Monday, December 27, 2010

Ready, Set, GO!

Christmas Day has come and gone.  The Kids claimed it to be, "THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!" (as I thought), and I woke up this morning to a complete mess to clean.  We used yesterday as what it was meant for.  A Day Of Rest.

And today it all begins.  I have to sort out things because the movers are coming tomorrow.

Oh, my!

THE MOVERS ARE COMING TOMORROW!

The holiday was great.  I had all of my family under one roof, which doesn't happen often since my parents' divorce.  I have to admit that we put the D in dysfunctional family!  But on Christmas, we were all Just Family.  And that was okay.

The kids were amazed at all of the things that they got for Christmas because Santa brought them things they didn't even ask for, like a 76-key electronic keyboard, which Miss Missy LOVES and we will be putting it to good use with some piano lessons once we are settled in Arizon... which then, I'm sure they will start hating the keyboard, but hey.

There was SOOOOO much stuff.  PS3 games and board games and transformers and Barbies and coloring books and puzzles and stacking cups and microscopes and bug catchers and jewelry...

Today I take down the tree.  I have never taken it down before New Year's.

Today I pack up all of the "takes" and separate from the things that the movers are packing. 

And this week is sure to be a challenge as hold back tears.

We're leaving out First House.  The house we have had for almost 6 years.

We're driving for 6 DAYS with 3 kids to the desert.

We're staying in a hotel until we can find a new home.

We're starting a new life.

READY?  SET?  GO!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

We've Been Good But We Can't Last!



The time is passing fast.

Christmas is almost here.

I'm happy to be done with my Christmas shopping.  I think I may have overdone it. The kids have basically gotten everything that they have asked for and then some.

Santa is being good to them this year. 

But they deserve it.  I feel as if they have been good kids.  Great kids, actually.  With all of praises they get from absolute strangers, friends, and teachers, I feel like they have proven themselves to be pretty darn great kids.

Either that's the case, or I just feel guilty about having to take them out of their school and the only home they have known and move them all the way across the U.S. to the desert.  They are not thrilled about it and I feel bad about having to make them leave.  If you could have seen Cam break down in tears as he hugged The Most Awesomest Teacher goodbye... wow, we were all in tears.  Yeah, she is The Most Awesomest Teacher.  She has had CJ and now Cam for 2 years straight... not because he was held back... because she looped up to 3rd grade.

I'm pretty excited because they are going to be happy.  They didn't ask for much, and they're getting plenty.  I'm mean, they are so great that they didn't ask for much at all.  Speed stacks, mp3s (and not iPods because theu cost too much, says Cam), a BFC girl doll, and an animal habitat.  There were a few other things, but they would be happy with anything.  I'm so proud of them for being so great.

So YEAH!  I OVERDID IT THIS YEAR!

And I'm glad I did!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Where has Christmas gone?



It's been some time since I have sat down and blogged and I miss it every day.  The problem is, my days are so hectic and my life is so cluttered that blogging has had to take a back burner. 

You know what's great?  I haven't been in the bah humbug spirit as much this week.  Of course, I'm coming close to running low on money, so I'm sure the Grinch in me is sure to rear it's ugly head, but all and all, this has not been a back holiday season. 

Speaking of Holiday... Where has Christmas gone?  I can't for the life of me figure out why people have become so afraid to call Christmas CHRISTMAS???

We seem to no longer have CHRISTMAS parties.  We now have HOLIDAY parties.

Signs no longer say MERRY CHRISTMAS.  They now say HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Are we really afraid of CHRIST?  Or are we more afraid of hurting someone's feeling who doesn't believe in CHRIST? 

Christmas is about the birth of Christ, plain and simple.  You can't take that out of the holiday.  It is a celebration of his birth.  You can't have one without the other!

So to you, Dear Blog World, I say Merry Christmas, because yes I do want you all to have a happy holiday season, but remember that CHRIST is the reason for the season!


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Reason, Season or a Lifetime

This is one of my favorite poems.  I remember when I when I first read it and how real it's words felt.  I remember subconsciously putting the people in my life in categories.  How true it is that all people are either a reason, a season, or a lifetime....


A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.


When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.


Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.


Sometimes they die.

Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.


LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.


Author Unknown

Monday, November 22, 2010

Christmas Lists

It's that time.  For weeks, more than a week now, I have been asking the kids to let me know what their biggest wants are this Christmas.  Last year, I told them to give me 3 things that they really wanted.  This year, I allowed them to increase the number to 10.  I think it gives Santa a better variety to choose from. 

Miss Missy wants an array of things.  She has been wanting a new B.F.C. Girls doll.  She got one for her birthday and says she need a friend.  A friend and a bed.  She is also wanting a Princess and Me Aurora Doll, which is a little costly at 50 bucks.  I'm just not sure that is going to pass.

Cam is hoping for a hamster.  I'm thinking this may be doable.  I love animals and, though I have had guinea pigs, a rabbit, a huge turtle my dad brought home from the wild and some dogs, a hamster I did not have.  Well at least not one I can remember, because according to my mom, when I was really young I had hamsters that were eaten by our family cat.  He is also REALLY wanting an animal habitat for a frog or crickets or some other creatures.  He likes animals and this would be a great educational project for him.

CJ is looking to get a microscope.  He's a science nut.  I think he would love seeing how things work and how things grow.  I'm considering getting him a few other things with a science theme where he can do projects and sciencey stuff.  A little over my head, so maybe he can teach his ol' mom a few things.  He also wants a new set of speed stacks.  Has this been a craze for any of you?  A few years ago, this cup stacking thing was introduced to the kids in their gym class.  Every year they have a session in PE where they practice cup stacking.  It's really amazing how fast some of these kids are.  This year, Chris was one of the 6 finalist for the 5th grade.  Although he didn't win the title.  He is pretty good at it and wants a new set to replace his old, broken set.

Of course there were more things on their list.  Neither of the boys made it to 10.  Miss Missy, ravishing the Toys R Us Big Book, copied all she could from the pink girlie pages and asked if she could go over 10.

