Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Well I made a HUGE decision yesterday. I have decided to go back to work. I have been struggling for a few months now and have called several places looking for something that would fit me and the girls and be worth my time. I saw an add in our local paper this weekend for a part time position that a local childcare center. I called yesterday morning and found out that the hours were from 8-12 and it was for a new Kindergarten program that they started this year. I was really excited about that because I love teaching Kindergarten, but I did not think that those hours would work for me because I knew I would have to pay so much for childcare for the girls. The director/owner of the center called me yesterday afternoon and said that she would really like to meet with me and could work out something for me to bring the girls with me. I did not want to get my hopes up because I have heard several places say that they would give me a great deal for the girls and I had actually applied at this center a few years ago when I only had Sam and the deal was not so great. So I agreed to meet with her and I could not believe the deal she gave me for the girls to come with me every day. I was really impressed with the center and I think I will like working there. I am actually going in the morning for my first official day but I am not starting my regular schedule until next Wednesday. I already had some things going on this week and we have Chloe's court date next Monday, so I only working in the mornings tomorrow, Friday, and Tuesday. I actually taught today at the Christian school and I am teaching Thursday at the Christian school. So, I guess yesterday was my final day of not being employed. I am struggling back and forth with guilt of not staying home but I really feel like the Lord has opened this opportunity for me. I would ask that you pray for the girls and I as we make this transition.

Thanksgiving Pictures

We do not have much going on today. The girls and I are going to stay home and I am trying to get motivated to get the house cleaned up again. I finally got the pictures taken at Thanksgiving to post.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

We had a great Thanksgiving. My parents came into town on Tuesday. Sam was supposed to go to school Tuesday but woke up complaining that his stomach hurt. I got him some breakfast but he still said his stomach hurt. He was whining and carrying on that Jeremy told him to stay home. Sam got in bed with me and slept for a little while longer. He got up and was just running and acting wild. I told him that I thought he said his tummy hurt and that he should have gone to school because obviously his tummy did not hurt. He then responded, "Well mom, I just did not think it was fair that I had to wait to wait to see Grandma and Grandpa, and besides I already know my ABC's, lower and upper case." I wonder how many times he is going to use that to try to get out of school. Wednesday Jeremy and I went to the chiropractor and Sam kept asking us how things went at "choir practice" when we got back. We all went to my brother's house Wednesday evening and stayed the night. Mom and I made Thanksgiving supper and had a great time with my brother and nephews. We played the Wii most of the day Thursday and Sam beat all of us at the bowling game. I put the kids down for a nap Thursday afternoon and they were so cute. I got a picture of Sam and Chloe holding hands. Well the sweetness wore off when after about an hour and a half my nephew Kaleb brought Chloe to me upstairs and she had gotten into a ink pen. I guess she woke up before the other two and decided to climb unto the desk and get the pen. She ruined her shirt and pants and got ink all over her blanket. After that incident I decided it was time for us to go home. Friday mom and I went shopping but we did not get up early. We went in about 8:30 Friday morning. Jeremy kept the kids so I was able to get most of their Christmas shopping done. Friday night we all went over to Jeremy's parents to spend time with all his siblings and their family. His brother and his family were in from North Carolina. My parents left yesterday and then we put our Christmas tree and decorations up. I think I am going to have a harder time keeping Chloe out of the tree this year. She is just into everything and wants the one thing she is not supposed to have. Yesterday she tore the pages out of two books and I caught her hanging on the dresser drawer after she had taken all the clothes out and threw them on the floor. Anyway, this morning was church and now the kids are taking a nap. Sam has Christmas play practice at 4 but I think I ma going to try and rest for a little bit, but before I do that I have a couple funny things that Sam did this weekend.

* We have this CD with Bible verse songs and there is a song that says "and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus" well Sam sings "and the pizza God..." It is so cute.

