I'm Still Alive

It's been awhile since I have been able to post.  I am completely off for two weeks, so I wanted to update my blog.  I am so enjoying my slow pace, relaxing, much needed break.

I am so busy that sometimes I don't feel like I can breathe at times.  I am out of the house at 6:40 each morning to head to my job starting at 7 am (early morning care).  About 7:15/7:20, I begin my next job when three kids are delivered to my care.  When I am done at early care at 8, I load all three into their car seats and head home.  I get them all out of the seats, into the house and feed them breakfast and my day is just beginning.  Sometimes I feel like I can't even pee or do anything wit them here.  I manage to get two o them down now at the same time or their naps around noon, but the 4 year old wants to be entertained or have alone time.  I load them all up again around 3 to pick up my kids and then I am running them back and forth to practice.  They practice at different times at different locations, so it gets crazy!!  When my day "ends" at 5:30, and everyone gets picked up, I run to practice to pick up my last one.  Of course then there is lunches to make, dinner to prepare and laundry that needs me.  If there is no practice, then I am going to the games. (I like going to games.....I love to watch my kids and I love the adult interaction).

I try hard not to complain, but I don't do a good job with that.  I know that I have to do this in order or my kids to go another year at Southside, but it's killing me.  I hate most of all that there is no time for me and I have let myself go.  I can't exercise any more and I have packed on the weight.  Oh, how I miss going to the gym and doing classes or running.  It was good to have that hour or so every day to let the cares just disappear or that time.  I am hoping to quit this in April or May and then next year just find outside work.  My dream is to find something with less hours and more pay (which shouldn't be hard) but yet still let me attend my kids activities.

Bella is growing like crazy!!  She is doing pretty good.  She gets really hyper at times and still will try to bite on occasion.  She seems to be potty trained though.  She stays outside of her crate in the kitchen at nights and is doing really well with that.  I would love to get her to a trainer for the nipping and the trying to jump on us or the counter.  She goes tomorrow for her first grooming.

The kids are growing like crazy too.  We are half way through the school year (almost).  Josh will be 16 in January and get his license in mid-February I we let him.  I still need to add up his hours and I know he has about 7 hours of night time to squeeze in.  It wont hurt my feelings if we have to wait until March or April to get his license.  He also wants to get a job, but probably won't be able to do anything like that until basketball season ends because it is very consuming.  Jacob will enter high school next year and could start drivers ed in a year.  Jenna is still growing and will be finishing up her 7th grade year.  She is her class president this year and stays very involved.  She still loves her baking and can't wait to develop that passion with her more.  Jack is still at Golden Corral.  He has been looking or other work, but God has not opened up any doors so far.  We are just thankful that he has a good job.

So, this wraps up my posts or 2016.  Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a great start to 2017.  I will be back soon!

Basketball Season

So we transitioned from soccer over to basketball.  Life in this household has become extremely busy.  Both Joshua and Jenna are playing.  They practice on the same days, but different times and locations, so I am really hopping.  My calendar looks like something blew up on it, but like always, I wouldn't trade these moments. Josh does not start but is playing on the varsity team (because they do not have a JV team this year).  He has had two games and played both, scored both, but also made so errors.....but so did everyone.  Jenna has had three games.  She has started all 3 and scored in two of them.  Friday she did not score but her defense was excellent.  She had several steals and made them turnover the ball so I was proud. 

State Fair

I'm late posting this but a couple of weeks ago we went to the NC state fair.  We don't normally go on a Saturday, but we wanted to enter Jenna in a competition that was on Saturday.  She wanted to enter a cookie decorating contest.  We walked around for a little bit and then the boys wanted to try their pull-ups in front of the Marines. Wes and Josh both well and got "prizes" for doing enough.  We then walked Jenna over to find the place to sign up.  We kinda stayed close to the area because it was the first 10 people who signed up at 3.  This competition was for 11/12 year olds (they had different ages all week).  She got a spot!!  We thought it might be small sugar cookies, but found out it was a square big cookie.  She decided to stick with the plan she had for the smaller ones.  I had so much fun watching her.  They had 15 minutes to do this and then just like the shows, it was "hands up".  She kept her cool even when they said "go" but her color was not there and she had to wait for them to bring it to her while the others started.  She ended up with third place and we were so proud.  She got a ribbon and $10 to the state fair store.  (she chose and apron to get).

