Just The 6 Of Us

These were taken yesterday at my fathers house. Adam was not thrilled with the water at all, but you can see him warming up in the pictures and then finally he let his paci out and was having fun.

Elias is looking all cute.

My moms group went to FrontierTown Water park today. And we had a ball! They have this big pool that is only 1′6″ deep and it is perfect for all the little ones. My teenager was happy with the 2 big waterslides they had and the lazy river. It was a perfect day, because for the past week it has been raining. And wouldn’t you know it, my mommyhiemers brain forgot my camera, we are going back so plenty of time for pictures.

Today was all about Great weather and Great friends!!!

13 Things That My New House Needs

1. A well
2. Grass
3. Inside Walls
4. A refrigerator
5. Paint
6. Linoleum
7. Fence for backyard
8. HVAC people to come
9. Inspection
10. Shutters
11. closet doors
12. pavement for the driveway
13. A 1/2 dozen hot construction workers with no shirts

I am so happy to report that my little snuggle bug Adam has slept through the night for the past 8 nights!!

WOOT WOOT!!!

The only thing I did different is put about 4 paci’s in the bed with him, his sippy and turned the fan towards him so it blows over the bed and not on him. It is so peaceful at night now and in the mornings I am happy to get up!

That is the number of hours we were without electricity on Friday! I had so many things to doand it was my first day of vacation for me. I had to get Susan to the Dr about her eye again, it isnt getting any better and now she has some blurred vision. After getting the referral and appt for the ophthalmologist (for the same day-which is a miracle in itself), we go to leave and the sky is a horrible gray. You could hear the thunder and it sounded down right mean.

We get home the sky falls in and about an hour later no electric! I had to call and cancel all the appts that were made (from my cell) and sit! The kids were so bored because there was no TV! I told them they barely watch it when it is on, they said well at least we had it to listen too…UGH!

I used to say oh how great it would be to live like Little House on the Prairie ( I love watching reruns of it) but oh heck no, not now after 9 1/2 hours with no a/c, no running water & 4 whiney complaining kids; 2006 is just where I want to be.

13 Things I Learned at Moms Night Out

1. That I can sneak out of my house without my 4 year old knowing, so I dont have to hear can I go a thousand times before I leave.
2. Sitting and relaxing at someone elses house is perfect bliss.
3. Melissa is a great orange dream maker, she can blend it up.
4. But not so good at Appletini’s, little bit of Apple & whole lotta Tini.
5. Even though I watch a lot of TV I really dont know crap about the shows themselves.
6. Jen is so much fun to be around, she is so sweet and bubbly & by far the smartest player of Scene it. I plan on a challenge =)
7. Maria is mother earth. I think she is amazing how she wants to help foster children, works in her church & just wants to be involved.
8. Erin has the best stories and can tell them in such a way that your wanting to hear more when it is over.
9. We are so comfortable with each other we can give sexual tips and techniques.
10. Then laugh until we almost pee ourselves when a visual is portrayed
11. Nothing that either one of us want to talk about is TMI-To much information!
12. That we can still talk about things that happened in Feb and laugh about it now.
13. That I can call those woman and many others my friend; A true friend.

My lovely little snuggle bug Adam, he is just an angel, but he never got that when you go to bed you should sleep all night. He is 14 months old and I swear he is going to be the death of me yet. Sunday night this boy was up crying 4 times. Then he thought that is was time to get up at 4:30am.

I am an advocate of CIO & it worked with all my kids. In 3 days their internal clocks were set and they slept all night. This boy oh no, he would cry for what seemed like hours on end and it was over a month until he finally learned when you go to bed you lay down and sleep. But he would continue to wake in the middle of the night. Since his crib was in my room, Dale and I retreated to the living room to get some sleep. Now we have been in our living room for almost 7 months. Adam is so loud, it would wake Dale up and he would be all sleepy in the morning for work. I dont mind being in the living room much, we have our privacy and it is quiet. Our new house has 5 bedrooms & we put Adams room to the back of the house, so he can cry as loud as he wants too.

