1st Day Recap

The first day of school seemed to go well for Garrett. He was excited to go and happy when he came home. All I got out of him was that he had fun and he had enough time to eat his lunch. (I worry because he eats slow and they only have 15 minutes) Robyn did a great job staying with him on the bus and helping him if he needed it. The bus route has changed and now 2 of my nephews (ages 9 and 12) are on it which helps me feel better too. They always look out for my kids.

I had a fun day yesterday after I spend an hour moping around. I cut the grass and when I was done I came in and saw a message from my sister-in-law. I decided I have freedom now, I won't call her back, I'll ride my bike to go and talk to her. I rode back home then she picked me up and treated me to Casa Fiesta for lunch. After lunch I ran to the store and bank then came back for a nap before meeting the kids at the bus stop. I kept busy which helped but I still find myself feeling sad today. He has off today because he is in the beginning of the alphabet but tomorrow he goes regularly with the other kids. I just feel like this is such a change and I'll never be as close to him again. I also feel like I wasted the last few years with him and didn't do all the things I wanted to with him.

I did break a serious mom law last night though. I allowed a sleepover on a school night!!! I know its crazy and will now be watched by HC Jobs and Family Services but I can live with that. Robyn and Maya wanted a sleepover so I allowed it since we are moving in a month and they didn't have any homework and go to the same bus stop and the same class.

Garrett's First Day

The day I have been dreading is here!!! The quiet in this house is disturbing. Garrett was much more excited than I anticpated which helped me a little. Now I am left alone to cry a little. I have a lot of things to take care of today so I should be okay. We have another showing tomorrow so I'm going to cut grass and clean. I'm also going to go out and have a nice lunch alone. I may even go out for a bike ride or take a nap and watch Office Space this afternoon to cheer me up. I have to have fun now because I'm going to be looking for a temp job until we move.

Tackle it Tuesday

Here is my tackle for today. Yes, its my hair. I got tired of fighting with it and pulling it back so I had it cut off. I instantly felt 10 degrees cooler. For those who haven't known me a long time I take big events in my life out on my hair. Garrett starts kindergarten tomorrow so that explains this haircut. Garrett was my photographer for these pictures.

Here are some pictures from Robyn's first day of 2nd grade today. She was so excited to meet up with her best friend that happens to be in her class too. I'll try to get pictures of Garrett's first day tomorrow as long as I can see through all the tears.

The End of Summer

Here's a meme!

I've been tagged by Tina!

Accent - I don't have one
I don’t drink - pop anymore unless its at a restaurant (Doug and I gave it up 3 weeks ago)
Chore I hate - scrubbing toilets and tubs
Pets - Taffy-yellow lab, African frog-Lava Girl, Beta fish-Muscles
Essential Electronics - My computer, digital camera, iPod
Perfume - Clinique Happy in Bloom
Gold or silver - I love both but not at the same time
Insomnia - Nothing keeps me awake, I can sleep at any given moment-its a talent!
Job Title - mom, house manager hopefully a new job title soon
Most Admired Trait - honesty
Kids -1 girl, 1 boy
Phobia - Large waves and tornadoes
Religion - Baptist
Siblings - 1 Sister
Time I wake up - between 5:30-6:30am
Unusual talent/skill - wiggle my ears, awesome tennis player even after 16 years
Vegetable I refuse to eat -none
Worst habit - letting myself get stressed out when I know I have no control over a situation
X-rays - on my wrists- I sprained one in 2nd grade and the other in 4th grade
My favorite meal - Biscuits, fried boneless chicken, french fries, salad and any kind of dessert

Personality Quiz

I took the personality quiz that Lori, Heather and KC took and this was the result. I just don't get it. That doesn't sound like me at all. If this was true my days would be so easy and my kids would be scared of having time outs. Right now Jackson and Taffy are the only person and dog that listen to me. I did struggle with some of the answers though. There wasn't always one that I would pick.

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

Great Lakes Science Center

Thankful Thursday!

