Has it really been that long?

Hello Everyone! And Happy Birthday to Booty! I am sure that all of you, like me, have been praying for (and will continue to pray for) HBM and Elvis as they welcome their new addition into the world today! On my way to work, I was praying for them and thinking about how awesome this miracle is! Some of you might remember sitting in a cabin at Butler Springs – just a little over a year ago – laying hands on and praying with HBM that God would open her womb for a precious baby. Isn’t HE amazing? It might not have happened in OUR timing…but it happened in HIS perfect timing. So, I can’t wait to hear the great news!!!!

So! What is going on with Mac-N-Cheese? Well, it has been one crazy week – both at work and home! I am so very glad that today is Friday! I am looking forward to the Women’s Retreat tomorrow….but I wish it started a bit later! Oh well! I miss being able to sleep in….that is one thing I really miss about being off! Not so much sleeping in, because kids don’t do that well….but being able to take naps! I wish they would institute a “nap policy” at work! LOL

Let’ see….I had two big meetings at work this week. They were both on Wednesday – back to back. So, that was a very long and stressful day! And Monday and Tuesday were stressful – getting ready for the meeting! Yesterday was much better – but just trying to get caught up from being behind because of the meeting. Oh, and my computer at work- crashed! I knew it was on its last leg, so I had already ordered my new one (it isn’t in yet). But on Wednesday, the day of the meeting…when my computer was the only one with all the presentations loaded on it….my computer crashed! It went into a perpetual “starting up mode” and wouldn’t power on. That made the morning interesting! I was working fast and furious to create new PowerPoints at the last minute! So, I have a loaner computer now…until my new one comes in! I am very excited about getting a new laptop!!! Yippee!

So, anyways…work is work. Stinky Pete is the same. I am not as frustrated with him as I used to be (before leave)….but it is building! The time off definitely helped…my frame of mind…but it won’t take long. It’s funny how the new girl was so smitten with him a few weeks ago….but she is already starting to see his true colors. It didn’t take long! She is nice….and I think we will work together just fine. But, she is very vulgar…..I mean, she has a potty mouth and cusses like in every sentence. That gets annoying. But other than that….she and I get along fine. It is just hard working with her when I feel like I have to be so guarded about how frustrated I am with SP because I don’t know if I can trust her…..if that makes sense. Although, maybe it is good that I can’t vent with her as much…..maybe it will help me. I am rambling….

So, at home….Monday night, I spent the entire evening cleaning our bedroom. I don’t know why in the world that room gets so stinking dusty…but it is annoying! It looked like I hadn’t dusted in ions, but I just did last week! Well, since we were getting our new king size bed on Wednesday, we had to move things around. So, that took me forever! We had to un-hook the computer and all that stuff to move it….move the bed….blah, blah, blah. So we got that done! Tuesday night…Hubby took the two older kids to a basketball game and I took Petunia to the gym with me. I left her in the nursery and KK and I went to a zumba class. Let me tell you….that was a trip! Basically, zumba is dance aerobics….like the salsa and the rumba and stuff like that. Well, we decided to do it….so we picked our spots in the very back of the class. We figured that we should really be close to the instructor so we could follow her, but we didn’t want to distract everyone else by making fools of ourselves, so we got in the back. Well, we started and for the first few songs, we were laughing so hard at times that we couldn’t even do it! It was very funny!!! Then, this lady joined the class late…and she stood behind us. I told her that that wasn’t going to work, but she didn’t believe me. Turns out, she was an instructor too who just wanted to take the class. Yeah….so after about 2 songs, she moved in front of us. I guess we were making her look bad….lol. It helped having her in front of us….but there ain’t no way I could ever look as good as she did. I am definitely a white girl with no rhythm! Well, KK and I both are! We had a great time, but we sure looked like fools! If you haven’t tried it, you really should! It is a great workout – but more fun then the treadmill! So, that was Tuesday night… then on Wednesday, I didn’t get home from work until nearly 7:00. Hubby and I-Man had church and MIL had the two girls….so I had a little bit of time alone! I ate a quick bite and then had to run out to buy some new blankets for our new bed! I had bought new sheets….but didn’t think about blankets! Luckily, I had been buying king-size quilts, so we had that. I LOVE our new bed! I honestly do not know why we waited so long to get a king size bed! (well, actually I do…money!) It fits great in our room….doesn’t crowd it at all…and we have both slept heavenly in it! LOVE!!!!

So, not much else going on. I feel like I am just rambling all over the board here. I keep getting interrupted, so this isn’t a very good journal entry!

Ummm……the kids are all doing great. Petunia has a bit of a runny nose and I think she might be starting to cut teeth already. She constantly chews on her hands or her pacifier. She is just so pretty….and cute! She laughs all the time and is just a good baby. She is starting to reach for things and really interact with everyone – especially her brother and sister! FAB is as ornery as ever…but also as cute! Yesterday, my mom tried to get her to poop in the potty….well, soon after she got off the pot, she pooped in her diaper. I guess she walked out to where my mom was and put her hands on her hips and told my mom that she needed to change her diaper. She has such a little attitude! I just love to hear her talk…it is so cute! She is kinda hard to understand, but she has a lot to say! Hubby played with her and I-Man in the snow on Sunday….it was her first time to do that! They had a good time and Hubby let them bury him in the snow. Well, I went back inside (I was video-taping it from the porch) and Hubby started to bury I-Man in the snow….FAB didn’t like that! She was crying because she thought he was hurting I-Man. She can be sweet when she wants to be! I-Man has had fun playing in the snow nearly every day. He still loves school – we are supposed to get his report card today. I am anxious to see how he is doing and if he will be able to move onto 1st grade next year or if we need to hold him back. I am open to whatever his teachers feel is best, but he will be disappointed if he has to take Kindergarten again. But I would rather him be disappointed now, then down the road. So, we will see.

Hubby didn’t win the trip to Cancun! Bummer! But seriously, I am so proud of him for being in the running! He actually ended the year as the #3 salesperson! The funny thing is….to win the trip you had to sell a bunch of extra stuff (like HBO and NFL stuff)…well, he didn’t even focus on that and he still almost won it! So, now that he knows...there is always next year! But anyways….work is good for him. It is just a really cold time for knocking on doors every day!

We are going to the Great Wolf Lodge the weekend after next. I had been wanting to go…but then we had dinner with some friends and they suggested it, so we are going to go with them! It is funny how Hubby told me it was too expensive, but when they wanted to go too, it was alright! LOL They have a daughter the same age as FAB – so they will do well together. We are trying to get MIL or someone to keep Petunia over-night so we don’t have to take her. It wouldn’t be much fun for her…and it would be easier to just have the older two. So, we are looking forward to that!

And then also in February…we are going to a Chris Tomlin concert with King and Queen! There are two other people too…I think one is Jeremy Camp and the other is that Giglio guy who is a great speaker. I am really looking forward to that! Hopefully we can find someone to watch all the kids for that night! I just thought of that!!!!

So, like I said…things have been busy! It seems that I am busier now than I was before. I guess because when I was pregnant, we didn’t do much in the evenings – and I really didn’t do much around the house. So, since I am now working full-time and not pregnant, my evenings are busy again – with the kids and the house-work! I swear we do laundry every night! How is that possible?!?!?

Well, I have rambled long enough! I better get back to work! You all have a great day and see some of you this weekend!

Love ya!

Weekend Update!

Hello Ladies! I hope you all had a nice weekend…mine was a long one, since we were closed yesterday. I wish every weekend was a three-day weekend! Wouldn’t that be nice? Something about that extra day just makes me happy! Oh well!!!

So, let’s see….I did go and get my new phone. The guy at work was laughing at me because I was so indecisive about the whole thing…shocker! One minute, I told him I was getting it….and then the next minute, I told him I wasn’t. But I did. FAB and I went out on Friday night and got it. She is so cute…I wish I could bottle her up and keep her at this sweet stage forever. Now, don’t get my wrong…she has her very rotten moments….but lately there have been more sweet and loving moments then rotten ones. Anyways…she had fun at Circuit City with me while we were waiting for my phone.

So…that is what we did Friday night. Oh, Hubby and I bought a movie-on-demand. We watched “The Break-Up”. That was a cute movie….but the ending was really dumb. So then…Saturday morning, the kiddos (the older 2) got up early…but that was fine because MIL was coming to get them early. So, she picked them up and then Hubby and I got ready and took Petunia to have her 3 month pictures done. It was kinda nice to just be the three of us. She doesn’t get a lot of one-on-one time with us. So….she was fine for her pictures. Gotta love the cheap prices at Wal-Mart! I have to laugh because when I-Man was a baby, we would take him to the expensive places for pictures…but not now Buddy! LOL So, anyways…after that, we grabbed some Chipotle and headed home. I left Hubby and Petunia to go and get my nails done. I went to the new nail salon – called The Venetian – at the Greene. Man, is that place nice!?!? I want to go back there and get a pedicure. It is just so beautiful in there….they really pamper you! It only cost a little bit more than where I was going….and it was so worth it! So, then I went home and Hubby and Petunia were still alone…no louder, older kids! LOL When MIL dropped them off, I laid down with FAB and I-Man for a nap…that was so nice! We got up and got dinner and then Hubby left for PT practice. The kids played really well together. They were cracking me up because they were pretending that the couch was a boat and there were sharks in the water. Well, FAB’s “girl” (one of her dolls that she calls her “girl”) got eaten by the shark….and FAB started to cry. They have such vivid imaginations. So….they played for a long time and just had fun pretending! So, Hubby came home and I left! KK picked me up and we went to the Greene. We were seeing a late movie, but had some time to kill….so we walked around for a bit. Then we went and saw “We Are Marshall”. It was a very good movie….and it didn’t hurt that Matthew as in it! Very good movie.

