Taylor Swift!

I still can't get pictures on blogger but I put lots on flickr.

What a great mom daughter outing.

Taylor Swift concert was wonderful we had great seats, then they started putting a rope up and I thought she is going to walk by us we were at an end of an aisle. She did and Brittney got to touch her hand. She has said she is never washing her hand again!

Not cooperating

I have been trying to add pictures but blogger is not being cooperative.

We had a fun outing with friends on Friday to an apple orchard. Pics are in flickr if you click on the flickr box to the right.

Tomorrow morning Britt and I leave for girl fun! Taylor Swift concert tomorrow night. She is so excited and so am I. We are leaving in the morning going to have lunch at Cheesecake Factory and a little shopping before the concert. We are staying the night in Tulsa and will head back some time on Monday. Hopefully blogger will let me post pics tomorrow night. I am looking more forward to this concert than the previous Cheetah Girls, and Hannah Montana concerts that we have went to.

Drama King

I don't really have a drama queen Britt has her moments but she is not NEAR as dramatic as her brother.

This morning we are studying monks in history and we were making a traditional lentil soup from that time.

Braden all of a sudden drops to his knees and hands raised goes "Why Why Why"
I am like what are you doing?
He looks at me and says "I was asking God why I am allergic to so many things but I can't be allergic to this soup!".

I am making him eat the soup or at least 4 bites of it as that is the rule around here but he is just so amusing!

Trying to do less

I have been missing in action.

It has been on my mental to do list to throw a post up but the mental list has been a swirl of things.

I had a crying meltdown over just having too much this past weekend. I actually felt better after it. I have given up girl scout leader position. After talking to Brittney she didn't really care about it either, talked to her best friend she didn't care either so why was I killing myself. So that is off the list now. That helps.

I have also cut down a little on the free lance paralegal work I have one attorney that pays very well and I get the most work for him but then I have another attorney who doesn't pay as well but he was one of the ones to start my free lance work and has always been there so I felt obligation to him. However it was just becoming to overwhelming so I went into talk to him. Of course started crying and he was like why didn't you say something sooner no problem. So we worked out a compromise he wants me to do certain tasks because he has known me 15 years and trusts me but other tasks are being delegated out. Which leaves the other attorney who pays well but is harder to work for. I am just going to have to put boundaries with that work.

I have lots of upcoming appointments for Brae I have bypassed some doctors and am just doing what I feel needs to be done. I know I will step on some toes but have decided it has to be done. So hopefully will have some answers soon. If you follow me on facebook you know about the weird episodes he has been having here and there with his heart rate dropping. It has now been 7 days since he had an episode so who knows.

Our home school coop has started and I do enjoy being director of that and I think I have it organized enough that the next 5 weeks should go smoothly so I don't get too overwhelmed. Home school is going good. I have started a new program with Brae working with his auditory and visual disorders I will let you know further into it how it goes. So far so good. We are actually seeing a vision therapist tomorrow interested to see what she has to say.

I have lots of recipes and crafts to share just have to have time to get them typed out and put up. Also going to share some of our favorite new books this school year. We are loving our art book and I need to share pics and more about some of the latest painters we have tried.

So basically I hope to get things into general order soon leaving mroe time to do things I enjoy like posting. Learning to say no to some things it is either that or really lose my mind.

Crock Pot Kinda week

I have 4 days this week I am using the crock pot for dinner.

I am loving layered dinners in the crock pot. Yum. Last night we had steak, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob all in the crockpot done at the same time and the steak was so tender. Tonight is a summer soup.

I get tons of recipes from crockpot365

She goes into details on the layered cooking as a bonus her recipes are gluten free, and if you don't have to eat gluten free then you just substitute your regular pasta, etc.

I do still take the lazy way out and buy the crock pot liners from Reynolds not cost efficient but makes clean up SO easy.

studying michelangelo

We started our book "Discovering Great Artists" today. We read about Michelangelo and his painting of the chapel ceiling, etc.

After reading about it I used masking tape and taped large paper under a table in the garage and let the kids lay on their backs and paint. They had fun and I think will remember more about Michelangelo than they would have just by reading it.

Ignore the messy garage in the background of the pics community yard sales are this weekend so trying to get ready for that.

Too much juggling

I have had several balls in the air lately. My freelance paralegal work is booming which money wise that is great time wise not so great since I end up doing most of my work at 4 am and then running it by the offices after the kids are done with school.