* Friday night Samuel was reading a Bible story book and he saw there was a story about Samuel. He was so excited that his name was in the Bible. He brought me the book and asked me if I knew that his name was in the Bible. I told him that I did know and that I named him after the Samuel in the Bible. I asked him if he wanted me to tell him the story and he said yes. So I put him in my lap and I said that Samuel's mommy, whose name was Hannah, could not have a baby so she prayed to God and asked Him to give her a baby. God answered her prayer so she named her baby Samuel because he was a gift from God. So I continued to tell him that I could not have a baby so I prayed to God and he sent me him. I told him this sweet story and I was teary eyed and my sweet child looks me in the eyes and says, "His mommy's name was Hannah. You mean like Hannah Montana". I just had to laugh.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Busy, busy weekend and busy, busy week. Friday I subbed for first grade. I wish I could say it was fun but it was actually kind of stressful. Friday happen to be Character Dress-up day at school and it was the last day before their Thanksgiving break. SO, the kids were completely CRAZY!! I made it through the day but determined I did not get paid enough on Friday to handle another day like that!! Friday night was the lock-in. I made it until 2:00 and I probably would have stayed later if I had not had a little incident at the first house. The first house we went to was way off the road Their driveway was gravel and muddy and a series of several hills. Well when we were leaving I started up the hill and my tires were just peeling out and I could not get up the hill. The van started rolling back and I thought we were going to end up in their pond. The more I tried to get up the hill the more the tires peeled out and the van was going all over the place. I finally got rolled back into a safe place but I was in a bunch of wet leaved and mud. The dad at the house had to get his tractor and pull me out. I was so upset that I decided to call it a night. I know most would not get so upset (I do not mean mad, just shaken up) but I really do not like to drive and I went into panic mode when I did not know what do to. So I got home at 2:30 and went to bed. I woke up Saturday about 11:30 and discovered I had two huge fever blisters on my lower lip. They are finally getting better today but they have hurt all weekend. I got the kids from Gran and Papa's and when I got home I noticed that Molly was not in the yard. She was way down the road with another dog. There was a place in the wire fencing that had been cut. The thing probably has been cut for over a week and when I started thinking about it there were several times the past week that I thought she came from somewhere outside her underground fencing. So I ran up the road to get her. She came to me but would not follow me back to the house. She wanted to follow the other dog. So I had to pick her up and carry her home. I was about to pass out when I finally got her in the house. We had some extra wires so Jeremy was able to fix the fence. Saturday night some girls and I went to see a movie and had sooo much fun. Sunday was church and then our Thanksgiving meal at church Sunday night. Yesterday was trying to catch up on things at home. I had a dentist appointment yesterday morning. I had one little cavity so I have to go back next Friday. The girls and I then made a quick trip to the grocery store and then back home to clean some more. Today my parents are coming in so we are getting ready for them. Sam woke up this morning saying his stomach hurt and so Jeremy let him stay home. I do not mind that he is home but he is so hyper today. He was whining about something he could not get to do and I told him that he should be at school. He then says, "Well mom it is just not fair that I have to wait and see Grandma and Grandpa, and besides I already know all my ABC's"

Thanksgiving Dinner at school

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Well I do not have much time to post because I have so much to do around the house and some errands to run after lunch. Yesterday was a pretty good day. The girls and I went to Sam's school for their Thanksgiving dinner (lunch). The dinner was not very good but it was worth the trip to see Sam's smile when he saw us waiting for him in the hallway. After lunch I brought sam home with us and I was able to spend a little time with him playing games and coloring. Last night was church so the kids got to bed later than usual and the girls actually slept in past 7:00 this morning. Today I am getting the house cleaned and trying to make a dent in my laundry. Since I started subbing one to two days a week I have gotten behind on the laundry, so today I am going to try and catch up. I am subbing again tomorrow and then we have a lock-in tomorrow night for the youth group. I am going to attempt to stay all night but I am not sure. The kids are staying at Gran and Papa's tomorrow night. I think it will be a lot of fun. We are actually doing a progressive lock-in in which we are going to several different houses throughout the night to do different activities. Saturday I will probably be sleeping most of the day and then some girls and I are going to see the "New Moon' movie that is coming out this weekend. Well here are a few pictures of the kids "camping" out last weekend.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

I have been trying most of the day to upload the pictures from Emma's party but they will not post. I thought I would go ahead and give a recap of the past few days and try again later to post the pictures, so here we go.

