Ramblings

~I am finally getting to know my neighbors! I was hoping that would happen as the weather slowly started warming up. They are all very nice! Today we are going to go with one of our neighbors and their children to Chuck E. Cheese because the big kids have a half day. We also have a scheduled power outage today. Another one of our neighbors was outside yesterday and inquired what size Lucas was. She then proceeded to give me a HUGE pile of clothes for him! It's all in excellent condition too! I think there were 11-12 pairs of jeans in there! He won't wear the jeans for at least another year or so, but that alone probably saved me a couple hundred dollars! The shirts he can probably start wearing now. My wonderful Aunt that is going to be Aubrey's Godmother also sent us a large box of clothes. Most of those fit Lily and a few things for Lucas. Now they are going to force me to go through Aubrey's closet and find a home for all of the clothing I need to find a home for!

~ So yesterday I needed to take Sydney to the Drs for a persistant sore throat. So far, strep is negative and the nurse is suspecting allergies. While we were waiting, I chatted with a man that had a son about the same age as Lucas. His son had the infamous Skechers Hot Lights Shoes (they are policeman shoes that light up like a policecar) that Lucas has wanted for over a year. However, Lucas didn't have big enough feet last year. So, I called Kohls when we got home and much to my amazement, they had TWO pairs in his size AND they were on sale! We decided not to wait, and headed out to Kohls. Sydney found a new backpack on sale, Lily found a pair of clearance shoes, Gerald found a clearanced jacket, and I bought a pair of jeans that wasn't 50 sizes too big on me! I am a little confused about sizing though. I own a pair of 5/6 jeans that is too big, yet the 5 at Kohls was a little tight. I could easily button them, but I swear if I gained 2 lbs, I'd be uncomfortable. So I went with 7s and they are SO comfy!

~ Gerald is testing for promotion on Monday. We won't have the results until the summer or fall, so just cross everything, pray, meditate, do whatever it is that you do that could possibly increase his chances for promotion! We and our checking account would really appreciate it!

Well, I better not waste the few precious hours I have left before I drag all 4 children to see the big ol' rat! Mt. Laundry had grown once again and is looking to erupt if I don't tend to it soon!
Have a great day everyone!

Ash Wednesday

We are holding ourselves more and more accountable for raising our kids in the faith. I know, it is a faith we have chosen for them. I am not a parent that would disown their child if they choose another faith when they are old enough to make that decision for themselves. For now, though, they will be raised Catholic. In years past, we have severly neglected our faith. It's time we step up to the plate. Lucas is past the screaming whenever we attempt to sit in church or a restaraunt, so that is how we decided to start exposing our children to church. At first, and even very recently, I was kind of upset that our church didn't have a nursery. I'm over it now. How are our children to learn anything if they aren't there for mass? I could see if they went to Children's Church or something, but it just doesn't exist at the base chapel.

So anyway, we fasted today (Gerald and I, the kids are exempt because of their ages). We did not do a complete fast, instead we went by the newer "rules" and ate considerably less than we do on a usual day, abstained from meat, and didn't snack at all during the day. We felt hungry. And I must say, it really does make you think about the Lord we serve and rely on for the food that we eat! I'm still hungry. My menu today was this, cup of coffee and toast for breakfast, a tunafish sandwich with a very small handful of chips and water for lunch, dinner was a bowl chicken noodle soup (It was homemade so Gerald and I did not eat the chicken, just the broth, noodles, and veggies) and water.

This also marks the begining of Lent. We chose to do this as a family this year in hopes of teaching our children. We chose to give up 1 thing and do 1 thing to better ourselves. We decided to give up fast food and that we would take at least 1 walk a week as a family. Gerald is also giving up all alcholic beverages! Go Gerald!

I'll leave you with a few kidisms from Church tonight:

They gave out little black prayer books for Lent, and Lily says, "I wish this book was about Halloween!" Of course she had to say it in her loud, I'm a five year old voice, as we were leaving.

Having not heard what Lily already said, Lucas is outside and looks around outside and says, "It's dark out mom. Is it Halloween?" To his defense, it did kind of feel like a fall day, it was dark, breezy, and mid-forties.

