Hi there!
Its been a little while since i have blogged, and alot has changed with the "houts"hold. So where to begin?
Last time i blogged we were still living in the trailer park.... well SO LONG trailer park, its now town home living and I have to say .... Its amazing.
Its great to be living in a home with stairs again. We have places to go to actually get away from one another, and that my friends, is peaceful. The kids have to share a room, but they really dont mind. They play well together (for the most part) and i think they find comfort in being in a room together at nighttime. The house is 3 levels, and what i am most excited about, is starting my studio in the basement. Lights are going to be purchased soon and i will be having my first in home studio shoot next month! We live right on the busy T.A.R.T trail of traverse city, and since we are in the "walk zone" at the elementary, it makes life a little easier when biking to school. We also have a garage and since we own a bike store (might as well) its nice to have a place to actually put them.
Speaking of school, alot is going on with that as well! Brian will be graduating next semester with his associates! he will then still be venturing for his bachelors. He is working on his commercial license, and he is almost there. He is still working at the airport and putting in hefty hours between school, flying and work. Slades started first grade and absolutely LOVES IT! his teacher is so great, and i think having a male teacher in first grade is pretty awesome. I couldnt have hand picked a better school for my kids to go to.... i LOVE it. Such down to earth, teachers whom work there! kendal also started school, she is in the pre-school program and she too, loves it! she has 3 amazing teachers and she goes for 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. It was hard the first week to adjust, but i am now learning to love my time alone and embrace it.
Slade finished his BMX season, and i am a tad sad !! it was so fun to have an activity to go to with him, and watch him progress. He is pretty darn good at it. He won himself 4 second place trophies, and 1 first place. What a great community we found in BMX. (quite pricey too). My business is his sponser so not only does he race and look cool, i get my name out there as well!
Since i mentioned my business, i will talk about that for a minute! Though it is hard to start your own business, and its very frustrating also, but its rewarding knowing that you started this from the ground up. I am establishing clientel, i have had a few people come back more than once and i have a montly little girl that i do, which is so great! i have shot 2 weddings, so i am gettting that expirience in. Extremely hard, but extremely rewarding!
Last i blogged i had 2 jobs, i am down to one again. Just bath and body works, and my business is keeping us afloat. I am pretty tired most of the time, and getting lazy when i actually have a day off. Cleaning isnt as much of a priority as it used to be, and its hard for brian to understand that. I love that he thinks so highly of me, but i wish he would lower the bar a little bit. He is spoiled rotton and has it far better than some people. He has a hot meal waiting for him when he gets home, laundry done, house tidied, food in the cupboards, clean kids, ya know, all of that. He still has all his needs met, but not to the high standards i used to hold them, and i think that gets to him a bit. Sometimes there are crumbs on the floor, and i look at it and say "meh...." then turn the other way.... when he gets home and sees those crumbs on the floor, he thinks i havent done a darn thing all day, when in reality i have done 2 loads of laundry, dusted, sent the kids off to school, made lunch, fed lunch, put ken to nap, and edited photos, when i could have sat on my ass all day and let him tend to everything else, but thats not how it works. Crumbs can be on the floor Love, its okay. Besides, if i sweep them up NOW or 2 hours from NOW, I WILL be the one to do it, so let it be.
Now lets not get this twisted, I am not dogging my husband, and i dont have a filthy house. But its not emaculate 100% of the time, but i have happy kids and that is ALL that matters! I am learning slowly, that its okay not to have each and everything in its place at all times. Choose your battles wisely.
So, we havent had cable/dish in over a year and i absolutely LOVE not being glued to the tv. We are always outside playing. We are ALWAYS with the kids every chance that we get! and it shows! kendal is 3 and she is already riding a bike without training wheels. We take a bike ride or 2 every day and the kids are lucky if they get 1/2 hour of tv during the day. So i got stunned when we had this calender sent home from school that TELLS you what to do with your kid! since when is a parent suppossed to be told that kids need to be played with? isnt this common sense? why do you have to be rewarded to play with your kids? The school gets paid for the minutes you spend playing with your kids. I am baffled. shocked. I dont quite understand it! On this said calender, it tells you when to play with your kid and how to make believe with them. Now call me crazy but isnt that just second nature? Shouldnt a parent WANT to play with their kid? I dont find it okay that there has to be seminars on teaching parents how to be parents...... You mean its not okay just to turn the tv on, feed them zebra cakes while they stare at the box all evening? Get serious people, your kids are only this small for a short period of time.... soak in every moment you can with them and breathe fresh air together! I cringe when slade asks to play the wii...... so he gets timed. I hate when he pulls out his DS and just stares at it ( no we didnt buy it, it was a gift and i wish i could shatter it into a million pieces!)...... I just dont understand. Growing up with my parents we were always outside, always roller blading, playing basketball, doing something, and this is what my kids do. But i dont feel i should be rewarded for it, its my job, i signed up for it and i enjoy every second of it.
Slade is at a level 8 in reading! he is supposed to be at a 4..... he is ahead of the game. But we read to him almost every night. We do spelling words and homework!! I take pride in him loving school, i would like to say that i have some part in how much he learns. Take responsibilty, and initiative to help out your kids. Take for instance, we had a first grade meeting... the teacher asked all the parents to be at the school last thursday night for a stinking half hour... and out of 20 kids, 4 parents showed up! that is PATHETIC!!! just awful. ..... i feel bad for some of those children...... i understand if you couldnt get off of work, but its a half hour...... I dont understand. its not fair to those children, and its selfish.
I know i am ranting, but i dont apologize for it. Kids need love, kids need discipline. and if you arent doing that, you arent doing your duties. The way my kids smile at me, i know i am doing atleast something right. I am not perfect, and i dont try to be, but i am trying to do my part as a parent, as a wife, and as a human being. Its just that simple!
Now i have to go wake my daughter up so i can take her to pick up bubby from school and then make dinner :) have a wonderful evening everyone. and LOVE THOSE CHILDREN OF YOURS~
Monday, September 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Making a HOUSE our new HOME!
Hey everyone! its been a little bit since i last posted! Our life is sort of hectic. well, more than sort of.... Completely Hectic!! Brian got a job at the airlines, all the while STILL attending school full time, and flight school to boot. Then there is me! my 2 normal jobs, and then i am getting really busy in my photography business! Its all exciting, fun, but let me tell ya.... EXHAUSTING! Juggling being a momma, a wife, and my jobs seems to be quite a challenge. I can't excell at all of them at once, so being a mom first is what i do!
My kids are just growing like weeds. They have such a special bond, but they are getting to that phase where kendal is bothersome to brother! They play so well one moment, then the next the other is biting a back or an elbow, and then i have to step in. There are times where fists are thrown and i just turn the other way. I cannot get in the middle of all fights, they need to work them out!
Kendal just turned 3 and slade is on his way to 6! he's lost 3 teeth so far and getting so handsome! we decided against birthday parties this year, and instead they are going to great wolf lodge in august in loot of foregoing their parties! Life is so busy, i jumped at the chance when slade said he would rather go somewhere fun than having a party! more time to enjoy my kids the better! we will do cake and icecream in the room and invited some people. but the waterpark will only be for the kids and us!
Some of you might know that we adopted/rescued a little dog. She is 14 years old, full of arthritis, deaf and almost blind. She is adorable but its so sad. I couldnt see her staying at the shelter to pass away, so i took her in. She isnt difficult but it will be when she passes. The kids are attatched to stella. as am i.
So yet another update, is that we are finally moving out of a shoebox with wheels. and into an actually 3 story townHOME... WITH a garage. It echoes, it has real drywall, and well you cant hear your neighbors sneeze or shut their car doors. Its perfect. its 2 bedrooms but the basement has 2 bedrooms as well, just not completely finished. its just beautiful and i cannot wait to move! I will have a STUDIO in this new place! In the basement i will take the smaller of the 2 rooms. i am looking into purchasing a lighting system, and getting it prepared for indoor photos during the winter, as well as newborn shots.
Now i am not looking forward to packing up and unpacking again, but i am excited to move there. and be at the new place. Adding moving to our list is really difficult, but i know we can get it done! we NEED to.
This passed week we decided to go to the beach as much as we could and in result we all got swimmers itch. It is HORRIBLE!!! my body itches so bad. Almost as much as poison ivy! I wouldnt wish this upon anyone! yuck!
Marci is feeling a tad neglected lately because we come and go and go and come so often she is retalliating.She is our dog child but if i had to choose between my human kids and my dogchild, well humans come first. At night she snuggles so close to me on the couch its such a relaxing heartwarming and one of my favorite times of day.
The summer is just ZOOMING by. I cannot believe how FAST! soon slade will be in first grade. YIKES!
well thats all for updates. up to speed until next time!