Adding to that Brae's appointments, Britt's basketball, horseback lessons, girl scouts, Brae's soccer, being co-op director, and school for both I was dropping balls left and right.

I had asked Britt about girl scouts and she was like I don't mind if we do it or not yet I still kept being the leader. Finally as I was in tears last week I knew something had to go. Girl Scout meetings themselves weren't too time consuming but prep for them, and organization of all the paperwork the organization requires was just too much. I realized I was keeping it up because I felt I needed to and yet my own child didn't even care about it. I asked other moms to step up and everyone was to busy and I understand that but I also realize I am too busy to. So no more girl scouts. That frees up some time and stress. Maybe that will help somewhat.

I know work won't stay this busy I just have to get the case load manageable again. Co-op director is a big job for the home school group but I really enjoy it and my kids benefit greatly so that is staying. Trying to find horseback riding closer to eliminate that taking 3 hours at a chunk. Basketball will just stay crazy but she loves it and it is good for her. Same with soccer. Of course school stays even though Braden tried to convince me that they could take a break from school "for a year or two"...his words. Obviously not going to happen but he is cute when he is trying to get out of school...which means he is cute all the time!

A pic from this weekends first soccer game. I didn't get any pics of Braden being goalie...oops.

New week..

Here is hoping this week isn't as crazy as last week.

Eeek Brittney and I spent every afternoon at basketball camp last week. We left our house at 2 and camp was from 3-7 so it was 8 before we got home. Made for a long week and a sore girl. She loved it though. It is going to be a tough competitive team and she is going to have to up her game even more but she loves the sport so much and her height gives her a good starting point and then she pushes herself so I think she will do fine. She is the young one on the team though but as she likes to point out she may be youngest but she isn't the shortest...LOL. She measured at 5'7 the other day...remember she is only 11.

I started school with the kids last week. Which may not have been my smartest decision but maybe it got us eased into it a little bit. I am already unhappy with the English I had picked out and I am not even going to continue it I ordered a new program last night. I said I know I don't like it and it wasn't cheap but we will all be miserable if I try to make it work so out with Switched on Schoolhouse Language and in with Easy Grammar.

Brae started soccer up. Hubby is coaching. He went to a coaches clinic Saturday and came home realizing how out of shape he was. So we will all be using the gym membership and we will both be working with the kids on their sports so maybe we can all get healthier.

First Day of School!

Starting school today. School room is not exactly how I want it, things aren't as planned as I wanted but much to Braden's chargin we are starting today!

Pics of the kiddos the first day...none of the teacher because she was still in her pajamas...LOL

My 6th Grader and my 4th Grader!

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods

Vacation is coming to an end. It has been so much fun. Tomorrow we leave Colorado Springs heading to Amarillo TX to visit family and then on home on Saturday.

Today we road the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak, and went horseback riding in the Garden of the Gods. The kids got to see Big Horn Sheep going up Pikes Peak I think that was the highlight. Braden has had a rougher time last night and today but I think he is doing better. Time to get back home and on schedule with him.

I have put LOTS of pics on my flickr.

having fun!

Vacation is going great. We are loving it.

South Dakota is beautiful.

I have been loading lots of pics on flickr.

We are on the go and we are having lots of fun!

On the road again....

Road Trip!

Family Vacation!

Yeah!

We started out yesterday.

If you want your laugh of the day this is what happened to yours truly.

We were rushing getting around yesterday morning kids were loaded I was last one out the door, getting everything ready for MIL who is housesitting for us, we got on the road. About 3 hours later we stopped for gas and a break. I start looking under the seat everywhere.....I had not worn shoes...I had left my house walked to the car barefoot and had no shoes. So now hubby is calling me hillbilly!

The bright side new shoes!! I did have a pair of tennis shoes in the suitcase for horseback riding later on in the trip but I couldn't wear them the whole time.

Yesterday we went to Fort Riley, KS the military base I group up at. What a fun trip down memory lane. I took pics of my old house, the kids got to look at lots of tanks. It has grown so much...I guess that is expected after 20 plus years but still it was so neat to see. Security much tighter than it was over 20 years ago too!

We are going to do a few things here in Topeka this morning then onto Omaha, NE. The hotel there has an indoor waterpark. FUN!

Here is a pic from Fort Riley

Smart Alleck Response #4368

I have about lost count LOL...on my Brae's smartalleck but still cute comebacks.

This afternoon:

Me: I am so tired.