They gave out these little metal medals if you will, to remind us what Lent is all about. My sweet Sydney said, "Mom, we should keep these in our pockets and whenever we are feeling like having fast food, we can get them out." AWWW, but don't get too excited, it was quickly followed up by, "Is Dairy Queen fast food?" She didn't like my reply of, "Yes, dear. It is."

Wow! This got long!

I'm going to finish watching American Idol and hit the hay. I *THINK* this cold is finally working it's way out of me! Hopefully I can get more sleep tonight than I did last night. One more thing, I passed my FINAL inspection today! I should have my daycare license in a couple of weeks! YAY!
God Bless!

Sick

I am so freaking sick it's unbelievable! Seriously. Right now being hung upside down by my toenails actually sounds more appealing than the way I feel. And of course, it couldn't come at a better time, I have my final daycare inspection tomorrow and guess who it is? PUBLIC HEALTH! How's that for ironic? We're also supposed to go to mass as it is Ash Wednesday, that is a Holy Day of Obligation. I may just not make it. End rant.

On a good note, we got some Finches for the kids this weekend! We LOVE them! Yes, we'd own a zoo if we could. There is a reason behind these birds though. We had to re-home Sydney's fire-bellied toad, that she bought with her very own money because they aren't allowed in daycare homes. We have 4 total. 2 shaft-tail finches, they are GORGEOUS, google them! And 2 zebra finches because they were cute and already known to be a pair. They even came with 4 eggs, that probably won't hatch, but the pet store lady just had to send them, so that even if they did have a chance, she wouldn't feel bad. Of course my kids were in absolute awe. I'll take pictures of the new additions when I feel a little better than death and can locate the cameras.

Oh the drama!

I swear my workplace creates more drama than a daytime soap opera! I just couldn't believe that there could be so much drama with there being about 6 employees. I guess with such a short roster, it becomes more personal. I, really, truly, love the job, but boy do I hate the back and forth of it all! I am thankful that I went to weekends only. I don't think I could handle it on an everyday basis. I have far more important things to worry about, such as the 4 little loves that I have at home.

I hope all the accusations stop soon and that I can continue to stay, for the most part, out of the thick of it! The bad thing is, that if you know me, I like just about everyone unless they give me a big enough reason to think otherwise. I don't like confrontation either, but I'm also willing to stand my ground if need be. Hopefully they'll all be dancing and singing Kumbaya before I have to go back to work! A girl can dream right?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Compare! Valentines 2009 is above and Valentine's 2008 is below! I can't believe how big my babies are!

We had a pretty good Valentine's Day this year! I had to work this morning, but I did get to sleep in and I woke up to a card, which is rare for my husband to think ahead enough to buy a card before the actual day! We had to run to Best Buy for a computer part, then we went of in search of a restaraunt that didn't have a mile long line out the door. We ended up at what I call our "default" restaurant, The Silver Diner. It has great food at a great price and it's kid friendly. I was hoping to try something new, but today was not a day to do that. We were going to get dessert, but Aubrey was exhausted and for the price of the banana splits they wanted, we could make 50 of them. So, we went and bought the ingredients and they were more than happy with the ones we made at home!

I hope everyone else had a Happy Valentine's Day as well!

MONSTER JAM!

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Gerald took Lucas to Monster Jam last night. It didn't go quite as Gerald had hoped. Lucas didn't freak out or get upset about the noise, he just decided it was time to go home after about half an hour into the show. Gerald was a little bummed, but didn't want to make him stay and have him never wanting to go back, so they left. Gerald thinks it was just too much for our little guy to take in all at once. That, and the earplugs he had weren't fitting in his ears very well, so it was probably quite loud. None of our kids are fond of really loud noises. Lucas must have really enjoyed the little bit he did see though, because he talks about it a lot and acts like a monster truck constantly! I really love the picture Gerald got of him though. If you know Lucas, you know that this picture is worth a thousand words!

Promised Pictures! Sandy Bottom Nature Park.

