New Years 2010!!

We are officially lame old parents :) We don't have any exciting plans this year, well I guess what some would consider exciting plans!! We will be staying home this year, putting Max to bed and playing games with the kids until midnight!! The kids are a little bummed about not having our annual New Year's Eve bash, but with no basement I'm not about to have 15 kids over for a party!

2010 was a great year for us, here are a few of the highlights...

• Max is potty trained, and really starts communicating and talking :)

• Had a great Disney family vacation!

• Actually had many vacations and getaways, I do love the beach :)

• Spent our first full year as NC residents!!

• Jack went to Middle school!! (yikes)

• Olivia gets the Omnipod, life changing...such a blessing!!

• Harrison has made such great friends this year, you can't keep him in the house!!

• We find out we're expecting #5!!

• Tim and I had a chance to have a getaway just the two of us to SF!! (hence the above blessing)

• Tim's personal business is flourishing, I'm so proud of him!!

I feel like this year we grew a lot, as a family and as individuals!! Moving here and dealing with all the new and the change, has really made all of us do a lot of thinking about what is important in life!! As long as we're all together we are okay!

I often have to remind myself that although these days feel crazy and stressful, these are the days I will long for when I'm older!! To have little kids running around happy, playing, fighting, whining..it's all good!! So for me this coming year I hope to embrace the craziness I call my life a little more, breath it all in, be okay when milk is spilled for the 3rd time at dinner, and know I'm blessed to have all these little crazies to call mine!!

Happy New Year's everyone!!

New Years fastly approuching

Everything is such a blur lately, and we're busy trying to soak up some family time, I know more company will arrive shortly!! Tim's parents will be arriving on Sunday to spend a week with us, it will be somewhat difficult because the kids are suppose to go back to school on Monday!! Anyways we're used to spending our New Years Eve in MI, this will be our first down here, so I'm hoping to make it fun for the kids and to maybe start some new traditions!! I really just realized it's in a few days and I better get going on that!! Any ideas, or fun things you do with your kids for New Years??

Every year I always have a list of things I'm going to do or change, they never seem to get done though :) I guess it's always a work in progress, always busy trying to better yourself and your family!! Hopefully this year I will attempt to once again work on doing these things :)

At the moment as sappy as it sounds I just feel blessed!! Olivia is doing great on the pod, and her life seems much closer to "normal" than it has since she's been diagnosed, this is a huge blessing for our family!! The boys are great, healthy, happy and adjusting really well this past year!! We also feel blessed that we have this "surprise" of a new little lady coming to our home in the spring, although I'm sure this summer is going to be crazy it will be wonderful at the same time!! I've been working on changing how I think of things a lot this past year, I'm defiantly a negative thinker. I need to start focusing more on the positive, and let a lot of stress and anxiety go, it at time consumes me and eats me alive!! So this year I'm just going to try to focus on the feeling of being blessed :)

Then there were 5

As most of you know we are welcoming another little baby to the family, which we recently found out was a little girl!! To say the least we are over the moon!! My due date is confusing, by my last period it would be May 12th, but by ultrasound they want to go with May 22nd!! I won't be induced at 38 weeks this time around, the doctors down here think it's unnecessary, so I will be induced at 39 weeks instead! I've been feeling great, the first trimester I did have some serious fatigue, but that has subsided for now and all in all I feel great!!

So I'm around my 19th (or 21st) week, I've gained maybe like 2 pounds and for the most part I'm still wearing all of my normal clothes. The only maternity thing I wear right now is a pair of maternity skinny leg jeans, I can't wear my normal ones of those anymore for some reason.

I didn't really think about girl names, because I thought a chance of that happening was slim to none :) We're thinking of Stella, Gracie, Macy and Lucy right now, but I defiantly need some help in this category!! So we have a Jack (Jackson), Olivia, Harrison, Max (Maxwell) and.......??

We've already been busy buying up some pink things, and since we sold all of our baby things when we moved I think this little girl is going to be all pinked out :) I'm so excited to buy little cute dresses, hats, bows, shoes, socks, really you name it I love buying little girl clothes!!

I'm feeling a lot of movement, and Tim and the kids have been able to feel her a couple of times. During the ultrasound she kept kicking the want, I think she's going to be quit fiesty like her sissy!! During the entire ultrasound she was folded in half, like her knees were touching her forehead :) They did find that her kidneys had some extra fluid in them so it's something we'll keep our eyes one, it looks like what Harrison had when he was a baby :( I'm okay with this, with all we've been through in the past I'm not going to fall apart because of it!! She looks healthy and that's all that matters!!
So here is my 19 week preggo picture, crappy as it is it's all I have right now!! I took this yesterday, and it was a dark gloomy day, and I'm too lazy to edit it so it's what it is!! This whole taking a picture of yourself in the bathroom mirror is harder than it looks can I just say that!! So there is defiantly a undeniable baby bump there!! I'm starting to feel huge, but I know I have a long way to go and HUGE will come soon enough!!

Christmas Eve

We are enjoying a lazy Christmas Eve this year, my parents just left this morning and we are going to spend the day laying low!! We're skipping the traditional Christmas eve dinner (fish, blah, blah, blah) and are going with Mexican pizza, and bean dip...weird I know but sounds easy and casual!! The kids will exchange their gifts to each other tonight, and then maybe a Christmas story and book and off to bed they will go :)

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!

The list is long...

and I'm talking crazy long, and it just seems to multiply by the day!! Every year I have big plans, to be all festive, bake daily, take many Christmas outings, and fill this house with the Christmas spirit. Ugh, it seems like every year I fail at this hope, or should I say dream. In reality the stress of Christmas is overwhelming, the many school Christmas parties, remembering what kid needed the cotton balls, the ornament, or the nine bags of M&M's, choosing which extra parties we can make it to on the same night, it all seems to get the best of me. So I baked cookies once, made rice krispies once and that summed up my baking so far for the holidays :( There are cranberries in my refrigerator waiting to be strung with popcorn, projects that I planned one doing with the kids, and many cookies recipes waiting for us to bake. On top of all this I wanted the older kids to do some kind of community service, which unfortunately doesn't look like there will be time for. All of this leaves me feeling like a failure!! While I would love to say I have time to squeeze in the last this last minute Christmas cheer feeling, I don't! Let me give you the rundown on my next few days...

Today-Christmas party for Olivia, decorating for Olivia's winter wonderland Birthday party tomorrow, grocery shopping, making cake pops, and Olivia has a Christmas play tonight.

Friday-Dr. apt first thing in the morning, Harrison's Christmas party, setting up the finishing touches for Liv's party, party from 3-6, Liv has friend spending the night taking them down to Charlotte to ice skate at the outdoor ice rink, Jack has his first dance, shew I think that's it!!

Saturday-Sqeeze in some of that Christmas fun, Christmas party, and taking the kids to drive through the lights and ice skate.

Sunday-Liv's B-day!!! She wants to go see Tangled!! This day will be filled with trying to please the Birthday princess!!

Monday-another Dr. apt, and my parents show up..ahh!!

On the positive side, my Christmas shopping is done, the goal of a "smaller" Christmas was thrown out of the window by my husband once again this year!! The sucky thing is when you have older kids you can spend a LOT of $$$ and they still only have 5-10 gifts to open.

Hope everyone else is fairing a little better in the whole Christmas cheer thing, I have to learn to just make it happen and find the time!!

On a side note I stress so much over Olivia's parties, she is very hard to please!! Last year I transformed my front room into a spa, and I thought it was adorable, well she didn't agree! This year we're going with a winter wonderland party, she only decided on this party on Sunday, so I've been running around trying to buy up all the snowflakes I can find and stressing about giving her the perfect party!! Then I think this child is going to be 9, she is way too demanding and hard to please!! She should just be happy she's having a party, right??

