Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

My baby girl is turning 9. Boy time has flown. I remember being scared to death to bring you home from the hospital, I felt so inept. I keep looking back at your album thinking how fast the time is flying and how I want to hold on to every moment and memory. You bring blessings to our life you wont understand until you have your own precious blessing. You are so kind hearted, and giving. You enrich our lives daily and we are so happy to be celebrating your 9th birthday. You are getting older but you will always be mommy's baby girl.

Birthday Cake

I could critique the cake and myself all day but what is important is Brittney thinks it is totally cool!

This is for her bath junkie birthday party tonight. She won't actually turn 9 till Sunday.

Favorite Foto Friday

She also had a Jesse Doll from Toy Story that she dragged everywhere for a while.

Mid Week...Almost

I LOVE what Bluebird Blogs did for me. Her prices are so reasonable. I really like what she came up with for me and I think it fits my personality well.

Matt's school board meeting was in his words "not pretty". Another rough one will be on tap for next month.

No news on the car yet, suppose to let us know something tommorow.

Trying to get everything planned for us to go to Austin the first week in November.

Hubby has a trip to cooperate next week. So getting that prepared.

I have on my to do list to get things to make Brittney's birthday cake for Friday night. If I can get it to look how I want then it will be adorable. Her party will be at bath junkie so going with a bathtub/rubber ducky theme. The cake pic I found is a little girl in a bubble bath then going to do rubber ducky cookies around the cake.

I am also planning on hosting a baby shower for a friend next week.

Do you need something done? Seriously I just have all this extra time and nothing to do...UGH...and the sad thing is I am getting better at saying no and I am still swamped.

Time for a horse and buggy

Gas prices finally went down and now what happens?....Car goes into the shop ugh...just another reason to get a horse and buggy.

Don't know the damage yet for the car...of course it is right past it's warranty...OF COURSE. Ugh vehicles!

It's Monday

I will be getting my new template up sometime this week. Hubby got it done for me from bluebird blogs. I liked what she came up with. Should be up soon.

A busy week, today cleaning, catching up from being gone this weekend, preparing for this week. It is suppose to rain all day which means what I will want to do is curl up and nap. We will do homeschool this morning, then cleaning, then speech. Tonight Matt has an important school board meeting. I have been praying for him and this whole school board situation it is just a mess, this small town has some big problems with the school system. It is sad really. Brittney will be excited all week as she turns 9 next Sunday. I know this week will fly by as it is busy, we are planning for a party, and hubby leaves out next week for corporate office and that always gets here quicker than I want it to.

Here are some pics from this week. Didn't take too many. The zoo is so fun during these campout I think I counted approximately 45 tents camping out. I love walking around at night. The animals are so active. Of course I couldnt get any good pics of the animals because for the flash to work it has to be up close when it is that dark. Most of the kids pics they have chocolate all over their faces from one of the craft stands set up at the zoo. It was making muddy birds feet (marshmellows, pretzels, dipped in choc).

First crash

We had fun at the campout. I will have to post pics later. I am posting from my aunts computer and hers doesn't use my card. It was cold but we stayed pretty warm and had lots of fun.

This morning we came over to my aunts house and then headed out for the day. Some shopping then to Incredible Pizza.

The kids and Matt wanted to ride the nascar cars. Braden is way over being tall enough to drive by himself so they each got their own cars. Matt pulled out first of the pitt to get to the starting lane, then Brittney, then Braden. Well the guys were not paying attention and had not controlled Braden's cars speed and it zipped out of the pit and SLAMMED and I do mean slammed into a wall. His glasses went flying, his head hit the steering wheel, seat belt scraped his neck, and his knee has a bruise the size of an egg on it. Thankfully he is fine. But at first I wasnt so sure, his forehead looked awful, and I was scared to death he would have a seizure. Talk about getting special treatment. The car rink manager ran out yelling at the young kid in charge of the ride, we got Braden and brought him to sit down. The manager came out and stayed with us. Braden was feeling better, he brought Braden a free game card for games, came and brought us a copy of the accident report in case we needed to take Braden to the doctor, Braden got VIP treatment the rest of the visit. He even ended up getting on the race cars again (this time as a passenger with Matt) and the main manager stayed out with him the whole time. I have given him some Motrin because I know he will be sore tommorow. I guess we can say now he has had his first car wreck and believe me it was enough for mom I don't even want to think about real ones and driving real cars!

Off for the weekend

What a week. Oh well that can be behind us now we are outta here for the weekend.

Tonight will have us at the "Starry Safari" overnight campout at the Tulsa Zoo. Going to be a chilly night which will be fun for camping lots of blankets and extra layers. Going to get to see the zoo without many other people, walk around with our flashlights, have a buffett dinner, breakfast is also provided, plus special things just for the kids to do, train rides, and animal trainers out and about.

Tommorow morning we will pack up from the zoo and head to my aunt's house and clean up and head out for a day of fun in Tulsa. Since Britt's birthday is soon to be we are going to go have fun a little early at Incredible Pizza. I am sure a trip to Target and Gordman's will have to be done (or else there will be lots of whining....by me). We will stay Saturday night at my aunt's then head home on Sunday. Then we will prepare for another busy week.

It will just be nice to get away, Matt off of work, family time!

