Where'd you get this glass?

I had a rough day yesterday. I've been feeling great for about a week, but yesterday that freight train was back.
I let the kids stay up late last night, because I knew that if they stayed up late, most likely they would sleep a little bit later.
They did, but I still had a hard time pulling myself out of bed. I told them where their breakfast was and lay there trying to wake up. They come in about twenty minutes later all excited...they had made me breakfast. .....

Cake crumbs and milk in a dirty glass.

But it was very sweet of them, and much appreciated by this tired mommy. Now that I'm up I'm feeling much better ..so hopefully today will be a productive day

Sick :(

I woke up full blown sick this morning. One of those times when you go to bed fine and wake up feeling like you've been hit by a caravan of 18 wheelers.
I ache, I have a fever, I'm weak, my throat hurts, my head is pounding. At least I can still breath through my nose. Thats one thing to be thankful for.

By the by- how do you like my new layout?

Nice Quiet House

Aaron took the kids to AWANA for me tonight. So its just me and Matthew. All is quiet until I got and take him back out of the kitchen. And then he screams and me, and heads that way again. He's ready to explore. :0)

This has been a crazy week, but mostly I just am so thankful that I am seeing a slight improvement in my health!. I know I haven't been taking the meds to long (3 weeks?) And the improvement is ever so slight, but its there.

Is anyone else going to try and have a China-free Christmas this year?
We are. I can't guarantee for what other people have bought for our kids, but we are not buying anything for our kids this year that is made in China. Now, that means they won't be getting many toys, but I'm going to still try and make it fun. So far:

• They will each get one movie (thats pretty much a tradition anyway)
• I'm making each of them a blanket
• We've gotten Connor a computer game
• I'm looking for a work-at-home mom to make Grace and Sadie some baby doll clothes
• Each of the older kids is getting a Hide-and-Seek bag (this may actually go in their stockings, I haven't decided yet)
• Also in their stockings, I met a mama who makes candy- her suckers are completely dye free! So they will be getting this candy instead of chocolate. I know that Connor and Grace especially miss lollipops etc...but so many of the have red dye.

I'm kinda at a loss for Matthew though. I know that he doesn't really know the difference, but I would like to get him at least one fun thing. And then maybe some practical items for him to "open" :0) If anyone has any more ideas, let me know!

Tired

and I'm so tired of being tired. I lay awake last night. Couldn't sleep. I was tired. Very tired. But couldn't fall asleep for the life of me. I finally fell into a pretty decent sleep after looking at the clock at 3am. Last night was a pretty bad night. Usually I'm able to fall asleep by 1am.
But inevitably what happens is during the kids quiet time, I sit down to read and end up falling asleep. I still don't sleep heavy, and not more than 30 minutes so that shouldn't be what keeps me upa t night.

I've considered taking a tylenol pm or something to help me sleep, but I'm afraid of sleeping to hard and not hearing the kids. So for now, I lay awake. Trying to sleep, but sleep is slow coming no matter how tired I am.

Changing subjects I am also tired of the clothes that are lining the shelves waiting to be bought for little girls. This is a subject that gets brought up a lot in our home because of a family member with an opposing viewpoint. One that often buys clothes for our kids. One thing we strive to do is teach our daughters modesty. However, when I go shopping for clothes, especially for Sadie its getting harder and harder. Wal*Mart is even falling prey to a lot of immodest clothing lining the racks. Target has a few cute things, but its getting harder there as well. What I think is horrible is the places where I can find the most cute, little girl, modest clothing are the most expensive. Old Navy, Gymboree, The Childrens Place. This is why I tend to do most of my shopping on Ebay and at Consignment shops

For those of you with daughters- how do you feel about the selection of clothing we're being given for our daughters? Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes that actually look like they belong to a 7 year old and not a 17 year old?

What is it...

about a ringing phone that turns children into heathens. My day started out wonderful, and its not even 9am! I knew I was expecting a phone call first thing this morning, but I missed it the first time. Thankfully she called back, but when I picked up the cordless phone (off the base) it was dying so I had to use the corded phone. Having to use a corded phone is like inviting the kids to sit in a room full of candy. It doubles the heathenistic tendancies. They know you can't just get up and follow them around the house. So anyway, I take the call, Grace and Connor sit at my feet and fight. Loudly. I'm hissing at them to be-quiet-go-to-the-room-and-play-until-I'm-off-the-phone.
Its just gone downhill from there. Connor is having one of his bad days. Why? I have no clue. Is the weather changing?

I'm back!

