This and That

So, yesterday Joseph was going to try out for boys volleyball. I took him to the doctor for the sports physical and filled out all the paperwork. Yesterday was the girls' school's first PTO meeting, of which I needed to get ready for since I'm the vice president. I asked Joseph to take the activity bus home or call my cell phone. They kids are not allowed to use the front office phone at his school, but really there has to be a phone he could have used. He decides to not try out because I won't be able to sit in the parking lot for who knows how long so he has a ride, this seems very stupid to me, whatever, I was glad he wanted to try out, but I was really worried about him making the team and me being spread too thin with all the other after school stuff, driving the kids here and there, I didn't know how I could always put in pratices and games, that I would want to go to, but then what would leave my 6 year old at dance by herself? I think not. Joseph also scratched his eye yesterday by leaving a torn contact in his eye, so he was only seeing out of the left, so he might not have made the team anyway, but I feel bad anyway. The PTO meeting went really well last night, we had 24 parents, 5 teachers and the principle. That's a huge amount of participation for our school, so we were pretty happy about it. We accoplished a lot and finished within the hour, like we wanted to, short and to the point, unlike meetings in the past. Today I was able to go to the district luncheon and got lots of info to take back to school, some I don't understand, some I already knew, some was interesting and of course some was boring. After the luncheon I headed back to school for the fall fundraiser kick off. Then I did some banking for school and shopping for the PTO. I like the shopping part. Now my headache that I was getting at the luncheon which was getting better, is now bad enough to take something for it. I usually wait until they are really bad, now it is, UGH!

Whew

Busy weekend. I never get it, that some weekends are packed with things and others are boring. Friday night we went to celebrate my 8 year old nephew's birthday. Saturday the girls played with friends all day, then we went to a family from church's house where the Mom and youngest daughter went on a 5 week dance trip to China. We ate some pretty strange real Chinese food, some of it was good, some of it was just to odd to try. I probably wouldn't do well in China. It was fun hearing about their trip and looking through pictures and watching the DVDs. Saturday night I couldn't sleep, I laid awake most of the night, we didn't go to church on Sunday, I was too tired to get up, and I knew I'd sleep through most of the service anyway. Pat could have taken the kids, but because I didn't get up he went back to bed too. Sunday afternoon we celebrated my sister's birthday, my 21 year old nieces and my 18 year old nephew's. Joseph and Rachel spent the night at my sister's. Sarah liked being an only child for a little while. I took her to see Material Girls at the movies on Monday, then we did a little shopping, and went out to lunch. I was tired when we got home, I didn't feel up to doing anything, I holed myself in my room and read all afternoon and evening.

Doctor News

I got the results back from my doctor and the 24 urine test came back normal. Part of my is relieved, because there's no way I want to go through that surgery again, but the other part just wanted to know what's wrong with me, so I can stop this consent sweating thing. The office is sending me a list of endroconolgists and he/she will do the follow up to this problem, so it's back to waiting again :( My GYN office called and scheduled my ablation, she still needed to finish up with the insurance to see how much they will cover, but in the mean time, we have it scheduled for September 14th, that day should have been my baby brother's 35 birthday, so it will be good to be drugged that day.

Don't mess with me...

When I am sick. OK, so I'm sick a lot, but when I've thrown up and my throat is burning and my chest hurts, then don't mess with me. I mistakenly had Joseph scheduled at the eye doctor for the same time as Rachel's dance class. I dropped him off, then took her, wait until she goes in, thinking I'll be right back, but no. There is a Mom there with her 5 children (oldest was 8 and the youngest 2 1/2) They've been there for awhile and are getting really bored and are driving me crazy. There are all new girls in the office and they don't know how to use the computer very well. It took forever to get out of the office and the doctor only saw Joseph for 5 minutes. I stop and get Subway for dinner, so Sarah can eat before her dance classes. I bring Rachel home, and Joseph ate my sub. He wanted a pastrami, I got the rest of us, what the Monday deal sub was. I do not like pastrami and I don't think it would do well with my heart burn and tummy. I finally lost it, enough that Pat went and got me a new sub.

Joseph's New Pet

Pat took him over to my friend's house this afternoon, and got his new pet. It's pretty small still, I did go look at it once, but I won't be hanging out in Joseph's room much, even though it's in a tank with a lid, it's just kinda creepy. Joseph is so excited with it though, so hopefully he'll take good care of his corn snake named Arizona Indiana Jones. YUCK!

I am such a klutz

I've fallen again and again and yet again. I tripped on one of the teacher's big feet when I was serving lunch before school started. He saw me Friday morning and asked me how I was, ( I didn't get hurt on that fall). Friday afternoon, a kid was swinging his back back, and swung it right at me causing me to fall. I'm pretty sure my big toe is broken, it hurts really bad, it swollen and very bruised. Today, I'm walking across the parking lot at Micheal's, I trip on my shoes, bam right on my right knee, it tore right though a new pair of capri's I had on, and broke the skin on my knee. This has got to stop.

It seems like Christmas

Ok, maybe that's a bit of a strech, but not much if you see all the gifts I wrapped this afternoon. Which include all these birthdays- my FIL, 2 nephews, my sister, 2 nieces and my MIL, oh, and a gift for Rachel's friend, who's party is tomorrow. I had all the kids gifts already, but I had to go shopping today, because I knew Khols and Mervens were have huge sales. I saved a lot of money, yeah me.

A Blessing

I have not signed up for my church's women's retreat yet. I have been waiting until Pat gets paid and it will be a strech this week, closer than any other week, but I am planning on signing up this Sunday. One of the ladies in charge of the retreat asked me help with something. I thought it was funny that she would ask me, even before I signed up. When I told her why I haven't signed up yet, she said if I pay the $50, deposit, the rest will be covered! I cried and thanked God when I got off the phone.

New Rule

Right after school, almost the minute we walk in the door, one or both neighbor girls are knocking on the door. We have a rule that homework gets done right after school, with them coming over, it just doesn't work, so I finally got smart and said they could only come in if they brought their homework to do, otherwise they would have to come back. Well, today they brought their homework, it was way easier keeping my kids on track, it was a little complicated for me with three different spelling lists to practice, but we got it all done, and it way more peaceful when they all had something to do. I had a hard time helping the 2nd grader with a worksheet she had, she had to come up with long vowels words, with the vowels beside one another. "U" was way hard, we had to get the dictionary out to help us find a word.

Frustrations

Why is it some morning, go so smoothly with the kids getting off to school and other days, I just want to crawel back in bed and cover up my head! I should have known that this morning was going to be a rough start when I woke up with just having dreamt that I was fighting with the girls on what to wear to school. (even though I put out their clothes the night before you think I wouldn't have a problem) Rachel woke up on the wrong side of the bed, she was VERY difficuly this morning. (she had a good night's sleep) I was so thankful to drop the girls off at school on time (I had my doubts). Then I get home and remember that in all the war with Rachel, I forgot to have Sarah take her medicine, UGH! I called the GYN yesterday, because it had been a week since my ultrasound and I haven't heard anything. He finally calls me back late yesterday afternoon. Then he calls me back with another question, but I didn't hear my cell phone ring , when I had Joseph at the eye doctor's, so I called this morning and am waiting once again to hear from him, and left a message with the information he wanted, so now he needs to wait until my heart doctor calls him back UGH! I have been sweating like crazy, even moree than normal, so I had my regular doctor order a blood and 24 hour urine test, I did the collection of urine yesterday, and had the blood drawn today, as I was sitting in the lab, my BIL walled in, to have blood drawn too, so it wasn't that bad of a wait (30 minutes) since I had someone to talk to. I have really bad veins, she couldn't find one in either arm, so she tries my hand, and she finally finds one but it's iffy. She calls someone else in to look, she doesn't find anything better, I hate it when they use my hand to draw blood, it hurts, so bad. I haven't felt like doing much today, I feel bored, even though there's plenty of cleaning and orgainzing I could do, but I just don't feel like it. I did force myself into cleaning the bathrooms, mopping and vacuuming, and I making a cake for our bible study group tonight, I have a 5 books to read, I just don't even feel like reading, I'm just feeling blah!

Contacts

After an hour and fifteen minutes, Joseph was able to put in contacts, take them out and put them in again. The doctor just ordered a trial pair to see if he likes them and if he can see well with them. I'll have to take him back on Monday for a follow up. I was sitting in the waiting room waiting and reading, so very glad the girls went to a neighbor's house, while I took him. The waiting area is tiny and very boring, we all would have been miserable. I hope it doesn't take him long to put them in tomorrow.

Found!

Sarah has found her glasses! In her room, I didn't understand the details, I had fallen asleep on the love seat reading, waiting for the girls to clean their room (so I wasn't that coherent). I hope she still knows where they are on Monday when she goes back to school.

