Wednesday, September 30, 2009

My Score: F-

Update:
Thanks to those of you that left uplifting and supportive comments. Long and short of it: I was having a crappy day! Shortly after I posted this, I told the kids to put the school books away, put in a movie, play with your Barbies, do whatever you want to be happy! After all, that's one of the things I was looking forward to with home schooling--me being in control of how my kids spend the day.
As far as the other things, I didn't win the lottery or lose those pounds but.... life is good....





Right now, if I was to be graded in life, that's what my score would be.

The kids have been fighting constantly. With each other and with me as well.
Homeschooling was going great up until the last couple days. I am finding myself resenting the time that it takes. It's hard not to think about what I could be doing if my children were at public school for 6 hours of the day. Yes, I still feel like we made the right decision but when your 5th grader is in tears because he needs help with his History but you're too busy with the 1st grader and toddlers, who are screaming and hitting each other AGAIN, it's hard not be frustrated.

I hate how I look. I hate that my hair is so thin. And my face is so fat. And the rest of me too. I hate that I can't diet for a week and have it all melt off, I hate that it has to be so hard! I think back to when I was in high school and thought my body was horrible. Now? Now, I would trade in a heart beat.

I am tired of never having any money. It's a constant battle of picking and choosing which bills to pay, how much can we get by with as far as grocery money.
My husband works extremely hard and hates his job. I wish I could be more supportive and encourage him to go ahead and quit and find something else. But these days, we're lucky he has a job to hate.

All these things are making me feel like a failure. And,the troubling part is, that I could do things, small things to change. But I don't do them! And I'm not sure why.

I can't end this post on such a negative.
So, some positive:

  • with all his struggles, Jayce scored a 91% on his Unit History Assessment!
  • Josie got baptized on Sunday!
  • Jarrett's preschool teacher told me she loves having him in her class! I suspect she says that to all the parents, but right now, I'll take it.
Well, that's it for now. I'm off to see if I can score extra credit and bring my F- up to at least a C.

Friday, September 25, 2009

He's a Frugal Shopper, What Can I Say?

There was a commotion in our house tonight. Not unlike any other night.
This one was between Jarrett and Jeven. And it took place at the garbage can.
Jeven was attempting to throw something in the trash and Jarrett was not impressed with his brother's housekeeping skills.

"NO!! Jeven, that's mine!!"

"Jarrett, I throw it away."

"NO! It's mine! It's my paper!"

"I throw it away!"

"NOOOOOOOOO!!"

This last statement said so loud and high pitched that I think only our neighbor's dog truly heard it.
I decided it was time to interfere. (I'd like to say that I'm such an awesome parent that I let my kids handle their own disputes. It teaches them confrontation skills and listening techniques and so on but truly? I just didn't want to get my lazy bum off the couch!)

"What's going on? Jeven? What do you have? Let me see"

I unfold...drum roll please....

Pizza Hut coupons. A whole page.

Coupons. That is what had my 4 year old son in such a tizzy. And I say tizzy because I think it fits well here.

When asked why he was holding these coupons so dear, he said he likes to look at the pictures of pizza. And next time we go to the pizza place, he has money to buy the pizza. And sure enough, he opened his hand and he did have money! Two whole quarters!

I love being these kids' mom! Makes getting off the couch totally worth it.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Where Are My Followers?

Has anyone had their followers disappear?

I worked hard for my measly amount of followers and now they are gone!

They don't show up on my dashboard or on my blog page.

Come back,come back wherever you are!!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Leapin' Lizards!!

Awhile ago I posted about some of the other animals in our home.
We are still awaiting the hatching of the dragons. Meanwhile, my husband not being the patient kind, purchased a baby dragon. And I will deny this if asked but she's a cutie! Delta is her name.






Jayce made a cool discovery the other night, holding one of the geckos. Can you see it?
Clue: it makes me smile!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

My Third's First

Today was Jarrett's very first day of preschool! Even though it's MY third time having a first day of preschool (only one more to go!) it is still exciting.
And in typical Stayathomer kid fashion, Jarrett waved goodbye and was off to play with playdough and make new friends.
I have been lucky in that my kids are not shy. They are not afraid of new situations. Those parents that have to peel their child off so they can leave? Yeah, so not me.
(Or more annoying? Those parents that make a huge deal about leaving so that their kids WILL cry. Quit trying to make yourself feel better by making your kid cry.)

Anyways, Jarrett will be at the school for a couple hours Tues. and Thurs. And I will miss him but he will be having a blast.

When I came to pick him up today, I asked if he had fun and he said: "I want to sit in the shade."

I told him we'd get in the truck and turn on the a/c so he could get cooled off.

He started to cry and the teacher explained that when recess was over, he wanted to sit under the slide, in the shade. But, it was time to go in. He was not happy.

He cried all the way home about wanting to sit in the shade.

Josie, having just been to this same preschool 2 years ago, was able to ask him questions and distract him. She asked about certain toys and certain rules. Before we made it home, Jarrett was happy and can't wait to go back on Thurs.

I suggested maybe he sit in the shade BEFORE recess was over.


Outside the school.



There he goes!! Wait for mom!!


"Leave so I can play with this grape smelling playdough!"

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Grumpy

Last night's post is in deep contrast to my feelings tonight. I'm very grumpy. And I can't cop out and blame it on "woman's stuff". Darn.

Today was payday. Woohoo. I can remember actually being excited on paydays. Would go to the mall, go to the movies and have fun.
Now, it's spent before the days over. And, although I'm thankful for what we have, it's somewhat depressing to think about what we don't have.

