Still on...

the track to getting out of debt.

I did a spreadsheet that generalized categories like groceries, gas, and not necessary. WOW is all I can say. I was amazed at where the money was going. We have already started saving every single receipt from this month and will continue to do so. I want to be accountable for where my money is going. So we are keeping this ball rolling. We have already crossed off 5 of the smaller debts and I cannot wait to cross out more. I also love that J is in this with me. He will send me daily post from DR that just give us a little reminder of where we are going and why. I pray that in less then two years we will be over half way there.

Shoulda, coulda, woulda, but I didn't ask!

That is about all I can say for the past years in accumulating the debt. As my dad says, you played earlier so you have to pay for it now. When I get done with this process I want to pay first and then play! Life would be a little easier and stress free.

Kids are doing good. H is having problems in school still - talking, not following directions, and forgetting to bring homework home. He has been grounded from everything. But he seems to find a new something and just says that no one told him he couldn't play with it. The other thing is the TV. If his sisters are in their room watching he just wants to go in there. But being on TV restriction mean NO TV at all. He did it this morning too. Sisters got up and he took them in his room and turned on the TV. Said he was trying keep them quiet. Sure. But don't get me wrong, he got a few hours to watch and was at his grandparents on Sunday and Monday. So he is not being deprived by any means. I pray that this week at school is much better.

Girls are also doing good. L had a great week and we are so proud - she was the super star for the day. Her teacher said that she was patient and kind and helpful. This is a big step for L, because she was my strong willed child. Well it seems as with everything else, A has taken over this position. She is being so stubborn and doing the little things that kids so - like blowing a raspberry at you when you walk away and also saying some smart remarks. We are trying to stay on top of things because this has carried over some into her days at school. I think they hear some of this stuff at school and are trying it out at home to see if they can get away with it...NO!

We took H to doctor yesterday about a foot issue that has been making him limp. It has been there about a month but he still played and did his business like normal, except when he walked. I asked him Friday if it hurt or if it was a habit and he said it hurt. So I made an appointment for Monday, which was a holiday for us, and took him in. He has also been fight a cold/sinuses so they checked that to. The doctor checked him out and wasn't concerned she said it is part of the growing pains. Because of pulling ligaments/bone ect... She called it Sever's Disease. Sounds bad but it is something that he will grow out of.

Well, that seems to be the update for now, till next time...

Getting back...

...on track...

The year 2013 has started which means new goals and ambitions. Kids getting another year older and another year wiser. Speaking of years and kids, I have thought a lot this past weekend about the fact that the girls will be turning 4 and H will be turning 9. WOW! The other thing that hit me, when J and I were talking finances, is that the girls only have a year and a half till they start K5~! That means I will only have after school fees for the school year! No "daycare". (except for summertime) Amazing that I thought this day would never come and now it really is so close.

The girls are doing great in K3 - They have learned to write/recognize letters/numbers and have even started writing their names. Not perfect of course but it is a good start. Coloring has drastically improved. L is so very neat and colors in the lines. A is not quite as careful but she doesn't get outside too far. Vocabulary is amazing and some days I hear new words and cant believe that such a word has come out of their mouth, not a dirty word but just a more complex one.

Christmas was so fun this year with the kids. The girls really did well, sitting and opening their presents. Only occasionally when one sister would get a present did the other ask where hers was. But their was not any arguing or pouting from any of them. H still believes in Santa, not sure how much longer this will last but...it was a lot of fun this year to see him watch his Santa video. The girls got one too, L watched her closely but A was just carefree with the whole thing. Hearing all three of them singing Christmas songs in the backseat is so wonderful. I think that Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa Clause is coming to town, were the absolute favorites this year. Video games were the thing again this year for H and also Angry Brds. The girls were all about dress up and princesses.

H is still doing well in 2nd grade. Report cards come out on the 10th, but all the progress reports and graded papers indicate that he will have straight As this time again. I have to make sure that we do something to celebrate. I have to find out what eateries that give rewards for those things.

