Jamie Mom Of Many :)

recent picture

2008-08-01T23:57:00.001-07:00

Im really tired i just got off work =P u can see my dark circles in my eyes LOL anyways i think u can see ive lost a bit of weight i cant really reach my arm out far enough to take a body picture

Yep Im still here I think

2008-07-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

I been working 2 jobs been really busy not sure if anyone even comes and reads this anymore but well thats ok. Ive lost a lot of weight from stress, not eating, working etc.. i weigh 135 just about 12 pounds more to go till i hit my goal but i might lose more . I started going to the gym again just to do cardio to get rid of the fat. My life is a bit crazy but starting to settle down and become a new normal anyways im missing my kids so bad they are in Oregon visiting family. Its hard to be so far away from them for so long. We found out Jojo is allergic to strawberries aww how sad maybe he will out grow it. Anyways this is it for now

So am back to dieting

2008-01-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

Ive been meaning to get on track with dieting for a while now but havent. Seems I maybe 2 days well and then I sabatoge myself. I am determined to lose weight and get where I want to be but sadly after a 25 pound weight gain! Am so sad!

I started back on the south beach diet and im on like day 3 I think =P am not keeping track like i was but that dont mean im not determined =P Anyways one thing about me is once I make my mind up to something I dont usually waver well not for a long time anyways. I have 65 pouns i want to lose I dont really have a target date to be honest so much for the cheatah eating my runner aww he was sooo cute running away..but Im gonna focuse about 6 pounds per month so that puts me out about 11 months from today and yes that cheatah gonna have to wait a bit longer.
Im also changing the name of my blog when i get around to feeling like making graphics =P Gonna be Jamie's Jots as i dont really feel insane right now =P

((HUGS))

Hmmm my busy life^^

2007-11-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

WELL
Kids are in school and life is crazy. As always. Whats new with us? hmm we're buying a house in YV. We are in escrow now. Im kind of excited now but it wasnt the house I wanted =( but..its nice and will work for us. Its a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath but has this huge den that we will use for our boys. As soon as i can get in to clean it I will take a bunch of pictures. The kitchen is small but.. the area for our table is really big. AND man im so excited about this..the whole house is carpeted even the bathrooms!! I will only have to mop the kitchen!! (and remember its small =P) it has a nice fenced in back yard and garden. The garage is detached and has this really cute breezeway between the house and the garage. Nice nice place to drink coffee and relax.

The main reason we are buying is well Jim retires in less than 2 years and we didn't want to worry about a huge move out of housing. And the kids ride the bus 4 hours a day so they really don't have much time during the week just homework, dinner and bedtime when they get home.

School is going well for them they all seem to like it. My days are nice and peaceful with just Jojo here and the occasional sighting of Justin leaving for work. Just got his drivers license and has a car now so i never see him now. He is still working a lot. Not sure if he's moving with us though lol. Im also excited cause this house has 2 fireplaces. Its not our dream home but it will work for us till we know where were going.

Sooo we are packing and putting stuff in storage and getting ready for a move..wow we been here 7 years and have soo much junk. Anyways thats the update. I'll let u know more later

Busy day for me

2007-05-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Well today Justin got a job at the Chow hall on base. He will be so busy but man good pay..i need to work! And Jason is putting in applications for summer hire at Carls Jr and Subway today. I think im going to have a busy busy summer driving kids to work.

Not much going on other than being a Taxi about 80% of the time.

Jim and I decided to put our kids in Calvary Baptist Church school next year. We are going to be so broke but we are now debt free no car payment no credit cards. And the cool thing is they will be riding the local Morongo Basin Area Transport it will be a LONG ride for them but they will be doing it together so that cool. I will just have one little one home during the day. We will be to broke to go anywhere LOL but wow it will be a nice break for me. We already started putting aside the money as if they are already in school..so we will be well used to the limited budget. Hardest expense right now is the school uniforms because they have to be purchased from www.hallclosetuniforms.com but its neat because you can look up by school and it shows you what they can wear.

Im actually looking forward to them going next year and already have plans to declutter the house while they are in school.

So that is my life in a nutshell right now.

Jamie

YIKES

2007-05-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Justin got his permit today! Let me tell u the ride home was quite eventful!! I now know why women get gray hair when they have teenagers..its not from aging..its teaching the kids to drive.

Snakes on a road

2007-03-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

We had an interesting visitor the other day. Were still not sure if it was a rattle snake but I took pictures anyways and got the kids all riled up about snaked.

We think he was trying to ride jim's motorcycle as thats where we found him. And some of us thought we heard him say he likes Harleys better anyways as he slithered away.

LOL ok another DORK picture of me!

2007-03-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

LOL sigh..such a dork but..here is a serious picture of me LOL

Jason is 16!

2007-03-31T16:04:00.000-07:00

March 25th Jason turned 16. We had a simple birthday with just family. Its hard to believe he is 16 now. They grow to fast!

Pancakes

2007-03-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

My girls have been making a lot of pancake creations. Here is their most recent one....JELLY FISH PANCAKES.

They also love to make snake eggs..you know the egg that over flowed into the griddle ditch. YEP and everyone wantes a snake egg in this house.

NEW HAIR

2007-02-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

=P ok i needed a change so here it is!!!

New way to drink water!

2007-01-23T10:52:00.000-08:00

The NEW cool way to get a drink of water!

Decisions, Blessings and More

2006-12-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

So much has happened in the last few months..I have things to put on and write about but we have been busy. ONE thing that has happened is that Jim and I have decided to celebrate Christmas this year. Our reasons for not celebrating well..still are with us..however last year we spent Christmas with our family and all though we were sort of wet blankets..only because it has been hard to deal with the underlying reasons why we dont celebrate, We did however miss the family closeness and memories that come at Christmastime. Our kids are very excited. Although this will be a small celebration for us this year we have already been blessed. Today we went to Jim's Units Christmas Party and we had so much fun, they had Jumpy toys for the kids, food, crafts, a talent contest, pictures and the biggest blessing was, They gave each child $25 in a walmart gift certificate..then someone handed us $100 more in certificates! So we now have $300 for our children this year. What a blessing this is to us. Money seems to be tight this year..mabye because of our trip to Oregon in October..were still catching up! Anyways this has really blessed our family and they will be very excited on Christmas morning.

Anyways..I know for many of you who know us you will be in shock at our change and turn around. But people change, decisions change..such is the nature of life.

((HUGS)) to all of you! We love you friends and family very much. I will say..it may still be a little hard for us..but we are slowly getting there LOL

MERRY CHRISTMAS there I SAID IT!

Insane Weight Loss Post

2006-11-12T22:06:00.000-08:00

DID YOU KNOW that if your HYPER already and you lose almost 60 pounds it makes you worse than hyper???
I have SOO much more energy than I have every had. I was kind of worried that while on vacation I would gain weight..well I did 4 pounds which I know was from the last 3 days of travelling..I ate sort of bad. BUT when I came home and got moving..I found that wow I can run up the stairs and Im not tired. I must be in a really good mood because lately I find myself dancing, hopping, jumping and doing crazy things running up and down the stairs.

Today, I put on a skirt..size 8/10 w000t!!!! and my belly is almost flat in it. I have a bunch of skirts I recently bought which are too big already!! I love feeling like I did years ago. I do silly dances now and jump around the house. Right now I have been doing this silly thing to get in more exercise. When I clean or do something I try to do it really fast. I mean LIGHTENING FAST! I move! And I was thinking today..wow I would have NEVER had the energy to do this 57 pounds heavier!!!

I love it! Im feeling so back to normal. HAPPY!! I feel attractive again! I don't feel all frumpy and dumpy! I never in my dreams thought I could actually succeed and much less at a low carb diet!! I just feel victorious right now at this point in my life! I feel like wow yes I CAN do anything!

Ice Princess or Tales from the Nickle Club

2006-11-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

CAN YOU BELIEVE IM POSTING???

Jim is home! Things are going well. We just came home from a couple weeks in Oregon visiting family. It was a welcomed break from reality thats for sure. And of course we had the customary day after vacation illness to hit each member individually. Oh yes We are having fun now!

Most of you know about the nickle club..the club in which your stupidty and dorkiness is honored and well paid. Yes you too can earn a nickle! Here is how i earned mine today.

Today at Walmart I earned my first nickle of the day. After all my well bagged purchase were rung up and placed in my cart..I started to walk out with out paying..of course no mistake like that is ever done with no one around..I had many witnesses..the long line behind me..my teenage son who could not control his snickering oh and the man at the other register who was listening to my very informative and lively conversation, who also enjoyed a hearty yo ho at my expense..if only this was the worst of my day.

One of the purchases I made today was a set of mini blinds. I was so excited to FINALLY see the size that I needed..and I THOUGHT there were 3 in stock..oh no instead of grabbing the one that said 58inches..I grabbed the ones beside it..they had to be the same size right? They were right next to each other..nope. I grabbed 59 inch mini blinds. Jim was saying "What in the world! I know I measured right". Of course I chimed in..hmm maybe the window isnt 58 inches all the way up. IT IS I grabbed 59 inch mini blinds. Ok this one isnt as funny but..wait till you hear what I did after I got home.

We were all sitting on the couch watching Ice Princess. After it was over, being silly I decided to follow Jim into the kitchen singing lalalala and spinning 3 twirls as if I was skating..to my horror Jim says JAMIE THE REPAIR MAN IS HERE. OH MY GOSH and there he was..in the kitchen repairing our cabinets..laughing. I ran upstairs in to my bathroom in horror and laughed so hard I cried! When I came down I was able to relieve this wonderful display of dorkiness as the repair man would steal glances up and laugh. I know he is going back to his shop and telling everyone!!!!! SIGH ....but at least I made 15 cents.

