Sunday, November 27, 2011

home


We are home.

It was a very long drive home as there was an accident on the express way and I had to take back roads around and then get back to the xway.

I miss my parents.
My kids miss my parents.
I was actually thinking about moving south.
I dont know if I would be able to do that.
Or if I truly want to.
Ok, well I do...but, how would I handle being that far away from my parents?
How would I feel taking my kids away from their grandparents?

It is true that I am unemployed.
I have not been able to find a job for the past year.
There are jobs in other states.

Oh what fun it is to be an adult.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Family Traditions

In our family, we have many traditions.

One tradition that my dad and I have since I was a teen was to spend the week of Thanksgiving together.

In our state, Thanksgiving happens to be the 2nd week of firearm deer season.

So, since my dad and I have both been life long hunters,
we enjoy our week or as many days as we can hunting together.

Unfortunately, since I got hurt, I have not been able to go hunting.
It has taken me a lot of physical therapy and working out to get to where I am now.
Finally I felt ok enough to try to hunt and my dad had a place where we could just go at night or at in the morning.

We got to the stand about 3:30.
My deer walked in about 5:20.
I was very nervous until I shouldered the gun, then all of my practice came back.
I took a breath in, let some out, and squeezed.
Perfect shot.
Except... we thought the deer that had walked in was a doe.
Turns out, it was a button buck.
in other words, I will have Veal in my freezer all winter!


Me and my Dad!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving!


I have not yet transferred my Thanksgiving pictures.

Here are the kids at their school parties!

K at his K5 Thanksgiving Feast.
He is in the "Indian" class.

F at the K5 Thanksgiving Day feast!
He is in the "Pilgrim" Class.

Here is E.
Also a Pilgrim.
Showing off his Turkey art!

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankfulness

Thanksgiving.

Thankful for:
my family
my health
my home
things that make my life easier
internet
friends
foes
Football!


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wednesday Fun!

Woke up early.

Waffles!!!

Puppy got a hair cut!

Homemade sugar cookies!

Playing at the Park!

BBQ Chicken Wings!

Frosting and Decorating Cookies!

Movie Time!

Bed!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011




C'est ma vie!

Good and fun day today!
Had to end early as kids WILL NOT go to sleep.
Trying to blog while a little one is lying on my arm is not very much fun.

Pics tomorrow!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Week Up North

Well, we have once again arrived up north at my parents house.

We will be up here for a week.

My kids do not have school and I wanted to get away for a while.

Hopefully it will be a nice week.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

10-0


10-0!!!!

Go Pack Go!!!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Saturday

Today was a very fun Saturday!
Woke up and made pancakes and bacon.

Did some laundry and some folding/putting clothes away.

Then we were off to a playdate!

We met our good friends at an indoor playplace!

It's a great time cuz P and I can talk...and all the kids can play!
Except for today.
Not sure if he is not feeling real well or what.
But, E would NOT leave me alone!
Usually he will play.
He might ask to see my phone or use the computer but once he is convinced that I am not going to give in, he leaves and goes to play.
Not today.
The other kids had a great time though!

After playing for a few hours, we went to a Chinese Buffet!
YUMMY!
I'm so proud of my kids!
Crab legs, steamed clams, shrimp, and oysters.
That's what my boys had!
Of course, they tried some chicken and some soup also, but they like the good stuff!

Love when weekends are fun!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Holiday Feasts!

I am truly one tired momma.

I worked all day at the school.

I helped prepare a feast for 100 little ones in K5.

Then we had 10 mins to clean up!

I then went onto my 1st grader's class.

I helped everyone make turkeys.
They traced their feet, cut it out, added feathers, eyes, etc.

Then, we had to clean up.

I then took the kids to the park...
Came home,
Cooked Dinner,
Kids in bed at 9pm.

I have pictures, but that would require me to stand up and look for the card reader.
Not. Gonna. Happen.

Hoping that they sleep in...

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Worn out and tired

I am whipped.

Tomorrow I will be worse.

I am going to be spending the day with all my boys and their classes for their thanksgiving feast.
I will want to pull my hair out within 10 mins...
I will stay though.

It's nice to be wanted.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Empty Freezer

Well, Dh is home.
No, he didnt tell me he was coming home.
He just kinda appeared.

No deer for him.

So far, my dad has also not gotten one.

Need some Venison!

maybe I will have to hunt over Thanksgiving to get us one.
I'm a better shot than those two guys anyways.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sick Boy?