Now, I guess it's on to the weeding out and decision-making process.  The deal catching and hustle and bustle in the stores.  Oh how I love the holidays..... hmmm.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Does my skin define who I am?

I was surfing Facebook, like I do often, and I came across a post by BlackFolksThink.com stating this:

Hey Black Folkz...got a question...let's talk about titles. I hear a lot of people say that they are this before they are black. For example, ,I am a blogger who happens to be black. I am the opposite...I am a black blogger. Why is it hard for people to be proud of being a black and then their title. I hope I am making sense.
 While there were several responding with their own opinions, I decided to post my own: 
I think that in order for us to stop being a nation that is divided by our race, we have to stop teaching our children to see color. I am proud to be who I am. I am black, but at the same time I don't want to define myself by the color of my skin. I do not teach my children to see color among themselves and their friends. They know that they are black, and they cherish that, but I think that if we want our nation to stop seeing us by the color of our skin and start seeing us as equals then we have to do the same.
 So there you have it.  I stick by this comment, because I honestly believe that while I am proud of my brown skin, it does not define who I am.  I mean, this is what our ancestors fought for, right?  All comments welcome on this one.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The cold, the grades and the turkey!

The cold weather has kicked in.  Guess who is spending more time in the house!

Yes, it seems that when the cooler months are among us, I tend to hibernate a bit.  I use to go out almost everyday, just to get some sun or to wear a cute pair of strappy heels.  More for the heels... and the cute tank tops.

Today, I have been in the house, enjoying a few cups of hot chocolate.

And I just polished off a PB&J sandwich, which by the way was so very awesome.

While I am loving being in my blanket and blogging on the couch, Ginger, my Summa Dog (summa this, summa that), who is normally only outside long enough to take a quick tinkle, does not even scratch at the back door to come in.  I mean, rather than clawing to get in, she is now clawing to get out every 10 minutes.  She is usually such an indoor dog that she cries on the back porch when no ones opens the door for her.

Not anymore.  The weather is cool and she is covered in fur.  Perfect for her.

It's been a fairly boring week.  I'm not use to not having anything to do.  I just finished my 2nd Semester at Kaplan University (YAY ME!!!)

I got a 98.9 in my Composition Class!  YAY MEEEE!

And get this....

I got a 99.4 in my Math Class!!

Me?  Math?

I'm so SMORT!

So, my classes were out for a week and start back on Wednesday.  I'm quite anxious because I haven't had much to do this week and didn't really know what to do with myself without being loaded down with homework.

This is weird because I never in million years woulda thunk I would actually want school to start back!

This is the same chick who got a 20% in gym in middle school!



AND, to end this post, here is Tom Turkey. 


Miss Missy's Kindergarten class was asked to disguise Tom Turkey so that he wouldn't be eaten for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Here is Miss Missy's:

Yes that's a real sponge!
Awesome!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Do you ever read your old posts?

Do you ever read your old posts?  Today, on my LinkWithin showed an adorable picture of my daughter with a Tiara on.  I had to read it.  It was a post last year right before Halloween where Miss Missy realized that the Party City sales paper had no "brown" kids on their costume page.

Read here.

#2 is so great!

Okay, so I spent the day at the school yesterday, first doing my regular volunteering for Miss Missy's Kindergarten class, then moved on the Kid 2's class to help out with whatever was needed.  She is so great.  I really love his teacher.  This is her 2nd year teaching this child.  She moved up to third grade this year and I jumped at the opportunity to have her again.  She taught Kid 1in 2nd grade, too.  AND, I had her to sign a promissary note that she would not retire until she had Miss Missy.  That was BEFORE the orders were dropped for Arizona.  (BOOOO)

So yesterday, she had Kid 2 pick up the library books from the class and choose a partner to help him return the stack to the library.  He chose and was happy to roll the books down the hallway on one of the rolling chairs.  When they left, Mrs. B came over to me and said,

"I'm so proud of Cam for choosing her."

She went on the explain that NO ONE ever picks this little girl.  She said the girl is quiet and shy.  On top of that, she was obviously a little overweight.  We all remember what it was like for shy children that had ANYTHING different about them.  Some of us may have even been that child at one point or another.

Well, when he came back, she gave him a HOOT LOOT ticket.  (A ticket given when you are caught being Prepared, Polite and Positive)

She asked him did he know why he was getting a ticket and took him into the hallway to explain it to him.

How great is my child, you ask?

Well, when she came back in, she told me that she asked him, "Why did you pick Sally? (not really her name... I don't think)"

He told her.  "Well, I wanted to pick some one to help me that I have never picked before.  Everyone should have a chance to help."

Seeeeeee!  Isn't he just the coolest child ever??  He has such a good heart.  He is the one that gives me the most lip, but he is also the one who's heart is way bigger than... well, his HEAD! 

Don't tell him I said that!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

ROCK THE VOTE! ROCK THE VOTE!!! BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!

It's election day!!!  

As many of you know that have followed me for a while, I am SOOOOOOOO not afraid to voice my opinion on politics on my blog.


For that matter, I will speak of practically any controversial matter that I see fit, because... well... it's my blog!  It's my opinion! 


Soooooooooooooooooooo

ROCK THE VOTE!  ROCK THE VOTE !!!!!!!!  
BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!!!!

It is strongly believed that the democrats can't, but I have the faith that when they say NO we can make it happen!  So if you haven't already (I voted early on Thursday), get out make make your voice count!


Here's a little morning inspiration for all of you!

WAKE UP EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!



IT'S HALLOWEEN! 

IT'S My Favorite holiday of the year!

I've never been one to love the Christmas Season, though, it's starting to grow on my, but Halloween is a holiday that is just plain fun!

This year the kids have pretty awesome costumes. 

Here are some pictures from Friday's Halloween Hootie Day they had at school They were Michael Jackson, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj... I mean Strawberry Shortcake.



I was glad that they were able to wear their costumes to school because this has never happened before.  Our school and most that I know of, don't allow kids to dress up at school anymore and don't do the party thing. 

