What is it that is so intriguing about bubbles? Kids love them, and I must admit that I like them too. An empty box, a ball, bubbles, blocks, simple crayons and paper keep my kids playing for hours. Here are some pics of Daniel and Abigail enjoying a beautiful day with bubbles.
After a year long break I am firing up the robo form and getting back to sweeping. I figured it was time to start winning again. So far in 3 weeks I have won 3 prizes. First off was a subscription to Newsweek, (great for Paige's gov/econ class this fall), a spiritual book which is always nice, and a spiritual book examining the Narnia series.
I wonder what's coming up next. That is the greatest thing about sweeping, you never know what the next win will be! Checking the mail just got exciting again! I will keep you posted when I win the "BIG" one. As they say, " You have to be in it, to win it."
It appears that the days are flying by at the speed of sound. Often I have the feeling that life is rushing by and I am missing it. It is hard sometimes to " Stop and smell the roses". I believe many of us get caught up in the housework, yard work and all the chores that need to be finished we forget about flowers, trees, birds and the sky. All the beautiful things that nature has created for us to see, smell, feel and hear are soon forgotten in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
I believe it is when we are at are weakest, tired of the daily chores and worn out from the stressors of life, that it is in fact the time when we need to get back to nature. We need to feel the grass beneath our bare feet, the warm summer breeze against our skin, and admire the beauty of the song birds that sing for us. Some how it replenishes our soul when we connect with nature and the life force found within it.
I am going to take the time out today to walk in the grass, smell the flowers and listen to the sounds of the wind bustling through the trees. I want to take in all in, replenish my soul, and feel the warmth of the sun that sustains us.
While the days will still seem to fly by and life will still be hard, I will be comforted by the fact that miracles surround me.
OMG, what a week it has been. Shopping here, shopping there, looking for the perfect shoes, bracelet, and necklace. I think we did it! Of course we had just one minor flaw when Daniel ate the perfect rhinestone bracelet yesterday. Luckily we found one similar :), at the last moment.
The lady that did her hair and makeup today was wonderful. We told her Paige wanted it to look 1940's and she nailed it, pin-curls and all. I think Paige looks like a 1940's movie star.
I am posting one pic we got off a camera phone, and will be posting more tomorrow, when I get the camera back from Paige ;).
After prom all 16 of them are taking a huge limo downtown to a fondue place. I am sure Paige is in 7th heaven as I am writing this now. I have never seen her smile so much in my life. I whispered in her ear as she was getting in the limo, " Your beautiful my Princess Paige." When she was little I always called her that. She smiled and said, " oh mom" and off they went. I was able to wait until I got home to cry :). I just couldn't believe how beautiful and happy my baby girl was.
Paige performed in Fame this weekend, and did a wonderful job. She was Miss Bell and played her beautifully. To hear her sing is breath taking for me. I am so proud of her, and I never see her happy than when she is on stage. Tonight after Fame she had to do a quick change, and is off to her call back for Rent.
Well seems as things are back to normal. I'm feeling much better, and took my last dose of steroids. My neck still hurts just a little bit, but it is tolerable. The Doc said I was doing better Friday, and said the reaction is similar to a lupus attack. Looks like I'm back on track, so time to tackle all the housework that got left behind when I wasn't feeling good :).
Read more...What a horrific weekend I had. Saturday I felt like I was going croak. My bones and joints started hurting so bad I could barely walk. I have never felt pain like that before. Taking care of the kids Saturday was soooo hard. Then I broke out in hives that night, and figured out it had to be the antibiotic I was allergic too. Of course I hate going to the ER, so I decided to self treat with benadryl and a breathing treatment, because I was having a hard time breathing. Sunday I just basically passed out for the day. I couldn't do anything. Just standing or trying to walk made it feel like my knees and bones were breaking. I waited until Monday to get into the Dr. It is a good thing I went. The minute I walked in the door they shot me with a huge mega dose of steroids. I think me gasping, and unable to lift my knees to step on the scale was a tip off, that something was wrong. The steroid cleared the breathing right away, but it took another day for the bone pain to finally ease up. Apparently I had a rare and dangerous reaction. The Dr. said it was a good thing that I broke out in hives, because it made me know to stop taking the pills. It also helped that I took the breathing treatment and the benadryl. If I had taken that night time dose and went to bed I might have stopped breathing in my sleep, and no one would have ever known. So thank God I broke out in hives. I know it had to be God watching over me, and I am very grateful. I am still taking steroids, and Friday I go back to the Dr. for a check up. But I am feeling much better, and I am sure everything will be fine.