Yes I realize I've been gone for 11 days. Miss me much? Our laptop died, and guess what? We had a choice- send the whole thing to gateway to be fixed which would cost at least $167 - probably more, or try to find the part online somewhere. So anyway- we foudn the part online on ebay. Took our chances and ordered it. Now just waiting for it to arrive. Mom and dad are letting us use a laptop until it gets here though.
*sigh* I've missed being online. I do so much research etc on things. Plus friends from far away- this is how I keep in touch with them. So I've definatly missed everyone. But I'm back.
Not much happened while I was away..... everyone has been mostly healthy....Connor had a bit of a tummy bug about a week ago I guess. No one else got it though, so I'm not sure what was up with that.
And yes, I am well aware that I am posting this at 5am. I'm wide awake and just cannot go back to sleep. So here I am. Anyway, hopefully I can think of more to post later. :)

Of course we have a busy weekend planned, so I'm sure I'll be blogging about that.

Age is just a number

Today is my birthday. I am now 26. Aaron woke me up with a kiss and a Happy Birthday. And then mentioned that in 4 years I'll be 30. Honestly? The thought doesn't bother me.
He says talk to him in four years- and yeah, my feelings may change- but I doubt it. To me- age is what you make it. I dont tend to dwell on it a lot.
So anyway Happy birthday to me :)

Happy Birthday to You, and You, and Oh! Me too!

Its that time of year again. Labor day weekend, which signifies three birthdays back to back in our family. Aaron turned 31 yesterday, My brother turns 9 tomorrow, and I turn 26 Wednesday. Yesterday we went to my parents and grilled, and the kids swam.
Today we're having my in laws over, and we're grilling. I think my mother in law and I are going shopping. :)
Wednesday we're having a friend and her two daughters over, and I'm making Italian food. Yum!

I'll post pictures soon, but we're trying to get ready for the CCC sale in the middle of all the celebration, plus clean, catch up on laundry etc. Hopefully I'll have pics up by tomorrow. :)

Happy Birthday to all of us! :D

OWIE!!

I am in so much pain right now :(
There is a spot on my back that is tender to the touch all the time. No clue why, but I even have to be careful about the waistline of my pants, because if they hit in that spot, even that amount of pressure hurts. My chiro has never been able to figure out why either.
Anyway, that being explained. Last night we were sitting on the couch watching America's Got Talent. Connor was sitting on the arm of the couch behind me, and fell off, slamming his legs from the knee down directly onto that spot. The pain was blindingly intense, I didn't even realize I was crying until Aaron told me. I was sore the rest of the night, didn't sleep well at all, and can hardly move this morning. :( If I had any say in it, the kids would be going somewhere for the day, I'd be taking a pain pill and crawling back in bed. Instead, powering through.
Going to do school, and hopefully get through it quickly so I can lounge on the couch the rest of the day until time to get ready for our meeting.
Pray for me. I hurt. :(

Blah Whats wrong with me???

Sometimes I get irritated at myself for being myself.
I went to the local Home school Support group's mothers tea last night. I knew a very tiny handful of people there, but they all knew other people.

I am not lying when I say it was physically painful to stay. I wanted to cry and run away. I stayed, for information sake. But there were many times when I was the only one at my table. Everyone was mingling and talking, I felt like a 12 year old girl in the middle of very sophisticated women. Now don't get me wrong, no one there made me feel this way. Everyone was beyond kind. I just feel like....I don't know. I was just so uncomfortable.

I only went because Aaron made me go, the only reason we go to small group even is because Aaron wants to go( and again this is ALL on me.....its my own issue) Nothing has happened to make me not enjoy going, I just don't feel like I fit in. It's quite painful for me.

Aaron tells me last night when I come home in tears, because I was so miserable, that I have to assert myself. He says "you are starting a business, you have to get over this" But when I have a camera in my hands I am confident, I'm calm cool and collected. I don't feel so self conscious. ugh. Why?

Its Quiet!

My husband gave me a wonderful gift today. He took ALL the kids to his mothers. I have the house to myself. Its so quiet. I'm sure I'll be missing them later, but right now its awesome. :)
I am getting some cleaning done- and its going so quickly! It took me ten minutes to tidy the living room as opposed to thirty :) No one is here being counter productive and I'm loving it.

They will return around 4:30 just in time for us to gather our things and head around the corner to small group tonight, where the kids will be taken to a sitter as well. So I am looking forward to a very relaxing day. Tomorrow is church, and then I was planning on taking Sadie and Caroline to see Nancy Drew, but I saw a sign at church yesterday that tomorrow night is Awana registration. Hmmm, not sure how that one will work out.

Monday is the first day of school. I'm ready. I'm still waiting on a few things to come in the mail- but I have enough to get me through the first week while I'm waiting on them. Lesson plans are on my to do list today as well.