*****
The other thing we are getting back on track this year, FOR SURE, is money!!!

In December, I purchased the Dave R Book and got his CD with worksheets and print outs on it. I read the book within a week and a half and then requested that J read it also. I really thought that he would put it to the side and that would be that. BUT, he read it in two days. His new word is GAZELLE. If you know anything about DR then you know that he says you have to do it like a gazelle. Fast and swift to attack debt. We truly know that this will be a total change in thinking for us and we are truly determined to get our lives back and not be a slave to the world.  DR motto: "If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else". I love it and want that to be us!
We have created a spreadsheet from the CD that shows us all the debt and when we pay one off then we mark it off...gives us hope for sure! We have it posted up in our room so we see it daily and remember the big goal. The thing we are working on now is the budget. We kinda know what our limits are but it will take a couple months to adjust our thinking and adjust accordingly. We are keeping ALL receipts too so we can truly see where our money is going and be held accountable by each other. I have also opened a 'household' account to separate 'bills' from 'other'. There are no credit cards in my wallet or J's. Therefore the temptation will not be there. I really like his plan about using cash, because I do believe he is correct that there is no feeling associated with credit/debit cards but when it is cash it hurts more and makes you think a lot more. I hope all these steps will lead us to a debt free future in a few years.

Well, I am going to try and keep up with this blog again this year. I really want to keep a log of how we are doing each month.

Love to all...

Odds n ends...

Well, I was able to get a lot of cleaning done this past holiday weekend. It started in the girls room - going through clothes and moving their room around. J & I cleaned the kitchen up - got all the stuff down from on top the cabinets, pulled out the refrigerator, cleaned the pantry, and got rid of a lot of stuff we don't ever use. I also cleaned out the two closets, the one by the front door and the hallway closet. J finally got rid of some of his jackets too! I was then able to clean the study up. Vacuumed and dusted the TV area.

I even did a little sewing, pillowcases for the girls and one for J.

I took Tuesday off from work and stayed home and did some more cleaning. This time I got in H's room - drawers and closet and dusted. Put up his bulletin board finally. :) I was able to go through the girls toy box and get rid of some junk that had accumulated. Then the big one - my closet. I got rid of some clothes that I just don't like to wear or never wear. I packed away the pants that are too big for me to wear now and some of the shirts too - to be put in the attic. Went through the birthday bags/tissue to get that cleaned up.

Then Wednesday was my early day, so I went home and cleaned both bathrooms. Dropped all the stuff off at good will. I hope someone is blessed by the little that I was able to donate.

So all I lack is to get in the top of my closet. I need to go through cards/pictures, high school stuff and stuffed animals. I need to have a little more room in my closet. I did rearrange things a little but it is still full.

One day this winter J & I need to get up in the attic and purge some stuff there too.

Spring cleaning, only in the winter...Makes this person happy...I really don't like clutter.

God is faithful...

to us even when we do not deserve it!

I am so excited that Thanksgiving is next week. It always has been my favorite holiday and Christmas is J's. We truly have so much to be thankful for this year. We are still in our battle but God has the victory taken care of for us. (J is really enjoying his job!)

The girls are still having bad days at school. Not horrible but just something every day. Please pray that L gets her fits under control. I know she understands, I just think at the time she doesn't know what to do when she gets upset and cant have her way. I have not had any problems lately at home, so maybe the discipline that we are doing is making at difference at home. School is kinda in a catch 20/20. They really cant do anything, therefore she is getting away with her fit. Of course she doesn't get her way but that still doesn't stop her. A is just being defiant. If she doesn't want to do it then she just ignores and does it anyway. She thinks its funny. Again discipline has stepped up a notch at home trying to stay on top of these things so they don't get out of hand. They must understand that what we say is what we mean.

H is doing well. Not to many problems talking and he has gotten a 100 and a 90 on the last two chapter books he read for AR. He really is smart!!! (of course he gets that from me :) ))) JK

I have moved the girls room around. We had to figure out a way to separate the girls beds because they were standing on the head boards and climbing from one bed to the other. They have just been bothering each other lately. I had enough, SO.... Now A is on one side and L is on the other. I moved it on Sunday and that nap was the best one ever. I didn't have to pat, both girls laid in their beds and went right to sleep. Took L about 2 minutes and A about 10 to fall asleep. Nights have also been better too. Not as much playing. I pray that it continues.

J still feels so honored to be a deacon. I am excited for him because there is so much growth. He is going to teach SS this coming Sunday. I think he enjoys it but just doesn't want the weekly responsibility to do it all the time. He also is going to be helping with the Lord's Supper. A really special thing at church on Christmas Eve is the Lord's Supper and I am proud J gets to be involved this year. The girls are doing well at church too. L still doesn't like to go down the isle during children's church call. A will run down to meet papa. Needless to say its kinda the thing for the girls to have papa take them to children's church. I am just happy that they will go. They have been asked several times for them to sing in tiny tones. That is a Sunday night thing, we don't always make it, but we need to start trying again. They are still loving cubbies of course!

