My Kids

Oh my kids are so funny sometimes. I was showing Joshua my bruises last night from the needles and IV's. I told him that is where the nurse had to put needles in me at the hospital. I was explaining it hurt a little, but the nurse had to do it to make me better. I guess Jacob was listening more than I knew. I told Jack at dinner how sore my arms were and Jacob spoke up and said "that's where the nurse put NOODLES in mommy's arms"!!! If you knew Jacob and how serious he can be when he says things like that, you would know how funny it was. I am feeling better. This is the best I have felt since last Thursday, so I think this is behind me. The teacher called me yesterday about 1:45 and Joshua was running a fever again. He came home and slept. I couldn't send him today, even though he wanted to go. He begged me to go, but he is still running a fever. I can't figure it out. Anyway, I was so proud of him last night. He caught up on the work he missed on Monday without me asking, he read his book, and he started on his homework assignments...all without complaining and without me asking! The preschool called this morning, and Joshua saved me! It was the dreadful 2 year old class with the twins, so I told her Joshua had a fever! I need some time at home with the kids and time to start working on Saturday! Thanks for your prayers, and I hope you will continue to pray for Joshua.

Another Day

I went to preschool today because I knew I could sit the entire time. I did, but I feel so tired and a little light headed. Another co-worker told me it was the antibiotic doing that. I came home and checked the prescription and sure enough it says that it causes that. Thankfully, I only have one more day of that left. Other than that, I feel better. I still haven't had any pain medication since Sunday night. My side is sore and a little tender, but it isn't bad. Thank you, Monica for bringing dinner over to us last night! That was a huge help and a great blessing!! Joshua went back to school today. I think he was ready. He realized mommy was going to make him work...read books, do his sight words, learn his Bible verse from last Sunday etc. I am going to take it easy the rest of the day and then tackle laundry tomorrow. (no aerobics tonight, obviously)

My Thanks

I just have to start today by thanking Jack for taking care of me this weekend. I couldn't have made it without him. From the time he came home Friday night, he never left my side. I know there was nothing he could do in the ER but talk to me, but just his presence was more than enough. Your help around the house and with the kids, and taking care of me mean so much to me. Thank you! I also want to thank everyone else for your prayers. I haven't had pain medication since about 5 pm last night. I hope it stays that way. I can be fine one minute and then it hits hard and fast. I am slowly getting my strenght back. If I can pass this, I'll be even better! I am holding off on calling the urologist for my follow up appointment. Joshua is better. He was in good spirits last night and is not running any fever. He is probably about 95 percent today, so I'll probably just keep him home to give him some rest. He said he would try to go to school, but I think a day would do him some good. If I need rest, I'll put on a video, or rest when they take a nap.

New Furniture

We got our new furniture delivered yesterday morning. I haven't even been able to enjoy it much. I have sat on the chair and ottoman, but I just haven't been able to enjoy it yet. I picked up the kids from mom's house yesterday, and that seemed to just really do me in. I stopped to get a sandwich, but didn't even touch it. I didn't take any pain medication until about 4 yesterday. I was sitting there and it hit just as hard, just as fast as the other day. We were supposed to go out with our friends, but I had to cancel. They were so sweet and drove all the way over from Apex to bring us dinner. Thank you, Traci! I was able to eat a little bit, but then the medicine started kicking in and I got really dizzy and tired. I slept on the couch from 7-11 pm and then went to my bed. Jack has been so good helping with the kids, and taking care of the house. Poor Joshua is really sick too. He is running a fever and is just lying around. Jack has been a big help. I feel so bad that I can't even take care of him right now! I am trying to drink, but I don't have much of an appetite. I think the nauseous feeling has finally left me, so that is good. I just need to keep drinking! Diet coke isn't even good right now, so you know I am not right (or was I right to begin with?). Things will get better. Just pray for little Joshua. It breaks my heart to see him like this. Unless he gets better, he will be home from school tomorrow. At least he isn't throwing up though!

