two cool things

Looks like C's guy is going to stick. We went out the four of us last night.. Tim and I are sarcastic smart-asses and throw shit at friends in fun and good humor. C matches us perfectly.. and dishes it right back. Well, as it turns out, her guy is the same!!!! we laughed so hard on the way to the pub C and I had tears. It was great!!!

C's daughter purchased a kid-pool and asked to put it up in my backyard, to which I said yes, but made it clear I wouldn't be responsible for the dog killing it. She was ok with that.  The dog has totally left the pool alone, aside from stealing a drink out of it.  The kids have LOVED having it here, the owner said we can keep it up while she's at her dad's if we'd like.. I think I just might for a few days, anyways.. pool play wears the kids out, so they can play in the AM, then lunch, and take a good long nap!!!! :o)

 

random stuff

C's car is GORGEOUS!! I'm so excited for her!!! I know this is going to make traveling for work an easy task!!

Tori loved camp, and wants to go back now!!! LOL

I received word from two good friends that they are expecting, one is the 2nd child, the other their first. They are brothers..so this is REALLY cool. I'm very excited for both families.

We're going to the circus, a week from today. I've not been since taking Beth and Alex the summer before we lost him. I'm sure this will be a bit hard, but I'm still excited to share the magic of it with my other kids. I hope they enjoy it.

and finally, bonus points to my hubby. He loves to take me out, but always leaves childcare provisions for me to find. Well, our anniversary is Monday, and he's made all the plans for us including child care. I'm so excited.  It's nothing fancy, just dinner at Olive Garden and a movie. I get to pick the movie. :o)  Should be a great way to celebrate 13 years. WOW!! We've sure survived enough stuff in that time period. Hopefully the next 13 will bring more laughs, and love. :o)

 

My Pixie girl is home

Tori arrived home, hot, tired, and a little dirty (not near as bad as it could've been) today. I picked her up from the bus around 3pm. Got home, bathed her, unpacked her bag and washed all her stuff. She's playing with her sister, brother, and C's kids.  It's so good to have her back. She had a FANTASTIC SUPER TIME! (her words), and will definately go next year!!!  I'm glad she got to go, more so that she had fun, but it's so good to have her home. Now to wait patiently for Sunday afternoon when Beth gets home.

C. is off buying her car, I sure hope it goes well!! Silver Toyota Camry LS(?), A/C!!(her's has been out for a year), power windows (old one didn't have 'em), power door locks(again not in the old one)..and if all that isn't enough fun, an AM/FM CDplayer stereo(old car had am/fm). I'm thrilled for her!! A little jealous I'm not getting my burb sooner, but it will come. Patience is that which I need more work on, this is a good time for me to practice.

gotta figure this out...

I need to replace the van. It's almost 10 years old, had over 60K miles when we bought it (7 years ago)... and needs more repairs than is worth it.   I called a few dealerships, the best I can get from them is a 2000 Suburban for about $20,000.  Factoring in taxes, lisencing, and the extra ins. we'll need we can't afford it.  I really don't want another minivan, it's fine, but I need the cargo space with the kids and they're activities I just have too much STUFF to drag along.

I checked out Ebay, there's one I'm watching for just under $15,000. 60Kmiles.  There's another one but for some reason they're only asking $2500 for the car. Makes me nervous when they low-ball the price like that. There has to be something wrong.

Sure wish I could win the lottery!!! And yes, I know in order to win, one must first buy a ticket.

 

Some fun stuff

So my girlfriend C. is a divorced mom with 3 kids. Her X is unmentionable. I'll be polite and leave it at that.  She's been dating off and on over the last 3 years, but never found a guy who could wrap his brain around 3 kids AND the fact that she's not Christian. She finally found him. He's handsome, polite, and seems to be falling in love with her as fast as she is with him.  Me, I'm having a blast playing the teasing little sister type. She'll make a comment and I'll respond with something to do with their relationship, only to make her blush and giggle like a schoolgirl. :o)  This is fun!

a few thoughts before bed

First things first, I just have to say how fun it is to have my children (including my friends' kids that I watch) as enamored and addicted to Little House on the Prarie as I was/am.  I own seasons 1-8 on DVD. and am watching them in order. I'm now on season 3, and am enjoying it all over again with these kids who know nothing of the stories... Beth of course excluded as she's read teh books. It's just too fun.

My evening was slightly spoiled, Tim had to go up to the valley to pick up art work. So after shucking C's kids to her, and tucking my two in to bed. I'm alone. I've goofed off on the puter here, and am now ready to go unwind. I have to decide if it's going to be a movie or HP 6 I bought the book last week, Beth's already read it. I've started it, but am not yet "IN" to it. My hubby, dad, brother, mom, and two friends are on the "read Jen's copy list" LOL.  Or I may just take my most recent issue of BH&G to the bath and rejuvinate in some cool bubbly water.. nah. I think I'm in the mood for more little house.