My kids are just growing like weeds. They have such a special bond, but they are getting to that phase where kendal is bothersome to brother! They play so well one moment, then the next the other is biting a back or an elbow, and then i have to step in. There are times where fists are thrown and i just turn the other way. I cannot get in the middle of all fights, they need to work them out!
Kendal just turned 3 and slade is on his way to 6! he's lost 3 teeth so far and getting so handsome! we decided against birthday parties this year, and instead they are going to great wolf lodge in august in loot of foregoing their parties! Life is so busy, i jumped at the chance when slade said he would rather go somewhere fun than having a party! more time to enjoy my kids the better! we will do cake and icecream in the room and invited some people. but the waterpark will only be for the kids and us!
Some of you might know that we adopted/rescued a little dog. She is 14 years old, full of arthritis, deaf and almost blind. She is adorable but its so sad. I couldnt see her staying at the shelter to pass away, so i took her in. She isnt difficult but it will be when she passes. The kids are attatched to stella. as am i.
So yet another update, is that we are finally moving out of a shoebox with wheels. and into an actually 3 story townHOME... WITH a garage. It echoes, it has real drywall, and well you cant hear your neighbors sneeze or shut their car doors. Its perfect. its 2 bedrooms but the basement has 2 bedrooms as well, just not completely finished. its just beautiful and i cannot wait to move! I will have a STUDIO in this new place! In the basement i will take the smaller of the 2 rooms. i am looking into purchasing a lighting system, and getting it prepared for indoor photos during the winter, as well as newborn shots.
Now i am not looking forward to packing up and unpacking again, but i am excited to move there. and be at the new place. Adding moving to our list is really difficult, but i know we can get it done! we NEED to.
This passed week we decided to go to the beach as much as we could and in result we all got swimmers itch. It is HORRIBLE!!! my body itches so bad. Almost as much as poison ivy! I wouldnt wish this upon anyone! yuck!
Marci is feeling a tad neglected lately because we come and go and go and come so often she is retalliating.She is our dog child but if i had to choose between my human kids and my dogchild, well humans come first. At night she snuggles so close to me on the couch its such a relaxing heartwarming and one of my favorite times of day.
The summer is just ZOOMING by. I cannot believe how FAST! soon slade will be in first grade. YIKES!
well thats all for updates. up to speed until next time!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Its about Time.
Hi everyone!
I did not realize how long it had been since I had blogged, Until it was brought to my attention. Ive been pretty busy with working 2 jobs, starting my own business, 2 kids, a wife, a dog and a guinea pig. Not to mention all the other things that keep me on my toes from day to day! Kindergarten stuff, brian in flight school, Navy weekends, and the list continues. Although i love to blurt my emotions while typing on the blog, i just hadnt had the time to play "catch up"...... But sometimes you just have to MAKE time to do the things you enjoy!
Well, in previous posts we were talking about moving. We have recently changed our mind. Its not an ideal place to live but it is a roof over our heads and a place to call home. So instead of packing our things, yet again, we decided to stay for the duration of brians schooling. We have become fast friends with our neighbors kyle and rachel, and they are about to expand their family by one in a few months so, who would wanna move away from baby snuggles anyways? Not this gal. Plus the kids LOVE "uncle kyle and auntie Rachel", and the "long House".
Since we decided to stay, we have been doing lawn work. We have embraced our trailer trashy by putting that yard repair on our lawn. If you dont know what it is, its green newspaper shavings that you spread along your lawn in hopes and dreams of having a lush lawn.....all the while you let your other grass or in our situation -- weeds and moss grow out of control until it seeds..... then you can mow. Well as it looks HORRID in our yard, lone behold seedlings are growing. GASP! we might ACTUALLY have lawn and not dust and dirt with bits of dandelion and moss. Lets not forget the tons of ragweed that we are blessed to have dropping into our yard! we have been measuring and doing the leg work for a patio..... we spend most nights out in the yard playing with the kids and grilling out during the spring, summer and fall months so a patio is IDEAL. so thats on the agenda!
We also have kindergarten graduation for a certain SOMEONE the end of this week! I cannot believe that my little 5 pound baby will be graduating kindergarten! he is excited for summer break, as am I.
My jobs are going good. Summer is here in Traverse and lookout for all the TOURISTS. Out of all the places we have lived, i think this is the WORST for the traffic (summer wise). Its dead one day and then BAM! takes you a half hour to go 3 miles down the road.... while all the lookylous are admiring the scenery. WELL EXCUSE ME GRANDPA, I DONT HAVE THE TIME FOR YOU TO GAWK! HURRY YOUR SUSPENDERS UP AND PUSH THE GAS!
Brians started up yet another semester, and as he is plugging along on schooling, i am trying to start up my photography business.... Which is frustrating to say the least. I know it doesnt happen over night, but i sure wish it would!
Kendal is going to be 3 and its hard to believe she isnt older than that. She is so GROWN for her age. She is 3 years younger than slade and in the same size clothes and only 2 sizes smaller in shoes. Its crazy! She is horrible with her attitude but ever so smart!
Slade has the most incredible heart, he just is amazing.
Today i find myself feeling 'blue'. i know there are worse things in the world, and my life is far from horrible. I get so stressed and worried all the time for no reason at all. Finances are stressful and as i work all the time i still feel like that isnt good enough and i feel like my nerves are shot. Ive just had it. No other choice but to keep plugging along and thanking my lucky stars that i have food in my cupboards, a roof over my head and a family to come home to every night. Some people dont have that, so i am truely blessed. Just blessed.
I couldnt imagine life without my kids. i had this weekend alone, just farce and I. I got so bored. Yes, it was relaxing.... but lazy.... and boring. I worked but coming home to an empty house is sad. No one to tell your day too... no one to snuggle....... Its awful. haha. What did i ever do without kids?!
Well.... nothing else to report here..... i hope you all are doing great. I just had a few minutes to spare, and unfortunatly those minutes are gone, and i have to get my cheeks in gear! Catch you on the flip side!
I did not realize how long it had been since I had blogged, Until it was brought to my attention. Ive been pretty busy with working 2 jobs, starting my own business, 2 kids, a wife, a dog and a guinea pig. Not to mention all the other things that keep me on my toes from day to day! Kindergarten stuff, brian in flight school, Navy weekends, and the list continues. Although i love to blurt my emotions while typing on the blog, i just hadnt had the time to play "catch up"...... But sometimes you just have to MAKE time to do the things you enjoy!
Well, in previous posts we were talking about moving. We have recently changed our mind. Its not an ideal place to live but it is a roof over our heads and a place to call home. So instead of packing our things, yet again, we decided to stay for the duration of brians schooling. We have become fast friends with our neighbors kyle and rachel, and they are about to expand their family by one in a few months so, who would wanna move away from baby snuggles anyways? Not this gal. Plus the kids LOVE "uncle kyle and auntie Rachel", and the "long House".
Since we decided to stay, we have been doing lawn work. We have embraced our trailer trashy by putting that yard repair on our lawn. If you dont know what it is, its green newspaper shavings that you spread along your lawn in hopes and dreams of having a lush lawn.....all the while you let your other grass or in our situation -- weeds and moss grow out of control until it seeds..... then you can mow. Well as it looks HORRID in our yard, lone behold seedlings are growing. GASP! we might ACTUALLY have lawn and not dust and dirt with bits of dandelion and moss. Lets not forget the tons of ragweed that we are blessed to have dropping into our yard! we have been measuring and doing the leg work for a patio..... we spend most nights out in the yard playing with the kids and grilling out during the spring, summer and fall months so a patio is IDEAL. so thats on the agenda!
We also have kindergarten graduation for a certain SOMEONE the end of this week! I cannot believe that my little 5 pound baby will be graduating kindergarten! he is excited for summer break, as am I.
My jobs are going good. Summer is here in Traverse and lookout for all the TOURISTS. Out of all the places we have lived, i think this is the WORST for the traffic (summer wise). Its dead one day and then BAM! takes you a half hour to go 3 miles down the road.... while all the lookylous are admiring the scenery. WELL EXCUSE ME GRANDPA, I DONT HAVE THE TIME FOR YOU TO GAWK! HURRY YOUR SUSPENDERS UP AND PUSH THE GAS!
Brians started up yet another semester, and as he is plugging along on schooling, i am trying to start up my photography business.... Which is frustrating to say the least. I know it doesnt happen over night, but i sure wish it would!
Kendal is going to be 3 and its hard to believe she isnt older than that. She is so GROWN for her age. She is 3 years younger than slade and in the same size clothes and only 2 sizes smaller in shoes. Its crazy! She is horrible with her attitude but ever so smart!
