Making It Together (Andrew and Mama Day)

Today was another "started like any other" day. Breakfast, dressed, chores, etc. Then DJ headed off to work and me and the kids went about our day. Now lately I have been having a lot of trouble staying asleep and have averaged maybe 3-4 hours a night of actual rest, so I have a bit of a short fuse as well as lingering headaches and fatigue. (I plan to address this issue with my doctor when I see him next week, if I can make it that long). So my days I wake up and hope beyond hope that the kids will keep the rivalries to a minimum. Today has been pretty good in that regard. Mckenzee made lunch for her and Spencer (some peanut butter and banana sandwiches) then once he went down for his nap she headed outside to play with her friends. Andrew stayed inside with me because he wanted to do a project. 

Turns out his project was his version of a Titanic replica made out of cardboard recyclables I had around the house and my glue gun! 
He is really good at figuring out how to make the items look like his favorite famous ship! 

He worked on it for about two hours, cutting, folding, gluing and taping until he had a pretty good start to the Titanic. Tomorrow we plan to do a little more work on it and hopefully even get to the point of painting it as well. (There will be finished pictures posted in the post I have after he finishes it). Here is what it looks like right now with the work he put into it today. 
I am very excited to see how it will turn out in the end, I am very proud that he came up with this all on his own. I love that he is so into the history of such a famous part of this world's past. 

Andrew and I also made corn chowder tonight for dinner, which happens to be a family favorite.

 Here is how you can make it at home yourself:

1/2 cup butter
One medium onion, chopped
4-5 large potatoes chopped into bite size pieces (this feeds 5 people, you can use more potatoes if you want to feed more people) 
One 12 oz can Evaporated Milk 
One 14 oz can Cream Corn
One 14 oz Kernel Corn (drained)
Salt & Pepper (to taste) 

In a large pot saute onions in butter until translucent and soft, add in chopped potatoes and toss with butter and onions. Cover potatoes in water (just until covered) and cook over medium heat until tender. Add can of milk and cans of corn and return to low simmer cooking until heated through. 
Serve and Enjoy! 

((My kids love this meal and it is a great meatless dinner night recipe however I do know some like to add bite size cooked chicken as an alternative.))

So today everything we did was home made and done just me and him. Tomorrow Mckenzee and I will do somethings together just her and Mama! I love when days work out like this. 

Now we are ending our night with some Harry Potter, watermelon, popcorn, and some cuddles. (Mckenzee will be attending camp come the 19th and it is Harry Potter themed so we are getting her prepped up for it) 

Hope you all have a wonderful night! 

Holiday Weekend Family Fun

Today is Monday and another wonderful week is ahead for the world. The festivities of the weekend still linger on the lawns of those who celebrated with their sparklers and personal fireworks and in my home the only remnants of the weekend are the memories and fun that we had as well as some fun pictures. 
While we did not participate in outside activities due to my recovery, the heat and Spencer being a cranky handful for part of the day we still had a pretty good 4th of July! 

The day started out like any other with the kids ready to greet the day a little sooner than I wish they would on a weekend. (They tend to get up with the sun.) Mckenzee proved just how mature she is getting and just how great it is that she pushes herself to accomplish things with her Scouting because she got up and made scrambled eggs and toast for her and her brothers! I was so surprised and impressed! She was very proud of herself too because as she said "I didn't get ANY shells in my eggs Mama!" A wonderful feat for my 7 year old love! 

Andy's little bit of color

Before

I decided that morning that I would also cut and color my hair. Now to anyone who ever cuts their own hair you know how difficult it can be to cut it straight and good on the back since you can't see it well but after several tries and a few too many inches off it was finally a good looking cut length and I was ready to color it. This is what it looked like before I colored it and finished getting it to an even length. (see picture on the left) Andrew decided he wanted color in his hair too but I didn't want to over do it and I wasn't 100% comfortable with the color I was using going in his hair but being a mom who wants to let the kids try new things I put a little in his hair after I put the majority of it in mine (since I WAS doing my WHOLE head in the color) This is how his turned out. (See ^) Mine ended up being more red than I had anticipated, but I figure I can get the color I really wanted NEXT time (another 6 months or so from now) I do like the way mine looks though so I have no real complaints. (See right -->) 

We wanted to go somewhere or do something with the kids, but with it being so warm and me still not feeling 100% we didn't want to overdo it. Plus we really didn't have much money to go to the places where everyone else seemed to be flocking to. Since we did have a little bit of money to use we decided to take the kids to Shari's for some pie shakes! (They take a piece of their fresh made pies and blend it into some ice cream to make and awesome shake!) They had so many flavors to choose from too, Andrew chose Chocolate Silk, Mckenzee and DJ had Peanut butter chocolate, Spencer had a kids ice cream sundae, and I had their Montana Cherry Pie shake. They were so yummy and a perfect cool down treat to have with the family out and about! 