Spinning out of control

I almost feel as if I'm some sick kind of ride that won't let me off!! I hate to complain about my children all the time, but really that's life!! It's not even really the kids, it's the constant long list of to do's that makes me crazy!! Let me just bullet style some of my frustrations here...

• I want to write this really nice blog post with pictures, but Max has issues with me doing something other than entertaining him 24/7!!
• Jack is part of this robotics team in Middle School, it's fine and dandy, but the parents feel like they need to send 20 emails complaining about moving the competition to a much smaller one that yes, is a little farther away!! Get over it people do what's right for the kids, and suck up the rest of it!!
• I have no food in my house, I have to go grocery shopping asap!!
• I have like 6-7 loads of laundry to fold on my couch in my bedroom...no joke!!
• Max won't nap for the life of him, and wakes up at 5:30 every morning...ugh!!
• I guess that Harrison has some big project due on Friday at school, that Tim forgot to tell me about!! Please stop taking papers out of his folder if you're not going to tell me about them!!! I had to email his teacher, with the whole "um, I have no idea what project this is could you send me the info, sorry". Nice!!
• I suppose I'm going to have to start to pack for FL sometime in the near future.
• I have a girl scout meeting on Wed have no idea what I'm going to do, I really hate doing this!! On the other hand I'm glad I could do it for Liv, but it's going to cost me a small fortune and I defiantly don't have the time for it!!
• I'm suppose to set up a photography table at MOPS this Friday, have no idea how I'm going to pull that one out of my a**!!
• My house is a pit, literally needs some help, preferably by someone other than myself!!
• We wanted to decorate for Christmas before I left for FL, don't think that one is going to happen!!
• I need a break, Tim has been working the past two weekends, and honestly I'm more than burnt!!
• Do Mom's get breaks?? Why doesn't the government give us some free childcare for like a month out of the year?? Why is nothing available to stay at Mom's, I think that sucks!!
  
• I'm sick of family nights at school, with three kids in school I could eat out at one of these family nights almost every other night..enough!!

I think I may be a tad bit crabby today, but really I feel like I'm spiraling out of control, not good!! Tim is so busy with his side business, which is a huge blessing, but it leaves me with almost no time to do anything I need to do!! It's times like these that I miss having family close by to help out!!

Still determined to do "the post" tonight though!! And just to clarify how I'm finding the time right now, well yesterday's and today's post were typed with Max hanging on my legs while I bounce him...fun!! So no, I don't go back and read this, I'm sure there are many typos and things that don't make sense, but I'm sure you can all figure it out!!

FAILURE

Yup, I guess I knew it would never happen even as I typed the desire to do so!! Blogging everyday is/would be a HUGE challenge for me, but really I'm going to to try harder!!

So my kids are spoiled brats, thought I'd just go ahead and just blurt that out! :) I've realized it this year, I have failed in that part of parenting and have defiantly overindulged them with "stuff"!! They have so much, too much, things that are still unopened from last Christmas...just plain sad!! So I sat them down and told them that this year was going to be different, it wasn't going to be I get everything on my list kinda year!! I told them three gifts from Santa, and of course some gifts from us, but not a ton!! They are not liking this idea, they each had their own mini break down, and I thought to myself "what I have done"!! How did I raise these kids to be so greedy and unappreciative?? In my quest to make them happy and give them everything they hearts could desire, I've turned them into spoiled, bratty kids...YIKES!! Example: We asked Jack to mow the lawn and do the dishes, we offered him a allowance of $10 a week, so $40 a month, I didn't think that was a bad deal!! He asked if he could just not do it and not get the allowance!! Really, what 12 year old passes up $40 a month to do barely anything?? He gets asked to babysit (where he gets paid $10 a hour mind you) and he passes because he doesn't feel like it, shit I'll do it for $10 a hour!! So things are going to be changing in this house, quite dramatically for my children!

I also told them they are going to do some charity work this December, I'm thinking soup kitchen, homeless shelter, taking gifts to children, do you guys have any ideas?? I really want them to get a idea in their head this Christmas about something other than receiving 100 gifts!!

(So I'm posting my "big news" tomorrow, which all of you already know for sure!! But I'll tell you the story, which most of you know anyways, but I'll still do it!!)

A challenge I'm sure to fail :)

So I read over at Ashley's blog that it was national blog month, and the goal is for all the bloggers out there to blog every day!! I'm certainly not a good blogger so I thought I might just give this a try!! I had a great post in my head all morning, but Max wouldn't give me 5 min's to sit down and start typing, so now it's late, I'm tired, I'm wondering if I could even keep up with this for a week..but I'm going to try!!

I'm tired...did I say that already...maybe a wee bit overwhelmed with four extremely needie kids!! I've given all I've got today, like I do most days, just some days it doesn't seem to be enough for these vulchers I call my children (jk)!!

Hopefully I will be able to post about our exciting news tomorrow!!

Sooo...

A. someone needs to tell Max naps are a good idea so I can have time to myself again to blog and facebook, ya know do all those important things in life!!

B. someone needs to talk to my kid's school and tell them another hour of school would make my life a little easier :)

C. someone needs to talk to my kids about being so gosh darn needy :)

I miss blogging, I feel bad for a few of my friends who aren't friends with me on facebook (you know who you are :) ) that I don't post any pictures on here of the kids anymore!!

Blah, I have so much to tell you guys!!

I blinked

Yes, I swear it's true I blinked my eyes and I have a son who's turning 12, a daughter who is a wanna be tween, my big baby now off to 1st grade, and Max who in a blink of the eye gave up his suckie and now is potty trained. Wow, how did my life slip away so fast, did I take enough moments in, did I stop myself in the crazy moments to enjoy what was happening? I tend to run from place to place being stressed about schedules to keep, appointments to keep, and achieving the long list of "to do's" for the day...what a bummer for me!! I wish I could calm this stressed out mind, just let it go and enjoy every moment. Enjoy the fact that yes with 4 kids we are going to be late sometimes and my kids might not make it to every little function, but that's okay!! I think this is many a Mom's goal, just to breath it all in and enjoy every second, it's not always easy but I think we all strive for it!

I can't help but thinking in another blink of the eye, Jack will be off to Collage, Olivia will be getting ready to drive, Harrison will no longer be the Momma lover he is, and Max will be all grown up and in school!! However stressful these days are, I need to remember they are going to some of the best days of my life!!

Quick update on the Schoch's :)

I feel like I haven't blogged forever, really I haven't!! We had a crazy busy whirlwind of a summer we were able to squeeze as much fun out of one summer as we could!! We went on three trips this summer, and it almost felt like we didn't have enough time here at home, but had a great time all the same!!


I guess I should say something about visiting MI last month, since I haven't talked about it yet!! It was nice to see friends and family and to stay at the lake house, my mind did play a few tricks on me and for a moment I wanted to move back!! I decided I love the lake so much, I need to live on one :) That will only take close to a Mill down here, but I need it!! I think I managed to visit everyone, got to see some babies I was dying to visit, and the kids got a chance to visit with all of their friends! Every visit seems like a blur when we're up there, rushing from one place to another with almost every minute accounted for...shew it wears me out!!


Olivia started on her pod this summer too, and am so happy to say that she's doing wonderfully on it!! We had a hard first couple of weeks, had a couple pods ripped off and some super high numbers...but now it's going very well!! Actually today was the first day in three years that someone didn't go into school to dose her for lunch, she did it all on her own...I'm so, so proud of her!! She amazed me all the time with her strength, I'm so lucky to call her one of mine!!


Jack started Middle School, wow it's so hard to believe!! He's in all high honor classes and just made the robotics team, I couldn't be any prouder of him either!!


Speaking of school I have all of my kids riding the bus home this year...CRAZY!! Jack's bus stop it the first stop from his school, and Olivia and Harrison's is the second!! It's so nice to walk up and get them from the bus stop instead of waiting in line for 20 min's!! I'm appreciating it, and I'm doing something good for the environment...right ;)


All three are also in soccer, Olivia is trying out to be in the drama club, Harrison just joined cub scouts, and Olivia joined brownies and I foolishly volunteered to be her troop leader!! I have no idea what I'm doing, but I can't say no!! Jack really wants to start guitar, but the kid has so much homework I have no idea where we're going to find the time!! School time is a busy time but so much fun too, it makes me ready for fall!!