Slade has the most incredible heart, he just is amazing.
Today i find myself feeling 'blue'. i know there are worse things in the world, and my life is far from horrible. I get so stressed and worried all the time for no reason at all. Finances are stressful and as i work all the time i still feel like that isnt good enough and i feel like my nerves are shot. Ive just had it. No other choice but to keep plugging along and thanking my lucky stars that i have food in my cupboards, a roof over my head and a family to come home to every night. Some people dont have that, so i am truely blessed. Just blessed.
I couldnt imagine life without my kids. i had this weekend alone, just farce and I. I got so bored. Yes, it was relaxing.... but lazy.... and boring. I worked but coming home to an empty house is sad. No one to tell your day too... no one to snuggle....... Its awful. haha. What did i ever do without kids?!
Well.... nothing else to report here..... i hope you all are doing great. I just had a few minutes to spare, and unfortunatly those minutes are gone, and i have to get my cheeks in gear! Catch you on the flip side!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Taking a Leap!
Hi my friends!
well it has been some time, again, before i decided to write a blog. It isnt from lack of things going on around here, more of a lack of time to just sit and type- no matter how therapeutic it may be sometimes! So i guess it is time for you to be updated....
It is spring break for us! Slades off school, brians off school and guess whats NOT OFF?? the damn sick bug! you would think that their immune systems would cut us a break since its supposed to be a fun week off from school, but it hasnt! fun still, yeah, sick, most definetly! Poor kendal is the worst! Her immune system tells her to spike a fever with every cold. She looks just misserable but tells us she isnt sick!
So far during spreak break we went to great wolf lodge. (suspect germies came from said place!). It was a great time. We live like 10 minutes from the joint, but hey, it was fun none the less. The kids dashed in the park, enjoyed story time with violet the wolf, ate dinner with daddy at the in hotel restraunt (while i was at work), they enjoyed ice cream at the sweet shop, put some arcade time in and dabbled in the gift shop! all in all it was a great over nighter! If you have NEVER been there, and can spare the outrageous price they ask for their room, i say its a MUST do with your little ones! its a great time not only for them, but for you as well. We go pretty much every year. (check when their deals are, thats what we did... PLUS they military discount--bonus!). We also did some shopping, seen the easter bunny, had company from the grand Rents, and they are out visiting the other grandma right now. We also finish our vacation with a birthday party and easter! Who wouldnt want a break to end in that fashion?
SO as some of you know, i have started up my own photography "business". Right now i am doing free sessions until i can get my class under my belt. The free sessions build up clientel and it also lets me learn more about my camera. I must say, that i love my camera. It was a scary purchase because of the cost but so far its been super worth it. I have gotten some really great shots and i can wait to see what this baby can do in the warmer months!!
i wrote my first research paper in nearly 10 years. It felt good. nerve racking but good. The only downside, is that it wasnt even for me! haha.
Im still working at bath and body. I sure do love it there but i am looking for a second job to help pay bills. I dont get very many shifts because of the off season, but just because i am looking for another job doesnt mean i dont love it there.... because i sure do! i have never gotten better treatment from a job, ever!
Im not sure if i have written about my monroe piercing yet? but i got it done. Been wanting it for years, finally got it done. I dont think that if it grew back in, i wouldnt get it done again. I love it..... but it hurt something fierce, and i wouldnt say that it was "worth" it.
we are looking for a new place to live. We have 3 months left on our current lease and we are desperatly seeking new refuge haha. This place is bogus! they tell us we are great tenants, we pay ontime every month, keep our house in great condition, do what they ask us to do, and keep a tidy yard and they want to up our monthly rate for 10 dollars (doesnt seem like much but it would add up, and let me tell you, it isnt worth it!!) we can rent a nig house for what they charge us here!!!! needless to say we werent really thrilled when we recieved that letter in the mail!!!
Slade got his second report card. he is doing great and improving so well at school. i couldnt be prouder of him!!! Kendal is doing good too. growing like a weed!!!
well i have to go grocery shopping so i have to cut this off! have a great easter!!
well it has been some time, again, before i decided to write a blog. It isnt from lack of things going on around here, more of a lack of time to just sit and type- no matter how therapeutic it may be sometimes! So i guess it is time for you to be updated....
It is spring break for us! Slades off school, brians off school and guess whats NOT OFF?? the damn sick bug! you would think that their immune systems would cut us a break since its supposed to be a fun week off from school, but it hasnt! fun still, yeah, sick, most definetly! Poor kendal is the worst! Her immune system tells her to spike a fever with every cold. She looks just misserable but tells us she isnt sick!
So far during spreak break we went to great wolf lodge. (suspect germies came from said place!). It was a great time. We live like 10 minutes from the joint, but hey, it was fun none the less. The kids dashed in the park, enjoyed story time with violet the wolf, ate dinner with daddy at the in hotel restraunt (while i was at work), they enjoyed ice cream at the sweet shop, put some arcade time in and dabbled in the gift shop! all in all it was a great over nighter! If you have NEVER been there, and can spare the outrageous price they ask for their room, i say its a MUST do with your little ones! its a great time not only for them, but for you as well. We go pretty much every year. (check when their deals are, thats what we did... PLUS they military discount--bonus!). We also did some shopping, seen the easter bunny, had company from the grand Rents, and they are out visiting the other grandma right now. We also finish our vacation with a birthday party and easter! Who wouldnt want a break to end in that fashion?
SO as some of you know, i have started up my own photography "business". Right now i am doing free sessions until i can get my class under my belt. The free sessions build up clientel and it also lets me learn more about my camera. I must say, that i love my camera. It was a scary purchase because of the cost but so far its been super worth it. I have gotten some really great shots and i can wait to see what this baby can do in the warmer months!!
i wrote my first research paper in nearly 10 years. It felt good. nerve racking but good. The only downside, is that it wasnt even for me! haha.
Im still working at bath and body. I sure do love it there but i am looking for a second job to help pay bills. I dont get very many shifts because of the off season, but just because i am looking for another job doesnt mean i dont love it there.... because i sure do! i have never gotten better treatment from a job, ever!
Im not sure if i have written about my monroe piercing yet? but i got it done. Been wanting it for years, finally got it done. I dont think that if it grew back in, i wouldnt get it done again. I love it..... but it hurt something fierce, and i wouldnt say that it was "worth" it.
we are looking for a new place to live. We have 3 months left on our current lease and we are desperatly seeking new refuge haha. This place is bogus! they tell us we are great tenants, we pay ontime every month, keep our house in great condition, do what they ask us to do, and keep a tidy yard and they want to up our monthly rate for 10 dollars (doesnt seem like much but it would add up, and let me tell you, it isnt worth it!!) we can rent a nig house for what they charge us here!!!! needless to say we werent really thrilled when we recieved that letter in the mail!!!
Slade got his second report card. he is doing great and improving so well at school. i couldnt be prouder of him!!! Kendal is doing good too. growing like a weed!!!
well i have to go grocery shopping so i have to cut this off! have a great easter!!
Friday, March 8, 2013
"the Shining".....
You ever see the movie "the shining?".... you know when they stay at this hotel to keep watch over it during the winter months where they get snowed in and cant leave? Jack nicholsons character gets Cabin fever and goes nutso on his family?! well, We are feeling a little like that! I have snow in my yard taller than my kids, there is nothing to do in a summer town in the winter time! we are going a bit nutso in our converse shoe box... so i have hid all the axes, and encouraged my husband to go out and about. There is only so much you can do with little funds! Hopefully, this weekend will be different, and my son wont be saying "redrum" in a creepy murdering voice. Here's to hoping!
Spring fever is getting the best of us. Im having the itch to get out my patio set, and watch my kids ride their bikes around the yard.I can't wait to push my feet into the hot sand at the beach. You know, i grew up in michigan, so snow was what i was used to.... I never had the taste of anything less than 4 seasons, until i moved.Tho i still enjoy all 4 seasons, a little less snow and a little more warmth would just be amazing. Okay, enough with the whining. Moving on..........
So Slades school had their first Lock down. Nothing big, they were just being precautious as there was a gun pulled out at a party a few streets from their school, and the man was missing for a few days, so just to be safe, they kept the kids locked in, and people locked out. Kind of nerve racking when you are the parent, but i like to see that his school is taking steps to keep the kids safe. You just NEVER know, and its just another reason to like his school even more!!
Slade had his second teacher conference this week! He is doing exceptionally well. His math skills are great as well as his reading skills! he can breeze through stage 3 books, and 4 with help. He is kind and courteous and his teacher adores him (as we do her!). She said he is focused and committed at school, and she sees no reason he wont be moving on to first grade in the fall! Now i know my son is perfect, but i am so proud of the boy he is becoming. Just an amazing kid. After his conference we went to BIG BOY (his choice). where he proceeded to order breakfast for dinner, and demolished the whole plate, including his sisters pancakes! haha. Brian ordered the "worlds greatest burger" and i assure you, it couldnt have been farther from the name! haha.