Thursday- Emma had her three year old check-up. She did just a great job at the doctor. She weighs a whole 25 pounds and is 35 1/2 inches long. She is tiny but she is growing right on track. She had to get one shot (2nd dose of Hep A, I think) and she got the flu vaccine. They were out of he H1N1 vaccine for her age so we did not get that one. She also had to get her finger pricked to make sure she is not anemic. Chloe also got a seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot. After the doctor we picked up a $5 pizza fro Little Caesars and then came home.

Friday- The girls and I stayed home all day. I got my house mostly cleaned and worked on the laundry. When Jeremy and Sam got home we had supper and then headed out to Pleasant View Christian School's Tip-Off. They were having a Father/Daughter basketball game and Jeremy was playing as the father for one of our girl's in youth group. The kids (and Jeremy) had fun. Jeremy was asked to play in another game against the Varsity boys. He asked me if he could and I said yes not realizing that they were going to be playing a 30 minute game. Chloe was getting fussy and after I ran out of all the food I had she was really in a foul mood. We got home later and was hoping the kids would sleep in a little on Saturday but that did not happen.

Saturday- Jeremy worked on a 15 page paper that he had due on Sunday. He actually went somewhere else Saturday night to work on the paper. I can't imagine why he thought he could not get it done at home:) So the kids and I went to Wal-Mart to get Emma's cake for her party and pick up a few groceries. While we were out we rented the movie "UP" for the kids to watch. Saturday night the kids camped out in the living room and watched the movie. Chloe went to bed and Sam and Emma continued the camp out in Sam's bedroom floor. Well Saturday evening my back started hurting a little bit but not too terrible. I went to bed about 10:00 and the pain in my back started to become unbearable. I tried every thing and it would not quit hurting. I laid in the floor, I got on the couch, I piled pillows all around me but I could not get to sleep. At 3:30 Sunday morning I got into Sam's bed and finally fell asleep. At 6:30 the kids woke up and were ready to go. I was feeling a little better but then when I got up and started moving around it started hurting again.

Sunday-Well I did not go to Sunday School because I was still hurting and I was so tired I could barely stand up. I got ready and made it to the church service but I felt like someone was punching me in the back and then they would stab me. I somehow made through the service and then came home to get ready for Emma's birthday party. I was so exhausted but Emma had a wonderful time. Some of our family and friends came over and she got some very cute presents. Uncle Jacob and Aunt Lynsey got her this cute Tinkerbell night gown. I think I am going to have a hard time getting her to change when she wears it. She actually got it a little wet last night right before bed and she had a complete melt down when I made her take it off and change. I was tired but it was a nice evening. Everybody left about 4:00 and I got things cleaned up and then just laid on the couch. I took 2 Tylenol PM's and got to bed at 8:00 last night. I slept until 7:00 this morning but when I woke up Jeremy was still asleep.

Today- OK so Jeremy and Sam usually are leaving the house at 6:50 so it was a complete panic that Jeremy had over slept. Sam, however, was awake and playing in his room. He said he woke up at 633 but he did not come in our room in hopes that he did not have to go to school. We all scrambled and they got out the door at 7:15. The girls and I went to the bank and to the grocery store this morning. I also went to three different Redbox things to return our movie and all of them said that the machine was too full to accept any movies. I was pretty aggravated. We came home and the girls had lunch and then went down for a nap. After their nap I had an eye doctors appointed and then I drove 20 minutes away to another Redbox just for it to say that it was also too full to accept movies. So I called Redbox and they are not going to charge me and gave me vouchers for two free rentals. We are now home waiting for the boys to get home. Tomorrow I am subbing 4th grade so Emma will enjoy a day at school. Wow sorry for such a long post by that has been our life the pat few days. My back is feeling better but not 100%. I have been doing some stretches and hoping that that will help. I will keep trying to get the pictures posted.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

