health I am really excited and also really nervous to be getting my tooth pulled. I am hoping and praying that this is the break through with my health. I have been feeling good for the most part but there is just something that I can't seem to get under control which is my digestion/stomach pains. I did some research and the tooth that I am having pulled which is already a dead tooth has been linked to the stomach. It makes you wonder. It is being pulled at the end of this month and two days before my birthday so I'm hoping that I don't feel bad afterward.

So NOT a dog person....

I think I like the idea of a dog and not actually the owning a dog part. This has been very good for us (Jeff and I) to see how much work goes into taking care of a dog. I was about to lose it this morning. Before Jeff left for work he let the dog in the backyard with the kids. When it was time to get the kids in the van and to school the dog would NOT come so I could put her on a leash. Then she escaped the backyard when I went to go get her a treat to help get her to put the leash on. UGH I was so annoyed at this point. We were already late getting the kids to school and now the dog was running through the neighborhood. After 20 minutes GG was able to grab her and we could get going. The kids got to school 4 minutes before the bell rang. I really hope they were able to get to where they needed to be in that time. After we dropped the kids off Peanut and I headed over to a friends house to play. Our floors get refinished yesterday and the house kinda stinks so I wanted to get some fresh air. Since Maggie (the dog) is going to be in her crate most of the day tomorrow I thought I should bring her with today. But she didn't eat her breakfast so I brought it with. Such a bad idea, first thing Red does when he gets in the van is spill her food all over the place and it even got in my purse, so gross. Then as I was driving Maggie steps in her food and then jumps on my lap while I'm driving because Peanut wasn't doing her job at holding her tight. So I got dog food all over my pants. We get to our friends house and go to the park but Maggie decided she didn't want to be leashed so she chewed through her leash. Yeah thinking there will be NO dog in our near future. At this point Friday can't come soon enough. But I must say that the kids are LOVING her which just makes it that much harder on me. I just hope the next few days are better and no more escaping :) I let her outside to play unleashed as soon as we got home and the first thing she did was run to the gate to try and escape but I put things against the fence on both sides and she gave up pretty quickly trying to escape and I hope she has completely given up! I hope to get some pictures with her but I just haven't had much time...

Dog sitting

Well tonight is our first night officially dog sitting for my in-laws. Maggie is a puppy so she likes to chew on things. Which means we have to watch her like a hawk and make sure the kids pick up their toys. So far in the 4 hours we have had her here things have gone smoothly. But it is now bedtime and there is NO WAY I'm letting her sleep in our bed. She is in her crate. I have heard her whimper a few times but all seems quiet for now. The kids are loving the dog...except when she jumps on them. Jeff and I are pretty certain we do not want to own a dog at this point. I know we have only had her a few hours and I have to say she is a really good dog. She pretty much just sits on the couch while you sit on the couch and goes where ever you go. She is house broken so we shouldn't have any accidents. It is just something about a dog and the responsibility of a dog that just isn't appealing to me. But for the next few days it will be nice having a dog here. 

october?!

I can't believe it is October already that means I am going to be getting a year older...I'm really okay with that. I think we have finally somewhat gotten into a routine with school. The kids have all seemed to be adjusting fine to this year, which makes me SO happy. We have some really great teachers this year which makes the year just that much better as a parent! One of the biggest changes this year is not having Mrs. A. we have had her for the last three years and she was such a wonderful teacher I still stop in and see her. Red will get her in 3rd grade as long as she is still there! It just amazes me how fast the day goes while they are in school I never have enough time to get the things I want to get done. Peanut and I are enjoying our together time sometimes a little too much togetherness because she has started not wanting to be without me at church. Oh boy! I am really excited about this month. I am going on two field trips with the kids, taking a trip down to the college Jeff and I graduated from and seeing some friends who still live there and of course at the end of the month is my birthday. Four wonderful things to look forward too :) 

My girls

This is my Peanut posing for a pictures after her birthday party!





This is my GlamorGirl a year younger than Peanut but giving me the same pose!

Father/Daughter weekend!

Every once in awhile my dad likes to spend some one on one time with his grown kids. I want to do this with my kids one day too. We had been talking about getting together for awhile but birthdays came up for my kids and their day with grandma and grandpa came before my dad/daughter date. Well my cousin, really she is my dad's cousin, got married this weekend. I call her my cousin because she is a year younger than me and we grew up playing together in the summer so she was really more like my cousin then my dad's. Anyway, my dad and I decided that we would make her wedding our time together. We left on Saturday morning for the wedding that was at 2pm. We got to town around noon and had lunch with some family members. Then we went to the wedding. Oh my this was the most interesting wedding ceremony I have ever been to. The priest was talking about 911 and a couple holding hands jumping to their death and then likening my cousin and her husband to the twin towers. It was in horrible taste. The ceremony was redeemed when the couple read their own personal wedding vows to which they both cried, so sweet. After the wedding we had about 3 hours to kill before the reception. My dad had gotten wind of my cousin's sons football game at 3:30 so we decided to head over there and watch the game before going to the reception. It was a beautiful sunny day and more family members where there. My dad's family is big, he is one of 7 kids and there are something like 24 cousins. The reception was beautiful. We ate, danced, laughed and talked...good times. Then comes the funny part well funny now but not then. We went back to the hotel at 10:30pm. I got ready for bed and went to sleep. My dad turned on the tv and watched some sport updates. At about 2:15 I woke to a noise that sounded like a train was coming right through our room. It freaked me out until I realized it was my dad snoring! I walked over and shook him and told him to stop snoring. He replied, "I don't snore." I went and got some tissue and stuffed it in my ears and then held a pillow over my ears to help drowned out the snoring. It didn't help so I shook him 2 more times before I had enough. At 3:30am I grabbed a pillow and blanket and went to my car and slept in there. Finally I was able to fall back to sleep though it was a tight squeeze sleeping in the back seat. I went back inside around 8:30am when I woke up. I'm so glad I choose to go outside and sleep because I would of been so tired the rest of the day today. After we checked out we headed back home. We got back around lunch time so we went to the Mall and ate at Cheesecake Factory, YUMMY. Then we went shopping. I got two new pairs of jeans!!! Now I am home alone and thought I'd update the good ole blog before I go do all the things that need to be done before tomorrow morning like unpacking and making tomorrow's dinner, I am working tomorrow during the day. 