I can't wait for the colors to change and temperature to drop below 91!! I've decided to throw Max a huge 3rd Birthday party, I'm not sure why I feel like I need to have huge parties, but I do!! With so many people on this street and a yard so tiny we've decided to do it at the pavilion, it should be fun!!


I'm going to have to stop being so lazy and start posting pictures again!!


My neighbor friend talked me into joining her MOPS group, not sure if it's really my thing, but I'll happily get out of the house for a few hours and talk to other adults!!

Well I guess this kinda turned of a list of updates, I need to start finding time to blog just to blog again!! I'd add it to the list!!

Overwelmed

I need to hide under a rock for a week or so, I need a nice break from my life so I can sit back and relax and have a moment to collect MY thoughts. Not the many thoughts of my children or my husband, mine, my very own thoughts. I sometimes feel like I'm caught in the middle of a twister trying to anchor everyone down, and their wants, needs and thoughts are all spinning around me. Sometimes I feel like I could burst from just listening to everything all day, I unfortunetly can't tune a dang thing out, so I hear it all!! My mind spins, with everything I want to do, the things I need to do, the guilt of the things I don't think I'm going to get to, the things I want for me, the moments of peace I crave but never receive. And then there is guilt...ugh guilt, it's a ugly thing for me, I feel guilty about everything!! I feel guilty for craving those moments of peace and quiet, because I should not need such a thing, I should enjoy every crazy minute I have with these amazing kids. So why, why do I feel like I need this...insert the guilt!!

I don't think my husband understands the idea of giving me time or space, I think he thinks I don't need a minute or two away from our kiddies. This is frustrating. So right now I'm held up in my room, told the kids to raise themselves for the next 20 min's...does this make me a bad mom, I think not!! If no one is going to hand me a moment of peace, I'm going to try my hardest to steal a few from time to time! Now this doesn't usually work out for me, I usually hear the kids fighting and crying, and I feel my blood boil inside me, and the moment of peace I craved so much got turned into a volcano of stress. O well, it does work once in awhile :)

I want to take the kids to the pool right now, it's 100 degrees out, I need to feed them lunch..ugh!! This causes stress for a person like me. Lunch can't be easy and simple, because I have that ugly word "diabetes" to deal with. Food=stress. So I guess I'll do what I have to do and hope that what I want to do will happen and it will turn out great, yes Max won't be a pain in the behind because he should be napping. Olivia's sugars will stay amazingly in the perfect category, I will be able to lie down and relax in the sun!! Okay that last one was a dream, that will never happen!!

Plugged back in...

So here are some of the fun things we did with all our free time

• Swam at the pool...A LOT!!!
• Went to a splash pad
• Went out for ice cream
• Went to the park
• Played a serious game of Monopoly with Jack and Harrison...um like 3 times
• Colored with sidewalk chalk
  
• Rediscovered old toys, such as pet shop, legos, mini guys, board games and puzzles
  
• Went to Carowinds for the day
• Went to Carowinds for a evening :)
• Went to the museum
  
• Had plenty of time to talk
  
• Enjoyed doing some summer reading

I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton of things, but really we had a great week!! Not to sound too corny, but we connected so much more with all these distractions turned off!! Now I didn't give it up completely, like I should of, but I did limit myself to never getting on a computer when I was with the kids. I checked facebook at nighttime or maybe while everyone was happily playing something, I really made it a point to not let myself become distracted by it!! The kids played wonderfully, we had very little fighting and some serious bonding going on :) We set up many forts and hideouts together, it was such a joy to watch all of my kids playing together happily!!

So yesterday was the day that they could start to "earn" some time for tv, games and computer, this did not go so well!! I huge fight between Olivia and Harrison broke out and it turned nasty, all over the stupid computer!! So needless to say I said enough it's over, we are currently unplugged once again!! I'm not going to make this a permanent thing..at least I don't think so ;) I do plan on allowing them to earn some screen time, and we do enjoy Family movies nights, but I want to make sure we have as many family game nights as we do movie nights!! I truly believe that too much time with all the electronic gadgets makes kids cranky!!

No electronics week...

yup, that's right I'm either crazy or stupid I haven't decided which one yet....I'll let you know in a week :) So this is a family tradition I guess you could say in the Schoch household, every summer when the kids (mostly the boys) are enjoying their time on the computer a little too much, and the video games are calling there name, it's time to take a break!! Now my kids aren't glued to a screen all day, but they will probably choose to play the wii over a board game, or a family movie night over a family walk, you get the point!! Now usually I start this week off a little more prepared, but I've been sick so it's going to be a fly by the seat of my pants kind of week! Here's a few things I do know...

• I'll be collecting all the DS's and ipod touches tonight, and unplugging the TV's!!
• I want to go buy a big puzzle with the kid's tomorrow morning and let it take over our dining room table for the week :)
• I am very blessed that there are MANY free things to do around me, I'm going to try to take advantage of these things!!
• I've put the 3 older kids in charge of making their first meal...um we'll see how that goes :)
• I want to try to do some fun crafts and projects with the kids, that I should of planned out already, but didn't.
• Was thinking about doing theme days, but once again not sure how or if that's going to work out.
• This week will start out a little ruff, but end up wonderful!!
• My kids will play with toys they haven't touched for 6 months :)
• My kids will also be closer and kinder to one another at the end of the week, something about too much electronics seems to make my kids cranky!

Now, while I normally follow this rule with my children, I really don't want to ;) So while Tim and myself will be giving up TV, I have decided not to practice what I preach and not ban myself from facebook!! Now what I am committed to doing is not checking facebook 20 times a day, and while I'm with my kids to really be with them!! So I'm going to update the blog and my facebook page with things we are doing and how it's going in hopes that...YOU ALL JOIN IN ON THIS FUN WITH ME :) It really is a amazing week, and I'm hoping a few of my friends decide to join in!! So like I said I'm going to update here and facebook about how it's going/what we're doing, but I'm not going to spend 5 min's scrolling through my phone looking at people's statuses!! I'm really going to try to give my kids 100%, um like I should do everyday!!

And don't worry the following week I'm just not going to plop my kids down in front of the TV and take a break from all the crazy festivities, my kids will be working very hard to earn things like a family movie night, or family Wii game night!! And then we go camping, and then up to MI, so hopefully we'll end our summer off with our family even closer and happier!!

Update

So I don't think I've posted anything on my blog for well over a month now, I'm not sure anyone really reads this or cares if I post...but sometimes it's so nice to just write it all down!!! So here's what's been up with us....

• Disney was great!!! It was HOT, busy and crazy, but it was great!! The kids had a great time and we had a little fun along the way too :)

• Jack had his 5th grade graduation and won the principle award for his class, this award was for a leader in the class both academic and for good leadership!! We are so proud of him, and can't believe he's going to be in middle school next year...wow!!

• Max is taking off on talking (thank God), and he likes to go pee and poop in the potty so one day I'm going to have to break down and do the potty training weekend!! This makes me a little sad and I think I'm dragging my feet on doing it!! This could be it, I could be changing my last diaper very soon :(

• The kids went to VBS and Olivia was asked to to sing a solo, she was so excited and did a amazing job...we are also soo very proud of her!!!

• We just got back from a week at my parents FL house with some friends of ours, we had a great time!! The ocean water was 90 and a beautiful clear turquoise...um I think I still want to live there!! I told Tim I think I will always desire to live there, and being the great man he is told me if I still felt that way we could still go...I love him!!