Me...I am just taking one day at at time and letting tomorrow worry about itself!

TTFN...

Trying...

to please everyone just doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am worried about to many things and too many people. Why oh why does life have to be so difficult and blind.

Just have faith...

Just have faith...
That is what J just told me as he got off the phone. I just don't think that I have much left. Yes, I know God will take care of us, but (and I know there shouldn't be any buts) why not provide a great job now. Why is this taking so long?

I get so frustrated at him. I try to be supportive but I am struggling. I feel like my parents are mad with me/us. I don't want them to ever think that I am only taking, but I want them to know that I am grateful and indebted forever to them.

Someone has told him that they will have a full time position in 2013! 2013!???? I know part time will come before that but really, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming...The kids don't deserve this at all. I am tired of taking and asking of my family.

J's mom gave him an envelope on Sunday night and said that someone gave it to her to give to us. It is a $50.00 Wallyworld gift card. I am not sure if it was for us or if she gave it to us because someone gave it to them for their pastor appreciation day which was this past Sunday. I guess I shouldn't question Gods blessings, no matter where they come from.

I am just ready to give up.

I am amazed at the two weeks that J was out of town working, how less stressed I was every night, even my coworker noticed. Wow! I also realized when he came home last weekend that it is his indecisiveness that gets me so frustrated. Even when I tell him that he can choose he just throws it back at me until I make the decision. He tells me not to worry that he will do what he needs to do to take care of his family. I don't know if these are just words or...He tells me things will be different when he comes home, because he realized how much he missed us when he was gone and he doesn't want to go through that again.

Pride...It is a hard thing to let go of. Is that what God is teaching me??? To let go of my pride. To know that He is the one in control and that I can leave it with Him to take care of?

When it came right down to him leaving, I didn't want him to go. When it came time to go bed, I wanted him there. I love this man...the man God gave to me to support and be his helpmate.

I want off...

this roller coaster ride!!!

*****************************************

Yesterday afternoon, A goes to the back door and tells us their is a snake outside. I told her no there is not a snake. I got up to look with her anyway and sure enough...a snake slithering across the back patio. Our neighbors were not home so I ran across the street and got HK's dad, she is a girl in their K3 class. He was so very nice to come and kill it with a shovel and promptly throw it over the back fence. Uck!!

J was able to come home last night and the kids absolutely LOVED it. They miss and love their daddy so much. We did have to sit down and talk last night. J believes that he cannot do this new job. He has decided to come home. He does have a part time job lined up to start as soon as he gets back. And he is trying to get another one in place as well. He stated that he will do what he has to to keep this family together. I do believe him but it is hard to trust sometimes. So I am trusting God to provide, like he already has for us.

BIG thanks to my parents for letting J stay at their house for the last two weeks and treating him just like a son. I know that he will miss his lunch being made for him. :)

Please just keep praying for us...

Struggles...

Right now I believe that only God will get us through this. He has provided in so many ways, so I know that He will also lead us to the right path to take for our family.

J did get a job but it is about 3 hours away from us. This does not make this momma and kids happy. H is handling it pretty well but still wants/needs to talk with his dad almost nightly. The girls will ask for him and ask where he is and I tell them he is working and the day he will be home. They seem ok with that answer for now.

So many questions arise from this situation...Should we move? Should we stay? If we move where do we move to? and Can we afford this change? Then I would have to find a new job, UGH...the kids would have to start new schools...we would have to sell our house here first...These are things that we just don't know the answers to and relying on God to show us the signs for the direction we are to go. In almost two months the job that J took is the only thing that has been offered full time. Is that a sign? I have just gotten to where I am happy at work and very happy where the kids are going to school. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS????

I am doing well so far on the home front, handling the kids and house by myself. I still get stressed and think at times that I just cant take this anymore and money problems still arise. But then I remember that I am NOT in control of things and that, thankfully, I can put them in Gods hands. I also remember to take just one day/moment/hour at a time. Its hard when the husband, a grown man, calls you from out of town crying because he just misses his family and feels like a failure because we are going through this. (sometimes we don't know what we have till it becomes absent from our lives) FAITH...we have to walk by faith.