Favorite Foto Friday

Halloween from when he was 4 but even though he has grown he is still my little stinker!!!!

Homecoming Parade

Tonight was our small towns homecoming parade. The theme was "Haunt the Savages" my kids are the two ghosts! The cold weather made wearing sweats while riding the float a must!

Works for me Wednesday

Math treasure hunt

I have two kids on different levels of math and this is how I make a fun and educational treasure hunt.

I take 3 x 5 cards (green are for Brae) and (orange are for Brit).
Example of one for Brae
9 + 3 =
a) 11 - look behind the pear tree
b) 6 - look under the slide
c) 12 - look under the green bench

so the kids would go look under the green bench where I would place probably an orange card so Brit could answer this one and then they would be off to the next card and so on and so on until they get to the treasure. The treasure could be as simple as a snack, a fun project to do together, or a special treat.

They love this! It can be done indoors, outdoors and with verying ages to make it easier or more difficult.

Check out more at Shannon's

Not what I meant

When I posted below that I hoped to get up early to do some legal work I was not hoping to wake up at 12:30 am and be unable to fall back asleep.

Yuck...insomnia.

It is now 2:30 I didn't get any of the actual legal work done but all my work is sorted out and organized into two neat piles. Now when I get ready I can just come in grab a file and know that all the paperwork is in it.

Of course now I am heading back to bed to try to catch a few hours of sleep before a busy Monday begins.

Weekend Wrap Up

Got a few things done this weekend of course not enough of what I need to do, but that is normal.

Did get Brit to decide on a Halloween Costume. Brae's has been picked out since May. Britt took longer to decide. So now for Halloween I will have a Lilo and a Stitch. Should be cute we had gotten Braden's at Disney. I ordered Britt a red and white Hawaiin print dress and a black wig. It is a simple costume and she was excited to match with her brother.

Plan on getting up in the morning early so that I can catch up on some legal work, hopefully that will happen.

Another busy week planned but I did cancel two extra things that I had scheduled. One was a hair appointment and another a lunch out. I figured I could do without both and keep myself a little saner.

Biting me tounge.

I have about 3 seperate situations going at the moment that are causing me to bite my tounge. I play a game in my head after each and every conversation for these seperate conversations. In my head I get to go off and tell them to go away, that I am done, that they are not worth it. But then I know that if I tell what I really want to it spins off things and is getting things off my chest worth a family rift, or a loss of friendship, etc.? Right now the answer is no it is not worth it, right now I am just biting my toungue and hoping they see that they are hurting me and not being and/or doing what they should. I find myself getting ticked off at little things and remembering things that normally dont bother me or that I dont usually care about. Ugh hopefully it will improve soon, I doubt any of the three will, but it would be nice if it would.

New Toy

Okay the post below I was stressing out, but now I am playing with my new toy..LOL...so fun making picture slide shows. It is a freeware project and so easy to use.

Farm Field Trip (Barn Goddess I thought of your blog and all your awesome horse pics when I was snapping pics of horses!!)

Girl Scout Party this one I added music to the slide show.

I am working on more!

Favorite Foto Friday

Doing Halloween photos this month for my favs. This is a long time ago...my prince and her frog.

Have you ever...

I got this from In A Shoe

Have you ever....(Mine are highlighted)

I have....
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you’ and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (working on this one)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Seen the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days1
26. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office (I am couting PTA)
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

What have you done?

Making vacation plans

We had a little family pow wow last night to decide next years vacation plans. I know I am obsessive and plan ahead. We had several options we decided to go to South Dakota, Brae actually has been the one wanting to go as he studied it recently. We had planned to go in March, problem is still too cold there and none of the fun stuff opens till after memorial day. So now we get to have even more fun because we are planning a mini trip in March to see Anne. So REALLY looking forward to that. Keith was little when we saw them on vacation together in St. Louis.

We moved the South Dakota trip to first of June.

The kids and I put our new magnets on the refrigerator this morning. It is a full map of the United States but we are only placing on it the states the kids have visited. We will add more each time we travel. The kids are already looking to add 3 states in March with Anne and 4 when we go to South Dakota!

Here is their map of where they have been so far.

Just forgetting about everything for awhile was so nice

What a much needed break. It is sad that this is only 45 minutes away and we have never taken the kids before. They had a blast. We did the 1 1/2 miles trail...lots of climbing. Braden did one fall that scared about 10 years off of me but he hopped back up and was at it again...he was way too adventerous for my taste. Lots more pics in flickr.

Descending into the first cave...where I sat outside on a rock and spoke to nice tourists instead of crawling and climbing. The kids loved it. It was there favorite part.

More Devils Den...

A break for the day......hopefully

We are getting ready for a day trip to Devils Den State Park

I have been about to break this week. Feeling very depressed and overwhlemed. We need a break. A break from medical issues, finances, work, family, all of it.

Also after enduring a few hours outdoors hiking (not my fav thing normally) I get a reward....Target! Yeah for me...LOL...our local Target is suppose to open in Spring of 2008 until then I get excited for any trip that takes me by one.

I will post pics of the park, and of course more important I will let you know about the bargains I am sure to find at Target.