• Harrison got his confidence back in swimming, he was swimming last year (but it was so cold we didn't swim very often), but he's just realized he can again :)
  

• I've been pretty busy taking pic's for friends, and am very excited to go take some pictures of a newborn this evening :) I'm just afraid of the baby fever I might catch!!

• We go camping at the end of this month..Yes, camping like in a tent camping!!! This is so not me!!! I let some friends talk us into this adventure...pray for me!!! We'll be spending 3 nights on a river int he Mountains, you can take tubes down the river, the kids are super excited!!!

• We think we're heading to MI in the beginning of August, Tim doesn't want to go at ALL, and I'm not too excited myself, but I think we're going to come up for a visit anyways :)

• I'm happy, sounds corny, but I'm just very happy!!! I love it here, I love my neighbors, I love the grocery store, I love everything about it here, except that there is no beach 5 min's away ;) I don't think I've ever felt so content and happy, the move was the best/right thing for us!!! As I'm typing this Olivia has a friend over from down the street and so does Harrison, they are very happy also!!

• I feel like summer is almost over already!!! This sounds crazy, but as I keep filling up our calender with things to do and places to go it makes me realize summer is so short!! I'm going to do my best to enjoy every day with my kids :)

• I've been running, doing the couch to 5k program and I'm shock that I'm able to run!!! I run with a few girls from the street and I think we're on week 7 or 8 right now, they are sweet and repeat the week when I'm away!! It feels good to run, but I haven't lost a pound yet :( I'm going to concentrate on eating better and start doing the shred dvd on non running days and see if I can get some of this stubborn weight off!! Wish me luck!!

• It's hard to say your done having babies, I'm just having a really hard time saying it!! I don't know if this means I'm not really done, or just heartbreaking to close that chapter of your life!!
  

Well this is kinda longer than I planned, but in a nutshell that's what's going on at our house right now!!! I'm going to try much harder to blog more, it's good for the soul I swear :)

Baseball, baseball and more baseball!!

Spring time is filled with end of school activities and BASEBALL!! We enjoy baseball at least four days a week!! I really don't mind it, it gets us out and the other kids get to play at the park, but when it comes to Jack's games it can be a killer!! When Jack plays we spend almost a good three hours there, this makes for a long night!! Now that Tim's home I usually run the little three home around 7:30-8:00 to get them ready for bed. Jack's games end at 8:30, but by the time they are done doing their team talk and gathering their things we usually don't get home until close to 9!! This is crazy late for us, because our kids start school at 7:30!! But it all works out and I really enjoy watching the boys play!! (Olivia wanted to play softball, but we missed the sign up date so she'll have to wait until next year.) So that's what we've been up to.

6 weeks left of school, I can't believe it!! I'm so excited for summer time this year, I can tell it's going to be a great one!! The ice cream truck has our street pegged for one with close to 50 kids, the pool will be opening soon, the inflatable pools and sprinklers have already been put to good use, there's caterpillars in our bug homes, the flowers on the front porch are growing much faster than I could of imagined, summer "mini" trips are being planned, and we leave for Disney in 3 weeks!!! We have the kids signed up for a few camps, but mostly I'm hoping to enjoy our time here at home, watching the kids play in the street and going to the pool!! How I love summer break and well just summertime!! It will be great (I hope) to have the kids home for a good few months!! I don't miss them quite as much as I did in Jackson, because they are home so early in the day, but it will be nice to sleep in and be free to just hang out!!

Jack will be going to middle school next year...wow...I just can't believe it!! We also figured out that when Max goes to Kindergarten, Jack will be going into the 9th grade (HIGH SCHOOL people), Olivia will be going into 6th grade (MIDDLE SCHOOL) and Harrison will be going into the 4th grade...ummmm how is this possible!!! Seems like life is just flying by and I would really love nothing more but to hit that pause button!!! It's just shocking how fast they grow up, which I know everyone always says, but really wow where has 11 almost 12 years gone?!?! I'm trying really hard to absorb every moment, and take all of those moments I can get!!

So anyways I'm not really sure what I'm actually posting about, Harrison had a T-ball game this morning, we had lunch at Tenders..which we are in L-O-V-E with, played outside for about a hour with the kids, helped Max with the watering of the flowers, and I just came up here to put him in bed and thought why not sneak in a quick post while everyone is outside and it's all quiet and peaceful inside!! Alright I'm off to read a book on my front porch, and watch the older kids play outside until crazy man Max wakes from his nap!!

A week as a single Mother!!

It's never a fun week when the hubby goes away and I'm left here with our four children!! I always learn a few things

• I learn that being a single mother is hard work and not fun!

• I appreciate the things he does a lot more than I think I do!

• Four kids is A LOT of work!! :)

• I hate baseball when Tim's not around!!

• I'm thankful that Tim is home to help Jack with his homework!!

• Without Tim I don't have much time to enjoy the kids!

• Life is crazy, busy and hectic, but when you have someone to share it with it doesn't seem so bad!!

• The biggest thing I learn when Tim's away is to appreciate him more when he gets home, and be thankful for the day I get to take off because he's home :)

We're heading out in about a hour to get him!!! :) YAAAAaaaa, no more playing single mommy for me!!

Pinch me, cause I must be dreaming!!

Seriously, I feel like I'm living in some kind of dream land down here!! It's changed us so much. We live on this amazing street where everyone goes out and plays with the kids, there's always at least a good 20 kids out playing. We have dinner's, go out to lunch, have rock band night's, work out with and go to Church with quite few of the people on the street. It's weird. When Harrison fell of his bike down the road, my friend took him in her house and cleaned his knees and bandaged them. If Max is sleeping when Tim's away another neighbor will come down here and sit with him while I'm away so I don't have to wake him. I really don't know how to describe it, but it feels like a dream most of the time. I guess this is why people love neighborhoods so much, and we just got lucky enough to land on a amazing street of people!!

I know when I first moved here I had a hard time if I did the right thing, and I know I posted many doubts on here about it. Please know that we're 100% happy down here, I don't have a ounce of regret!!! The kids are doing amazing in school, and Jack has finally found a school that can keep up with him and challenge him!! I no longer miss Jackson, I do miss seeing some of my friend's of course, but I'm happy to read their blogs or talk to them on the phone, and visit when I'm in Jackson :)

Things are blooming, it's so beautiful there are flowers everywhere, even driving down the highway here is a sight to be seen!! Jack and Harrison are in baseball and really having a great time!! Olivia is in piano, and I'm sad to say that she's not so sure she loves it, she'd rather just be home playing with her friends. We'll see how that goes! It's staying right around the 80's down here and no joke the sun shines every day!! I no longer feel like "it's a nice day we must be outside"!! I've been a slacker but need to get back in the rhythm of working out and walking, hopefully when Tim comes home today that will be a little easier!! I really need to loose those 15-20 pounds so I can wear all my shorts this summer!!!

We head to Disney one month from today, I'm sooo excited I can't stand it!! I guess we're not telling our kids, we're just going to drive them there :) Tim loves to do this, just put them in the car and surprise them!! We have six fun filled days there, and thinking about maybe hanging out for another day in Orlando, we'll see how tired we are!!

Anyways I'm not quite sure what I'm posting about, maybe just a little update, and to let everyone know we're good!! We're going to try to come up to MI for a week this summer to visit, the only thing is Tim is not going to have much vacation time left, so he has to see if he can work out of a office there for the week. I'm thinking about the end of July when it's so hot down here we don't know what to do with ourselves!! :)

Spring break

Spring break 2010

Tim's family came in Sunday night (Easter), and hung out with us all day Monday. The kids had fun we blew up a couple little pools, set out the sprinkler, and everyone played the day away!! It was nice to see everyone, and the kids had a great time playing with their cousins!! All 15 of us slept just fine in my house, but I'll tell you there were people sleeping everywhere :) We left Tuesday morning for Myrtle Beach, it's about 4 hours from my house, the drive wasn't too bad.

