MOM-ents (My life as a MOM & WIFE)

Wow almost 3 months has passed by

2012-02-02T07:13:00.000-05:00

It is amazing to me how time flies, almost like a blink of an eye! Since I last wrote, I now have a "temporary" daughter. Brian's brother's daughter is living with us. She is pregnant and her mother kicked her out of the house. Brian's brother is disabled and unable to take care of her like she needs at this time. Later on she does plan on moving in with him. I am unsure how that will work out. They are too much a like and tend to argue and then it becomes a very tense atmosphere, which will not be good at all for the baby. Brian and I worry too, over her being so young, she is going to need a lot of help with the baby. It will be a rude awakening for her, that is for sure. She is due May 18th and our "temporary" custody is up the last part of June. I keep praying that she will just stay here, but I think, in her mind, she wants to go live with dad because of her boyfriend. He lets them be together on the weekends (which I DO NOT uphold) and so she of course loves that! We have told her, if she and her boyfriend get married then we would turn our back porch into a room for them. I know that is taking on more, but I would rather do that, then see something bad happen to her or the baby.
In September I took Logan out of public school and began homeschooling him once again. He is doing well, but he does have his day just like any other kid. I, personally, believe he does so much better with one on one, then with a classroom setting. He is wanting me to continue schooling him, but Brian is tossed in his thinking. I think we will wait and see how his testing goes before making the ultimate decision. I also have been doing some pre-school with Isaiah. I do tend on schooling him next year. I really love teaching my kids! I love seeing them actually learning and to think "I" am the one that is teaching them. It gives me great pleasure!!! I would love to teach Zack as well, but he is pretty settled on public school. He is a very smart kid. He makes the "A/B" honor roll and we are very proud of him.
I have had several surgeries. In October I had to have my appendix taken out along with a 4 cm cyst on my right ovary. Then at the end of November I fell and broke my left leg. I had to get a plate and 7 screws put in it. Then in January I had to go back and have 2 of the screws taken back out. My ankle hurts really bad. It swells up like a big grapefruit all the way around. When it swells that is when the pain gets bad. I pray that this will soon go away!!
As of 3 days ago, I started watching my intake on food once again. I did a calculation and according to what I weigh I need 2970 calories to stay at the weight I am. Wowser! I don't believe I eat that much at all!!! I mean that is totally insane! Anyway I am not doing any specific diet, just eating healthy. No this is no resolution, this is life. I have to do something for "me"!! Well, it is for my family and God as well. I want to live a life pleasing to God and live longer as well. I have been reading up on "HCG" drops. I did buy the drops at Wal-mart for $12.36. I am going to do the drops, but I am not going to follow the 500 calorie plan. I mean come on that is very low and sure I would lose eating hardly anything. I just want to see if the drops do actually help keep the hunger pains away. Here is a link to what Dr. Oz says about the "HCG" diet plan. HCG diet plan review by Dr. Oz

God's amazing GRACE

2011-09-07T13:08:00.000-04:00

The past few weeks have been a blur. So much has went on, that I feel that I can finally sit down and relax a bit. ----Well, relax as much as possible--- I took Logan out of public school and I am homeschooling him once again. Too many issues going on and not enough time to explain. (Honestly, I don't want to talk about it) I have not got all my books just yet, so I have been doing a lot of worksheets from the internet. School is going great! He is doing really well and I am thankful for that.

Isaiah started preschool on Tuesday. He is also being homeschooled. He is loving it, but today he was being a little turkey. We are doing the color red this week and he quit coloring and said, "He was sick of RED." So we did a cut and paste sheet and he was able to use other colors for that. LOL

Zack is still in public school and hates it. He wants to come back home, but I just don't think I can handle him and Logan together. Also I am afraid Zack would want to just sit and do nothing. He is a brainiac ... too smart for his own good, but is also VERY lazy!!

Through out the time that caused me to take Logan out of school, God's grace has been sufficient. I thank him for being there for me and helping through the hard times. God is GOOD!