We finished the night with out cookout of yummy chicken, hot dogs, burgers, potato salad, beans, DJ's special recipe Cole slaw, and chips! It was delicious and we were all very full! We watched Independence Day while the kids played and did their reading for the night. Then the kids then had some Popsicle while we watched the televised fireworks from around the states and they danced with each other to the music. After putting them to bed the neighbors seemed to think it was a good time (10pm) to start setting of some fireworks of their own so DJ took them outside to enjoy them since sleep was out of the question. They went on for quite a while (and the garbage was left out all over the parking lot which I was NOT happy about) but the kids were happy so I was happy! So like a said, all in all a pretty good day! Sunday we just spent hanging out, cleaning up the house while DJ did the grocery shopping, and then had an early turn in night. 

Today we just are recovering from the fun of the weekend and are all a little run down, so after doing the quick chores and some laundry it has mostly been a chill out day. Which I think we all needed as I haven't really had one since leaving the hospital. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and made some fun memories! From my family to yours! Have a wonderful week! 

Heat Wave Awesomeness

It seems that in this wonderful state we moved to that I had loved the weather in for the last two years is doing its best to make me miss Autumn and Winter! Living up on the third floor during what has been said is the "Highest Temps since 1885" is making me a little cranky.

However I chose today to be the day where I refuse to even attempt to yell at the kids for anything. I am resting! I haven't really done that well since getting out of the hospital but I really needed to today. So amidst the heat and sweat I have done a whole lot of nothing except delegate and stir some Mac & Cheese.

Even the kids have been cooperative therefore I have let them kinda do what they want today. I gave them fair warning about two hours ago that I would be asking them to do some chores and told them that no matter what they were doing that as soon as I said "Okay kids time to clean up" they would put down their toys and help without any "Just one more minute"s or "Oh Mom, do I have to"s.  The best part, I did it and they listened! I didn't have to repeat myself or anything and they did exactly what I asked them to! I was shocked but didn't let them know how over excited they made me. (I didn't want to jinx it).

Right now as I type this I look around the room and one child is reading, once is playing a game on their tablet, and the third is sitting at the coffee table with some toys using his imagination to play. Though the TV is on they are barely watching it and as to not risk it being inappropriate programming I have Netflix on playing a show called Life that shows how (in this particular episode anyway) the creatures of the sea survive. With actual undersea video and moments caught it occasionally catches one of their attentions and it interests me so I feel like it is a small Mommy win, especially when they ask me questions about what is going on and it inspires my son to talk about one of his favorite subjects, the TITANIC! It seems he is a huge fan of all the things he can learn and knows about that famous ship and its demise! I am very proud that he can have a conversation with me about it and tells me all the things he knows including about the maker of the ship and who made decisions about it and EVERYTHING! I am even grinning now as I type away here enjoying the semi-quiet, non-fighting, easy to breathe in moment the children have allowed me.

I just felt like sharing this little bit. On this hot day, where it seems I just cannot get cool. Hope you are all enjoying your Friday and have big plans this weekend!

Family Update, with all its bumps and such.

I realize it has been a while since I have updated and if you lived in my house you would be shocked that I can even find anytime to write anything EVER! 

My kiddos keep me so busy and so stressed lately that I sometimes just wish they had little mute buttons or shut down switches like the little robot girl from Small Wonder (a show I watched in the 80's) so I can have a moment to sit, breathe, maybe enjoy some tea or something. 