The kids spent the next four days enjoying the beach, pools, and going out for dinner together in the evenings! Missy kids (Tim's older sister) had never seen the ocean before and just loved being on the beach, finding shells, and they even found a few sharks teeth!! My kids don't even look for shells anymore, it's all about the teeth!! I had bought a ton of beach toys, so the kids built many castles, but dug a ton of huge holes!! Max and Harrison, my land lovers enjoyed playing in the sand, while Jack and Olivia, my water lovers had a great time in the water!! Olivia had fun boogie boarding with Hannah, and Jack and Nick bought skim boards and had a great time doing that.

Missy, Steve, Tim and I went out one night for some drinks had so much fun we were shocked when we realized it was like 2:00 am!! It can be a challenge vacationing with so many people, but in some ways so worth it!! We really did have a great time at the beach, and the kids really loved all the time they got to spend with their cousins!

Easter

We had a whirl wind of Easter and Spring break this year, as 19 family members came and left our house within 9 days!! Wow!! First came my parents, they came in on Friday for the Easter weekend, and left Sunday night. We had a great time visiting with them and they got to go to the neighborhood egg hunt, the neighborhood movie night in the pavilion, and even join us for church Sunday morning!!

Easter morning when we woke up they kids had their egg hunt, and ran around trying to find their baskets. Tim was putting the Turkey in the oven, I was getting the kids clothes out, opening toys, and talking them out of eating their candy!! We had to be at Church around 9, so we got everyone dressed and headed of to Church fairly early in the morning! Church was great like always, but all of a sudden it hit me, I looked at Tim and said "did you put water in the roaster".."no"..."o shit, shit, shit", I walked over to mom while the band was still playing "mom, do you think the roaster will catch on fire if there's no water in it"..."um I don't think so".....super, great fantastic!! All I could do for the rest of mass is imagine my turkey dried out to a crisp :( My friend Nicole was sitting next to me and when the pastor said "don't worry about your ham's at home they're cooking just find in the over, Nicole says to me "or they're well done already". Well I am happy to say that the turkey was okay, a little more dry than it should of been but okay, what saved me is the limes, lemons and oranges I stuff in middle of the bird..Thank God!!

Anyways it was a buetiful day here, like always, so we ate a little after Church and the kids played in the sprinkler, rode bikes, scooters, roller bladed,rip sticked and colored chalk all day long!! My Grandma and Aunt did drive in for dinner from Atlanta, so it was nice to be able to visit with them for awhile. It's kinda weird how different Easter was down here than what we usually do at home. We're so much more relaxed down here, and happy. It was so nice to enjoy our first egg hunt outside and spend the day on the front porch watching all the kids play!!

One of those days!!

Do you have those days when you are just over the top grateful for you kids, and their own unique qualities that they bring to your life and the family dynamic!! Today is one of those days!! Let me tell you how I see my kids and what the bring to our table!!

Jack-kind, caring, thoughtful, smart, considerate, generous, and just plain a good kid!! He's the kid that will run to another small child if they fall to help them up and make sure they are okay! He ran Harrison from down the street the other day because he scraped his knee. He fills me up with pride of what a great young man he is, and so proud that he'll go out of his way to help others. I love that at the age of 11 he wants to do is very best in school and do what it'll take to get in the best college, so he can be a astronaut one day! It's weird to see our relationship change as he's grown, he doesn't need me to take care of him much anymore but instead wants my opinion on things. Love this kid!!

Olivia-sweet, feisty, care giver, loving, moody, talented, helpful, strong, and our only girl!! She can be a challenge at times but she deals with a lot in her life! She loves her brothers, she loves to dance, swim, sing, roller blade, play with her friends, spend time with me and loves her daddy!! She brings a little excitement and drama in our life's, but wouldn't change her for anything!! She's coming into her own sense of style, and it makes me so sad that I can't dress up my little girl anymore! She loves so much that she'll probably ending up squeezing you, both the little boys have had their cheeks squeezed by her plenty :) She's gassy and funny, and we just love her to pieces!!

Harrison-mama's boy, my big baby, witty, funny, busy, very active, loves the outdoors and what else can I say about this kid, he just holds a special place in my heart!! He's the comedian of the family and makes everyone laugh at the dinner table!! I'm not sure he'll ever be too big to curl up on my lap and cuddle with his mama!! Harrison is very determined and can do just about anything!! He can be rough and get carried away at times, but has a very loving heart! It's hard not to look at him and smile! Everyone loves H, what's there not to love about this kid!!

Max-our baby, lover, kisser, hugger, good sleeper and can be our little screamer at times!! I'm happy to say that this guy is finally starting to talk :) Every morning or after nap time he welcomes me with two hands on each side of my face, a big kiss and a hug!! He's always kissing on me and gives me the "I love you more than anything look" all the time. He's doesn't want to be bothered with baby toys anymore and enjoys playing with blocks, cars, trains and Harrison's guys! He loves to play outside, but doesn't really like to listen to what I say. You can lay this baby down in his crib anytime and he'll go to sleep. Makes me smile all day long!!

Sometimes it's hard not to think about having "so many" kids, but really I can't imagine my life without each and every one of them!! We would truly be missing out if we didn't have all of them :) I really need to let go of a lot of stress and anxiety and enjoy these years, because they are defiantly the hardest but the best years of my life!!

I have a ton to write about, soon!!

What we've been up to...

I'm going to give you a quick bullet style update on what's going on with us lately, mostly because I'm lazy.

-I've been sick all week, yuck!! I haven't been answering my phone because I haven't really had a voice to talk with! Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon!!

-Harrison had his first T-ball game on Saturday, he did really good!!

-Olivia went to her first piano lesson down here.

-Jack and Tim are in Charleston SC, they left yesterday bright and early and will be home this evening! It's Jack's fifth grade field trip, it sounds like they're having a great time!

-Harrison had a field trip to the Lazy 5 Ranch on Monday, which I thought was gross, but I'm not really a farm girl!! We basically rode a wagon through the woods and then they stop and all these animals come up to the wagon for the kids to feed them. The kids liked it.

-My parents get here tomorrow to visit and spend Easter with us. Tim's family gets her Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday we're heading to Myrtle Beach with his family for three nights. The kids are excited to see everyone!!

-We headed over to Carowinds Saturday evening for a few hours, it was opening day and we wanted to get our passes all taken care of. It's about 20 min's from our house and I think we'll be spending a lot of time there this summer, the kids had a blast!!

-We leave for Disney on May 16th and I can't wait!! I think it's going to end up being one of the only vacations we're going to be able to take "just us" this year! Most of our vacation time is going to be used visiting with family and friends, this is the downside of moving away!!

Camera

I just bought some lenses for my Nikon, but I still deep down feel like I want a Canon..ugh!! I'm not sure why, but I was playing around with one at the store, and it takes beautiful indoor pictures!! Now I'm just wondering does it take just as wonderful pictures outside?? And then I saw this blog http://www.haveanepiphanie.com/ who is having a amazing giveaway for a Canon Mark 5D ll, um ya that would seal the deal :) Go check it out and sign up!! I also want one of their bags, I'm thinking maybe the teal one...hmm what do you think??

Rock On

Just a little something to make you smile, something I desperately needed today!!

Joys

Well not really :) The joys of getting a prescription filled for my diabetic daughter...ugh...this is no easy task. She is allergic to penicillin and cephlasphorin (okay I have no idea how to spell that) anyways these are two major antibiotics out there and she can't have them!! I also don't really like to give her more than one or two doses a day because it messes with her sugar. So I spent a whopping 2 1/2 hours last night at the pharmacy, here's how this played out...