Last night I told everyone that I was going to let Adam cry last night so be prepared. I gave him a bath and put him down at 8. I woke up at 6 am this morning and you know that little bugger slept all night! I was tickled to death! It is when I think he is going to have a bad night, is when he fools me. So this morning I am treasuring last nights sleep, because I am almost positive it will be few and far between.

The weekend flew by. I cant hardly believe it is Monday already! Why is it Mondays seems so hard. I mean the kids are super hyper and are bored already. There is a lot of house work piled up from my busy weekend. I would so much rather sit right here in front of this computer all day and veg on blogs and my parenting boards & maybe an occasional IM chat.
Saturday my kids were invited to my nephews birthday party, he turned 9. This party was awesome. It was Fear Factor style. I forgot my camera, shame on me. My BIL had his back yard set up like the show. The first stunt was a joust on wobbly platforms, that was so funny watching these kids whack the crap out of each other.

Following that they went through an obstacle course. I almost peed my pants watching the kids do this. First you spin around with a bat on  your forehead 10 times. Run down the grass, pull the flag. Roll a tire to the next flag. Jump into a baby pool filled with minnows, catch 2 fish with your hands, put them in a bucket & run to the next flag.

This was a pvc pipe on 2 saw horses slathered with crisco. Underneath this contraption was another baby pool filed with what looked like sewage. It looked so real, it was water with coco mixed in to make it brown, toilet paper and smashed up baby ruths. BLECH! You had to hang upside down from this pvc pipe and jimmy yourself across without falling into the sewage and grab the flag. After  you complete this task you run and slide down a slip and slide, but at the end was jello (I think). Who ever got the best time won. This was the most hysterical things. You should of seen my daughter try to get across the pipe, she fell 2 times in this fake sewage!

The next stunt was get a partner and they were locked in a cage (the dog kennel) the other person had to search face down in worms (red spaghetti noodles)to find the key that opened the lock. The final one was an eating challenge. The kids had to eat rolled bologna with peanut better, chocolate syrup filled hot-dogs & pudding with macaroni in it. I laughed so hard because their faces were priceless. Some could not even finish. Susan won a 10 gift card for that stunt.

It was an awesome day for the kids, kudos to my BIL for all his hard work on that stuff. So great!

Sunday I cleaned for my grandfather. The kids jumped on the trampoline and my uncle took Elias for a ride on his truck (18 wheeler). Elias is so infatuated with his uncle ever since he started driving that truck. It is so cute, every-time we go to clean Elias runs next door to go give his Uncle Alan a hug. Next time I definitely will take my camera! I have to get a picture of it.

We have a busy week as well, Noah is here for his visitation. During the summer we have every other week with him. I wont be busy next week, which I cant wait for. I have babysat my nephew and niece almost for 2 years now, but they are going on vacation next week. So I will have a break! Not sure what I will do, maybe I will attempt the beach. Not sure about that yet. I have this week to talk myself out of it

Thirteen reasons why I love Just Moms

1. They are 35 of the most incredible woman I have ever met.
2. There are 35 of us, I can’t believe it.
3. Each one has an experience that contributes to any problem, one of us is having.
4. I can be myself & they still love & respect me.
5. We all have different opinions and beliefs, something each one of us can learn from.
6. Each baby, toddler, elementary child & teen love to interact together.
7. Play dates are diverse & fun.
8. Adult conversation is even better.
9. I have been able to be involved with several mom during pregnancy & watch her baby grow.
10. To know that I have a valuable opinion and have it respected.
11. To share birthday’s, baby showers, miscarrages, death & birth with so many.
12. If I need a hug, a tell it like it is talk or a shoulder to cry on, it is a post or a phone call away.
13. Our group isnt about 1 person it is about 35 and their families.

**They say it takes a village to raise a child, I have met mine and they are great!**

Just Moms is my local SAHM/WAHM/WOOTHM’S Group

I am addicted to Everybody loves Raymond. I never really watched it when it was on primetime, but on TBS in reruns everynight I have to have it on. Seems like everytime I really get into something it is the season finale or the series finale. I know, that show was on for 9 years…where was I….who knows!

