No school and alphabet pancakes

We thought we might not have school today. Although it's right above freezing here, the rain just keeps coming and the temp is supposed to drop today. I guess they didn't want to chance having the kids come in, to just turn right back around again. And I think most of the Fort Smith area is without power, so not for sure if the church and school have it or not.

So the alarm went off this morning at 5:30 (we did loose power for about 4 hours in the middle of the night but I have a battery back up) and I slowly got out of bed. Turned on the computer and tv to find the school closings. I sure wasn't seeing anything and then wondered do I want to chance a 30 min drive into town to go to work/school? I was just about to jump in the shower to start the day when they announced the school closing....back to bed I went. Everyone woke up at 7 am hungry. Cody started to make pancakes and the kids announced they wanted alphabet pancakes. Which meant, only mommy knows how to do that. Everyone got their name (except mommy and daddy) and they gobbled them up with some turkey bacon and scrambled eggs. Yummy!!!!

We've played a little Rock Band today (in fact, Cody is still playing). The kids are in the bedroom playing and so not cleaning. I'm on the computer and thinking I really need to go shower. I also need to switch over some laundry.

Not for sure if we'll have school tomorrow or not. I really don't want to drive if there's any ice out there, so we'll see and hope that we can stay above freezing.

100 years old!

We're on our way home tonight from the Mexican dinner at church/school, in the car and Rylie reads a billboard. I told her that it had been there since I was a little girl. She replied, "so, what it's like a 100 years old".

Jonesboro bound!!

Well, it's official now. We are headed to Jonesboro next year for Cody's CRNA school. Not for sure how I really feel about this. The school starts in January, which means the kids and I will still finish out the school year here. Then, we'll move but only if we can sell the house. Typing it all out right now is starting to stress me. I'm not for sure how we're going to be able to do all of this. I know that I just have to pray for the strength to get through this.

I've been reading up on the only Catholic school there and I'm not completely sold on it. They do have a homeschooling group and I guess I'm going to check them out. We've got to find a place to live, a church, and maybe a job (?).

Oh, how can I do this?

Being a parent......

means doing a lot of stuff that you'd rather not do but it has to be done to make sure your children aren't exposed to a lot of bad stuff.

Rylie has grown up into a young little lady right before our eyes. She loves Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly and a few other "girl" movies. She's not really into the cartoons anymore. I do watch a few of the the episodes of anything because I want to make sure what she's watching. I listen to her music to make sure it's ok. This morning on the way to school, I plugged her mp3 player into the car so we all could listen. She knew what Miley songs she wanted and when the Barbie songs came on, she told me to skip over them and she really didn't want them on there anymore. It's been awhile since she's seen a Barbie movie. Now, Cody and I are going round and round about who gets to go see the new Hannah Montana movie coming out in April. I think I'm getting the short end of the straw for this one.

I remember when Billy Ray Cyrus first came out, I was around 16 or 17. I remember taking my little brother and my high school boyfriends little sister to see him in concert. And now, my daughter is listening to his daughter's music. Heck, Miley was probably just a little baby when it came out. Wow, that makes me feel old!!!!!

History being made

I watched today as history was made. I have to admit, I was very excited! I loved the fact that Rylie got to see history being made. I love the fact that years from now she'll be able to say "oh, I was in school watching it on the big screen with my class".

I admit, I did cry today. But, I cry at the end of a football game (because the losing team looks sad). I'm looking forward to what the next 4 years hold.

Kid funny

We're in the car on the way home from getting our new fish and this is the conversation I hear come out of the back of the van.

Preslie: when I grow up I want to work as an animal doctor and in the zoo and on a farm

Rylie: boy Preslie, that's a lot of jobs. And you want to get married and have babies too?

Preslie: Yes

Rylie: well, I'm going to have 4 babies. I'm going to have a girl and name her Marley and a boy and name him (sorry I can't remember the name).

Preslie: I'm going to have 3 babies (as she's counting on her fingers).

Chase: I'm going to have 100 babies but I'll only carry one at a time.

Rylie: Ya, you'll need to find a woman for that

I thought I was going to loose it I was laughing so hard.

New member of the family

Chase has been wanting a pet for awhile now. He says Rylie has Toby and Preslie has Tommy. "I don't have anybody mommy". Well, that melts my heart each and every time. Only problem? Chase is not a pet loving kid. He's happy with telling Toby and Tommy hi and then just barely touching them. He doesn't like to cuddle or love on any animals. He needed something a little low maintenance and mommy needed low maintenance. Since we all know that I'm the one that takes care of everyone in the family. Chase wanted a turtle. I thought about it, I really did but just didn't think I could go with a turtle. Then, it hit me. A FISH!!!!