This thinking gets me going in a downward spiral and soon my brain is clouded with the grumps.
My kids suffer. My husband suffers. The general population of our town suffers because, dude, you don't want to mess with me in the grocery store.

Most of the time, I can pick myself out of the grumps but sometimes, I just want to relish it for a tad.

So, I'm putting the kids to bed and running a hot bath. Don't even think about knocking on the door in the disguise of having to use the toilet. I know better. You went 5 minutes ago. You are just afraid I'm using your rubber duck and Lighting McQueen bubble bath. What can I say? It makes me feel better.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Thank the Lord

Sure, I thank Him everyday for the important things: spouse, kids, home and such.
But, I often forget to thank Him for the trivial things as well, which is important too.

So, I'm thankful for:

  • Home schooling is going much better. Way better.
  • I seem to have fixed my email problem. I wasn't receiving emails!
  • Friends that are willing to trade kids for regular date nights. When you have 4 kids, that's not an easy thing to come by.
  • Sunshine. Allowing my kids to run around outside for a few minutes a day.
  • Hand me downs that were given to us tonight. Hours after I cleaned out the boys' dresser and found they had exactly 2 pairs of jeans that fit! Two pairs of jeans for two boys? Wasn't going to work! ("Sorry, Jeven. Your brother is wearing the only clean pants today.")

Sometimes, I get so caught up in my day to day stuff that I don't notice the small blessings I receive daily. It's easy to concentrate on the fact that yes, I have a great spouse, wonderful children and a roof over my head. But, the little stuff is what can really way a person down. When I stop and say "thanks" for the little blessings, bigger blessings seem to have their way of showing up too.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Banished

I am blogging tonight from the confines of my bedroom. Me and my four kids have been banished to the "master suite". Which isn't very sweet. No matter how you spell it.

I've posted before about my relationship with my husband's grandparents here.


My husband has been wanting to watch the movie Gran Torino for some time. He invited Grandma and Grandpa over to see the movie as well.

So, here I sit in our room because:

1) the movie has to be turned up REALLY loud because Grandpa can't hear.
2) it has a lot of curse words that my kids don't need to hear. They heard enough this week from their mother during the first week of home schooling.
3) to let my kids loose would not allow anyone to watch the movie for they would be in their faces. Asking for gum.

We are watching a recorded episode of Wipeout. Normally our one family show we all watch. But being confined to a small room, they are finding it lacking.

We've had popcorn. We've had juice. We've jumped on the bed. But, they keep wanting to go out into the living room. Not because they want to see the movie. Or their dad. Or their grandparents. But, because they think it's hilarious that Grandma keeps falling asleep.

What I find hilarious is that I did catch something that Grandpa said as Judd was putting in the movie. "Is this a western?"

Evidently, Grandpa isn't aware that Clint Eastwood does other movies besides westerns.

I think I'm going to have to make my husband pay me drastically for this, eh?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

First Day



Homeschooling started today.

It went.....ok.

I'm trying to stay positive. I am exhausted. Turns out, homeschooling a 1st grader and a 5th grader, a preschooler and a toddler is hard. Huh. Who knew.

We are doing an online program and seeing as we have only one computer, there was much sitting around and waiting for the other child to get done with a lesson.

Josie's lessons are mostly done offline, but I was finding I needed to refer back to the online lesson plan. I see a trip to the store to get more ink for our printer in the near future.

Josie finished all but one lesson of today's plan. Jayce finished 2. Of 12. Oh well.

Like I said, I'm trying to stay positive. I know that it will get easier and faster. Please tell me that's true!

I did make them get dressed so I could take their pictures this morning. Josie had no problem getting dressed in new clothes but Jayce was less than thrilled.

Especially when I requested a picture of them together!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

30 Things

I have nothing to really post about but yet have the desire to post anyways. So, I copied a "note" I got on my facebook page.



1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
No

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coaster?
I try not to, otherwise, what's the point?!

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
it's been at least 20 yrs!

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
my first thought is alone but when my hubby is gone, i do miss him

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
I believe there are demons, angels, and spirits...

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
yes

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
YES!

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
Jennifer Aniston

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
not really!

10. Do you know how to play poker?
a little

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
i have 4 children. what do you think?

12. What's your favorite commercial?
it's a cell phone commercial. a guy is washing his hands in the rest room and he starts rapping this song,
making hip hop motions with his arms, looking at himself in the mirror. another man walks in and the guy goes back to acting totally normal. i laugh every time.

13. Who was your first love?
if we're talking grade school: dave drago. if we're talking real life: that would be my husband! he was my first. and only.

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?
I would probably stop first, but if I was certain no one else was around, then I would continue on...

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
Yes

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
who are they? just kidding. i don't have any idea...

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
yes

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
some times.

19. What's the one thing on your mind?
i have a lot to do today!

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?
99% of the time

21. What talent do you wish you had?
always say the right thing

22. Do you like Sushi?
never had it. never want to have it.

23. What do you wear to bed?
a tshirt

24. Do you truly hate anyone?
the devil!

25. If you could kiss one famous person, who would it be?
i don't think i could, i would be giggling too much...


26. Do you know anyone in jail?
not that i know of

27. What food do you find disgusting?
onions

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
of course, i was in high school once. i don't do it now though. i do it to their face!

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?
nope. but my husband threatens me all the time. as i do him.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?
Yes, I believe in both as the Bible tells us there are both.


I enjoy these silly-little-junior-high survey things. If you do as well, feel free to copy and post on your own blog. You can even use my answers if you want but why would you? They are pretty boring.