Drop off prescription, shop around for 30 min's at Target not too bad
Try to pick it up, complication of having a possible allergic reaction
Pharmacist calls nurse on call, gets a new script
Wait another 30 min's
Go to pick it up only to find out it's for the same medicine that she had the past 3 times with strep which the Dr. thinks she's growing a tolerance for...wonderful!!
Calls nurse on call again, nurse says this is getting way too complicated for her
Leave without any meds...ugh

So I talked to the Dr. this morning and their only other option is to give her a pill that I have to break apart and give her the powder in yogurt or something 3 times a day...super. I picked this up and let me just tell you that this stuff is NASTY and getting her to take this is going to be a major accomplishment!! I first mixed it with a applesauce, she ate about half of it gagging and heaving the entire time, so I tried it...oooo it's bad!! So after about 30 min's of Liv crying I told her I was going to mix it with one spoonful of yogurt and she could have pop to wash it down, o and ya then I bribed her with a new toy ;) She finally did this and ran to the bathroom thinking she was going to throw up. After her stomach settled down I took her to the store and she picked out a peace webkinz and some peace pony tail holders. I also called the Dr. office to see if we had any other options, but we don't!! I'm not sure how she's going to do this 3 times a day for 10 days, should be very interesting!!!

On other news looks like NC pollen doesn't agree with Mr. Max :( I opened up the windows on Sat because it was like 65 and I wanted the fresh air. He woke up Sunday after his nap with his left eye swollen shut and his right very close to the same. I thought for sure it was pink eye, but the white's of his eyes were still white. I took him to the Doc Monday with Liv and sure enough the kid as some terrible allergies!! Poor kid is miserable, he's on some eye drops and benedryl and when the farmer's market opens in April I'm suppose to buy honey from a local bee hive and give him a teaspoon a day. Poor guy is oosing green from his eyes and nose, it's really just nasty!!

It sucks that this move down here is so much healthier for Liv (well all the kids really), but now poor Max has to suffer through these allergies. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself thinking that he would probably of gotten it in MI too. So no more opening of the windows for us :(

Just had to get that all of my chest...ugh!!

Yesterday's leftovers, today's lunch

So my kids love taco night in this house, and I always have extra taco meat so I make lunch with it the day after! (I have to say I do cook like 2 or 3 pounds of turkey burger, so there is always more than enough leftover) Everyone loves this taco pizza and it's a piece of cake to make :) Here's what you'll need...

1-Pillsbury seamless crescent roll sheet
Your left over taco meat
lettuce
tomato
shredded cheese
sour cream
cream cheese

Bake the crescent roll per direction (I don't remember). While that is baking you take half sour cream, half cream cheese mixture...I wish I knew the amount, but I'm bad like that! I usually use a little less than half of the block of the cream cheese. Then add some sour cream and mix together. When the crescent roll is done let it cool for a couple of min's spread on the mixture add your meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato and viola you have lunch!!

Super easy, super good I promise ;)

I have a ton to blog about but it's been like 70 and sunny here so I'm busy soaking up the warm weather!!

Triple me

So there seriously needs to be like at least two or three more of me to go around!! When you really stop and think what your doing as a stay at home mom it's crazy, your doing multiple jobs!! We cook, clean, drive kids around, teach, play nurse to the sick, run the home, balance your family schedules and really the list could go on and on. I feel like I need a assistant to help me out, the only problem is...I'm not get paying a dime!! I feel pulled in so many directions, my attention and time being pulled between my children, husband and duties...when am I suppose to find time for myself?? I have a very long list of things I need to do, and a even longer list of things I want to do. I get things checked of the "need to do" list, but I feel like I'm never able to check things off of my "want to do" list. I'm not sure I know how to balance my life in a way that is productive and healthy. I think I spend too much time giving, actually I spend all my time giving :) This is something I need to figure out/work at, finding a healthy balance. So my question is HOW??

Guilt

I seem to feel guilty about everything, it's a horrible thing and I wish I could stop it. I never seem quite satisfied with myself, whether it be my mothering skill, cooking skills, housework, time management, really you name it!! I feel like I'm always pulling myself in another direction instead of enjoying the moment I'm in. I know it's something I really need to work on and I am trying, but jeez it's a hard habit to break!! It's like I'm always trying to be something or someone I'm just not, feeling inadequate all the time. I should spend more time doing this or that, you get where I'm going don't ya? I put a lot of pressure on myself and I'm not very patient with myself. I feel like I just need to stop, but easier said than done. Do any of you struggle with guilt as a mother and wife?

Great Wolf Lodge

My parents came on Friday to visit us and treated us to a night at Great Wolf Lodge!! The kids had a blast and I welcomed the extra help for sure!! It's nice to have one adult per kid, jeez maybe that's why some people only have two kids ;) The kids had fun playing in the water, going on the slides and playing Magi quest at the hotel. The weekend seemed to drain the life right out of me, I was exhausted!!

Sunday morning my parents left and we headed to church, I'm really loving this church and feel so blessed that we have found a place we enjoy going! The kids love going to Sunday school, well all but Max he's still not too happy about me leaving him :( I love that I actually walk out of church thinking, this is a new one for Tim and myself!!

Tim and Jack are off to the Mountains to snow board today, I'm sure they'll have a great time and hopefully Tim snaps a few pics that I can share with you guys!!

Being the baby of four

Being the baby of four means that there is little peace and quiet in your life, means there is plenty of hugs, kisses and tickles waiting for you!! It means when you wake up grumpy, like today, you will be bombarded with love from your siblings whether you like it or not!! Harrison at your toes saying "Awww cutie your awake...tickle....tickle", Olivia in your face rubbing your cheek saying "good morning baby boy". Now most mornings Max is very welcoming of his siblings love and affection, but he seems to be catching a cold so today he really wasn't too pleased by this. On normal days he'll give them each a hug and kiss while still in my arms, laugh at Harrison tickling his toes and really just eat up their attention. Today he just wanted to snuggle with his Mama, and of course I couldn't resist!! So I spent a good hour in my room rocking him while the kids played, I helped Olivia sign up for her fund raiser from across the room, I didn't make dinner but that's okay it's just going to be a pizza night now. He is now all better and in the toy room playing with his brothers and sister, I love that they love each other!! I'm sure it's quite lovely to be the baby of four, all the love, kisses, tickles.

All the other kids would gladly drop what they are doing to help him out or assist him in something. Jack is amazing with him, they are really close, probably the closest. Max will run to him crying when he gets hurt for comfort if I'm not right there, and even sometimes he'll choose Jack over me. Jack will hold him, rock him, rub his back it's really so sweet. You'll often find those two watching cartoons together at 6am, Jack will grab him out of bed and take him downstairs get him a cup of milk and they'll watch morning cartoons together. Olivia and him mostly share the love for music, you'll often find those two in her room singing, dancing, playing the guitar and piano, and jumping on her bed to the music blaring!! She also loves to mother him but usually a little too intensely for Max's liking!! Max will often grab her finger and pull her to do something with him because he know she just can't say no to him!! Harrison is starting to fill that big brother role himself!! They play together a lot more nowadays, and Harrison will take any kind of beating that Max has in store for him!! They are sweet to watch play with their guys and cars. Harrison is always the first one at the crib when Max wakes up, he often will let Max hit him and he'll fall down like a crazy man, and Max will just laugh and laugh. I've caught him climbing in the crib a few times to hang out with Max. So sweet.

God give me patience!!

So Tim's out of town for a few days, so it's just me and my four kiddies!! Today started out wonderful, took Max for a nice long walk to the kids school to give Livy her shot. Max fell asleep in the stroller so I walked some more and then just pushed the stroller in the house. I was able to eat lunch in complete peace and even pick up without someone following me around taking the things back out!!

Max only slept for like a hour or so, this is where my problem starts. We go get the kids from school, get most of their homework done and outside we go. Usually Max is sleeping for this part of the day...not today!! He's a crazy man running all over the place, taunting me by putting his foot in the road looking at me saying "nooooo" and then running in the darn road!!! UGH!! So I chase this child around the street for the next two hours, take him for a bike ride, try to play basketball with Harrison and almost getting a chance to have a grown up conversation with my neighbors!