Yesterday was our anniversary and we had an interesting day. We have been trying to get this house for about a month now. The sellers finally signed the agreement on the 15th but it was already set to be auctioned tomorrow at 9. We don't have the option to buy it there. They did not tell us that it was this close to auction when we put the offer in and they were really dragging their feet every step of the way on this like a realtor was trying to buy it at auction and flip it. Anyway Doug was on the phone all morning trying to stop the auction. Finally he got a call around 12 from our realtor telling us that the auction was stopped and for him to stop making calls. The realtor laughed and said he must have put a fire under someone. I think someone got caught stalling. We checked on it around 3 and apparently it isn't officially stopped yet but our realtor says it is. So we don't know whats going on with our house yet.

While all that was going on I was doing laundry and the washer broke. Doug had to come down and try to fix it. It didn't work so we dropped the kids off at Doug's sister's house and went out and bought a new washer.

After that the day was much better. We got on the motorcycle and went to the new Casa Fiesta for dinner and picked up a movie on our way home. It was the most relaxing night we have had in a while and it was amazing considering the day we had.

Once again, I just have to laugh because I know we are being tested.

Anniversary!!

Our 9 year wedding anniversary is August 22nd. I can't believe we made it nine years!!! I have to say that everyone says the 7th year is the hardest and I have to agree. I feel like it is so much easier and more enjoyable now. We have gone through a lot in the last nine years. We have moved 5 times and were laid off 5 times in 6 years (2 of those were unplanned) all while having young children. Doug spent 4 years living in my home area and now I have spent 5 years living in his hometown. I feel like we deserve some nice stable time and I think after we get situated in our new location we might actually get some.

We learned lots of tricks to make it work over the years. We would not have made it without God. We have learned how to disagree without fighting and how to take time for just us.

I'm not sure how we are spending the day yet. This is the first anniversary that I have physically seen Doug in about 5 years. Not only am I going to see him tomorrow but he has had his vacation time all this week. My sister-in-law will have the kids for a sleepover tomorrow so we will have to do something special.

Menu Monday

I'm on the ball this week! Here it is Sunday and I made up my menu yesterday and even bought all the groceries already. I guess I'm getting back to my school year schedule. I've been looking up new recipes too and that is getting me motivated. We are making a lot of changes in our household, we are no longer drinking soda, we are eating more vegetables and we are snacking less. Doug is doing this to lose weight and I'm doing this to get more energy and it seems to be working so far. I find myself craving water which never used to happen. I think when I was drinking soda, even diet soda, that it made me want to snack more often and I would snack until my can was empty. Anyway, here is the menu:

Vegetarian Stir Fry

Cheesy Chicken and Vegetable Rice

Sloppy Joes and corn on the cob

Rice and Chicken Wraps

Chicken and Dumplings

Doug has vacation this week and its our anniversary so I don't know how often I'll be blogging so I figured it would be a good time to fit this in. We are planning some fun days like going to the beach, the zoo, buying school clothes, playing tennis, going to Garrett's kindergarten picnic and hopefully signing paperwork on the new house as long as that drama is over with.