Making Me Angry

So, before school started Joseph decided he wanted a backpack for school, even though he didn't use one much last year, so I wasn't planning on getting him a new one. He told me the zipper is broken from last year's. He begs, I give in, and take him shopping he picks it out himself. On the first day of school, we find out that the kids will not have lockers this year at Desert Sky, so it was good he got a backpack. Well, most of the week he has not taken it. Today he asks me to get him another pack. The one he picked out is one shouldered and now that he won't have a locker and have to carry the thing around he wants a normal one. He's going to have to beg Pat now, I'm done with this whole backpack thing. The calves of my legs are crampy and hurt, (charlie horse) so I'm not in the best of moods anyway.

Open House

Last night was the girls' open house. I was able to talk to Sarah's teacher about her needing to go to use the bathroom, every 2 hours, and that she can't find her glasses, (he moved her closer to the board). I'm just not ready to give up on finding them yet, that's why I haven't ordered new ones yet. I know she had them last weekend, I have no idea where she put them. Rachel's teacher is a sweety, I've loved her for a long time. The PTO had a table and I worked for a while at the table, we had a raffle and gave kids otter pops, for turning in their raffle ticket. (we drew the winners this morning during morning announcements.) We sold our new Sunrise T-shirts and did very well. I made a nice deposit today of the money we made. Joseph's open house isn't until Set. 14th, it would be good to put faces the his teachers names.

What to do?

Now that the kids are at school all day and I'm home alone, I'm thinking I should do some of the weekend chores all week long and not do anything on Saturdays. But should I really do this? Should I leave stuff for the kids to do on Saturdays? I'm kinda torn, if I do everything, is that really the way to go? I hate cleaning, and laundry and I am really not that good at it, because I don't enjoy it. then I think back to why I don't like to clean, and maybe because I had to clean growing up, and it felt like I wasted my whole day on Saturday helping my Mom. But she would "rest" in between jobs and it took all day. I like to do it all and get it over with already.

This morning....

was far from the relaxing morning of yesterday. Both girls did not want to get up, they were too tired. Then Joseph ate all the poptarts, so they were mad. Then there were no socks in their drawer. Why I have no idea, other than they put them in the wrong drawer and now can't find them. We bought lots of socks before started and should not be out on the second day! I did laundry this afternoon, and didn't wash one pair of socks, (and Sarah wore a pair yesterday, so where did those go?) all the socks have to be somewhere? I bought an extra package of socks for emergencies, but I was really hoping I wouldn't have to use them on the second day of school! I had my ultrasound done this morning, hopefully I'll hear tomorrow from the doctor. Since I had an appointment at 1 for my blood check, which is in the building next door, I didn't want to drive all the way home, so I had lunch, and then went to Dollar Tree to kill time. It's really hard not to spend a lot of money at dollar stores, because you figure it's only a dollar! I forced myself to stop at 28 things, but could have easily gotten 28 more, because it's only a dollar!

Opps! (updated)

Maybe the morning didn't go as well as I thought. I was just sitting here, scrapbooking the first day pictures and I thought, Sarah does not have on her glasses, I wonder if she took them? Maybe she did, I didn't see them up on the cabinet or in the bathroom, but of course that doesn't mean much! The glasses have been around all Summer, but now that she needs them for school, do you think we could find them? NO! OF COURSE NOT!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!

They're Off!

I had my doubts last night when none of them would go to sleep. It was like 10:30, before I think they were all asleep. Joseph got up on his own (with his alarm clock) Sarah woke up before 7. Rachel I had to wake at 7:30. We had a relaxing morning getting ready for school, which really translates no fighting. I drove the girls to school, but couldn't get a parking spot anywhere :( I had to just drop them off :( I went home for 15 minutes and then went back to school to greet the kindergarten parents from the PTO, no problem with parking then.

Dance shoes, UGH

Dance starts tomorrow afternoon. I had the girls try on their dance shoes today instead of waiting until we're at dance tomorrow and nothing fits. Rachel's ballet shoes are a size 1 and tight. I had her try on Sarah's size one's that she wore last year and there to big :( She wanted to go shopping and get another pair of shoes, but what size to get? A size 1?, That doesn't even make sense. She'll have to wear the tight ones for awhile without socks. Rachel's tap shoes were a size 13 and she couldn't get them on, I dug out Sarah's old pair of size 1's and they fit well. Then she tries on Sarah's old pair of size 1 jazz shoes and they're a big, but fit OK with socks. Why is there such a difference in shoe brands in the same size? UGH!

Crack up

Tonight my friend Trisha came over to scrapbook, I was really to tired for this, but I wasn't thinking very clearly, when I planned it. Pat took our kids and Trisha's 7 year old daughter to see Barnyard. Trisha and I are hard at work with no kids running around and she says something about the TV show Numbers is on tonight, so I say Pat's really kinda into that show. She's telling me about it, and I'm thinking that does not sound like what he has disribed about the show, then it dawns on me that he doesn't watch Numbers he watched 24! Trisha says, well, yes 24 is a number, we laughed so hard! I was close :) proof of how tired I am.

Yea!

The teachers/staff lunch at the girls' school was today (I've been helping plan it). it went really well, and all the teachers except the 2 PE coaches loved the gift cards to teaching tools. I guess last year PTO president had already stocked them with ribbons and things. Bummer. Rachel's teacher is happy to have Rachel in her classroom. Which is the same room that Sarah had in first grade but a different teacher. Now we can get ready for the first day of school. I'll be busy most of the day at school on Monday, setting up the PTO phone and desk, and kindergarten orientation.

Indoor mini golf

Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

The winner!
A fun afternoon. Rachel and Sarah were a little cranky, because they were having a difficult time. Sarah really got mad when Rachel got better then her.
We stopped and got an early dinner on the way home too.
So for me it's been a great day!
No cooking or cleaning, Yea!

Teachers

This morning at school, I overheard that you can check to see who your kids teachers are online with power schools. I was able to look to see who Sarah will have for 4th grade (the teacher she wanted, she'll be happy). I don't have Rachel's users name or password, since I never picked it up from the office last year, so I'll have to see if I can talk them out of it, I figured at the time what's the point looking at Rachel's grades online, since the don't really use the same grading system as the upper grades, and I saw her teacher every week, and knew how she was doing, now I really wished I would have gotten it anyway :( Joseph got his schuedule yesterday and he was happy to see that he got a different math teacher from last year. (he had 3 last year, 2 were 8th grade teachers)

Frustrations

Friday afternoon, I took a nap in the afternoon and woke up feeling so sick. Joseph had made himself 2 hamburgers and the smell, was horrid. I totally though I was going to throw up. I felt gross for hours. This morning at church at the leadership meeting, my right eye felt irritated, and I couldn't see out of it, why? There was a big slash through my contact. I took it out and then had to keep it closed so I could see out the left eye, which then of course gave me a headache. We got home and I went to bed, to sleep off the headache, I guess I was tired, because I slept for 2 and a half hours, the headache is gone, even though I wasted most of the day.

School lunches

I hate packing lunches, I hate worse having the kids buy the school lunches and then only eat a little of it. I've read so many articles with some great ideas for lunches, but really, I need stuff I know the girls will eat. I was counting done the last few weeks of school last year, by how many lunches I would need to pack, it was so frustrating, I couldn't wait until the last day of school. I went to Costco tonight and came home with some stuff I hope I can get them to eat, fruit cups, yogurt, pudding, teddy grahams. Joseph was easy when it came to packing his lunch, I could pack the same thing all school year he didn't care, (but I used to pack apples in his lunch when he was in 1st and 2nd grade, & he used to throw those out, I found that out by having lunch with him one day, I was so mad at him, for wasting the food, he could have told me he never eats it and I'd stop packing one it took me a long time to figure it out) I think I'm going to be challenged by the girls, aahhhhh!

Ablation

I met with Dr. Kyman today, he did an exam and scheduled an ultrasound, not until the 15th :( Then will schedule the procedure. I'm praying the insurance company will pay. I am so done with this messed up cycle stuff.

opps~

It's been bugging me lately that doctor offices are doing a poor job of confirming appointments as of late. I have been confirming myself, but this morning just decided to go to my mamagram appointment. Only you know what? It's on Thursday. I know when I scheduled it and the appointment with another GYN about having the ablation done, they couldn't do the same day, so the girl wrote my appointments down, but then scheduled them for the same day. Either she told me and I didn't get it, because I was talking to the nurse about something else or didn't tell me, I'm not going to be mad, but what a waste of time this morning, I should have called. UGH. I woke up with a stiff neck too, and driving was really painful. Double UGH.

So Exhausted!