I AM SO EXCITED

2006-09-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Finally after months and months of being a slug the motivation to clean came to me. LAST NIGHT. YEP I have been cleaning my house all night long. It all started when I decided I would take my friend Tami's advice and just fold laundry for 15 minutes. She knows how I am...I tend to be a little bit of a perfectionist. Where I will either do it all one way or not at all. And because I didnt perfectly fold the laundry as it came out of the dryer...I let it pile up till it was so big that the thought of folding overwhelmed me. SO I did 15 minutes of folding. Not so bad I made a dent..then I thought, I'll go through my fat clothes and see if any of my skinny things fit me. THATS when I got excited!!!!

I have this dress that I havent been able to wear in 4 years. In fact when I bought it it barely fit..and was snug. I tried it on and would you believe that dress is LOOSE ON ME! I want to run around the house jumping for joy but its 5 am and I dont want to wake anyone up. So i tried on this skirt I have been WAITING to wear and it was TOOO BIG!! I also had this dress that I couldnt even pull over me and that was too big. I had some jumpers that I didnt particularly like anymore but i couldnt even fit into them..and dang it those are too big. I am just so happy!! AND I got rid of some of the clothes I hated! I just cant believe it because when i look in the mirror..i dont seem like ive lost any weight but those clothes dont lie! I have a skirt that 3 months ago..I could not get about the middle of my thighs..much less over my wide hips and that skirt fits me perfectly now! Its soo good to see progress like this! I cant wait to lose the rest of this weight! Im 1/2 way there and have more than enough time to get it off. Once Jim comes home we will be going to the gym together! I cant wait! I need the motivation and I love going with my hubby!

SO back to that dent! I ended up folding all my laundry, and cleaning my bedroom! I have all this boundless energy right now and I am going to get things done! Jim will be able to relax and enjoy time with us in a clean house! Well I gotta go! Cleaning awaits me!

The Cuteness of a 4 year old little boy

2006-09-14T12:06:00.001-07:00

I love the age of 4. Its one of my favorite ages. Mostly because they really start emerging as a person at age 4. They ask questions and really think about things in life. They also do some of the funniest things.

The other day Joshua wanted to go get marshmellows..(his current food addiction) and i had told him after I get dressed I would go. Next thing I know there is this little boy behind me standing on my chair looking down my shirt saying.."yep, you have your bra on." He jumps down runs up stairs and a few minutes later brings me my flip flops and a shirt. He really really needs his marshmellows.

And this morning, he comes in talking to a snail and then says..Mom you can have him. And I of course said really? Are you sure? Then convinced him his snail really wants to live in the garden out side. His reason for him to stay in the house? But mom..there's ants in the house. GASP

The update of all updates!

2006-09-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

FINALLY after wondering for MONTHS when Jim will be home we have offical word! September 20th!! I have a lot of house work to do! Today I have plans to get a lot of things done!

Things that happened that I didnt update about..Joseph turned 2 August 26th. We took him for his first hair cut that day.

BEFORE

After

And of course we all know that after you cut their hair they do some naughty naughty stuff. And here is what Joseph did.

So here is my update!

HAPPY ONE DAY LATE ANNIVERSARY

2006-08-03T02:38:00.000-07:00

Jim and I have been married 17 years as of yesterday. I can't even believe it, its happened so fast! Since I couldnt have him with me..and since I need a BREAK from the kids, I took my day at the spa yesterday. It was wonderful!! I went down to San Diego Tuesday night and spent the night in a hotel. Let me tell you that was wonderful. I had the bed all to myself! I also had wonderful sleep!!

At the spa,as soon as I walked in the door it was like I was queen for a day. They took me back into a serenely lit room and had me change into a robe. My first pampering was a facial. I cant even begin to tell you how wonderful that was. Next i was given a massage! That alone was the highlight of my trip. I kept falling asleep. Imagine an hour massage in a dimly lit room with relaxing music.

My next stop was make up..then a pedicure and manicure. My last stop they styled my hair and I walked out of there refreshed!

Well its late and I want some sleep. I'll post more later

I KNOW I KNOW

2006-07-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Ok..I have been really bad at posting lately. Its been very hard for me to do anything..especially since I lay in bed or on the couch all day. HA

BUT I am doing better. I started tanning. I LOVE it. I started doing it for ever 5 pounds I that I lose. I also started the South Beach diet. And surprisingly it isnt hard to stick to. I have had a few moments where I wanted something ..like the other day watching those kids torture me eating raisin bran. BUT I survived. I jokingly call this the evil diet. I am on DAY 5 BTW so I might update you in that department.

I know had I not been disciplined with my eating these last 5 months I would not be able to do this. I am going to do the induction phase of this diet till Jim gets home. I am excited to see how much weight loss I actually end up with!

I really havent done much lately. I am taking advantage of my day spa trip around my anniversary. I am going to head down the night before and stay in a hotel all by myself WITH OUT KIDS!!! I NEED it I seriously do.

I do have pictures to post on here..and its not that I dont have time. I am just a loser.

Anyway! UNDER 60 days till JIM IS HOME! I am looking forward to that so much!

OH I recently got my jeep repaired 500.00 and NOW the light on hubby's Ford is coming ON!

*SIGH*

WE WILL MAKE IT WE WILL MAKE IT WE WILL MAKE IT

My life in an itsy bitsy nut shell

2006-07-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

Ok first off..since I posted last I guess you could say we have had things happen? Like the stomach flu! YEP that is always my favorite happening! We had that Tuesday Morning so we completely missed out on fellowship that whole day. ON the bright side. I took Jerrica to get her glasses in Palm Springs they were 147.00 but we had to get them and we got them the same day. We enjoyed our time in Palm springs together.

What else! I have been tanning. I have heard it helps you fight depression. (sshhh)Its so relaxing! I enjoy going out with out kids even if its just 20 minutes or so out during the day.

In truth I have had a lot of hard days this week. Hard time with the kids and my own emotional stuff. I tried to get a picture of all the kids in their shirts but..the day they wore them and looked good I didnt get it and I KNEW I needed to take their pictures! And since then Jerrica got a shiner from her older brother. YES we are having so much fun.

I also started going back to the gym again. I cant do that 4:30 which is in my mind "the perfect" time to go..so I am settling with just going at 8am. My goal was to go 3 times this week. I WENT once..but I walked the mall with Jerrica and it was walking let me tell you. So I am not too upset with my progress. Next week..I'll try for 2 and keep increasing.

I am going to start the south beach diet Monday. I want to spur myself on to more weight loss and this they said comes from the belly..where I really really need it. I just think I am already doing phase 2/3 so this wont be hard at all ..well just the first 2 weeks.

ANYWAYS this is my update for what its worth.

11 kids and 2 adults in a BIG WHITE VAN

2006-06-26T23:57:00.000-07:00

Well that was US today! Today we went to Palm Springs and got TIRES on my van. I also made an appointment for our poor sick jeep. Friday it will be fixed! PRAY that its not expensive!

I will be honest, I have needed the outing. Even though it was semi stressful, getting out of the house is always good for me. I bought these cubbies..shelves really to stand in the kid's closets. Since we don't have enough dressers for them and really no space to even put dressers in their rooms, I think this will work far better. I will take pictures when I am all done.

Wednesday and Thursday, my friend Dawn will be watching my children. I cant tell you how excited I am. It is something I have been needing to do for a while. I am planning on cleaning like CRAZY those 2 days. It will be nice to be able to sort through things with out having to break up fights or go clean up behind Joseph. its going to be a HUGE undertaking but I cant wait to get started!

Right now my boys are putting together the bunkbeds. They are doing a good job! We have put together so many things the last few days I am starting to day dream of screwdrivers and wood pieces and poorly written instructions.

I'll take pictures as soon as possible.

Joshua is Allergic to mustard

2006-06-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Funny thing happened on the way to Church

2006-06-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

MY TIRE BLEW!!!
Well not exactly blew..but the tread came off. We were on our way to chuch and as we were driving, the kids said..why is the van shaking like that?

It was shaking a little ..but I thought well maybe its just a fluke so we pressed on. About 2-3 miles down the road we heard this loud noise and the van shook and I look in the mirror left mirror to see the tire tread flying away.

I remained calm and we pulled over and then franticly called everyone I knew who lives here in 29Palms..no one available. SO I called my Dad who calmed my nerves and he recommended I go home. so we did..and we made it home safely. Took some pictures..for the blog you know. And now I have to figure out if we still have a warranty on those tires or not.

Confessions of a cranky crabby mother of 8

2006-06-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

My house is a mess, my kids are a mess, my house stinks and whats worse I have NO engery or desire to change it . Ok I do..actually I am going to do stuff today. YEP I am..going to get up, clean, um make lemon bars. HA!

I am sitting here trying to upload pictures off my camera and I am cracking up..sitting and sitting..looking through the computer to find the drive my camera is listed as..and I DIDNT turn the camera on! I have been searching for 10 minutes!
Whats worse..its not even the first time.

ok here are some pictures to take your mind off me and my crabby cranky presence. You might want to take heed of this disclaimer. IF YOU have a phone and maybe considering calling my #..you may want to wait a few days LOL I can not be held responsible for my grouchiness. OK i am kidding. I am NOT that bad and I promise to fake it for anyone that calls. Just like i am faking the happy sugar face for my kids today.

Ok so I am going to clean..and when I am in a good mood I will post again..I have sooooo much to say!

Happy FATHERS DAY!

2006-06-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here are the kids..I know not dressed up..but hey..I like the casual look!