Myrtle Beach Get Away

Josh went to the Wilds with the high school and Jacob and Jenna went to the teen retreat with the church so Jack and I got to finally get away for a couple of days.  We were unable to get away over the summer when the kids got away because Jack's boss was gone.  I didn't think we would pull this off because the dates got changed and then hurricane Matthew came around. Parts of I40 were close and I95 were closed too, but we did it.  It was amazing just to have conversations with him.  It was nice to sit on the beach, say nothing at all, but still be together.  It was so nice to have no disruptions, no schedules!!  I was so relaxed!!  I also got up to see 2 beautiful sunrises. 

Hurricane Matthew

Last weekend we were surprised by Hurricane Matthew.  It came to Florida as a category 4 I believe, and by the time it came to the Carolina's it was a 1, however, we weren't really supposed to get much from it.  We lost power about 2:30 on Saturday and it came back on around noon on Sunday.  We managed this time to save everything that was in our fridge and freezer, thank goodness.  We only lost a shutter and had a few small branches down. Our yard was flooded and the road down the corner was also completely flooded.. In fact we saw this car stuck on the bridge. Life is slowly getting back to normal and although JoCo did not have school again today (or the rest of the week) Southside decided to go back today and maintain some of our days.

 tree down in front of school

Puppy Adventures

We finally broke down and got the kids a puppy.  We have a standard poodle, Bella Grace (Bella) aka "Bella-bean".  I like the fact that she will be a big dog and I like the fact that she does not shed.  I do not like taking the dog outside, buying dog food, and all that goes into a dog.  The kids love her, but I must say Joshua has really help carry the load.  He is good about taking her out for her morning business and also lets Bella sleep with him (in a small crate) on his bed.  I am really surprised that Jacob has not taken more of a roll since he is the one that always wanted a dog, but maybe that will change. Please pray for me the next few weeks as I learn to manage yet another "child" on top of the three that I watch during the day and also as I try to figure out what I am doing with training a dog.

Girls weekend

Jack took the boys to the mountains this past weekend on a camping trip so Jenna and I enjoyed some girl time.  Actually, I took her out of school early Friday to decorate cupcakes for a surprise birthday party.  Saturday we went shopping and out to eat and she picked out fabric to make a baby blanket for a shower on Sunday (forgot to get pictures) and then we made more cupcakes for the shower on Sunday. I am grateful that she has learned these gifts from people willing to give up their time and I know she will make a much better wife than I will someday.  She can always stay home and earn extra money baking and sewing for people.  I hope as she gets older I can continue to give her some cake lessons (she doesn't feel comfortable yet with that).  Most places won't take a 12-13 year old girl, but I hope to find someone soon to take her to the next level.

7 years later........

Jenna had Lauren (Mrs. Morris) for her kindergarten teacher.......fast forward 7 years and now Jenna has entered youth group with the awesome youth leaders, Chad and Lauren Morris.  So thankful for her and the influence she has/had with my baby girl.

Proud Warrior Mom

Soccer season has started.  It's been so fun to see Josh join the soccer game.  It is definitely not his strong game, but he is having a lot of fun and I love watch playing my boys play.  Right now we are 2-0.....Go Warriors!!

New School Year

This week we started back to school.  I now have a 10th grader, 8th grader and 7th grader.  Wow....time flies.  I started back to early morning care.  I have not liked getting up for that and it is challenging because not only do I have the morning care kids, but the three I keep.  It's been hard getting them in by myself so I hope I can make this work.  Yesterday I had 5 kids on my own.  Today I just have 1, tomorrow 5, Thursday 3 and Friday 1......I am TIRED.  Starting next week I will have Chloe every day and the other 2 with her 3 days a week.  I know I have to do this to keep my kids in school.

Today marks 19 years that I have been married to Jack.  I am so blessed to have him.  I came home from work this morning with these beautiful flowers and other small gifts.