Remember when we were kids when every holiday was a reason to party?  Schools are really starting to SUCK these days.  Imagine school being a place to LEARN!  Hmp!

But this year things were different.  Our school has implements Hoot Loot, a behavior incentive program where when kids are caught being GOOD, being Prepared, Polite and Positive, a teacher adminitrator or staff member might just give them a Hoot Loot ticket.  These tickets can be used to buy all types of things from the Hoot Loot cart that comes around on Fridays, or saved for even bigger prizes, like the Hoot Loot Parties.

Each of my kids saved 10 Hoot Loot tickets to go to the Halloween Hoot Loot party where they were able to wear their costumes to school and attend a party.

This is great!

It has always been a sore spot for me when talking about not celebrating Halloween in the school and allowing kids to have fun for the sake of the kids who didn't celebrate Halloween.

As a matter of face, I have been chastised and criticized quite often for allowing my kids to celebrate "The Devil's Holiday".  Even the boys have come and asked me why do we celebrate the Devil's Holiday because their friends don't.

 Just 2 weeks ago my grandmother asked me if I was taking my kids Trick or Treating and when I responded yes, she asked if I know that the holiday was meant to celebrate the devil and went on to tell me that lot of churches have Hallelujah Night as an alternative.

Now, while I don't knock anyone who prefers Hallelujah Night, I don't feel that I should be considers a bad parent because I LOVE taking my kids Trick or Treating. 

I went Trick or Treating as a child and I came out just fine... for the most part.  I don't remember brewing up spells or conjuring up evil spirits.  And I don't remember praising the devil when I said my prayers at night. 

What I do remember is going out and getting TONS of candy and having a great time walking around the neighborhood seeing my friends dressed up a an array of funny, scary and just plain awesome costumes!  (remember the super hero costumes with the plastic face masks?) 

This is what I do with my kids.  So what is the harm in such?  The true meaning of Halloween had nothing to do with worshiping the devil, as so many of my family and friends seem to believe.  For me, it's a day of fun.  A day for us to let lose as a family and go and beg for candy.  A day where, once the kids are all asleep, mom gets to steal all of their Reece's Cups!

Okay, maybe there IS some mischief going on on Halloween Night!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN, ALL!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!!!

Okay, I am not one of those folks that sit back nicely and act as if speaking about politics is taboo.  I know that 2 years ago during the Presidential Election I was loud and proud about my political views and I perhaps lost one or two of my 10ish readers because of my open door to political discussions. 

VOTE DEMOCRAT!!!!!

Thank you.  That is all!

Friday, October 22, 2010

2 Glioblastomas down! (Dad's Cancer update)

Okay, so I am behind on my updates.  If you were a friend of mine on FB you'd be all caught up!  I am on there constantly!  But, with so many social networking sites to keep up with, I can't possible be on top of them all or there would be some hungry and angry children in this house.

Learned that the hard way. 


So, I have a free 10 minutes, so let's get ya update on my dad.

As I said before, the cancer came back.  Now, 2 years ago, we discovered the tumor when my dad was having crazy bad headaches and was forced to go to the emergency room.  They discovered the tumor and removed it immediately. 

It after finishing Chemo and radiation, it was discovered again in September.  Same place in the brain.  Okay, this brain tumor is called Glioblastoma, a terminal cancer, in stage 4.  Yes Stage 4.  After the first surgery, the prognosis was grim.  The surgeon walked in shook his head and said, "We got it all out, but it's not good."  I was there alone and I broke.  I had already researched the tumor and knew that most were not expected to live beyond 5 years.  At his follow up appointment, his oncologist came in and explained what Glioblastoma (GBM) was to us, shook my dad's hand, and said, "Good Luck."  Not something you want to hear when you are talking about your LIFE!

Those words hurt.  The strongest person in m life, who had NEVER been sick? 

This surgery was different.  The surgeon came in this time with a smile.  He said that it was indeed the same cancer, but that my dad was strong.  He said they got it all out and we may be able to get another 6 years out of him. 

Now I know this sounds grim as well.  I mean, what's 6 years?  That's not a lot of years when you're talking about LIFE. 

BUT, on a positive not, it is SOOOOOO much better than the prognosis from before. 

This time was different for him.  Last time, my dad's recovery was a breeze.  He was home within two days and completely back to himself with NO issues.  WHO DOES THAT? 

This there were a few problems.  He suffered some memory loss, due to the swelling, and there was a time when he couldn't remember my name.  And that was scary.  He kept repeating numbers and date and nothing was connecting.  It was so weird.  He couldn't remember how to get into his computer and he couldn't read anything.  It frustrated him and scared the crap out of him because his worse fear was losing his memory or his speech and not being able to sing.  He's a choir director, you know.

But once the swelling went down, the memory came back, just as the doctors promised.  And, with just a little bit of memory issues, he is back up and running.  As much as we tried, we couldn't keep him down long enough to recover. 

So there!  My dad's doing okay and I have faith in God that he will be just fine!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Daddy Fabulous

I think I may have to reliquish my title... or at least share it.

Last week, I had to go out of town for 5 days to be with my dad.  The cancer came back and he had to go through another surgery.  Same brain surgery.  Same brain tumor.  But that's not what I want to talk about in this post.  If you want to catch up on this before I post my update, click here.

Hubs took on my job.  And I have to say he did an amazing job.  Now while I fully expected that the kids would be well taked care of, I didn't expect that they would be in the best of spirits with dad in full control.  With a drill sergeant type-attitude, I fully expected the kids to be begging me to come home to reclaim my spot.

Not the case.

I, of course, called the kids regularly and asked how they were doing.  They always said that they were good.  They seemed really happy and excited to share what had happened in there day.

Hmm. No complaining about having to clean?

They were responding with smiles and seeming happy about having pizza for dinner 2 times in a week.

Hmm. No crying about having to do push ups for punishment?

They were all smiles and giggles when I asked how they liked being home with dad.

Hmm. No tears for mom to come home?