Last night it was about Robert and Amy's first time together. It was hysterical! Towards the end of the show Amy comes out in Roberts policeman pants, pulled all the way up over her breasts. I thought I was going to pee on myself!

Even though it wont be mine and D's first time *grin*, but I can see my MIL either knocking or coming over, when we get into our new house. I can see so much of my own soon to be MIL in her charater is it scary. She is suggestive like her, nosey, a much better mother than I am, better housekeeper & over all better at everything…..although she is less funny!

It is hard to try and explain the way I feel about why I believe the things I do. I just do. It feels right because everything I feel is on faith and devine grace. It took me a while to get here. I am a faith based person, most people need facts or science to back up anything they believe. I don't when it comes to God. It is a feeling in my soul, that I know these things.

I believe he did give us a choice begining with Adam and Eve. He gave them free-will. It is ultimately our choice which way we go or what we do. I believe he can see into the future, because he is my creator. I still have choices, but have him still be in control. My faith tells me I can only control things of which God has given me the ability to control. That probably makes no sense to you or any other person, who isnt seeking what I am.

Jeremiah 1:5 : "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you……"

"Don’t you think that saying life is prewritten takes away the responsibility factor?" No, we are all responsible for our own actions, just because God already knows what is in your heart and ultimatly what you are going to do. It is still a choice you made. 

"Does that give people an excuse for their actions and the subsequent results? Oh, I killed someone drunk driving? It was God’s will." No it doesn't. But I do believe that there was a purpose behind it. A deeper more meaningful thing. I think that all things happen for a reason.

"Perhaps God is responsible for putting those choices in front of you, but is it prewritten which choice you’ll make?"  I can't really say for sure whether it is or not, I think the he knows what we will do. Maybe I should have used the word destiny instead of prewritten, that may make more sense. I think that the choices put in front of us are paths that he has designed to lead us to one place. Back to him.

"You’re saying that God knows who the sinners and the saints are, before they ever take breath in the world." Yes and No. As I said before I think he knows our furtures and during our time on earth he gives us choices and it is really up to us which way we want to live our life.

I was reading last night about Why does God let bad things happen? Because of situations going on in my family with illness and came across this paragraph. I think that is a great summation.

"The more I separate myself from Him, the more likely I am to cause someone else harm or pain.  To me Christianity is about God seeking us out, calling us back to him. In this life, we are separated from Him, so there will be suffering. However, if we use this precious gift of life to answer His call, He will deliver us into an eternity of peace. He has given us a choice, but most of us choose to reject Him."

Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?
this quiz was made by Lori Fury

I think what I am going to do once a week is talk about my experince at my church and about some of the lessons that I am learning. I am striving to understand more about the bible and how it relates to my life and how I can use it to better myself. I want to be an awesome testimony for other people. Lord knows I have a long way to go =)

One thing I can promise is I wont use the bible to condem anyone, I wont use it to slander another person, I wont use it to hurt someone, I wont use it as a soap box to jam my beliefs down anothers throat. I have friends who arent christians and I respect them as I do my christian friends. I mean if you look back in the bible, who did Jesus surround himself with? With that said onto what I wanted to talk about this afternoon.

I am currently studying the book of Job. In my lesson book it is pointed out that this book of the bible challenges the idea that all suffering results from the suffering person's sin and suggests that God may have other purposes for suffering. We were given a quesitionaire about this. We were to answer whether we agree or disagree.

• God sometimes makes mistakes-I disagree, things are exactly how he intended.
• Demanding a responce for God, as Job did, is okay-Disagree, but I do have a to honestly say that I have done it. Why did this happen to me or why me, is an example.
• God does things according to his plan, not mine-Agree. I do feel like sometimes that I could have control over my life, but ultimately I know I dont, I gave that over to him.
• If God doesnt answer my plea, I lose faith in him. Disagree, although I do know some one who didnt get what they prayed for and just left christ and felt betrayed.
• If I were diagnosed with a teminal illness, I would still love God and obey him.- Agree, I know it would make me turn more towards God for comfort. My grandmother was a living example of this last year!
• Faced with tradgey I would probably reassess my view of who God is.-Disagree, I know!
• Faced with tadgey I would hold even stronger to my belief in God and his plan for my life-Agree.
• God has a reason for every event in my life-Agree, I wholeheartedly believe my life was prewritten.
• If I didnt ever understand the reasons for my sufferings that would be ok with me.-I was unsure of this answer. Because I know that in the end I will understand everything. I can agree & disagree with this one, because we all want to know and understand.