Then on Sunday….Hubby was helping with the early service….so it was me getting the three kiddos ready for church. I was pooped by the time I got there! I know that Hubby does it every day…but it is a little different since he doesn’t have to curl his hair or put on make-up or anything. But it wasn’t that bad. We were a little late…but the service ran late, so it worked out! Sunday School was really good – there were so many women there! I was in a teary mood (shocker!!!), so I teared up a few times…but it was good! The sermon was good too…It was a great Sunday of Worship! After church we went to lunch at Tumbleweed with SIL and Little B. We had THE BEST service we have ever had there…I actually sent an email to their corporate about it….we usually have HORRIBLE service, but we were shocked this time! After that, I dropped Hubby and the kids off and went and picked up Detergent. She and I went to the mall for the afternoon. We were going to go to the Outlet malls…but it was such a nasty, rainy day…we decided to just go to the regular mall. We had fun. She cracks me up…everything we looked at, that she liked…she would say how “beautiful” it was. You can tell she is into knitting and stuff….because she would really notice the textures of things. Anyways….we had fun and we didn’t spend too much money! I dropped her off and went home and cleaned drawers and closets and stuff like that. The kids had fun “helping” me. Hubby went to Men’s Group and the kids went to bed….it was a nice quiet evening with Petunia.

Yesterday, Hubby slept all morning! He wasn’t feeling well. So, we had a lazy morning around the house. The kids played all morning while we took it easy. When Hubby finally got moving, we decided to go buy a new bed! We have been talking about it for a while….and our mattress is getting uncomfortable…and I have been wanting a king size bed for soooooo long! Well, Hubby finally gave in! So, we went to Morris and bought a king size bed! They are delivering it next week….and I cannot wait! I am so excited to have a big bed! Hubby is a major bed-hog! And the kids love to get in bed with us on the weekends…now they will be able to more often! I don’t mean to sleep….just to lay with us and wrestle and stuff. They rarely sleep with us…very rarely! After we bought the new bed…I ran to the Vera Bradley store and ran in and got a purse I have been wanting for a long time. I left Hubby and the kids in the van and just ran in to get it. I was going into withdrawal because I hadn’t bought a new purse in more than 6 months!!!! So, I bought it! I really do have a problem. For all you Vera lovers, I bought her new micro-fiber hipster. Her new spring colors are out and I really don’t like them very much. There is one that I like, but not so much with the others. Anyways, we came home and then Hubby and I-Man went back out to the grocery…. The rest of the day wasn’t very exciting.

So, that is about it for our weekend. Not a lot to report…but it was a nice weekend, even if the weather was stinky! I hate all this rain! I would rather it be snow…that would be prettier!

Well…I guess that is about it for today! I better get to work! You all have a great week and I will talk to you soon! Love ya!!!!

Phones, WW and more!!!

Hello Ladies! I hope you are all doing well. Can you all believe that it is already January 11? Where does the time go? I guess that time really does go by much faster as you get older!

So…not really a lot to update you on, but I just felt like posting! So, we will see where this post takes us! I never know where I am going to ramble to next!

First week of Weight Watchers...lost 5 pounds!!!! I was excited about that! Now only a lot more to go!

Let’s see…work…well, is work. Quite frankly it stinks! I hate that I am not working with KK anymore….I hate having to see Stinky Pete…or even just talk to him. It has gotten to the point where I just don’t like him, so no matter what he does it gets on my nerves. That isn’t fair to him…or really to me either…but that is the way it is! I keep whining to Hubby that I want to go part-time….but so far, he hasn’t given in! He did say the other night that if they get back a sales program that they used to have (it was called debt-forgive and basically if you had had cable before and not paid for it…they would “forgive” that debt and let you start over). Anyways, he said that if they got that back, maybe then I could go part-time (that drastically increases the number of sales). So, that was the first time he even made it sound like a possibility! But honestly, Monday and Tuesday of this week, I worked in the office until 2:00 and then left to get I-man from school and then went home and worked from home until 5:00. It was SOOOOO nice to be home by 2:30! I don’t technically work again until 3:00, so I was able to get I-Man a snack and settled in on a project and tidy up the house, get dinner “ready” (thawed out, etc.) and it was just so nice! I was in a much better mood the entire evening then when I have had a long day at work and rush to get the kids and rush to get home and get dinner. It would be so nice to do that all the time! But, as I was telling Hair-Dye yesterday, that is in the perfect world and we don’t live in the perfect world, unfortunately! So, anyways….that is work! Aren’t you glad you asked…oh, wait…you didn’t ask! LOL

Hubby and I both got new cell phones on Saturday….but he has already taken his back to get a new one and I am going to take mine back tomorrow or Saturday! Well, what happened was….we actually got out of there with our 2 phones for FREE….we had to pay $50 up front that will be reimbursed (rebate) and then a $24 activation fee. Well, Hubby decided (after a few days) that the “bare-bones phone” he wanted wasn’t fun enough…so he wanted something nicer. So, he went there today and got a new phone (again for free) and it is very cool….well, anyways, he talked to the lady and apparently my phone that I LOVE is last year’s model and I can get the new (and improved) model for free too! The girl who helped us on Saturday was new and didn't know what she was doing! So, I am going to get the new one! AND…we found out that she shouldn’t have charged us the activation fee! So, we will both have these new phones that do way more than we really know what to do with them. This guy at work has been showing me all the cool things I can do with mine and it is pretty neat! Anyways....I am amused easily! He (the tech guy at work) told me “welcome to the new age” because I am so not technologically advanced!

Funny story about my phone…I can record things and last night I was recording FAB singing. Well, I did it once and then played it for her…she was so excited. So, we did it again and then she said “Put dat girl on Mommy!” I tried to explain to her that she was “dat girl”. So funny! I just love that little Girl… even though she is as stubborn as all get out!

Umm…I-Man was so happy to be back at school this week! He missed all of his friends and teachers. I realize why I am not a teacher though…he was trying to write something last night and kept asking me questions and I was ready to scream! I just don’t have the patience…after 20 times of telling him the same thing! But he was so cute, he wrote his teacher a thank you note…not sure for what…..and then he got an envelope and then he tore a little piece of paper and drew snowflakes on it and then got the glue and glued it right where the stamp would go. He tried to put it in the mailbox and I told him that he couldn’t mail it because it didn’t have a stamp on it…..he told me it did have a stamp on it….he had made it! So cute.

Well, I have shared stories about the oldest two….I need a story for Little G! She hasn’t said anything cute yet (lol), but she is just so stinking cute with her smiling and laughing and just starting to really be aware of everything. Her eyes light up every time she sees her brother or sister. I just love that. And when I pick her up in the afternoon she just smiles at me. So cute. She has been waking up at 4:45 or 5:00 the last few mornings for me to feed her….not so cute! I have to get up at 5:15ish anyways….but those last few minutes of sleep are nice! Oh well. At least I get to start my day with her!

God has blessed us so much! I realize that so much more every day. I was talking to this guy Paul that I work with. He used to sit in the office next to mine, but has since moved to a branch. Well, we got along so well and I just love him to death. He has a daughter from a girlfriend (when he was really young) and then he is married and they are trying to get pregnant. His wife is a kindergarten teacher and wants to have a child of her own so badly. She adores his daughter and is a great step-mom, but wants to do the whole baby thing. Well, she has a lot of health problems….and they weren’t getting pregnant, so they did invetro (not sure how to spell that). Well, he called me back in the summer and told me they were pregnant…..I was SO excited for them. Then he called me a few weeks later to tell me that she had lost the baby. She (and he) took that so hard. Well, I went out on maternity leave. When I got back, I called him to see how he was doing….well, listen to this! They did invetro again and right after that, his wife was hospitalized. It took them more than a week to figure out what was wrong with her. She had some kind of a viral infection the size of a softball in her lower abdomen (again…she has a lot of health problems). She was in the hospital for a month recovering. Well, they found out that the invetro worked again….but they lost the baby because of all the meds and stuff that she was on. So, needless to say, when I talked to him, my heart just went out to them! BUT through all of that, his faith has GROWN! He is catholic….but before all of this stuff, he never went to church and blah, blah, blah. Now, he and his wife are faithfully attending church and he listens to K-love every day and has just made some tremendous changes in his life. So, that song “Praise You in this Storm” comes to mind….when this could’ve driven them farther from the Lord, it actually drew them closer.

I told you I would be all over the board with this post. What is next? Umm… so I have Monday off! I am so excited! I just wish that Women’s Group would’ve been this week instead of last week! Oh well! I am going to try to go see a movie or something with KK on Saturday night after Hubby gets home from PT practice. I am looking forward to the day off…even though I just started back to work!

Hubby should find out tomorrow or next week about if he won the Sales Trip or not! He did find out that it isn’t a cruise….but instead it is a 5 day/4 night all expenses paid to a really nice resort in Cancun! It would be so wonderful if he won that….but I told him that even if he didn’t win it, I am still so stinking proud of him for being in the running for it! I am really proud of how well he is doing. It is especially neat to see how his self-esteem has been boosted! For the first time since we have been together, he made more money than me last year….and that is a big deal to him….probably for most men. So, that has really boosted his self-esteem and he is so much happier at this job! So, again, God has blessed us!

Ummm…I don’t think I ever put this in my journal before (and for those that have already heard this, I am sorry!)…but one time at Women’s Group, we were talking about how we fold our washcloths and towels….and we were actually using napkins to explain it. Well, I was telling them that I am so anal about it that I will always just re-fold it when Hubby has folded the washcloths because they are folded wrong. Finally, I just told him how I wanted it done, instead of getting mad at him when he didn’t know the way I wanted it. Well, soon thereafter, we watched Detergent’s kids and she came to pick them up. Well, I didn’t know this at the time, but she went into my bathroom and unfolded all of my washcloths and re-folded them the wrong way and then rolled them and put them back in my basket. That night, I noticed it (of course!!!)….but didn’t mention anything to Hubby. The next day, I asked him if he did it and he said no. So, I thought that maybe Detergent’s older daughter had done it or something. I kinda liked the way they looked rolled, so I left it alone. Well…a few days later, I noticed that not only were they rolled, but they were all folded wrong and then rolled. So, I yelled at Hubby about it….but he kept insisting he didn’t do it! I figured he did it as a joke and didn’t want to confess to it. Then, that Sunday at church, Detergent told me what she had done and we laughed and laughed about it. She thought it was so funny because I am so anal about that. We still laugh about that!

I just thought of another I-Man story real quick....on the way home from school the other day, he asked me if it was almost time for "that king's birthday". I had no idea what he was talking about. So I asked him what he was talking about and he said..."you know, that King...that King that did a lot of stuff for us so we get to have a day off school?" OH! Martin Luther King, Jr. Kids...he obviously didn't understand that his name is King. So funny!