Overall today was a good day, minu Drew pee-ing on Tori's bed (thankfully she's not needing it tonight).. and me having no OOMPh to get anything truly productive done.  The kids stayed out of trouble and my hair, dinner was good, and everyone is asleep before 9pm. :o) Even I got a nap today. :oD

 

 

True Love~

You know it's true when 10mins. into a movie your guy lets you switch movies.

And if that weren't enough, Tim shaved this morning. Mond you I don't mind the beard/mustache look, except for two things, it tickles when kissing, and in most men makes them look older.  So, my hubby is again clean shaven, and though I told him NOT to do it FOR me, but FOR himself, I'm glad he did it.

Sundays events

It's 7:30am, this is really unfair. The upside to be "forced" out of bed at 6:30 is that by 2pm, when it's hot I should have my "heavy" work done.  

Yesterday was a good day. We got up and delivered the two girls to camp pick up, we stayed to wave to the busses.  I had nervous times but I know Tori is having fun, and will be just fine.  After church Tim and I with the two littles went to Target he wanted to pick up a movie and I managed to get one I wanted as well.. we ended up with 3 movies. National Treasure (two thumbs up from me, funny, action, romance for the heart and mush in us all), Constantine (I will get through it, we watched 10mins. of it last night, but I got scared so we switched). Terminal (can't revue it I've never seen it).  We stopped at Subway for lunch, ate while watching the first of Nat'l Treasure, then put Drew and Katie down for naps and finished the movie. After that Tim worked in the front yard and I played with Drew and cleaned the kitchen (my cabinet doors are CLEAN!)... our weed eater died, so Drew and Tim went to Home Deep and got a new one, my Dad came and picked up Katie for a sleepover and I did more cabinet cleaning. Then C. came by to visit and joined us for dinner (Chinese YUMMY!)... after she left we put Drew down and then Tim and I watched those 10mins. of Constantine, I thought it was a war movie in Rennaisance time period...it's not. It's modern time, Keanu Reeves playes Constantine, it's all about exorcisms deamons and other icky creatures like that. I don't do that well, and WON'T do it at night. So instead we watched A Walk in the Clouds, I've seen it before and still love it.   Drew was a good boy and went down easily and stayed so Tim and I enjoyed our evening together...I'm hoping we can do more of those throughout the summer.

late night ramblings

First an AHA and YAY moment.  I spent the 2nd week of July re-organizing my filing system, getting rid of old files, and putting the current files into a system I can manage.  Tonight it was "tested" I needed two of my girls' immunization records for GS camp paperwork. Found both in 2 seconds flat!! I'm so proud/excited!!! It was soooo nice to see I needed them and not have that moment of panic wondering if I'd find them before 2am.

Having gotten the patio cleaned up I'm spending more time outside with the kids, YAY! That means we're all spending less time in front of the TV. AND  having oiled the piano and music cabinet I'm now inspired to clean off the desk and get it all purty too. My house WILL be clean, someday, SOON!  Housework has never been one of my golden points in life, I wasn't pushed to do ANY as a child, and married a packrat, whose father is a packrat (sorry dad), so there's always been piles and stacks.  I'm just tired of it. I want my home to be welcoming to anyone who gives the effort to come over and give their time to me.. now that I'm making it about that and not about doing it for Tim, the kids, my mother, pick a person...but I'm doing it for me, so *I* feel good about my home, it's not the burden it was.  Hope this motivation sticks!!!

got the two girls 98% packed, Beth has some clean laundry in my room, which I didn't realize until after Tim went to bed, so that has to be put in her bag in the am, along with both girls toothbrushes. At least the paperwork is all done!!! Now to get myself over the anxiety I'm feeling about letting Tori go to camp...she's thrilled, I'm thrilled for her. I'm just nervous about her being away from all of us (family) for 4 days! That's a long time. Beth did it, I did it, hopefully she'll love it as much as I did, and Beth has.

Ok, 6 am is going to come too darned early, I'm going to bed now.

 

At least it ended well

So last night we had dinner guests, nothing fancy, just my parents and brother. I grilled salmon, YUMM. even my anti-fish eating hubby ate some, with no tartar sauce and no complaints. :o)  Family left around 11pm, Tim tucked Drew in, my brother was "chosen" to tuck the girls in. I crashed after they left. All was good, my house was clean, including patio! and I was content.  Awoke this am to a cranky husband who upon his waking discovered that Tori had thrown up in the night, but didn't wake (HOW?!!) so he bathed her, and stripped the bed, I got the other 2 small ones up and kept them out of harms way. I then got the room wiped down and airing out while Tim made a yummy breakfast. scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and mimosas for he and I. MMMMmmmmMMMM.  Tori declared she was hungry and felt fine. So we let her eat. She ate an entire egg burrito no bacon. Who knows what made her sick, only once. But it's over.  After giving breakfast a chance to come back to get us, and knowing it wouldn't, we dressed and went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, our favorite local "hangout" other than the parks in our city.  Katie was whiney from the start! UGH!  we did sharks and rays(Tori, Beth, Drew, and Tim touched Katie couldn't get herself to do it), seals and sea lions,  california reef, then ICE CREAM to celebrate Tori's bday in June (she got a card from the fish which included a free ice cream). That was an adventure and a half. Drew did ok with my help (I held it for him), Katie needed help, but wasn't up for listening to directions, the other two were fine. After wearing/eating our treat we went to the outside viewing of the seals and sea lions then headed home.  I've finished laundry and packed Tori for camp, now I'm off to make her and Katie's beds and then help Beth pack. Both girls leave tomorrow at 9am for GS camp. Tori for 4 days, Beth for 8. I'm gonna miss them!!! But am sooo excited for them!!!  Well, the beds won't make themselves...darn it.