Read more...What I thought was going to be a perfect day, turned into a not to good one. Here I am noticing the cool breeze, the beautiful colors of spring popping up and blooming everywhere. I am thinking to myself, how wonderful it is to see it all come alive and brighten up everything, after such a gloomy winter. Suddenly out of no where,,, bam... it happens. The colitis monster rears it's ugly head, and I am doubled over in pain. I call the Dr. and he sends me straight to the ER. I spend the entire morning and afternoon there. Not exactly my idea of a wonderful day. After all the test, IV's and meds, I am happy to say I am feeling much better. Hopefully the antibiotics will help out and I will be good as new in a few days.
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I never thought the day would come that I needed bifocals. I finally gave in and got them, when I realized my arm wasn't long enough anymore to hold my books far enough away to be able to read. I really don't think I will ever get used to them, but they are great for reading. As far as wearing them everyday for plain seeing, probably not going to happen. The line drives me too nuts.
Well my little scientist took 2nd place in her category at the IUN science fair. I am very proud of her. It was her first time at Indiana University Northwest competing. She ended up with 1st place at her school, honorable mention at school corporate and then 2nd in category at IUN. She is already working on ideas for next year :).
I'm sure all of you have experienced the wish to go on strike. I'd like to stand with a picket sign that reads: No More Dishes, No More Messes, No More Laundry, and NO MORE CLEANING THE BATHROOM. I don't think those household chores would be so bad if it wasn't one step forward and 10 steps back. I pick up the toys, put them in the toy basket and in 10 seconds .. poof.. out they tumble by the little hands of my 2 and 3 year old. It is almost pointless to pick up! Don't get me started on laundry. Why do my older girls believe they need a towel for their hair, one for the floor, and one for their body. That is 6 towels a day between the both of them. 42 towels a week if you think of it that way. No wonder I go through so much laundry soap. For all of you who use the graduation system with towels.. I commend you. (clap clap). You know where they graduate from body to floor etc. My girls don't get that system yet, No matter how hard I try to explain it to them. I always end up finding a pile of wet towels piled in a corner of their room, or on the bathroom floor. The last couple of day I decided I was going to strike. I'm not killing myself cleaning stuff over and over again. I left messes. Then after a couple of days, my obsessive compulsive self set in and I spent all day cleaning and picking up everything. I even organized a closet. Go figure ! So all in all I guess my strike is over, I gave in. :)
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We had these pics taken at the mall. Abby was so excited because she got to hold an umbrella. I have no idea how they even achieved a pic of Daniel. He only sat still for a second. He was so busy that I heard the lady tell the other women to, "just forget about him, the ones we have are fine." lol.. He was a bit rambunctious. They made the mistake of giving him a baseball to hold. He yelled, "Ball", and off it went flying into the camera equipment. Of course that was after he took a bite out of the fake apple prop. I guess they figured he wouldn't eat the baseball.
About a year and a half ago I lost a piece of something very special to me. It was a piece of the mother I had once known. Her stroke was like a thief in the night that robbed part of her memory, speech, and reasoning. In a flash part of her was lost forever. Now each sub sequential day I stand by and watch while bits and pieces are vanishing before my eyes. Her once beautiful smiles have turned to images of confusion, defeat, and an emptiness that is heartbreaking. Her eyes, which once were bright, are filled with tears of sorrow, misunderstandings, and frustration. Almost every word I speak to her is taken as a personal attack. She believes I am angry with her, dislike her and do not love her. I do not speak and I’m uncaring. I can hardly take the torture and heartbreak my words seem to induce. I am at a loss. I pray that somewhere in her mind she knows I love her, and I am so sorry. I am sorry I can’t make you understand I love you, I miss you, and you are my world. I am terrified you will leave this world and the last thoughts you have of me are I don’t love you. I pray to God to clear your mind, if only for a little while so you will know we all love you.
Read more...Blogging, hum a great way to express your thoughts, what's going on, and everything else in between. I know I haven't been doing much of it lately, but I've been in the deep thought and soul searching stage. Every time I start to post something I end up with a blank page, guess it's blank like the current state of my mind. No matter how many things, ideas and thoughts run through my head, I always end up back where I began, an empty slate.
Read more...My little Miss Molly the scientist! Her quest has finally been fulfilled. She won 1st place at the science fair! I thought she did an awesome job! She extracted DNA from several different kinds of fruits. The judges said they didn't even know that was possible! Now she gets to go to corporate and compete. She is so excited and full of smiles. I am so very proud of her!
Read more...Everyone seems to be better. Abigail so far has avoided the whole thing. Daniel is still getting sick to his stomach here and there, but seems happy and is running around. At least today he only got sick once. Hopefully tomorrow he will be able to eat a little better, and keep it down.