I pray that if moving is not the right direction then God will open a door for a job here at home. But if it is then to clearly show us that that is our next step in our life. I really would like to be settled and just enjoy raising the kids. Living in limbo is not fun at all...

This story is to be continued of course...

It has been a while...

Sorry, just to say thing have gotten crazy would be an understatement.

Since I last wrote, we have gone to the beach, become fully potty trained, started K3 & 2nd Grade, and celebrated our 3rd and 8th (on Saturday) birthdays.

Not sure what made things click in A's head, but once returning from our week long trip she understood that she could get up in the middle of the night and go potty. Of course since then I have been getting up at least once 5 out of 7 nights. Of course I don't mind because it is better than having to do loads of laundry. L still maintains staying dry all night too. They love that they are big girls now! Stores have lost their excitement too for the most part. We can go and not have to worry about a gazillion potty breaks.

The girls third birthday was an experience! We did the donut theme and it turned out very cute and simple. The girls had their dresses especially made just for that day and they were adorable in them. I just sit back in awe some days and cant believe that they are 3. Amazing! When they turned one, the thought was - ok we made it past the first year of twins. When they turned 2 it was - ok we have toddlers now. But 3 - I have two little girls who are slowly but surly growing up on me. I am ok with this for now, but in about 10 years, probably not. The seem to be normal sisters in that they squabble and they are learning to share. They are understanding so much more that I give them credit sometimes.

K3 also started this past August. Of course my girls are the youngest in the class because of their birthdays, but if you could see all they are learning and saying and doing - it again, amazes me! Sponges for sure. We are learning to recognize and write our names, they know their first letters and that is how they distinguish their backpacks, lunchboxes, and nap mats. It used to be only by color for their sippy cups and bags. I absolutely love their new school!!! Actually that is an big understatement. They have been in school for a a month now and they both have gotten in to trouble once each. BUT the big difference is that along with what they did wrong they also praise for what they have done right/good! At little school they never gave positive feedback - only negative each day. So this change has been good for this momma. Maybe it is all in my head but the girls also seem much happier at the end of the day.

H has started 2nd grade and just like last year, the talking is still a problem some days. Only one note home so far though. H will also turn 8 this Saturday and we are going to surprise him with a party. We have been downplaying it saying that when he turned 5 is when parties stopped. He had a friend over for 6th birthday and 7th he went to an Alabama game. So this year ... He will love it! J and H are going to hit golf balls that morning (weather permitting) and then maybe some BassPro and while they are doing that I will be setting up at home. Grandparents will come over and surprise!!!

On the home front with J & me. Sad news, J lost his job. Not sure how to take this but we are moving forward. Praying and praying some more...God will get us through, it is just hard to wait for His plan sometimes. The kids don't know yet, I'm not sure we will tell them either until we have to. The girls probably wont care but H will know. Whoever you are please keep praying for us!

Maybe that catches us up in a brief way...

I spoke too soon...

Of course!!!

I spoke too soon when I talked about L & A staying dry...Guess what? BOTH girls had accidents last night. uggghhh.... Hopefully they will be dry for another few nights in a row and we can truly say it was just an accident. A's was sometime in the middle of the night and L just didn't get out of bed in time.

H called us last night crying. He is homesick. Nighttime has a way of doing that to us. But it also made this mama happy to know that he needs me and his daddy! I cannot wait to get my hands on him when he gets home. I pray he has a great next two days and that he always remembers that I love him all the way to heaven and as much as God loves us!

Water day for L was today. Once again, the whine about why one gets to do something the other one doesn't. Just more unneeded stress.

Back again...

I am back again. Seems like I go for a few days doing entries and then just stop, only to pop up again!!

H is out of town this week going to VBS with grandparents. He was with the other set of grandparents last week for VBS as well. Good thing they are different studies. Anyway, he sounded so happy and excited on Monday evening when I spoke with him. I know when his papa gets back from out of town he will have more exciting times too. Although I miss him and can not wait to get my hands on him again this weekend! Love my little man!
He will have art camp next week from 8-12 everyday. I know that he is excited about that. And then a couple weeks after that we will all be at the beach! This summer will be over quickly and H will start 2nd grade and the girls will be in K3 at the same school at their brother! So excited!!!