Almost among the living again

I am getting there. I hate allergy sinus colds, ugh. Yesterday I felt awful, this morning, better. I am sure after I run errands and take care of things, etc I may not be feeling as good. It was just nice to wake up not feeling like I wanted to roll over and stuff a pillow over my head.

I am whiner when I am sick, I know I am. I try not to be, but poor hubby has to hear it anyway.

Hubby has the day off on Friday so we are planning a day out. I think we are going to go to the state park in Arkansas called Devil's Den it has been years since I have been there. We picked a pretty easy walking trail to try that also has two caves to explore (the kids are so excited). Should be some pretty pics to take too.

Hopefully I will be completely over this junk by then. We had toyed with the idea of camping out Thursday night but decided not a good idea since I wasn't feeling that great. So we will just head out Friday morning only about an hour away. The best thing is it is only another 10 minutes to a Target...should be a perfect day some nature and fun with the family, topped off with Target shopping!

Contest over at In A Shoe

Kim at In a Shoe is having a great contest sponsored by Vision Forum.

Go check it out HERE

I just know

I just know it is going to be a trying week when already on Monday I have been up since 3am with a sinus cold. I have a list of things a mile long to do. Now that it is almost time for everyone else to get up I am ready to go back to bed. Promises to be one of those weeks.

I should be sleeping in

It is dark and raining....I should still be in bed, but alas I have been up since 5:30.

I am still enjoying the rain, it has been so dry. I can do without the threat of tornados though.

Last night hubby and I had a nice low key night out together. Our last attempt was thwarted with my headache.

We hit a new ice cream place that was super yummy. Did some Christmas shopping. Did a layaway at WalMart before they stop doing layaways. Got both kids big Christmas presents out of the way. Actually they are small in size big in amount of money out of my wallet. Both got Nintendo DS Light's....at least I think those are what they were called. Brittney got a pink one and Braden black. One game each. Luckily this thing plays the games they already have that go with their nintendo advance thing (you can tell hubby shops for the electronics).

I need to sit down today and look at what all we have bought and what will be stocking stuffers, and so on.

Suppose to meet my parents with the kids (they spent the night) at Fire Mountain for breakfast this morning, but I really dont want to get out in this rain storm. I need to go back and cover up in the bed...good idea....wont happen but still a good idea.

Favorite Foto Friday

I love this pic of the kids. I wish Brittney was looking at the camera but it is still cute. I love how Braden is holding her hand. Brittney was 4 and in PreK it was the school talent show. I ahve said it before and I will say it a lot more...time flies.

Dog the Bounty Hunter

I consider the Dog The Bounty Hunter show one of my guilty pleasures. I don't watch it all the time but I have to admit I find it enjoyable. I know Dog seems so full of himself and he prays in one breath and cusses in the next but still I think he has good values and does good for community. The more I learn about his recent arrest the more mad I get. How many US residents run to Mexico to be free from US law. Yet the US is going to send Dog, his brother, and son back to Mexico. I realize he "legally" broke the law when he apprehended Andrew Luster...but I for one could care less, he did it thank goodness. Andrew Luster was an awful person who was found guilty. Some sites regarding Dog. Dog is currently out on bond, and is fighting extradition to Mexico.

There is a website where you can get more info, sign a petition, etc.
FREE DOG

Works For Me Wednesday - Coffee Filters

Coffee Filters can be bought pretty cheap and can be used for a lot of different things....I am sure they are more but here are some that work for me!

Serving snacks (popcorn, chips, etc) the filters are disposable and less expensive than paper bowls or plates.

Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.

(one of my favs) Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.

Clean windows and glass. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.

I guess he told me

Tucking Brae into bed tonight.

Me: I am so proud of you. You are learning to read and doing your homeschool so good. I am so proud of you and you are just getting better and better. I am so so proud.
Brae: I am proud of you too Mom you are getting better at the teaching pretty soon you will be good.

Good for now

$2.01 a gallon here...YEAH...so much better than pushing the $3.00 that it was in the summer. They stated it should be about $1.95 this weekend, but will probably go up after November 7 (election).

Is it sad?

I was checking my calendar for the week and I was like what is that on Thursday. I had marked that it was the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy....is that sad? I am so addicted to that show, of course they will make me mad I am sure and I will gripe about it for days.

I am not a big TV watcher I have maybe 5 shows that I watch regularly. I added Dancing With The Stars this season, I talked bad about it in the seasons past thinking why would I watch that. Now I am totally addicted. I watch The Soup on E Channel on Friday nights, Grey's, Dancing, and now I cant think of any others. Hmmmm so 3 must sees. I might watch Desperate Housewives. For news I like Fox and Friends in the morning, and O'Reily in the evenings.

So am I missing any great shows? Let me know and I may try to check them out.

Now I have my week all planned out and I have three evenings booked (Dancing and Grey's).

It will be a busy week so I can think about those shows as my reward!

She is so old

Overheard conversation while kids were playing a video game.

Britt: "Don't worry Brae it's not over till the fat lady sings"
Brae: "What does that mean?"
Britt: "Don't worry about it Brae it is just an old saying I remember from when I was young"

Yard Sale Bargains

I didn't really want to go to yard sales this morning with my mom. It was city wide yardsales. So even with my pounding headache that is still not gone away I was up at out at 6:30.