I walked in the door and the house was immaculate!  So much cleaner than I ever get it.  I'm sure it was partially because the house was put on the market on Friday (anyone wanna buy a house in Georgia), but I'm also sure that it was to show me up!

When I came in, the were PLAYING A GAME OF MONOPOLY!  Are you kidding me?  He HAD to stage that!  The house was calm and they were enjoying a family game of monopoly!  And not on the Wii! 

Okay, so I have to admit, I guess, that this dude did a great job of bring Mr. Mom while I was gone.  Friday was Miss Missy's 6th birthday (sniff sniff!  I missed her day!) and he took cupcakes to her class and hung out for the mini-party they had for her!

Who IS this man?

THEN, on top of that, he bought an additional set of cupcakes just for the family to enjoy at home! 

I mean, really?  Do I know this person??

So, I guess I have to give him his props for taking such good care of home while I was gone.

He has earned the title of

DADDY FABULOUS!

And NOW I know that it is OKAY for me to leave and that everything will be well taken care of. 

So, I guess I can take that cruise now!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Selfish me!

Most women would be ecstatic when their husbands call home before 9am and say he's taking the rest of the day off.

Not me.

Selfish? Yes.

You see, the mornings are my ME TIME. It's when I am walking around a completely quiet house after the hustle and bustle of getting the kiddies on the bus. There's no TV on, no music playing no one talking.... except me and the voices in my head.

It's kinda my thinking time. Sometimes it's spent doing homework. Sometimes it's spent working out (at that time, I am listening to Shaun T on hip hop abs, but it's okay if he talks).

So when Hubs calls this morning and say, "I'm taking the rest of the day off. What did you cook. I'm hungry.", all I could think was DAMN! There goes my only day of working out this week!

SELFISH! I know!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Our Dollywood Vacation in Pigeon Forge! (singing) Awesome!

Last month, we took the most awesome-est (it's a word!) vacation we have ever taken and I have not yet gotten around to talking about it or posting pics.  I know I have been slacking, but between trying to maintain an A average in my online classes (which I have been doing very well, BTW), keeping the things the kids have to do in school straight, which I have NOT been doing very well, and running an FRG, I am a little over whelmed.

SO, at the end of last month, we went on our first REAL family vacation.  Where we actually paid for it.  Not the military.  Not a group retreat.  It was a family vacation.  It was a toss up between Disney World and Tennessee.  Disney lost due to the extreme Florida heat in August.

I must say, I am SOOOOOO happy that we decided on Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

We stayed in a great cabin in the mountains that was so much like a home.  It was so comfortable that we decided to stay an extra day!

The kids loved it.  It was 2 floors with a pool table and a hot tub.  I don't think you can imagine HOW many times we had to hear, "Can we get in the hot tub?" and "Sure hope we're going to get in the hot tub today."  Finally, on maybe the second night, we all got in the hot tub.  Now, we can all say that we had our first experience in a hot tub.  And we did it together as a family.

We went to Dollyworld, Dolly Parton's Amusument park.  It was really nice.  I think we picked a great weekend to travel because it was the weekend before Labor Day and it was slow tourism.  Not good for business, but GREAT for us!  We were able to walk right to the front of EVERY line for EVERY ride and we had SOOOO much fun. 

I really expected the Amusement Park to be the best attraction, but there was so much more to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinsburg.  There was so much going on there that you need at least a week to see everything. 

We LOVED LOVED LOVED the Ripley's attractions. 

Believe it or Not, the 3-D Moving Theatre, the Mirror Maze was hilarious, the Aquarium was huge and the haunted house... well, we didn't exactly didn't get to see that, not with 3 very scared kids.  One wanted to go in, but decided it to be too much after seeing the very first "ghost".  LOL!


All in all, this was the best trip we could have taken.  I really enjoyed it and I know the kids enjoyed it.  And honestly, I think this has to be the first time I have seen Hubs so relaxed and having such a good time.  After a year tour in Iraq, this was great for him.  For All of Us!  Surely, this will become a regular spot for us!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Moving....

I'm in a funk today.  While Hubs is up whirling around the house on a mission to get everything in place to put in on the market, I am in a total funk and completely rebellious against help out because I am really hoping that by some grace of God we won't have to make this cross country move all that way to AZ.  I'm not in the least excited.  I have been a military child for the majority and have experienced move after move and the idea of having to uproot myself from somewhere I am completely happy with makes me sad. 

I do want the kids to have the military kids experience which they have not had.  Miss Missy, who will be 6 next month, learned to walk in this house.  When we moved here, Cam could reach the light switches and CJ rode the bus to school for the first time. 

I'm internally boycotting the move by not helping with the preparations and I know that's selfish of me, but just to see all of the paint being brought and the cleaning being done and the "unneeded" things being thrown out or given away is making me extremely..... grouchy.

Please excuse me while I go strangle so unsuspecting kids who are using my living room as a a dodge ball field!!!!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Clap Clap

Yesterday while I was working out my thighs were clapping when I jumped.

GRRRRRR!


This took me back to high school when my best friend and I use to talk about overweight people.


"WHOA!  When she walks her thighs clap!"  
Followed by Exploding laughter!!


For some strange reason, that doesn't seem so funny anymore....

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

You know what's funny?

  A few years back, there was nothing I wanted more than to find a job and get back into the workforce.  Now that they are all in school, I don't think I'm ready to go back to being a working mom.  Imagine that.

Friday, September 3, 2010

It's Fall Again

I have a love for the fall.

I love when the leaves start to change colors and the air gets a completely different smell to it.  I walked out my back door one day and said, "oh, it smells like fall."  Hubs looked at me like I was a little crazy.

What does fall smell like?

Well it's kind of indescribable.  Kinda smelling the skies are cooling off.  Or like smelling a cooler breeze. Not cool, mind you, but cool-er, as I am still living in Georgia at the beginning of autumn.  It is still hot.  And muggy.  Still miserable, but slightly more bearable... in the shade.  Not as humid, but humid and hot, nonetheless.