Speaking of the girls. I'll have you know that I ventured out and put the mattress pads back on the beds with the sheet. L has been completely potty trained for some time now but A was having nightly accidents. Even with going out of town this past weekend she stayed dry. They love their new flower print bed sheet, but I just knew that if I put them on that she would wet. NO, not at all. I was in the shower when they got up and J went and got them out of their room. He said that A was sitting in L's bed when he entered and freaked out. Thinking that twice the wash. He asked her if she was wet and she quickly said no and told him he could check. Sure enough, DRY! This is either the 5 or 6th night in a row!! Maybe!?!?!? We praise it up when she is dry in the morning too! When I went in to check on them later that morning I asked her if she stayed dry, she quickly said yes and pointed to her sheet and said she kept her flowers dry all night! :) Such big girls now!

Water day at school is a great enjoyment for the girls! L is on Thursday and A is on Friday. This is good and bad. Good not all in the same day but bad trying to explain to them why one of them gets to wear the fun stuff/shoes when the other one can't.

Not much else to say right now. Just wanted to get something in on the blog.

Happy and sad and just plain mad...

Well, I am all of the above this morning.

I am just sick and tired of L getting up in the middle of the night just to fuss and complain and then to be up again at 5am. Last night she got up around 1 am and it took me being on her floor for 1hour and 30 min to get back to my bed...only for her to be back up at 5am...I was telling her to go to use the potty and I was going to attempt to put her back in her bed, seeing as it was still dark outside. She didn't want to go potty, so I was taking her back to bed. Then she wanted to go potty, but was crying and fussing the whole time, so she teed a little on her pnties. She sat and went and then when I was handing her paper she just kept whining and saying no, she didn't want to wipe. I got her clean pnties to put on and she didn't want that either. So I picked her up, wiped her and tried once again to put the pnties back on. NO go... So I picked her up took her back to her room, put her and her pnties and shorts for her to put on in her bed and I left the room. Yes, she was still crying and fussing but I there was nothing that I could do right for her. I don't know how but A slept through some of this whole debacle. I went back to my room. She continued to cry/whine for about another 10 min and then I noticed it was quite. I didn't hear another thing till about 6:15 when A was at the door saying she had to go ptty. L had pnties on and they had been playing in the room. A had taken her wet pnties off and they were in the floor. But A went to the ptty and p'd her morning p like usual. I just cant take this stuff anymore. I am beyond frustrated. Takes me anywhere from 30 min to an hour to get them to bed, then up again in the middle of the night and then early, early in the morning, and naps are getting shorter and shorter. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO???

L surprised me this morning. We were on our way to school and she has hair rubber band that had broke. She had placed it on her leg and said mom, I have a 'j' on my leg!!! Sure enough it was in the shape of a J. So smart when she wants to be.

I payed all three kids registration this morning for the fall. At least that is taken care of now and off my mind.

I got rid of the ratty pink sandals on Saturday. This morning they wore their k#ds to school and I didn't even hear one fuss about it. Shocked to say the least.

So excited about the beach trip coming up. Have to start saving a little for that. Also excited that the girls will have new swing tops that my mom is going to make for them!! They will love them. (And the red dresses!)

We gave jills girls presents to the mil to forward knowing that she would see them before we would. Anyway, mil had already looked into the present and made the comment to me that they would love them because they love silverware. ??? I don't get why she would look into a present that wasn't even hers? Needless to say, the party didn't happen on Saturday. The daycare called her on Friday because one of the girls had a fever. They still had it on Saturday and so jill called us to let us know and say that she understood if we didn't come. Of course we didn't go, I wont subject the girls to known sickness. Good thing because they still had the fever on Sunday too. Only two weeks into the new day care and they are sick. Now she will understand what day care is really like. Well, maybe I am just dreaming because we know who came to the rescue and it wasn't the girls mom/dad. Mil had suggested we get the girls vacuums. J told her we probably wouldn't and she said that was ok to let her know and she will get them for them. Of course jill posted a picture of the girls/mimi on Saturday playing with their brand new dirt devil play vacuums. Quoted, the best gift ever.