I have been REALLY really busy. I am still trying to figure out my video camera! I have been trying to work on a friends blog..plus appointments, plus shopping and you know what..there are days I wake up and just want to be a slug. I am NOT very good at this seperation and you know..I have bad days.

I miss my husband so much!

I will try to catch everyone up on my weeks tomorrow..when I can sit down and have some time and not be recovering!

New outfits for the girls

2006-06-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

I bought the girls new outfits. I FELL in love with the skirts and I want one for me!!!

Here is Jessica modeling. No she wasnt very happy about the picture not sure why?

Pastor Jorge Castro

2006-06-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

I loved this post that Pastor Castro wrote. It sums up a lot of my thinking on this very subject.

College led or God Called?

Guess what I got in the mail today!!!

2006-06-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

A video camera! OH I already took a movie of JOSHUA! I just have to figure how to get them off the camera! NOW you can enjoy lots of zany and crazy moments with..MY KIDS! wont that be fun?? LOL

Kitty Witty under a dresser

2006-06-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Here she is..with babies. What a crazy cat! I should take pictures of the empty cushie box.

My weird weird cat

2006-06-07T22:22:00.000-07:00

Is in labor! YEP Kitty witty is about to pop!

The silly thing wants to have them on Jacobs bed.! NOT a good idea let me tell u..but she keeps going there. The kids are all excited! Guess we will be busy with kittens the next few weeks. We already have kitten wanters LOL (thank goodness!)

Play Catch up with me!

2006-06-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have been busy..and so neglecting to post about my ever interesting life? LOL ! I am being such a dork!

Anyways! Whats new with me.??? Shopping! I bought a video camera! I am sooo soooo soooooooooo soooooooooooooo excited! And I bought my serger! I have wanted one for years and years and years!

What else..Joseph is doing well. MY House is a wreck from last week and I dont even feel like cleaning it. Having some *down* days. Barely answering the phones..I feel like my friend Heather! :) GRIN!

Today was piano insanity and that helped me at least to get out of the house! I think I need to sit outside in the sun more..that always seems to get me out of my blah moods. Oh and I started exercising again. And did you see my ticker move! I am so excited about that! I now weigh less than when I got pregnant with Joseph..one baby down..7 to go!

Joseph had his surgery today

2006-06-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

He did so good! I wished I had brought my camera because his whole hospital get up was just too cute! Before they took him into surgery they gave him a sedative and he was LOOPY it was sooo funny! He kept laughing at EVERYTHING he would say something and just laugh and laugh.. THANK GOODNESS he wont remember that!

He wasn't feeling well at all but after giving him some pain meds he is dong better. He napped all day! With MOM I needed a nap pretty badly as I figured it up..I have only slept 17 hours since Sunday! I am going to bed EARLY! It was bad I was having trouble holding conversations. I feel so much better since my nap!

Tomorrow we have to go back and have him checked out ..so another long trip for me..however instead of having to be there at 6:30 and getting up at 3 am ..I don't have to be there till 9:45..sleepin in is my middle name! I am going leave at 7 giving me enough time to get there incase of traffic.

I am just very happy that he is doing well. The pain management is going well but I have to stay on top of it. Thank you all who prayed for Jojo today! Your prayers were very appreciated !

Prize Winner of 29 Palms GRIN

2006-05-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning we drove to San Diego because I was called and told I was a winner in the KUSI Military Wives appreciation contest. I must tell you I was a tiny bit skeptical..but HOPING it was true!

SO ..we got up at 3am tuesday..I am NOT a morning person btw. And drove 3 long hours. Traffic was actually not bad till the last 30 miles. We got there with PLENTY of time to spare! We walk in and wait around finally people get there and show us around..the camera crew came in..filmed us LIVE. *did you know they get right up in your face* That was a bit unnerving! And the KIDS were sooo good like who were those children? I was sooo proud of their testimony!
Here is the prize run down..hold on to your seat!

Three $1000 Walmart gift cards!!!!!

A day at Collections Day Spa!!!

And a BRAND NEW ANY SIZE SLEEP THERAPY BED!

And a 1 Year Membership to the ASYMCA!!

I have to tell you I was shocked!!!! When I signed up and saw the prizes..not knowing they gave them all away at once, I had thought..Lord I really would LOVE to have the day Spa, the bed would be nice, and of course the $3000 dollars would be too..but I REALLY would like that day spa! And God gave it all to me! I am so suprised and shocked and so UNDESERVING!

So now I have to figure out a way to spend all this money! ha ha! I know I am getting a serger! WHOOOO HOOOO! I am so excited about that! I also would LOVE to get a video camera and YES you will be sick of all my movies! New TV stand...stuff I don't *need* but would like and never get because we are always buying shoes! (and motorcycles )*VERY BIG GRIN*

So ya think I'm spoiled?? I do! God is sure good to us!

Here they are!

2006-05-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

I have had a full week!

2006-05-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

My parents were here at the begining of the week and I really enjoyed them staying with us. The rest of this week has been filled with errands and doctors appointments. Joseph has a surgery in a week please email me if you would like details as I wish to keep that off the internet.

I have pictures to post but havent had the energy to sit down and do that.

So this is all the update I can give..but hopefully tonight after the kids go to bed I can spend more time on here.

What happens when you add Free Flowers

2006-05-20T01:49:00.000-07:00

to a messy yard? You get a flower garden! The kids and I worked this week planting flowers. We had to move rocks (Jason took inititive!), chop up the dirt ( we all had a hand) and plant the flowers. It looks sooo nice out there. MY favorite part of the night?? Sitting out there in my chair drinking a diet coke and just resting.

It actually makes me miss Jim so much! He would really enjoy it. "It's soooo romantic"

You know what was the best part of planting these flowers? It was seeing my children work together. It wasn't all peaches and cream, but they did it with out too many battle scars.

I also enjoyed seeing Joshua get excited about all the plants..and seeing him "find the worm" that was swimming in the mud water. And of course seeing him pack that worm around for 2 hours because it is his friend.

I think my favorite part was when we watered the kids and the plants!

Out of the Mouth of Jared 5-18-06

2006-05-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

"Mom what if you sewed roses on your feather bed?"

Is this what happens when they turn into teenagers?

2006-05-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

My Parents are Coming!

2006-05-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Well I heard officially last night that my Mom and Dad are heading this way. First they are heading to Nevada and then to the Grand Canyon..visiting some friends and family along the way. Then they will head here for a day or two or so. I am not sure how long they will be able to take us! So I am thinking maybe Wednesday or Thursday they will be here.

I sure wish I was feeling well enough to actually clean. It may just be picked up.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

2006-05-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

And what better way to celebrate Mothers Day than to get up in the middle of the night with sick children. So much for the hope we might make it to church this morning. We had even rested yesteray in hopes of it making a differenc..well mostly rested ..other than the couches and the chair that we cleaned.
We also played monopoly and some kids played with "Dinosaur Playdough" That has been a fun set for them!

Today..I have NOTHING planned since it looks like we wont be going to church. I think we are going to spend the rest of the day playing monopoly. And I better win...its MOTHERS DAY !

LOL

Have a great day! Hope all are healthy.

Cleaning Part 2

2006-05-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well I finished my couch and we moved onto the chair and thats as far as I got. I need to finish the stairs and latter this week we will do all the kid's rooms and of course mine.

I still have a lot of stuff to sort through..but I figure it will always be there. If we are feeling good this week we are going to get out of the house and have some fun. I am still fighting a sore throat and sinus junk. I never got the flu that the kids all got. I am hoping its not going to sneak up on me! I have enough with what I have now.

Well I am going to get. We are playing Monopoly! And I don't want to lose!

Tulips!!

2006-05-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Look what Jim sent me for Mother's Day! I was in shock! Isn't he just the sweetest!

Carpet Cleaning!

2006-05-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I am motivated. I knew it would happen! I am almost finished with my living room carpet and 1/2 way up the stairs. I still need to clean the furniture and my rocking chair. ONCE I get those done then its on to the upstairs!
See how HARD Joseph is working. He is almost finished!

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding

2006-05-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Becca you are Correct...there is a HAND in the box. I wonder which one it is? And It wasnt even 24 hours! LOL

So who do you think it was in that box?

Notice anything out of the ordinary in these pictures?

2006-05-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

Lets have a 24 hour contest and see if anyone can figure it out.

Ok Ignore the ticker

2006-05-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

For some reason that ticker works sometimes and sometimes it doesnt. WIERD ticker! SO IGNORE IT.

OK never mind..Ignore this post. I fixed the ticker. If I am a slacker and dont stay on track a cheetah will chase my runner guy and try and eat him. I can't have the now can I? So I better stay on track!

Another yard sale find!

2006-05-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent yard sale find! I actually found 2 of them and didn't pay a dime! My neighbor said hey come over and pick out some stuff. These were my favorites! I sure wish I had some stuff to give her in trade.

Joshua at the same said yard sale got himself a whole new outfit. With Glasses, hat and smiles! He LOVES yard sales! He is always asking me if we can go to a yard sale. As you know..his friend Flappy was a yard sale find. I have actually picked up quite a few things this month for almost nothing. Of course it makes me think..hmm..I need to get selling on eBay!

A basket of staggering proportions

2006-05-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my recent yard sale finds. Right now it is the proud holder of diapers and all things baby. Originally I had gotten it to put some toys in it but I think it holds on to the essentials a little better. Right now in my laundry room is our diaper "center" but I am trying to organize and get those things up stairs. I NEED some chest of drawers and I NEED to get rid of some old cumbersome dressers. We don't have the space in their rooms for LONG wall hogging dressers. I really need some chest of drawers. Of course it all comes down to that age old dilemma...$$$$$

Results not typical

2006-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ok what does this mean? I am on weight watchers *again* and everywhere I see these encouraging weightloss stories..they always have this note saying. *Results not typical. What bugs me a lady will have lost 25 pounds and they have it on there..and the one that lost 10 pounds has it also..so what is the typical weightloss?