They say it's my birthday

2011-08-18T09:27:00.001-04:00

I guess I am another year older. Time sure does fly by and the gray hairs just keep piling high!! On Monday, Brian took me out to dinner and then spoiled me!! He knows I love bath and body works. So he bought me a bag full of lotions. I am going to SMELL good!!! Then we went to Wal-mart and he got me some much needed bra's and some new undies. My grandmother always said don't leave the house unless you have clean undies on. Well MawMaw, I have some nice stylish ones!!! Last night my mother in law cooked us dinner and they got me a beautiful cake. Pretty and pink. Margaret and Mark bought me some really nice shirts from CATO's, love that store!!! This morning my sis woke me up just as my alarm was about to go off and wished me a happy birthday. Then my mother called. Yep, I have had a really nice birthday.... so what if I am 39.....and next year I plan to be 39 once again! LOL

The biggest birthday gift I got was that school started today! Here are some delightful pictures of my boy's just rearing to get on the bus!

Trash, junk, garbage...another man's treasure

2011-08-11T17:51:00.000-04:00

Never knew one could accumulate so much junk! I decided to clean out my linen closet today and threw away 2 big garbage bags of junk away. Why in the world I had some of the stuff, I will never know. A few weeks ago I cleaned out my walk in closet and threw out 3 big garbage bags. My trash collector loves me!! Hey I keep them in business!

Yes I have enough garbage that I need to say no to anyone giving away stuff. On the other hand throwing away stuff does make room for more stuff! Ha! The stuff I threw out was not that good really. Sure there were a few things I could probably have sold at a yard sale, but I am not one to sit out and wait. I would rather take it to Goodwill! Of course Goodwill's prices have went up. I guess inflation is causing them to raise prices on donated items! Geesh....I won't even start on the prices of stuff. I had better get off my soap box now.

I guess you could say I am "Fall" cleaning early. I try to clean really good in the Spring and then again in the Fall. When I do this, I sure can make a mess of the house. My kitchen floor right now looks like a garbage bin. All the bags are there. I need to take them to the garage.

Right now all I want to do is vegetate, but alas the chores are calling my name. Should I answer?

Isaiah's first dentist appointment

2011-08-11T15:04:00.001-04:00

First? Yes you read that correctly. I realize he is 4 and should have went sooner, but he is funny with stuff. He does not like certain textures. I would litterally have to bribe him to let me brush his teeth. He hated the feel of a toothbrush. It made him gag. Anyway, he went on Wednesday and did wonderful. He does have a small cavity and he chipped his back tooth on a piece of hard candy (which I do not let him have, but someone gave him a piece.) I am always scared when they are little they will choke. Back to the chipped tooth, I knew when it happened. He bit down on the candy and he said "Ow". Never mentioned anything about it again. That night I was brushing his teeth and saw it. It isn't that bad, but they said he needed a crown. So, now he has to go to a pediatric dentist for this. I wish the dentist he saw had the laughing gas to do this. *sigh* A word to the wise, if you have a really young child... take them to a pediatric dentist to begin with. A regular dentist, may not have the laughing gas and will send your child onto a pediatric dentist.

Isaiah will go for his "preview" appointment on ~~Monday the15th~~ ( correction Wednesday the 18th). Zack goes to get a filling on the 15th. Even if Dr. O'dell had already said what needed to be done. Such a mess and waste of my time. I think since Dr. O'dell already saw and cleaned Isaiah's teeth, then they should just be able to take it from there and do what is needed. *grr* It is all a money racket! Thank God for good insurance! :-)

Here are some pictures of the day.....

So now we have to go and see Dr. Bailey that is in with Dr. Martin. My other boy's were a patient of Dr. Martin's but it was always so hard to get them an appointment. So, I thought taking the kids to a regular dentist would solve the appointment problem. Now, it seems there might be other problems. Maybe since the boy's are older they can have their stuff done. We shall see.

Teays Pediatric Denistry is where we are headed on Monday! Wish us luck!!!

Tired yet not tired enough

2011-08-10T08:02:00.000-04:00

I got up this morning to a kitten bellowing. I think I actually (in my sleep) said, "Will someone please go and see what is wrong with that cat!!!" Then jolted awake to find, they were fighting over momma Sami. So, here I sit typing not truly awake, but not sleepy enough to go back to bed. I had to get up early anyway. Isaiah has his first dentist appointment this morning. I think he chipped his back tooth a few weeks ago eating hard candy. At least that is what it looks like to me. And I think I saw one little tiny speck... which could be a cavity.

The other boys' went for there dentist appointment on Monday. Logan was cavity free and Zack had one cavity. What is funny, is that Zack is my clean freak when it comes to hygiene and all. Logan may brush his teeth and go a few days. I have to ask him if he brushed his teeth.