A fun birthday, I left the house at 1 and didn't come back until right before my party. I sent over to Sheer Paradise for a few spa treatments. I had a facial, massage, and pedicure. It was a fun way to spend a few relaxing hours on my birthday. My Mother-in-law made some BBQ shredded chicken, there were snacks galore, and my sister-in-law brought me the cake I wanted, chocolate with chocolate filling and cream cheese frosting, yummy. After cake and opening my many wonderful gifts, we played games. I love playing games with big groups. The party didn't end till really late, like midnightish, I was so tired, but it took a long time to fall asleep, it was so tough getting up this morning at 7:30 for church. It was even tougher staying awake at church during the message! LOL The kids let me lay down this afternoon for several hours, I feel much better now, hopefully now I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Things about me on my 40th birthday!

Lots of things about me on my 40th birthday! I tried to do 40, but went a little bit over~ * My big sister had prayed for a baby sister, when she was in 2nd grade. * I was a preemie weighing in at at 4 Lbs. * I had to stay in the hospital for weeks after my birth. * My brother broke my leg getting me out of my crib when I was 9 months old. * I had an open heart catherization in January 1968. * I grew up in Clearfield, PA. * When I was 3, my older brother prayed for a baby brother. * My baby brother was born in September 1970. * My parents said no more prayers for babies. * I remember going to work with my Dad when the baby was born. * The next day I went to my Mom's friend's house instead. * I went to half day kindergarten in the afternoon for half the school year, then morning. * I started taking dance classes when I was 5, oh how I loved to dance. * In first grade I had to get glasses. I had to bring a note home to my parents that I failed the eye test in school, I cried all the way home, I hated that I had failed something. * I had a another catherization done when I was 11, I was in the hospital for a week. * I had to walk to school 1st through 8th grade. * I started taking baton lessons at about at 8. * I was a majorette in 8th through 12th grade. * My Dad died of heart and lung failure when I was 15. * I thought it was cool to get to finally ride a bus in high school, until I got my license then it was way cooler to drive everyday. * McDonald's was my first job. * Graduated high school in 1984 * Moved to Arizona after graduation. * Worked at McDonald's then Jack in the Box * Moved out of my Mother's house and got an apartment on my own when I was 22. * My baby brother died May 30th 1990 * Started to attend this weird church Hosanna Christian Fellowship in September 1990 * Met my future husband November 2000, I didn't have great first thoughts about him, too tall, all arms and legs, and I hated that he worked at Smitty's since that were my brother had worked. * Became very good friends with him anyway. * My sister and Frank another close friend gave me a surprise 25th birthday party, with all my friend's from the weird church LOL, the church wasn't so weird after all! * October 2001, I was having some money problems, Pat lent me some money. * November 9, 1991 Pat first kissed me outside of Frank's house.. * Pat asked me to marry him on January 9, 1992. * We were married on June 20, 1992 at Hosanna Christian Fellowship. * We honeymooned in Sedona. * Our first child, Joseph was born on March 25, 1993. * I stopped working at Jack in the Box when our son was 1, I had several jobs in a few months but then ended up at Drug Emporium for almost a year, before being laid off. * I was out of work for 6 weeks, before I started to work at Macy's customer service. * Then I transferred to accounts payable, and worked a specialty department for setting up computerized invoices. * I found out I was pregnant with our second baby in June 1996. * I left Macy's to start a child care business at home in June 1996 * Sarah was born January 30, 1997. * I had surgery in July 1998, to remove a lemon sized tumor near my adrenal glands. After the surgery pain felt worse than any contraction ever did. * My 32nd birthday was not much fun. * After trying for 2 years to get pregnant again following Sarah's birth, we went to a fertility doctor. He gave me Clomid to try. * I got pregnant! * November 1999, I became the children's director at Hosanna Community Church. * Rachel was born by C-section on February 5, 2000. I nearly died after her birth, it was pretty scary. * My Mom had a stoke in March 2000, followed by a heart attack in July 2000. * She had by-pass surgery in July 2000, she never recovered, she died on August 28. 2000. * Rachel's first year of life seemed to go by with out me noticing it much, oh how I wish I could get that time back. * April 2001, I found out that my heart aneurysm needed to be repaired, it was large now. I freaked out, and felt like a time bomb, because if I didn't have the surgery soon enough, it could have killed me instantly. * July 2001, Pat. My sister and I flew to Houston for my surgery. My in-laws met us there. * After the surgery I was in the hospital for 9 days. Pat and I left the hospital and went directly to the airport, it was a very hard trip home. * The recovery took months, at first I couldn't even sleep in my bed, and slept sleeping in my in-laws borrowed recliner. * My 35th birthday was not much fun. * January 2002, Hosanna closed it doors. * April 2002 we started attending Desert Breeze Community Church. * Spring of 2003 Pat and I started leading a life group. * Every birthday since my 35th we've gone away on vacation, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Universal Studios, Disneyland. * This year I want a party at home. * I'm leaving for the day and will be doing some things I've never done, pampering myself, (facial, pedicure, massage) and letting Pat and the kids get the house ready for the party.

I hate car stuff! (update)

My car did not start this morning as I was leaving to take the girls to VBS, UGH!!!!!!! Pat was home, so I took his car, then dropped off a Fed Ex package, went to the foot doctor and post office. He has to work at 11, so he doesn't have time to look at the battery now, so I'll be staying home the rest of the day, UGH!!!!! Pat put some kind of gel on the battery and the car works again, Thank goodness! I hate being carless.

What a weekend~

Sarah and I had a ate lunch/early dinner at Wildflower Bread Co. Then the afternoon's rain adventure, (see previous) Sarah and I came home to watch, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Pat took the other two to see Superman Returns. Pat and I watched In Her Shoes. Saturday, was so hot, I didn't want to leave the house, but had to drop off and pick up Joseph at a scout's house. I grilled some baby back ribs for dinner, I should have gotten more they were a big hit. After showers we all sat down and watched Cheaper by the Dozen 2, then we played Guesstures, man is that a hard game. Sarah and I lost to Pat and Joseph. Pat was off on Sunday, the first one in awhile, and we only had to go to 1 church service! After lunch and resting a little, Pat and I went to see The Devil Wears Prada, when we went out to the car afterwards, the car battery was dead. I called the kids, at home to look up the number for AAA, I had my cell phone, but not my wallet. I went back inside the theater, while Pat waiting for AAA to come. The battery was really, really dead, but they did get it started, Pat came to get me, and we went to Checker's the battery was under warranty until 8-15, so oh yeah, it didn't cost anything. Tried playing Guestures again, we had a tie game, and it wan't 0-0, it was 6-6, but it's still a hard game.

she's having soo much fun!

she's having soo much fun!
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

JOY!

cannon ball

cannon ball
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

We've been going to Paradise Valley pool this week, the girls LOVE the diving boards!

It Rained!

Not a big deal to most of the world, but when you live in the desert, it's a big deal. It even rained longer than 5 seconds! Sarah and I were at target and we could hear the thunder outside in the store, and the lights even flickered (I prayed the power would not go out, God heard me). It was funny watching people just staring out the glass doors, like it was the first snow fall or something! Oh, how I remember doing that growing up in PA. It might be raining still up north a little bit (like 3 miles, the sky is still dark in that direction), but the closer we got to home, it was getting less and less, then just stopped. It didn't look like we got much rain in our neighborhood, it was fun while it lasted though. LOL

owwww

Something is wrong with my shower, I started the water then got ready to take a shower, when I stepped inside, the water temp. was boiling hot, I scream but of course none of the kids come to check on me, luckily I got the blasted thing off. I turn the handle thing all the way to the farthest cold place, and turn the water back on, that did not help at all! So, I scream again (why I have know idea, since no one is going to check on me anyway, but it makes me feel better). I manage to get the water off again and go take a shower in the hall bathroom, which works just fine. What's the stupid deal?

Misc.

Last night Joseph came home from scouts to tell me that he was elected by his troop to be the senior patrol leader. He's pretty excited, it's the highest office for a boy in the troop. He said they held elections at camp, but Matt the scout leader didn't tell the boys until last night. I'm hoping it will be a good thing for him, and hopefully he'll take the responsibility seriously. Rachel is so hard on herself, today at VBS she got so mad at herself because she wasn't doing the hand motions excaitally right. Yesterday she was so mad, because she was having a hard time with the book she was reading. She did read already today and she did great, and she feels good, about being done already, so we can go to the pool.