As best as I can figure maybe most...like me start doing weight watchers and quit between week 3 and week 6..It may be that the only weight loss is like 5 pounds so that is the typical weightloss. WHAT I would love to see..is of the ones that go 12 weeks or more or say 6 months..how much these people lose.

I know of 2 women who are on a message board with me that have lost a LOT of weight doing weight watchers. One has lost OVER 100 pounds! And the other has lost 55 pounds! Is it because they are both friends doing this together why they have had incredible success? (If so I want to be their friend) or is just because they actually did the program and didnt give up. Is the reason the results are not typical is because people give up too easily, or too soon or they just dont exactly try.

I have been doing a lower calorie diet for several months. I feel like finally I can actually do this diet and be successful. I am on week 2..and usually I have almost given up. I don't know why but the counting the points has always been hard. I know its EASY but I might do it a few days or meals and then I start giving up. I go to the meetings a few weeks but I never consistantly count my points. I do make better choices so I tend to lose weight regardless. BUT I always wonder..if I was actually did the program how successful I would be.
Well I made it very very simple for me to stick to weight watchers. I eat for me now mostly convience foods. I don't have to stress out trying to figure the points in the foods I make my family.

A typical day of food for me looks like this.
Breakfast
Coffee with creamer 3 points
Breakfast Burrito (south beach) 3-4 points

Lunch
Pizza (south beach) 7 points

Dinner
Healthy choice 5-7 points
Salad 0 points.

That usually leaves me a few points to get in some fruit and dairy in the evening.

I think it helps that don't seem to have a problem eating salad with out salad dressing. Anytime in between that I feel hungry you may find me doing one of 2 things..either eating carrot sticks or celery or drinking a ton of water.

I put my ticker back up

2006-05-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

Ok..before you think I went out and gained 40 extra pounds, since my old ticker said I needed to lose around 60 total, I decided to put my long term ticker on.

I have my meeting with weightwatchers tonight and I have kept track PERFECTLY this week with counting my points and doing the program. I am sooo excited but nervous too. WHAT if it doesnt show up? I have already told myself (over and over) that no matter what I have had a victory. But I really would like to see a loss. I just hope I am well enough to go.

So whats with throwing up in the midle of the night??

2006-05-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

Maybe I was getting too much sleep? Well, looks like everyone is going to get it! So, Joshua had it Sunday, and I really thought the rest of the kids were going to be spared because they all seemed to have other issues rather than throwing up..

BUT NOOOOOOO. They want the full flu experience I guess!

So yesterday, Joseph got sick and then right before bed, Jessica was sick. NOW I have 2 wonderful patients upstairs cleaning up their "miss" (Thats Jacob and Jared). So, it looks like its only a matter of time till the rest of us get it.

I really do not want to throw up. I just can't handle it. I always get so emotional and cry. I can handle quite a bit but just not me throwing up.

I think its going to be a LONG weekend as Joshua is still suffering the effects of this illness and he was throwing up Sunday.

I know we have been hit hard the last few years with seemingly unending illnesses. And some think wow you guys get sick a lot, but we are a LARGE family and we tend to have more of a chance for it. I think it also boils down to people just don't stay home it seems when they are sick. I don't know how many times I have come to our SMALL church only to find out some ones child was running a fever earlier that day and they brought them anyways. Or "oh..last night he was throwing up but he seems fine today" I am SICK of people NOT staying home with their illness.

Want to know what else I think? Too bad, I am going to tell you. I think we get sick here more than any other place because we have open sewage ponds right outside in our back yard. OK not literally in the back yard but the key water feature is the sewage ponds on our base. The main road drives right bye them. Our base smells most of the time. The housing on the otherside of base from us tends to enjoy more odorous days and nights than we do. I honestly think a lot of our illness comes from it. It can't be healthy by any means. We have been sick here more than any other place we have lived. I really hope we get orders out of here very soon.

Oh poor Jojo ..he is sick again

2006-05-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

He JUST threw up all over Jessica and my couch..and then.after we cleaned him all up..he threw up on the kitchen floor..(praise GOD! ) So..He has had 2 baths in the space of 20 minutes and I have a freshly mopped floor.

WHATS worse..looks like we will miss ANOTHER church service tomorrow. So far 4 have been sick with this..just um..5 more to go..unless they get it again.

Help..I am being held hostage by a lack of motivation!

2006-05-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

Oh..we have had a FUN week. I have had sick children! Throwing up, diahrea , sore throats, fevers! It's going around again. And we were the lucky ones to be around someone with sick kids! I am sooo going to lock my doors and not let anyone in for a week or two. Its been especially hard since Jim is gone and we can't tag team it.

Also piano lessons were cancelled tuesday so I got to relax mostly last night.

Joseph has 2 presurgery appointments on the 25th. And his surgery is on the 1st..so if you want to pray for him. I am a little nervous about it. I am hoping to go visit Gina on the 25th if everything works out for us. I hope so!

I sure wish my Honey was here so life can go back to normal! I miss him so much! I have already started preparing for his arrival! I want him to come home and just relax and enjoy us. Last time he was in Iraq, I bought new bedding and a feather bed for our room, this time I think I am going to get curtains and maybe some new sheets that fit. I really would like to get the right sized feather bed..(our bed is a california King) but they can be so expensive. I am pretty happy with my quilt that I already have..but I would like to have a bigger blanket that fits over the edges of the bed so I can tuck it in and not have it stolen from me. IT has been nice not having a blanket theif! Sadly though..I am so used to not having blankets that I usually throw them off!
I also need to get those kids used to sleeping in their own bed. EVERY morning I have like 5 stow aways in my room! This morning I tripped on Jared..had Joseph and Joshua in my bed..hogging it up..and I was on the edge. The other night I came into my room and there were 5 kids with books sleeping in my bed! I had to kick them out!

So, I guess I will lay back down and be a slug the rest of the night. OR maybe I should find something productive to do?

I've Been TAGGED

2006-05-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Nikki to tell 14 things about my Mother!! Since I don't know my biological mother..I will do MY MOM, the one who raised me.

1. IS FUNNY she has a great sense of humor
2. She is very hard working.
3. She loves my Dad.
4. She raised 5 kids and we all turned out pretty good (for the most part)
5. She used to wear glasses but got Lasik
6. She mops her floor every week! (It used to be Thursdays)
7. She drives over 30 miles to work one way.
8. She likes to watch Lost, The Biggest Loser , Survivor,Oprah and Dr. Phil
9. She IS A GREAT cook. I miss eating her Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Okra.
10. I still think of her age as 49
11. She has 16 grand children..last I counted!
12.She is a good bargain shopper
13.She once lived in Savahnah Georgia
14.She can decorate cakes

Ok I will tag
Heather
Dawn
Gina
Rina
&Tami..if she hasnt been tagged already.

Ok..who gave us the stomach virus!

2006-05-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

so I wake up early..for a change. I was thinking! GREAT we will make it to church with out a hitch today...WRONG. Joshua woke up having to throw up..I ushered him into the bathroom where he made it. (Thank goodness because he was in my bed when he woke up!)
What fun for us..so we are home.

Baseball, parks OH MY

2006-05-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ok this afternoon the kids and I went to one of the parks on base. My boys were playing baseball with a group of kids from one of the churches in town. They had a great time and I was actually surprised that they had some skill too! The rest of us went to the playground and played at the park. I used my time to get a few phone calls in. For the most part it was nice and relaxing. I think it did them well..we needed to get out of the house!

I wish I could say I was more productive today..but I wasn't. I didn't even get my room cleaned which was MY PLAN for today.

I really need to not blog so late at night

2006-05-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

or at least be wearing my contacts. I have been teased these last few weeks at my atrocious spelling. I do catch it later and just think..what in the world was wrong with me! Usually if I don't have my contacts in I can't see how bad it really is. It's especially bad when your dear hubby starts pointing out your typo's!

What do you make time for?

2006-05-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night I went and visited a different church here in town. Before the service I was talking to an older man about some books that we enjoy. I personally LOVE books like Gail Riplingers , New Age Bible Versions and books by Jack Chick & Sam Gipp. I also have other favorites like Two Babylons and Let's Weigh the Evidence. I am not much of a fiction reader so I have never really gotten into many "novels". My interests have always been what I call "smart" books. A few years ago I gave up all reading of any books other than the Bible. I every once in a while will read a book or two on the home or marriage or child raising..but MOSTLY I stick with my Bible reading. My reasons?? I found I was zipping through a book in like a day or 2 and BARELY reading my Bible. Although for a time my fast on all Books seemed to spur me into more Bible time. I must shamefully admit that my Bible Reading has really lacked. I have been trying this year to read my Bible every day..have I failed..yes..already..but instead of letting that keep me from doing right..I keep at it. The sad thing is..my failure of reading my Bible consistently isn't because I don't have time..Because during the course of my day I seem to make time for lots of essentials and NON essentials. Like, I always have time to check my email, blog now and then, read some of my message boards I am on. Watch a movie or two, brush my teeth, eat, sleep, take a shower..I could go on and on. The thing I notice is, those things get done because I deem them important and I make time for them. So what does that mean when I don't read my Bible consistently? Sadly , it means it's NOT important..but IT SHOULD BE!