Okay…since I am totally rambling…I will go ahead and go! You all have a good day!!! Love ya!

I survived....

my first week back to work! It wasn't easy...and it got off to a very rocky start...but I survived! So...my first day...I FULLY expected (and really deserved) for Stinky Pete to set aside time for me and him to talk about how things went down with KK and how he was changing and all that jazz. Well, he did come down to my desk when he got in and welcomed me back....then he asked me to come up to his office at 9:00 am. So, I thought... Great! He is going to talk to me about it then. Well, 9:00 rolls around and I go up to his office and he calls in the new girl (who replaced KK) and me. So, OBVIOUSLY he wanted to just talk business-as-usual and did not address KK's leaving. I left his office without talking to him about flex-time or anything. I went out to the new girl's desk and then went right back into his office to at least talk about my flex-time. I thought he would say yes right away.... he didn't. Instead, he was very wishy-washy...but he did say that he wanted to meet with me on Wednesday to talk about KK's leaving and etc. So, I walked out of his office and went back down to my desk and was on the VERGE of tears....I came around the corner to my office and there was a HUGE and GORGEOUS basket of daisies on my desk. I opened the card....not really knowing who they were from...and they were from KK. Isn't she the greatest!?!? And the card said "Remember that His mercies are new every morning...even if we need a 30 minute day!" I just love her. What am I going to do without her? So, I called her and cried to her and then just sucked it up and enjoyed catching up with all my co-workers and jumping back into the parts of my job that I love.

So, that was Tuesday. I left work and went to my mom and got the kiddos and we had a nice family evening. We went out to dinner and just enjoyed each other.....it was very nice. I really do make a better Mommy when I am working....I know that some of you don't understand that, but that is just how God made me. And I am fine with that. I am not going to feel bad about that anymore....sometimes I feel guilty about it....but I am not going to do that to myself anymore, at least I am going to try not to do that to myself anymore.

SO, on Wednesday, I went up to SP's office and he talked for like 30 minutes....just a bunch of nonsense, because I know all the real reasons that KK left and I know all that happened between them while I was out.....and then he asked me if I wanted to set up a time to come back and talk to him about this all....after I had a chance to get my thoughts together....and I pulled out my notepad and told him that I was ready then. I was really proud of myself. I was EXTREMELY honest and bold with him...as much as I can be. I started out by telling him that my parents raised me to be extremely respectful....almost to a fault because I don't stick up for myself as much as I should....I told him that I was ready to quit on Tuesday and that I went back to my desk in tears because he already frustrated me so much. I told him that he disappointed me and that I do not respect him as a leader.....I was very honest. So, we will see what happens from here. He said all the right things....but actions speak louder than words. We will see if anything changes. On the flex-time, he basically said he was going to talk to a few other people that I work with to see what they think and then if they agree, we will try it for 3 months and see how it goes. If he told me no, I was going to tell him that I was going to have to go part-time then, either with this job or somewhere else in the bank. I didn't want to threaten him, but I was prepared to say that if need be. So, we will see. I am going to do my flex-time this week on Monday and Tuesday....so hopefully it goes well.

So, the rest of the week was pretty much back to normal. It was nice to see everyone and get caught up on all that happened while I was out. I still don't feel 100% back " in the loop", but it will take a while! I mean, I was gone for a while, so it will take a while to feel normal again!

SO! On the homefront, everyone is doing fine. The kids enjoyed my mom this week. I am so blessed that she is willing to do this for us! I-Man goes back to school this week...so it will be interesting to get everyone into that schedule. Poor Hubby....he definitely gets the short end of the stick - having to get everyone ready in the morning by himself! I don't envy him that! I-Man is ready to go back to school. He has missed it tremendously! The girls are going to my Aunt's on Monday - Wednesday this week...so that should be fun!

Umm..we got new cell phones yesterday! We got two phones (really nice ones) for $24! Don't know how that worked out exactly...cuz my phone had a price of $159 on it and Hubby's had a price of $89....so that is cool! I have to learn how to use mine, it opens up and has a whole little keyboard in it..for text messages. I do that a lot now at work....so that is cool! Hubby just got a regular phone....he doesn't need much more cuz he barely uses the extras on his phone!

I did join WW last week....so I will let you all know how I do on my first week! So far, I think I am doing good. A girl that I work with and I are going together. The accountability will be good for me.

I guess that is about it for now. I just wanted to let you all know how work was this week. Love you all and talk to you soon!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!! Can you believe that it is 2007? Where, oh where does the time go? I always thought my parents were weird when they would talk about how fast the time goes by as you get older…but they were right! It just seems like yesterday that I was graduating from high school, moving into my college dorm, meeting Hubby and dating, getting married, buying our first house, having our first child…then our second…and now our third! Man! Time flies…but more importantly, WOW! How God has blessed me! Words cannot describe how blessed I am. We serve an amazing God who meets our needs and loves us with the type of love that our human brains cannot even begin to comprehend. WOW! Hallelujah that He has allowed me to ring in another new year!!!! Maybe this will be the year that He returns!

SO…..things are going along just fine here! This is my last day of leave! Tomorrow, reality settles in and I return to work after being off for 16 weeks! I have had some emotional moments over the last few days. I am really going to miss being home with my kiddos…especially FAB. Yes, she drives me crazy sometimes with her “diva-like” ways, but I have really enjoyed the one-on-one time I have had with her. And of course, Petunia is just starting to develop a personality and smiling and laughing…so I will miss her. And hopefully, I will still be able to pick up I-Man from school a few days a week. We will see after I have a chance to talk to Stinky Pete tomorrow. I am assuming that he will either take me to lunch or have a time for us to just talk sometime tomorrow. So, please pray for me. Pray that I am able to be as bold and as blunt as I need to be, but also with some grace so that maybe he will understand how I really feel and see that there are some things he really needs to work on changing. I was talking to my Mom about it this morning and I am just really not a blunt person when it comes to people of authority…because of the way my parents raised me – to be courteous and respectful. But I need to be bold with Stinky Pete. So….please keep me in your prayers tomorrow! I am hoping he will allow me to do the “flex-time” thing where I can work from home 2 – 3 days a week in the afternoon. Pray…pray…pray!

Well, we have had a very nice week this past week. Christmas was nice…we had a game night on Tuesday night and that was fun…I had dinner with my girlfriends from work…I saw Dream Girls (good musical, but kinda long)…did some shopping….had a fun last lunch with Queen and Princess…and had a great New Year’s Eve Party! We had a lot of fun with my family and SIL and Little B. Everything went really well…and although we missed JJ and Buford at midnight, it was nice to have everyone together again for New Years! My house isn’t nearly as big as my parent’s party house in Kentucky…but it worked out just fine and I think everyone had fun. The last guests didn’t leave until almost 4:00 this morning! We were having fun playing games! Sister bought me the DVD game of the $100,000 Pyramid and I LOVE that game! It was very interesting at 3:00 in the morning! We had some good laughs (BUOY!!!).

So, anyways…we had a great Holiday Season. I am always sad to see it go…but half the fun is the anticipation for next year! I am going to vow (as I always do) to start my shopping earlier and do it throughout the year. We’ll see if that actually happens (doubt it!).

So, the other thing is….I am going to join Weight Watchers on Wednesday! There is a meeting in my building at lunch on Wednesdays. So, there is absolutely NO REASON that I cannot do that. I have got to lose this weight…if nothing else; I have to lose the baby weight! I would like to lose more then that…but I need to lose at least that much! I am just not happy with myself right now. I am not motivated to lose it…or go to the gym…but I have to get back at it! I am not going to start the gym this week – maybe next week. It is going to be hard enough to get up and go to work, let alone get up even earlier and go to the gym! I have gotten very used to staying up late and sleeping in after we get I-Man off to school! So, I will probably be dragging this week!

Uh…oh, I got my hair chopped off again. I figured that I needed an easy hair-do now – who knows what my mornings will look like! If Petunia wakes up to eat while I am getting ready, I would love to be able to feed her so that I can spend some time with her before I leave. Anyways, so my hair is pretty short, but I like it. It will grow out again, I’m sure.

OH, yesterday at church, Detergent asked me if I noticed anything odd in my bathroom after she was here last time. I said…as a matter of fact, I did and I had been blaming Hubby for it for weeks! At the last Women’s Group, I shared how anal I am about my washcloths being folded a particular way. Well, Detergent went into my bathroom and messed up my washcloths! So, when I found it (later that night, of course), I blamed Hubby. He swore that he didn’t do it, but I didn’t believe him. Come to find out, it was Detergent. She thinks she is so funny!!!!

And we found out that the youth girl that SQ mentioned is the one that TP’d our house. She admitted to it on Sunday. I am glad that I-Man knows now, he feels better about it. So, sorry to Beef and Minnie’s Hubby for our blaming them. It seemed so odd that Minnie’s Hubby would’ve called us at the exact time it happened. But, at least we know who did it. We are thinking of getting her back with a different prank…but Detergent said we shouldn’t because then she will just get us back again. I would love to get her at her own game!!!

Well, I guess that is about it for now. Hubby is accusing me of writing a book. I hope you all had a Happy New Year and I will talk to you soon!

Love ya!

Random Ramblings....

Well, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We sure did…and a white one too! Yep, we had a White Christmas. Someone (we aren’t sure who, but we have an idea) wanted to make sure that we had a White Christmas, so our entire front yard and trees and lawn decorations were covered in toilet paper. We got home on Christmas Eve (close to midnight) and found our white present on the front lawn. At first, I panicked and got sick to my stomach…I felt very violated and vandalized…and I-Man got really upset and scared. He didn’t want to go inside the house by himself and then even when we were in, he wouldn’t go to the bedrooms because he was scared. So, that upset me that he was too upset to enjoy the “putting food out for the reindeer and cookies for Santa”. But, I tried to explain to him that people do that to be funny…not mean. He doesn’t understand and still wants to know who “doesn’t like us”. He keeps talking about some mean girl….don’t know what he is talking about…but I think he was a little traumatized by it all. Hubby and I just laughed…I have tp’d my share of houses (back in my high school days). Whoever did it…did a really good job. We want to know who did it to find out how in the world they got it into the tallest part of our trees! Again, we know who the accomplices were….and we think we know who did it….but we aren’t for sure. I hope we find out so that we can tell I-Man and he can understand that it was meant as a joke, not because someone is out to get us. 5 year olds just don’t understand stuff like that. But anyways…we had a white Christmas! When we were supposed to get snow on Tuesday morning, I-Man looked out the window with tears and said “I don’t see any snow out there! The only white I see is toilet paper!” I cracked up at that!!!