Today's doctor

I saw my GYN today, since my cycles have been messed up for the last 7 months, it's time to due something. Funny thing is that he suggested endometrial ablation, I had tried to get this done right before this craziness started with my cycle. He doesn't do the surgery, (he said he's too old) so I have an appointment with one of his partners in 2 weeks. I am hoping the insurance will now pay for it. The doctor also gave me some birth control pills to try to get my cycles normalized. It would so help my hormonal self to know when I'll be getting a period and not surprises. He also ordered a mamorgram for me, since when I tried to schedule that for today, the office wouldn't schedule it, since I had my annual pap smear at my regular doctor's office. Of course that's on a different day than I see the other doctor too. UGH

It's hot, and other random thoughts

The temperature thing on a building on Pinnacle Peak at 1 PM said 116, that's mighty hot. I felt yucky hot all morning. The AC in the hall way where the toddlers play at church was so stuffy hot, I sat mostly in front of the fan the whole time I was serving this morning, did the lesson, snack and craft from there too, let Pat and Joseph to run after the kiddies. There was only 5, so it was a really calm morning. For some reason, the enter key doesn't work on this blog, so I have no way to go to the next thought :( My heel is better, the cortisone really seemed to have worked, yea! I felt yucky on Friday, it felt like I had heart burn, we didn't do anything, I did leave around 6, by myself and went to my friend Trica's and scrapbooked for a few hours, I didn't feel much like eating, I had gotten a salad a McDonald's on the way and we split it (I gave her all the stuff I don't like), the peas and red peppers and gave her some of the good stuff too, the chicken and oranges. Yesterday morning Joseph had a scout thing to go to, that was suppose to be 2 hours, but I guess it was really about 2 minutes, he went with his asst. scout master and I was going to pick him up, he tried calling me, but Pat was downloading something on the internet and Joseph couldn't get through. The A.S.M. brought him home, opps. I did laundry and went to the grocery store. I didn't have many groceries to get, but wanted to start school supply shopping, with stuff that was on sale, and I had coupons for. I saved over 50% on my total bill. Last night the kids and I went to my cousin Joe's house, my cousin Mike had brought over the slides from Hawaii, of my cousin Bill's memorial service. They were neat, half of his ashes were spinkled in the ocean, a bunch of people paddled out with their surf boards, had a huge circle of prayer, Mike sprinkled the ashes, everyone left leihs out in the ocean and they surfed back to the beach. The other half of his ashes were laid in a military cementary. Now, today I haven't done anything more exciting than taken a nap, since we've been home from church, it's too hot!

monkey 2

monkey 2
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

My Monkey girls!
Rock climbing was today church kids activity. Sarah had no trouble at all, with any of the walls. Rachel was a little nervous at first, but then was a pro!

monkey 1

monkey 1
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

Dangers of teaching children things

1. They then think they know everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2. They can read what you type on your blog/diary. (translation don't write anything about them you don't want them to read) 3. They know when it's really time for bed. (translation can't put them to bed early).

Doctor and Doctor

Fun, fun, fun. NOT! Had an echo done this morning, (I hate trying to lay in a way that the tech can get a good angle of my heart, but leaves me feeling all twisted) followed by a visit with the doctor, who said everything looks about the same as last year (cardiomyopthy and heart valve). I have been having a few episodes of shortness of breath and light headedness, he says that's due to the heat and to be careful, oh brother! I made it in time to see the foot doctor, who did x-rays, and could tell by the x-ray how badly my heel is inflamed. She suggested to try cortisone shots to see if that helps. So, she gave me my first shot and I'll go back in two weeks to either get another, or tell her it didn't work. I'm supposed to not walk much on it today. Maybe after a nap, (Pat's alarm went off at 5:30, but he wasn't in bed, so I had to go find him, of course that woke me right up) I'll start reading my new book.

So, tired!

I am so tired now, I did pretty well, all day being alert and a good hostess, but now I want to crash. I stayed up till 1 AM last night reading, I love to read but sometimes I really hate it. I am so terrible and that if something is good, I can't put it down until I've read it all. Luckily the book last night only had 244 pages! Today was an all day scrapbook day. 4 ladies came, no one for the whole time, everyone stayed for a few hours. I didn't do much scrapbooking for myself, helped someone who was getting started, which was way more fun.

Ouch-update

I can't seem to put my left foot down on my heel, yet today. It really started last night when I went to bed. I was fine last night walking from the parking lot to the football field for the fireworks, and back to the car again, which I was totally surprised by. But I guess I'm now paying for it. I need to wear these shoe inserts, but I have to wear closed heel shoes to do that. (I'm really just hoping this helps, years ago when Joseph was a baby I had the same problem, and a foot doctor modeled my feet and made the inserts) It is just too hot to put on socks and sneakers. I just haven't gone to a foot doctor yet, I'm afraid she's going to tell me I have to wear ugly shoes. But now today I'm reconsidering. So, I call the doctor I saw a few moths ago about another issue I was having with my foot, (she was really nice and the office is close by, so I won't change) so anyway it takes me this long to get up enough nerve to call and the office was closed today. UGH! Now I have to get my nerve up again tomorrow to call. The heel is still not feeling so good, it's so not fun limping around.

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun day, Pat had to work, but the kids and I slept in really late. Then we just hung out all day, until Pat got home from work. Then I grilled some hot dogs while Pat got everything else ready, we met, my FIL, and BIL and family at GCC. They kids had a great time running around. Check out some pictures on flickr of our day.

Scout Camp

Joseph left yesterday morning to back up to his camp. He was to go on Thursday afternoon, but his ride had car trouble. He was crying Thursday night when he went to bed, he was so upset that he had gotten hurt, and was missing camp. I offered to take him back, but he didn't want me to, he was just upset and not thinking clearly. Friday morning his asst. Scout master called and was going up to camp later in the morning (she had to work all week and couldn't stay at camp for the week). He says NO. I'm like "what?" I tried talking to him about it, but wasn't getting anywhere with him. So I left him alone to think about it and went and prayed for him. 10 minutes later I hear him on the phone saying he's going. The boys got back an hour ago and he was glad he went! He did say his knee was hurting a lot, probably from walking standing on it too much. I'm happy he went.

The Knee

I just got back from the doctor with Joseph. His knee is better it is still sore and a little swollen, but with the knee brace he can walk on it without as much pain as it was. The doctor told him he could go back up to camp, and come back in a week to have it rechecked. I am totally nervous about letting him go back, but I have to trust him, he knows what camp is like, and doesn't see it as a problem. Another Mom is going this afternoon after she gets off work and she'll take him. So really he'll only have tonight, all day tomorrow, and then Saturday morning. Please pray for him that he doesn't get hurt again, and for me not to worry to much.

Body parts are back

I'm not missing any body parts tonight (this morning) as all my children are back under my roof. Why are they all back? Well, Joseph had an accident at camp, the camp doctor called me tonight at 6 PM . He fell and hit his knee good, and the doctor at camp thought it should be x-rayed tonight. Luckily one of the Mom's that was up at camp for a few days was coming home tonight, so she brought Joseph with her. Off to the ER we went, we signed in at 10:05, but didn't get called back until 12:30. (there was an emergency) They did x-rays and it looks like nothing is broken, but we'll have to follow up with his doctor in a few days. They put a brace on his lag, so he won't bend it, and he couldn't put pressure on his leg so he has cruches too. I feel so badly for him, he loves camp, if he has a miracle healing he can go back up in a few days, but really don't think that will happen.

Missing limbs

I know it's just the beginning of being home when your kids are sleeping elsewhere, and even though Pat and I have gone away without them, it still feels mighty strange, when there not all sleeping under our roof. Joseph's at camp, Sarah spent the night with a friend on Saturday night, and Rachel is spending 2 days with my sister. (who is alone this week too, and doesn't like to be alone at night) It feels like I'm missing an arm and leg

Off he went again!

I dropped Joseph off this morning at the school his scout troupe meets at, for another fun week for him at camp. I pull into the parking lot and he says, "bye Mommy". I'm like thinking maybe you should take all your stuff out of the car before you shove me on my way. I guess he was excited to go to camp. My brother-in-law Will drove up some of the boys' stuff in his truck, he called my sister at 11ish, so I know they made it there OK.

I'm so tired~

I had been taken this allergy medince for awhile, it worked great, but I was so tired all the time. I switched to taking it at night, (the doctor's suggestion) I was hoping that would help, it didn't. So I decided to really test if it was the med. or something else before I call the doctor's office again. So I stopped taking it on Sunday, it took a few days, but then started feeling less tired. But last night I had to take it, my nose had been dripping all day, and my throat felt all closed up. Today I am tired again, how come it took a few days to leave my system, but one dose knocked me out again? I'll be calling the doctor on Monday. UGH!

Us now (really 7 months ago)

Us now (really 7 months ago)
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

From just the 2 of us, to the 5 of us! :)

Our Wedding

Our Wedding
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

They way we were....

14 years ago...