So its been a minute since i have posted last, and most of you already know, but i purchased my very first D camera! its been a long time coming and i am so proud of us for saving and happy to have it. It was a big committment, and one that i am sure i am never going to regret! Now, i am going to start to learn how to work it, and hopefully be successful and photography. i have already been asked to take engagement photos and even a wedding. I know its premature, but i am just really excited. So if anyone would like to book my services for photos, get at me.
Brian is almost finished with his instrument class, which leads him straight to his COMMERCIAL class, where he will eventually apply for his commercial pilots license!! Can you believe it? who ever imagined we would be in this position? not I, Not I. Its far from being over, and the scariest part hasnt come yet, but it will happen, and i hope we will be ready.
This sequester business has me in panic attacks and i have knots in my shoulders up to my ears. If this sequester goes into full affect we will be losing alot of the money that we are getting for brians schooling from the navy. Now i am not going to put the details out there because well, itsj ust not needed, but boy is it scary. Just scary!!!
Kendal is something else. She is majoring in attitude to say the least! She points her finger and yells at us. She thinks she is in total control but she couldnt be further from the truth. Rude awakening is in progress and she isnt a fan!!
I know this is just a bits and pieces blog. i wanted to write down some thoughts but im not in much of the mood to elaborate on many topics. I know that some of you readers enjoy this, so this is why i am doing it. Hopefully this weekend i will sit down and write a nice blog, but until then, i hope you enjoy your friday!!!
Spring fever is getting the best of us. Im having the itch to get out my patio set, and watch my kids ride their bikes around the yard.I can't wait to push my feet into the hot sand at the beach. You know, i grew up in michigan, so snow was what i was used to.... I never had the taste of anything less than 4 seasons, until i moved.Tho i still enjoy all 4 seasons, a little less snow and a little more warmth would just be amazing. Okay, enough with the whining. Moving on..........
So Slades school had their first Lock down. Nothing big, they were just being precautious as there was a gun pulled out at a party a few streets from their school, and the man was missing for a few days, so just to be safe, they kept the kids locked in, and people locked out. Kind of nerve racking when you are the parent, but i like to see that his school is taking steps to keep the kids safe. You just NEVER know, and its just another reason to like his school even more!!
Slade had his second teacher conference this week! He is doing exceptionally well. His math skills are great as well as his reading skills! he can breeze through stage 3 books, and 4 with help. He is kind and courteous and his teacher adores him (as we do her!). She said he is focused and committed at school, and she sees no reason he wont be moving on to first grade in the fall! Now i know my son is perfect, but i am so proud of the boy he is becoming. Just an amazing kid. After his conference we went to BIG BOY (his choice). where he proceeded to order breakfast for dinner, and demolished the whole plate, including his sisters pancakes! haha. Brian ordered the "worlds greatest burger" and i assure you, it couldnt have been farther from the name! haha.
So its been a minute since i have posted last, and most of you already know, but i purchased my very first D camera! its been a long time coming and i am so proud of us for saving and happy to have it. It was a big committment, and one that i am sure i am never going to regret! Now, i am going to start to learn how to work it, and hopefully be successful and photography. i have already been asked to take engagement photos and even a wedding. I know its premature, but i am just really excited. So if anyone would like to book my services for photos, get at me.
Brian is almost finished with his instrument class, which leads him straight to his COMMERCIAL class, where he will eventually apply for his commercial pilots license!! Can you believe it? who ever imagined we would be in this position? not I, Not I. Its far from being over, and the scariest part hasnt come yet, but it will happen, and i hope we will be ready.
This sequester business has me in panic attacks and i have knots in my shoulders up to my ears. If this sequester goes into full affect we will be losing alot of the money that we are getting for brians schooling from the navy. Now i am not going to put the details out there because well, itsj ust not needed, but boy is it scary. Just scary!!!
Kendal is something else. She is majoring in attitude to say the least! She points her finger and yells at us. She thinks she is in total control but she couldnt be further from the truth. Rude awakening is in progress and she isnt a fan!!
I know this is just a bits and pieces blog. i wanted to write down some thoughts but im not in much of the mood to elaborate on many topics. I know that some of you readers enjoy this, so this is why i am doing it. Hopefully this weekend i will sit down and write a nice blog, but until then, i hope you enjoy your friday!!!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Can you ever just be "whelmed?"
" I know you can be underwhelmed, and you can be overwhelmed, but can you ever just be Whelmed?"
Thats a line from one of my favorite movies.... But today i am feeling so overwhelmed that a day of just nothing would be just great to me. Now this isnt going to be a "feel sorry" for myself blog, but its not going to be a HAPPY blog either. So if you arent up to hearing it, go up to the browser and type in www.facebook and go back to other drama, if you wanna read on, be my guest. This is just going to be a blank screen that i will fill with my words that are floating around in my mind today, hopefully making it exit my brian, onto the interweb, will make me feel better and clear my brain.
Here goes nothing.
Today, on a monday, which are never fun reguardless, slade is sick so he is home from school. He is far from sick.... he just has a low grade fever and they arent to be sent to school "under the weather" so he gets to stay home, not sick, but not able to go to school. How i know he is not sick you ask? well because he is fighting with his sister every chance he gets. He is not my problem child, my 2 year old is.... but she instigates him to a point where his inner monster comes out, and today, sadly, is one of those days.
My brain is swamped.
I have an uncontrollable- i want to cry all day feeling. And all i wanted was a 5 minute shower to just close my eyes and enjoy the peace that a steamy shower would bring to me, but it wasnt even close to what i recieved. While in the shower i had to break up a fight about a blue crayon that they both wanted, sis tried pouring herself a glass of gatorade which resulted in the whole bottle being spilled on my freshly mopped floor.... the dog went bonkers because there was someone at the neighbor house and apperantly encrouched to closely for her likings. The guinea pig got loose, and kendal "POOOOOOOOOOPED"...... and in this house, when keni poops, you know.... she just yells from the comfort of the toilet until someone comes to wipe her biscuits. so 3 hops out of the shower and shampoo in my hair once, i finally got to call it "good" and get out.
I get out to the kids trying to make themselves a sandwich. now "aww they are just trying to help" you are probably saying to yourself, but on a day where you already feel like you cant take anymore, its just a burdon. There they are standing at the cupboard with their little smiles as they have cheese and meat all over the place and dipping their butter knives in and out of the mayo jar. they are so happy that they did it themselves, without asking, before lunch, is about as far from happy as i could have gotten today. but i braved a smile as i just wanted to scream in my head. So i helped them finish and get up to the table to eat. Silence is what I recieved.....
But as i went to the bedroom to just take a minute, i had a heap of laundry staring at me on my unmade bed that my husband decided to toss there for me to fold while he was getting ready for school this morning. He needed the dryer to unwrinkle something, and i get a fricken heap of wrinkly clothes to fold, and put away at my nearest convienience....... how thoughtful.
Getting a job wasnt something i wanted, but when i got it i LOVED getting away for a bit. I worked A TON during the holiday season and now my hours dwindled. I got used to be gone, i got used to the working mom life, and now, stuck in the house because of the yucky weather and sickness, i have cabin fever, or trailer fever. I just want to go to work. Full time. come home to make dinner for my family...... bring in a paycheck more than 55 dollars again. I know, cry me a river right?
We are pinching pennies and there isnt anything that gives me more knots in my back and more anxiety attacks than this. I just stress. "give it to god" is what i am told, but boy it is rough. I just want a disposeable income again..... i want insurance that actually covers us again and we dont have medical bills anymore. The grass is always greener everyone says, and boy is that the truth. you'd think after 6 months i would have adjusted by now, but it seems to be farther than the truth.
I love my kids more than myself, my husband makes me happy, and i do love our little life in our little trailer, but somedays, just as today is, is so overwhelming.... so hard to deal with. but then those little voices make up for it when you least expect it.
There are worse things that could be happening to us, and i understand that. we could be facing horrible things right now, and the worse we are facing is pinching pennies, i should just suck it up and count my blessings. That is just what i am going to do.
writting this just cleared my head and i am ready to give this day a second chance. Thanks for all of you who stuck with me and read this. it sure did help me to do this.
I hope everyone has a great monday, now i am going to try to finish my day with a smile.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Love, Love, Love!
Hi everyone! well tomorrow is Valentines day! Can you believe that it is already Mid february?? I can't! time sure is flying by!!! soon it will be summer time, which means sand and sun........pause for a sigh.