I went outside to snap a few pics this evening while hubs mowed the yard.  We are in preparation of selling this house.  While he is all gung-ho, I'm in a bit of a funk because I don't want to move.  Suck to have to move when I've gotten so comfortable.

I think my yard is a little confused by the changing seasons.


While my neighbor's little flowering tree is starting to get it's fall leaves....



my bush is sprouting new leaves...




my gardenia bush is still budding...





and my azaleas are in full bloom.



It's all so beautiful to me.  This is something I'm going to miss when I'm living in the desert in a few months.

Boooooo!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Back to School

The kids are off to school. It's a great feeling to have all three kids in elementary school.  Now, last year, yes, Miss Missy was in all day Pre-K, but the difference this year is that Mommy doesn't have to get dressed and get out of the house to take anyone to school!  What a wonderful feeling!  

Today didn't start off that great.  Here it is the 3rd day of school and we woke up 30 minutes late.  I use my cell as an alarm clock and I didn't bring it in the bedroom last night, didn't plug it up, the battery was dead.  The boys forgot to turn on their alarm, and the husband had apparently left his cell in the car.  It was meant to be a late day, I think.  So everything was done at top speed, but all three kids got out of the house and on to the bus completely dressed, teeth brushed and FED!  An accomplishment in itself. 

I'm having trouble with getting back on schedule.  We didn't have dinner until 8 last night.  During the summer and before Hubs came I didn't really do a lot of cooking and on days when I didn't feel like it, I just told the kids to fend for themselves.  Often times dinner was hot dogs and Ramen Noodles. Now that hubs is home, I actually have to COOK.  Imagine that!  So, I just forgot that there was a need to make dinner last night and ended up with a late start.  The evening was just really hectic last night.  CJ was cranky when he first came home, there was homework to be done, they started wrestling... it was just one of those days!

So, today, I am creating and hour by hour schedule from the time the bus gets here at 4pm.  There is going to have to be some structure.  This means that I will not going to be able to sit on the couch and watch Reba for 2 hours.  This is going to mean going back to ironing clothes during the week. This is going to mean going back to ME cleaning the kitchen, because time just doesn't allow the boys to do the same chores they were doing during the summer.

I'm a little cranky just THINKING about going back to a routine.  Sigh.  177 days until summer.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Waterpik Review

You know what?  I have always wanted to upgrade my shower head.  When we built our house 5 years ago we pretty much put in the basics for everything. So of course that included a basic shower head.  So when I go the chance to test out a massaging shower hear from Waterpik, I jumped at the chance! 

With 3 kids, I don't often have time to take relaxing baths.  And who can get regular massages?  I work out and have found that my upper back hurts a lot.  Getting a massage from the Hubs would be like pulling teeth, so having a massaging showerhead is just what the doctor ordered.

Here's a little info on the showerhead:

Since 1962, Water Pik has been committed to developing and manufacturing innovative personal and oral health care products.  They are dedicated to creating products that will not only improve the health and well-being of their consumers, but provide a truly transforming experience.  Water Pik showerheads are designed using their patented OptiFLOW technology, to maximize water pressure by increasing water force by up to 30%! This provides you with an enjoyable shower, so you feel refreshed and invigorated.

The Easy Select ultra sleek design will add style and sophistication to any bathroom.  Installing the showerhead is a quick and easy 3 step process- it's so simple, your kids can even assist! The five different spray modes allow you to add variety and enjoyment to your shower time. 


 

What is great is that one of the setting gives a little added pressure which is perfect for the sore muscles in my upper back.  I enjoy this shower head and it adds a small upgrade to the house I'm about to put on the market!

Friday, July 30, 2010

And the winner is...

BabyLuv!!


Congrats on winning the $25 American Express Gift Card

courtesy of Kelly Ripa and Electrolux!!

Thank you all for participating!




Friday, July 23, 2010

Adjustment

So our Soldier is home. Hubs has been home for 3 weeks now. (this post has been in save mode for 2 weeks) I'm so glad that he is home safe because that is one less worry I have to think about.  That's one less thing I have to have on my mind and that's one less time I have to wonder why he has not called in 2 days and what is happening for there to be a lack of communication.  Strangely, while he was gone, I didn't talk much about my worries.  Of course I had a lot of worries.  I knew that there were bombs going off on a regular basis not far enough away from the base.  I knew there were people being injured and attempted kidnappings going on right there where he was. I chose not to talk about these things often.  I think it was kind of a coping mechanism.  If I didn't talk about it, it wasn't a scary thing.

So now it's all over and he is home.

Now, of course, we are in an adjustment phase.  We were given classes to be prepared for this phase.  They tell the Soldiers that things are going to be different when you go home.  After a year, the spouses have developed a routine and to try not to go in and start stepping on toes.  The kids are use to there being one parent.  Go into "being a parent" again easily, giving time for the kids to adjust.

This is our first deployment, and hopefully our last.  I'm adjusting to him being here okay. He asks tons of questions that I have to get use to answering again.  When I start doing the laundry, he still takes over and finishes, just as he use to do.  Can't complain that the man does laundry.  Can, however complain that he doesn't do it my way, putting towels in with the regular clothes and not washing whites and lights separately.  AND he doesn't FOLD the laundry.  

I HATE FOLDING LAUNDRY!  

I can wash clothes all day.  Not a problem there.  But I will leave clothes in the basket for DAYS before I get around to folding them.  

YOU WANNA HELP, BUDDY?  

Let ME wash and YOU FOLD!  THAT'S a HUGE help!  I try not to say anything, though.

We are not doing great. I talked a little about our marriage and the issues here.  Funny, there really isn't much in this blog about my marriage.  Another case if me feeling like if I don't talk about it, it's not happening, I guess.  Just smile because everything is fine.  But truth is, I'm still wondering if everything really is fine. Military is hard on families.  He has been gone 3 years out of the last 7. That's a lot of time to be separated.  It's no wonder so many end in divorce.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Giveaway!

It's hot.  No, it's really hot!  In Georgia, hot is a different kind of hot.  Like, walking outside and feeling like someone turned a blow dryer on in your face type hot.