There has been some new things happening lately. 
First ANDY IS HERE! He got here on the 22nd of June and it has been an adventure to say the least. He is a lot different than he was last year. I have missed so much and it seems like he is growing up WAY faster than he should be. It makes me a little sad because I remember when he used to be kind and his favorite movie was Meet the Robinsons and he wanted to be an architect. Now I ask him his favorite movie and he shrugs, I ask him what he wants to be and he says "I don't know", now he does things to his siblings just to make them yell or cry and he thinks it is funny. What happened to my little boy?! What do I do now? Can I get him back or is this just the beginning of losing what he used to be to what his father has let him become? It just completely hurts my heart. 

Another tidbit of info, I recently had to have surgery. Nothing really huge just the same thing I had done a few years ago only this time they put in an IUD as well so I won't be having anymore babies any time soon. There does seem to be a little difference in my recovery this time though. This time I am in more pain that last time, this time they gave me a breathing tube and now my throat is killing me. I cannot yell, much to my children's happiness I am sure (probably to DJs as well) and even when I talk my voice will drop out. My bleeding post op was not as heavy but due to me being a stubborn ass I am bleeding more today than I was when I first got out. I am guessing I am not doing to well with the whole "take it easy" advice via the doctors. I am trying to do better. Hopefully tomorrow I can be a little smarter. I just have so much on my mind, there are some things I am working out with my stress and it just seems like there are never enough hours in the day. 

Lately I have been trying to find a connection spiritually as well and some days I don't know if I have found it yet. I have so many years of being turned away from accepting my faith. So many years ago I was involved with my spirituality. I was in the church choir, I was made a youth pastor, I was someone that comforted others in their time of need and celebrated with them as they wed or found their place in the spirit. Now I feel lost, like I maybe waited to long to try to find myself again. I just don't know. I just want to be happy, I want my children to be happy, I want my fiance to be happy. I just don't know how to make everyone happy. Maybe I can't maybe that is the big picture but I am trying everyday to at least get a little closer to making the people in my life proud of me. 

Speaking of proud though, I am of my little girl! She just finished her first year of Girl Scouts last month. At the bridging ceremony she was able to recite her promise and received 27 new badges and 3 pins to add to her Brownie vest! She was so excited and it was a great night. She cannot wait for the next season to start up and she is working on earning some badges over the summer. She is also super excited to be going to camp for the first time ever (and it is overnight) during a week of Harry Potter themes and lots of Girl Scout like activities. I cannot believe how old she is already and how fast she has grown. 

Time seems to fly these days, Andrew turns 11 next month, Mckenzee 8 the following month and before I know it Spencer will be 3!

I am feeling a little emotional right now, and in some pain that I should really try laying down and relaxing now but I felt the need to write this down and let you all in again since it has been so long!

I will write more soon! 

Mother

moth·er ˈməT͟Hər

noun

1.       a woman in relation to a child or children to whom she has given birth.

synonyms: female parent, materfamilias, matriarch; More

verb

1.       bring up (a child) with care and affection.

"the art of mothering"

2.       dated give birth to.

synonyms:          give birth to, have, bear, produce, birth; archaic be brought to bed of

"she mothered two sets of twins"

3.       :  maternal tenderness or affection

4.        [short for motherfucker] sometimes vulgar :  motherfucker

5.       :  something that is an extreme or ultimate example of its kind especially in terms of scale <the mother of all construction projects>

6.       — moth·er·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun

7.       — moth·er·less \-ləs\ adjective

8.       — moth·er·less·ness noun

     Origin of MOTHER

Middle English moder, from Old English mōdor; akin to Old High German muoter mother, Latin mater, Greek mētēr, Sanskrit mātṛ

First Known Use: before 12th century

My ma and I Summer 1985

My favorite part of all these definitions is the verb version 1. Bring up (a child) with care and affection. My mother definitely did her best to do just that. No mother is perfect, but to their child they are the perfect example of love. Now I know that not every child is lucky enough to have a real mother. Sometimes tragedy or life choices cause a child to be without the actual female version of a mother. Occasionally a father can fill the shoes well or any other role in the family can sometimes do their best to be a mother figure to a child. It just depends on the family. For me my mother was both the female and male role model for me. My father was in no way a father, and as far as I am concerned will never be a part of mine nor my children’s lives.