Emergency Room Visit

I guess this is what we get for bragging that we never have to go to the emergency room. But, guess who the emergency room visit was for....ME!! Last night in carpool line, it hit really hard, really fast. I started having bad side ache pains. I drove up to CVS to get me some medicine to help treat my infection, only the pain got worse. I pulled up to CVS and told everyone not to get up or out...mommy couldn't do it. I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. I prayed and somehow made it home. I kept getting into the bath tub. I told Jack I was ok, but to keep his cell phone on and go on to the mens' conference. The pain would not get any better and I kept feeling sick. Finally, at 6:45 I called Jack and told him I couldn't handle the kid's needs any more. He didn't get to go last night. He came home, told me to get dressed and we were going to the hospital. I was scared at that point. I have only been to the hospital for the births of my children. I didn't know what to do with the kids. Thankfully, mom was feeling good and met us the hospital. I sat in the waiting room for an eternity To make a long story short, they ruled out everything and then I went for X=rays and found out I had a kidney stone!!! They gave me some medicine for the pain, and I felt really good!! Jack went to the men's conference this morning. I'll go up after the furniture people come to drop off my prescriptions and pick them up. Mom kept the kids over night and told me she would keep them until the furniture people came. I am so grateful to have this time to rest in bed, and that's what I am going to do once I brush my teeth and get dressed. Thanks to my wonderful husband for taking care of me and being there for me. Thanks mom for taking the kids overnight. I knew they were a handful, but I didn't know what else to do. Thanks for letting us wake you up at 1:45 in the morning for a ride too! And for those who knew what was going on, thank you for your prayers.!

Friday

We enjoyed some of the 70 degree weather this week. I couldn't go out yesterday as I had been gone all day and needed to take care of a few things, plus I had been to urgent care before preschool with an infection. They gave me some antibiotics and I am feeling much better. I am hoping that I don't get called in this morning. Ann has been out two days, so I think she should be back. I decided with my extra money that I would go and get my hair cut and hi-lighted in a few weeks! I think I can pamper myself! I have a lot of odd and end stuff to get done...chores around the house, balance the credit card statement and try to get the taxes off today. I also have to get ready for our new furniture which is supposed to arrive tomorrow. (I'll post the pictures over the weekend) Tonight is Joshua's night for family night. I think we will just be playing games. (candy land, guess who, bingo). Jack has a men's conference tonight and tomorrow so he will miss this week. We are going after school to get ice cream with some friends, so I know Joshua is excited. He has his spring school pictures today too. I hope he looks good for them. I can't do as good as a job as Jack does.

Carpool Adventures

I had the camera yesterday in the fan, so Jacob and Jenna wanted to do some silly stuff while we were waiting in carpool line. We do anything we can to entertain us during this time. It's hard waiting, but they do good....sometimes better than myself. I am not a very patient person, so it's not an easy task to sit there and wait.

Some of My Other Kids

Yesterday was a better day. The main reason is because I got to go to aerobics last night. It is such a stress reliever. I also got to go to Walmart and get groceries BY MYSELF!! Thank you Jack for knowing that I need some time to myself away from the kids from time to time. Getting groceries was so nice last night. The day was also good because I had "my" kids. The school is full of sickness though, so I am holding my breath. I had 6 out of my 9 kids. Jenna's class had 4 out of 8 and 3 teachers were out. I have a feeling I will be working again today. She asked yesterday if I would come in if needed. Jacob's teacher, Miss Ann, wasn't feeling good yesterday, and she teaches every day, so they wanted me to be on stand by. I am really tired and would love a day to myself, but I guess I better work in case we get this crud! It would keep me from using vacation days, and if I didn't need it by next month, than it's just extra money.