Before I go I must know if this type of thing happens to anyone else or just me. Yesterday we had our garage sale and were excited to have some extra cash. We went to Walmart to fill my prescription and buy groceries. We were ready to check out and tried to pick up my prescription before doing so. It turns out that they refused to refill my prescription because it is maintence medicine (plavix-blood thinner) even though for me its just for a few months until I adjust to my cardioseal. I had it refilled 2 times without any problems and had two refills left and of course just finished the 2nd bottle. They say to call the insurance company. I get upset because I had taken my last pill and its a Saturday and figure we couldn't get any calls in until Monday. This medicine prevents me from having a stroke until I heal. Anyway, we proceed to the check out line and decide to do self checkout because we have lots of quarters and ones that we want to get rid of from the garage sale. We start getting our items on the belt and for some reason it doesn't stop and keeps squishing our groceries. We deal with it because the other line was broken. Doug starts scanning things and it keeps double scanning so the cashier in charge has to keep coming over so I take over. The kids are in the arcade area so I'm trying to keep an eye on them, scan the groceries while the belt contines to squish and Doug decides that it would be the perfect time to call the prescription insurance company. Picture this now I'm scanning a large load and putting in all quarters and ones while a large line forms behind me, the kids are running around the arcade and Doug is asking me for a pen. Is that crazy or what? Does this kind of stuff happen to anyone else or am I just lucky??? Anyway it turns out that my prescription company will send us a two month supply at regular price when the doctor calls them but I have to pay the full price for 18 pills ($70) to cover me until I get it. What a big part of our profit to lose. How disappointing! I tried to talk Doug out of getting it or just taking it every other day but he just wouldn't let me take the chance. What a frustrating day!!!! As frustrating as that was I just had to laugh at the situation. For some reason God loves to test me and at least I can recognize this now and keep moving on!

Encourage others and yourself! Share a scripture, quote, devotional, lyrics, or anything that has blessed you and strengthened you in your faith.Don't forget to grab the button and to link back to Sheryl's post.

Here is the verse for today.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

When I woke up this morning and took the dog out I saw all the things in my garage set up for the garage sale. I instantly started to cry. There are so many toys that we are getting rid of that have special memories. It seems like we are coming to the end of an era here and its hard to not be emotional. Here we are with the kids growing up and not needing the same type of toys, my youngest starting kindergarten and preparing to move out of this great neighborhood. There are so many different things to think about. This verse reminds me to focus on my self control and not get upset or angry, just take each action and situation with faith and love because no matter what happens in this life it will get better because of my salvation. These are tools to give me strength.

Wordless Wednesday

Tackle it Tuesday

My tackle today will be gathering items for a garage sale on Saturday. The toughest part of this is finding a location to gather it all and still keep the house showable in case someone is interested in our house. I need to find some tables to borrow so maybe once I get those I'll just set up in the garage. I've never had a garage sale so wish me luck. We don't even have that much to sell. I don't clutter and I've gotten rid of the kid clothes as they outgrow them. We do have some big outdoor toys along with some toys they have gotten too old for. Doug and I should be able to find some things too.

Menu Plan Monday

Okay, I'll conform this week and post my menu. I'm actually going grocery shopping today so I put a menu together. Here is the list. I always change the days with the meals so I won't even assign days to it.

Vegetable Bake & Bread
Western Wagon Wheels
Baked Potatoes & Salad
Broccoli, Chicken & Rice Casserole
Tacos

Ohio State Fair Pictures!

Ohio State Fair Contest Winner!

Above are the pictures from the Ohio State Fair on Saturday. For those of you I haven't talked to, they sent us 4 tickets to attend because Robyn was selected as the North Central 1st Grade Winner for the Severe Weather Safety Poster Contest. She won out of 120 in her elementary school and at least 800-1000 across the region. We are extremely proud of her. The hardest part for us was not even seeing the artwork until after the ceremony was over! It weird to get 2 months notice and go down there and not even see what won the contest until the end.

Faith-Lift Friday

Encourage others and yourself! Share a scripture, quote, devotional, lyrics, or anything that has blessed you and strengthened you in your faith.Don't forget to grab the button and to link back to Sheryl's post.

I was talking this morning with Doug about what I could use for Faith-Lift Friday. He showed me his favorite verse, although he prefers the King James version which we don't have here.

Psalm 5:3

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation."

I thought it was a great verse because its exciting to wait and see what God can do throughout the day. I thought it was really a positive way to think about your day.

I asked Doug why he liked the verse so much and now I like it even more. He said he likes it because so many people focus on praying before bed when your day is done when you should be putting your prayers before God at the beginning of your day. Wouldn't you rather rely on God during the stress of your day than requesting it when the frustration has already set in?

Wordless Wednesday

My mom and I when I was about 2.