My mother though, I miss terribly. We spent many years (because of my father) having a strained and rocky relationship. I was fearful of confiding in her and I was not able to get close to her like I wanted until much later in my life. It was mostly in the last 10 years that we were finally able to have the kind of relationship every girl wishes she has with her mother. We grew close and spent a lot of time together. Now I live 3000+ miles away from her, and though I can call her and talk to her regularly it is not the same as having her close by. I fear something happening to her and me not being able to get to her. With all that has gone on with my health lately I wish she was here to hug me and tell me it will all be okay. The last time I had surgery it was her who waited by my side until it started and she who was the first person I saw when I woke up. I love her so much and I miss her every day. I miss waiting for her to come home from work so the kids could give her some love before bed. I miss making daiquiris and talking on a lazy Sunday. I miss having her text me when I was upstairs to see if I wanted to come down and have a coffee with her in the morning.

I worry that the last time I saw her could be the last time I saw her and maybe I forgot to say how much I loved her and need her in my life.

I don’t know what to do….I only know that I feel a little lost without her.   I LOVE YOU MA! 

The Second Birthday, Easter, and Spring Fever

My little boy had his second birthday on the 3rd and he is definitely hitting the terrible twos really hard!

I am beginning to think his new favorite word is "NO!" 

Today we had an appointment where they weighed and measured him and he is 36 1/2 inches tall and 34lbs!  That is the average height and weight of a 3 year old so he is my little giant! 

Being a mom is one of the best feelings in the world (most days). I love watching them grow, learn new things, and really shine their personalities! 

Feeling Poetic

For many years I have written poems all at different times. When I was sad, I wrote. Happy, I wrote. Loved, I wrote. Now I would like to share some different poems I have written to see what you all think!

My Smudged Smile

 I wear a smudged smile,

Chapped by the winds of constant change,

A forced smile,

That attempts to hide the hurt,

My lips burn,

Longing for a balm,

A soft caress of another's lips,

I smile and my lips bleed,

Stinging with the tears of my mistakes,

My fingers touch them,

Blotting the blood of the past away,

Now they will heal,

Soon that soothing kiss will touch my scarred lips,

A true smile will appear then,

Full,

Coral and flushed,

Hot to touch,

But for now,

I smile...

My smudged smile...

Still Waters

A crystal lake,

Reflecting the perfect spring day,

The breeze blown trees,

The sun warmed stones.

The emerald grass,

A calming sound,

The movement of the breeze.

It hums through the pussy willows,

She stands and listens,

Eyes closed,

Face upturned,

Sun darkening the freckles that color her hear flawless skin,

He watches her,

He wishes he was touching her face,

Running his fingers through her hair,

Feeling her softness,

Breathing in the scent of her,

The warmth of her kiss,

He watches her reflection and wish she was there, by his side,

Instead of in the still waters of his memory.

Now this next poem was NOT written by me, in fact I have no idea who did write it but once you read it you will know why I shared it with you! 

Mood Lifter

Whatever our hands touch -
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture
On doorknobs, dishes, books.
There's no escape.
As we touch we leave our identity.
Wherever I go today
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.

Heartprints of kindness
And genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter
Or an anxious mother
Or perhaps an aged grandfather.

Send me out today
To leave heartprints.
And if someone should say,
"I felt your touch,"
May they also sense the love
that is deep within my heart.

-Unknown Author

I read this poem when I am in a bad mood, when I feel out of sorts, when I am having trouble feeling like my world isn't crashing down around me....I hope it helps someone else too!

I hope you all enjoy today's writings and continue to keep reading on as I share more with you another day! 

#MamasPoems #MoodLifter 

1 year, 8 months, and 24 days.

That is how long we have lived here in Washington, that is how long ago we left the world we had known for a new life. It was scary, it was nerve-wracking, it was totally worth it!

In just 12 days my littlest love turns 2! I cannot believe he was only 3 months old when we got out here and now he is almost 2! He has grown so much and is such a happy, wonderful, giggly little boy.

Just like his big brother he has grown to really like Spiderman so we are going to make this birthday themed Spiderman! The funny thing is that Andy's 2nd birthday was the first time he had a Spiderman theme (he had two more after that before switching to Pirates of the Caribbean). We were trying to find some Duplo blocks with a Spiderman theme but we seem to be striking out. So we started looking for some other Spiderman toys that are good for his age. Turns out Mr. Potato Head has a Spiderman version and mini figures sets so we may get him one of those. He is at a fun age toy-wise because he likes blocks, matchbox cars, and action figures and he has an awesome imagination!