Back to reality.................
This time of year when all of the holidays kind of just mesh into eachother is my favorite! I like to celebrate them all, atleast a little a bit!! Valentines the kids already wake up to a little something, and a heart shaped breakfast, followed by a nice meal for dinner. THen comes st. patricks day which we build leprechaun traps and enjoy a green filled day. Then easter, well, that is one of my FAVORITE holidays! Who doesnt love a bunny who leaves a basket full of gifts, a trail of jelly beans, and eggs filled with candy? I know i do! we also celebrate earth day and Dr. seuss day all within a matter of months. Not to mention Brian and My wedding anniversary!
Which leads me to, 5 years of marriage. Really, it doesnt feel like 5 years has flown by. Seems like just a year or 2 ago. I know 5 years isnt much to be married, but considering how long that we have actually BEEN together, it adds up. I mean we are going on 13 years, and that is something! We were just kids. Now we are nearly 30..... Seems crazy, but crazy good. I hate looking back to our wedding though. I mean, the commitment was there, but it was happening for all the wrong reasons. we had to be married for us to get the military benefits together. it was all for paper, not for the heart. It wasnt the wedding i dreamed of, but looking back, ALL things happen for a reason. My grandma got to be there to witness it, and not even a year later she had passed away...... If we would have waited, she wouldnt have been able to celebrate with us. Sidenote, for all of you reading who was there to witness the dreaded pant suit, WHY DIDNT YOU TELL ME how awful i actually looked? bahaha. I dont have any wedding pictures hanging, and they are all put away. I hate looking at them.... I was severely over weight and we were going through more than i would like to put "out" on this blog. Anyways, looking back, even though it was just the courthouse, looking into his eyes saying I DO would have been the same in a huge gown in a crowd full of people, or a tiney courtroom with the ones we care about most. THAT is what mattered then, and what matters now.
So this passed weekend, my friend ALI came to visit me all the way from the great state of wisconsin! She drove through wind, rain, ice and snow just to spend a couple of days! I had a great time. We relaxed, slept in, had some drinks, laughed and watched TONS of movies and gossip girl! we had indulged in snacks and treats and took a stroll downtown. We even went out for a dinner, and sat in the bar area.... something fun when you are used to sitting in the family section! haha. anyways, it felt great to have a friend around, and i miss her already!!! She has been there for a lot in our lives, and she is one special friend!!! so al, if you are reading this...... THANK YOU.
I got to spend some time at slades school yesterday doing hand paintings for their 100 day celebration! they counted on volunteers to paint about 70 kids' hands. mind you, it was only 4 of us, painting 20 hands per kid..... it was time consuming and dirty to say the least. I am so glad my kid is so well behaved.... i had this one girl who told me she was going to slap me, and i beleived it!!! it was such a task... FUN, but a task. Grab a kid, fit a shirt, pick 2 paints, paint each hand 10 times leaving a print on the shirt, wash their hands, wash your hands, send them back to class, just to grab another kid and start all over. SIlly me wore my work clothes to volunteer since i hadd to work right after...... now i no longer have that shirt as a work shirt since little hands were ALL over it. When i volunteered, i thought i was just going to be helping the 17 kids of my sons class, not all 3 kindergarten classes plus 1st graders! wow. i feel bad, my friend tiffany was there from start to finish of school just painting their hands. and i left at 11:45 and got there at 8:30! wowsers haha.
i went to the library yesterday, alone. it was a retreat! i got to mosey around actually reading backs of books until i found one i wanted to read. i cant wait to get started on it! i will tell you all about it in my next blog probably. I also couldnt leave the library without getting books for each kid. The way they love books is amazing! kendal was SO excited that she has fancy nancy and louise the big cheese to read. slade got the giving tree and many others.... the giving tree makes him tear up, its his favorite book aside from thunderhoof! anyways, books are such a fun thing for us and the kids, and its cool.
on to other things..........well what other things? not too much to talk about seeing as i covered quite a bit already!
The kids stayed with my parents this passed weekend and had a really great time! it was really nice for everyone!!
well, i hope you all have a great valentines day, and i will write more soon.
Back to reality.................
This time of year when all of the holidays kind of just mesh into eachother is my favorite! I like to celebrate them all, atleast a little a bit!! Valentines the kids already wake up to a little something, and a heart shaped breakfast, followed by a nice meal for dinner. THen comes st. patricks day which we build leprechaun traps and enjoy a green filled day. Then easter, well, that is one of my FAVORITE holidays! Who doesnt love a bunny who leaves a basket full of gifts, a trail of jelly beans, and eggs filled with candy? I know i do! we also celebrate earth day and Dr. seuss day all within a matter of months. Not to mention Brian and My wedding anniversary!
Which leads me to, 5 years of marriage. Really, it doesnt feel like 5 years has flown by. Seems like just a year or 2 ago. I know 5 years isnt much to be married, but considering how long that we have actually BEEN together, it adds up. I mean we are going on 13 years, and that is something! We were just kids. Now we are nearly 30..... Seems crazy, but crazy good. I hate looking back to our wedding though. I mean, the commitment was there, but it was happening for all the wrong reasons. we had to be married for us to get the military benefits together. it was all for paper, not for the heart. It wasnt the wedding i dreamed of, but looking back, ALL things happen for a reason. My grandma got to be there to witness it, and not even a year later she had passed away...... If we would have waited, she wouldnt have been able to celebrate with us. Sidenote, for all of you reading who was there to witness the dreaded pant suit, WHY DIDNT YOU TELL ME how awful i actually looked? bahaha. I dont have any wedding pictures hanging, and they are all put away. I hate looking at them.... I was severely over weight and we were going through more than i would like to put "out" on this blog. Anyways, looking back, even though it was just the courthouse, looking into his eyes saying I DO would have been the same in a huge gown in a crowd full of people, or a tiney courtroom with the ones we care about most. THAT is what mattered then, and what matters now.
So this passed weekend, my friend ALI came to visit me all the way from the great state of wisconsin! She drove through wind, rain, ice and snow just to spend a couple of days! I had a great time. We relaxed, slept in, had some drinks, laughed and watched TONS of movies and gossip girl! we had indulged in snacks and treats and took a stroll downtown. We even went out for a dinner, and sat in the bar area.... something fun when you are used to sitting in the family section! haha. anyways, it felt great to have a friend around, and i miss her already!!! She has been there for a lot in our lives, and she is one special friend!!! so al, if you are reading this...... THANK YOU.
I got to spend some time at slades school yesterday doing hand paintings for their 100 day celebration! they counted on volunteers to paint about 70 kids' hands. mind you, it was only 4 of us, painting 20 hands per kid..... it was time consuming and dirty to say the least. I am so glad my kid is so well behaved.... i had this one girl who told me she was going to slap me, and i beleived it!!! it was such a task... FUN, but a task. Grab a kid, fit a shirt, pick 2 paints, paint each hand 10 times leaving a print on the shirt, wash their hands, wash your hands, send them back to class, just to grab another kid and start all over. SIlly me wore my work clothes to volunteer since i hadd to work right after...... now i no longer have that shirt as a work shirt since little hands were ALL over it. When i volunteered, i thought i was just going to be helping the 17 kids of my sons class, not all 3 kindergarten classes plus 1st graders! wow. i feel bad, my friend tiffany was there from start to finish of school just painting their hands. and i left at 11:45 and got there at 8:30! wowsers haha.
i went to the library yesterday, alone. it was a retreat! i got to mosey around actually reading backs of books until i found one i wanted to read. i cant wait to get started on it! i will tell you all about it in my next blog probably. I also couldnt leave the library without getting books for each kid. The way they love books is amazing! kendal was SO excited that she has fancy nancy and louise the big cheese to read. slade got the giving tree and many others.... the giving tree makes him tear up, its his favorite book aside from thunderhoof! anyways, books are such a fun thing for us and the kids, and its cool.
on to other things..........well what other things? not too much to talk about seeing as i covered quite a bit already!
The kids stayed with my parents this passed weekend and had a really great time! it was really nice for everyone!!
well, i hope you all have a great valentines day, and i will write more soon.
Monday, February 4, 2013
And we have reached February!
Hi everyone!
Well as we are pelted with Wind, rain, and snow, I am longing for Warmth & sun. I keep taunting myself with looking at pictures of us last year, in bare feet outside mid february...... you would get frostbitten if you tried to do that here! This is my first year in about 5 for driving in this stuff- i have to report, its sort of like riding a bike, you just remember what to do when you feel your wheels slip under you. Crazy michigan folk drive in blizzards all the time..... All stores still have milk, eggs, shovels and beer! so no reason to fear!