We have been up around here since early this morning. Samuel fell asleep on the way home from school yesterday and stayed asleep until 4 o'clock this morning. He usually falls asleep and sleeps for an hour or so when he gets home and then wakes up, but last night he did not want to wake up. We tried several times to wake him up but he was so tired. We put him in his bed (which usually wakes him right up) but he continued to sleep. So at 4:00 this morning Sam was at our bed needing something to eat. So he ate a bowl of cereal and then got in bed with us. At some point he got out of our bed and got the girls up. At 6:00 all three kids were roaming around the house. I put Chloe back in the the bed and put Emma in our bed. Neither girl went back to sleep so we finally all got up. Well after the girls nap we are going to a few stores and the Emma has her 3 year old check-up this afternoon. Well Gran got the girls these play hair accessories and the girls love them. There were some plastic hair rollers with the toys and when I came in the room the other day Emma had managed to roll Chloe's hair up in them. She just grinned and thought she was the queen. I was surprised that Emma was able to get them in her hair. Well I am still working on my laundry so I better go so I can get it done before I have to go.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Emma seemed to have a great birthday. She went to lunch with Gran yesterday and then we went out to Logan's for supper last night. We were going to go somewhere else but she wanted to go to the "peanuts" place. She opened her presents from us and my parents when Jeremy and Sam got home. She got a Dora scooter from my parents and we got her a Tinkerbell doll. I got her a little cake that we brought to Logan's with us to eat. Today we are just staying home until church tonight. Well the kids slept good again last night so I think me switching their rooms is going to work out fine. There was one little situation with Chloe last night. It was about 10:00 and Jeremy and I had just gone to bed when we heard this thud and then Chloe crying. I ran into her room but I could not find her. I could hear her but it was really muffled. She has fallen head first in between the wall and the bed. I could not tell where she was because only her little feet where sticking up. I felt bad but the only way to get her out is to pull her up by her feet. I guess Jeremy had moved the bed away from the wall yesterday to get something and it was not pushed back against the wall. She cried for a little bit but she finally went back to sleep. Well here are a few pictures from last night.

Emma then and Emma now

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!

Today my sweet Emma turned 3 years old. It is hard to believe that she is already 3! She has grown so much the past few months and it is becoming clear that she is not my little baby anymore. Sometimes I will be holding her in my lap and it is still hard to believe that she finally made it home. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was wait for Emma to come home. There were times in our journey with her that felt hopeless and the heartache was too much to take at times. Emma finally made it home and I was not sure what I had gotten into! She was so stubborn and was so different from Sam that our parenting skills were really put to the test. Now all that waiting and all those difficult days seem like they never happened when Emma smiles at us or we hear her laugh. She really has become a sweet little girl and we can not imagine our life without her. I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this but Emma has a biological brother that was adopted about 2 years before she was born. The other family was contacted and whatever the situation they chose not to adopt her. It is amazing to me that God has chosen our children for us and He works through all the details to bring them home to our arms. Emma is a very special girl and we love her so much.

Well we do not have much planned for today. Gran is coming in a few hours to take Emma to lunch. I am going to finish getting my house back together. Yesterday I decided to give Samuel back his room. He is getting old enough now that he needs his own space. Emma and Chloe are back to sharing a room and Sam has his own room again. I am a little nervous about how they are going to sleep with the new arrangements, but they all slept good last night and the girls are napping together right now. So, I worked all afternoon getting the rooms switched and it was so much work. We are going out tonight for Emma's birthday. We are having her party on Sunday. Well the girls are waking up so I better go.