Yes, a fish is a perfect pet for Chase Dagon. Cody wasn't too big on the idea and if I left it up to him, then we'd never get one. So I made the decision that he was getting one this weekend. I got the old fish tank out of the attic and cleaned it up. We made a trip to Wal-mart to pick out his fish, gravel (blue/green) and other "toys". He picked out a Betta fish and named him Mikeyangelo (what he calls Michelangelo from Ninja Turtles).

Mikeyangelo has adjusted very well to his new home. He is swimming all over the tank. Chase and Preslie are in heaven. They've been sitting by the tank all evening just talking to him and showing him all kinds of things.

So, we know have a dog, cat and a fish.

Lions, Tigers and Bears......Oh My!!!

Not for sure why, but that was in my head at the time I was sitting down to type this. So, I thought "Why not".

We've had a pretty lazy day (for us anyway). We got up and out the house a little early today. We stopped at McDonald's for breakfast and let the kids play for awhile. Today was Cody's god-daughter's b-day party so we were off to find her presents. She loves Mickey Mouse. We got her a little stuffed Mickey (I think he was supposed to be a pillow) that wraps around a blanket and then we got her a Mickey plate, bowl and cup. Oh and lets not forget the Mickey balloon. I think she liked them. She is just the cutest thing. So sweet and tiny (2 years old). She has a little brother who will be making his appearance in March.

After that, I ran to Sam's to get some groceries. I picked up some tortilla chips and some yummy salsa. We're back home now eating chips and salsa and watching movies while the kids play in their rooms. A nice relaxing day.

I think we'll head into town for church tomorrow and then the kids and I are out of school/off work on Monday. I'm so excited. It's sad that I really wanted another break. I love working with the kids but I've realized I love the vacations as well. Reminds me of the days I was a sahm. Life is so busy that I miss those sometimes. Of course, it's not like I'm not there for the kids because I work the same hours they are in school.

It dawned on me today that Lent is approaching and I'm going to be need to give something up. I think I'm going to give up my usual sweets/chocolate thing because it's so hard for me to make it those 40 days. So I know I'm doing the right thing. One would think that after a few years of giving the same thing up that I'd get used to it, but I'm not. I also need to get a menu together for Friday dinners. I really want to find some new veggie dishes.

Got the go ahead

I ran the vacation idea by Cody last night and he was all for it. Although, he was wanting Sea World as well. He made the comment that Branson was a much closer drive. Guess great minds think alike. Now, I did pick a package last night but I am going to see if I can find other packages and we'll go from there. I love to find the best deal I can.

I do love the hotel I picked out, but I was wanting something with a kitchen just because I really didn't want them to eat out everyday, all day. I can get a fridge in the room but that limits food. But, there is a waterpark at the hotel and the kids would love that. Guess I need to do a lot more research. It would be ideal to rent a cabin on Table Rock and then drive into Silver Dollar City.

Planning a vacation

I have decided that this year we are taking a real family vacation. Before we've taken an overnight trip to Tulsa. We go to the zoo and do a little shopping but this year I want more.

My original thought was Sea World in San Antonio. I know the kids would love this trip and I admit I just love Sea World. This sounds like a great trip, only one problem the drive there. I've been researching other vacation spots around us all day and I think Branson would be a great vacation for us. We can spend 4 days and 3 nights. We'd so Silver Dollar City for 2 days and then maybe some shopping on the 3rd day. The hotel I've picked out has an indoor/outdoor waterpark that would be free to hotel guests. We could do that our very first day there. Now, I just need to run the plans by Cody and then make the reservations. I'm really quite excited and I'm sure the kids will be as well. If this plan works out, then I really need to get my body in shape by then.

The words just won't form

I had it all "written" in my head yesterday and I couldn't jump on the computer last night, so it all went away. I know what I want to write, I just can't get it to form. So, I'm sitting here trying to think of something to write about since I haven't blogged in a few days.

This first week back after Christmas break has been a busy one in the kindergarten world. Report cards go home tomorrow, we've started a new nine weeks. My kids are making the adjustment. Rylie is good as always but Chase and Preslie are having a rough start. I think they've only had one day where they both were on green.

Gymnastics have started back this week as well. Rylie has been practicing a lot the past two weeks and her coach says it shows.