Enough about snow! well maybe not, If slade has anymore snow days i think he's going to have school all summer long! I swear, half of these snow days they have had were bad judgment calls! Roads were still driveable and no storms, its been so strange. I remember when i was a kid, snow days were FEW AND FAR between, and we lived out in the COUNTRY where plows didnt even hit our roads until the "city" was plowed, and our bus driver was like a cowboy on a bull just plowing through breaking way with his own tracks with one hand on the wheel and the other up his nose (seriously, he was a chronic nose picker, yuck!). Mostly dirt roads, i only remember one time sliding into a ditch, and another bus had to come pick us up. Whoopsi daisey!
So anyways, enough about snow and being side tracked! On to other things.
How's work you ask? Its great! i love my job. I love the floor sets and the cleaning, i love everything about it. I mainly love that its an outlet for me to have adult interaction and to bring in a paycheck. I get to see & test all the new product and I must say, I love it. I love "shopping" while working. Picking out things and putting them aside to purchase later. Seeing all the deals.... I just love it. Having a job has kept my mind off of other things, which is great.
Slades plugging along with his kindergarten class! we made an abacus with 100 "noodles". we dyed them, dried them and strung them. We glued paper to the box and made a handle so he could carry it. it was a fun yet time consuming project. We made all of his valentine cards already. We also do our homework, and read everynight. Except now, he is reading the 1st stage books to us, with a little help but he can do a lot of the words. He sure is growing fast, its so crazy. I was told how much they would change the first year of school, i thought i was prepared, i was way wrong... WAY wrong! He has a fiance..... her name is avalon. He asked us if he will have babies with her. haha.... oh boy, not for a LONG time sladen, a LONG time. haha.
Kendal is doing good. she is terrorizing like always. getting her hair blowdried and styled. She loves to get her hair straightened. Nails painted always..... currently this weekend with a 102 fever she asked me to paint her nails, who was i to tell her no? so she picked light pink toes and black fingers. Dad was not happy with black nails but he'll get over it. She is a bath & body-a-holic! the other day slade said "hey sis, i like your lotion...." she said "buddy, its not wotion, its bass and body werks, and fank you!". She is totally into strawberry shortcake, my little pony, and tinkerbell. (her newest fixation). She is always in plastic heels, and never goes without a necklace. Her favorite, is her noodle one she made this weekend.
Brian is doing great. He is plugging away at school. He's getting frustrated because the weather hasnt been good for flying, and since he already has his license, his flight instructor is more concerned with the newbies than working on brians instrument training. brians focus is there, instructors- not so much. He has other classes to be focused on, and he will end his diploma with everything he needs so i try to stop him from stressing out. I know its frustrating for him though.
So as some of you may have seen on facebook, we are looking for a new place to live come July. We are still going to stay in this city, but not in the trailer park ...... Paper thin walls and drug dealers are not our "style". although we have a great, quiet side neighbor, and a friends that live a street over, we are just not looking to stay here any longer than we have to. so the day our lease is up, we plan to be out of here. Hopefully somwhere that we cant hear our neighbors cough! Or to watch the cops check up on our neighbors son that is on probation perhaps even perole.... haha. I have been doing lots of calling and research! I am happy to report that we are on a waitlist for a townhouse, in a community outside the city. Its only 2 bedrooms, but it has a full finished basement. its 600 more square feet than what we currently have, and the kitchen is big! thats all i care about! haha. Im thinking that we will give the kids the master bedroom, and we will have the other bedroom.... i know i am planning to far ahead, but i want things to work out this time and not live in a hotel for 3 days and then get jammed into a converse shoe box!
My running is NOT coming along, but i have lost 5 pounds. i feel the difference in my pants. I put highlights in my hair and i am feeling pretty good. I think i am getting cabin fever though. Its been too cold to play outside, kids have been sick, and laundry and dishes have been non stop. Money has been tight so we havent been able to do much. So we are all tired of being STUCK. haha.
I have been focused on doing atleast 1 good deed a day for a stranger. I cant tell you how happy it makes me to do things for others. the other day, the lines at meijer were horrific! this lady at the no limit self check out had a pile of groceries at the end of her conveyer belt, so as we stood behind her i said "do you mind if i bag your groceries?" she said that was fine, so i bagged her groceries! I worked up a sweat and a smile. I dont normally like to tell my good deeds because i am not looking for a pat on the back but i liked that deed. It makes my heart happy. I have also made a vow to myself to be a better friend for my "family" that we have moved away from. anyways, i am working on improving myself, and i think its making me happier!
Well, enough about myself, and my family. I think that this is enough for today! hope you all have a great monday and rest of the week!!!
Well as we are pelted with Wind, rain, and snow, I am longing for Warmth & sun. I keep taunting myself with looking at pictures of us last year, in bare feet outside mid february...... you would get frostbitten if you tried to do that here! This is my first year in about 5 for driving in this stuff- i have to report, its sort of like riding a bike, you just remember what to do when you feel your wheels slip under you. Crazy michigan folk drive in blizzards all the time..... All stores still have milk, eggs, shovels and beer! so no reason to fear!
Enough about snow! well maybe not, If slade has anymore snow days i think he's going to have school all summer long! I swear, half of these snow days they have had were bad judgment calls! Roads were still driveable and no storms, its been so strange. I remember when i was a kid, snow days were FEW AND FAR between, and we lived out in the COUNTRY where plows didnt even hit our roads until the "city" was plowed, and our bus driver was like a cowboy on a bull just plowing through breaking way with his own tracks with one hand on the wheel and the other up his nose (seriously, he was a chronic nose picker, yuck!). Mostly dirt roads, i only remember one time sliding into a ditch, and another bus had to come pick us up. Whoopsi daisey!
So anyways, enough about snow and being side tracked! On to other things.
How's work you ask? Its great! i love my job. I love the floor sets and the cleaning, i love everything about it. I mainly love that its an outlet for me to have adult interaction and to bring in a paycheck. I get to see & test all the new product and I must say, I love it. I love "shopping" while working. Picking out things and putting them aside to purchase later. Seeing all the deals.... I just love it. Having a job has kept my mind off of other things, which is great.
Slades plugging along with his kindergarten class! we made an abacus with 100 "noodles". we dyed them, dried them and strung them. We glued paper to the box and made a handle so he could carry it. it was a fun yet time consuming project. We made all of his valentine cards already. We also do our homework, and read everynight. Except now, he is reading the 1st stage books to us, with a little help but he can do a lot of the words. He sure is growing fast, its so crazy. I was told how much they would change the first year of school, i thought i was prepared, i was way wrong... WAY wrong! He has a fiance..... her name is avalon. He asked us if he will have babies with her. haha.... oh boy, not for a LONG time sladen, a LONG time. haha.
Kendal is doing good. she is terrorizing like always. getting her hair blowdried and styled. She loves to get her hair straightened. Nails painted always..... currently this weekend with a 102 fever she asked me to paint her nails, who was i to tell her no? so she picked light pink toes and black fingers. Dad was not happy with black nails but he'll get over it. She is a bath & body-a-holic! the other day slade said "hey sis, i like your lotion...." she said "buddy, its not wotion, its bass and body werks, and fank you!". She is totally into strawberry shortcake, my little pony, and tinkerbell. (her newest fixation). She is always in plastic heels, and never goes without a necklace. Her favorite, is her noodle one she made this weekend.
Brian is doing great. He is plugging away at school. He's getting frustrated because the weather hasnt been good for flying, and since he already has his license, his flight instructor is more concerned with the newbies than working on brians instrument training. brians focus is there, instructors- not so much. He has other classes to be focused on, and he will end his diploma with everything he needs so i try to stop him from stressing out. I know its frustrating for him though.
So as some of you may have seen on facebook, we are looking for a new place to live come July. We are still going to stay in this city, but not in the trailer park ...... Paper thin walls and drug dealers are not our "style". although we have a great, quiet side neighbor, and a friends that live a street over, we are just not looking to stay here any longer than we have to. so the day our lease is up, we plan to be out of here. Hopefully somwhere that we cant hear our neighbors cough! Or to watch the cops check up on our neighbors son that is on probation perhaps even perole.... haha. I have been doing lots of calling and research! I am happy to report that we are on a waitlist for a townhouse, in a community outside the city. Its only 2 bedrooms, but it has a full finished basement. its 600 more square feet than what we currently have, and the kitchen is big! thats all i care about! haha. Im thinking that we will give the kids the master bedroom, and we will have the other bedroom.... i know i am planning to far ahead, but i want things to work out this time and not live in a hotel for 3 days and then get jammed into a converse shoe box!