Friday, November 6, 2009

We all had a good day but I am beat. I taught 4th grade today and I once again enjoyed it. It was a different class then I had last week so I was able to teach some more of my kids that I had in Kindergarten. It just makes my heart happy to see them growing into sweet young girls and boys. It also makes me happy that they still love me and are happy to see me. Emma had another great day at school and Chloe spent the day getting spoiled by Gran and Papa. Samuel also had a big day. They had an award assembly today and he made Honor Roll. He got a certificate and he was beaming all evening. After we all got home from school we went to Sam's Club for some items for our youth room and we got a pizza while we were there. Sam has been eating sooo much the past few weeks. I think he is hitting a growth spurt and he never seems to be full. Anyway, tonight he only ate one piece of pizza and Jeremy asked if he wanted more and he said that he was full. Jeremy and I laughed and said that was something that we have not heard in awhile. Sam then responds, "I am just full of surprises these days". We just laughed some more. Well here are a few pictures that I took Wednesday night at church.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Not much to post today. The girls and I went to the grocery store today and then came home. Emma picked out her plates and napkins for her birthday. She wanted a Tinkerbell party so that is what we got. She is so excited about her birthday but is confused about when it is going to be her actual birthday. She keeps asking "what time is it?". Well I have been working on the laundry all day. Tomorrow I am going to sub so that should be fun. Well here are a few pictures. The first one is from our trip to the vet with Maggie (sorry it is a little blurry). The other three were taken at Chloe's Gotcha Day supper at Logan's.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

I had planned on staying home today to finish getting the house cleaned, but Maggie had other plans for us. I mentioned the other week that Maggie had an episode. Well since that night she has been itchy and her tail and skin has been looking red and infected. I have tried to medicate her myself with different lotions and such but she was getting worse. She has been scratching so much that she has been scratching the hair off her body. I love my dog but I was worried to taker her to the vet because I was afraid that something was really wrong with her. I kept checking her for fleas or ticks but never found any. Well yesterday it was horrible and she was miserable so the girls and I took her to the vet this morning. It turns out she was bitten by a flea and she is allergic to them. I use flea medication on her but the flea must have bitten her before it died. The vet found a few dead fleas on her. So I was totally grossed out to think that there might be fleas in my house. The vet gave me medicine for Maggie and some carpet cleaner for our house. So I have been cleaning like a maniac since we got home. We have not seen any fleas but I am not taking any chances. Well the girls are down for a nap so I better get some more things done while they are asleep. Here are a few pictures from Sunday.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

We had a great weekend. Saturday night we went to several houses for the kids to Trick or Treat and then we went to a church that was having Trunk or Treat. After the stop at the church the girls were done for the night but Sam was still ready for some more. We went to another neighborhood and Sam and I got out and walked to some more houses while Jeremy and the girls stayed in the car. Sam had so much fun and I could not believe how much candy the kids got from the few places we went. We got home about 7:30 and Sam was so hyper I did not think he would ever go to sleep. He actually told me that he was going to be awake for a LONG time. I finally got him settled down and got all of them to bed. Sunday we had church and then we had planned to eat lunch at home but when we got home my crock pot knob was turned to warm instead of high so the roast was no where to being cooked. We changed clothes and then headed out to lunch. Jeremy stayed at a local cafe and worked on his school work and the kids and I came home. I got the kids down for a nap and then I started cooking for our fellowship at church Sunday night. We had something called Autumn's Praise and we had a chili cook off, hay-ride, bon-fire, and many other activities. The kids had so much fun. I got some pictures of Sam and Emma making caramel apples. We came home and got the kids to bed and got ready to start the week. Yesterday I had to sub for 2nd grade so I did not get much done around the house. Today I have been working on laundry and getting everything cleaned up from the weekend.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009- HAPPY GOTCHA DAY CHLOE!

I will post more about our weekend later today after I get the pictures posted, but I did want to post that one year ago today Jeremy, Samuel, Emma and I went to Detroit to complete our family and pick up our little Chloe Bear. I cannot believe that it has already been a year since she came home. She is a little stinker sometimes but we are so thankful that we were able to make her part of our family. We love you Chloe!