I texted H's teacher for the last time and thanked her for being a good teacher for H. "Thanks for all you did for H this year! This is his mom signing off your text line for the final time. Thanks again for being a great teacher at HES!" She texted me back saying: "Awww!! Thanks so much for all of your support! I am so proud of H. He is so smart. Gifted testing takes place in 2nd grade :). Feel free to text me or call me if you guys need anything! Have a great summer!"
Nice for her to notice the gifted part even when I said nothing about it.

Wow, I am in a mood today, but trying to not let it take control. Pray for me...

48...

We have been dry for 48 hours now!!!

I did set my alarm clock for midnight. It went off, I got up, took A to the ptty. She sat but after a few seconds said she didn't want to go. I told her she needed to so she wouldn't wet in the bed. But it was a no go. She got up and crawled back into bed. I just knew that she would wet. Fast forward to 5:45am and L was at the door crying so I just knew also that I would have puddle on the floor because she didn't make it out. But I opened the door and A was right behind her, they walked out and went to potty. A & L both were dry!!!!

H got a note sent home yesterday, but it was GREAT! He will be receiving two awards on the 29th! One for his A Honor Roll and then a second for his Accelerated Reading. To say we are so proud is an understatement. I will be going to that!!!!!

I am taking tomorrow off from work & so is J. Just a day together because of our 12th anniversary this weekend. I hope we can relax just a little.

Hope all is well in your house...

24 hours...

We have been dry in our house for 24 hours!!! I cannot believe it...first time in weeks that we have not had to change at least one bed. Here's the story: L woke up crying at around 11:45pm. I go into the room and find her standing in front of her bed with her blanket and was shaking. I asked her if she fell out of the bed and she said yes. I held her tight and picked her up and decided to go ahead and take her ptty. She went, and I took her right back to bed and told her I would be right back. I felt A and she was still dry so I picked her up and took her ptty. She went and I took her right back to bed. I laid on the floor and after a few minutes I crawled out of the room and went back to bed myself. Fast forward to 5:45am and both girls get up, go ptty and we have dry beds!!! I guess I will start getting up now and maybe after a week or so they will realized they can go on their own to the ptty???

The end...

of school for H is next Thursday. I cannot believe that he will be in second grade next year. I am definitely not old enough to have a second grader. Am I? Lots of new exciting adventures ahead I'm sure. He told me this past weekend that his girlfriend broke up with him. I asked him why and he just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know but that was what she did. :)  Love this little boy...

This girls are having their end of the school year party on Friday. Bananas for L's room and yogurt for A's. I really hope they move L up soon because this momma is not sure she likes it. I feel like L is missing out on maturing and learning new things. Its not that they are in different classrooms, its that they are in different grade levels. They usually do end up together by the end of the day, usually on the playground.

I am proud to say that I have no fear in taking the girls anyplace. They are potty trained for sure during the day. No more diaper bag!!! I still keep a change of clothes in the van but I feel so free to be able to not have to carry anything. I actually got to carry my Bible on Sunday! Sad I know but when holding toddlers and bags it was just easier to look at J's. Ptty stops are just a part of the trip now. We go to Walmrt and they will have to go, so we go. The only thing that is frustrating, is taking both of them at the same time. I try if I can to take one at a time but not always the case. But they do good for the most part. They can pull up/down for clothes and they can get on the ptty by themselves to. Of course in a public setting I get them on and off for less touching. But I can honestly say I am proud!!! A is still having a night issue, but did have one dry night on Monday morning. But of course in twin style, L wet. She hasn't figured out she can get up and just go to the ptty. I am at some point going to start setting my alarm clock for midnight or so to get A up to go ptty. I am not sure that is going to help or not, but we wont know until we try. Another theory we were wondering about was if L is waking up earlier because she has to go. But she got up around 3am the other day and so I got her out of bed and took her ptty and put her back in bed. She was still up before 6am. Goodness!!

They are loving their B@rbies in the bathtub too! L is very good at sharing, A not so much.