You know I check my email quite often through out the day..so I don't MISS any thing! What am I missing out daily when I don't read my Bible? I can remember a time, years ago after I rededicated my life to the Lord, I was on fire for the things of God. I was sooo thirsty for his word that somedays I would spend HOURS AND HOURS during nap times reading the Word of God. I just couldn't get enough, sometimes I just couldn't put my Bible down. HOW I long for that again! SHAMEFULLY I don't do that.

One thing I think about is..my time is sooo short on this earth..when you think of eternity and how long that is..my little blip here on earth is NOTHING. Shouldn't I be preparing for my time in Heaven (which will be far longer) rather than wasting my time on things that don't matter here on earth?

So what are you making time for?

Its Thursday!

2006-05-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Wow..what a crazy week I have had. I am still fighting a sinus thing but I am so much better than I was. I think I had an inner ear thing going on. I was getting dizzy and nauseaus. I had to break down and take some sinus stuff and after a couple of days of that I felt sooo much better..plus I took some asprin a few times since I was running a fever. I had a crazy crazy week. MONDAY..I had to mail some packages and I went to the px and bought a new phone. I can't hear Jim on our other phone. Whats worse the kids can't hear him either..we spend most of our time saying WHAT so I bought a new phone and WHAT a difference it is.. I cant wait till he calls and we can hear him. The phone wasnt that much either!

Jessica and Jerrica had Piano tuesday. They are doing really well. I am praying we can get their time closer together. Its really hard going out there at 6 and then 8. The hardest thing is that they never start on time. EVEN if I am there an hour early..she always overflows into the next persons lesson. This week her teacher didnt get done with her student till 8:25..and I was at her house at 7:35..so this lady had almost an hour lesson and we sat there waiting and by the time Jessica was done with her lesson it was almost 9:00..by the time I get home its soo late. That means from 6-9 I am out of the house. I don't take them all with me..so I worry about them. They do ok. I probably wouldnt care so much if Jim was home because I KNOW he would take the girls and I could stay home or vice versa..but he isnt here. I know the thought of finding someone new has crossed my mind..but really..there isnt anyone else..piano teachers are HARD to find. I only know of 2 other teachers in this area. One just had a baby, I am not sure if she is even teaching still. The other works full time and does teaching in the evenings..but isnt taking any new students till after September. I know I can definetly make it for another few months..of course Jim will be home around then anyways, but we will be needing a new teacher by December as ours is possibly moving. I do like their teacher though. I think she is a great instructor..I just want their times closer together and for them to start on time.

I do know that their teacher just thinks Jessica is extreemely talented. Jessica is catching on to theory so quickly..some things I barely grasp Jessica doesnt seem to have trouble with. She amazes me. Jerrica is doing well also. Jerrica is a very slow and steady learner..I think in a lot of ways that is an asset. I just think they both are doing great.

What else? Oh well..I guess I can confess my nickel club earnings. My friend Dawn, myself and Justin have sort a club called the "nickel club" If you do something dumb or brainless and one of us catches you..or worse you confess..(giving you 2 nickels) you get a nickel. It must be worthy of that nickel LOL but trust me.. between the 3 of us..we do some mighty nickel club collecting. I earned the right to be the president of the nickel club last night.
Last night we went to a different church here in town. I had gotten the kids ready quite early but for some reason I kept thinking it was later than it was.of course to kill the time (since I had over an hour till we even had to LEAVE to get there. I thought I would quickly make Jim some peanut butter cookies so we can mail him some today or tomorrow. Well remember we had OVER an hour to kill...but after putting the cookies in the oven..I don't know what happened to my brain. FOR some reason I rounded up everyone into the van and took off. Went and got a diet coke through the drive thru...(Jim 1.70 ) and then headed for church. We got there 1/2 hour early DID I MENTION I lost my brain???

We get home and in the oven were dark dark dark dark dark..DARK BLACK cookies. I had completely forgotten them. NOT TILL they showed me the Blackened cookies did I "remember" OH YEAH. Sorry Jim. Sad isnt it? The saddest part is..Jerrica made them all into balls and did the fork thing..and she was soo stinking excited about those cookies and MOM ruined them. Jacob, who really does love his dad HONEST wants us to send them to him anyways. He said they look neat. He has one in his dresser to be thrown away when Dad gets home. I said of course..um Jacob..that is really wierd and I picked up some coffee grounds and said..I am going to save these in my dresser till Dad gets home since Dad LOVES coffee. Ok...just a bit sarcastic. BUT yes we are a weird bunch! Whats even weird is the coffee ground scupture of Jim that I made out of his last pot of coffee before he left. (J/K)

Ok well, I better get. We have some school work to finish and some laundry to fold and church tonight..(again)

Jamie

I have to make an appointment tomorrow

2006-04-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure I have an inner ear infection. I think I am running a fever.. keep forgetting to check. I slept on the couch tonight till 5:30 pm..so much for going to night! OOPS! Well on the bright side. maybe I will have enough extra sleep I can wake up early and call the doctors.

The kids did so well while I was sleeping too. They played up stairs quietly. NO ONE FOUGHT!
If you have a minute pray I get better because MOM's cant get sick!

3.21 a gallon!

2006-04-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Can you believe these prices? The gas just went up..yet again. To fill my van it is going to be 100.00. OK sickening! I secretly think these gas prices are done so we don't complain about it when its 1.50 a gallon.

I had plans to go to Oregon to visit family around the 4th of July but right now with gas the way it is, there is NO WAY. Plus the fact that Jim has expressed that he would rather I didn't go which to me is the same as saying NO. And his reason are reasonable. So I am not going. I know I have disappointed many. INCLUDING myself, but I am not going to pay 1000.00 to drive there and back. I mean..I COULD go..but that really is sacrificing our future. Jim and I are planning on buying a house as soon as he gets back from Iraq...HE only has 2 years till he retires we need to focus on his retirement.

Well..I better get..I have a lot to do today! Going through books!

So what if you don't have anything to say?

2006-04-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

All the kids and I have been doing is cleaning, schooling and watching LOST. Yeah..we have NO LIFE I admit it. Maybe we should go some where? I'll let you know if we do!

Joseph just fell asleep. He didn't nap very long this afternoon. Boy you know you just don't get as much done when they are up getting into everything!

I really wish I had some motivation to deep clean..but..well not this week..maybe tomorrow?

FISH FRY

2006-04-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

I had such a good night! tonight our whole church met at Dawn's house for a fish fry. We had to do something with the 50 pounds of fish they all caught! After seeing how you cook fish..I could TOTALLY cook it now..as long as someone else cleaned and gutted them. And those fish were GOOD! I had a great time and the kids were so good! And everyone seemed to have a friend to play with! It was very relaxing and stress free! I really needed it that is for sure. Well I have to go..this was my FAST post because those children ALL need showers!

You know you need to cook when...

2006-04-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

you ask what they want for dinner and they say. "Mom, can we have a real dinner where you make our food, we're sick of pizza."

I need to get to bed earlier!

2006-04-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

I am staying up way to late. I wont even tell you how late is late. Jim might have an idea as we do email back and forth late at night. I sure miss him. I am going to take a nap today and also go to bed early. I know famous last words right?

Reading on Susan's Blog this morning

2006-04-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

I caught some comments that recommended a website on Soulwinning. The website is www.livingwaters.com If you have time I highly recommend listening online to Hell's Best Kept Secret.

*Disclaimer* They are not 100% KJV so I wouldnt recommend all their materials. I really just enjoyed hearing someone who also believes its not repeat after me and say this prayer. That is so frustrating! I do agree that there are many out there thinking they are saved because they "said a prayer" when they were 5 with no change in their life..but I also know that there are plenty of unsaved in church also. I think what I really liked in his message was going back to the 10 Commandments. Of course I believe this is just a tool and NOT just the only way to witness. When I believed and trusted in Jesus, I did not need to be shown I was a sinner. I KNEW that already. I needed to know HOW to be saved. I struggled with knowing the difference between trying to do good works..(which doesnt save) and trusting in the death , burial and ressurection of Jesus. Trusting that Jesus paid the wage for my sin in my place.

So glean the meat and spit out the bones.

More on 24

2006-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ok can you believe what happened? and aren't you glad that they caught Henderson? And will Jack get the recording? What about those wierdos in that room listening in...do we hear the twighlight zone music playing?

OF COURSE I am not as taken with Jack Bauer as some of you are. Of course thats because I already have the most awesome man on the planet. Jack pales compared to him. I mean..Jim has more kids than him, he can repair motorcycles, he has a really great suit and he's a pilot. So as you can see Jack can't hold a candle to Jim.

Rubber Snakes on the Stairs

2006-04-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yes..No matter where I go into the house, I always see a rubber snake. For that brief moment I think..OH a SNAKE..then I realize oh yeah..its not real. Whew. But in my thinking I think..(say that 10 times fast at 5:30 in the morning..) if there ever was a real one in my house I wouldn't know it. This is where I would insert some spiritual truths relating to snakes and stairs. HA

Ok I am kidding..I don't have one right now..maybe later? I am tired this morning but really I am happy..I have 3 less children! I just sent my 3 oldest boys away to a boys home. OK NOT REALLY they are going on a fishing trip with the men in the church. I am actually looking forward to it. I dont have to hear boys fighting, mouthing off or any of that stuff. I just have 5 kids now..wow..its sooo quiet in my house right now! VERY different. I think just having 5 kids will be the refreshing weekend I had hoped for! HA! I didnt really get one..long story but I am going to enjoy my time with out teenagers!

I think in a few minutes Dawn and I are heading to McDonalds for breakfast and to let the kids play. Then of course I will need to get home and clean my house. It just hasn't recovered from our coming home Saturday night! So I have a LOT to do!

I wonder if I brought a rubber snake..would Dawn get scared? I could stick it in her breakfast sandwhich or something? LOL

Did ya miss me?