This is Isabella and Stella. They are very sweet, well behaved little girls (all my kids are well behaved)

This is James. He only has one voice....an outside voice!! But he is too sweet!
This is Carter. He is a heartbreaker....and he LOVES to read!!!Ella is in front. She'll hug on you, but can be very stubborn too. Blake , James, Carter, Stella, and Isabella (notice I have, Stella, Ella, and Isabella?...gets confusing). Luke, Clifton, and Sumaiya were gone.

A Typical Morning

This is how our mornings start out. Notice our bad hair days!! (they must get that from daddy!!!). If the kids get up by 7:15, things run pretty good, but it's still hard trying to motivate them to get dressed, eat, get their shoes on etc, and get out the door by 8 am. It's even harder when I have to "tame down" their hair every morning.

I know today is going to be a better day. I have my "own" preschool kids today. I know their patterns and behaviors and I know Miss Melody too.

Another Crazy Monday

I had my day planned out today....get some work done around here, meet Sara at the Party store to do some jobs for the shower, let the kids play, and then everything changes. The phone rings at 7:45 and I knew exactly who it was....the preschool wanting me to come in and sub today. I debated about answering it, but I did and said yes. I knew we could use the extra money. Everything changed from that moment. I should have said no, or just let it ring. First of all, I helped in the two year old class (this class is not like Jenna's T/Th class). She has 6 boys (two of them twins) and 2 girls. The boys were wild!! I really felt like I was just babysitting. There is a big difference in my two year old class and my three year old class. Anyway, it was a long morning to say the least. I managed to get in touch with Sara, and we were going to meet at McDonalds at 12:15 to start what we were supposed to do earlier. Of course, the twins mother was late picking them up, so I was late, and she was able to get all the shopping done. Since we were late, they had also already eaten, so I really messed everything up and missed out on all the fun. I guess it's just a typical Monday!

Another Weekend Almost Over

Weekends go by so quickly. We enjoyed our family night/taco night. We played play-doh and bingo. Saturday Jack and I were able to get out for a couple of hours. Tiffany had to be at work, so we weren't out too long, but I enjoyed the time. We went to Old Navy, and the mall. We ate Chinese food for lunch. I was craving it so bad (no I am not pregnant!). I am so grateful to Jack to want so spend quality time with me, and I think it is good for the kids to see that our relationship is important and that we do need this time together.
I felt a little embarrassed over the weekend. Sara stopped by to view the house and it was a complete disaster. She lives 5 minutes away, so there isn't much time to tidy up. I guess she saw how we really live! I guess I started feeling a little overwhelmed because I am having this shower for Olivia in two weeks. I don't have to do anything but open my home, but I got to thinking "what on earth am I doing"? My house isn't that big, and I don't have the talents of hosting a shower. I guess I started feeling a little inadequate. I also spent my weekend wondering what my talents really were. I certainly can't cook, and I can't decorate or do any crafty things, that's for sure. I am not a good hostess and Sara can account for that (ha ha). I am just really searching and asking God what my true talents are. I know I am called to be a mother, but I don't necessarily think that is a talent. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother with this blog. I have about 3 total people who actually read it. I guess some day I will look back on it and remember what my kids did and said. Maybe it's just my gloomy weekend. PLEASE MORE SPIRIT! (see the entry on Beth Moore) I went this afternoon and worked out and that helped. I think sometimes just getting out of the house alone helps too!

What Joshua Says....

I love writing down the things that my kids say. Last night, Joshua was all over me...hugging me etc. Well, out of the blue he said "I am glad daddy chose you" I never heard him say anything like that. I asked him why and he said "because you are a sweet mommy and I love you". A few minutes later he said "I am glad you chose daddy too". Well, Joshua, I am glad daddy chose me too! Sometimes I don't know why he did, but I am thankful he did.

The man came last night and bought our couch and loveseat. He also bought our end tables and our glider rocker. I was glad to get rid of the rocker sitting in Jenna's room. I guess we will sit on the the floor for a week. I am just excited to have it out of my house.