So anyways! Besides that…we had a good Christmas! I-Man and FAB have really enjoyed all of their gifts already….they got more than I can or want to type! We had fun on Christmas Eve at my parents house with my sisters and my two nieces and nephew and Buford…then we went to Aunt Beautiful and Uncle Poncho’s house and had a wonderful evening with all of my Mom’s side of the family. I just love our traditions and I love spending so much time with family. I actually sat and talked to my Aunts and Uncles more this year while Hubby played games and stuff. That was nice. It was a very, very enjoyable evening. We didn’t leave until late because everyone was just having such a great time.

Christmas morning was fun…the kids slept until about 8:00 – much later than I let my parents sleep when I was a kid. Petunia slept through most of the opening of presents…we decided to just let her sleep because she didn’t know what was going on anyways. I-Man and FAB had fun opening all of their gifts and playing with them. Then we had to rush and get that mess cleaned up (my OCD really kicks in on days like this!!!) and get ourselves ready and fix breakfast. Our tradition is that my family (my mom, dad, JJ & Buford) and Hubby’s family (his mom and sisters and Baby B) all come over to our house for breakfast. Well, MIL’s boyfriend came too….this was his first Christmas without his mom – she died earlier this year. So, we had a nice breakfast, opened some more presents and then played Sister’s Karoke game on the playstation. We had a really good time. Then they all left (except for his sisters and the baby) and then FIL and Step-MIL came over. We opened some more presents and visited with them and then they left and we went to MIL’s house for dinner and games. We had a very long and very full day! I was EXHAUSTED! But…before I went to bed, all of the kids’ presents were out of the boxes and put away and the house was cleaned. Hubby thinks I am crazy…but I can’t handle the mess. Plus, our trash day was on Tuesday, so I wanted to get rid of as much of the stuff as I could! They took EVERYTHING! We had so much trash…because I forgot to mention that my Dad helped Hubby put in a new dishwasher! So, we had that big box full of a bunch of trash too! Plus, Hubby got a new printer for us from work (for FREE) and that big box was full of trash.

Anyways, so we had a busy, but nice Christmas! Then on Tuesday, we took our time getting up in the morning…the kids were having fun playing with their new stuff….and then we had lunch with JJ and my Mom and went bowling. We had fun…even if none of us were really that good! Then we parted ways so the kids could take naps. We came home and got the house ready for a game night! JJ, Buford, Queen, King, Princess, Hair-Dye, Radio and their two kids, and my mom all came over for food and fun…..and we had a lot of both! Petunia started getting fussy…so we had to cut the evening short….hopefully she does better on New Year’s Eve! But we still had a lot of fun!

Today, we were slow getting up this morning…and then Hubby helped me take our tree down. I was eager to get my new “sitting area” arranged the way I want it without a tree in the way! It looks so nice! I-Man has enjoyed watching TV and playing with his toys….FAB went with Hubby to his office for a little bit….Petunia is just being a baby (eating, sleeping, etc.) and I have enjoyed just being home and getting my house back in order!

So! That is about it! This is my last few days off work…I am not looking forward to going back next week…but it is a necessary evil, I guess! I am sure that I will be a better journaler once I get back to work. That is a good thing, I guess!

Hope you are all doing good! I will talk to you all soon! Love ya!

Warning...Rambling Journal Entry!!!

A - Available or single: Married!B - Best Friend: My husband
C - Cake or Pie: Umm…I love a good chocolate cake…but I also love pie…just not the crust!
D - Drink of choice: Sweet tea!
E - Essential item you use everyday: my glasses
F - Favorite color: I love bright colors – especially yellow and pink
G - Gummy Bears or worms: LOVE Gummy Bears
H - Hometown: Born in Xenia, but consider Wilmington my hometown.
I - Indulgence: Wow, that is a hard one! Probably my Vera Bradley bags
J - January or February: what is the difference? I like January because I get two days off work – New Year’s Day and MLK Day….but I also like Valentine’s Day in February!
K - Kids & Names: Isaac – 5, Faith Anne – 2 (going on 16) and Gracie – 10 weeks today!
L - Life is Incomplete Without? my family
M - Marriage Date: April 22, 2000
N - Number of Siblings: 2 sisters
O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P - Phobias or Fears: I have a fear of being alone….and also of not raising my kids right! I worry about that every day!
Q - Fave Quote: Not a quote, but a Bible verse: Isaiah 41:10 (paraphrased) – So do not fear for I am your God and I will uphold you with My Righteous right hand.
R - Reason to Smile: God has blessed me beyond belief. I have many reasons to smile – but Scott, Isaac, Faith Anne and Gracie are 4 really good ones!
S - Season: Spring because we are surrounded by new life!
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: anyone who wants to share!
U - Unknown Fact about Me: Well, some people know this. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a professional whistler when I grew up!!! Stop laughing!!!!
V- Vegetable You Don't Like: there are lots! Lima beans, cooked spinach, cooked carrots, cauliflower….like I said, there are lots!
W - Worst Habit: eating too much!
X - Xrays: umm…of my leg when I was younger and I broke my shin bone in half….and I am sure there have been others, but that is the only one I can think of now
Y - Your Fave Food: I love Chipotle….and anything chocolate!!!
Z - Zodiac Sign: Cancer

I was bored earlier, so I decided to do this thing that was in Dawn’s journal.

Hey! I hope you are all doing fine! I cannot believe that we have less than one week until Christmas! Whew! Where oh where has the time gone? I guess I am done…but I always want to buy more! We are getting our family portraits tomorrow….so I still have to buy frames for them. But I wanted to wait until we got them before I get the frames! So, I have to do that this week. And there is this tool thing that I have seen on TV that I would like to get Hubby….so I might get that still. But anyways…..less than a week!

So, this weekend, Santa called and talked to I-Man and FAB. Cincinnati Bell has this free thing and so he called and talked to both of them. Well, I used it on I-Man tonight. He was just being rotten. He has really not been listening to us lately and has gotten bad at talking back to us. So, tonight I told him that he better start listening and obeying and stop talking back to me or I was gonna call Santa and tell him that I-Man couldn’t have any new toys. He asked me how I was going to do that and I told him that I had his number on caller id since he called this weekend. He straightened right up. How pathetic is that?!?!?

We had Hubby’s family Christmas gathering on Sunday at our house….it is all of his Mom’s side of the family. We had about 40 people here! It was very nice and went very smoothly! Hubby was worried that we wouldn’t have enough food…but seriously, before anyone else came, we had enough food for an army! So, there was more than enough food! He worries about the silliest things (uhh….hi Pot, this is the Kettle and you are black!). Anyways, everyone seemed to have a really good time and most everyone came and the food was good and it was just a good time! I am so glad that we were able to do that for his family. I really do like entertaining (fancy way of saying…having people over)…but I just don’t like to initiate it. Isn’t that weird! I mean, once it is decided and everything, I am fine….I just don’t like to extend the invitation and all that jazz. I am very weird, I know it. In fact, last week Hubby was giving me a hard time about the fact that the only “friend” (not counting my family members who are friends – Mandy!!!) that I do things with on a regular basis is KK….well, the reason is because I am quirky…and I realize that….and KK is also quirky….so we get along really good. Like for instance, we went shopping one day last week and I mentioned this to her and she thought I was weird…but then as we were shopping, I forget what happened, exactly, but the got what I was trying to say. Anyways, don’t know where I was going with that…but whatever. I am in a rambling kind of mood tonight. HEHE I just spelled mood “mude” and then changed it. I am goofy!

So, this is going to be a busy week for me! Today, not so busy….other than recuperating from the big party here yesterday. Those of you that know how anal I am should know that yes, our house was completely back in order before Hubby even went to Men’s group last night…so like within one hour of everyone leaving, my house was back in order. So, I was tired today. Anyways! Tomorrow and Wednesday, I am going to go to work! Yep, I am working! Actually, I am going to go and be a teller at KK’s branch because she is in desperate need of some help. And she must be desperate because I haven’t ran a teller window in YEARS….like, since before I-Man was born! It should be interesting! I am only working for a few hours each day…so that she and her other teller can take a lunch break…but that should be fun! Then on Thursday, meeting with Queen and Princess…that is always fun! Thursday night we are watching Detergent and Preacher’s kids as a Christmas gift to them. Preacher is surprising her (so don’t tell her if you see her before then!) with the night out! They need some time for the two of them because she has been working so much lately. Then Friday, I am helping out with I-Man’s Christmas party at school….and then on Saturday night, we have a wedding to go to! My mom is going to be here and watch all 3 of the kids, so we get to really enjoy the wedding…like a real date! I am looking forward to that! Then it is Christmas Eve and all that jazz starts! Unbelievable, really! I can’t believe that it is nearly Christmas!!! YIKERS!