I did get a closet shelf organizer still in the package unopened for $3.00
For my nephews 2 footed pajamas, 4 pairs of Gap jeans, 2 long sleeve Tshirts $3.00
Brittney 2 pairs of jeans and one was Limited Too which earned me lots of brownie points, 2 shirts $4.00
Brittney 2 pairs of skechers shoes (this was the best deal of the day) that look brand new I paid $2.00 for both pair.
Braden a power Ranger movie that he didnt have $1.00
Me a Christmas TeaPot .75
Amelia Bedelia book and tape $1.00
Science Experiment book .10

So I got a few things and I didn't spend much but I much more enjoyed coming home while my dad still had the kids and taking a nap!

Anticipation with a headache

Hubby and I are having a date night.

My mom is suppose to be here within about 30 minutes to pick the kids up for the night.

Hubby and I have been looking forward to this all week.

So of course since we were looking forward to it I ended up waking up with a terrible headache. I have taken things all day, it is not as bad at least I can walk without feeling like my head is going to explode with each step. But still a headache.

Yuck.

Still looking forward to our date but wish it wasnt with a headache. I just popped two more Excedrin Migraines and rubbed stuff on my head for a migraine and put Bio Freeze on my neck...so hoping for less of a headache soon.

He needed a quarter.

The kids and I went to JCPenny's yesterday. Shopped around a little bit and I said lets have a potty break before we head on.

I take Braden in the women's restroom with me. I was in a stall, Brittney on one side, Braden on the other. He got done first and went to wash his hands.

This conversation starts:
Braden: "Mom, I need a quarter".
Me: What?
Braden: "I need a quarter".
Me: Why?
Braden: "Because it says Napkins Always twenty five cents and I need to dry my hands".
Laughter from other women

I got out of the stall and right beside the sink was the womens personal supplies machine with "Always" on the top then "Napkins" "25 cents".

I showed him the papertowels on the opposite wall.

I didn't make a big deal out of it. The two other women however were "oh how cute"..."how funny".

So I was just thankful that I had something to blog about...LOL

Works for Me Wednesday (Homeade Magic Erasers)

A friend of mine posted to a group this recipe. I tried it and it worked really well.

I love the Magic Erasers for cleaning.

Try this homemade version...

Take a bowl and pour in some arm and hammer baking soda then pour a little white vinegar over it -- it will foam up and just make a paste with it = use it on the spots just like magic eraser using a wash cloth. As your paste gets too dry - add a bit more vinegar. WORKS as well as the Magic Erasers that you buy!

I haven't tried this one yet but my friend says it works GREAT....Grease spills in the garage -- sprinkle with lots of baking soda then pour on some vinegar and watch it bubble around then use a brush to lightly scrub it right off!!

Works for Me!

8 Things about me

I couldnt come up with anything to write so I stole this from BarnGoddess

8 things/habits/facts about me.

1. I grew up a military brat, living in Germany then Fort Riley Kansas, and other places until my dad retired to Oklahoma right before I turned 15.
2. I have a VERY good memory, I can recall conversations word for word, books I have read years before, people's names that I have seen just a few times and then see again years later. (This habit is not my hubby's favorite as I tend to use it against him..LOL)
3. I read VERY fast I read a book in about an hour and half depending on the thickness.
4. I keep a journal where I write letters to my kids.
5. I am very picky about how things are done, I like order and I like things organized (Hubby is probably dying to comment on this one...LOL)
6. I pay money to get rid of my curly hair every few months. Some people pay for perms not me....I hate my curly hair...I love it when I get it straightened.
7. I start Christmas shopping in March for the following year.
8. I tend to agree to things so I dont hurt someones feelings. (Which is why I usually end up way over extending myself).

Winding down

One of those days that seemed to go at warp speed with too much to do and not enough time to do it.

Hubby bless his heart is just about to scream over this school board mess. Our school system is such a mess right now. Tonights school board meeting is suppose to be a big one and I know several news crews were suppose to be there. I am just waiting to hear how it goes.

The kids are doing well on their homeschool. I sent in the first of their grades to abeka today for their progress reports. I really like the way it is shaping up. I am enjoying it immensly. Still more I want to do but that is an ongoing thing with me. I can see results and that is making me feel great that it was the right decision for our family.

The kids are laying down watching a movie in their rooms before going to sleep. I have Fox News in the background and waiting for news from the school board room. Basically just enjoying some quiet time. Not that I dont have my never ending to do list that I could be working on but this down time is too nice to pass up.

Remembering 911

September 11, 2001 will always be one of those days people remember where they were.

Myself I was doing a freelance legal job in a town about an hour away. I took the kids to a babysitter for the day and headed to work. It was my last day on this job and so I had certain things I had to do, I remember going over the list in my head. I didn't want to listen to the radio so I was listening to a romance book on cd.

I walked into the office and everyone from the law office was in another office for a finance company. Leslie told me that they were having prayer. I didn't know what was going on. At that time the first plane had hit. We had prayer, thinking it was a terrible accident. The day just got worse. I remember calling hubby and my mom had already called him. I also remember being so thankful that he had flown in from corporate office 2 weeks prior and was not away from us right now.

All day long rumors were around town, people were gathering food, gas, no one really knew what was going to happen. Everyone knew that life was forever changed.