short and sweet

I have Tim, Tori, Katie, and Drew in here with me. Tim is printing t-shirts, Tori and Katie are waiting impatiently for a turn on the computer. Drew is climbing in and out of empty boxes.  Yesterday evening the heat caught up with me, I finally did what needed to be done all darn day, just hadn't thought of it... I drank water... 3- 32 oz. cups of ice water.  Today I'm starting earlier with the water!!! hopefully it will help me avoid getting so sick. Now, before it gets too hot today I'm going to go pick up and vacuum the family room, sweep the dining room, and dust/oil the piano and music cabinet.  My parents are coming for dinner tongiht, grilled salmon, salad, green beans, and garlic cheese bread. They're bringing dessert, likely pudding. :o) should be great!!!

AHHHH evening~

It's finally cooled off. Maybe I won't melt!! Tim made chicken salad for dinner tonight, romaine lettuce, baby spinach, and chicken chunks. It was nummy. Especially since required no cooking, and I didn't cook it. The dishes are loaded into the washer, the kids are watching Care Bears, except Beth who's reading the newest HP book, purchased last night for her(and us). Drew is currently annoying Tim, hehe, I'm evil, I'm enjoying him (Tim) getting a moment of what I get all day. I'll finish this and put the boy down for bed.

Today was interesting, this morning, Drew climbed a bar stool, stood on top of the stool to get into our cabinet above the fridge, we keep meds and scissors up there. All of mine and Tori's asthma meds.. not stuff I want Drew getting (why it's up so high).  My brother will be putting in key-use cabinet locks tomorrow and Friday. Whew! I was ready to get chain and padlock!

Tim notified me tonight that he has 2 weeks vacation time. We have no money for a vacation, BUT, we've found a great comprimise. San Diego, close enough to zoo for 1/2 a day, tall ship 1/2 a day (or other) and come home, take the in between days to rest and maybe go to the beach locally and we've got a great vacation. The 2nd week I think he's going to stay home while the kids and I go to museum classes, he'll work on stuff around the house, mainly getting the studio cleaned up/organized. YAY!!!

OK, I'm off to tuck in my monster, I mean son. Truly I do love him, but oh is he bilergent sometimes.

too HOT!

It is too damn hot to do ANYTHING.  I soaked the 3 little kids heads in the shower, then my own. I did manage to run a couple loads of laundry, but I can't fold or put away. I'm melting. It's about 85* inside my dining room right now. I think I'm going to grab a sarong to cover my legs, a book and my sunglasses and go sit outside where it's actually a little cooler right now.

My younger kids are driving me BATS! too, and i know most of it is the heat. I'm putting everyone under 10 to nap, that way Beth and I can hang out. She's not whiney, so she can stay up.

First time

Greetings, this is my first try at blogging, it will be random thoughts and activities of me and my family throughout our days.  For my friends reading this, note that I will never use more than first name initials and will never post pictures of you (or children) without permission.  Let the journal begin.

Today was kind of crazy, I got up twice, once at 4:30am with hubby as he had me set my alarm as well as his to ensure he got up. Got back to sleep a bit later sunggled with Drew beside me. Got up for the day around 8am. showered, threw Beth into the shower right after breakfast. Then started the last minute cleaning for a playdate I had scheduled. My friends arrived right on time.. and just before I finished vacuuming. UGH! I never did get the vacuum put away. I'll vacuum the other 1/2 of the living room tonight.  So Friends leave and Drew goes down for his nap with a loud but thankfully short protest. The girls and I enjoy lunch, and my mom arrives for a visit.  During her visit Drew wakes, and then she runs with Beth to the needlepoint store by us, while they're gone I decide to be useful and put away laundry, which means I'm not sitting "on" Drew... next thing I know I smell burning plastic. Run to the kitchen there's Drew on a stool, "cooking" a stuffed cat in the toaster oven. The oven is fine, the stuffed cat is dead, and gone.  I burned two fingers because I wasn't smart enough fast enough to realize it's HOT! The toaster oven is now unplugged, and I think I scared Drew enough with the firm (quiet), NO TOUCH, regarding the oven. I hope I did. 

After that Drew and I took Tori to Gymnastics, she just went up an age level and just when I'm concerned she's struggling, she starts doing something better than other kids that are 2-3 years older than she is.  The highlights were watching her do front pike rolls, and seeing a mommy friend I thought I'd "lost" due to changing days. Got home, and now I'm off to negotiate dinner, tonight is mandatory leftovers, as there is no more room to store leftovers. Thankfully my kids aren't overly picky about food!!!