Read more...Well it hit Paige. Now she has it. So far Abigail has been the only one spared from the terrible bug. I am really praying she doesn't get it. Daniel is doing much better, back to his cute little self running around the house. Molly is better, just feeling sluggish and very tired. Paige is still in the early stages and hopefully by tomorrow will feel a little bit better. Here is to hoping Abby, me, mom and Trudy don't fall victim to the virus going around.
Read more...Yesterday started off great. Me, Daniel and Abby went to build a bear, rode a merry go round and the kids got to dress up and take a picture. It was the first time in a long time they have been out of the house. Abby was so sweet, she got a coupon for a free bear, and decided to give it to Daniel so he could have one too. She got one for her last birthday, so she wanted to share. We had a a lot of fun, and I have to say I welcomed the time out of the house. The bad part was later that evening. Daniel got really sick, then within a few minutes Molly got sick. They both were sick as dogs all night. We didn't know which kid to run to first. This morning they are still not well. Both are running fevers and finally fell asleep a bit ago. I'm hoping they sleep for a little while so they can rest. They aren't able to eat, so I am hoping I can just keep fluids down them, so they don't get dehydrated. Hopefully it won't last long, and they feel better soon.
Read more...Okay, I am a facebook fan, yes I am addicted. While I love facebook OMG, it really does punch you in the gut sometimes. I mean geeze, is there anyone from my past that didn't end up beautiful, rich and successful. Am I the only Failure out there. Okay I know what your all thinking, that is just my ego talking. The truth... yes it is my ego.. lol... I guess I am still in the before phase of my before and after pic and life story. lol... LIFE,, funny how it happens sometimes :).
Read more...Here we go again. That sleepless word Insomnia! I figured since I am up at 340 am I might as well make a blog post. I really hope this not sleeping thing doesn't go on forever. I suppose at some point a person has to sleep. So someday I might just do that. I imagine it is just stress, and my roaming mind that keeps me from slumber. It always seems that something is going on. If it is not one thing, then it is another. I have to admit life is never boring. Sometimes I think I would be happy with just a simple, no drama day. Nothing to worry about, nothing to stress about, and nothing to be done. Ah.. but than that would be too easy. No one ever said life was easy. I do believe we are meant to learn life lessons, and even if we can't figure them out sometimes, there is always a "moral to the story", so to speak.
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Unfortunately my camera batteries went dead after just a couple pics at Christmas :(. But I did manage to get these before it died.
Okay everyone is always asking me how I get free stuff and great deals . Here is one of my favorites. All you have to do is click the pic below and join, then next time you search something,,, go there and search. Sometimes you hit a swag buck and they add up. I traded mine in at Christmas and got 25 dollars off amazon. :). I still have enough swags to trade in for another 25 dollar gift code to amazon too :). You can choose the store you want your gift certificate to :). I just picked amazon.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E, is never a good word. No it is not me getting divorced, but my sister. After 20 years together and 18 years of marriage, that ugly word blind sided her. It breaks my heart to see her so heart broken. She has always been more than a sister to me, she has been my friend.
She is beautiful, strong and smart, even though she doesn't realize that yet. Eventually after sometime she will stand strong. It just takes time, wounds need time to heal and regenerate. I have no doubt she will recover and be the master of her destiny.
While I could dedicate an an entire blog to how angry, saddened, and just plain ticked off I am at her husband, I won't do that. The details are neither here nor there, and no one needs dragged through the mud. It is not my style, nor do I find anything good comes out of bashing a person. Hate-tread only breads negativity, and who needs more of that in this world. I hope he finds what he is looking for, and someday has some remorse.
It's a New Year, and New Beginnings ! Hopefully The New Year will bring happiness, love, and prosperity to everyone. We will put behind the past, and concentrate on the here and now, and hope for a better future.
The fall semester is finally over, I survived, I did it. I have never been so relieved in life. The torture, deadlines and pure stress is over. I ended up with an A in Argumentative and Persuasion Writing, an A in Life Span Psychology, and ... drum roll...... a B in Anatomy and Physiology. Normally I would be devastated by a B, but let me tell you I am thankful, grateful, and ecstatic for that number 2 letter in the alphabet. 80% of the people fail that course online, but thank God I was not one of them. Yes my ego was a bit dented since it caused my GPA to drop from a 4.0 to a 3.75, but hey Life is Good ! I did it!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I had a lovely day. It was thrilling to watch the kids open their presents, and watch the excitement on their faces. Daniel tore through every present with pure determination. He couldn't contain his eagerness. With each one he would oooo and squeal with joy. He even shivered and shook with a few. Abigail was on the hunt. She could hardly wait to see if Santa brought her the skateboard scooter her heart so desired. Of course Santa came through and full-filled her dream. There has been scooter riding through out the house every since. She also received a baby doll that her and Daniel have been taking great care of. They are often seen pushing her in the stroller, giving her a bottle and singing to her. I even heard Abigail tell Daniel, " I will be the mommy and you be the daddy." They are like to peas in a pod. Of course Abby is a bit bossy telling him what to do most of the time, and dragging him by the hand everywhere. The older girls received the present to end all presents from my sister Trudy. A laptop, yes a computer for each of them. I swear I thought they were going to faint when they opened them up. I still can't figure out how they received such a gift. Of course I had that fleeting thought of ... Oh, Now I have something I can ground them from when they misbehave. I know, I'm a terrible mother lol. But hey, sometimes you need all the leverage you can get. I also mistakenly bought Paige a Flip camcorder. The child has been torturing me every since. I am just praying the video of me hula hooping on the Wii Fit, in my PJ's don't end up on u tube somewhere. Molly has been on her Wii Fit non-stop. Now instead of TV we all get to watch Molly jump around the living room. A very good time was had by all. It was a Christmas to go down in the books as fun, excitement and filled with laughter all.