Brian's grandmother passed away on Monday night. She really got sick toward the end. Her grave side funeral is on Friday. Brian was really close to her when he was younger. They would go camping together, yard saleing, and stuff like that. Mary loved a good yard sale. She took me a few times and let me tell you, she wore me out. It was FUN though. Mary was a lot like that nursery rhyme... "Mary Mary quite contrary..., but she she was a hoot too. Mary did not put up with nothing. She was a feisty woman. Even as she grew older she was still a wild cat. Mary was a one of a kind jewel. I don't think there will ever or was ever a person like her.

Life in the FAST lane....

2011-08-08T12:34:00.000-04:00

Whew, time for a breather! Last week I seemed to be running around with out my head attached. I did not know if I was coming or going. Why you ask? We had VBS and between getting it all decorated and getting my lesson done, then cleaning up after everything... I am TIRED! I went to church Sunday morning, but fell asleep and could not get back up for the night's service.

Now today I am trying to clean this dirty house!! I straightened it up last week, but well it still was not really clean. Lots to do, to say the least! Then I have to take the older boys to the dentist at 3:00. Hope they have no cavities. We shall see. Isaiah will go to his very first appointment on Friday.

On Wednesday I have to go to Huntington's Kmart to pick up Zack's clothes. I got everything for school. At least I hope so. Of course I figure the teachers will probably have something else on the list to add. That is the norm! My father in law bought Logan's clothes which was nice. I need to get Isaiah some clothes next. He is growing like a weed. Stick straight and skinny legged!!!

All is QUIET

2011-05-22T00:38:00.000-04:00

As I sit in front of this computer everyone including the cat is sleeping. I am in awe at how pure, sweet quietness can be such a bliss! After a long day of "Mom this" and "Mom that"... one can truly cherish some peace and quite.

I got my Sunday School lesson done. I am going to attempt to teach them a lesson on "How we are all different. No two people are alike." I am going to use the book "Ayana the Tall" as a part of my lesson.

It is a really cute book describing how Ayana felt because she was taller than all the other giraffes. She felt out of place and clumsy. She had to deal with feeling unwanted as well. I want to bring in the fact that God makes us all unique. He does not make one person alike. Even identical twins are not alike. They may look alike, but they have differences as well. God makes everyone special.

Anyway I am hoping that this will help the children learn that they are special to God even if someone at school gives them a hard time. That God loves them no matter what!

Happy Birthday!!!

2011-04-30T09:52:00.004-04:00

I did not make a post on the 9th of April, but Brian had his 36th birthday. On Youth night the kids celebrated his birthday with cupcakes and ice cream. They also got him a BIG bag of goodies. I was not able to take pictures because I (thought) I forgot my camera, but later realized it was in my purse after all. I sent him a snack basket to work. I like that better than flowers. At least a person can enjoy it longer.

Now yesterday the 29th was Logan's 11th birthday. We are celebrating it tonight. He wanted a BIG party, but I no longer do the party thing so to speak. We normally have the grandparents up and one close friend. Logan chose his friend Chance. We are having a cook out with hot dogs, hamburgers, deviled eggs, baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad, cole slaw, hot dog sauce, trimmings for the hamburger, cake, and ice cream. This is what Logan chose, so it makes it easy on me. Not much cooking involved. Just the deviled eggs and baked beans and then grill the meat.

I do believe the birthday boy will be satisfied and thrilled with his BIG bag of goodies we bought him.

Today is your day Logan! Happy Birthday!!

I NEED a Spring Break

2011-04-27T22:24:00.002-04:00

My boys' are on their Spring Break this week, which has brought me to the conclusion that I too need a Spring Break! What gives? I think we, mothers work hard and deserve a break. Who is with me on taking a Spring Break?

I can see myself sitting in a lounge chair, drinking some cold ice tea, while my boys have big palm leaves fanning me. On this Spring Break, I would not hear any whining! No "I'm bored"! Or the loud words coming from the demonic voices.... "Mom he won't let me play on the computer!!" No there would not be any of that! My boy's would share and take turns like good children ought too! One can dream right?!

Speaking of the above statements, I am embarrassed to say it is statements of TRUTH! This is all I have heard while they have been on break. It is driving quite batty!!! I know some would say I am an "OLD" bat, and thanks to those who think that, but honestly enough is enough!!