I somehow finished what work I needed to do and headed home. The radio on the entire drive the book on cd that I had listened to on the way there was since forgotten. I came home and glued myself to the television while hubby went and got the kids.

Brittney was not quite 4 and she didn't understand but I remember telling her some bad people hurt a lot of people. She prayed with me on the couch.

Hubby and I kept all the Time magazines and newspaper clippings and put them in a tote in the attic so that in another 5 or 10 years when the kids are doing school reports they would have them.

I have read the book "Let's Roll" by Todd Beamers widow and it will bring tears to your eyes and peace to your heart.

Tommorow during homeschool the kids and I will read a story I found appropriate for their ages regarding 9/11 and talk about this world changing date and most of all we will pray for all those touched by the disaster.

Weekend Fun

Friday afternoon the kids and I headed to Tulsa to visit my aunt. The hospital she works for rented out an amusement park for their company picnic on Saturday. She also lives right on the river so the morning started with a short walk around the river bank. Then to Target before going to Bealls for the picnic.

We had a blast free drinks and food (including lots of cotton candy!).
Braden is my thrill rider (we knew this from Disney). He loves rides. Him and I rode the roller coaster, Brittney is not such a thrill rider her and my aunt opted out of the roller coaster. We got home a little while ago shortly followed by hubby getting home from work and now we are just being bums.

Favorite Foto Friday

This is from two summers ago when Brae played Tball. I love that look on his face (his mean look).

Love Thursday

Brittney giving her brother a welcome home from the hospital kiss a little over 7 years ago.

I'm so mean

Braden is receiving hard punishment tonight. It is awful he cried when he found out. He threw a fit and he knew there would be punishment. He keeps saying mom I promise not to do it again, I wont throw a fit, I love you mom, please don't make me, please, please.

What is it that instills such fear in my son............
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Instead of getting to pick his own movie before bed he has to watch.....
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Little House on the Prairie.

He hates it, and he thinks it is the worse punishment, the thing is one night of this will probably give me six to eight weeks with no fits.

Brittney's worse punishment is I let her brother be in charge of her room for one day.

I had to get creative with these two!

3am wake up

I have been so stressed lately. Just on edge. Not sleeping. This morning I woke hubby up at 3am. I just needed to pour it out and talk. He didn't mind at all. Actually he was more aggrivated about the fact that I told him I had often wanted to wake him and up and talk but felt too guilty to wake him up.

None of the issues are really resolved but after my 3am spill session I feel better. Not quite so crazy. Of course hubby may be the crazy one because he puts up with me!

Not going to do that again

On our way back from Tulsa I wasn't feeling too well. I had taken some excedrin but I was feeling like maybe I had a fever I didn't have any tylenol, but I thought I had some Jr. Tylenol for the kids in my little carry case. I popped them in my mouth and the moment I popped them in I thought wait when I was getting them out of the counter I couldnt find the Jr. Tylenol so I grabbed Motrin just in case the kids needed some.

I am VERY allergic to Ibuprofen. I immediately spit them out. Hubby is looking at me odd and I was like I dont think those are Tylenol. I looked in the case and sure enough it said MO 60...oops. I told hubby no big deal they just barely touched my tounge.

3 minutes later my tounge was filling up my mouth it was swelling, and I could barely talk. Luckily my throat wasnt closing up. We were miles and miles away from a hospital. I immediately started popping Benedryl. Luckily the Benedryl was enough to sit off the reaction. It was nuts for about 20 minutes. Hubby said I scared him. I scared myself.

Last time I had Ibuprofen I spent 3 days in the hospital. Luckily I thought about it before I actually swallowed them. I told hubby no more carrying Motrin even for the kiddos.

Other than that we had a good time in Tulsa. Just that little snag on the way home. I am feeling much better now once the Benedryl made the swelling go down and the hazziness went away from the Benedryl.

If hubby ever wants to off me I guess he can just slip me some Motrin or Advil....I better not five him any ideas...LOL...of course his policy on my isn't as good as mine on him so that should keep me safe...HAHAHAHAHA.

From now on it's hubbys job

Hubby was working today so the kids and I went out for breakfast and next stop was WalMart.

I knew the car needed an oil change, we are going to Tulsa tommorow and again next Saturday. I thought I would do it so hubby wouldnt have to worry about getting it done this week. I figured WalMart would be easier than a quick lube place because the kids and I could shop. I pulled in I was the 4th car....not too bad.

2 hours later......

I finally got my car back. No more oil changes for me, from now on hubby's job.

Of course the kids were so good for so long I rewarded them so that upped the bill, plus spending two hours in WalMart I found so many things we "needed"....so in honesty it will be cheaper on hubby to just take it next time.

Favorite Foto Friday

The kids and hubby when we visited Grand Canyon. We were on our way home from the doctor in Arizona we had been in Pheonix and had to buy Tshirts, then in the Grand Canyon their was snow and we were FREEZING.

Cutie pie?

Braden came in my room last night to tell me good night.

He gave me a hug and said "Mom you are a cutie pie"

Me: I am?

Braden: Yes, even though I don't know what a cutie pie is, you call me that and I look like you so you must be a cutie pie too.

It was cute. He is such a sweetie.