2006-04-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well I wasn't here incase you were wondering! I went to Rialto to hear Sam Gipp conduct a Bible conference. I LOVED every bit of it.

Its been a crazy week and weekend. My three oldest boys will be heading to San Diego on a fishing trip with some of the men in our church. I think that will be a lot of fun for them. I sure wish Jim was here to go with them.

And even though I have been busy, I really miss Jim. BUT the getting away and out of the house was good for me. I tend to get into a rut..doing the same thing, eating the same thing, day in and day out..you can sort of lose your purpose..so getting out of the house helped refresh me some what..even though it was a little crazy.

Well I better get..those kids need to get to bed and I am relaxing tonight.

Illness Again

2006-04-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

Well I'm not exactly sure..but it looks like it. This weekend we had a few kiddo's complaining about stomach pains..then this morning Joseph threw up..but he seems fine. Anyways, I have had those stomach pains pretty much all night.. what fun for me! I enjoy having sleepless nights. I just hope it runs it's course QUICKLY because I have plans this week!

Cute saying of Joshua

2006-04-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

as heard by me: "Mom, did evbyone scarp down the tandy?"

Translated: Mom did everyone scarf down the candy?

Where does he learn the word scarf down? LOLOLOL

Happy Resurrection Day

2006-04-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

" In just a few moments we are going to Crown

2006-04-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

the Queen of procrastination.. there she is..oh..doesn't she look lovely tonight..". male speaker says.. "well I think she looks tired." Female spaker says "but look..for all her procrastination..she has accomplished an amazing feat. " "sshh..lets crown her... (singing)There she is...Miss Procrastinator...putting off...what she could do today.........."

I want to thank all my children for allowing me to sew my brains out yesterday so I could finish those lovely dresses. I want to be a shining example for procrastinators everywhere. I want to show them yes, it can be done..."

"But Ma'am" wouldnt it have been easier had you started sooner? And wouldnt you been able to realize that the pattern makers lie about the size of these dresses?"

"Well yes..yes, I guess you might say there would have been benefits to starting sooner.."

"We also heard that your children had to eat goldfish and strawberries for all meals. "

"NOW wait a second..I made them sloppy joes for dinner.!"

"Well wasnt it left overs?"

"Well yes..but still I fed them!"

Ma'am..isnt it also true....

"Just leave me alone..I know..I KNOW I shouldn't procrastinate..there are you happy..booo hooo."

"well the crown looks very nice..quite spectacular, maybe just a little lopsided..but pretty good considering the crown maker made it last night."

I am the QUEEN OF PROCRASTINATION

2006-04-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

WHY O WHY can't I learn to do things early. So yesterday..I made the girls dresses. Not the fancy ones..this other one. I must say they turned out..well I probably could have made a size smaller for both of them, but hey they will look GREAT next year.

AMONG things I did yesterday, one was..clean out my garage! I even went through like 10 bags of clothes I was going to give away to make sure I didnt get rid of anything. Then..I found the shorts box for the boys. And I don't know what I did..I must have started a dirty laundry pile or something because there was dirty shorts in that box! So that got added to the laundry pile! I do seem to remember now that Jim told me to just throw it all in the box.

A friend of mine told me recently that there are rumors of me trying to have another baby. Someone she didnt know that I knew over in Okinawa had mentioned it. I am soooo laughing because well first off..Jim isnt here..so much for "trying" and well I don't think I have much say in the matter. I just thought it was funny...maybe people are just used to me pregnant by now.

I wish I knew who it was that said it..because maybe I would understand why it was being said. Oh well too funny. AND no I am not pregnant.

Anyways, back to procrastinating..yep I got a lot of that done this year. HA HA. I tell you..I was up till 1:30 sewing those dresses...but then I had gotten really tired so I set my alarm for 6:45 and went to bed. Well I woke up at 5am WIDE awake..so..I got up and finished Jerrica's dress. And the buttons and button holes on both dresses. I have come to the conclusion though..I really do not like this pattern..at least not for church dresses. Its a little more casual than I care for. I am going to make some jumpers for them. And I am going to some how find it in me to NOT make them match..Ok maybe not..but I am going to try.

Well I better get..I am making hair things too. :)

And I still need to get me dressed.

I went to stater brothers today

2006-04-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

to pick up strawberries. 7 pints for 4.99. I didnt think that was too bad of a price. Anyways, they had pop for 2.00 a 12 pack, grapes .99 cents and such..so I picked up a few things. As we were walking the store the kids and I were having conversations and Jared exclaims to me " Mom, my tongue helps me make sounds." I just thought that was pretty intelligent!

No MORE Mister Rogers for Joshua

2006-04-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Joshua watched on the Mister Rogers show a cat giving birth. So all I hear today is how cats poop out cats. Then today he said.." when I was boring..(born) and I was a cat I pooped out cats. "

He is pretty stuck on the cat poop. YEP NO more CAT BIRTH movies for Joshua!

Yes you too can wake up at 4am!

2006-04-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Well I just must not like sleep. Since I havent been getting much of it. Monday night, Jason came to me saying his stomach was hurting really bad. He could barely walk for the pain so I took him to the ER. This was around 10:30 pm..so 4 hours later his pain has subsided and they send us home to have a recheck at 8am.

SO pretty much all yesterday I spent laying on the couch. What cleaning I may have planned to do, didnt get done. AT ALL. When I did get some energy, it was used on our piano outing although yesterday was soo no stress.

The evening? Well that is a different I stayed up late with 2 of my boys last night and watched a movie. (Jason and Jacob) And I could not have been prouder..Jason didnt ask one question! So we stay up late and head to bed..and my two little ones woke up all night crying. I was getting so frustrated at Jojo this morning, finally I just got up and came down stairs and cleaned my kitchen and living room. I still have things to do in the living room..but I only really need to mop in my kitchen. That feels good to have some things done!

What plans do I have for today? drooling on the couch while sleeping, sleeping, well pretty much sleeping all day..some cleanining and cooking. And of course In a bit I have to get them all for some school lessons.

Well I hear my baby..yet again..still so I guess I better try and be this happy cheerful mother this morning..even if it is all faked.

A new name in glory!

2006-04-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to write this until we told Jim on the phone, but Jerrica got saved this morning! I had almost forgot myself! She was so excited and beaming and wanted to tell her Daddy all night, but he didn't call. I know he can't always call be we were getting into this every Sunday phone call and she kept coming down stairs asking if Her Daddy had called. But I know he will be very happy.

I am sooo happy! God is sooo good to us! I am so thankful that Jesus died in our place and I am so thankful for my salvation. That is my biggest prayer, their salvation. My next prayer is that they live for HIM. (Jesus)

So I am very thankful that God saved my little girl!

My question for today:

2006-04-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

If you know someone who is NOT saved and in a strange church, would you encourage them to dress conservatively?

BY conservatively I mean dresses and skirts? I ask this because I know some women who just seem to be way of the deep end spiritually but are encouraged to be "dressers" And some of these women flock to it but still are as mixed up as a bag of mixed veggies.

I never understand this? Why not work on the pressing needs..SALVATION and RIGHT doctrine? Why focus on the these superficial things? I guess I will never understand that?

*edited to add**
I do myself have convictions on dress so I am not even talking about that..I am just saying there should be first things first.

You know what I am happy about?

2006-04-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

I am soooo glad its a bright and cheerful morning! WHOA I sound like a morning person! I woke up well this morning. I wasnt sure if I would do ok since I went to bed at midnight but I woke right up before my alarm! I even have brownies made and in the oven on the timer. (gasp Jim will be in shock) Usually I don't use the timer because I can tell by the smell. My problem is I will sit down on the computer while waiting and of course its all burnt offerings when I remember I was cooking.

So I am awake! I might even make it to Sunday School..NOT. Our Sunday school is at 9am and with 8 kids to get ready..well mostly 5, there is NO WAY I would EVER make it that early to church. Mainly because there is no way I am getting up at 4am so we will make it. I realize this may be shocking to some but to have church services at 9 am and 10 am and then to have church at 6 makes for a VERY long day and I wont do that to my kids or ME.

When we used to go to Calvary in Yucca Valley, I was always amazed at the families that would get up and go to the 8:30 service. I refused to go..even if we could make it I had told Jim I just couldnt do it. I know he would have loved to do it but its easy for him..he gets up..brushes his teeth and get's dressed..he's ready to go. Usually in the morning I'm helping to find shoes and socks and making sure they match. I know a lot of stress would be solved if I did more the day before,but well I am not that organized yet.

And I will be honest about this, I HATE change that I am not "ready " for. Even though they have been having services like this 3 years..ahem.. I guess my problem was..during the war I had gone to Oregon to visit family, and when I came home they changed sooo many things. It was very unnerving to me. Like I said I don't do well with change, plus the fact that we were going through a tough time. I had, had a horrible miscarriage right before Jim had gone to Iraq. I was not normal and I just remember it seemed like everyone I knew just disappeared. I was used to getting phone calls once or twice a week and suddenly I heard from NO ONE. I was not normal so maybe they just couldnt be around me..but I think I really needed them then. 6 weeks after the invasion started I went to stay with family. This was good and bad. It was very very good for me, it sort of took my mind off all the happenings over in Iraq..but it was bad for Jim. He didnt get many letters from me and it hurt his feelings. I felt bad but I had a lot going on in my life. Besides that, I am not a very good letter writer. When Jim and I first married, I tended to write like 3 times a day..I'm not kidding. Of course that was before I had 7 children. I was totally bored and had no life. Its hard because I don't really have anything to say this time. We have email and phone calls. He reads my blog, I don't have anything NEW and exciting to say in a letter. I barely have anything to talk about on the phone. Its mostly, I love you, I miss you, Oh Jojo is talking..I should save him some tidbits just for him..but what to save??? Anything to be able to write a letter. I did start buying cheapo cards and just putting one liners in. I'm trying to mail something every day. And besides that I have been sending packages. That in itself is a major chore. I don't always feel like going to the post office. So..its sad to be confronted with the fact, I have NOTHING to say. Ok maybe its not a surprise to you.! ha ha

All this said..when I came back from vacation LOL so many things had changed in church and I just couldnt handle that either. Oh well..we survived somehow and I got over myself. BUT I am still not getting up at 4am to get to church at 8:30.

so I am happy today back to the original reason I am writing, I am happy because I am up early, and its now 8am and I need to get off here and get those kids ready. Hair fixed you know..FUN stuff.