Here are the pictures that I promised! I had to get them up today because Gerald is taking Lucas to Monster Jam tonight and I'm sure there will be lots of fun pictures from that. I'm really looking forward to seeing them! The girls and I are going to have a night out as well. I think we'll go visit the oversized rat, Chuck E. Before that, I think we're going to hit up the local library. The girls have been begging to go and it will be easier without Lucas. Anyway, about the pictures. I'm not super impressed with the group shots, but they'll do. And out of 170 pictures that we had taken, there were 13 or so decent ones. You can imagine the outtakes! LOL! Lots of closed eyes, tongues sticking out, looking at the dogs, scratching, you name it, we have a picture of it! I'd post some of them, but the 13 I put on here took forever and a day to load!

Enjoy! I'm sure there will be more pictures in the next couple of days!

Breaking Through

My sweet little angel is having such a hard time getting her teeth. I am SO thankful I didn't wean her a month or two ago when she was only nursing once or twice a day. We've done tylenol, motrin, chewy toys, teething tablets, and the only thing that calms her down is nursing. I call her my little leech. She has been attached to me for the better part of the last two days. One tooth broke through yesterday, so I'm hoping she gets some relief soon. I have to prepare for an inspection that is TOMORROW and I can't get her off me! I guess there's a reason they don't stay babies forever. :)

My baby...A toddler?

Almost. She took 10 steps in a row twice yesterday. And lots of 3-4 consecutive steps! I figured out a trick to getting her to walk faster! She was in a dress for church yesterday and she doesn't like to crawl on her bare knees, so she'd either get up on her hands and feet, or she'd walk! I'd put her in just a onesie or a dress so she'd walk more, but our tile is so cold, I'd have to have the house at 85* in order to make it warm enough for her and, well, I think I can wait just a little longer for her to walk. LOL! I also discovered what I'm pretty sure is another tooth coming in on the bottom. We'll see in a few days. This would explain her nighttime crankiness and all the ear-pulling she's been doing.

We also went to the beautiful nature park with the 4 kiddos and the dogs and took lots of pictures, but I've only skimmed through them. Once I pick my favorites, I'll be sure to post them! :)

Well the laundry is patiently waiting for me so I must end this for now. I'll be back soon with pictures!

The Things I Take for Granted...

As I was giving the kids a bath tonight, I stopped and thought about some of the little things I take for granted each day. I find myself doing this more often as my babies grow bigger.

After Aubrey's bath, she has the cutest little curls right at the nape of her neck. And her hair, it always smells heavenly. Gerald and I snuggle her and sniff her head constantly after her bath because her head usually ends up in our armpits when we're sleeping, so that nice, sweet, baby, smell doesn't last long! LOL!

And who could resist the wrinkly, pruny, little baby feet???? After we figured out which toys were scaring her in the bathtub (no fish that move, and no toys with eyes, like rubber ducks!) we can't get her out of there! Oh yeah, no My Little Ponies either. The hair freaks her out! I swear I have the strangest children. Sydney is/was scared of Shrek and Larry Boy from Veggie Tales.

And finally, I always take for granted how very much they adore their baby sister! They don't run to ME when they get home, they run to the baby and she's always full of giggles and delighted to see them!

Now that I've gushed on and on about how sweet and wonderful they are, I get to go put them to bed! LOL! I won't mention how well they go to bed...

Not a whole lot has been going on here. I'm getting ready to re-open the daycare. I don't plan on having a house full of kids this time. Just one full time and maybe a drop in here and there. Business is slow at the portrait studio and I don't want Gerald getting a second job. I'm keeping the studio job on the weekends. I really enjoy it (most of the time) and the money will be helpful around the holidays when business picks up. The weather is freezing, but I'm really not minding it too much. We had a couple days with a few flurries, but nothing that even stuck to the ground. The kids were really excited anyway. I filed taxes today. That was a relief! There is only one time of year that it pays to be poor and have a million kids. I know, we're providing the IRS with a tax free loan by not taking bigger paychecks, but this is our savings account. LOL! We'd surely piddle the money away if we got it every month.

See? I told you. Not a whole lot going around in these parts. I'll update again soon!