Yesterday, K stayed home from school due to a very bad cough.
Turns out he has a double ear infection and a sinus infection.
Dr gave him some antibiotics, I gave him some cough meds, and some motrin and he seemed well enough last night to go to Sparks.

This morning, we all woke up to get ready for school.
K pitched a fit.
Said he didnt feel good. He was sick. He wanted to stay home.
Of course he is screaming this at me and running around the house while he runs away from me so I dont make him get dressed.

Sure kid.
You are sick.

I get him to go to school.
Force him out of the car.
Drop off the Little Lady and go to Kmart to look around a bit then to the gym.
Nope.
Phone ringing.
School calling.
K is sick and I need to come get him.
I tell the woman that yes he has infections, he is not contagious, he was running around last night and this morning and that I want him to stay in class.
She said that is not possible.
He is too sick to stay in school
Yes.
This is my poor, sick, little boy who just couldnt stay in class.
I could SCREAM!!!!!

I get why the school wouldnt want a sick child in school.
Trust me!
If he was really sick, I would not have sent him!
No fever, not contagious, etc.
Why???

They had better let him stay tomorrow!!!!
If not, I will be livid!!!

See that one in the middle.
He is the one that is NOT too sick for school this week!

Monday, November 14, 2011

CheeseHead!!!

It has been a very long day.
My middle son has not been feeling well and I find out he has a double ear infection and a sinus infection.

But, Life is good tonight as all the kiddos are asleep.
The PACKERS are on MNF.
and they are whooping on the Viks.

Go Pack Go!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Deer Widow

I cant believe I have to write this.
This has never really happened to me.
Oh, of course I have been left alone.
I have watched the caravan north.
But, this time is different.
This time, it's for a week.
This time it is my husband.

I am a Deer Widow.
For those who dont know what this is...
My husband and dad (not together) have both left for deer camp as MI firearm deer season begins Tuesday.
I am not invited.
I am left at home to take care of the kids.
I am NOT happy about this predicament at all!

I love to hunt.
Before I got hurt, I took all my vacay to hunt and to motorcycle.
Now though, I was not invited to partake in hunting this year.
So, now I deal with the kids' questions as to where daddy is.
When is he coming home?
Why didnt he stay home?
Boo. Hoo.

Guess that is just me feeling sorry for myself.
Just hope someone brings home some venison.
Then I can complain about all the cooking I need to do.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Ahead of Schedule


A couple of weeks ago I bought a Groupon to make online Christmas Cards.
Usually, I am making them pretty close to Christmas Eve.
Last year, I actually made them a week after New Years since we spent 9 days to and from Disney and didnt want to bother with it before we left.

So.
I am very proud to say.
That, for the first time in 4 years,
I have my Christmas Cards made!!!
That's right!
They are made, ordered, and just waiting for shipping!!!

Of course, I will need to address them once I get them.
and... well I may fall down on that one...
But, they are on their way!

Cant wait to NOT rush around at the last minute!

Now...to figure out Thanksgiving...

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fav Foto Friday (11.11.11)

Happy Veterans Day!

Today is also Favorite Foto Friday!
To see more FFF's click here!

My Dad served in the Air Force!

I'm thankful for all the Veterans who have sacrificed!

I went through my pics today to find some summer park pictures.

E posing on a fence!

The Little Lady enjoying playing in the dirt and swinging with the wind in her hair!

K, sliding down the astroturf hill!

F enjoying the hill!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

early to bed...


We headed up north for the weekend.

I am beat.

Going to take advantage of an early night.

Early to bed, Early to Rise, Fish like Hell and Make up Lies.

Or something like that....

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Accomplished


When my injury occurred in 2005, I spent months in bed.
It was painful for me to walk across the house much less to go somewhere and walk.
Riding in the car was horrible as was getting in and out of the car.
Life consisted of doctors appointments and sleep.

Then the kids came along...
I had to get out of bed... I also went back to school and had to get up to do that.

I had tried to work out and such during law school.
It always seemed as if I would do great for about a month but then my body would rebel and I would end up in bed for two weeks.
Life does not work well that way!

This spring though, I decided I had enough.
I was going to be forced to spend my entire summer studying for the bar.
People always complain about how much weight they gain while studying.
I didnt want that to happen to me.

After a week of sitting and looking at video for 4 hours only to go home and sit for another 3 hours while I did questions, I had enough!
I began to look for someplace to workout.
Before my injury, I was very active.
Soccer, softball, motorcycling, hunting, plus my hugely physical job!
I wanted to be able to do something with my kids...