Pat and I were married. Like all married couples we have our share of ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade our life together for anything. When I first met Pat in November 1990, I was hurting from my brother's death, and all I saw in him was this guy who appeared to be all all arms and legs, and I couldn't stand it that he worked at Smitty's (my brother had worked at Smitty's when he died, but not the same one). I thought I'd never get to know him. Well we did, and over the next few months we started to get to know each other very well, and became good friends. A year later, we were on a group hay ride, when I touched his leg (I don't remember this, but he does) and he said he knew for sure then we belonged together. Earlier in the same week, he had the same thought while he was showering before coming to my apartment to loan me some money. He only told me this stuff after we were married. On the night of the hay ride November 9th he first kissed me. A month later on December 9th he first told me he loved me, and then a month later on January 9th he asked me to marry him. Since he has a terrible memory it was important to him to use the same date to remember this stuff. He was hoping we could have been married on the 9th of June, but that date didn't work out. LOL ! Our life together has been blessed with our three children. I love you Heman! Happy Anniversary! Love, Muffin

Relaxing

Today has been pretty relaxing. Pat had to go back to work after being on vacation last week, but the rest of us slept in really late and then had pajama day all day! I was planning on taking the kids to the pool, but after spending 2 hours on the phone this afternoon talking to someone I haven't spoken with in almost 3 months, I was spent. I started a new schedule with the kids this week. They can not do watch TV, use the computer, or play station from 12 PM till dinner. After dinner tonight Sarah played games on the computer and Rachel and Joseph watched The Incredibles. It was a good first day with playing with each other and me and not sitting in front of something. If they do well during the week, they can have the weekend to do veg in front of the TV, computer, play station.

Dance

I can't believe the recitals for this year are in the past already. It seems like the dance year just began. I was thinking about this in reflection of the school year, that I didn't think would ever end with Joseph and his struggle with doing homework. But then I guess for Sarah and Rachel the school year went fast. Anyway, the girls did wonderfully and looked beautiful on stage. And my nieces who also danced this weekend, did great, the youngest (4) so adorable, and the older (11), very graceful and good. We'll be having some lifestyle changes next year to pay for more classes, Sarah will take 3 classes, and hopefully Rachel 2. It's so hard for me not to let them do what they like, and Sarah has to already give up gymnastics that she really loves, to take 3 dance classes. Pat and I agreed on no longer going out to eat on Sundays after church and not spending any money with out checking with one another.

The Date!

Well, T. Cooks is nice, but I don't really think it should be one of the most romantic restaurants. We were there early (5;45), so the lighting was bright, but before we left it was getting really crowed and we wouldn't have been able to talk much later. The food was OK, but really only OK for the prices. We started with a lobster soup with caviar, I had never had caviar before, while I liked it, I didn't think much of the soup at all, it was warm and too strong of a fennel taste. Pat didn't like it at all. Then we had a plate of 2 inch steaks and 3 shrimp, which was OK, the steaks were on top of a smear of garlic potatoes, and the shrimp on this weird apple radish stuff. We didn't have dessert because we were going to go the the movies afterward. We decided to go to the drive in so we could see 2 films for the price of one. We saw The Breakup (we both didn't think it was really all that funny), and Failure to Launch (which was way funnier). We got home really really late, but it was a fun night, and the kids didn't hurt each other while we were gone.

weekend ahead~

Today I started out my weekend by doing a bunch of errands and taking Sarah to the doctor, now I need to go and try to make myself beautiful, since pat and I are going out for our anniversary tonight. We're going to go to dinner at T. Cooks, I hope it good, because it's way expensive. Tomorrow night and Sunday night the girls have their dance recitals, they are very excited. Sunday we need to attend both church services in the morning, we were suppose to serve pancakes too, but we just can't do it all. I think Monday I'll be sleeping ALL day! LOL

He's BACK----

We picked Joseph up today from scout camp. I asked Pat to take the day off, I really didn't want to have to drive again. We were supposed to be there at 9 for the closing ceremony, I didn't set me alarm, since pat's always wakes me. At 7, I woke up startled, Pat was still asleep, he said he set the alarm for 5, I don't know what happened. We didn't leave until 8, and didn't get to Geronimo until 10;30, so we missed the ceremony. He said he had a good time. I haven't gotten much details from him yet, he rode up front ( he suffers from motion sickness), he slept most of the way home. He's been vegging in front of the TV since he put away his gear and taking a shower. He was in a good mood, so I'm pretty sure he had a good week.

bed furniture

Rachel just asked me when could she get new bed furniture. I replied "not for a long time, why?" well she says it's on sale now! LOL She totally cracked me up, I had to try to explain that even if it's on sale now, it's not something we can buy right now. I hope she got it.

Full day!

The girls we're too excited to sleep in this morning. They were giggling in their room at 7, an hour earlier than I wanted to get up. This morning they swam at Pastor Scott's house with a bunch of DB kids, then we all headed to Pump it Up, for playtime and pizza. The kids were starving by 1 PM when they got lunch, so were the Moms but the kids ate all the pizza. 4 of us Moms stopped by Chik a fita for lunch, and the kids got more play time, and a balloon and ice cream. We got home in time to do hair and make up for their first dress rehearsal for their recital. We left the studio after 6, came home and since Pat had gotten off early today at 5:30, brought home dinner for himself and not the rest of us, I decided why do I have to cook then, so while Sarah changed I got us dinner at McDonald's. Pat went and laid down after dinner, (he had to get up this morning at 5, so I guess he was tired) well anyway he laid down, so I'm totally thinking well, I'm not sweeping or washing the table or anything, I'm tired too!

waiting list

Headed out this morning at 5:30 AM. Didn't run into any traffic, stopped for a bathroom break, pulled into the camp at 8:05. Then we hit a little snag that Joseph is not on the list for camp this week. The guy in charge goes up to headquarters to see what's going on. Joseph's scoutmaster was told that Joseph and the other boy from the troupe (who's suppose to go next week) to this leadership camp are on the waiting list! I'm so mad! They decide to let Joseph stay, since we drove all the way up (I'm so glad, it's a long drive and the last 6 miles are a dirt bumpy rode). They were hiking the boys back to the campsite 6 at a time. Joseph wanted us to stay until he goes back, which is fine, we wait, but he made me sad when he goes to the gate when he's turn but he doesn't tell me good bye. Micah and I hit the road (dirt) at 8:56, stopped in Payson to use a bathroom, and made it home by 11:15. What a long drive, but really the 6 hours would have been perfect if there wasn't that little snag!

Off to bed~

Well soon any way, I'm tired already. Joseph starts his leadership scout camp tomorrow, he has to be there at 8:30 in the morning, which wouldn't be bad if it was close by, but it's a 2 and half hours away. I made him put as much stuff as he can in the car already, I do not want to have to think through a checklist with him in the morning, just get in the car and drive. How I wished I liked coffee! I should have better luck getting to the camp, my brother-in-law wrote the directions down for me and my nephew Micah volunteered to go with me. So between the directions, Joseph and Micah who have been there many times, I should get there OK!

Relaxing week...

Not much happening in this household during the past week. A great start of summer vacation. Friday Joseph met with his counselor we did a few errands and went to the library. Then I took a little nap, while the kids had lunch then I took them to see Over the Hedge. (cute movie) Met Pat at Fry's and we went to see MI3. Didn't do anything on Saturday, or Sunday (just enjoyed the cool weather) Monday I took the kids to the pool for a little bit, after they read for an hour (that water was freezing!) Yesterday and today were the same. (the water is getting a little bit warmer, thank goodness) Tonight Pat and I went to dinner with our life group from church that was way fun. Monday night Pat moved my desk from the girls' room to the living room, I'm slowly setting up all my scrapbooking stuff in and on it. Hopefully it will all come together soon. I was thinking this week has been great sleeping in, reading, going swimming and that's really it, it's been almost like a vacation :)

Good/Bad News

The good news is that Joseph will be moving ahead to 8th grade without having to go to Summer school. The bad is that he needed to get C's or better for the 4th quarter to watch his favorite thing (old Star Trek episodes) with his Dad all Summer. Sarah did not get her report card, I guess I could check her grades online too, (not that I need to now though) but she brought home her certificate for Academic All Star, which means she has straight A's again this quarter. She's proud of her wonderful year. (so are we!) Rachel had a great report card too, (she got hers today) but they do this silly checks, stars, and negative signs report. I really hate they way it's done, she did well on the testing for the 4th quarter, (a copy of the tests was with her report card). She was so fearful of the tests, and so relieved when they were over, she's such a perfectionist it's so hard to encourage her to do her best, and know it's OK to get things wrong if it's your best.

water ballon toss

Rachel and her friend tossing water ballons, during water day a

.

t school this morning. The kids had fun, and some were even shivering, in their wet clothes (silly kids). I thought it HOT, and hard work, helping them have fun. Check out more water day pictures on my pictures on flickr.

I hate car trouble, but I love....