Don't get me wrong I love my boys' more than the world itself... ~enough to smack them to the next morning~... oops I said that out loud. No, really I do love them and life would not be worth living without them. I just think I need a BREAK!!!

Taming the Tongue

2011-04-11T08:52:00.002-04:00

Quote of the day:
"Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once.
Lillian Dickson"

Life is full of surprises. You never know when something might come your way that will cause you to trip and fall. You may even struggle a bit to retain your composer. Praying and hoping no one saw as you brush the embarrassment off your face. Of course some surprises can be a bit more embarrassing than others.

It is the game of life. Another person can easily try to throw another off balance with harsh words, which can be like a slap in the face. Thus causing much embarrassment for the one who got slapped. I was that person. The recipient of the lowly slap. Not a slap of justice, but a slap of vindictiveness.

Being a minister's wife, I tried to tame my tongue so that I did not say something that would hurt my influence or my husbands. It was very hard. I could have said a lot of things, but what good would it have done? Seriously? So I took my slap with pride! I fell back in astonishment and had some trouble regaining my composer. The slap was done publicly through an online communication site. I knew I had to watch my response as I typed, because everyone was watching. Watching to see if I would make a mistake. Watching to see if I would totally lose control. It was hard, not to lose it, but with the Lord's help I remained chaste. No I am NOT perfect. I do make mistakes, just like the next person. I, however, try my best to be like Christ in all things. At times I have failed and have to go back to apologize. I have to constantly remind myself to keep my BIG mouth shut. Before I was saved, I spoke before thinking. Slicing the person to bits without a thought. I don't want to be that person ever again!!

Some verses and/or quotes on taming the tongue:

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:26 ESV

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

"One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is his tail wags instead of his tongue"

Hello to my long lost LOVE

2011-04-10T23:16:00.002-04:00

Wondering who my long lost love is? This BLOG! I was doing really good with writing here, but I guess my mind has digressed. Why? I have lazy brain syndrome. It is very contagious. It is when you mind takes a break and does not want to be bothered by any sort of thinking. You just stare out and you look like a zombie.

I am sure you have seen the look. Everyone is talking and there is one lone person just sitting and staring. You come to realize that, that person has came in contact with someone who had lazy brain syndrome. You want to go and speak with them, but know if you do, you just might contract that same dreaded disease. Oh well, everyone's brain needs a break at some point!!!

Hopefully I am not CONTAGIOUS anymore, and my writing's will be more often! Look out blogger world!!

Credit cards are your worst nightmare

2011-01-07T15:03:00.002-05:00

I got my first credit card while in college. I thought I was all grown up cause

trusted me with their card. Little did I know this little card would cause me havoc!! I thought I could buy whatever, then pay it off. What ended up happening is I went over my limit of $1,500. I would send in the minimum payment, but that was not getting me anywhere. Well I ended up getting into a car wreck and the insurance gave me money for pain and suffering. I used that money and paid off this nightmare and shredded up the card and sent it to DISCOVER in an envelope and told them to close my account. Since I paid the card off in full and my credit was good, I began receiving more and more pre-approved cards. I declined the offers which was a smart thing, but then I got married and my husband had no credit. He did not have bad credit, just no credit. He always paid everything in cash. I called DISCOVER back up to see if I could re-open my account and add Brian to it. They gladly did and up'ed my credit to $3,000. This began the love/hate relationship with credit cards. After this Brian began receiving pre-approved cards and he got a few of them. One of which we put our addition to our house on. Then the cards just kept coming in. We would put tires for the cars on one just to keep it open, put a vacuum on another... and so on. Well that began another nightmare. I started getting department store credit cards and well I would shop and not really think. Oh believe me, I am thinking now. Okay can you say shocked?

I went overboard and knew better, but did it anyway. I have been paying all our debts and we have been doing okay. Our credit is good, but I want to pay off all our debts and be debt free. So yesterday I called some consolidation companies and I think I found one that will help us out in the long run. We will be debt free in 5 yrs, instead of 35! Yes you read 35 right. The main debt we have is the addition to our home. We have went from $25,000 down to $6,500 on that card alone. But the kicker is all these small cards which add up. Have I learned my lesson? Yes!!
The moral to my story is this, if you have children that are getting ready to go to college, be sure to prepare them by telling them to NOT get a credit card. Credit cards are fine, but watch the APR. My department stores APR are horrible at 29.9%. I was never taught much about finances growing up, but as an adult I sure have learned the HARD way!!