My running is NOT coming along, but i have lost 5 pounds. i feel the difference in my pants. I put highlights in my hair and i am feeling pretty good. I think i am getting cabin fever though. Its been too cold to play outside, kids have been sick, and laundry and dishes have been non stop. Money has been tight so we havent been able to do much. So we are all tired of being STUCK. haha.
I have been focused on doing atleast 1 good deed a day for a stranger. I cant tell you how happy it makes me to do things for others. the other day, the lines at meijer were horrific! this lady at the no limit self check out had a pile of groceries at the end of her conveyer belt, so as we stood behind her i said "do you mind if i bag your groceries?" she said that was fine, so i bagged her groceries! I worked up a sweat and a smile. I dont normally like to tell my good deeds because i am not looking for a pat on the back but i liked that deed. It makes my heart happy. I have also made a vow to myself to be a better friend for my "family" that we have moved away from. anyways, i am working on improving myself, and i think its making me happier!
Well, enough about myself, and my family. I think that this is enough for today! hope you all have a great monday and rest of the week!!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
At your Request.
Well it was brought to my attention, that since we have gotten snow, my job is progressing, and school has started back up, that it is about time for a blog again!So with that request, and all things considered, i thought, "sure, i will give it a go." As i logged in, and looked at the date of my previous post, i realized it has been a couple of weeks! it also brought another thing to my attention: "maybe people DO like my writting!" So, now that kendal is IN her room, supposidly napping ( i say supposidly, because ive put her to bed 2 times now, so we shall see if she sneaks out again), there is no better time than now, to jot down some of the interworkings of my brain!
Okay so, what shall i start with....... Hm..... lets start with the snow. WOAH. Now let me tell you something, since i grew up here, in michigan, i never thought about how cold that it actually was. I never thought twice because it was the only thing i new. Now whether it be because i am older and more sensitive to coldness, but SHEWEEEE its a wee bit cold! It could aslo have to do with my winters in other states being so MILD. thinking 50's were cold, and 40's were freezing is a ridiculous thought now! haha. Yesterday i was cleaning off the truck and i couldnt feel my fingers. They were so cold that i litterally thought i had gotten frost bitten. The severe cutting and prickly feeling i was recieving on my finger tips brought tears to my eyes. Now as kids will be kids, we couldnt keep them indoors on a school snow day, so in small doses we brought them outside. A couple of slides down the hill and we were back indoors! Infact, it was so cold that my truck didnt want to start! Now that truck has never seen or felt a michigan winter! Until now that is! We have been getting pelted with snow off and on, but no snowman snow. Now i am talking about the really moist packy snow. None yet, but hopefully before the winter is up we can make a snowman, if not, we shall just settle for the huge snowfort we had in our yard for weeks!
Enough on the snow front, now time to chit chat about my job! Since the holiday season is no longer upon us, my hours have been greatly cut down. I get atleast 1 scheduled shift a week, but i am happy to pick up all call ins and pick up shifts thrown my way. I was also involved in 3 nights of floor sets for our spring line. I love my job, alot. i love that i can call it a job, and i am thankful to be able to stick around even after the holiday help is cut. Straightening lotion bottles and badgering people about purchases never seemed so exciting. There is more to it than that of course, but i sure do love it. Getting dressed up and wearing cute shoes to work is a highlight. But what is even better is getting a paycheck and bragging that "i bought that!!" Seems silly to some of you, but actually being able to contribute in more of a way than keeping the house clean and tighty is an accomplishment to me. Now i love being a mom, and a wife. i love my duties of cooking and cleaning, but i love being needed somewhere. I love having human conversations other than Pretty princesses and Making motor noises. Now those things can be joys, and not just duties. PLUS brian bringing the kids in to say hi to mom at work, knocks my socks off!!!
Okay so brian is back to school, which means long hours and non stop studying!! he is doing so great and achieving so much that my smile sometimes hurts. I stare at him and its crazy how far he has come. How far WE have come. never would have thought that at 27 we would have gone through this much, but at the same time, from what we HAVE gone through, i am proud to be standing here as we are today!!
Slade has started school back up again, and he is having a bit of the " vacation blues".... he doesnt really ever want to go to school. haha. He will get there again. He was just off for so long, its hard to get back into the swing of things! plus he just had a 4 day weekend so, who wants to go to school after that! haha. He has been bullied at school. Luckily that ISNT the reason he doesnt want to attend. He simply would rather just play with his toys than go to school. All you have to do is lure him with the bus and he is all set to go .....
He is such a smart and kind boy that it saddens me that in kindergarten we have to worry about our kids being picked on. He is so small that he is an easy target. Although that is how school works, and pecking orders, but it doesnt really feel good when it is your kid being the target. I wish i could go beat down some kids at school. Only time will tell what he will do when kids pick on him, but right now he is so vulnerable i need to nip it in the bud as fast as i can. Which is what i have been doing. I called the school and took it as far as i could i could. they have an investigation going on, and now the teachers are on watch. Its a nerve racking process and i will keep you all informed. For right now, he is safe, vibrant and still friends with this so called bully. Lets hope it stays this way. Clean and Clear.
Well kendal is full of piss and vinegar, like always. Nothing new there! she is working on her abc's and making necklaces is her new favorite thing. She talks really well, and is currently infatuated with seeing president obama on the tv. She likes him. LOL! She is also in love with strawberry shortcake and my little pony. She has rented every little pony movie at family video and re rents them when she sees fit. She is such a drama queen and loves to beat on the dog and sladen. Can't wait till she starts school to whoop some bully ass! Kendal is growing nicely.
I have been training for a half marathon. Ive been lazy these passed few days and havent racked up many miles. Shame on me i know! ive been trying to eat healthier and i have lost 2 pounds so far. I need to get more motivation and more willpower. Please help in keeping me ontop of my game.
Well i think that is probably all that i have for now. I will try to update again soon.
You're welcome ;)
Okay so, what shall i start with....... Hm..... lets start with the snow. WOAH. Now let me tell you something, since i grew up here, in michigan, i never thought about how cold that it actually was. I never thought twice because it was the only thing i new. Now whether it be because i am older and more sensitive to coldness, but SHEWEEEE its a wee bit cold! It could aslo have to do with my winters in other states being so MILD. thinking 50's were cold, and 40's were freezing is a ridiculous thought now! haha. Yesterday i was cleaning off the truck and i couldnt feel my fingers. They were so cold that i litterally thought i had gotten frost bitten. The severe cutting and prickly feeling i was recieving on my finger tips brought tears to my eyes. Now as kids will be kids, we couldnt keep them indoors on a school snow day, so in small doses we brought them outside. A couple of slides down the hill and we were back indoors! Infact, it was so cold that my truck didnt want to start! Now that truck has never seen or felt a michigan winter! Until now that is! We have been getting pelted with snow off and on, but no snowman snow. Now i am talking about the really moist packy snow. None yet, but hopefully before the winter is up we can make a snowman, if not, we shall just settle for the huge snowfort we had in our yard for weeks!
Enough on the snow front, now time to chit chat about my job! Since the holiday season is no longer upon us, my hours have been greatly cut down. I get atleast 1 scheduled shift a week, but i am happy to pick up all call ins and pick up shifts thrown my way. I was also involved in 3 nights of floor sets for our spring line. I love my job, alot. i love that i can call it a job, and i am thankful to be able to stick around even after the holiday help is cut. Straightening lotion bottles and badgering people about purchases never seemed so exciting. There is more to it than that of course, but i sure do love it. Getting dressed up and wearing cute shoes to work is a highlight. But what is even better is getting a paycheck and bragging that "i bought that!!" Seems silly to some of you, but actually being able to contribute in more of a way than keeping the house clean and tighty is an accomplishment to me. Now i love being a mom, and a wife. i love my duties of cooking and cleaning, but i love being needed somewhere. I love having human conversations other than Pretty princesses and Making motor noises. Now those things can be joys, and not just duties. PLUS brian bringing the kids in to say hi to mom at work, knocks my socks off!!!
Okay so brian is back to school, which means long hours and non stop studying!! he is doing so great and achieving so much that my smile sometimes hurts. I stare at him and its crazy how far he has come. How far WE have come. never would have thought that at 27 we would have gone through this much, but at the same time, from what we HAVE gone through, i am proud to be standing here as we are today!!
Slade has started school back up again, and he is having a bit of the " vacation blues".... he doesnt really ever want to go to school. haha. He will get there again. He was just off for so long, its hard to get back into the swing of things! plus he just had a 4 day weekend so, who wants to go to school after that! haha. He has been bullied at school. Luckily that ISNT the reason he doesnt want to attend. He simply would rather just play with his toys than go to school. All you have to do is lure him with the bus and he is all set to go .....