Pat took my car yesterday to get the oil changed, and it needed the water pump replaced (who knew) I'm just glad I didn't have any trouble with the car on Saturday for my drive that didn't get anywhere. So, I go to pick Rachel up from school at 11, I'm already late, because, I goofed on my timing. I get in the car and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, why, because I have a flat tire, UGH. Rachel's friend's grandma is the best, I love her, she has 5 kids and is constantally helping them, she has more energy than I do. She takes Rachel to her house for me, so I can get the tire fixed. I call AAA to come change it. When he gets here, he discovers that the spare is shreaded, UGH. So, he tows the car for me to Firestone to get a new tire. I call Saturn about the flat and was going to go there after I got a tire to drive on, but luckily remembered that Sarah had a doctor's appointment with the urogolgist that it took 2 months to get, so I did not want to miss it. So I tell the guy at Firestone that I have to pick my daughter up from school, so could they please hurry. He's kinda of a jerk with me, but they get it changed in time. He's much nicer when I have to pay, because he's showing off for his friend that came into the shop. UGH. I had to get a different tire, because they wouldn't have a tire like I have for a couple of hours. I did not have time for that. So we'll use this tire I bought as a spare and Pat can deal with getting me a tire on his next day off. UGH. So hopefully I won't run over anything, in the mean time. The AAA guy, said the hub cap was loose, and the stem thingy was not on straight or tight, so I suspect that Saturn left it that way yesterday when they checked the tires turing the oil change. UGH. Now we;ll be fighting with them on it, the tire was less than 4 months old. UGH.

hair

Rachel was at a friend's house this afternoon and came home with ponytails, (she had worn a headband over) I noticed when I was reading with her before her shower, one of them looked shorter. Her friend cut her hair, and put it in the ponytails. I just finished fixing it, but I had to take over 3 inches off the back. She is giggly happy with the "new me look", I hate it, it was just getting so long.

Amazing

For weeks, the car has needed to be washed, for weeks I told the kids if they cleaned up all the junk in the car we could get one. (the girls are in this phase that going to the car wash is fun). It takes them weeks, but finally on Saturday they decide to go ahead and clean it to be nice to for Mother's Day, so Sunday after lunch Pat got gas for me (which I hate to do) and we had the car washed. Joseph in his teen attidue said it's going to rain now. I thought ya not likely for a good long time. (months, I'm thinking) Ha, the jokes on me, it rained this afternoon, and while I didn't go anywhere, and thought my clean car would be safe, it started raining again when I took the Scout to his meeting. I hate it when their right.

Trouble with a capital T

My children are in so much trouble tonight. First off, I take Sarah to gymnastics this afternoon, Joseph stays home and is supposed to get Rachel from a neighbor's house. He FORGETS, but he can watch TV, because he couldn't forget to do that. Rachel comes home doesn't see my car, and goes back to friend's house, I'm sure her parents must think I'm a terrible Mother. After dinner I gave all of them things to do (Joseph shower, Rachel read to Sarah and go to bed, and no TV, this should not have been hard to do), I asked Joseph if he wanted me to make a list, he says no he can handle it. I left at 6:45 for my book club, I get home early at 8:20 (we all hated the book, so there wasn't much to discuss). What did I find, Joseph fully clothed on my bed watching TV, Rachel wrapped up in a towel on my bed, watching TV, and Sarah in my bathroom (she was watching TV before using the bathroom). I really wanted to loss it with all of them. ButI managed to calmly tell them I was really mad, sent Rachel to bed, sent Joseph to the shower and ignored Sarah for 15 minutes, before I made her go to bed. There will be NO TV at our house for 3 days, and Joseph since he was in charge, both times I left today, will be sweeping (a job he really hates) and vacuuming for 3 days. He went to bed mad. GOOD.

Sarah's proud of her creation

Sarah's proud of her creation
Originally uploaded by muffinmet.

The "MOM" cake. If you look really carefully you can tell she spelled out MOM in chocolate licorice.

Wonderful Day!

Today has been so wonderful! Pat and the kids woke me up with breakfast in bed, then we went to church, without too much fighting. Went to Valle Luna for lunch (very yummy). Came home decided to go see a movie, so off we went to see RV. I laughed so hard, I cried. I was thinking though, was that really so funny to make me cry or not? I think because the day had been pretty peaceful, I enjoyed it so much more. Pat and the kids also liked the movie. When we got home, Sarah served the "MOM" cake she made for me last night, with Pat's help. It took them a long time to put it together, Joseph and I were in my room watching Apollo 13, and it was nearly over when Sarah was done. They used a frozen pound cake, so I'm not sure what took so long.( It was so sweet though because she poured so much into it, planning, shopping, and putting it together.) Pat read with Rachel and we put her to bed, then the rest of us played a short Win, Lose, or Draw game. The girls beat the boys! :) Pat and I sent Sarah and Joseph to bed, and we went out to the backyard and "snuggled" in the lounge chair under the stars. Then Pat got out the telescope, after I saw the moon, I was done and came inside, he's still out there looking for planets. Hopefully he'll hobble in soon. (He's hobbling because he had a little trouble coming to bed one day this week, he had turned off the lights, walking across the living room to get down the hallway he hit his foot on the fireplace, his fourth toe hit it good, it's probably broken :( He'll be hobbling for awhile :(

The drive that didn't get anywhere :(

I'm not big on driving, but I love my my son, so I drove to Payson, by myself this morning. (I was going with another person, but I changed my mind about that last night) So first off, I have never driven to Payson before. Silly me, I think if, I'm told to get off, Loop 101 at Shea and then take the Beeline (or 87 like the sign says, not Beeline), that as soon as I get off at Shea I'd be on the Beeline.WRONG. First you have to go left until you pass, Fountain Hills, and come to a T in the road, then take the Beeline (87) to Payson. I tried to call Pat at home (he didn't have to be at work until 11), but he was online, so I called my sister and then she called her husband at work, who called me back on my cell, and told me what to do, gheez.Finally, after a long drive, with lots of ups and downs, around mountains, that make me nervous I get to Payson. Find the 260 and turn right like I'm suppose to do, then drive 20 minutes or so looking for the sign for the camp place were this meeting is supposed to be. I drive over 30 minutes and don't see any signs. Will (B.I.L.) said they were really small. After I pass Christopher Creek, I know I've gone to far. I turn around, try to call Will for help, but I have no "bars" on the phone, just great. So I drive towards Payson, and finally get Will, who suggests that I ask in town at a service station for directions, only now it's a little after 11, it will take me another 10-15 , minutes back to town, then find someone to help me get there, and drive back. The meeting started at 11, and is only supposed to be 45 minutes, so I'm thinking why bother, stopping and asking anyone. I did stop for a potty break and lunch at McDonald's before driving home. That was one expensive McDonald trip! And there's a McDonald's within a mile from my house. And what I most want to know is, this is the age of computers and why couldn't the information and forms for the meeting just be available online? Trying to look positive at this experience at least I'll know how to get Joseph to camp in Payson in a few weeks! (It's not at the same place the meeting was, and he's been there before, and Will promised me a detailed map) I left the kids home to do laundry (I separated it before I left, so really all they had to do, was set the washer and dryer, which I make Joseph do for me anyway when he's home) and I'm afraid to go see what they've done with it, so I writing this to stall~

What to do? Gymnastics

So, I was planning on not doing much this Summer other than taking the kids to the pool a lot, the girls will go to VBS, and Joseph to scout camp. But I really don't want to be driving around all summer. But now I don't know, Sarah probably will be moving up to the next level in Gymnastics (she's really done well, for the about 5 months she's been taking classes). We will find out next week for sure. Her teacher talked to me about it today. I know she's really exicited about getting to move up, plus I don't want her to lose and skills she's mastered. So, should I sign her up for classes once a week this summer? Plus there's the cost too. UGH! I'm glad she's likes it, and does well, but geesh :( We had talked about not taking classes or going to gymnastic camp, but on the way home this afternoon, she asked if she could just take classes once a week.

2 blue and 2 red ribbons

2 blue and 2 red

Sarah showing off her ribbons and metal from her gymnastics show this afternoon. She had a fun time, all the Level 2 girls did, vault, balance beam, bar, and floor. They got a ribbon for each event and a metal for participating.

Now

I'm so tired. I did not sleep well last night. Took me forever to fall asleep and I heard every little noise. I finished reading the book for my book club last night before bed. The Weight of Water by Anita Shirve. What a very disturbing book. It took me weeks to even get past the first 50 pages. It's not a book to read before going to bed, that's for sure. This morning Rachel was up before me, and she was laying face down on the couch, she said her tummy hurt and she felt warm, her temp. was 99.3 so I let her stay home from school (it's the first day she's missed), As soon as I called her in, her face lite up, she was happy to miss school, and she's been fine all day, eating not a problem and temp. is down. Maybe she liked all the attention Sarah got over the weekend, and wanted her turn to babied some.