Love Thursday

OwlHaven had this up today and I thought I would add my picture for Love Thursday. This is one of the many that I had hubby scan for me from when I was going through pics. This is Brittney when she was my little baby. Time flies

Works for me Wedensday

I am pretty one tracked on my taste in music. However I want to introduce my kids to all kinds including classical music. Trouble was I couldn't see myself listening to classical music much less the kids. A fellow mom told me about some great cd's.
They are called Classical Kids. There are many different ones. We have listened to two so far. You can find them on homeschooling sites such as sonlight, ebay, or amazon. They are more than music they are a story to listen too and just happen to have classical music in them along with a story about the composer. The stories are interesting and my kids didn't want me to stop the car until they found out what would happen, and they were introduced to classical music. Works for me!

I dont like to share

A friend borrowed my computer to do a paper for college. She was here at the house most of the day working on it. So I was without a computer. I did get some pictures looked through and have hubby scanning them. I will be doing some flashback favorite foto Fridays for a while. Some I wanted to get scanned in for scrapbook pages, etc. So did get that done.

All I know is I don't like to share my computer. Good thing hubby got my friends laptop running for her.

Gettin ready for the week

Weekend flew by. Hubby had to work this weekend so the kids and I were on our own. We had a good weekend. Got errands ran yesterday and went to a birthday party.

Today Sunday School and then home. The kids played games while I prepared lesson plans it is still taking me quite sometime to get my lesson plans done for the week, but I am still learning what I like and don't so I change them up a little each week. Add that to the fact that I am a perfectionist and it makes it a long process.

Menu is done for the week, calendar is plotted, to do lists are ready.....so I guess Monday here we come...ready or not.

Good news is family drama seems to be on the downslide or it at least seems that way to me (could be that I have become better at ignoring my cell phone)!

Favorite Foto Friday

Loooong Week

It is probably just me but this week has dragged by. Of course my wonderful schedule got flipped around but it was due to something uncontrollable with my friends brother in law dying. So trying to help them out. I doubled up on homeschool one day to allow one day for me to babysit my friends kids.

It has just been a drawn out week it seems, I was beginning to think Friday would never arrive.

This weekend will be busy, of course if I had one that wasn't I might not know what to do with myself.

Okay so all this post is about is how this week has dragged by and even with it dragging I still didn't fit in all the things I needed to get done and will still be busy this weekend. I know the weekend wont drag it will fly by just like it always seems to.

Works for Me Wednesday

Entertaining my kids (7 and 8) while waiting at a resteraunt is easy and a teaching experience. I carry lots of change. On purpose. We take our seat and my son can't wait to be able to count money. Both of them love it. We make up math games, change the amounts of the coins. Coins is something you almost always have, kids love to play with money, and they are learning without knowing it. A very simple thing if you remember it and use it once, the kids will ask to do it the next time.

Works for me!

Is it bad?

It is bad that with homeschooling the 3rd grade I am having to double check myself with the teacher's manual?....oh boy...I am going to learn a lot as the years go by.

Here is a sample of some of Britt's thrid grade spelling words through abeka. She has 28 words a week and 3 vocabulary.
refrigerator
manufacture
respect
apologize
calculator
discussion
mosquitoes
thunderstorm
lemonade

I am really enjoying the homeschool, both kids are too, I can really see how much they are learning and retaining. It is harder than what Britt is used to. Braden not so much yet since I retained him, but I know it will get harder. I keep seeing little things that show this was the right path for us.

I figure if they can do good using this abeka curriculium they should be doing good. Now I better spell check this post because I am not as advanced yet...LOL

Side effect

I have realized one bad side effect of me homeschooling the kids....

baking...

both kids love to do it.....

I love to do it....

we make it part of our time together....

the problem is I am going to gain 100 pounds...

But these are hot out of the oven and who can resist.

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday evening was a nice relaxing evening in we played Trouble with the kids. We also watched Hoot which is a cute movie. We all enjoyed it.

Saturday Hubby had the kids all day while I attended a Homeschool Moms Retreat day. I really got a lot out of the retreat and enjoyed it. I came home and ordered several things off the internet that I had heard about. Hubby and the kids had a good time he took them to the library, out to lunch, to the movie to see Barnyard which they all liked. Saturday evening we met at Logan's for dinner and to celebrate my friends 35th birthday.

This morning we went to church and this afternoon I got so much paralegal work done. I had been putting things off and off and further off but I finally sit down and did quite a bit today. Not caught up yet but I got quite a bit done and so that makes me feel better. Did lesson plans for the week got papers ready. Hubby cleaned out the freezer which was nice. We have two freezers he got one of them done, even cooked off some chicken for me. We had bought one of those foodsavers and he used it to repackage things.

So at least we got some stuff accomplished this weekend. Now to get the rest of my chore charts and menus done for the week.

I think only I could do this

I joke that if it is something klutzy or a small percentage it will happen then it will happen to me.

This morning at WalMart picked up a six pack of Sunny D, I guess I grabed it wrong because I dropped it. It hit my right wrist as I was trying to grab it. All of a sudden it hurt, I mean really hurt, by the time I got home it was swollen and about a 3 inch length bruise. Hubby wanted me to go get it xrayed (I have a history of breaking bones in the weirdest ways). I instead put ice on it and took some pain reliever. The swelling is down, I have a nice pretty bruise, but I don't think it is broken.