This past week, the kids and I had to find something to cool us off to try to escape to 103 degree weather.  The neighbor's pool has been a hit this week with the boys and yesterday I took them all to a friends house and let them swim while I had some grown up conversation with a few of my girls.

There are times when I just want to sit with my head in the freezer.  Now speaking of freezer let's get to that giveaway!

Kelly Ripa and Electrolux are joining forces once again to celebrate the launch of Electrolux Appliance's new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer - that's right, the familiar duo has split up. And to sweeten the celebration, they're bringing in the "Emperor of Ice Cream" Stephen Bruce, owner and founder of Serendipity 3, the landmark New York City restaurant and dessert spot, into the mix.

Kelly and Bruce teamed up earlier today to make banana splits for a cause.  And now we want you to dig in, with your virtual spoon! Starting today, at www.Kelly-Confidential.com, you can build your ultimate banana split using virtual ingredients from classic whipped cream to caramel sauce to rainbow sprinkles. For each "split", Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.   

As usual, Electrolux and Kelly find new and fun ways to say thank you to those who support this great cause. Everyone who logs on to the site and builds a split will be automatically entered for a chance to win the daily prize - $50 towards sweet summer treats - and the grand prize:  the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux.  

Now, that's one great giveaway, right?  I mean, who can't use a chance to win a brand spankin' new fridge and freezer??  MEEEEEEE!

Now, just for helping out, Kelly and Electrolux are allowing me to giveaway a $25 American Express gift card to on of my lucky readers!  

  All you have to do to enter is go over to the website, www.Kelly-Confidential.com, and build your favorite banana split (remember, $1 will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund!)  Then come back here and tell me in a comment what kind of banana split you made!  That's it!  This giveaway will close on July 25th and the winner of this giveaway will be announced shortly after.



Want extra entries?


* 1 Entry - Tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post and leave the tweet link in a comment.

* 1 Entry -  Post to Facebook about this giveaway with a link back to this post. 
** 2 Entries - Follow my blog on the Networked Blogs link my sidebar.  

Monday, July 5, 2010

Spaghetti Tacos, hmmm.

They kids are really strange.  Their newest endeavor was spaghetti tacos.  Yeah, that's taco shells with spaghetti on them.  Okay, so the idea came form iCarly, where apparently Carly's older brother, Spencer, is the very eclectic inventor type.  Well the kids have asked me several times if I would make them spaghetti tacos and my answer has been, "Ew! No."  So it just so happened that my fridge contained left over spaghetti noodles and left over taco shells and toppings.  They were hungry.  I was in a rush to get out after lunchtime and VOILA!  They decided on Spaghetti Tacos.  Okay, Miss Missy only eats plain, dry noodles, so her Spaghetti Tacos were just that.  Noodles on taco shells.  She was in heaven!  Cam, on the other hand, is a bit more creative with his.  His included noodles, salsa, lettuce and cheese.  C.J. opted out and decided to eat a bologna sandwich.

Okay, perhaps not the most normal meal, but hey, with a picky child and a very creative one, this was a perfect chance to let them be expressive and a great way to get rid of the left overs in the fridge!

Friday, July 2, 2010

EXHAUSTED!!!

That's how I feel today after spending 3 hours in the yard.  I took advantage of the cooler weather today... it is only 84 degrees... and went out to mow the grass and pull the weeds in the yard.  I literally woke up, put on some clothes and went outside.  You see, I am down to two weeks until the husband returns from Iraq, and I don't want it to look like I haven't done ANYTHING in the yard since he has been gone.  Well I haven't, but HE doesn't need to know that!


These are all of the weeds that we pulled today....


 ...that came off off this hill.

I know that looks like crap, with the tarp showing and all that old pinestraw coming off, but that is something I'm going to tackle another day.

It was so horrible and so manual labor-ish and my manicured nails were red underneath the pink and white gel.  AND there was dirt under them.   AND I was sweaty and sweaty in places that probably shouldn't be sweating.  AND I sweat in my hair which means that I have to make time to wash it.  UHGH!  I so don't like yard work!

I am literally too pooped to pop as I lay here in my bed on my laptop wondering how I am going to get up and make it to the commissary today to shop for groceries for the block party tomorrow.  I am trying to figure out if I even want to go and pick up my birth control prescription, which is really important because, well... Hubs IS coming home in two weeks.  I'm too drained at this moment to clean anything in the house and I'm praying that NO ONE comes over today and sees my shame, as I have not monitored the cleaning of the house today and I have no idea if the boys have cleaned the bathroom or the kitchen yet.  And on top of all that, the fireworks are going on on the base tonight and that is a tradition I just never miss.  I love the fireworks display.  I guess I better get UN-EXHAUSTED and get back to work!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Happy Independence Day, Y'all!

I slept in today until 11 and it was AWE---SOME!  I usually wake up between 8 and 9:30 but today I think the fact that I go to bed after 1:30 every night for no real reason what so ever has caught up with me. 

I've become an insomniac of sorts, as going to sleep at night is kinda hard for me.  I'm tired, yes, but my mind is always still wide wake and not ready to drift off.  So I play Bejeweled on Facebook until I can't take it anymore and then I watch TV until I can't take it anymore.  When that hasn't put me to sleep, I turn off all the lights, pray for a while and lay there in the dark with my mind wandering until finally sleep takes over.  It's amazing because when Hubs was here I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, and that was usually before the 11 o'clock news.

I am really enjoying this school thing.  It really gives me a sense of independence and a sense of accomplishment.  It is amazing to me when I can focus on my Management class and understand what the book is talking about and I can relate some of the things that go on to my everyday life.  I was never much of the studious type back in high school, unless the course was Boys 101, and I never applied myself, but this has been an eye opener for and I'm now kicking myself for not thinking I could do this way before now.

So what's going on in your area for the 4th?  I've got a few plans this weekend.  I really love that the base has their Independence Day festivities on Friday this year. They always do theirs on a different day of the city because the city always has a big festival downtown and then this huge fireworks show over the river.  So the base has their carnival, concert and firework display.