Why?

I've pondered this for years and years. Why does it take forever to get a child(ren) in the bath/shower and even longer to get them out? And then there's always getting dressed again. Is it any wonder I only have the girls take showers 4 times a week, I need unstressful nights a few times a week. But it's getting hot, and their going to need a bath everyday, oh help me?

Better

Sarah woke this morning with a temp. still and added her throat hurt, when I said she needed to stay home from school she got so upset, she didn't want to miss. (I'll be reminding her of times like this when she gets a bit older) I gave her some medicine and sent her to school, just knowing the nurse would call me, so I stayed home all morning waiting, I guess I could have just taken the cell phone with me and did what I needed to do, I'm so silly I didn't think of that. Well, the nurse never called. I picked up Rachel and dropped her off at home (Pat was off, but he wouldn't have heard the phone this morning or answered it if the nurse had called). She made it all day at school, when she got home no fever, no sore throat, but her stomach hurt (mine would to if I only had a banana and carton of juice all day). She was a little sluggish at gymnastics, but now after she had a good dinner, she's doing yoga with Rachel and the neighbor girls.I guess she must be cured.

Sort of Better Weekend

Lazy weekend, for the most part. It would have been better if Sarah wasn't running a temp. since yesterday afternoon. She bounced back before sending her off to bed last night, but woke up this morning with a small temp., I gave her some medicine and we went off to church, I had Joseph check on her during the first service (we were serving in the nursery area) and she was fine, she made it through 2 services. Nothing else wrong with her, other than not feeling much like eating. She started running a temp. again this afternoon and napped a little. I hope she'll be better to go to school and gymnastics tomorrow.

I wanta be outside~

It's been a cool, windy, and even sprinkling kid of day. I'd really like to be out enjoying it. Really the temps. have been lovely all week. I can't seem to get rid of this stupid infection, although today has been the best day in weeks.(my head doesn't feel like it's going to explode) I'm having a little trouble getting a new allergy medicine filled. First it was denied, then it needed approval, now at the doctor's office it has been approved, (by the insurance company) and I got an voice mail telling me also, but the pharmacy needs it in writing, oh, brother. Can't I get a little break? I'd really like to not be suffering any more. As of yesterday the pharmacy said it could take 3-4 days to get it in writing from the insurance, and I'm assuming that means 3-4 business days. Why is it that someone from the insurance office can not fax the approval to the pharmacy, or do we live in the dark ages? I'm just a little upset about this, can you tell?

16 hours of sleep~

16 hours a sleep for my teenager, really puts him in a good mood! He told me good bye this morning and did his homework and read with out fighting with me! I guess there's not enough time in the day for him to sleep so much everyday. BUMMER :(

The rest of the weekend....

Was not nearly as pleasant. Pat got home on Saturday in time for dinner, but he was falling asleep at the dinner table, so much for "how was your day?" questions. The girls hurried and took their showers, they asked their Dad to play a game with us, he told them he needed to feed the animals and get ready for bed first. But what is he doing while I play with the girls fixing the swing in the backyard. It's only been broken for a long time now. After we play, they run outside to Daddy and he's the big hero who finally fixed the swing, in the dark I might add and it's time for the girls to go to bed, so I get everyone in the house to pray. Of course they are all wound up and don't fall asleep for hours, great Pat has to work tomorrow afternoon so who gets to deal with their crabiness- me of course. What do they remember most about theor day- Daddy fixing the swing :( I fell asleep reading on the love seat, so I didn't tell Pat goodnight, but I was already slightly torked at him anyway. Sunday morning, I woke up to hearing the shower on. Pat was showering for church, but did he wake me up or make sure I was awake? NO. It's 8 AM and we have to leave by 8:30, who has to make sure the girls get up, dressed, fed, meds. taken, hair done, teeth brushed, ect. ect. ME of course, he doesn't do anything except he told them to turn off the TV. Pat goes out before us and unlocks his car. But I don't know that yet, until I go get in the car, with a granola bar and water in my hands, because I don't have time for breakfast. He locks his car, since I got in the passenger side of the car, I stupidly thought we were going to church together. He was a real jerk with me, but drove us to church, which was a good thing, because I cried all the way there. A friend I have known for years, said hi to me, and I was rude with her, not on purpose, I told her I was so upset, I didn't;t hear her say hello, she was wonderful she hugged me and prayed for me. During the service I fought back tears the whole time. Joseph called in the middle of the service and said they were back from the camporee. They were suppose to be back at 12, and it was only 9:45, he stayed at someone's house until church was over. We picked him up and went to lunch, I didn't talk to Pat the during the meal, I had a major stomach ache too, since even though I took a granola bar to eat on the way to church, I was way to upset to eat it. After lunch Pat goes off to work, Joseph showers and the girls go to a neighbors house to play, then Joseph lays down because he is so tired, I thought he'd get up in a little bit, he slept from 3 PM yesterday afternoon, until 6:30 this morning. I guess he really was tired! After getting the girls home, and feeding them dinner, I read with them, and then fought with them (they were tired and I was in a bad mood, which doesn't go together well) I put Rachel to bed, and Sarah a little later. I then went to bed, and pretended to be asleep when Pat got home from work, I really didn't feel like talking to him yet. He's off today, but of course he's still asleep.

"Will you marry me?"

This is a funny story from yesterday I want to remember. I was at school in a kindergarten classroom doing a craft with the students. I have been really kinda frusrated with this group of kids always saying they can't do something, like cutting, gluing or coloring. Well yesterday's craft I knew would be a challenge for some because it involved tying knots. I showed the kids how to do it then asked them to try a few times on their own before giving up, and to tell me that they've tried and please could I help them. There was this youngster who totally remembered to be polite and waited patiently for me to help him. While I was helping him, I asked him to marry me. This cutie says, "I'm sorry I'm already taken!" I nearly fell off my chair he was so serious. Of course I said that's OK, my husband would probably have a problem with it to.

half over

The weekend is half over already, where did the time go? Yeasterday afternoon I dropped Joseph off at Moon Mountain elementary for a scout camporee this weekend, we were late (15 minutes) but they weren't suppose to leave for another 15 minutes. Traffic was horrible, plus I had to get him something to eat on the way. Thank goodness they waited a few more minutes for him, otherwise I would have had to drive him to the campsite, it wasn't far this time since the camporee is being held at Living Pioneer museum, but really I hate driving and my face/head was throbbing. So after I got rid of him LOL, the girls and I went to the grocery store to get something for dinner and breakfast. After dinner we read and Sarah and I played hangman. This morning the girls and I had a Girls Only special breakfast. We had gotten yummy pastries and used the service glass plates, and we had fun using our best manners. After breakfast they had 30 minutes to clean their room, they fooled around instead, so I couldn't take Sarah to Target to get new hoop earrings (she lost one earlier in the week). But they had to go with me to Pat's Fry's to get a receipt for a prescription that they didn't completely fill on Thursday (my antibiotic). They said they ordered it, but it didn't come in. So I had to take the receipt to 43rd and Catcus to be filled, UGH. The girls worked on their room one at a time when we got home, while I was reading with the other one, and finished the mess up (the room). I finished up the laundry and we sat down and watch Little Women. (I've been wanted to watch it ever since Marlene mentioned watching it with her girls a few weeks ago.) Rachel decided to be Amy and Sarah- Jo. It was fun. We almost made it to the end of the movie (10 minutes left) before one of the neighbor girls called (which is a record for a weekend). Rachel said they couldn't play because they were watching a movie with their Mommy, but this child would not take no for an answer and showed up anyway to get the girls and take them to her house, luckily the credits we starting when she knocked. I that leaves me to make dinner alone, if they make it home by 5:15 and take showers quickly it will be game night tonight.

My head hurts again-update

I have been having allergy related headaches for what seems like forever. (well over a week anyway, and have another now). The advil just numbs the pain slightly, so I decided it was time to head into the doctor's office. I have an appointment later on, hopefully she can give me another allergy medicine that will help me better then the one I'm currently on, without interfering with my blood thinners (that's always the trick for any medicine I take, but since my blood level has been off for the last 6 weeks, it doesn't seem to me that it will matter much at this point.) Last night when I had to lay down on the loveseat before I sent Sarah to bed at 8:30 was my drawing point of finally deciding scheduling an appointment..... Well, I'm back from the doctor's office, she thinks I have a sinus infection, so I got an antibiotic for that, and I asked her to change my allergy medicine so she put me on something much stronger. I'm sure between the new allergy pill and antibiotic, my blood level will be really off when it's checked again on Monday. But if my headache is gone, it will be well worth it to adjust doses and go back again for a recheck.