How Beautiful

It's Friday! I see you have found my new blog! Thanks for reading. I am sorry I had to switch addresses, but I read a lot of things about people taking the pictures of kids and doing bad things with them. I know Jack tried to tell me, but I guess I didn't really understand until now. So, hopefully now, I am protected, and I do hope you will visit more. Tonight is Family Night/Taco night. It's Jenna's night and she wants to play play-doh and bingo. I love the words to the song that Jack set my video too and I wanted to share them with you. I can show you the video if you come over to my house.

How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.

And as He lay down His life
We offer this sacrfice
That we will live just as he died
Willing to pay the price
Willing to pay the price

How beautiful the radiant bride
Who waits for her Groom with His light in her eyes
How beautiful when humble hearts give
The fruit of pure lives so that others may live
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.

Back Again

I hope I am up and running again. This was very confusing. Thanks, Sara, for your help and thanks for sharing about the blog dangers. There are some pretty bad people out there. I do hope I have some visitors to my new blog. I know some people are nervous about staring up a google account. Thank you for your patience and for visiting my updated blog. I hope you will leave a comment from time to time.

My week was good. I have finally got caught up from the retreat. I should post some more pictures from it. Tuesday, we had a Valentines Day party at school. I am enclosing some pictures of Jake and Jenna's party. I got spoiled again with boxed chocolates, candy and other gifts. I was very surpised to get so much for Valentines Day. I didn't think teachers got things for that occasion. I am still loving the best Valentines Day gift I ever recieved. In case you are new to my blog, see Valentines Day to see what my wonderful husband did for me. I have truly been spoiled this week. I am sure the pounds have come on from all the chocolate. I didn't get up for my 5 am aerobics class this week either. I did walk on the treadmill tonight and go to aerobics class Tuesday night, so at least I am sticking to my goal! Thanks again for visiting!

Change is Coming

I have decided to get my blog password protected based on some things that I have heard going on. I will start this project in the next few days. I will try to get everyone added, so please be patient with me. I hope I won't discourage anyone from reading my blog. You just need your email address and a password and you can get in. Please continue reading my blogs. I am adding everyone from the church, plus all my other friends/relatives. If I leave you out by mistake, or if you want to be added, or know someone who wants to be added, please let me know and I will get you going. Thanks for understanding.

Happy Valentines Day!

I don't want to do anything today but wish my sweet husband a Happy Valentines Day! I love you so much! You mean everything to me and you are my best friend! Thank you for everything you do for me and our family! I love you! After I posted this, I found a note and some perfume that I really wanted, plus a Clinique bonus. I was so excited, but the greatest gift I could have ever gotten in the world came a few minutes later. I got this music video set to "How Beautiful" (is the Body of Christ song) set with pictures of our first dates, wedding, the birth of our kids etc. I was in here just crying and crying. My kids all came in saying "mommy, what's wrong" giving me hugs and kisses etc. It was the most precious gift a girl could have gotten and by far, nothing can compare to that. I will treasure it and my husband forever. I wish there were a way to share it with everyone, but you just have to take my word and know that my husband is very special and I love you very much! I don't know how I ever got you or what I ever did to deserve you, but you have my heart!

More Fun

We had so much fun on the ladies retreat. Here is where we met in one room and played some games and talked and gave Nancy (our pastor's wife) a valentines day gift basket. I felt like it was a big slumber party all over again!!
Here are some pictures of my flowers that I had waiting for me and for the project I gave Jack to do while I was gone. I wanted him to make Joshua a box for his valentines day party tomorrow at school (another homework project). I think they did a pretty good job!