Brae: Mom why don't you take a nap, I will play quiet.

Me: Brae that is so sweet thinking of me like that.

Brae: Well Mom I was actually thinking of myself because you have been getting kinda cranky this afternoon.

Kids rooms

Britt is away at summer camp (first time ever and she is loving it, thankful that my friends are counselors and her best friend is in her bunk).

While she was away I wanted to do a few things to her room. Well I had a very stressful Monday and I needed to burn off the stress so the few things turned into repainting and more...LOL. Her room fits her personality so well. Brae gave me the puppy dog face so he got a few new things in his room too not as exciting as sissy's but he is thrilled because I let him have Bakugan stuff we just threw up a quick border using a handbook. Brae was most thrilled with the curtains I guess he has just always had mini blinds but he was fascinated with the curtains..LOL.

Great book for art and kids

Working on lesson plans for the Fall. I am so impressed with a book I picked up for fun. We are going to do art each Friday (or that is the plan anyway we shall see how it goes). It would be fun for homeschooling or just an add in. Anyway I love this book:

This book is hands on art. Each page gives you a brief biography of the artist and time period. Then it gives you a practical way to recreate the painting style. I highly recommend it and we are looking so forward to using this book.

14 years ago!

14 years ago today I truly found and married my other half. We have laughed, cried, went through things that we didn't understand, we have fought, made up and loved so much. Happy Anniversary Matt!

We look so young! I am sure I will be thinking the same thing down the road (hopefully a long long long way down) when Britt or Brae gets married.
(I promise I know the date of my anniversary the camera date was set wrong but I still love this pic)

Helpful hint

My kids especially Britt want to take everything they own when we go to someone's house. Grandparents, friends, it doesn't matter everything must go. Well instead of arguing I have a new rule. We have to make a list to make sure everything comes home. The list must be neat handwriting Britt's case it must be cursive. Having to write it out really makes her think about what she really wants to take and with checking the list before she comes home she remembers all her stuff. The extra handwriting practice is great too!

Busy busy...

Life is at high speed right now. I keep thinking if I can make it the next 5 weeks I will be okay. Just so much going on. Trying to get organized for things too that are happening in August, then try to plan school. We finally just gave up on the school and took the summer off. We are doing some things on line at Time for Learning so I don't feel too bad. But not keeping a set lesson plan over the Summer.

We have vacation coming up in about 5 weeks. Just so much to do before we leave. Because as soon as we return school will start. Then about 10 other things begin too...LOL.

My new obsession is my Iphone...oh it is so fun. First I wasn't sure if I would like it or not but now I love it and the apps are so much fun.

Both kids lounged around today in their pajamas Braden said "this is how I need to dress everyday and do nothing too".....he would if I let him.

Insmonia and catching up

I have been up since 2. Oh well it allows me to get a few things marked off the to do list. I will be dragging this afternoon.

I celebrated my 35th birthday in Texas. Wow 35, I remember thinking that was SO old. Of course here lately my body is reminding me it is getting old. I did something I had wanted to do forever. I got a tattoo. We went with my aunt and uncle to the big expo that Texas had. If you could have taken a pic of me there it would have been what here does not belong. I had never seen some of those things in my life wow different. I got my simple very special to me 3 hearts on my ankle.
Most are surprised I got one but I wanted one way back in college but then it was just a butterfly now this is something that is a special thing to me. I have caught some flak for it already and I am sure I will catch some more but on this issue it is for me and let those that want to judge do so but I am not going to regret this.


We were in Texas two weeks so the next two weeks will be spent catching up and by that point Britt will be on her way to camp for the first time...eek...my baby. Then she will be back a few days and the kids and I will be off to Texas again.

Before we leave again I plan to do a yard sale (yes I may be crazy)...LOL...but I know that after we get back from Texas we are home a day and then leave for a two week trip, then come back from that and I want to start school so I need to have the house clean before Texas trip. Busy busy.

My little smart alleck

We went out with my cousin and her family to a thai resteraunt. Hubby has eaten thai before but not the kids or I. Britt being my picky eater we had talked about trying new foods the whole way.

We get there start looking at the menus before my cousins family gets there. Britt is starting to snarl about the foods. I say "Brittney I don't want any attitude from you on this". Without missing a beat Brae looks up and says "Oh is attitude on the menu"...Oh he is so quick and such a smart alleck but so cute about it..lol.

For the record I didn't like thai food, neither did the kids. Hubby loved it.