Anywho, we are going to the fireworks display on Friday, visiting a friend and getting into her pool on Saturday and our neighbors are having a block party on Sunday.  I've gotta go shopping because I'm making some sides.  This should be fun because one of my neighbors has a pool and the other is renting a bounce house.  I love my neighbors.  They are so awesome.  When we first moved here, we were all a lot closer and we all would get together more often than we do now.  I think when my neighbor, Erica and her family moved to a Navy base in California, it slowed down.  She was kinda the glue that brought us all together because she was the most outgoing of us all. 

So it's PARTY TIME!  Can't wait to just enjoy myself, ya know?  Oh and the time for the soldier's return is right around the corner now!  2 weeks!  The kids are so excited!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Time is a passin'

This summer vacation seems to be flying by.  I guess I say that because we are now only about 2 weeks away from redeployment.  I never knew a year could go by so quickly.  Well, at least it did for those of us back here on safe land.

We haven't done anything special, but the kids are spending their second week in Vacation Bible School.  Is that cheating?  Are they only supposed to go 1 week a year?  It's at a different church and they REALLY had a great time last week so I decided to put them in at a different location this week.  You can't never have enough VBS, right?  And you know what?  VBS is nothing like it was when I was a kid.  I remember it being pretty much like regular Sunday School.  We sat in a classroom discussing the bible and doing a craft.  They are outside, eating dinner, singing songs, doing cool crafts and having a good ole time.

So do I feel guilty about taking them twice?  Eh maybe a tiny bit, but certainly not enough to not take them!

The time is winding down and I have done absolutely nothing this year to improve on the house or in preparation of Hub's return.  I feel like a lazy bum because I had all intentions of painting a room, making some curtains, SOMETHING!  But life seemed to have gotten in the way and nothing happened. 


Oh well.  I'm thinking that he will just be so glad to be out of the desert that he won't care if they house is a bit out of order!  Ya think?

Okay, so I started my classes at Kaplan Online and I am loving it!  I am really excited to be back in school and doing something to secure myself a brighter future. 

Cam is my little academic coach.  He is so funny because when I am on the computer, he will call from the other room and say, "Mom?  Are you studying?  Because it sounds like you're on Facebook because you're typing so much.  Mom, get off Facebook and study, please!"

It's officially summer and boy do I wish I had a POOL!  I want nothing more than to be able to go in my back yard and jump into some water right now. Anybody who knows me knows that I don't do heat.  My neighbors say they never see me in the summer and the winter.  They say I only come out it he spring and the fall. 

I'm dreading having to move.  I really don't want to go to Arizona.  I like it here where I am now.  I'm comfortable and the kids are happy.  The military sure can throw a monkey wrench in your plans for your life.  I hate the fact that we have 2 years left in the military before retirement and they decide that it's time for us to move.  With 2 years left in the military, Hubs should be networking here where we have been for all of this time and looking for a job.  It is crazy because we are moving to a place that is so new to us where no one knows him and he will then have to start looking for a job from there.  He is already talking about having to stay in Arizona after retirement and trying to get a GS job in the system there before trying to transfer elsewhere.

ELSEWHERE?  Where the heck is ELSEWHERE?  

I love my county and had it all planned that this is where my kids should grow up.  The Army doesn't seem to have much care for "your" plans, huh?

OKAY, enough complaining.  I got things to do.  My time is SHORT!  I have to at least try to get this place clean.  It's gotta go on the market real soon... yet another reason to not be happy. 

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Call the Doctor! I have a VIRUS!

I'm on the brink of breaking. Today if my first day of online class at Kaplan University and I have a seminar that I'm suppose to be on at 7.  Low and behold, last night I clicked on something that gave me a virus.  YES A VIRUS!  Can you believe that!  My laptop is SHOT and I was up until 2 trying to get rid of this what seems to be a pretty bad flesh eating type virus... to no avail.  Not a computer geek in the least.

Although I am luck to still have a desktop, it is tucked away in a stuffy computer slash workout slash game room and there is little to no comfort and no ZEN what so ever.  Maybe I should get some water and fire going on in here!

Plus I really hate the fact that I'm going to be cooped up in that room for an HOUR and force to actually listen to the lecture.  Other than the PlayStation, there's nothing in here to distract me.  That may be a good thing, I guess. I am actually suppose to "listen", right?

Okay, so here I am, on high stress, wondering how my first seminar is going to go.  I'm thinking that I may need a massage and a glass of wine before the day is over!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Vacation Bible school equals Mommy Time!

Okay, so I'm up at what could be considered bright and early around these parts these days.  It's summer vacation and the kids don't get out of the bed until after 10 and I get to sleep in until the birds' chirping outside becomes unbearable every morning. This morning, that time was about 8am.

I bought new pillows yesterday because yesterday's sleep was so uncomfortable as I tossed and turned and turned, flipped and folded my flat and fluffless pillow so many times throughout the night that I woke up with bags and dragged the entire day.  So last night's sleep was so much better on a nice fluffy new pillow.

These last few weeks with the kids home has been challenging, to say the least.  The twerps have been driving me nutso!  Individually they are great, but together they are a hurricane!  Between their not so tidy tactics and their not so nice to each other attitudes, I am at a loss when it comes to how to keep my sanity and not YELL MY HEAD OFF all day!  They wake up to my fussin' and I fuss when they go down.  I felt a lot better when I talked to another mom that is pretty much feeling the same pain that I am and yelling as much as I do.  At least I know I'm not the only one that prefers year-round school.  What a TYRANT I am, huh?

I'm seriously considering finding a Vacation Bible School to put them in for every week of summer vacation just so that I can have some ME time and regroup.  I mean really, show up at a different church every week and drop their butts off!  Really... I'm looking into this! Seriously.  God won't mind!