So, I signed up for a one week trial at Powerhouse.
Yes. Powerhouse.
I had such a stereotype of who would work out there.
I figured I would be so uncomfortable that I would not be able to workout there.
Fortunately, what I had thought about the gym and its members, was not true.
I have been going there regularly since beginning of June.

40 lbs later I'm still going there.
Cant wait to see where I am by the time I take the Feb. bar!

If only I enjoyed shopping....

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Dinner


Some people LOVE to cook.
Some people HATE to cook.
Some should NEVER cook at all!

Today, before I left for my free-job, I put a beautiful roast in the crockpot.
I added fresh green beans, some celery, onion, garlic, and some golden potatoes.
Poured some water, put the lid on, turned it on, and left for free-job!

When I arrived home, I could smell it outside.
Smelled soo good.
Actually, it has been four hours since we ate and it still smells good in the house.
The meat fell apart.
The veggies were soaked with beefy goodness.
I was so excited to eat dinner.
It was fantastic!
Added a little sour cream with horseradish and it was wonderful!
I happily sat down and began to eat.

"Mom. Make me mac and cheese please!"
"Why?"
"I'm hungry"
"Have some more pot roast!"
"MOOOM, I HATE pot roast!!!"
Then they all began to join in about how horrible dinner was and they were STARVING!

My mood plummeted.
The kids ate a bag of chips and some fruit for dinner.

I really love to cook.
I eat my own cooking.
Others eat my cooking.
Even when I am hugely enjoying my food, when the kids dont eat, it depresses me.
I am hugely blessed that my kids eat everything!
But, why do they pick these times to tell me my food sucks.
They seem to pick up on the fact I'm feeling a little low...then expoit that all to hell!

Ah well....

AT least we ended the night watching Frosty and Frosty Returns!
Almost time for Non-Stop Christmas Movies and Music.
And my favorite part of the holidays is the cooking...

Monday, November 7, 2011

Maggie!

I'm not sure if everyone knows that we added a family member over the summer.

Her name is Maggie!
She is a Shih Tzu!
She was 7 weeks old when she joined us...and a whopping 3 lbs!
Now she is four months old and about 6 lbs!
She is soo cute and loves to play!
The kids just love her!

Little pup in a HUGE bed!

Worn out by the kids...

Kids were shocked we got another dog!

Yes...
I have bought her some clothes.
I think they are cute.

She's adorable!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

GWL!

On Friday, I arrived at the boys' school and picked them up at 11am.
We then drove south...to a fake meeting.
We had lunch and "headed home".

Actually... I had the van packed up.
We were going to spend the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge!!!
This weekend was the North East Ohio Guatemalan Adoptive Family Group's get together at the Great Wolf Lodge!

I've known about this for a few months now...but there is NO WAY I was going to tell the kids!
Once my kids get ahold of something, they cannot let it go!


The kiddo's goofing around!!!

The Little Lady had refused to go down the water slides!
Until... I promised her a pink Wolf toy.
Then I couldnt get her off the water slides!

"Mama, slides are so much fun!!!"

Not only does K love to swim... He L-O-V-E-S the arcade!!!

E also LOVES the arcade!
Playing the always-fun Wack-A-Mole!

E did great on this!
He also LOVES the water slides!

F also loves the water slides!!

Brotherly and Sisterly Love...
When they arent beating each other up!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Update on the Little Lady!

Today's update is on the Little Lady!

The Little Lady is now 4 years old!

She goes to preschool 2 days a week!

The Little Lady is learning to write her name.
She can count to 10 in English and Spanish.
She knows her colors, her shapes, animals, food, etc.
She also knows the alphabet!

The Little Lady is very social.
She loves to talk.
and talk.
and talk.
and talk.

She also loves to sing.

The Little Lady loves to dress up!
She loves wearing tutu's!
If she had her way, she would wear dresses all the time!

The Little Loves to have her nails done.
She also loves to have her hair done.
If someone brings makeup over to the house she attacks it with a passion...she LOVES having makeup!
She got two makeup kits for her birthday and went nuts over them!

The Little Lady is usually very happy.
She has a great attitude most of the time and loves to be loved on.
She is Grandma's little girl.
She is also quite fond of Grandpa.

The Little Lady has three brothers who protect her
and annoy her!
Sometimes she is a momma's girl.
But, she is always my Baby Doll.