Great Weekend

I had a great weekend on the ladies retreat. I'll be posting pictures during the week. I can't go any further with this until I first give a BIG THANK YOU to my wonderful husband, Jack, for watching the kids the entire weekend and for allowing me to go. You did such a wonderful job and I am so thankful. It was just such a nice time and I never thought I would get to know the women of my church the way I did. It made me so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful body of women. We left around 2:15 on Friday stopped twice for a break and again for a fast food dinner. We put our stuff down at the hotel and then went to the conference. After the conference, they put on a wonderful spread of food for us...meatballs, teraki chicken, spirals, brownies, cookies, etc! We went back to the hotel, changed into our PJ's and then played a hilarious game of "who done it".....someone used comet to clean their teeth, someone was a bartender, someone just learned to pluck their eyebrows (I had to put that one in there for you know who). It was just a wonderful way to get to know one another.

I roomed with Nancy Knight (the pastor's wife) and Nancy Burns. We stayed up talking until about midnight. I had really good roommates. Saturday we woke up and had breakfast at the hotel, went to the conference, ate yet another snack, went to a workshop, ate lunch, another workshop and then the ending to the conference. We got home about nine Saturday night. The kids had valentines ready for me as I walked into the door, and there was flowers waiting for me on the table (maybe I should leave more often).

I will save tomorrow's entry for more details about the speaker and workshops. I will enclose my roomies and a picture of all of the ladies who went with us. It is something that I will never forget!

Circus Fun

Stay tuned....details of my weekend trip to follow. I did want to post some pictures of Joshua and Jack's fun circus trip. I think they both enjoyed themselves!!

My First Trip

Well, I am leaving today for my first trip without Jack or the kids. I am so glad he is watching them as I know they are great. I'll miss all of them though, especially since I am missing family night and date time. I am ready to go though! I have some packing and cleaning to do while Jack is at the circus and then I am off.

The kids liked Kazooms yesterday. Jenna was scared at first but then realized she would be fine. I am just so glad it is over. I really don't like that place, but I know I needed to go since I am a teacher. At least we have some other fun field trips coming up soon.

I love you Jack. Have a good weekend!

Love is in the Air

Continuing with our "love" theme. The boys were hard at work Tuesday making their Valentines for their friends in school. This was one of Joshua's homework assignments. Poor little fellow, he had 20 to fill out. He never thought he would get done! Jacob decided he wanted to do his, so he signed his name to all of them and I did the rest. My class has a field trip today to Kazooms....a puppet show in Raleigh. I am not really wanting to go as I have been there two years in a row and it is getting a little old, but hopefully Jacob and Jenna will enjoy it. Jack is going to Josh's field trip tomorrow to the circus and then I am off to Virgina Beach for the ladies' retreat. I am excited about going, but I asked to be in the car that comes straight home Saturday as I am missing out on Family night and couple night. The rest of the ladies are going to have a sit down dinner, but I asked to be one of the six to come on home!! (I think I got slot number 3)

A Very Special Day

Joshua took this picture of us!!

With all the love theme going on this month and on the blogs, I thought I would join in. It was 10 years ago today that Jack asked me to marry him! We knew that we were going to get married, I was just waiting for all the formality. (and to make sure he didn't want to back out). I thought he would do it New Years Eve at midnight, but he didn't do it. I guess in the back of my mind I figured it would be Valentines Day. Well, he didn't want me to expect it, so he proposed a week early! It was a Friday night and we couldn't go to Outback until about 8 or after that night. (Outback was where he took me on our first date) I really didn't want to go (I hate eating so late), but I went. (Let me back up by saying he brought me flowers and balloons that night too....still didn't think anything because he did that a lot). We had a nice normal dinner, and I didn't think much of anything. After dinner, we talked and then headed out to his car to go home. All of a sudden, he got this really mean tone to him like he was mad at me. He said something like "we need to talk" (that isn't good) "with all this talk about getting married and being together" and honestly that is all I heard because my mind was trying to process things. I thought he was really mad, or that he was going to break things off. He got on one knee, pulled out the ring, and asked me to marry him. Of course I did say yes. Because I was older, I didn't want to wait, so we were married six months later, August 23, 1997. I can't believe we are about to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. It seems like a long time, but at the same time, I feel like we have known each other and been with each other forever. Of course, we will be together for ever.