Anyway, I better get busy- Just thought I would compose a post in complete silence, able to think in complete sentences without being interrupted. Wonderful!

Checking In...

These next few days before school starts will be a little hectic. Today I am working on laundry.
Tomorrow I have to be at the paper to have my pic taken at 10, then Connor has an appt at 11:30, I am also shopping for first day of school outfits for Connor and Sadie. I know, they are going to be homeschooled, and its pointless, but last year they were in uniforms, and didn't get the joy of first day of school clothes- and I'm going to make them dress down to the shoes anyway, so why not a fun new outfit?

Friday night we have a movie and ice cream night at church, Saturday, Aaron is taking all of the kids to Jefferson so I can have several hours of peace and quiet to plan lessons. Saturday night is homegroup, Sunday church, and Sunday night I am taking my sister Caroline, and Sadie to see Nancy Drew at the $1 theatre.

Monday is our first day of school. Woohoo! I think the kids are really looking forward to it, and we really are going to have a lot of fun. We have a lot of neat things planned. :) Including a field trip two weeks after school starts. lol :)

Monday night I have a tea with the homeschool group. So crazy days ahead, so I wanted to check in and let you know I may be MIA for a while.

One-Hundred!!!!!

This is my one-hundreth post on this blog! Woohoo! :) If you are a reader out there but don't comment, now might be the time to leave a comment. Ya know, just giving me your kuddos and all for sticking with something :)
I have a lot going on in my brain this morning. So bear with me if its all jumbled and runs together.

School starts in 10 days. I considered pushing it back, but then changed my mind. I really want to get a full two weeks of school in for the kids before we go on our field trip to Sci-Port on Labor Day. I feel ready on one hand, but then on the other I feel like I will never be ready.

My friend Lisa is in the air as we speak. Keep her in your prayers this week, she is flying out to Cali to be with her sister for a week. She left the kids behind with her hubby, and was having a very hard time with the thought of being away from them for so long. So if you remember, say a few prayers for her while she's away.

I started scrapbooking last night, and I think its safe to say, I'm addicted! Hobby Lobby had a bunch of stuff half off, and then I used a 40% off coupon for a kit, that had a bunch of stuff in it. I did pay full price for some papers, and then some of the 3d stickers that I just had to have.
I can tell I have a lot of learning to do, but I don't think my first layouts are to bad. I might have to snap some pics of them later so you can see them. But I'm already thinking about my next shopping trip and what else I want. :) I am going to take on organizing some more of these digigal pictures for scrapbooking later today.

Hmmm, I know I had more I wanted to say, but it all escapes me at the moment. So I guess thats it. Happy 100th post to me!

I'm Alive :)

We have had such a busy weekend. I feel like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. :)

Yesterday we ran to Kilgore to pick up some stuff from a lady on Freecycle. We tried to stop by my grandparents, but no one home. :) We came back to Longview, ran a couple errands, dropped Matthew off at my parents, grabbed a bite to eat, and took the other kids to see Shrek 3. After that we picked up Matthew, came home ate supper, and I went to see Knocked Up all by my lonesome. :) It was SO funny. NOT a kid movie, or a clean movie by any stretch of the imagination, but so funny.

I got home around 10, I was SO tired, but I sorted through some of the clothes we have been given for the kids. Went to bed, got up and around for church. We went to Shelley and Rick's church today to see Alexa and Sydney get baptised. :*) It was really nice. After church it was home, eat lunch, I made some homemade candy- and then off to a photo shoot. I'm editing those pictures now, and getting them ready for posting. Aaron and Connor are at the movies now (Fantastic 4 part 2) All these movies are at the $1 theatre by the way. lol. I really wish we could find time to take the kids to Meet The Robinsons which is also there.

Monday and Tuesday are devoted to packing and cleaning. Wednesday last minute stuff, I also have a WIC appt in the afternoon- Thursday I will be loading up the van, clothes shopping, get the van tuned up, taking the kids to get adjusted, and all that fun stuff.

We actually have to stop off the interstate in Tyler and pick up a playpen and exersaucer that we are buying off cheapcycle. Then on to Grand Prarie. :)

Jumping in with both feet

I'm gonna do it. I may regret it, but I'm going to do it anyway. I'm going to start scrapbooking!
I love them, I've always made excuses though. My most popular excuse was not having film developed. Well, now I have a digi cam, no excuses. I'm going to start organizing my pictures today, I think I'm going to start out easy- start with Matthew's book. Aaron plays a game online with friends three nights a week and this will give me something to fill my evenings with. :)

Any tips, fun websites or anything out there? I know you have them Jaime! :P Please share!
Mainly tips on scrapbooking on a budget. :)

Just a Reminder...