Then next week, Hubby and I are both off work and it is going to be a fun week! I think we are having a “cousin’s game night” on Tuesday….I am going out with KK and another friend from work on Thursday night….and then we are having my whole family (well, whomever can come) over for New Year’s Eve. I think that SIL and Baby B are coming too. So, that should be fun! Then….I have to go back to work! I still don’t have my babysitting game plan firmed up. I need to talk to Mom and see what/when she wants to watch the kids….especially that first week because I-Man will still be on Winter Break from school. But, since my Dad is retiring and they have that house on the market, that might change things for her watching the kids. Which is fine, because my Aunt can do it….at least, I think she can….but we have to figure all that out. Plus, I have to get the guts to ask about the “flex time” thing…because I don’t think that Hubby is ready to take the plunge into part-time for me. It is just a scary leap of faith to take. So, we will see. OH! But really, Hubby’s job is such a blessing! They are having some kind of an auction thing on Friday….and they get play money based on their sales….and he has over $800 in play money to bid with! There are TVs, a microwave (which we desperately need), movies, formula (just for him!) and a bunch of things! So, that will be fun and exciting for him! Also….now, don’t get your hopes up (as if you all would…I am really telling myself that) but there is a good chance that he could win a CRUISE! This is separate from the auction thing….it is like their annual sales incentive trip and he is in second place to win it right now….and the guy that is in first place told him that he thinks that Hubby is going to win because he hasn’t been working much lately….so…..wouldn’t that just be awesome! I am trying to not think about it….because it is just a chance….but wooo hooo…that would be so exciting! We were talking about it tonight and Hubby was like “I think we can take the kids for pretty cheap.” And I just looked at him like he was crazy! I said, “Uhh.. my parents can watch the kids. We are not taking them along!” So, I know that some of you think I am a bad mommy….but if he wins a FREE vacation….I want a REAL vacation, which means no kiddos! Unless my parents could go on the same cruise with us! That would be the best case scenario!!! But anyways…..don’t I sound like I am not getting my hopes up? Hubbby said he shouldn’t have even told me until it really happened….but I mean, it is just a chance, so if he doesn’t win it, we haven’t lost anything except for the dream….and there is always next year! He didn’t even know that he was remotely in the running for it until last Friday.

Okay…I know that I am so rambling right now. I need to go to bed….since I am working tomorrow! Real quick…..thank you for your prayers for Hubby’s grandpa. Please continue to pray. They have started him on intensive radiation…that is really all that we know at this point. They won’t know how it is working until they run more tests which won’t be until later this week or after Christmas. The good thing is….Hubby’s aunt (the one that is the millionaire, married to a millionaire) well, her husband is a world reknown oncologist surgeon and is on the board for the American Cancer Society. So, they are ensuring that he is getting the best possible care and he is keeping a close eye on the test results and what-not. So, that is a blessing.

Well, have a good night and I will “talk” to you soon. Since I am such a sporadic journaler, if it isn’t before CHRISTmas…..Merry CHRISTmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!

Need Your Prayers....

Feliz Navidad! I can’t believe that Christmas is only 10 days away tomorrow! Isn’t that crazy?!?! I always love to see Christmas come…but then start to get sad as it gets this close, because it is almost over! All the anticipation is about to be over! That is the best part! And then this year…I also have to go back to work! What a bummer! Oh well! I am planning on enjoying my last two weeks!

I have a prayer request…Hubby’s grandpa (it is really his Dad’s step-dad, but the only grandpa that was a part of Hubby’s life growing up) was just diagnosed (late last week) with prostate cancer. Apparently there are 10 stages of it and his is at a stage 10. They have ruled out the possibility of surgery and gave him some kind of a hormone treatment today….and the prognosis is very bad. The cancer is very aggressive and they are actually starting him on intensive radiation tomorrow. FIL is going down there either tomorrow or Saturday. Hubby feels like he should go too….but we have our church thing tomorrow night and then we are having his Mom’s family Christmas here at our house on Sunday. So, we may end up going down next week….or maybe just Hubby for a quick trip…not sure about that. Hubby’s aunt that lives in Texas flew in last night….and it sounds like everyone is going to try to visit him soon. His spirits are good (I would expect nothing less….he is really a great person), but he is very sick. So, please pray for him and Hubby’s family. I am not sure…..but I would guess that he doesn’t know Jesus….we have never really talked about it, but I don’t think they are Christians. So, that is even scarier! Anyways, please pray for Hubby’s grandpa and the entire family. They say it could be weeks or months for him.

Ummm…I really don’t think I have much else to say tonight….I am very tired and want to go to bed early tonight. I have been staying up too late and getting up too early! Although, tomorrow will be the first day this week that I don’t have plans to do something! Which is good because I need to clean the bathrooms and do some of my deep cleaning before we have all this company this weekend!

Love you all….and hope you are all doing well! Thanks for your prayers!

2 Months Old!!!

Well, my time is rapidly coming to a close! Petunia is 2 months old….or 9 weeks old today, which means that I have 3 weeks left! That isn’t a lot! I have gotten teary twice today…once when I was changing FAB’s diaper and I whispered to her that I loved her and she whispered it back to me…and then once when I was changing Petunia’s diaper. I have to say that having 12 weeks home (well, actually 16, but 12 with all three kids) has been such a blessing to me. I have really cherished this time with them. With the other 2, I only got 8 weeks leave….so the extra 4 weeks is awesome! Especially because those extra weeks for a newborn make a big difference! I mean, Petunia is just really starting to socialize and smile and discover things. So, it has been wonderful! As much as I am ready to get back into my work routine again, I am surely going to miss being home! We still haven’t decided about the whole “part-time” or “flex-time” thing. That is a big decision that I have been making light of….I need to really sit down and look at a budget to see if we can really do it….then convince Hubby. I think he is just really scared because it is a leap of faith. So, we need to figure that out in the next 3 weeks so I know what to talk to my HR person and Stinky Pete about when I go back….because I really need to do it as soon as I get back…that is the best time to have that conversation. So, we will see!!!

Anyways! Enough about that! So, what has been happening in the Cheese family? Well, I-Man had his theatrical debut in his first ever Christmas program at church. He was such a ham! But I really didn’t expect any less! He was dancing and fidgeting and arguing with the girl next to him and playing with his scarf and smiling and just being the most adorable little thing! I was so proud of him! He really did great. My parents made it…which just made him so happy and FAB wouldn’t let go of her Papaw. I think that Hubby’s parents got jealous….but they hadn’t seen my parents since Thanksgiving, so they were entitled to be a little selfish with the kids. Plus, we had asked MIL to watch the kids for us during choir practice later that evening….she told us that she wasn’t feeling good (she pulled a muscle in her back) but she left right after with her boyfriend…so whatever! Oh, get this….she told Hubby to “bite me” when he was teasing her about being late to the play! NICE! I am telling you…..that woman is not the MIL that I once knew. She is such a different person. Actually, her boyfriend leaned over and told her to say it before she did….so yet another reason for Hubby to not like her boyfriend. Oh well! No sense in getting started on that….I can’t do anything about it but love her!

Ummm…I am pretty sure that Hubby ordered the Mother’s Ring that I have been telling him I want for Christmas! I really want it to be a surprise, but I think he did. We will see! I am excited about all the presents I have gotten him…I think he will like them. There are just a few more things I want to get for him and for the kids. I am going to take the girls to my Aunt’s house on Wednesday and go shopping with KK for a bit. That will be nice! I am looking forward to that. OH, on Friday night…I really needed a break…..so KK and I went to see “The Holiday” at the late movie. It was a cute chick-flick. Jack Black just makes me smile to look at him and Jude Law is so stinking cute! It was definitely a chick-flick….but cute.

We ended up spending the big bucks for the pictures. Hubby just didn’t want to cut any from the ones I wanted and we figure since we don’t do this often…..we should just splurge and get the pictures. I am sure that we will have my mom scan some more copies for us….but he did such a great job. We went to the home of the guy who did our wedding portraits. He has a studio in his basement. Anyways….now I am just holding my breath that nothing goes wrong and we get them by Christmas! That would be a real bummer if we didn’t !

So, my Dad officially got his “early retirement buy-out package” today and his “official last day” will be February 28. Mom called me briefly to tell me that….but then she had to go because Sister was calling her. So, we didn’t talk long. I am sure that Dad has very mixed emotions about this. Apparently, it is voluntary….but if you don’t take it, there is the chance that they could just come and tap you on the shoulder one day and tell you that this is your last day. So, voluntary, but not really. I am sure they do that on purpose because it makes it hard to say no….which is what Dad needed or he would probably have said no! So, I am excited for them! I was just so worried that he would work too long and then not be able to really enjoy his retirement! That happens to so many people….and he has worked so many years! It is time for him to enjoy some time for just him and mom! So, the next few months will be very stressful for them as they figure out all the details of where they are going to live and selling houses and all that jazz. So, please keep them in your prayers. This is a big ego thing for men…and although my dad is not a proud man at all, I am sure this will take its toll on his ego.

So, Sister has been dreaming big about this million dollar home….but secretly I don’t want them to buy it because I am still holding out hope that they will move back up here! I know they won’t….because they love it in Tucky….but I want them here (especially when they adopt a baby!!!)! That is very selfish, so, sorry Sister….but I am just being honest and it is my journal so I can! LOL But….at least if they bought that big old house, we could all go stay! They just need an in-ground pool and the big 4th of July bash would be back on!!!!

Umm….I guess that is about it for tonight. I am tired and I am going to go feed Petunia again so that hopefully she will sleep through the night! Last night, she slept from 11:00 until 8:30 this morning! I could so get used to that! Of course she slept in today….when I couldn’t! I had to get up and get ready for her doctor’s appointment (she got 4 shots today…poor thing). Oh! They gave her an oral vaccination for the Roto Virus. I was so excited about that (it is new) because I-Man ended up in the hospital when he had the Roto Virus! That is a cool thing!!!! She weighs 12.7 pounds (watch out Piglet!) and is 23.25 inches long. She is in the 95-99% for her weight and 90-95% for her length….no surprises here! She did give us a prescription for Zantac since she spits up so much…..I am going to give her one more week on the new formula before I try that. She is spitting up much less….but it is still rather annoying. So, we will see.

Okay….for real. Gonna go! Have a nice night and I will “talk” to you all soon! Love ya!!!!

Has it been more than a week?!?!

Well, again…it has been quite a while since my last post! I just am not good at sitting down long enough to type up a journal entry! And then when I do…it is so long because it has been so long since I last journaled….it is like a vicious cycle! Geesh! But I do “lurk” every day. I don’t always leave comments because sometimes the website is slow and I am not patient and other times I just had time to read before I was off to do something else and other times I just don’t know what to say! So…there you go! But I do read every day! So, now that you all know that about me….here is what is going on….