My baby turns 4!!!

This girl is something else. She certainly has kept me on my toes. I love her something fierce but no one can get me as mad as fast as she can. Wow that girl is a lot like me. She is strong willed to the core and I am really hoping that that will help her in life one day. She is my little me, heaven help me! Today was a day that I worked so yesterday we went on a field trip to celebrate her last day as a 3 year old. We went to the zoo. I got two free passes from the library...love that place. Then my wonderful friend who has a membership had a few free tickets for the dolphin show, stingray bay and the motor safari. On a typical visit we would of just walked around and looked at the animals that were free to look at but since I had these tickets for myself the child tickets were cheaper I bought them. I am so glad I did. It was really cool to see the dolphin show, though we did get wet and that is what Peanut tells everyone about that show! I didn't think I was going to get her out of the stingray bay. That girl LOVED petting the stingray. I must admit that was pretty cool. They were an interesting feeling that's for sure. Then we got to take a ride on the tram and see animals and have them explained while resting. It was nice and it made my feet not hurt so much at the end of the day. We left just in time to pick the other kids up from school, score. Today I had Bible study at my friend's house. She has 4 boys. I told her she was going to watch a movie while we did Bible study but I warned her there weren't going to be any princess movies because they didn't have any girls. Her response, "I bet they DO have princess movies. If they have a princess movie you have to give me a kiss. And if they don't have a princess movie I have to give you a kiss." Sounds like a good deal to me!!! She says some of the funniest things, and where did she learn this betting thing?!?! After Bible study we came home and put on warmer clothes it didn't get as warm as predicted and did school work. Then we met Jeff for lunch and she opened her cards and present from us, a Tangled dress up dress. Now she can be Rapunzel :) After lunch we headed over to my nanny job. I let the girls play instead of fighting them to take a nap because we had to pick the kids up from school at 3:35. Then it was off to church for Awana and Children's Choir. I now have 3 kids in the choir. Can't wait for them all to be in it! I know that my little princess felt loved today. She got phone calls, facebook messages and in person Happy Birthdays with hugs. Oh I almost forgot when she woke up this morning and saw her door decorate she says, "I'm the birthday girl. I can't believe I'm the birthday girl." She was just so excited for it to be HER birthday today. I just love her so much.

Dear Peanut,
These last 4 years have changed my life more than you will ever know. I love your sweet little personality. Your smile lights up the room. I am so glad God gave you as my daughter to love and teach. You truly have blessed our whole family. I love you Peanut!
Love, Mommy

Update on Me...

After I wrote that post I had a good cry and then I moved on. I started researching and I think I figured out what is truly wrong. I do believe I do have acid reflux but I think it is low stomach acid that is causing my symptoms not high acid levels. I looked up natural way to "cure" reflux and came across a website that suggests several different ways to help. The most popular being 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in 8oz of water. So I tried it and oh my word was that the NASTIEST thing I have ever tasted. Yuck. While searching online I found a self test to decide whether or not I had to much or too little acid in my stomach. You have to do it in the morning on an empty stomach. So I did it this morning and don't really feel like the results where the best since I had drank the apple cider vinegar yesterday. I am going to try it again tomorrow and see. Basically what you do is take 8 ounces of water and put 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in it and stir. Then drink it. Then you time to see how long it takes you to burp. If you burp right away you have a high level if you don't burp within 5 minutes you acid level is too low. The reason you need to figure out if you have to much or too little is because the treatment for each is completely different. I really have a feeling that I have too little. It will be interesting to find out what ends up being the case but I really hope it is my road to full health recovery!!!

Self pity party

I sit here completely and utterly discouraged. For the last week I haven't been feeling the greatest and I have been having some pain in my chest that radiates down to my stomach. I kept thinking I slept funny because it would eventually go away during the day and then return at night time. Well this morning I felt like I was going to vomit. I decided instead of taking Peanut to the zoo like I had planned I would cancel my doctor's appointment tomorrow and go today. I will take her to the zoo tomorrow. I wish I never would of went to the doctor. I feel so defeated right now. Instead of walking out of there with a virus that will run it's course (which is what I was hoping for) he said I have acid reflux disease. WHAT? Just when I get my health back on track with the whole mold and start working out. I get diagnosed with a disease. I just can't win. I think my health is going to be a struggle for me until the day I die and that truly scares me because I hate feeling sick and taking care of 4 kids, a husband and running a household. I'm really not wanting people to feel sorry for me because trust me I already feel sorry enough for myself. But I do need to be covered in prayer because I'm not sure I'm strong enough to change my diet yet again. I'm certainly not willing to take the chance on a new drug or an old one for that matter. The side effects on some of those drugs just aren't worth it. I need prayer coverage. Thanks!