I haven't let their presence hinder me from my workout though as I still get up to do my Hip Hop Abs workout and some Barry's Bootcamp every morning.  So Yay to me on that!  I have even tried to commit myself to running a mile on the treadmill everyday to add to that.  Okay, so I just started the mile thing on Friday and yes I skipped Sunday and Monday, but I'm really gonna try to implement this into my everyday schedule.  I wanna run for 30 days straight.  Think I can?  Me neither, but I'm going to try.  And since I missed 2 days, my 30 days starts over today.  I say that as I'm lounging on my bed, slowly losing my momentum after a 40 minute workout with Shaun T.

I think it's time for my B12 shot again because I had NOOOOOO drive today and did a fairly lazy workout. My pumps where not on point and my hip flexes kinda flopped!

You know, the plus to Hip Hop Abs is that I might actually find some rhythm, because I have certainly been lacking that all my life!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

How to be a Fabulous Mom this Summer

It's summer vacation.

I spent the entire school year being a single mom and still remaining fabulous in the eyes of my children by showing up at school events, being a PTO officer and having "Mommy and Me Time" with the kids individually on doctor appointment days while the other kids were still in school, those opportunities to spend time in the kids lives are no more with all kids now at home.

My kids LOVED the fact that I was a PTO officer and I planned out the events at the schools because it gave them bragging rights.  All the kids in the school knew me and greeted me with "HI MRS. KAY!" every time I was in the school.  I loved being there and knowing that my boys loved me being involved.  Now that it's summertime, I have to come up with other ways to be that "AWESOME MOM" in my kids' lives.

There are so many things that you can do with your kids throughout the summer that will make them think of  you as an awesome mom, and it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg to do it!

Yeah, you could take them to expensive inflatable jump houses, Chuck E Cheese type places or water parks all summer, but that kinda of fun becomes costly and for moms like me who are fabulously frugal.  It just doesn't fit in the budget.

But with my kids, it doesn't take a lot to be an awesome mom.  Just a little quality time makes them think they are having the best summer vacation of their lives.  A little something every day for every few days and I promise you will be that mom that ROCKS!

Here are a few ideas to pass the time.

Making pizzas (or anything in the kitchen for that matter)- This is something that the kids LOVE.  It's easy if you buy a pizza kit like Chef-Boy-r Dee or a Boboli Pizza dough and some of your favorite toppings.  The kids get to get their hands dirty and add toppings that they like and they are all working together, laughing and having fun while doing it.  If you invite a friend over to help it becomes another one of those "bragging rights" moments and you are not only cool to your kids, but you are the coolest mom on the block!

Board Games - My kids love to have a family game night, or day, or whenever we can get one in.  I don't mean the video games, I mean the board games.  The ones that we use to play when we were kids.  They really love the fact that I use to play these games "back in the days", as they call it, and love asking questions about who use to beat who between my brother and me when we were kids.  I love to introduce them to things that I loved when I was a kids.

Nerf Gun Wars - This was really one of the best nights I had with the kids, and it gave me an opportunity to be a kids right along with them. The boys got more Nerf Guns for Christmas to add to the small collection that they already had.  Now, on a normal basis, they are not allowed to sun around the house and they are not allowed to shoot darts all over the place.  But on one particular night, I decided to let them let loose, and I was the one who started it all.  It was awesome as we ran through the house building forts and barriers out of couch pillows and laundry baskets for about 2 hours, just laughing and having fun.

Wii Competitions - I don't know why, but they love when we get together and play the Wii together. See, I'm a trash talker and I love laughing at them when I win and making fun of them when they lose. We can go back and forth like that for hours!  I'm a team player like that.  With the Wii being so interactive, they get to see me get silly and try to move my body in crazy ways to get my avatar to do what I want it to do.  They think its funny and so do I.  So Wii competitions bring tons of laughs... and sometimes tears, but they love that we are doing it together!

Camping in the Livingroom - Have you ever pitched a tent of bedsheets and blanket and had a camp out right in the middle of the living room?  We pop popcorn, eat S'mores, and tell ghost stories by flashlight. What is awesome about this is that there's something about the dark that makes kids sleepy and so the night is often shorter than normal as they wind down in their sleeping bags or blanket on the living room floor.  It's a Win Win situation!


If there is one saying that is true about kids it's that they keep you young.  I have found that with summer vacations and spending more time with them, I have become more creative, more playful and more active.  I do it all just to see the smiles that it puts on their faces, but OMG does it keep smiles on mine!

Monday, May 31, 2010

I'm asking...

I took the kids to church yesterday.  It had been a while. I actually hadn't been to church in... well, since Easter.  I have been doing a lot a running on the weekends and during the week and many times I just chose to use Sunday as a "day off" where I could sleep in and do a little resting because every other day in the week had me up and running around.

Poor excuse for not going to church, I know, but that's how I rationalized it.

So yesterday, I needed to go.  It wasn't a want.  It was something I needed.  Something my soul craved.

I have been doing a lot of praying lately because things in my life aren't where I want them to be.  I have been praying for direction, answers and signs of what I should do and which roads I should take.

Okay, so I'm not the most Christian person, but I do know who to thank when things are good and who to turn to for answers.

So I have asked God for guidance.  Now, I have also asked for CLEAR, CONCISE signs, because, seriously, I can be blind to them.  If they are round about or small signs, I might miss them completely. Right over my head.  And does anyone no how many times God will give you answers if you're not catching them??  Just a question.

So here I am wondering if he is giving me signs and I am just blind to them because I they are not the ones that I want to hear, or if the answers have just not come yet.  Because I know that the answers to your prayers may not come when you want them to, but they will be there right on time.

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So today is Memorial Day and I just wanted to make sure that I take out a moment to honor our Soldiers, past, present and fallen.  I have a Soldier in Iraq now and this day holds a new weight in my heart as I think about him being there is a combat zone with attacks and kidnaps and whatever else might be going on over there.  He has to be pretty brave to go over there and put himself in harms way to protect the freedom of America people that he doesn't even know.  Everyone doesn't have the balls for it, but he does.  And for that, he is my hero!

So don't forget to PRAY for SOLDIERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTER who give their lives for your freedom!

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