Let’s see….I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. I have a few more things to get Hubby….actually I need to think of what those things are….but I need to get him a few more things. There was something else I wanted to get I-Man but Hubby thinks we have gotten him enough. So, I need to count how many presents I have for each of them to make sure they are about even and then make sure we are done with the kiddos. Poor Baby doesn’t have much….not like she notices that, but we need to get her a few more things so the other two don’t think Santa forgot about their sister! I am not good with the whole “Santa” thing. I keep talking about shopping and stuff and it almost slips more than once. The other night, I-Man asked me if the Santa that lives in our neighborhood (there is a guy who has a TON of lights on his house and every night he sits in his window with a Santa costume on and waves at the people who drive by….I have heard that if your kids knock on his door, he gives them a candy cane or something too….very cool for the kids) anyways, I-Man asked me if that was the real Santa. So, I used a trick that my good friend KK taught me and I asked him what he thought. Well, he thought about it for a while and decided that he didn’t think that was the real Santa. So, I told him he was probably right….and it was really most important what he thought. Anyways, FAB calls him “t-taus”, at least that is what it sounds like. She keeps saying that she needs to tell “t-taus” what she wants for Christmas. She is so stinking cute sometimes….notice that I said Sometimes!

I am really just going to ramble in this entry….we got our proofs back tonight from our family portraits. There are SO MANY good pictures…I don’t know how I am going to decide! I wrote up what I wanted to buy for us and everyone and it came to $532. That is not acceptable. So, I am going to have to re-think that. But they are Christmas presents for my parents and Hubby’s parents and a few others. But GEESH! So, I have until Friday at 5:00 PM to make up my mind about that! There are so many good pictures. I think that SIL will be disappointed because there isn’t one picture of the 4 kids (Little B and my three) that is like…WOW! That is good. But how can you expect to get 4 kids to all smile in the same picture….and two of those kids are under 3 months…..it ain’t gonna happen! I think she thought it would….but no way! So, I hope she isn’t too disappointed. But anyways….great pictures!!!!

Hubby and I have been arguing a lot yesterday and today. I think I am PMSing….because I am just not being nice to him and EVERYTHING he does and says is rubbing me the wrong way. So, bless his heart. I also think that a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am not used to being home so much….and I am getting a bit stir-crazy and missing adult conversations. So….I take that out on him because he gets to go out and have adult conversations every day. He can just leave and do whatever he wants whenever he wants…whereas I have 3 kids to think about. See, I told you that I wouldn’t be a good stay-at-home-mom. Anyways….this too shall pass. Luckily, he is good at putting up with me when I am being a brat!

Ummm….what else? The days are dwindling down quickly on my leave! I go back to work on January 2! The funny thing is…..I got a summons for Jury Duty that starts on January 2! So, wouldn’t that be a hoot if I had to go serve on a Jury right when I am supposed to go back to work! I have to call on December 29 to see if I am needed or not. It would be fun to do….but I don’t think my work would like that very much!

I-Man is in his first Christmas play at church this Sunday! He is very excited! They had practice tonight and he came home and is excited to do it in front of people. They sang a song at church on Sunday and it was adorable. I was so proud of him! I hope he does as well this next week!!!!

I-Man is doing well in school still. It is amazing to me to see how quickly he is growing up! I think he comes home from school with a new phrase or new story every day. That kid is just so animated…he really cracks me up!

FAB is…well, FAB! She can be so stinking sweet and adorable one minute…. And a HOLY TERROR the next minute! She has been saying “Oh My Gosh” and it is so cute! She is not the LEAST bit interested in potty training. We have shown her the Little Mermaid panties we bought for her…..she likes them, but not enough to pee and poop in the potty. I showed her the Dora’s Magic Castle at the store and told her she could have that when she can pee and poop in the potty…..that might be out of style before she does! She is very stubborn and just not ready! I-Man was so easy….I have heard that girls are harder….FAB is making sure of that!

Petunia (Sister’s new name for Baby G) is good. I take her for her 2 month check-up on Monday. Two months….that is hard to believe! She is a porker….and adorable! She has bad hair days every day because her hair just sticks straight up, bless her heart. She spits up a lot…..I tried a new formula…..called “Gentle”, and she has spit up less, but she still spits up a lot. I am going to talk to the pediatrician about it. I doubt they will want to do anything differently because of it…..she is certainly gaining weight just fine. But it is annoying! She spits up more than both of my other two combined! We have to change her bib about 10 times a day! But, her eyes are looking better. She had blocked tear ducts in both eyes….her left eye is completely better and her right one is getting better. Hopefully it will correct itself so we don’t have to do the eye probe thing like we had to with FAB. She will get 4 shots on Monday….so I am not looking forward to that! But man….these 2 months have flown by! I know that we weren’t expecting a third baby, but I love that little girl so much ….and I love to see FAB with her. I-Man doesn’t pay much attention to her except for every once in a while. But FAB….she loves her baby Sissy and kisses and hugs her all day long. It is so neat to see how Petunia (lol….that name cracks me up….see, she snorts and Sister said that Petunia was the name of the girl pig on Looney Tunes) anyways….it is neat to see how Petunia is smiling and socializing in her baby way with all of us. But, as much as I love her, I am glad this is my last baby! There are some things I won’t miss! LOL

Well, I need to go and try to get her to sleep! There is much more I could fill you in on, but I don’t get much free time these days!

Love you all!!!!

I really cannot believe...

that it has been so long since my last post! Geesh! Sorry about that! I have been keeping up on everyone of the Journal Goddesses....but just lurking lately, so sorry about that. It sounds like we are all getting ready for the Holidays! I am really not wanting Christmas to be here quickly....because that means it is almost time for me to go back to work! But seriously, this year....I will be off work for 20 weeks! Isn't that crazy! That includes the vacation time I took and the maternity leave. That is just crazy! Nice, but crazy!

So, let's see....what have we been up to? Let me just go through each person in my family....

Hubby is fine. He took Wednesday off last week and Thursday and Friday were holidays for them....and then he didn't work on Saturday either. So, we have had a bit too much of each other. LOL He is on my nerves and I am on his. So, he went back to work this morning...thank goodness. Hehehe. He is just doing so good at his job. I am so proud of him. Even though he was "off" last week...he worked a lot at my parents house. Because they "tag" doors, he gets calls all the time. In the 3 hours it took us to get to my parents, he had 3 customers call him and made 3 sales! Isn't that crazy? So.....anyways....that is Hubby! He did have a little bit of a rough Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time at Sister's house with my family.....and then on the way back to my parent's house, he decided to call his Dad and wish him a Happy Thanksgiving. Well, come to find out, his dad was at his Aunt's house in Cincinnati and his grandparents were up from Kentucky (they live in Somerset). He talked to his dad and then hung up and got upset and decided to call back and see when his grandparents were leaving so we could hopefully go see them before they headed home. Well, come to find out, they had been there since Tuesday (we could've stopped and seen them on our way to KY) and they were leaving Friday morning and couldn't stay a few more hours so that we could get up there to see them before they left. It upset Hubby a lot...he was in tears because he just doesn't understand his family. It really hurts his feelings. So, I felt badly for him....but couldn't really do anything to fix it! So.....that is Hubby!

I-Man....he has become quite the social butterfly in our neighborhood. He is to the age where he wants to go outside and play with his friends. There is a boy across the street who is a little bit older (I think he is in 4th or 5th grade) and he and his step-dad play football a lot. So, I-Man plays with them....and then there is another little boy down the street that they play with too. Now, he has also been playing with the little boy next door who is 4 or 5. So, he has lots of buddies and is discovering a little bit of independence in playing with them without Mom or Dad right there. Well, the other night, he was playing with one of the boys outside and I kept looking out and checking on them...well, I looked out once and they weren't in my sight. So, I put Baby down and ran outside....yelling for him.....I couldn't find him. So, I went across the street and knocked on their door...and sure enough! He was there! He had told the step-dad that I knew where he was. So, we had to talk about that. I know them and trust them, so I was fine with him going inside their house....but he has to tell me first! So....he is a social butterfly! It is really cool to see him grow up into such a neat little person. He has invited all of our neighbors to church and his program. My little evangelist. Oh, funny story....he really wants to take communion at church.....but we really want him to understand what it is that he is doing before he takes it. So, yesterday, he and I were in the van together and he says: "Mommy, I need to teach you a lesson right now. I know what communion is and I am going to take it." I about cracked up. So, we talked about it and he is starting to understand it more....but he isn't quite there yet. Bless his little heart!!!

FABulous.....well, she is our test. We have determined that she has ALL of my stubborness & strong will....and ALL of Hubby's too...in one little body. She is a pill! She can be so cute and sweet one minute, and then a real terror the next. Her thing right now is that she is hitting everyone....me, Hubby, I-Man.....and as soon as she does it to me, I look at her and she says "Sorry Mommy"....but then does it again! It is hard not to laugh because it is quite funny.....but man she is a pill! I just don't know what we are going to do with her!!! Like I said, some days are good and she is sweet and fine...but then other days, I just want to trade her in for my sweet girl!

Baby....is fine, spoiled, but fine. She wants to be held all the time. If you put her down, she cries. Being with Mom and Sister this past weekend didn't help that any! Silly thing, when we were at my parent's house....all 4 nights she slept from like 10:30 or 11:00 until 6:30 or 7:00. It was HEAVENLY. Now that we are home....she hasn't slept like that! She still only wakes up once a night...but I could get used to the other! She is getting so big so fast! They just grow up so fast. She is really smiling now and loves it when you talk to her. She still spits up more than either of our other kids did.....which is annoying....but you get used to it. One of her eyes has cleared up completely....but the other is still blocked. And she is pretty snotty. It isn't every day....so we haven't taken her to the doctor. We have to take her next week for her 2 month check-up anyways.....so we will probably just wait until then. But she is doing good!

So, that is all of us except for me. I am doing fine! I am finally feeling "normal" without taking motrin every day. I forget everything...so I missed my 6 week check-up last week..so I go to the doctor tomorrow. I went to the gym for the first time this morning. I really have to get serious about losing this baby weight. I am going to join Weight Watchers again..... actually going to the meetings instead of just doing it on-line. I might wait to do that until I go back to work....just because it is so hard to lose weight during the holidays. I am thinking of starting the gym now.....and the diet part later. We'll see, though. It was nice to work out today.....I wanted to just crawl back in bed because none of the kids slept good last night...we were up and down all night.....but I made myself go to the gym instead!