Now a little news about my girl! Mckenzee has grown so much in the last few years! She has gone from a cute little fairy princess...into a full princess with her own sense of style, her own attitude (that sometimes gets her little butt in trouble) and her own uniqueness that makes me love her so much!

Spencer clapping for his "Enzee"! 

Last week we got a letter from her school telling us that she was going to be receiving an award! We were so proud but the letter told us not to tell her and that she had no idea she was going to be getting it, just to be at the school this past Friday for a special assembly to see her receive her certificate! So we kept the secret from not only her but also our family (which was super tough) so that when she found out she would be so surprised and able to share the news herself with her family! We even kept up the secret all the way to drop her off at school on that morning. She thought we had left to run our errands only to find us sitting in the auditorium waiting for her to come in! It was a super special day for her as that night we also used a gift certificate we had to take her to Buffalo Wild Wings to have a special dinner and celebrate!

We could not have been prouder to see her up there with the other kids getting her certificate for showing how "Responsible" a student she is! (Now if we can get her to do that a little more often at home) This week coming up we have a conference with her teacher and will be receiving her report card for this term which I am pretty sure will be fantastic since I know she is reading well (above grade level). I know that though there are times it is tough she has been doing really well with her math, and her behavior in class has been very good since she fills up her good girl charts every week with little Xs! She loves school and I hope she continues to love it for many years to come!

So in a nutshell, I think moving out here has really had a positive effect on this family and we are all thriving in some way! The only one missing is our Andrew but we know that that is just a matter of time before he visits again and we have an awesome summer together. Who knows maybe someday he will be out here even more and he will get to spend more time with us!

Thank you all for reading! Stay happy, stay healthy, stay creative!

#MamaMoments
#KidAccomplishments

Proud Moments

So much has gone helter-skelter this month but among the dark clouds has been some outstanding sunshiny moments! 

At the beginning of the month I fell and injured my leg, and when I went to the doctor I found I have osteoarthritis in my knees and the fall had caused it to flare up. Long story made short, I have to keep it as immobile as possible for 3-6 weeks. Which means no work until I am given the a-ok from my doctor. (This is not good for our income but we will "Make it Work"! 

During the time of my injury the house came down with a stomach bug and took turns hitting each of us...prolonged in me for some reason. Mckenzee made me very proud during the time I came down with the bug though. She made sure I always had something to drink, that I had my ice pack or blanket if I needed and took care of her little brother and cleaned up with no muss and fuss which is very much unlike the typical "whine and moan" when asked to help out. She was awesome, even down to tucking in her brother and reading to him and then tucking me in too! 

Painted up for Dr. Seuss Day at School

She has also made me proud by cleaning up her room, doing her homework as soon as she gets home AND working on her Girl Scout Journey book as well. There has been no fighting to get the chores done when I ask and she has even kept the cry baby Kenzee to a minimum. 

Working with Daddy to build at her Dr. Seuss Family night.

She had her second dance class this week and loves it! 
She is really starting to blossom out here, between her new out look being learned at Girl Scouts and her need to be praised as much as possible, she has really pushed herself to do some great things and I could not be prouder. Next week is conferences at her school and I hope things are as great there as I think they are because I know she flies through her homework and always has it right! 

Now on to my awesome little boy! He is astonishing me day in and day out. He has an amazing vocabulary and lately it is rare that I do NOT understand him. He talks so much now and has learned to color, some of his shapes, some of his letters, and even some of his object words! 
Here is an updated list of what he has been able to say this month: 

Hello Mama/Daddy
Sit down on you butt! (yes he has heard that just a few times)
Help me!
Owie Owie (when he hurts himself)
Snack
Love you Mama/Daddy
Night night Mama/Daddy
Kenzee (he loves his big sister) 
Kisses (he usually says this if he need a boo boo kissed)
Mo-Mo (that is an Eskimo kiss with his nose) <----one of my favorites! 

Plus:
Red, blue, green, yellow, purple, circle, square, star, up, down, A, M, D, S, as well as shirt, socks, pants, shoes! 

He makes me smile, even when I want to pull out my hair because he also inherited my stubbornness and charm!