Airing out DIRTY laundry

2010-12-21T14:44:00.000-05:00

Growing up I was always taught not to air your dirty laundry to anyone. Well I normally don't, but on occasion I will admit I have. Sometimes I just need someone to talk to.... to listen to me. Here lately I feel like I am taken for granted. It is not just the Holiday rush of things, it is just ALL the time. I know I am homemaker, and very proud to say that I am. I am glad my husband is able to provide for us without me having to go out and work. I am glad I could raise my children and not have a daycare do that for me. I am honored to be a stay at home mom, but being at home DOES NOT mean that is all I do. I don't sit around the house eating bonbons with my legs propped up reading the newest magazine. I barely have time to sit let alone read! Come on I have a 3 year old, who spins entire cicles around me! I do more than take care of Isaiah. I have laundry, sweeping, dusting, mopping, folding, ironing, grocery shopping, bill paying, account management, cooking, dish washing, dish drying, taxi cab driving, daycare provider, and my list could go on. Now if I were to sit down and see what the annual salary were for these individuals..... well let's just do that, shall we?

Laundress: 57,000

House Cleaner: 20,000

Dish washer: 22,000

Accountant: around 31,000

Personal shopper: 30,000

Taxi driver: 20,000

Daycare provider: 16,000

Okay so my worth would be...... $196,000 per year!!! So who wants to say I sit around all day eating bonbons and reading a magazine? Well, they have not actually said that, but the implication is there!

The other day it made me think more and more along the taking advantage of lines. It was my oldest sons birthday. He turned 13, and I had cleaned the house. If I know I am going to have company I clean it from top to bottom so to speak. Well Logan's room needed some major attention, try 1 1/2 hrs of it! Anyway Logan came home from school looked at his room and there was no thank you, no nothing. I told Brian I cleaned it, and all he said was it is about time! HELLO!!! To me my boys are old enough to clean their own rooms. They make the mess, they should clean it up! Okay not only that, but dinner was running a bit on the late side, because my lovely 3 yr old decided to make some extra messes for me to have to clean. Well there was a remark about I thought dinner was at 6 not 7. Umm, normally I am right on time or earlier, but this just happened to be a hard day at the office for me! Well the dinner ended up being at 6:30 no biggie! Zack's friend came up and so the older boys were in the livingroom bunking, and well let's just say they made a MESS, with a majorly big M! The next morning I about choked! My once clean house was disaster zone 101! No one helped me clean it up. I felt like a used up rug thrown out to the trash! No one was even home for me to yell at them. So dutiful me cleans it all back up as usual. They all come back home and again not a word is said edge wise. The only thing said, Mom I am hungry what is for dinner. You know how much I would love to say, I don't know, you tell me! I guess all Mom's feel washed up at some point......

Here are some pics of Zack's birthday.....

Baby it's COLD outside and other RANDOM thoughts

2010-12-13T13:54:00.002-05:00

It has been a few days since I had to say good-bye to my fur babies. (All but one) Sami is finally acting like herself. She was so upset that her friends had to go, that when I petted her she would NOT even purr. I felt so bad. Finally she is back to her playful self and she even brought me a token of her love---- a dead mouse!

She even looks MAD in this picture (Mess with me and I will show you)

Brian and I had a date night on Saturday. Well we were not totally alone, we had a little tag along named Isaiah. We went to Red Lobster and had a wonderful time. I got the parmesean talapia, Brian got flounder and scallops,and Isaiah had grilled shrimp. After we ate we took Isaiah over to Petland. Isaiah went in and asked if they had any pigs? He had just seen some piglets in our magazine "Hobby Farms" and thought they were cute. Anyway the girl thought he was cute and told him they did not have any piggies but did have bunnies, birds, puppy's, kitty's, and guinea pigs. We ended up getting (which we did not plan on) a guinea pig. Isaiah named him "Porky".

Isaiah loves Porky

Sleeping with Porky

Porky all snug

You need to be snug today. It is colder than blue blazes outside! We have about 2 inches of white stuff, and it is still coming down. We were supposed to get more than this, so I guess I can not complain. I just hate being snowed in to where I can not go anywhere. That is the thing about living on our hill and winter.

view from our back porch

view from our front porch

The only thing keeping me warm is the socks on my feet and my cup of double hot chocolate! Oh and of course my snuggly blankie!! LOL

It is "Rap" time

2010-12-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

I guess it is about time I "rap" up the things that has been going on around here. We had some friends up for Thanksgiving.. well we all went down to my in laws, but anywho all things were going great until Isaiah had a wee accident.