Tackle It Tuesday

Today I was hoping to take a nice long bike ride with the kids since I bought a bike on Saturday. Luckily Lori knew I was looking for one and called me to tell me where the garage sale was and I got it for only $5. This week I want to find Doug one, we can't keep up with his motorcycle! Anyway, the weather isn't looking so great so I'll probably stay in and gather things for my own garage sale. I'm feeling a little pressure now that my house is on the market, scared too since we haven't found a house yet.

I'm also looking forward to having time today to get ALL the Polly Pockets out of the basement and set them up on the kitchen table and play them with the kids. I want to have a dinosaur day sometime this week too.

Other than that it will be maintenance cleaning and laundry.

iPod Music Monday

Each week I think this is going to get easier to pick only six but its tough. There are so many songs that I like! Here they are:

1. Boombastic - Shaggy: This song was in the movie Barnyard and its my favorite part. Garrett sings the song and dances to it and its hilarious. I would love for him to do that at the school talent show but he only does it in front of us so far.

2. When There Was Me and You - Gabriella (High School Musical): Robyn sang this song at her school for the talent show and she did a great job. Our whole family loves this movie and we know all the songs! You haven't lived until you've seen the four of us sing. Can you picture Doug taking part in this? Good thing he doesn't read my blog often. We had Jen and her family over to watch it and it was tough for us to refrain from it.

3. Sabotage - Beastie Boys: Who doesn't like this song? It rocks.

4. Butterfly - Crazy Town: This is a fun dance crazy around the house song.

5. My Happy Ending - Avril Lavigne: This song helped me through some tough times. I can actually sing this screaming at the top of my lungs.

6. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani: This song talks about how she is letting little things get to her and how she wishes she had her own world to escape to and how great things would be. Who doesn't want that sometimes?

Save the Earth!

The other day Robyn decided that she wanted to do something to save the earth. She suggested making posters and putting them around town. I informed her that it would be using gas and paper which would not be conserving. Maybe I shouldn't have said that but its the truth. Anyway, she decided to do a blog about it and emailed her whole family about it. Her blog is at http://robynswords.blogspot.com/. Yesterday she made some posters and used recycled products to do it. She is now standing in front of our house telling people to help the earth when they walk by. She has such a desire to help and absolutely loves science and I hope it helps her to find a fulfilling career.

I am a little amused because my grandmother was very conservative and into nature. I started out as an environmental science major then moved to geology. I was a member of the Earth club at college and participated in lots of activities to help the environment. My problem in college was that no matter what we did to help there was always seemed to be a level of hypocrisy. I hope together Robyn and I can find a good way to help the environment and spread the word. We just want to take care of what God has given us and to show him that we appreciate it!

In school last year Robyn's teacher played music while they did some work and now her favorite song is Big Yellow Taxi and she says its by Tony Orlando. I didn't find that one but I found the Counting Crows version which I like. That is the song that is playing now.

Friendship Bread Friday

My sister-in-law gave me a friendship bread starter the other day. If you are interested in one of the 3 starters this will make let me know and I'll get it to you. As long as you are in our town :). It will be ready in about 6 to 7 days.

Thursday Thirteen / 100th Post!

Today will make my 100th post!!! I decided my list for this week would be 13 things I could record to make it possible for me to be silent through the day. Don't you feel like you repeat yourself all day long?

1. Get off your sister/get off the dog

2. Leave the dog alone

3. Stop crying (I have no patience for crying unnecessarily)

4. Stay in your seat and eat your food

5. Your time is up (Computer, TV, XBox)

6. Go to your room

7. I don't know where your shoes are, I haven't worn them today

8. If you put it where it belonged you wouldn't have to look for it

9. Make your bed

10. Its a nice day, play outside

11. How can you be bored with a room full of toys

12. Give me a hug

13. I love you (I showed Robyn the list and she agreed with everything except she says that I say I love you more than 13 times a day. That makes me very happy that she noticed.)

Wordless Wednesday