He is such a smart and kind boy that it saddens me that in kindergarten we have to worry about our kids being picked on. He is so small that he is an easy target. Although that is how school works, and pecking orders, but it doesnt really feel good when it is your kid being the target. I wish i could go beat down some kids at school. Only time will tell what he will do when kids pick on him, but right now he is so vulnerable i need to nip it in the bud as fast as i can. Which is what i have been doing. I called the school and took it as far as i could i could. they have an investigation going on, and now the teachers are on watch. Its a nerve racking process and i will keep you all informed. For right now, he is safe, vibrant and still friends with this so called bully. Lets hope it stays this way. Clean and Clear.
Well kendal is full of piss and vinegar, like always. Nothing new there! she is working on her abc's and making necklaces is her new favorite thing. She talks really well, and is currently infatuated with seeing president obama on the tv. She likes him. LOL! She is also in love with strawberry shortcake and my little pony. She has rented every little pony movie at family video and re rents them when she sees fit. She is such a drama queen and loves to beat on the dog and sladen. Can't wait till she starts school to whoop some bully ass! Kendal is growing nicely.
I have been training for a half marathon. Ive been lazy these passed few days and havent racked up many miles. Shame on me i know! ive been trying to eat healthier and i have lost 2 pounds so far. I need to get more motivation and more willpower. Please help in keeping me ontop of my game.
Well i think that is probably all that i have for now. I will try to update again soon.
You're welcome ;)
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Toast to 2013
What a better way to blog, than to look at my past year and reflect on the days and months that have since passed. What did we do in a years time? how did the kids grow? did we do things that we set out to do? how have we grown as people in a year? Many things to stop and pause at. Some to forget, but most to learn from.
Last year on January 8, 2012 I was going through one of the hardest adjustments i have EVER had to endure. We all know that deployment was on my plate.... and when we are the mom, dad, nurse, cook, house keeper, and man of the house ALL rolled into one, we change. We become stronger, more independent, and less prone to ask the husband to do the manly things. We take charge of our own life because that is what we had to do for the 7 months they were gone. They come back, and they learn how to be around the kids again. They learn to fit us back in their schedule, and we learn the same. I have to hand the keys over and let him drive again. Then you lose your independence and you let him direct and drive again. It was tough. So tough infact that it made me doubt some things. Things i should have NEVER doubted. I doubted that the navy life wasnt for me. I doubted that brian was ever meant to go away. Now as i sit here and type, i am shaking my head at the same time. Life is hard, decisions are harder. KNowing if we made the right one or not, i dont think we will ever know. Learning is the only way to figure anything out. We as a team decided to get out of the Navy. Neither of us knowing how much we would miss it. I miss it more than i EVER would have imagined.
As we picked up and left so quickly nearly 5 years ago, we changed. Distance came between us and the only thing we knew for 20 some years... as the missing home went away, the love for the new land and life grew. We made new friends, life expiriences, missed deaths, births and weddings, as people missed our birth of Kendal. We formed into a unit. We only had eachother. Bonded in an amazing way. We endured moves, and life changes with just our little family. Now as we sit here back in Michigan with our life moving forward, i keep looking back. I keep denying how much i love virginia because i dont want to hurt the one thing that i love more than my little family, MY FAMILY. My parents, and my sisters family. I keep comparing how different the two places are. Though it is wonderful to be a short drive from family, it is the only thing i enjoy about being in michigan. its hard to feel like you fit in since you have been gone for so long.
Can i see myself settleing here, sure. Can i learn to love it here again, of course. What does the future hold, i have no clue. But one thing that i do know, and one thing that i was always taught, is you have to make yourself happy. So one day at a time, we will move forward and we will figure it out.
Brian has recieved his privates pilot license. One goal down, and 3 more to go until he succeeds at his dream. (instrument, commercial license and bachelores degree) I am proud of him, and i love seeing that he is striving for something. Putting his all into something.The one question that still leaves us in the dark and hagning, is "where will he get his pilot job at". So many choices, some things blocking our way. But in due time it will be figured out.
The kids have grown so much in the passed year. talking, potty training, spelling, writting, reading, you name it, they have been a part of it!
We have moved completly out of 2 houses and we are in the 3rd. we were "homeless" and living in a hotel for 3 days. We have lost friends, gained friends, started schools, a new job. WE have done SO much in a year! one thing i do know, that it is HARD to make a honest living. IT IS HARD to make ends meet. IT IS stressful and consuming!!! Where are we going to get the money to pay this bill?? its a common question we have been asking. It all works out, but always leaves me thinking, that we were dumb to get out of the navy. Insurance, housing, a steady job and income all just handed to us. Is it rewarding to earn it, sure, but it is soooooo stressful.
My goals for this year are simple. Move on. Try to fit in. Re-establish the ME i am trying to find. Work hard at my job and hopefully working my way up to a leading postion. Run my frustrations and unsertanties off. Entering myself into a half marathon and a full marathon. Submerging myself into kendals learning.
The biggest thing, letting go of the unknown. Embracing what is in front of us, and figure it out. Stop looking back and only look forward. Make My little family happy, and choices that better us. Start fresh, start clean, and give traverse city the chance it needs, or the chance I need.
Its going to be a year full of firsts, and i am ready for it.Bring it on 2013.... Bring it on.
Last year on January 8, 2012 I was going through one of the hardest adjustments i have EVER had to endure. We all know that deployment was on my plate.... and when we are the mom, dad, nurse, cook, house keeper, and man of the house ALL rolled into one, we change. We become stronger, more independent, and less prone to ask the husband to do the manly things. We take charge of our own life because that is what we had to do for the 7 months they were gone. They come back, and they learn how to be around the kids again. They learn to fit us back in their schedule, and we learn the same. I have to hand the keys over and let him drive again. Then you lose your independence and you let him direct and drive again. It was tough. So tough infact that it made me doubt some things. Things i should have NEVER doubted. I doubted that the navy life wasnt for me. I doubted that brian was ever meant to go away. Now as i sit here and type, i am shaking my head at the same time. Life is hard, decisions are harder. KNowing if we made the right one or not, i dont think we will ever know. Learning is the only way to figure anything out. We as a team decided to get out of the Navy. Neither of us knowing how much we would miss it. I miss it more than i EVER would have imagined.
As we picked up and left so quickly nearly 5 years ago, we changed. Distance came between us and the only thing we knew for 20 some years... as the missing home went away, the love for the new land and life grew. We made new friends, life expiriences, missed deaths, births and weddings, as people missed our birth of Kendal. We formed into a unit. We only had eachother. Bonded in an amazing way. We endured moves, and life changes with just our little family. Now as we sit here back in Michigan with our life moving forward, i keep looking back. I keep denying how much i love virginia because i dont want to hurt the one thing that i love more than my little family, MY FAMILY. My parents, and my sisters family. I keep comparing how different the two places are. Though it is wonderful to be a short drive from family, it is the only thing i enjoy about being in michigan. its hard to feel like you fit in since you have been gone for so long.
Can i see myself settleing here, sure. Can i learn to love it here again, of course. What does the future hold, i have no clue. But one thing that i do know, and one thing that i was always taught, is you have to make yourself happy. So one day at a time, we will move forward and we will figure it out.
Brian has recieved his privates pilot license. One goal down, and 3 more to go until he succeeds at his dream. (instrument, commercial license and bachelores degree) I am proud of him, and i love seeing that he is striving for something. Putting his all into something.The one question that still leaves us in the dark and hagning, is "where will he get his pilot job at". So many choices, some things blocking our way. But in due time it will be figured out.
The kids have grown so much in the passed year. talking, potty training, spelling, writting, reading, you name it, they have been a part of it!
We have moved completly out of 2 houses and we are in the 3rd. we were "homeless" and living in a hotel for 3 days. We have lost friends, gained friends, started schools, a new job. WE have done SO much in a year! one thing i do know, that it is HARD to make a honest living. IT IS HARD to make ends meet. IT IS stressful and consuming!!! Where are we going to get the money to pay this bill?? its a common question we have been asking. It all works out, but always leaves me thinking, that we were dumb to get out of the navy. Insurance, housing, a steady job and income all just handed to us. Is it rewarding to earn it, sure, but it is soooooo stressful.
My goals for this year are simple. Move on. Try to fit in. Re-establish the ME i am trying to find. Work hard at my job and hopefully working my way up to a leading postion. Run my frustrations and unsertanties off. Entering myself into a half marathon and a full marathon. Submerging myself into kendals learning.
The biggest thing, letting go of the unknown. Embracing what is in front of us, and figure it out. Stop looking back and only look forward. Make My little family happy, and choices that better us. Start fresh, start clean, and give traverse city the chance it needs, or the chance I need.
Its going to be a year full of firsts, and i am ready for it.Bring it on 2013.... Bring it on.
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