Ummm....I did go shopping on Friday! My dad and I got up really early and were at Wal-mart by 4:50! Since the store didn't close, they had all the early bird specials wrapped in black shrink wrap....so you had to find where you wanted to stand and wait for 5:00 when they unwrapped everything. So, my target was a 20 inch LCD TV....I got it! It was very fun being there so early in all the chaos! Everyone was very friendly....no rude shoppers....and it was just fun! I got some great deals and got quite a few gifts marked off my list. Then we went back to their house...and I went back to sleep for a few hours. Then we ALL went shopping....we took 4 cars for 9 people.....everyone had to have their own car in case they wanted to do their own thing. We had fun. Hubby helped pick out the gifts for his sisters.... and he let me buy a few things for myself....OH! The mall we went to was an out-door mall and they had free horse-drawn sleigh rides with Santa....and so FABulous was scared and wanted nothing to do with Santa or the horse...but Mom and Dad got her to go on and we got a GREAT picture of my parents with the 3 kids. It was awesome! And it was FREE! Isn't that wild?!?! I did buy an extra print for $5.00. What a great idea! So, anyways....Friday shopping was FUN, but tiring. I was so tired by the end of the day....I was dragging!

Well....like I said, we had a great time in KY with my family. We played games and ate a bunch of food and had fun visiting and we went to the movies and saw Santa Claus 3.....we just had a really good visit! We left Saturday morning to come home....and stopped at the Forest Fair Mall on the way.....we went shopping at Steve and Barry's there (really cheap stuff) and then they had a play place for the kids....like Chucky Cheese....so we let the kids play there for a while before we came on home. It was a very nice trip!

So, since my last post, we got a new garage door! That is so exciting! We had our family portraits done....now I remember why we don't do those very often. FABulous had a MAJOR melt-down. I am anxious to see the proofs....hopefully soon! I am sure the pictures will cost us an arm and a leg.....but they will be worth it! I love the couple that does them....they did our engagement, wedding and family photos (when we just had I-Man!). So, looking forward to that!

Umm....the big present for I-Man and FAB this year is going to be that Fisher Price digital camera! I am so excited about that! I had to get them on Ebay because everywhere else is sold out! I got a blue one and a pink one for a little more than I would've paid in the store....so not too bad. Hopefully they like them!

Well, I don't want to keep you anymore! I hope you all are doing fine and that you had a nice Thanksgiving. I will try to do better at commenting instead of just being a lurker! Love to all!!!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas....

at least at my house!!! Yep! I have all of my Christmas decorations up! Well, the inside ones! I am actually sitting in my new loveseat (tell you that one in a minute) and looking at my Christmas tree and listening to Christmas music while my dinner is cooking. Do I sound like Martha Stewart or what? LOL I know that many of you think I am CRAzY for having my decorations up already...but I have been putting them up on Veteran's Day for the past several years. My excuse has always been that I had that day off work, so it was a good time to do it since we go away for Thanksgiving....I couldn't really use that excuse this year....but I still put them up on Veteran's Day!!! I love all my decorations! For some reason, I feel like I am missing some...but I can't think of what they are...and I don't know where they would be...so I must just be crazy. But it does feel less "cluttered" this year. Hmm....

Well, anyways! I am sure you are curious what I have been up to in the past week? To answer that....I feel like all I do is clean, referree, change diapers and feed Baby...but I really do love it! Now, I don't think I would be a very good SAHM...I told Hubby that he might come home one day and I would be sitting in a corner slobbering all over myself....or FAB would be.....she is a PILL. But I am really enjoying my time at home. I try to make the most of each day...I don't want to go back to work and realize that I was a bum during my entire time off...so the girls and I usually go somewhere every day....but there are some days where we just stay at home (today was one of those days).

So, let's see....last week...what did I do? Well, when I was in Kentucky, my lovely mother planted the seed in my mind that a loveseat would be a great addition to our "sitting area" in our house....we have a very wide-open floor plan and there is part of it that I feel we just haven't really maximized the space and we never really use it. So, my lovely Mom mentioned a loveseat and also a flat screen tv mounted in the corner (well, I might've mentioned the tv....but you get the picture!). So, I came home and told Hubby my plans....he said no way. Well, the next evening when he came home from work, we all went out to dinner (yes, all five of us) and then we went furniture shopping! Seriously, we went to (during the course of the week) about 6 or 7 stores looking for a blue loveseat. We discovered that blue is not a popular color right now....red is really hot! And I LOVE all the red stuff. I asked Hubby if he could just repaint the wall for me...but he didn't take that too well. LOL SO....anyways....on Saturday (fast forward with me) we went to the Midwest Outlet Center in Fairborn...it is an outlet for Morris and Ashley furniture. Well, they open at 12:00 and we got there at 12:00...along with a bunch of other people. It is one of those places that they only have like one of each thing....so you have to stake your claim before someone else does. So...we walked in and saw a blue loveseat and sofa and BOLTED for it. I didn't really realize the importance of this at the time...but Hubby plopped himself and Baby down on the loveseat and wasn't going to move. We took the tag and looked around some more.....good thing we took the tag because there was another couple who wanted it too!!! We got lucky...there is nothing wrong with it...it was special-ordered for someone who then didn't want it. So we got lucky and got it! It is a reclining loveseat and it is blue....exactly the shade of blue as our wall....and it is that micro-suede or whatever it is called. I LOVE it. Their delivery was over $100...so Hubby asked Swimmer's Hubby to help him (with his truck) to pick it up on Sunday....thanks Swimmer! SO....my Hubby had been still saying no way to the TV...but then last night he asked me where I wanted to put the TV!!! I knew he would come around! We probably won't buy it until after Christmas or put it up until then anyways because the Christmas tree is there.....but YEAH! Hopefully he doesn't change his mind. That is what we are getting each other for Christmas this year...the loveseat, a new garage door....hopefully the TV and also new doors (interior doors). Aren't we romantic? But they are all things we "need" and for the house...so I am totally fine with it.

Ummmm...so last week, we were thinking about the loveseat all week! We also made an appointment with the photographer from our wedding for a family portrait and also a picture of our kids with Little B (my nephew). Those are on Saturday...so I did some shopping last week (my new favorite past-time) and got an outfit for Little B....a sweater for I-Man and a sweater for me. Hubby has a sweater that he has never worn that he is gonna wear and I had already bought the girl's outfits. Seriously though, I need to go back to work so I can stop spending money! I go shopping nearly every day! I have been buying a few things for Christmas. I have bought I-Man two stocking stuffers and three presents....and FAB a stocking stuffer.....and Hubby's birthday presents (his birthday is Sunday....we are going out to dinner on Wednesday with no kids!!!). But, this Christmas, we will be able to buy presents without going into debt! What a great feeling! God has truly blessed us. I just look around at my house and my kids and I get teary-eyed thinking of how much He has blessed us this year. Seriously, Hubby is so happy at his job...he is making more money than ever. He will actually make more money than me (like $10K more than me) and he has never made more than me. I know that does a lot for his self-esteem. So, God has really blessed us. I am not bragging...I am just being grateful. And I really know that it is because we have been very obedient and very committed in our giving for the first time in our marriage...even when we barely had enough to make ends meet...we did what we had to do to be able to tithe to what we committed to at the beginning of the year....what a good feeling that is. I am embarrassed that we didn't commit to tithe as we should have earlier. At any rate, God is good and I am looking forward to celebrating His birthday with my kids and making sure they understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Boy....I am rambling! Sorry about that. Let's see....what else happened last week? KK and I went out for a short "girls-night" on Friday. We just went and she bought a new Vera (I actually made it out of the store without buying anything! SHOCKER! I almost bought the Vera for sister that she bought for herself....so glad I didn't do that!) and then we went out for appetizers. It was nice to just have some "me time" where I could take my Mommy hat off for a few hours. Ummm....oh! Yeah so Saturday....I asked Hubby to get all my Christmas decorations down and just leave them in the garage so I could bring them in one box at a time....well, he brought them all inside. Then the phone rang...he looked at it and said, "Oh, by the way....my Aunt S is coming over to see the kids today." Well, she was coming in two hours. NICE So, I put all my decorations up (just the lights on the tree) and vacuumed and got all the boxes put away in the garage in 2 hours!!! Not the way I wanted that to go, but at least it got done. Then the kids "helped" me decorate the tree later...that was a chore! But it looks nice!!!!

Well, I have so much more to say....but I need to finish dinner and I need to post this or I will never do it! I have started it about a gazillion times but get interrupted by a kid and don't finish! We are having a yummy dinner...mashed potatoes, meat-loaf and green beans. YUM! Love and hugs to all!!!

Monday....Already?

Man...time just seems to fly by since I have been home on Maternity Leave! I can't believe that Baby is 4 weeks old today....I have been off work for 8 weeks....which means my leave is half over!!! I don't want to think about that....but I do really think that my house is going to look so nice once this leave is over! The best it has looked yet! I will get more into that later.....

Let's see....Thursday night, we had small group which was good. I picked out the study we are doing....everyone was in a very chatty mood, but it was nice. The kids didn't get into bed until late...so we were hoping they would sleep in on Friday (since I-Man didn't have school), but that didn't happen!!! Oh well!

Friday Morning...I got up and got ready and go all of our stuff ready for our trip to Kentucky...then I left and went to meet with I-Man's teacher for my first Parent/Teacher conference. I-Man is doing well....there are definitely areas we need to work on, but the teacher and I had a very good conversation. She understood our reasonings for starting him early and agreed completely. She did the same with her daughter and they held her daughter back in first grade....so she has some ideas and stuff for us....which is great! I really, really like her!!! So, I went home and picked up the kiddos and we headed to Kentucky! The trip down there was pretty uneventful....Baby slept and FAB and I-Man watched movies. They were very good! When we got to Mom and Dad's house....FAB and I-Man went outside and helped Papaw blow leaves. It was so cute because he let I-Man have his own leaf blower. They were so cute! Sister came over and we headed to Wal-Mart (the girls did) while the boys went to get haircuts and Dad took I-Man to see the Ford plant where he works. We had a good and relaxing evening at home after that. Well, it was a rough night with Baby....of course Hubby wasn't there to help me with her and she woke up 3 times to eat! That is the most she has done yet!!! That little stinker! Oh well....it wasn't that bad! I got to sleep in a bit later since my parents had the rugrats!