Read more...Well after 3 days of being doubled over in pain, I finally went to the ER. I guess it is a good thing I went, but I am dreading the bill. Honestly I am keeping my chin up, but geeze I do wish I'd get a break once in awhile. I swear it is always one thing after another. I have diverticulitis and colitis, they gave me two rounds of antibiotics in the ER and sent me home with some more. I'm hoping the pain will go away in a few days, it hurts every time I move around. I have to be better by next week because I have finals. Life sure is an adventure isn't is ? :)
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I LOVE Halloween. It is one of my favorite times of the year. I just love all the spooks and specters. My DVR during Halloween is working overtime taping all the ghost shows for the season. This year Paige went to party with her friends, Molly trick or treated with her buddies, and Dan and I took the babies out for treats. Daniel was more preoccupied with peering in people's houses, trying to see if they had a dog, than he was with getting candy. By no means though does that mean he didn't love all the sweets in his bag. Abigail thought it was great. She couldn't wait to run to the next house to see what candy would be placed in her bag next. At the end they did get tired and we had to carry both back home. They spent nearly 2 hours knocking on each door. That was a lot of walking for those poor little legs. I took pics of the kids, but this year Molly evaded the pics. She took off with her friends before I snapped one. By the time she got home she had her costume off. Next year I will just have to be faster than her. I thought Paige looked awesome. She did a great job doing her make up. Abigail loved being a witch and Daniel would have did anything NOT to wear his costume. :).
My mother has the biggest sweet tooth in the world. At night when everyone thinks she is asleep, I can hear her rattle candy wrappers munching away. My sister the great bargain hunter hit the jackpot after Halloween. She bought mom a TON of candy. My mom was thrilled ! She even posed with her mother load of confections.
Molly was so excited. She had her first Halloween school Dance. I love to see her smile. When I picked her up she was all giggles and talking about boys. Oh she seems so young to be chatting about boys. It sure does seem they start early these days. I am very happy she had a good time.
My father always said Jack of all trades, master of none. That about sums up me. I know a little bit of everything, but have no specific talents. It is driving me crazy. I see all these women turn something they love and are good at into a career. I don't need to be rich, but really need something that enables me to make money, and be able to take care of the kids at the same time. I wish I could sew or have some talent that I could turn into a little business, or a way to make some extra cash.
Read more...I am losing it and on the borderline of going crazy. The feeling of being overwhelmed stings me straight down to my soul. There is no way I can accomplish everything that needs to be done. You can barely walk through this mess of a house. I spend all day cleaning up, doing laundry and taking care of EVERYTHING. I miss playing with the kids and taking them to the park. I am a married single mother taking care of 7 people. I better stop here because I will later regret what I blog now. I am just venting before I explode.
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Like every little girl, Abigail loves to play dress up. Here she is modeling her latest play outfit. I love it when they are this age!
I felt so good over the summer because I ended up with a 4.0 GPA. Now I am not so sure I will keep it. A & P is really hard over the internet. I wish I would have been able to take it in class. I'm sure I would have gotten an A if I had an instructor, instead of reading everything and learning it on my own. I heard that 80% of the people fail the course online. I'm hoping I won't be just another statistic. So far I am at a B, but I am only half way and have the final to contend with. I had an A before the midterm, and after that I lost a whole grade point. I really need an A to apply for the nursing program. I guess I will just hold my breath, study and pray.
Read more...I think I am going to start entering sweeps again. I stopped during the summer because I didn't have time to enter and do homework too. I'm feeling pretty lucky, so here I go again. Wish me Luck!
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Daniel loves Thomas the Train. Here he is playing on his birthday with his new trains, and train set. Choo Choo is his favorite phrase. I imagine we are going to be hearing it for along time to come.
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