June 11-15 is VBS, so H will be at the grandparents that week. I wonder how many days they will take him over to the sister n laws house. It seems to be the only place they are ever at. I think that if I find out that they are taking him over there a lot that I will rethink this next year. The whole point is to have him get the full attention for that week. Speaking of snl, her girls started a new daycare on Monday. Not ours of course but another one that is in between grandparents and her. Convenient.
J caught his dad in a lie. Maybe not a lie but still a story. I didn't hear this till after. But J said he came up to him and H and made the comment that he wished he had know about the kids thing in the big city and he would have come up and gotten H. Thinking nothing of it. When we were at lunch with J&C they mentioned that they went and that they saw the grandparents w/ snl & bnl w/ kids. Later when J brought it up, he said that he didn't understand why his dad said anything to begin with why make things up. I also wondered why they didn't even call, even last minute, to invite us out. I guess we just are not flexible enough??? Or maybe its just me. I am doing my best not to even worry about her and I am doing pretty well, but...The big 2 year bday party is coming. No invite yet by mail but yes by mouth to J. She even had the nerve to ask him if he would help drive some train thing that they were going to do at the party. Ugghhh... I told him if he does then he can take all three kids by himself. I am not being left alone there. I wonder how many times it is going to take for him to realize things are not going to change. He secretly wishes that they would have to move...not going to happen.


Sorry this entry was a big run on...

So fast but so slow...

That is how I feel life is going. I feel very safe to say that L is completely potty trained. She has stayed dry during the day for a full week and at night for 5 days now. A on the other hand is fully "day" potty trained and hasn't had an accident in over a week as well, but night time she still has a problem with. She goes sometime in the middle of the night but when she wakes in the morning she goes a full p. So...

But my girls are surely becoming big girls. They love their jelly beans for sure, but L will make sure she doesn't get orange. She will tell daddy that she wants a jelly bean but not orange. A on the other hand doesn't care what color and neither does H.

H got four punches on Monday and then one punch on Tuesday and then one strike on Wednesday. He is working for a full punch week to be able to go hit balls with J at the golf course. Anyway after we complete this week he only has two and a half more weeks of school left. Then I will be a mom to a second grader!!! And the girls will be starting K3 this fall too! Amazing!

The girls are handling being in separate class rooms very well, but some days its hard when I drop them off. L really wants to go to the big classroom with A. I'm sure its because it is more fun and different stuff then what she sees everyday. I hope soon they will have a spot open for her to move up too.

Day care has 6 cases of pink eye in the toddler room. On the entry board it says 5 confirmed cases of pink eye and stomach virus and hand,foot,mouth. WOW --- So we continue to put in eye drops for now.

There are also just few more weeks of awana at church and then they will move the service to Monday nights. I'm not sure if we will make those or not...kinda just depends but right now J has to work late on Mondays which will make it really hard.

VBS is coming at church in June and I know that H is excited. He will spend a full week with his Mimi & papa. I know they will spoil him. I hope they do something together that he will be able to treasure. Sometimes they are so busy with work and the job that they don't actually do quality time stuff with him. I know he loves the toys but...

I'm getting excited about my room. I want to make it a place that I will enjoy and feel relaxed to go to. I want to do it right and where it is affordable. The cable/elec man is coming on Saturday am. He was supposed to come Tuesday but his worker got ill so he had to take him to the hospital. No hurry anyway for this to be completed. But it is the first step. Since I will now have wall over my bed, I was thinking of getting a vinyl saying to put above the bed...The greatest measure of love is to love without measure. I just really like it. 

Well, I have rambled enough for now...

Final...

I think this will be my final potty post. The girls are doing great! I'm not sure I want to say they are fully potty trained but they are potty trained. I think in 3 more months they will most definitely be ready for K3 school. We stuck around at home this weekend and the girls were great all day long. A wet the bed on Friday night to Saturday morning, so last night I decided to get her up around 9pm (when we went to bed) to have her potty. She did great, she went and then I put her back in bed. She was dry in the morning. L had the accident last night so I might try and get her up too at the same time, but she is a little more difficult to deal with when she is asleep/waking up, like her momma!

I decided not to pay the tuition for the old school and go out on faith that the girls will be ready and "fully" trained by 8/13/12. Their director called me today at work and said that there was an opening right now in the lower three's class and that both the girls are the oldest to move up. She only had one spot. She asked if I was OK with separating them or for her to wait. I said that it didn't matter, because in my mind on occasion they are in different rooms anyway and I'm sure as soon as another spot opens they will move the other one. She suggested A to move up because she loves to be in that classroom. I also think this might be good for A and get some independence from L and be a leader not a follower all the time. I also know that this will only be for about 3 more months at the worst case for them being apart. I paid the regular day care bill today and also included their slips that they will not be returning for the fall. We'll see if they say anything.