Easter morning kids

What I let bother me today...

Unforunatally it was a lot. Maybe if I wasn't so tired, somethings would not have bothered me so much. Pat's alarm went off at 6:30 AM, )he didn't get out of bed until 7:15) I got up and put breakfast in the oven, I had gotten up at 6 AM yesterday, and to bed late last night, setting out the kids' Easter baskets. So really just not enough sleep put me out of sorts as it was. Pat made me crazy with mowing the lawn, when we got home from church,I had asked him to hid eggs for the kids when we got home. But even before he went out to do the lawn, he rearranged some furniture without asking me, so that didn't get by me well either. The kids got playstation games for Easter, I had already talked to them about not playing, while family was here, for Easter. Joseph decided not to obey and we had a big thing. I had to get Pat to help me with him, that made me mad too. Joseph refused to apologize to everyone for his behavior, he did talk to Grandpa and Grandma before they left, but was extremely rude to Aunt Marlene. Then he thought I would allow him to use the playstation, after the kitchen was cleaned up, NO WAY! UGH

Happy Resurrection Day!

Thanks be to God for sending His son to die for us. I'll recap our day later, must get ready for church now.

Coloring of the eggs!

All done!

This morning's mission, color Easter Eggs. We tried something new this year, and tye dyed them. The kids had fun, it was fast and way less messy. SO we all had fun! Check out my pictures for other pictures of the kids working on their eggs.

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!

He has a hard time remembering how old he is, all this past year he has said he was 40, when in fact he was 41. Wonder what he'll say now? He has to work till 5:30, then take Joseph to scouts, I hope he has a good day. Since we've already celebrated his birthday with him all weekend, I'm not feeling to bad for him, but if it was my birthday and I had to work, I'd be mad! I love you Happy Birthday Heman!

Good weekend~

I didn't have to cook all weekend, so it was a great one! :) We took the kids to see Ice Age Friday afternoon, then Pat picked Thee Pitts Again for dinner (we were celebrating his upcoming birthday) We gave him his gifts, pictures of the kids dressed like Star Wars characters he loved them! Then Saturday night we went to Famous Dave's for dinner for Pat's birthday with his side of the family. We always go out for lunch after church, we take turn picking, it was Pat's turn, we went to Crackle Barrel. Pat got to pick all weekend, but I didn't have to cook, that was the best part!

busy week ahead

A crazy week ahead, so much stuff to do so little time. Here's my list so far for the week, so I remember to do everything or get everything done. I do hope I don't forget anything. Monday.-blood test, pick up Sarah's prescription form, drop it off at pharmacy, clean bathrooms, take Sarah to gymnastics, book club at 7. Tuesday-clean house and do laundry, come up with something easy Joseph can make for dinner,(It's also my hubby's b-day), go see The Veggie Tales with Rachel and my youngest niece in the afternoon, scrapbook night, Joseph has scouts too. Wed.- Sarah's field day, grocery store, take Joseph to counseling session, McTeacher night at McDonald's for Sunrise, and bible study. The last 3 things on this day quite overlap. Thursday- help in Kindergarten classrooms with an Easter craft and egg hunt. Take girls to dance, have a another quick dinner that Joseph will be cooking again, take the girls to school for bingo. Then it's Good Friday! Yea! :)

Challenging

This morning has been rough already. First I woke up way before my alarm and couldn't go back to sleep. Then I'm trying to get dressed, but Joseph is in my bathroom, with the door shut, and Pat is sleeping, it is very hard to get dressed in the dark. Then Rachel spills her cereal on the floor, she sweeps it up, but it is a sticky mess on the floor, so I mop. Then I go to put my contacts in and Pat is in my bathroom, I don't want to turn on the light since his head is down and he's going back to bed, so I put my contacts in, in the dark, which is harder then getting dressed in the dark. Then Rachel and I have a big fight about her not having socks, which I don't get since she hasn't worn socks all week, so she should have plenty of socks. Oh, and the hall bathroom's toilet's water would not shut off, Pat heard it, I guess he thought I could fix it, since after he used my bathroom he went back to bed. So I'm like saying, so your not going to get up and fix the toilet? He thought I had fixed it, "yeah right!:, I think. SO NOT my job.(he did get up then) I'm hoping the rest of the day gets better!

PTO

I haven't gone to many meetings of my girls' school's PTO, (because of the stupid times the meeting have been scheuled this year) but I as able go tonight. I guess next year I'll need to get to some more because I was elected the PTO V.P. tonight! Yikes!!!! I hope I'm not in over my head.

Pain

Rachel had an appointment today to have 2 baby teeth pulled. She totally freaked out. (I didn't tell her until it was almost time to go.) Joseph and Sarah were home and they were trying to help calm her down. Joseph said he'd go with us, to make her feel better. On the way there, he takes out a picture of himself for her to take in the room when she has the procedure done, since he can't go back in the room with her, this totally cracked me up. She was a little nervous walking in the office, the staff is great and said they'll give her a little laughing gas before they start. So, she goes back by herself (with Joseph's picture) and it very brave and doesn't fuss or cry. The dentist calls me back to help her get up, but Joseph is right there, asking if she wants him to carry her. He can be a wonderful brother! She wants to walk out, we go to the grocery store to buy her some yogurt and jello for dinner on the way home, she was totally fine at the store except she's really embarrassed about the gauze in her mouth so she keeps her hand over her mouth the whole time. I was a little scared about the whole thing, she is so afraid of pain.(that's why I didn't mention the pullings to her) This is why- Right before her 6th birthday she decided that she would have to adopt to have children, she didn't want to birth any. She's since then asked me more about childbirth and thinks now she can have a baby when she gets married as long as they give her medicine. Pretty deap thoughts for a 6 year old to be worrying about already.

Cars And Computers

Cars And Computers-For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on. At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the automobile industry, and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon".In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating : If GM had developed technology lie Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics :1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.2. Every time they repainted the white lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.3. Occasionally your car would die on the motorway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all the windows, shut off the car, re-start it, and re-open the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.4. Occasionally, executing a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to re-start, in which case you would have to re-install the engine.5. Mackintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run only on five percent of the roads.6. The oil, water, temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed an Illegal Operation" warning light.7. The airbag system would ask " Are You Sure?" before deploying.8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio aerial.9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off. Someone dear sent this to me and I thought I'd share it here.

Recollections

Is my new favorite place to buy scrapbooking supplies. I felt a little overwhelmed when I first walked in, not knowing where to start browsing. They have so much fun stuff, I really just wanted to get some fun numbers for the page I want to do of Joseph's 13 year old pictures. I could spend a lot of money there, but I kept it down for today, but when I get some money I'm going back!

One on Top of Another

It seems like I just finished a menstrual cycle and it's started again, I guess, it needs to make up for the wonderful 8 free weeks I had :( I guess that also explains the headache for most of the day, and the grouchiness all weekend.

This and That

The "pie" from last night only got great reviews from Sarah. Joseph and Rachel don't really like pudding. Who knew? Not me, it's been a long while since I've made any type of pudding, I just figured they would all like it, because of the sweetness factor. They all thought it was fun though, which was good, I would have been mad otherwise, because it took forever to cut, and roll the candies to look like vegetables. I had a headache this morning, so when my alarm went off I got up and took some medicine, and since none of the kids were up yet, I went back to bed, and decided to skip the leadership meeting this morning at church. I got up for real then at 9, and the kids and I went o church at 11, (Pat was working) I like to go to that service, because it's the only service for Jr. and Sr. High kids. I want Joseph to have some kids his own age to hang with. Well, he took Rachel to her classroom, and was asked to stay and help. I'm glad he has a good heart and stayed and helped, since it was only 1 woman and all the preschoolers and K-ers. But geez I wanted him to his service. I took the kids to lunch at Red Lobster and Rachel and I shared a lunch, she wanted salad and french fries, I wanted lobster, it was a good trade. But I ate too much, so now I have a headache and stomach ache. I found out at church that Joseph won the prize for his age group, for the most donations from the bowl-o-thon. We have no idea what his won, he should get the prize in the next week or so.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Ok, so it's not a big holiday, but I love this day. Growing up, my Dad would "try" to get each of us kids before school. So there's lots of warm fuzzy memories. I have in the past made some interesting food things to "fool" my kids. Today is no exception, I made chicken NOT pies for dinner. I saw the recipe in Family Fun. Joseph, asked what I was doing, he was a little worried since my April Fool's jokes always include food. Like one year I made mashed potatoes that looked like ice cream, and another meatloaf cupcakes. I think they'll like this years "fool" the best, it's vanilla pudding, various candies and pie crust. I'd do the link from Family Fun, but I haven't quite figured out how to do that yet, so if you want to see the recipe, go to familyfun.com and click on the April Fool's link to get to it.