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.