My friend Robin and Elizabeth invite us to go to dinner with them, I thought that sounded wonderful...I didn't have to cook :) This is when I think I might loose my mind. We go to McAlisters deli, kids eat free on Tuesday so we showed up with 10 of them and 3 of us adults. Max decides right there and then he's going to single handily try to push my patience farther than any other child has before. He is SCREAMING in this place, trying to run from me, I'm trying to hold him, he's trying to hit me over and over, people are staring!! My mind thinks people are looking at me and thinking a few things, here's a few of the top ones...1. this lady cannot control her child, she should not be bringing him out in public, 2. this lady has too many kids and they are so misbehaved, 3. what the hell was this lady thinking bringing her four children out to dinner by herself!!

While Max was screaming his head off Olivia just couldn't decide what she wanted to eat, I was not so pleasant with her because of Max, this makes me feel lousy!! I was short with her telling her that she just wouldn't eat dinner if she couldn't decide. In my defense I did go over the menu with her 4 times, ask the lady about two of the items, all while I'm holding onto Max in a death grip while he screams bloody hell!! AHHHH

So we get our food ordered and sit down, Max then decides he doesn't want his pop, he wants mine!! Like heck I'm giving this child caffeine right now, because I'm so planning on taking him home and plopping his little hiney in bed early tonight!! So he cries some more, more people stare and judge, I feel guilty about how bad he's acting out with my friends..I'm sure they're going to want to invite me out again really soon :)

He eats his dinner, he picks off my plate, he gets on my lap off my lap. When he's finished he then decides that he's going to run around the restaurant and make me chase him, grab him and then of course scream some more!! After maybe 10 min's of this I tell the kids it's time to leave!! When I'm done buckling this child into the car and get into my seat I swear I melted into my seat for just a moment saying "Thank God that he's strapped in some where"!!

One of my big mistakes was not grabbing a high chair for him, I was already struggling with him so much that I didn't know how I was going to do this. Little did I know it would of be darn worth it!! O and ya Tim took me out to breakfast yesterday, Max broke a plate there..nice!!

So I guess it's boot camp time on our little monster, wish me luck I'm defiantly going to need it to tame this wild child!!!

Chili

It's what's for dinner tonight!!

Here's how I make our chili, now I know everyone knows how to make this and has their own style, but my kids LOVE it!! I make a full crock pot of chili, so if you don't have so many people eating it you might want to cut it in half!

1 pound ground turkey
2 cans bush's chili mix, 1 mild 1 medium
1 can kidney beans and sometimes I throw in some black beans
2 cans stewed tomatoes
2 cans corn
a couple cans of water
a little garlic, pepper, chili seasoning

I let this cook all day long, that way I don't have to stress about dinner :)

Now the real trick of my kids loving my chili is the toppings, yes I do a good job of junking this up!!

We add a little sour cream, shredded cheese, and crushed up Doritos!! Everyone might eat it like this, but when kids come over they always tell me that they hate their mom's chili and love mine ;)

Some pics of Max, just for a certain someone I know :)

My Little Man

I was just playing with Max and Harrison, and at that moment it hit me...he's not a baby anymore!! He's a ruff little toddler beating up his older brother :) As I watch them play swords and wrestle on the ground I see it in him, he's got that feisty fight of a kid!! He no longer just comes crying to me, he gives a good fight back now. He's caring less and less for his "baby-ish" toys and is trading all those in for swords, cars and mini guys. I feel so blessed that I get to watch these kids grow up together, watch their individual relationships with each other grow and change. Tonight I feel so lucky to have these four great kids, tonight it defiantly all seems worth it!!

My timing sucks

So a house just went on the market a few houses down from me, in the wrong direction of course :( But the house would be just PERFECT for my family, and I of course kinda want it!! It has four bedrooms upstairs with a bathroom on each side for two of the bedrooms and a play room in the middle of it all!! Sounds like a dream to me!! Master on main level...perfect...a good size fenced in back yard, I'm telling ya this house is calling my name!! The problem being of course is that I just got into this house 3 months ago, I signed a two year lease, and I really can't imagine packing up my stuff and moving right now! Maybe I'll get super duper lucky and this house will still be there in two years :)

I just need to learn to be more patient with life, need to try to believe that things happen for a reason. I'm sure I'll end up where I'm suppose to end up when I end up there, right?? I guess that's what brought me here, and I'm so thankful that I'm here :)

Valentines Day

This post is a little late, but here is what we did on Valentines day!! We had a busy day, it was Olivia's good friends Payton's Birthday so we said we'd go to church and to lunch with them. Yes, *GASP* we went to church, and we even kinda liked it :) I even think we'll be going back this Sunday and probably the next.


We had our annual Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. The kids just love doing this, they get so excited running around the house looking for their hearts!!
I didn't forget about Max, he got a present too, but he didn't do the scavenger hunt. They didn't get anything to exciting...Jack got the book 3 and 4 of the Lighting Thief series, Olivia got art pads and new supplies, Harrison got a watch and a couple Bakugon, and Max got some new crayons, a jumbo coloring book and a new "foo foo".
I hurried up and made a cake, because I forgot to make it earlier!! I was going to make one a lot like the rainbow cake, but like I said I forgot. We ordered the kids pizza fed them, and left Jack to babysit for a hour while we went out to dinner.

We had a great day, it was a little warmer during the day so the kids and Tim all played soccer in the street with all the neighborhood kids and Dad's.

Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?

The mouth on my eight year old daughter is unbelievable!!! She is in a mode right now where she argues EVERYTHING with us, talks back, doesn't do what she's told, and is a overall snot!! I knew these things would happen when she was a teenager, but at eight really?!?! I hate to confess this but I times I can't even stand to be around her, it's that bad!! I told her today that she had to journal every night (her teacher's request) she flipped a lid!! Olivia spent a good hour crying, yelling and arguing with me about it!! She insists that she is not going to do it, it's stupid and she says she'll "NEVER do it"! Ugh..I would love to explain to this lovely child that I mentally cannot handle having one more of these "arguments" with her. I boldly tell her that she is going to do it, that this is not a choice. No matter what I say or do she flies off the handle and goes nuts!! I know something needs to be done, I'm just not sure what. We ground her and send her to her room, but none of these things affect her at all!! I need help...any advise??

Not me Monday!!

Okay I've seen this on Mckmama's blog for awhile, and then my friend Ashley did this just a little bit ago on her blog..so I yesterday I totally had one of those days and I thought why not :)

So on Sunday I defiantly did not drive my children to McDonalds in their jammies to get breakfast because Tim wasn't home. Max didn't stick his hair in his pancakes and get syrup in his hair so he would require a bath. And while I was running a bath he defantly didn't decide to poop just then. When I stripped him down and ripped the tab to his diapers and realized he pooped, I absolutely wasn't so lazy that I just wiped his bottom with tiolet paper. And when I couldn't get it all I didn't put him in the sink and wash him up with my bare hand. No way, I wouldn't EVER do such a thing because that would be just disgusting!!!! If I would ever do such a thing I would certianly wash the sink out with bleach while Max was bathing.

And after that wonderful morning I didn't hide from my children for a good hour in my bedroom, because I would never do such a thing! And when I finally got in the shower I wasn't so scattered brained that I shaved the same leg twice, no I would never be that out of it! And the kids and myself did have a good day hanging out together..for real!! We defiantly didn't hang out all day and barely do any of our chores, we got them All done and the house was so clean it sparkled!!

Miss Livy Jane all dressed up for the Daddy daughter dance!!

Need my husband home now please...Thank you!!