Ugh, so I have spent the day trying to do things with one arm, because it still hurts like heck.

Of course I am at this moment using one of the recalled Dell laptops on battery power maybe it wont burst into flames as I sit here of course with my luck I better turn it off now.

It Works For Me

We have set items for breakfast and lunch. No arguing through the week. The kids helped pick the menu so they know on Monday morning when they wake up it is cereal, Tuesday it is frozen waffles, Wednesday is scrambled eggs, Thursday is pancakes or toaster strudle, Friday is cereal. We don't do this for the weekends but it is so nice during the week. Same with lunch Monday's spagethi o's, Tuesday corn dogs, Wednesday sandwhiches, Thursday soup, Friday make our own english muffin pizzas.

It takes away the arguing and meal planning for those two meals which makes it much easier on me...It Works For Me!

Falling into a pattern

I think we are starting to get the hang of the homeschool. Of course still tons to learn and I am still not as organized as I want to be, but all in all it is falling together.

I am so thankful that we decided to do this. Things in our small school system are getting worse there are now several lawsuits against the school. People are lashing out at the wrong people. It is a mess and I am so thankful my kids are not there and that I do not have to deal with those teachers daily.

Today we are heading out for a homeschool group skate. Should be fun.

I have tons of paralegal work to catch up on and that is on my agenda for tonight...that is not fun but I must must make myself do it and get caught up. I know I will feel better when I am caught back up but making myself do it is not easy.

17 hours

That is how many hours I stayed in bed with a migraine. Yuck. It has been so long since I have had that bad of migraine.

I had a headahce yesterday morning, but I was still functioning. I even talked to a friend whose husband was suffering from a migraine, but I was still functioning. About 3:00 and I was no longer functioning and boom it hit. I had taken some Excedrin Tension Headache but no luck. I was out of my Zomig. I ended up taking two phenergans, 3 Melotonin (to help me sleep it off), 2 Alieve. Finally the nausea got kicked about 7 pm. I went back to sleep and when I woke up at 2 am the headache was gone. Now I am just dragging and feeling drained.

Of course this is on a day that I have lots to get done. Of course I have lots to do everyday.

Oops I forgot

Brae walked into the office this morning all excited he had gotten dressed without being prompted (or threatening of getting beat like I normally have to do to him.

Brae: Look Mom I got dressed

Me: Wow and without me asking thanks (looking a little closer)

Me: Brae did you forget to take your pajamas off first.

Brae: oops I forgot (running away to fix it)

Revamping the system and a free night

It is the end of our first week of homeschool. Kids are not doing school today because I need to revamp. I can already tell somethings that are working and some aspeccts that are not going to work. So I will redo lesson plans, do some supplementing and things like that today.

My parents want the kids tonight. They called saying they hadn't seen their babies all week. So of course I packed the fastest bag in history and had the kids on the curb by the end of the phone call.

So now hubby and I have a free evening. Hubby is on call so we cant go far from his computer. Still will be nice. I think I will get dinner and bring home this evening and if it is not scorching hot (yesterday 107 without heat index) we may eat then enjoy the backyard and the pool.

Exciting news for our house!

Braden started speech therapy before he turned 3 because of his severe apraxia issues. Speech therapy is about 20-25 minutes to get there, 30 minute session, and then 20-25 back home. So it takes a chunk of time.

He started out going 5 days a week,
About 2 years ago went to 4 days a week,
A year ago went to 3 days a week.....

today she said he is doing SO good and if we keep practicing and correcting she feels comfortable with him only coming...

2 days a week...

to some this may not seem like a big deal but going from 5 days a week to 2 is a big deal and just going from 3 to 2 is going to help so much not having to go into town as often is a big thing.

The biggest thing is the boost of confidence this has given Brae. I made him call his nana and papa and share the news. He is so excited he said "I am just getting great at talking"....he has worked so hard to overcome so many things and this speech has been so hard and he is getting there and he has worked on it, we practice he takes instructions...(Can you tell I am excited...LOL)!

Finding more and more available

When we first thought about homeschooling it was almost out of desperation of our current situation. I didn't know much about it, we had thought about it when we lived in Pennsylvania and had we stayed there probably would have learned more and done that. That didn't happen since we moved when Brittney was a year old. I knew a lot of people in Pennsylvania in our church who homeschooled. But here, I just hadnt.

Well the more I looekd into it and researched after we made the decision to do it. I found lots of people.

Today we went to a fun activity. A Homeschool Network group had rented out the entire water park. It was posted on the homeschool group website that we belong too. I assumed there would be a lot from our group. Only two that I knew were there. The others all from other groups and there were lots of them there.

I just never knew how much was available. I was glad I went to the group today they have a renissaince fair, and lots of activities. Plus our group that we joined has lots. Also learned of another group. If I am not careful I will have us too overscheduled and that is not the point of doing things the way we have chose. So I will be careful of what activities I sign us up for, but next week we are going to look at joining Choir, because both my kids love to sing and I would love them to learn properly (not from their tone deaf mother singing to High School Musical soundtrack in the van). Also have a skate lined up for next week. It is nice to know there are so many around here that do homeschool and that there are so many things to do it really lessens the feeling of overwhleming for me. Sorta that not alone so okay I can do this thing.