Today

2006-04-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have much to write about. I have had a typical day. Cleaning & Cooking. Nothing major. We did get to go out today for a couple of hours.

Let's see..MY AC is not working and IT IS NEEDED. They have to replace the whole unit. I am praying that it stays cool till we get it replaced. Its been soo hot lately.

I have had a horrible week of eating..been OFF my diet, but have avowed to get to cracking starting tomorrow. I will be at least keeping my calories in check and starting Monday back to exercising.

Nothing exciting or funny has happened. I guess this is a good thing? Its heating up here so pretty soon going outside will be reserved for late afternoon.

Tomorrow at church we are having a potluck..I have sloppy Joes already made..waiting in the fridge to be heated. I also made my salad already. The only thing I need to do is make brownies..and I guess that will have to happen in the morning as the thought of making them made me feel pukey. I know I am strange.

See there really isnt any news today..just a regular boring weekend. Oh wait..today I noticed my hair is really growing in and I have LOTS of gray hair. Where does it come from? I didnt have this much a year ago. My girls when they brush my hair like to mention just how many gray hairs there are..I was having them pull them out until there were just toooo many pulls for my comfort.

Nothing Insane this week

I'm 36 today!

2006-04-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

My hubby ORDERED me FLOWERS! I got them today and A PHONE call from my sweetie. We got cut off but I am sooo blessed! Today my friend Dawn made me dinner and LEMON BARS for dessert! And took me out on the town (BIG GRIN) to get a diet coke! We did sit in her van and yack and she was able to solve some pressing delimna's that I have! (WaY To Go Dawn)

Earlier today I had posted a tea set that "JIM" bought me. Ok seriously..I bought them and was going to put them on here in his name. I even had the gift message from Jim. I know he would have bought it if he was here..ok maybe not but isnt it pretty?

I have had phone calls and ecards and I feel very very blessed to have the friendships and family that I have. I guess I am getting sentimental in my "old" age. I am truely thankful that God has brought such wonderful people in my life.

Now my kids are in bed..and I am going to sit up BY MY SELF and watch 24. AAAH the peace and quiet in my home right now!

I LOVE BAGS!!

2006-04-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

Ok today as I was waiting for Dawn to pull me out of the house and take me to the commissary and then onward to drive my Jeep the REST of the way home, the mail lady came by with a package..for ME!! It is from a lady on a cloth diaper message board I belong to! I choose to be part of a spring gift swap AND my package came today.

After she handed it to me I ripped it open sooo fast and I pull out this great bag. She mad this! Can you believe it! It is so very nicely made..well constructed. In side it has 3 nice pockets and on the outside 2. In like 3 seconds flat I had that purse filled from guts of my other purse.

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this purse. It is everything I would have picked out! In this picture I had to pull out
the "stuff" but I left a few things so you can see how roomy it is! She also gave me that lotion pictured and another lotion..in a blue glass pump container..from bath and body works. I LOVE them both. I would say just in this purse ALONE I am spoiled spoiled spoiled! This has totally made my day!

Life on the couch

2006-04-05T23:16:00.000-07:00

I was able to get my jeep almost ALL the way home. If I had done a U turn across traffic, I probably would have made it home. But I guess the fear of it stalling out in the middle of the road blocking traffic sort of stopped me from doing that. oh well..I'll get it home. Its only 1/2 mile from my house but is Miss lazy bones wanting to walk down there? NOPE

I'm depressed today. Today, I did nothing. I pretty much laid on the couch and watched Frontier house. I'm a bum I know it. My house is a wreck. and really I don't even care. How sad is that?

I have had more episodes of blahdom more times than I care for..and guess who isnt getting her girls dresses done. Guess who has now changed them to MOTHER's Day dresses??? I did that because I was getting overwhelmed and with the pressure off I know I will actually want to do them. I just feel like right now there are all these things pulling me and it makes me just want to give up on the lot of them.

I had all these plans on saving money, selling our jeep..(who would want it now), putting stuff on ebay and nothing is being accomplished..every time I think of saving money..something comes up to spend it..and trust me I can find ways. I feel like such a failure because we are getting more money with Jim gone and I am not saving any of it right now. The thing is..I am good at saving money, but I see so many things we have done with out for so long and I just feel like this is a good opportunity to take care of some of those things..like socks for the boys, Jessica has out grown all her clothes. What isnt too short is tooo tight. I don't know when she shot up like that but she is almost as tall as me. I just have such high expectations of myself.

So..I figure today is probably one of those bad days..maybe and hopefully tomorrow is better.

The Jeep..The Jeep

2006-04-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

Well I have had an adventure for today..Here I was thinking it would just be a BORING Tuesday, but NO. As I was driving Justin to work, the check engine light came on and the jeep started acting strange . I was sitting at a red light which then turned green and I pressed on the gas and NOTHING it was barely moving. So..I immediately looked to my right and miracle of miracles..no one was behind me or beside me..so I inched my way to the side of the road. I called my friend Dawn who came to my rescue.and Justin's.

So I guess I don't have to worry now about the jeep breaking down..I guess thats one good way to look at it. And the good thing is it didnt happen on those many trips to Palm Springs in the Jeep. I am very thankful for that!

out of the mouth of Joshua..

2006-04-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

This morning my every cute and handsome 4 year old came down stairs in his NEW outfit for church. I say to him..Joshua you can't wear that..thats for church and he gets all upset and tells me.."but i don't got any pant's in my dresser mom"

OOPS..I guess I better get a crackin on that laundry!

Useless info

2006-04-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Well its neat and since I don't have much to say today...well not till I get pictures off my camera here is your useless fact for today.

On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06

Now, to really get into this useless fact you need to wake up about 15 minutes till (so your awake when this event happens) And then get out your noise makers and wake everyone up in the house cheering the day. You could even spend the rest of this day making up some words to your cheer. Then you can sing if you know the words..or you can sing the courus over and over and over
.."some enchanted evening..you will meet a stranger"
Which is true..if you do this, there will be no one more stranger than you.

Yep..you could.

Driving, Flying, Shopping and MORE

2006-04-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Saturday was a busy busy day for us, in fact I have decided NEVER EVER EVER stay out late on the night of the time change. You should have seen me Sunday Morning..I know I felt like a total zombie.

Today was more of the same. I was sooo slow in moving today. I barely woke up long enough to make it to the couch this morning. I slugged around and my house can prove it. Of course that would have been ok if I wasn't in need of going somewhere. Justin was asked to go and demonstrate his flying for the Boys and Girls Club. SO we headed out there this afternoon and of course..if you go to Palm Springs you have to go shopping. So we bought some tshirts at target ..after his demo. (which he did great) and then went to Sam's club to buy some oatmeal and what all. And I tell you, I bought some frozen foods and this gray bag to keep them in..(It all fit perfectly) and that bag was super! Everything stayed COLD we even stopped at another store so we got home HOURS later. Everything was still frozen! I was very impressed and glad I bought it.

Anyways, I had a really nice time with the kids and of course we got home LATE so I think its sluggo morning for us tomorrow too. Its a pity though..I have so much to do right now in my house its not funny. Like I have to remop my floors..Jacob spilled salsa and although he cleaned it up..its not really cleaned up well. I will be sooo busy tomorrow..and we also have PIANO lessons..not to mention I have to mail a package to Jim..evidently they equate packages and mail to how loved and missed they are..and so far..he said He ISN'T MISSED. I am thinking..ok you want money saved or a bunch of junk your going to just leave in Iraq sent to you? So..I bought him a tshirt and some candy and gum. I also bought a bunch of cards and I am trying to send one out every day.

I just don't think I can do this for 6 more months though! And he better appreciate it!

I'm going to be PUMPING!

2006-04-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

I just found this MOTHERLOAD of a creamer on the Sam's club Website only to find out that they don't have it at mine! Talk about painful discoveries! I guess I would be soooo sad right now but I'm not BECAUSE they have it at Gina's!!!! So guess who is getting this ultra cool coffee creamer pump thingy to refill again and again.
YEP you guessed it..its ME!
I mean this would just be my thing..no wasted time taking it OUT of the fridge I just walk up and pump! And its HUGE this will last me forever...well at least till I need to refill it.

Jojo NEEDS this toy

2006-04-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ok maybe MOM wants this toy! Isn't this sooo cute? Maybe someone will have pity on me, I mean Jojo and give him this toy?? Ok maybe not...I have been shopping online and found it at several old fashioned toy stores. I can see that I would have hours of fun playing with this toy. The matching, the color recognition, the fact that there are 8 kids and 2 adults in this car alone make it a must have toy.

So what do you think?

DO NOT DISTURB

2006-04-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

I have a nifty feature on my phone! It's a do not disturb button. I press that button and boy I sure don't get any phone calls!
It is great!