So Tim has been gone since Thursday, not gone gone but not getting home until around bedtime. It has truly sucked. I was thinking maybe me and the kids would have a blast without him, I was wrong. What I realized is that the kids have so many friends around here they really don't want to tell them no they can't play to hang out with me. So what I do get to do is make lunch for 2 or 3 extra kids, referee them, make sure they're all okay outside, dink around on the computer, clean, clean and clean...it sucks!! I'm not used to spending my weekends without Tim, and I'm not really having any fun!! I'm tired, stressed and lonely!! Reading that makes me sound like such a cry baby :)

Tim and Olivia went to the Daddy Daughter dance, I was jealous. Yes people that's how bad it is, I was jealous of my daughter!! I'm ashamed to admit that!! They went to this really nice restaurant here called Micky and Mooch, which I haven't had a chance to go to yet. Her Daddy bought her a new charm for her pandora bracelet. She looked absolutely beautiful, and grown up. I'm so glad that she has such a great Daddy to treat her to such a nice night...really!! Once I find my cable I'll upload some pics of Livy!! See these are the kinds of things I need Tim for, where in the heck is my cable!!

I some how have to figure out how to shower before we go to our neighbors for a super bowl party. Wouldn't be a big deal if I didn't have a ton of extra kids here, and I could trust my kids not to walk in my bathroom to tell me something. With glass shower doors it's just way too scary and our lock on that door doesn't seem to work very well! Looking forward to talking to the girls since it's been cold here I haven't talked to anyone in a week or so.

sick kids = $$$

Olivia and Harrison have strep throat again!! I'm trying not to complain too much, because this is only the second time they have been sick this year. Last year my kids had strep throat six times. But what gets me every time is the money!! That makes me sound like a awful Mom, but my kids don't really act sick with strep and when one gets it they all get it. I took Olivia in yesterday, paid my $25 co-pay. Decided to take Harrison in today, because he wasn't feeling good over the weekend, but seemed to be okay since then. Harrison was positive so I decided to swab Max...negative. $50 dollars later I'm thinking to myself I'm sure I'll be bringing Max and Jack in soon to test them both, another $50. It really seems crazy that when my kids get sick I usually spend around $100 in just co-pays!!! Does anyone else think that their co-pays are just crazy high?? I remember when Jack was little and we spent $10 for a co-pay that wasn't too bad, but now I pay for half of the Dr. visit?!?! Just one of those things that bother me!!

So Tim is in a training class for the next three days, which is probably why my kids are sick ;) I was looking forward to some time alone with Max, but now I have three kids at home and no hubby!! Not really what I had planned, and to top it off I feel like crud myself!! Not a good combination. Tim isn't even suppose to be home until around 7:00-7:30, so I'm really on my own for these four days. Hopefully the other two kids won't get sick and we can have a fun weekend.

Olivia and Tim are going to the Daddy Daughter dance Saturday night at the school, Olivia is really looking forward to that. We were suppose to go dress shopping but I'm not sure that's going to happen, she just might have to wear one that's already in her closet.

I'm feeling very blah and defeated today. Some days just aren't good Mommy days. Not that my kids are being terrible, it's just that I'm not feeling the best which makes me moody. I hate feeling moody and crabby towards my kids!

On a positive note, Max has started calling me "Mommy", at least I think he knows it's me. He now says "Mommy Mommy Mommy" all the time, I'm not sure if he knows he's calling me, or he just knows when he says it I melt and give him whatever he wants. He's a little slow on the talking but he's really starting to catch on finally. What I find to be more than adorable is when he bumps into someone by accident and looks up at them and says "kuse me", or when he makes himself burp and says "kuse me". He'll also tell you "sorry", loves to call choos choos "foos foos", loves the new cartoon Chuginton, gets so excited when it's on and says "FOO FOO"!! He's still signing for eat and drink, although he says eat, just not drink yet. He got weighed at the Dr's today a whopping 24 pounds!! He's getting so big and we all just love this baby so much!!

I feel like I should update on the other kiddos too!! Jack is doing so well in school, and has been invited to join a Duke university accelerated student program!! He was recognized for being in the top 5% of his grade and was the only one in his grade to receive this invite. We are very proud of him!! The school has also requested him to be tested for a gifted program, he'll be taking this test in the next few weeks. He's going to start guitar lessons next week too. He's a great kid, and a GREAT big brother!! He's made so many new friends, and is really loving living down here!!

Olivia is still her sassy self, but is doing great in school and has the most amazing teacher this year! She will start piano next week too! She's also looking into a acting class and maybe starting ballet again!! She has a pretty busy social life down here, so she just needs to make sure she can fit it all in :) She's become a pro on the pogo stick and at rollerblading recently!!

Harrison....O Harrison, what can I say about this kid, he holds a special place in my heart :) He is just a funny, goofy kid. He brought home a thank you note from his teacher last Friday thanking him for the note he had written her. She thanked him for inviting her out to McDonald's, to come to his Birthday party, and even invited her to a sleepover at our house!! What a ham!! He also has too many friends on the street and we can barely keep him indoors!! He's thinking about starting Karate, and will play baseball here in a month or so. He's doing well in school and is almost what I consider a reader! Now, he can read small words, and even easy books, but I don't consider my kids readers until the can truly read just about anything I put in front of them.

I'm not sure how this turned into a big update, but o well!! I guess I should go make dinner, because no one else is going to do it for me!!

Just do it already!!

I am famous for thinking/talking about things I want/need to do but then just never do it!! Ahhh, I drive myself crazy sometimes!! I am vowing to change, I think it's about time I become a do'er (if that's even a word) and not just a talker/wisher!! I need to take control of my life, make my wants/dreams come true for myself...right?? It's not like someone is going to walk through my front door and do it for me. I am the only one who can make these things happen, I need to just do it!! I have a very long lists of ideas and things I want to achieve that just keeps getting longer. No more, I'm changing my ways. Wish me luck, I have no idea where the time is going to come from, but it's just going to have to come from somewhere :)

Sunny and 63 makes me a happy girl!!

What a beautiful day here in NC today!! A week or two ago we had about 4-5 days in the 60's, and then it got chilly again like down in the 40's or 50's, but the 60's are back for at least today!! We might be getting snow tomorrow...YIKES!!! I love days like today, where the sun is shining and I'm able to spend almost the whole day outside with the kids and talking to my neighbors!! I defiantly know now that the weather and lack of sun does play a huge role in my mood. I have not been depressed or have "the winter blues" at all this winter. That might not seem like a huge thing to some, but I have had some really bad winters with the depression where I kinda start scaring myself. I hate the feeling of not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, or wondering if it's all really worth it. But not this winter, instead I wake up and feel the sun shining in my windows and it just makes me feel HAPPY!! Sounds kinda dumb but it's true for me. So anyways I have no idea why I felt the need to ramble about my lack of winter blues, but I'm sure you are all glad to know that I no longer have them :)

I've spent yesterday and today repainting a desk I picked up from the Good Will. It was a old wood desk, but now it's painted black to match everything else in my room. I'll finally get my own desk in our bedroom where I can set up a computer where I can always have my pictures, and I can even have my sewing machine on it too...watch out!! I'm looking forward to being able to use photoshop again, and continue to learn how to sew. Maybe one day I'll even figure out how to sew!! I took some pictures of it before I painted it, when I get it in my room and set up I'll post some before and afters!!

Haircuts and another toothless child!!

A big couple of days at the Schoch house! Monday was haircut day, the mop of hair that Jack started referring to as "his pet" HAD to GO!!!!! Now I must admit I like him with the longer hair, but he won't take care of it, so it's just a huge frizzy afro on top of his head :( Harrison needed a cut, and Olivia thought a trim sounded like a good idea! We went to this fun place called snip-it's to get their hair cut. What a awesome place for kids to get their hair cut!! Olivia didn't want to leave :) Here are some before and afters.....

And Harrison lost his first tooth last night, he wiggled this thing out in about a week!!!

One quick pull was all it took :)

I just love the look on his face, Harrison doesn't do well with blood!! I'm not sure he realized it was going to bleed, but I think he went into mini shock..haha!! Makes me laugh every time I look at it!!

Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure

Christmas 2009

Snow in NC

How cute is this baby??

Tim's Birthday

Olivia at her spa birthday party, can you say DIVA!!