We have recovered our living room from the kids. All the girls toys have been moved to their room. I put guards on both sides of their doors and on the bathroom door, and a baby gate in H's door. They have free roam of the hallway and their room. Yesterday was the first day and they did a lot of playing in their room or in the hallway with H. Now I have an empty corner!! Of course the bookcase is still in there and so is the easel, but that is all! They did great last night going to bed too. I thought they might keep getting out of bed to go to the toy box, but they didn't. So proud!

L was sick and had strep on Thursday so the streak has been broken. But it was 2/8 the last time so we had a good run of health. I hope this fades fast but L is still complaining about her belly hurting. I called the nurse and she said the antibiotic is strong, just make sure she drinking plenty of fluids and takes it with food. Her last bm was Saturday, so we need to make sure she goes today. She said not to mention it to L but see if she says any more about it and to call her back on Wednesday if she is still complaining.

Between the termite and air condition bill and the potty training, this momma is tired and in dire need of time off! But no rest for the weary...J & I are thinking of taking 5/25 off and going about an hour north to go eat and just be together, not overnight or anything, for our 12th anniversary. We'll see closer to the time, depending on sickness.

On the countdown...

The girls are on the final countdown to their next big birthday!!

Officially today, 4 more months till they turn the big "3"!

Not sure what the party will be like, so I know that will wait till closer to the big day. I am thinking about getting them big girl bikes with training wheels of course, like we did with H. We have been taking walks and they see H riding his bike and they cant understand why they don't have bikes and are starting to dislike being in the wagon. Don't get me wrong, they still ride and enjoy the wagon but they whine at first. Anyway... I am also trying to start jotting down Christmas ideas to get them as I hear/see them, that way I am not at a loss as to what to get for all three.

J went to the doctor yesterday and his blood pressure is still high. Not sure if that is just apprehension about the visit or if really there is an issue. He had no protein in his urine so the doctor said he wasn't going to do medicine at this point. J is still working on his cholesterol. He also asked the doctor about snoring and not getting restful sleep. He suggested that J loose about 20 lbs. I am kinda thankful for this and I hope that he sticks to this because I know that he will fell much better too! I pulled the wagon with the girls, J ran, and H rode his bike yesterday.

H only has six weeks left of school. We got progress reports yesterday and he has all A's. We told him how proud we are of his grades and that he needs to keep it up to be on the honor roll for the next grade period. He has gotten a strike on each of the last two days. I am trying not to get all over him about it, so, I pray he doesn't get a third this week but if he does there will have to be consequences.

Anyway, we are all doing well!

The perfect day...

Day 8: (completed)

The girls had a perfect day!!! Woke up dry, stayed dry all day long, and both even went poo on the potty!!!

Day 9:

L woke up crying about 3am. I was going to let her cry it out but after a couple minutes I realized she wasn't just going to settle down. I got in the room and she was crying about her arm being wet. She had wet the bed. I got her to the bathroom and woke J up to change the bed. A stirred so I got her up to go potty too. They both went back to bed. Both got up from bed dry. Dry all the way to school. tbc...

At what point...

do you say your child is potty trained?

Day 7: (completed)
The girls went into a new big girl classroom and did well. A had no accidents and L only had one p accident. Not sure if they went poo or not, the teacher wasn't there and there wasn't a daily sheet. They stayed dry all afternoon! They are even starting to tell me when they have to go. They both went potty before bed and then once they were in bed they fussed that they had to go potty again. And when L says she has to go, then of course so does A. I don't want to dismiss them so I take them and then make sure they go or don't go and then its right back to bed.

Day 8:
L woke up again at around 3-4 am. I decided not to take her to the potty this time. I just covered her back up and gave her her lovie. We woke them up around 6:15am and they were both dry, to the potty we went. A went right away and L wanted to fuss about it and ended up in Mommy's bathroom to go potty. But she did. While eating breakfast, A told me she had to go again. And boy did she have to go again! So proud of her telling me. I know that the girls didn't poo on Sunday and I am doubtful about Monday, so I will be watching for that. I can remember watching H's too! Love being a mommy :)

I was going to cook fried potatoes on Sunday. I plugged in the fry daddy and J came in to check, since he was outside grilling chicken. He asked me what happened to the lid. My thought was that I took it off and that I set it somewhere. I looked but then noticed that I never took it off. I melted the lid right into the fry daddy! I'm such a good cook! So we had fried potatoes in the skillet. Not as good but still....