We have also really started getting Spencer into books as Mckenzee is moving up in her reading levels she has also been reading to him! I love them so much they make me so proud! 

Thank you all for reading!

#MamaMoments

#ProudKids

New things and some great Kids!

I just realized yesterday that it has been almost a month since I wrote my last entry! 

So to catch you all up on my to do's and such I am going to write about what has happened in the last month. 

First up my Andrew has accomplished a few things! He made his own homemade wheat bread all by himself! I have to say that as a cook/baker myself I am super proud of this! He was so proud of himself that he couldn't wait to call me and tell me and send me a picture. He also made sure he shared some with his Memere because he wanted to make sure everyone got to try it! This on top of his violin playing and recently finding out that he went to his first dance make me proud and sad all at the same time. He tried to call me before the dance but I was out running errands and missed the call, his father said he was all kinds of nervous and dead set against his father chaperoning the dance. (His father was teasing him saying he was going to go to the dance with him to keep and eye on him) I probably would have done the same thing, especially since it turns out there was a girl there that he wanted to see. (Protective Mama mode activated) They just grow too dang fast for my liking! 

Since last month Mckenzee has started her first time of selling Girl Scout Cookies for her troop! She has done pretty well for being a really shy girl in a state where all her family lives 3000 miles away. She was able to sell 97 boxes so far between online orders (from family back home) and regular orders here in WA. I am very proud of her! She has also been earning some badges and having a lot of fun with her new favorite friend Gracie who is another girl in her troop. I have also signed her up for camp where she should be paired up with her friend during what will be her first time at a camp away from home and without a family member with her. I am so nervous but proud at the same time that thinking about it I smile AND cry. 

Even Spencer is accomplishing things just like his big brother and sister! He has been talking more and more and starting to form short phrases among his words. Now mind you sometimes these phrases are him repeating something that he has heard before, ie: "Sit your butt down now!" and "Get down!" (you can probably guess who those were said to). Other times his phrases are "Mama help me?" (if he needs something fixed) or "I play?" (when he grabs one of the game controllers) or my favorite "Wanna bite?" (when he holds up his foot and wiggles his toes in my face after playing "This Little Piggy"). He has also gotten out of the "Let's Eat The Crayons" phase and has moved on to the "Let's DRAW/COLOR on EVERYTHING" phase. This includes walls, paper, HIMSELF! He has done some cute art with the toddler stampers I got him though and I had to share the one he gave me. 

Now as far as the things I have done this last month or so, I have to say I am a little behind where I wish I was. I am trying to get the house in order well enough that I can stop stressing about it but with a toddler it is like trying to shovel out the East Coast lately. No matter what I get done, five minutes later I have to do it again because "Tornado Toddler" has come through and remade the mess. I love him but oh boy does he keep me busy. (Insert big sigh) 

I am doing my best to get to the point of having the time to start my seeds for spring (I have seven new little plants to start), some crafting I want to start for gifts this year, plus some more work I would love to get done with Mckenzee for her to earn more badges, she is super excited to work on her Family badge and Bug Badge (she cannot wait to go back to the bug museum!) We will probably even get her a new butterfly or two with a habitat so her and her baby brother can watch them grow again!

Well that is all the news for now and I am sure I will think of something that I forgot to put in but until then....keep reading, keep enjoying and thank you for being here!
#MamaZone 

Just Another Manic.....Tuesday.

Today of course was like any other. Get up, Mckenzee off to school, Spencer up...etc. However, the Spencer part was the start of a different kind of day. Last night he had a little trouble getting to sleep due to him having some bad milk and throwing up when he went to bed. So he had to be washed up and put back to bed after cleaning everything up. Then this morning he had a diaper that decided it wanted to explode and get those tiny weird beads ALL OVER him and his bed. So I had to throw him in the bath to start his day which I am pretty sure he loved since he laughed and splashed and had a grand ol time in there. Then it was breakfast and time to get going on things that needed to be done. So I started in the kids' room and I cleaned out between Mckenzee's bed and the wall and got her bed pushed against it so I could turn Spencer's crib against the wall and make a little more room in there for them to play in. Then I remade both their beds and fixed their closet door. All fun fun fun! 
By the time I finished all that I had to pick up a mess that Spencer felt the need to make while I was occupied in the other room. Apparently there was a toy at the BOTTOM of the toy box he just HAD to have! So he took everything out to find it. Next thing I knew it was lunch and time for him to go down for a nap. I used that time to do three loads of laundry (wash, dry and fold). I also organized some paper work and crafting supplies. Then BOOM! It was almost time for Mckenzee to be home from school and Spencer up from nap and then it was time to make dinner which came out fantastic! (Pork Chops, Garlic-Cheddar Mashed potatoes, Butter-corn and biscuits with Applesauce) So yummy that Mckenzee has seconds as did Spencer and DJ (that doesn't always happen). 