He ended up with 6 stitches. This is one of the hardest events in life that I have had to deal with. He was trooper through it, but just to hear him screaming and crying and there was nothing I could do, killed me!!

It has healed up fairly well. I will have to take another picture soon. He got the stitches out yesterday. There is a part of the cut that has not totally grafted together, but the inside is all healed.

Brian and the boys' went deer hunting but no one got any. There was a BIG buck hanging around and everyone kept saying they were going to nail it, but alas NO ONE did! Yay Bucky!! I like venison, but I love to watch deer as well. They are so meek and graceful!

I have been suffering with allergies a lot lately. Brian was thinking it was the cats. My four legged furry friends. I started off with Annie and then she got pregnant and I kept two of her kittens because they were twins. Had every intention on getting Annie fixed but she came back in heat quicker than you could say jack rabbit... and had another litter which all died but one and I bottled fed him. Then someone dropped a Calico off on us and she got pregnant and had 10 kittens and 2 died. I was able to find them homes, but not Patches. Okay so I was suffering and Brian was getting upset with all the cats. Annie, Sami, Toby, Shadow, and Patches. So yesterday I took them all to the pound except for Sami. She is my LUV bug! I hated it, but you know what I do feel better physically. I am not sneezing anymore and my eyes are not red and painful. Oh I so hate when the husband is RIGHT! Grrr...

Isaiah has been going through some terrible 3 stuff. I can not turn my back without him getting into something else. The other day he was upset with me cause I would not do something and he dumps his Kool-Aide in my floor. What did that get him? A butt busting. Then he squirted mustard onto Logan's bedroom carpet because Logan had did something. The kid is like a dog getting back at his owner! The funniest thing is, the other night we were at Wal-mart and we had went back to get some kitty food, and Isaiah spotted the fish and asked the lady to get him a fish out so he could pet it! We tried to explain to him you could not take a fish out of water because it would die. He sat on a dog food bag and sighed saying "It's just not fair!"

The weather has been very frigid here. My chickens are hating it! My mini-roo died. I loved that rooster. He was so cute! I guess where he was so tiny the coldness just got him. We have heat lamps, but when it gets down under 20 at night, it is hard for the lamps to keep up. RIP my little Rudy!

Not much else has been going on. Right now I am suffering with an upper respiratory infection and Zack has a sinus infection. The doctor gave us both Z-pack to take and he gave me some pills to help with my cough. Bless you doctor cause those are the best pills! Tessalon is the name of them and believe me when I say they work! They are non-narcotic which is a great thing!

When it rains it pours (normally)

2010-11-04T15:09:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday night as Brian was coming home from work, he was in a car accident. He was coming through the light at RT 35 and RT 60. The other driver was turning and claimed he did not see Brian. Umm, hello it was 8:30 @ night and the guy did not see headlights. Brian acted quickly and was able to avoid a head on collison, but my Bravada no longer has a left side bumper. The passenger door on the drivers side is dented in a bit and paint is scratched off. We think he did a bit of damage to the gas tank as well. I have not taken any pictures but will soon. Honestly it could have been a lot worse. Brian, thank the Lord was NOT hurt!!

Yesterday, Brian had to get hay for the goats, so he and Mark went and did that. I stayed home until around 2 and we all went to lunch. We ate at a Hibachi place in Teays Valley. The food was really good, but to me it was not good enough for the price we paid!! Taste of Asia We missed the lunch menu prices by 5 minutes so we had to pay for the dinner prices. Then we went to Big Lots. I have to say they have a lot of unique items out for gifts. I think when Brian gets paid I am going to hit Big Lots again and get some Christmas stuff.

Last night at church Isaiah showed himself, so I had to go downstairs. Isaiah has been a hand full lately. They say terrible 2's.... let's try terrible 3's!!

Yes this adorable face is the face of a terror! He is driving up the wall and down another! Oh the whinning.... it is driving me crazy! "Mom this and Mom that"..... say that with a whine!

On a greater note both Zack and Logan got the "B" honor roll! Zack would have had the "A" had it not been for him missing one assignment. That one assignment costed him enough...his final grade was a 92.49.... grrr.... !!

Mine eyes have seen...