Next week is about lesson will challenge me to place my hope in God when life seems unfair. I am anxious to review this.

I am feeling better today than I have all week. My frown that was plastered on my face for the past 5 days is seemed to have turned in to a meek smile.

It is amazing how much stress and tension from outside sources have an effect on your home life. I mean D cant just leave his work at work. He is on call, he has his pager, his cell phone and if that doesnt work then the home phone. You would think that computers would be ok until the next morning. Sometimes it is like DefCom 5 in there. Makes no sense to me.

Then there is me. I have stressed from the inside because we have 4 children. I can never leave my work. My work is with me all day and night. Even if I go somewhere my work is with me. SAHM has its most wonderful rewards and I love love love it! But sometimes, I wish I could take my uniform off and punch out. A nap would be good or even a date with my fiance’!

D has decided to take a weeks vacations to try get some work done on our new house. Which isnt really a vacation. I am worried about him.

I am going to give him some peace tonight, I am going out with my friend Erin. I am going to put all the kids to bed and just leave him in the peace and quiet. While I get my peace with adult conversation. I am also going to put into plans a date night for the 2 of us. Be nice if we could get one night with no children. Just us; Just the 2 of us.

Thirteen Things I want to accomplish by Sunday

1. Start this weeks Laundry and get it finished. Why is the laundry an never ending cycle?
2. Cut our grass and go through the outside toys. Some of that stuff out there is all broken and just ugly.
3. Get sand for the tug boat sand box. Clean it out first!
4. Go through and pack up the bathroom & kids rooms. That will be more toys to get rid of.
5. Go shopping Friday night for Baby Shower gift.
6. Go to baby shower & see if I can get someone to go out with me to dinner and get some drinks! Mama needs a break!!
7. If I get to go out, come home and get snuggly with D!
8. I want to get up early and take all the kids to church. I missed last Sunday, I was bummed. I want/need to be there this week.
9. Work on communication with D. Tension is all around us.
10. Try not to be so on edge all the time, hence needing a break.
11. Go to the store and get more snacks & freeze pops. These kids eat so many!
12. Get a haircut!!!! Good gosh, my hair is down to the middle of my back!
13. Get my socks sorted. I did the whites last week and the socks are still in the basket! UGH!

Elias caught his first butterfly. He was so happy, he kept it in a jar all day. At the end of the day he let it go. He was so proud of himself, so was I.

I cleaned for my Pop-Pop today. I really look forward to going to his house every other week to clean for him. I has been almost 2 years since I started doing this, I love it.

When Mom-Mom first past away, I would cry all the way there and all the way back home. I dreaded to go, it was just not the same. But I pushed myself through it for Pop-Pop. Sometimes I dont even know how I did it.

Today I was dusting their room & I just stopped and laid on her side of the bed and closed my eyes. I laid there for about 10 mins and when I opened my eyes, Elias was standing there.

Elias-”Mom, are you sleeping?”
Me-”No, ‘Lias mommy is missing Mom-Mom.”
Elias-”Oh, you can look at her picture.”
Me-”I know, I already did.”
Elias-”You need a big hug?”

I got down and got on my knees and he hugged me so hard. I don’t know what it was about that hug he gave me, but it was like she was in the room. Her spirit was everywhere. I instantly felt better.

• Can it get any hotter?
• Yeah it can, it is only June!
• What's for dinner tonight?
• I think I may order out, to hot to cook.
• Pizza, Chinese…ohhhh I could do "fend for yourself night"
• Nevermind that never works, I always seem to end up cooking.
• Yummy ice cold Crystal Light Lemonade!
• Finished the laundry…YAY!
• Gotta put it away…BOO!
• I severly need a haircut.
• Toys toys and more toys in my living room!
• Looks like Toys R US threw up!
• I think I need a nap, I am whiney today…Blah!