For Sale

By the way....the couch and loveseat are for sale if anyone knows of anyone who is interested. Also, we have a very nice blue recliner that rocks and swivels if anyone is interested. I hate to part with the recliner, but it just won't go with our new stuff.

Totally Tuesday

I feel like the virtous woman today. Maybe I should get up at 4:15 every morning!! Every time I get up to excercise I get so much done. This is why my post is getting done early today. I am already showered, dressed, the kids are up and eating, the bed is made, lunch is packed and it is only 7:10! I'll feel it later in more than one way. I like the 5 am aerobics class and will probably go back to my favorite class tonight. I'd rather do the night class, but I do the early class just to make sure I get one in.

I am so excited and feel so blessed. We are getting new living room furniture! yipee! We are very thrifty shoppers and we hardly ever get anything brand new. Everything but the TV and entertainment center, and chair in our living room we got used. Our cars we got used, our bedroom furniture was used. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and I love to buy used things, but it's nice for one time to have something brand new!! My only worry is can we keep it nice with three kids running around. I think it will be delivered in two weeks. I love the furniture we had, but the one cushion was driving me nuts. Here is the now picture and in a couple of weeks, I'll send the new picture!

That Jacob

Oh, that Jacob. He says the funniest things. Every time we go to the grocery store and see alcohol my kids say "yucky alcohol...we don't drink that..it's nasty". Well, last night at dinner I told Jacob to put away the ketchup for me. He saw this small black bottle (wortershire sauce) and said "Mommy....you have alcohol in the fridge, that's bad!" I just had to laugh as I told him that was nothing but sauce. At least he is listening though!!

Today we had lunch with Bobby and Monica at Andy's. Jacob had to use the bathroom. He said "look mommy, my pee pee makes bubbles"

Potty Training Success?

Ok, I am so excited. Jenna has kept her pants dry since Wednesday! She has even been pooping in the potty! She even did it at my mom's house. Could we actually be almost done with training? Knock on wood!! I went to Target yesterday trying to find her some "barbie" panties. She has a few princess ones, and I promised she could pick some new panties out since she was a big girl. She really wants Barbie, so I hope I can find them!! Way to go Jenna!

Jack and I had a date today. My mom watched the kids so we could have lunch and shop. I was only supposed to be gone 2-2 1/2 hours, but it ran a little over. We were shopping for furniture and I fell in love with this living room outfit. We have to think about it and pray about it (but the sale ends Tuesday!!). We ate at Moes and went to the flea market. Thanks mom! It's so nice to get out with Jack once and awhile! Sorry we took a little longer than expected!

FRIDAY!!

Yipee! It's Friday! I love weekends together! Maybe I appreciate it because I like more adult conversation (no offense to my kids). Tonight is Jacob's turn for family night. I have a feeling we are going to play play doh again!! I am running some errands today and having lunch with Jennifer and Sam. She wants to run to BJ's to get another season of Little House. She is one of my "young" friends who never watched Little House until now and now she is hooked!! I took some pictures of Joshua at his school the other day. I know he hated to go back after a fun day off!

Snow

Yeah! No school! It snowed! It was short lived, and I am so glad I got out with the kids before the snow turned to sleet/and then rain. We had so much fun! I got to pull them on the sled and then we went down our hill. Even Jenna surprised me by going all by herself. Jacob enjoyed eating the snow! I enjoyed being out there with them and not having to work today! I didn't go to aerobics this morning. I was really tired and too lazy to peak to see if anything was happening outside. I hope to get on the treadmill tomorrow as I probably won't get up, not knowing what condition the roads are in. My abs are so sore anyway. I don't know if it was doing crunches on the ball, or just two aerobic classes in one day!