Not exactly what I pictured but it will work

Okay first my excuses....
I did it in between teaching the kids, while planning to have 15 kids over for a Brownie back to school party this afternoon, between housecleaning, and I really needed another cake mix and didn't have one...so with all my excuses in place...

It's not that it is bad it's just not what I wanted it to be...I was going to do vanilla wafers with kids faces on them but without more cake there was just no way to make it big enough...

okay no more excuses here is the back to school cake............................
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It is a Brownie Back to School Bash...4 of the kids (my 2 included) are homeschooled but I think the school bus means back to school to everyone.

Changes

I am trying to update my profile and my little blurb at the top of the blog and it got me to thinking about all the changes since I started blogging.

I did my first entry in June of 2004. We had returned from vacation with Anne and her family (wow Anne it's been too long we need to do another vacation).

At the time Braden had been through 4 surgeries on his brain and would have to have more. Braden's speech was unintelligible, we were in constant watch for signs of an upcoming convulsion seizure. I was involved in school, PTA president, I was working to grow my homebased paralegal business.

Now Hubby and I have celebrated 11 years of marriage, Braden has been convulsion seizure free for almost a year, no more surgeries are scheduled, his speech has improved SO much. He is very intelligible to anyone around him for any length of time.

Brittney has continued to grow and just surprise me wiht her wit and intelleigence.

I am now a homeschool mom, I have recently cut down my homebased paralegal business so that it would be more managable.

For someone who likes order, organization and loathes major changes, I have to say these changes are good!

Doesnt look to unhappy about it

Brittney was all excited to show hubby and I what she had done to her brother why he was watching TV in her room. By the expression when hubby grabbed the camera and took the pic Braden didn't mind it too much.

Five Things Meme

Following Manababies and Anne, here is my Five Things Meme

Five things in my freezer:
Box of Corn Dogs
Frozen Veggies
Popscicles
Waffles
Ice Packs for booboos (one with sharks, one with cats and one bob the builder)

Five things in my closet:
Clothes-that don't fit
Shoes - and more shoes and more shoes
Books - hubby built me great book shelves in my closet and I use them!
Purses - lots of purses, not as many as shoes but still quite a lot
Iron and spray startch

Five things in my car:
Empty water bottles
Trash from fast food places
Paper from straws (brittney and I try to blow the paper off at each other)
Wet wipes
Phone car charger

Five things in my purse:
Planner calendar
Wallet
Spoon (I picked it up out of the car to bring in and it hasnt made it to the kitchen yet)
Old To do lists
receipts waiting to be deducted from the checkbook

Five things in my wallet:
Credit cards
Lots of change (Because it keeps Braden entertained at resteraunts counting coins)
Coupons for eating places
Pictures
Free bowling passes that are about to expire

Trying to remember to chill

I have a very bad habit, I want things just so, I want things perfect. Most things I have come to realize aren't going to perfect. I can't control everyone else and so I just have things as organized as possible and go on about things.

With this decision to homeschool, I have been in freakout mode for the past week. Bringing on a major headache.

I ordered the abeka dvd curriculium months ago it is great from what I have seen. But I also want to do extra stuff....well the getting the extra stuff organized, plus the new incentives, plus trying to do some budget cutting, get my home based business organzied to do more in less time, and on and on.

Well I have come to an important realization. It is not going to happen all at once in perfect order. So I have decided to go ahead and start with homeschool on Monday using the abeka and an abbreviated schedule. We will do this and get used to this until at least September then I will integrate the extra stuff in.

I am going to have to just chill out and for those that know me even a little bit that is one of the hardest things for me to do...I am such a type A personality. But just picking a starting point has helped and we will do the little things I want in place (menus, semi schedule, and incentives for reading) but the rest will wait....or at least I am saying that now...LOL.

Tidbits of the day

I took the kids to a waterpark about an hour away today to meet up with some friends that we don't get to see very often.

I made a point get a water camera to take, I was so set on taking the camera I even forgot my sunscreen. Which I had to stop and buy. I even commented at least I have my camera. My goal was to take lots of pics and then take the film to WalMart to be put on a cd.

I ended up with the camera in my locker, and never remembered to get it out again. Oops. So taking it did me lots of good.

Tommorow I have lots of local errands and shopping to get done.

I have been on a search I am so addicted to Excedrin Migrain Quick Tabs (they dissolve) apparently they have quit manufacturing them...they are selling them on ebay for up to $40 a box...ugh...I don't think I am that addicted...but oh man I will miss them because they help so much.

I am still feeling a little overwhelmed over homeschool and other upcoming projects but I am hoping to get myself a little more together tommorow and this weekend.

Overwhelmed

When we made the decision to homeschool it was not an easy decision to make. We weighed the pros and cons. In the end we felt it was the best decision for us and the kids.

I have been really excited about it, but now....

I am starting to get overwhelmed.

I had planned to start homeschool mid next week, and honestly I am not ready. We are doing the abeka dvd curriculium and I thought that would be easier set out for me, but still feeling the overwhelming of what I have taken on.

I am still excited, just having to tamper down this overwhelming feeling.

Hubby is taking kids to church tonight so I can have some time. I am looking forward to that, I think once I get started with it then all will fall into place, but untill then I promise to be a stressed out mess.