For those of you who read my photo blog- I've changed the url
it is now www.mandyhowephotography.blogspot.com
Be sure to update your bloglines and head on over to check out new family portraits later today!

Still Alive...

Wow four whole days without blogging. I'm impressed!

Saturday we went to the VOW marriage conference. The speakers were Bill and Pam Ferrell. They were SO good. They spoke from their book Men are like waffles Women are like spaghetti.
The basic point was that men compartmentalize their life. Each section of their life is in a little box, like a waffle. They can only be in one box at a time. When they are at work, they are at work. When they are working in the yard they are working in the yard. Etc. Women on the other hand are like a plate of spaghetti. Every noodle touches another one. Every aspect of our lives touches and is intertwined with each other. We tend to be multi-taskers. We can be making supper, talking on the phone with our friend, making a grocery list, letting the dog out, using sign language to tell the kids to get-out-of-here-and-be-quiet, all while opening and closing the fridge with our feet. When a large stressor hits our life its like a giant meatball landing in a plate of pasta. Noodles everywhere. Men just go to an easy box and park it. There was so much more info- but if you can I'd definately recommend getting the book. SO worth it.


Sunday was busy day, we had church etc. And just didn't stop moving all day. Today Carline and the boys were here. We played a math bingo game I got at Target in the $ bin. It was fun- and I think we'll have fun with it during school this year.

Aaron is working at Eden apartments again, he was there until 3am on Friday- it *shouldn't be to late tonight, but it was only supposed to be an hour friday night so who knows.

Tomorrow night is a homeschool meeting at the library. I'm looking forward to that, Aaron gets to go with me which is exciting. Carly is watching the older kids, Matty is going with us.

17 days till Rotan!!!!!!!

Little bit of this and that...

Have you ever heard of paperbackswap.com? Someone in the cheapcycle group told me about it and I'm in love! I got the kids two books, Sadie a Junie B, and Connor a Henry and Mudge- A school book for Sadie- 2nd grade brain teasers, I'm also waiting for Dr James Dobsons Bringing up Boys- and I'm getting rid of some of my old books. Yeah! So go check it out. :)


Sadie lost her other tooth just a few minutes ago. I'll post a picture later.

All my lack of sleep this past week has caught up with me today. I'm so tired- and Connor got into red dye this past weekend, so I have no opportunity for rest. *sigh*
*yawn* Its taken me an hour to write this post- so I'll close for now and leave the rest for a nother post.

Massive Headache...

Ok, thats not really what this post is about- but its pretty much all I can think about right now- how badly my head hurts. I've taken two excedrin migraine, and its barely taken the edge off- so bear with me if the post is hardly legible.

In all my excitement yesterday I neglected to mention our 911 call. I was putting away laundry about two pm, and walk into the living room to see Grace shove a goldfish cracker down Matthew's throat. ACK! Because she literally shoved it down his throat, he started crying, and once he started crying, he sucked it down. I grabbed him up out of his swing- turned him over my knee and started banging on his back- nothing. He was starting to turn blue, and wasn't making any sounds- so I threw the phone at Sadie and told her to call 911. She was hysterical, but she still managed to get out what was happening to the dispatcher. After what seemed like an eternity- but in reality was probably more like a minute, I stuck my finger down his throat, and triggered his gag reflex and he threw it up, and immediately started screaming. Sadie handed me the phone and the dispatcher says "is that a baby I hear crying?" I told her yes, but she went ahead and sent the ambulence out- which was fine by me. I was glad to have him looked at. He got the all clear and Grace learned the hardway not to feed her baby brother.

Our date last night went great. We ate at Posado's and then went to the mall. We were going to play lunar golf, but it didn't work out. So we just walked around, picked Matthew up from mom and dad's went to wal mart, and picked up the other kids, and came home. It was nice to get out alone.

This morning we wake up, I take Connor and leave to run to the store to get a drop cloth, Aaron sent me to Lowes for a few things, and to wal mart for breakfast and lunch. It took me two and a half hours! By the time I got back it was lunch time. I got started with what I wanted to do so late, and it just set the tone for my day. Anyway, I have been working on painting Grace's bed, I'm almost done, and hope to finish tonight, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. I got the shelf repainted, and the letters I got for their bow hangers painted. I'm also about halfway done painting their room. I'm excited to get everything in there and complete, because I think it will look great! :) I'll be sure to post pics. :)

Date Night!

Woohoo! We're going out. Long awaited- its our turn to go out on a date. I have lots of plans for us. :) I'm practically giddy. I got all dolled up!

Don't wait up for me! :)