Imagination

My children have a great imagination. I'm sitting here in the living room, Cody playing a video game, listening to the kids play. They've taken all their covers, blankets and pillows and piled them in the living room against the bar. First it was a pile of leaves with ants crawling around and a golden leaf, then it was a mountain for them to stand on, now they've gone into a secret passage way with Wall-E in it.

On the rare chance that I let them take off the couch cushions, those soon become trains, horses and cars.

Now, Preslie is a puppy dog with Rylie trying to ride her back. Chase is bouncing off the wall and laying on top of the girls. Oh wait, the puppy is gone and now it's an airplane ride. Those kids jump from one thing to another so fast.

I could never imagine having just one child. Oh how boring that would be. I love to see the interaction between the kids. Of course yesterday was a day of fights. Chase and Preslie were fighting in the grocery store yesterday (we're talking hitting and yelling) and then it was Rylie and Preslie's turn. See a pattern here? But, I know they wouldn't trade any of it for anything in the world. It's the little moments that make me realize Cody and I are doing something right. Like this morning, we took them all out to breakfast at IHOP. Preslie is on one side of me and Chase on the other. One minute she is pestering the heck out of him and the next thing I know she wants kisses and he actually gave a kiss up. So sweet.

So, I'm sitting here

on the computer trying to figure out if I want to do another blog tonight. I've been really thinking about this one since yesterday afternoon. See, I did my blog yesterday and then I jumped in the shower. While I was "unavailable", my mom called and left me a teary voicemail. She was telling me what a wonderful, wise woman I was. How I was a great mother and how special I was.



Like I said, I've been thinking about this alot. I think there are things in my life (good and bad) that have made me the person I am today. These things have impacted decisions I've made. I don't look at my myself the same way my mom looks at me. I don't think I'm a bad person. In fact, for the most part I'm happy with myself as a whole. I guess what I'm saying is I'm not without flaws, of course none of us are. I see my flaws and here lately, way before yesterday, I've been thinking about them. One thing I mentioned to Cody is that I want to be a better person, better wife and better mother in 2009.



I think I'm selfish. Not where my husband or kids are concerned, because I always will make sure they have before I do. But, with other people or things. I don't put as much as I should in the collection tray at church. I guess you could say I feel I'm selfish with money. I love to have that extra little bit in the bank for the emergencies but I also know that God will provide for us. I sometimes have to remind myself of that. I do hide the chocolate from the kids, but I think that's a mommy thing. I look at it that I'm protecting their teeth and their bodies from all that yucky sugar. I think I'm selfish with my time. I love my time with my family and I don't like too many things to interrupt that.



I think I need to spend more time with my kids. I just rely in the fact that there are three of them and they love to play together. When they go into the backyard to play, I usually open up the window and doors and stay in the kitchen and clean. I need to put the cleaning away and go outside with them. They will only be this age once and I'll never get this time back. I want to do silly stuff, fun stuff with them. I think I've gotten away from doing that. I vow right now that I need to change that. I have great kids. Most of the time they love me (when they aren't in time out) and they tell me I'm a good mommy (except the times Preslie tells Cody that they need to look for a new mommy).



As for the better wife part, I need to find the time to actually go out on a date with my husband. It's been well over a year since we've done that. And even though we both feel we don't need that date, it sure would be nice to have that every so often. I need to remember sometimes that Cody works very hard for this family. He works hard so we can have what we have and if he wants a few extra mins on the computer then I need to realize he earned that. Of course, that takes me back to being selfish. If I can con him into somehow giving the kids the shower then I'll do it. I have a wonderful husband. The kind every woman dreams of having (just wish I could get him to take out the trash). I need to tell him more often that I'm proud of him. I can' imagine how hard it is to work to support your family and go to school at the same time.



So see, I do have my flaws. Although I don't think this is what my mom was talking about. She always tells me that she wasn't a good mother but if that was the case, then I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm not saying she doesn't have her flaws but she's a pretty great mom. I guess nobody is perfect.

My first child

I made a trip to Wal-mart this afternoon and as I'm walking across the parking lot I see a man pushing his two kids in the cart. He was standing on the bar on the bottom and pushing them really fast, and of course they are laughing. Then I heard it! Someone said to the mom, "looks like he's the bigger child here".

Of course I'm laughing at that, because it's the truth. Yes, I'm a mom to 3 children but I really have 4. Cody is just as big of a kid as the kids are. I think that's what makes him more fun. He loves to play his video games, play tackle with the kids, run all over the yard and climb on all the playground equipment. Heck, he's the one at the kids birthday parties that's putting on skates and skating with the kids.

I couldn't have asked for a better dad for my children.