I was hoping I would have time to do some writing or some artwork but the day just got away from me and before I knew it DJ and the kids were heading to bed and here I am blogging, watching "Dance Moms" and wishing I have $200 to shop at JoAnns online! (I could go totally nuts buying crafting supplies and such to make gifts and for my own enjoyment!) If things go well this year there will be tons of homemade gifts for me to send out to my loved ones and for my own kiddos! 

I am trying to be ambitious and really get things done this year. I have been really good at keeping up with my smile jar and I have been doing some small sketches to get my groove back, the only thing I need now is some gloves to help with the pain in my hands that I am sure are the early signs of arthritis. Gotta love getting older. I cannot WAIT for menopause! *sense the sarcastic tone* On that note this old lady needs to get some rest because her old man is taking her out tomorrow to celebrate his birthday with a wonderful comedic "roast" with all his friends finding something to say. Should be very interesting! 

Goodnight my faithful readers....if there are any....hey if you get a chance leave me a comment just so I know you were here! 

Starting the Year with a BANG!

DJ worked hard to make it
awesome! 

It came out so nice! 

So we are a few weeks into the new year and things are going well. Kids are growing like weeds, house is relatively organized (on a good day), and each day I am more glad I made the decision to come out here and make it all work! For Christmas we received some artwork and picture frames for the wall as well as photo paper so one of the days DJ and I were both home, we got those on the wall and boy what a difference it makes in here!
Over the holiday season we were able to get some great finds at the local thrift store and made out with four (may have been five) new totes to start organizing stuff into. At least two of them went to organizing all the decorations after we took them all down, one now houses all my wonderful art supplies from my mom and DJ, two are in the closet (one with games, another with blankets) and I think one of them has Mckenzee's new toys in it as well. SO that was six that I can think of, there may have been more it is hard to keep track when things have been so busy here lately.
     Little Mckenzee had an appointment this month because the doctor was worried her body was maturing just a little too soon. All went well though and they want to double check her bone age in about six months (because it looked a little advanced but not seriously so). She was really brave too and even had her blood taken like a champ! Which is saying something since she is TERRIFIED of needles/shots/etc.

She also is making me very proud lately. Not only did she get a great report card, but she also started reading one of my favorite books of all time! The Secret Garden, which she received from her Memere in a three-book set along with Anne of Green Gables and A Little Princess (two more of my favorites!), she is already on page 21 with only a little help needed as it is a grade level up from where she is right now. She likes it and it makes my heart happy. Another wonderful achievement for her is the work she is doing in her Girl Scout Troop. My little Brownie is working hard to earn her badges and is doing a great job. She received her first 3 badges just before Christmas for Visiting the Retirement Home, Skating, and Visiting the Library. Now she is working on her Money Manager Badge and her Philanthropist Badge, and if she sells at least 25 boxes of yummy Girl Scout Cookies she will also get a badge for that! (https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/mckenzie6143)
     Spencer is making leaps and bounds in his vocabulary, his building skills, his dancing skills, and his memory! Every day he seems to do something new that amazes (and sometimes frustrates) me. One of my favorite things he does is blowing kisses! He does this when any of us is leaving the house, sometimes when he is leaving the room, and at night when we put him to bed. It melts my heart when he follows it up with a "yuv you mommy/daddy". His genuine excitement over little things makes me happy as well. When his daddy gets home from work or I come home from work we are greeted by a chorus of "Mommy!/Daddy!" as he runs over and hugs our legs. I adore it, it proves to me that no matter how crazy they can make me and how some days I want to run away to an island in the middle of no where just to pee without an audience, that my life would be worthless without them! They fully complete my reason for existence along with their father.

We are one whole heart beating in five separate bodies!
I LOVE MY FAMILY!