I have been pressing it during school hours so I can avoid distractions. Its hard not to answer a ringing phone! WOW I love this feature! Of course the only bad thing is forgetting its on! I personally love to TALK on the phone but over the years I have learned to despise it because it takes up so much time! So I do try to limit and curb my phone time..at least when the kids are up. I do however LOVE to talk on the phone when I am driving. Its a sickness I know. I just feel very strange with out talking on the phone while going somewhere. I think I really like the fact that the phone call can't get too long..( hey your going somewhere) and I am not having to do like 3 different things and have 10 kids ask you if they can go outside. And on long trips..hey someone keeps you company so you don't get bored! And if your sick of talking on your cell phone..you can always turn it to "do not disturb"

Willow Tree

2006-04-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

I love these figurines. I don't collect them but if I had the money I would. I just think they are beautiful. I especially like the mother/father ones . They are just so simple. I don't really care about the angels though.

So what do you think?

Microwave Surprise!

2006-04-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

I can always tell when I am going through a busy time in my life by how many cups of coffee, tea, etc I leave in my microwave each week. Sometimes I even leave food in there, only to be found hours later.
Of course its not just food in the microwave..my forgetfullness spills out into all aspects of my life, like laundry in the washer, food out on the stove, missed appointments, forgetting to call someone. Seriously my life right now seems to be marked by forgetfullness!

For example, this week..I was supposed to call someone with a total for a Mary Kay order. I don't know why but I keep forgetting to call her. I will remember around Midnight that I didnt call her with the total..only to be forgotten once again in the morning.
So here I sit drinking cold tea and pondering if all my forgetfullness is a sign of old age, stress or both? You know I do keep a "to do" list so I don't forget anything. So maybe I should add check microwave . Of course..I would have to remember where I left the list.

Should Girls Go To College?

2006-04-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

I was scrolling through the blogs and I came across one that went on and on against girls going to college. I am struggling with this because on one hand I do believe women need to be in the home and help meets, but that doesn't mean they shouldnt be educated? What if they never marry? What then? I am not getting any younger that's for sure. Who is going to take care of them when I am gone? Or their father is gone? Their Brothers? There are NO guarantees in life.
I don't even believe that college is for everyone. Not everyone has a desire to go. If they want to go then they will go. Who am I to put limits on my girls..just because they are girls and just because they came from a Christian home?

I know how many people think though, being around Christians, maybe I even at one time thought the same things right along side them. I do believe when a woman has children she should be home with them. I also think its harder for a woman to be the helpmeet to her husband working out side of the home. That said, I do believe that there are plenty of ways and opportunities that a woman can be productive and bring in an income while staying at home, if that is her hearts desire.

And that said, I will tell you that I am very thankful for women doctors. I am glad for women who do work outside of the home..Christian or not. I am also glad for the woman that starts a buisness and contributes to her community by providing jobs and services. Running down a rabbit trail here..I think people who have such a strong stand about women staying in the home and not working or going to college maybe they should NEVER ever go to any store or service that employs women. Maybe I think too much but I really do think these things out.

So this is my view, and my opinion on my girls going to college. Its the same for my boys. If they want to go then they have my blessing. If that is their desire, WHO am I to decide for them what they are to do in life? Or how the Lord will use them or his will for their life? I know in my heart I would love to see them marry and have children and be stay at home mom's, because I love my "job" and it has been fullfilling to me, but I do not believe it is my place to limit them in their education for my desires.

Nothing like reading a magazine

2006-04-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

And finding out that what your doing is recommended! Since I started dieting I have been doing things sort of Weight Watchersy and sort of not. Just sort of my own program. I was reading in the GoodHousekeeping Magazine that what I am doing is sooo similiar to a diet they have in there. Strange I think.

One thing I do is eat about the same things every meal. Its easier to remember I am eating 1 egg, 1/2 apple and a slice of toast than try to come up with something new every day. I tend to eat about 250-300 for breakfast 350-400 for lunch and around 350 for dinner and a snack later. Well evidently I am doing something right again because they recommend a 3-4-5 plan..300 for breakfast, 400 for lunch and 500 for dinner. Then I read they found that people who eat the same things every day are more successful in losing weight. WOW can we just hit the nail on the head two times in a row.

And now that I am exercising I am hoping it makes a difference. I figure every day I exercise is more than I did before..so what if it doesnt fit someones perfect mold of what an exercise routine should look like. I am getting it in when I can and it will start to look more purposefull and regular as I get a schedule going.

All that said, my scales are not being nice to me right now. I have decided not to worry about it. I know I am doing just fine. I just think I need to drink more water. I am not going to stress aobut the scales I think the more I want to get to a certian # the more I sort of sit there so I am not going to worry about it. Just making better choices, exercising. Where I notice weightloss the most is in how my clothes fit. I have a skirt I wore pregnant with joseph..I would just pull it over the top of my belly anyways, it is now starting to be loose at the top..I remember the day when I had to roll it to get it to stay up..I am almost to that point! I love it! I cant wait till the day I can put that skirt away forever.

Well its time for me to wake up my children in love and tenderness so I am off to do that! :)
have a GREAT day!

I'm Awake and its EARLY!

2006-04-01T07:14:00.000-08:00

Well early for me! I went to bed around 11:00 last night, took a bath and went to bed and this morning I woke up at 6:30. I am so impressed with that! Its good because I do need to be up earlier because we are going down the hill today. I gues I am so shocked I even gave myself permission to sleep in. Of course my horrible bad dream might have been part of the reason. I dreamt it was Tuesday night and I had missed our piano night. I was sooo upset! And then she calls and says she thinks we should find someone else. I am so glad it was a dream.. SO NO MISSING TUESDAY PIANO! We wll need to find someone else come December though, they are moving..so begins my desperate search for a piano teacher..AGAIN. It is the story of my life it seems. Well I guess I should go and get ready. Our trip to PalmSprings awaits us..I want to get my kids ready so when I get back from the Gym all will be ready!

And now a word from our sponsors...

2006-03-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

I have so many exciting things I want to tell you! LIKE I got my dishes off layaway today! I almost forgot to pick them up! I paid our bills, wrote out the tithe check, folded laundry, I even stopped at the commissary and bought cute cookies for the kids.

Tomorrow I am heading down to Palm Springs to go shopping with Dawn and all my children. We are going to have a lot of fun. Mainly I am just going to check out sam's clubs prices..but I have a few things I want to get the kids like socks and underwear, and the girls some nightgowns..let me tell you that is a major task in itself!

Well I am heading to bed..I really wanted to watch my downloaded 24 series tonight but I am going to go soak in the tub and relax and head to bed. I am going to try and squeeze in a trip to the gym before going tomorrow and picking up Dawn.

Have a good night!

I FEEL SOOOOOO AWESOME! LOLOLOL

2006-03-31T15:59:00.000-08:00

Ok Maybe I am being a little weird here! I just feel like I have accomplished a lot this week!

I just got home from getting the smog done on our Ford..and thanks to GOD for letting it pass smog test!
When I walked up to get it done said to me "is your check engine light on?" And I know I had seen it on before but it hadn't been for a while. They told me if it came on it would fail automaticly! So I prayed and prayed that God would have MERCY on us and let it pass!

Then the guy says..ok were done, lets get it taken care of..and I said did it pass? And guess what.... IT PASSED!! as soon as I was done I went and got gas then I drove over to get the base stickers on right away! I had already done my van..(thursday) and the Jeep ( wednesday). The stickers had been expired since January and I had been driving around for 2 months with expired base stickers! They never said a word and I didnt even know they were expired till the other day they said..Ma'am did you know your stickers are expired! (Tuesday night) So I got them all done! We wont have to worry about that aspect of our vehicles till 2010!

I also called the garbage facility and I am getting another garbage can and a BIG recycle bin. I just cant take the overflowing trash cans! We are really needing something bigger since we always have bags of trash sitting loose on the curb. I hope that will make a difference!

I also took care of some things that needed phone calls and I had maintance come fix some things this week. I still have a LIST of things that need to be done but I am making progress!

I even exercised twice this week..I am going to exercise tonight too..I would have this morning but my day got away from me.

I feel like I have gotten so much done! Its a great feeling! So do you feel Awesome???

Posting cause I can..

2006-03-29T23:41:00.000-08:00

Well I was at Dawn's house tonight mostly yaking but cutting out fabric . I am not procrastinating as bad as normally so I might have these dresses done early this year.

Anyways, Dawn was going to blog tonight inbetween my fabric cutting but did she get too? NO so she told me I can't blog tonight..DID I LISTEN? HA HA HA NO.

I have actually had a super busy week. I have actually been going to the gym several times this week. My goal is 3 times a week..anything else is just extra and I have gone twice now. :) I am happy about that!

The men in our church are heading to San Diego to go on a fishing trip next month and 3 of my boys will be going. It is going to be a bit expensive..but I think it will be a good time for them. At least a break from their mother. It will be around the same week as our trip to Rialto so I guess we will count that as our vacation. I have always wanted to go on one of those fishing trips but its always such a "man" thing. At first Justin didnt want to go..but since he really has no choice in the matter..because I think he just doesnt know he really WANTS to go..He is going to have to learn to enjoy himself. I think once he gets down there and away from real life he will have a great time. Or he can sit and pout the whole time and give our Pastor some GREAT material to preach from. The choice really is his.

Anyways, I came home to an absolutely silent house. ALL my children are in bed. Like I said I have had a really rough first few days of this week. Sunday was very hard on me, probably because I just am not getting enough sleep..as I blog this at midnight. Its not really the amount of sleep as I am getting more than 6 hours every night..I think its the fact that I am just not getting good sleep. It seems to be very interrupted and maybe I just need to get more sleep since I have a lot more added stress of just being the only parent here right now.

So that is my *update*