So, on Saturday...we got up and had a somewhat leisurely morning...then we headed over to Sister's house. She has a very neat little store right down the road from her house, so we went there and I spent a ton of money! But I got some cute things for my house....and the bug to go to Waynesville and get even more!!! Hopefully Mom and I are able to do that on Wednesday! Oh, I can't believe that Sister didn't put this in her journal...after I had checked out and so had Sister....we were talking to the ladies that work at the store and they asked me if I was the oldest. I about died!!!!! I made sure to say that she was 6 years older than me! What is up with that? She was happy.....and we got a good laugh about it! So, we went back to Sister's house and had a very, very yummy dinner....and then the girls headed out to the Outlet Mall that is near her house...we did some shopping there (Sister bought the girls some really cute outfits!) and then went back to her house for dessert. It was a very enjoyable day!!! We got back to Mom and Dad's house and the kids had baths and we just relaxed! Baby did much better that night. She only woke up 2 times. Not bad!

Sunday...we got up and the marathon began to get everyone ready for church. It is just so much harder when you aren't at your own house and in your own routine. But, we did it and we got to church before Sister even!!! Now, I love my church....but it is nice to feel like I am a kid again at an old country church. We all have our own desires and styles of worship....and I love Bethany and our style of worship....but again, it is nice to go back to my roots sometimes. The piano player at Sister's church is truly unbelievable...and we sat behind the piano...so I love to watch him play. Sister said that if her piano was in tune, she would sound like that too....uh, yeah. LOL I-Man had fun at children's church because they got to color the whole time, he said. FAB didn't stay in the nursery.....really I just think that Mimi felt bad leaving her. If I would've taken her down, she would've stayed, I am sure. Oh well. She was pretty good. After church, we went to Beef O'Brady's for lunch....that was Yummy! And we got to meet Dad's boss...who is also the man who is living in their old house. That was interesting....not what I expected. Then we headed back to Mom and Dad's and I got all of our stuff together and visited more with the parents and then headed North. The kids did great on the trip....all three of them slept nearly the entire time! So, I listened to our choir cantata cd and also to the Children's program cd....what a cute musical! It was a nice trip home....but I had to go to the potty so badly...I didn't think I was going to make it home!!! But I did...barely! So, we got all of our stuff inside and put away....ate a quick bite...and then headed to choir practice. It was rough....I really need to listen to my cd more....and actually find the alto one. But Speedy and I had fun laughing! We came home and put the kiddos to bed....I started hanging some stuff back up. Hubby painted the foyer and the hallway while we were gone...the same color as our living room...I LOVE IT! He did a great job! He also cleaned out the garage!!! We are getting a new garage door next Monday! That is WAY exciting because our garage door opener has not worked since we moved into the house....so that will be wonderful!

Well.....I guess that is about it! I took both of the girls to the doctor today....FAB for her runny nose (she gave me a script for an anti-biotic, but isn't sure she really needs it....she is acting fine and just has a lot of snot in her nose) and Baby because she has blocked tear ducts. She gave me a script for some ointment for her eyes. They won't do the eye-probe until she is older. The good thing is...FAB got her flu shot! Hubby gets his tomorrow and then we will all have one! Our pediatricians recommended that we all get one with having Baby in the house. FAB did good with her shot....she cried for a bit, but then calmed down.

Tomorrow I am going on a field trip with I-Man's class. He is so excited!!! Then I am going to stay and have lunch with him! That should be fun!!!!

Well, I guess that is about it. I hope you all have a great evening...and Praise the Lord....all of these horrible political commercials and ads and signs and phone calls will be over after tomorrow.....I had 4 calls today to urge me to vote. It is DRIVING ME CRAZY!

Love you and hugs to all!!!!

November....Already?!?!?

Wow! I really cannot believe that it is November already! This year has just flown by! I really cannot believe how quickly time seems to go...you know, now that I am an adult! Hubby and I were talking last night....that it is hard to believe that I-Man has already finished his first 9 weeks of school! That flew by! I am going to the "Parent-Teacher" conference tomorrow. So, that should be interesting! Hopefully she has some good things to say about I-Man!!! We will see!

Let's see....well, let me give you an update! Sunday.....church was good. We got there early (well, 9:00) for the breakfast. That was a trip! Hubby had to practice with PT, so I had all three kids and I was trying to feed Baby and then burp her...while getting I-Man and FAB something to eat. I was struggling. Finally, one of the older ladies asked if she could help me and she took Baby while I got the other two situated. That was nice! So, I went to Sunday School, which I never do...and it was good. Then the service was good. I was really proud of Hubby. He did a good job of leading worship and I was just really proud of him. I have to say....when we first started PT together (when Elvis was here)....he was very inhibited. I mean, he wasn't one to really get into what he was doing....more of just singing. Well, he has come so far in that he is so much less inhibited and he really worships and you can just see it when he is up there. So, I was a proud wife on Sunday. And I was also glad that the congregation voted the new Worship Minister in. I know that it is hard to NOT compare him to Elvis....but we have to try really hard not to do that and to give him a chance. But I do hope that he was warned how thick his skin needs to be in this role. Did someone tell him that?!?! LOL

SO! After church, SIL and Little B and my family of 5 (that is weird to say!!!!) went to lunch at Grindstone Charlies. That was good...and the service was good....SHOCKER! We got home and I rushed around to get ready to go on my "girl's trip". KK came and picked me up and we were off! We met up with the two other girls that were going and headed to Indiana to Belterra. It took us about an hour and 20 minutes to get there....we checked into the hotel and our room was GORGEOUS! It was really, really nice. We had a FANTASTIC, but expensive, steak dinner at Jeff Ruby's. That was VERY yummy. Then we headed to the casino! We were at the casino for about 7 hours!!! We had a good time....KK was very lucky and won quite a good amount of money. Let me put it this way, she took $300 in cash for the trip......she came home with $460...and that was after she paid for the room, her expensive dinner, drinks, etc. So, she did good. The rest of us....not so much. But, we had fun. We got back to our room at 2:30 in the morning...I had to take a shower because of the smell of smoke from the casino....and then we went to bed. For some reason, KK thought we should all be awake when she was....at 7:30! We got up, got ready, went down and had breakfast and then headed to Cincinnati to do some shopping before we headed home. KK dropped me off at 3:30....so I was only gone for 25 hours, but I sure missed my Baby!!! I called Hubby when we were shopping....and I started crying! I wanted to come home so badly, but didn't want to be the party-pooper! So, I missed my kids....but I am glad that I went. We really had a great time and I love the girls I went with....we laughed a ton and just had a really good time. I think we all need times like that sometimes. Hubby did fine with all three kids. He is so wonderful to me!

So, when I got home on Monday, we all went outside and raked leaves. It is this time of the year that we hate living in such a wooded neighborhood! We raked up a TON of leaves, but it now looks like we haven't even raked our leaves once! Oh well!!!!

Umm....Tuesday was a whirlwind of a day! We got I-Man off to school, then got ready and took the girls to my Aunt's house....then dashed home to get the stuff for I-Man's party and then went to his school...helped out at the party....brought Hubby home so he could get his car and go to work....went and got my nails done....went and got MIL a birthday present...went and picked up the girls from my Aunt's house....ran to I-Man's school to see his Halloween Parade....waited in the parking lot to pick I-Man up from school....came home...cooked dinner....got all the stuff ready for Trunk-Or-Treat....got the kids ready for ToT....ate pizza while running out the door to ToT! It was a WHIRLWIND!!! And I am a bad Mommy! I didn't get one picture of my kids...not one!!! Too much running around, I guess! Well, Trunk or Treat was fun, but man was it cold! Baby slept pretty much the whole time. She woke up to eat and then went right back to sleep. Hubby and I were rather annoyed at MIL....she brought her boyfriend (which was fine)....but I think she was trying to prove a point to Hubby (who had previously told her that she was in a dead-end relationship....b/c her boyfriend has told her that he is not the marrying kind)...because she and her boyfriend really needed to get a room! They couldn't keep their hands off each other! It was rather annoying since they were right next to us. Hubby wanted to say something to them, but I told him not to. Anyways, the kids had fun and I-Man had about 5 of his friends from school come, so that made him very happy! When we got home, I-Man and FAB were asleep within 10 minutes of being in bed! They were pooped!

Wednesday was a much more calm day! Not a whole lot happened....the girls and I ran to Family Christian to get a book for our Small Group....then we ran into the mall to exchange/return a few things....then to pick up I-Man. So, not a whole lot compared to Tuesday!

This morning, I finally got fed up with being so snotty! I decided to see my doctor since I have had this "cold" for 3 weeks. Good thing I did....turns out it is a pretty severe sinus infection! So, I got a prescription for an anti-biotic and I also got the flu shot! Hubby gets a free one from work...I-Man has had his....now I have had mine....hopefully FAB will get hers next week. My pediatrician suggested that we all get one since we have Baby in the house. So, glad I went to the doctor!

OH! I think we are going to switch to Hubby's insurance! He had a meeting about it yesterday and it is MUCH cheaper than mine! We are talking more than a $1000 less a year.....plus the co-pays are $5 cheaper each time we go to the doctor! So, I think we are going to switch. That stresses me out because I have always had the insurance through my work....but what a difference in price!!!! And....Hubby is doing so good at work....he is the #1 Salesperson right now (out of more than 40 people!) and he has been in the top 3 for the past few months! I am so proud of him! He and Uncle Poncho got to get into one of those cash machines yesterday....they won some kind of contest. I guess that Uncle Poncho got like $138 and Hubby got $200...which was all that was in there. So, there are some nice perks to his job. I can't tell you the last time either of us paid for gas....he wins gas cards every week. Anyways, that was a side-bar!

Well, I guess you are about caught up with us! After I-Man's conference tomorrow, the kids and I are heading to Kentucky for the weekend. Mom and Dad just got back from Gatlinburg today....and instead of them coming up here, I thought we could go down there for a change. Plus, I know that Sister wants to see the kids, but she probably doesn't want to come up here again! So, we are going down for the weekend. Hopefully Baby will sleep the entire trip and the other two are good. We will see!!! It will be interesting, I am sure!

I hope you all (those who have been sick) start to feel better soon! Love and prayers to all....