2010-10-31T19:21:00.000-04:00

blur, blur blur! This week (starting Tuesday) my eyes began to itch and hurt. Today (Sunday), I woke up to them swollen, my right worse than the left. My right eye was swollen shut with some nice green gook and crust. Brian went on to church and then came home to take me onto Health Plus. The doctor prescribed this ointment that I have to put in the bottom eyelids twice a day. I thought my eyes were blurry already...ha! When I put the ointment in I could see nothing!!! Now I know what an infant feels like when their eyes first open.

Nice, eh? I am wondering if this is a good excuse not to do housework tomorrow? I can always say, "Oh that is dirt?" I didn't see it!!!

Ode to my aching back!!

2010-08-16T17:42:00.000-04:00

Oh my aching back

What have I ever did to you?

I scrub you good in the shower,
I use lotion to smooth out the wrinkles,

I scratch you when you get an itch.

What do I get in return? Pain! Unbearable pain.

Pain that leads me to take pills. Pills that lead me

to sleep and constipation. Yes constipation!

Are you happy? My butt is now unhappy!

It is all a mind game! And my mind is still fuzzy

from the pills!

My kids are loving this. They see mom in bed and think

it is time to let all hades break loose.

I take more pills to not hear the noise.

Afraid they may be killing one another and I can

not move!

Hubby is trying to make dinner and I smell smoke.

Is the house on fire or is that just the pot roast? Praying

it is just dinner, I take yet another pill. Why not? I

am unable to move anyway! If the house is on fire... just spray the bed

down real good. Maybe that will keep he flames away.

And they say OLD AGE is a drag?

The above poem was written while intoxicated on Lortabs... thanks to my back!

Wild about the WILDS

2010-07-29T23:09:00.000-04:00

Brian took a day off, so decided to take the kids to see some animals. Isaiah is at the age where he just loves watching animals especially giraffes. We looked for a close zoo, but most are like 3+ hrs away. We decided on THE WILDS because it was on 2 hrs away. It was so cool. All the animals came up pretty close to the bus. It was like we were on a safari. We got off the bus several times to look around. It was a fun filled time. The only exception is beware of the cost of something to drink! It was just completly insane! Highway robbery..... we were dying of thirst and so we all got a bottle of pop. There was no price and we figured on $1.50, it costed $14.00 for 5 drinks! They are trippling their price on pop. Inflation I tell ya!

After we left "THE WILDS", we headed on down to Hocking Hills. We stopped to have dinner at

Click Here

This was a nice quiet place to eat. They had a really good salad/buffet bar. The prices were fairly reasonable. After we were done eating we went next door to a putt putt golf place and ice cream parlor. We paid for the boys to play. It was so hot. Just standing there watching them play, sweat just rolled off my face and down my neck. After they were done we each got some ice cream. Some much deserved coolness!!

A hamster on a wheel? Nah that is a big FAT rat!

2010-07-13T23:24:00.000-04:00

Well the title says it all. I have been going to the gym at the "Y" . This is going on my 3rd week. As I walking on the treadmill, the thought came to me "these people look like hamster's running on their wheels." I on the other hand looked like a big FAT rat!

It is a bit discouraging when I have not seen anyone heavy like myself. I mean, in the water Aerobics class there are, but I am not taking that class, I am doing the Fitness room. Anyway I look around and all I see is FIT women and men. I sometimes wonder if they all start working out harder, because the FAT lady has entered the building and this is an incentive for them to keep their fit and trim bodies. Brian told me "No, they are probably thinking well good for her. She is doing the right thing." Hmm not sure about his thoughts. I know I am DOING the right thing. I love the gym and the workout that I get. I LOVE the way I feel afterwards even if my thighs are arms feel like they are on fire. I LOVE the YMCA! I just wish there were more people like me. I feel like a rotten apple in a basket of delicious, beautiful red apples! Bleck!!!

I am NOT giving up, I am just venting. In the past 2 weeks I have lost 8 lbs. It is hard work. I am also watching what I am eating. And no I am not just watching it go in my mouth. *smiles* I really want to be healthy. I want to be able to chase after my boys. I want my boys to be proud of me and not embarrassed when I come to their classroom or when I am around their friends. I don't want to be some skinny minny, but I do want to be a good weight for me. That is my goal!

So I will keep on going to the gym even if I am the FAT lady. I will become a nice beautiful red apple to add to the basket!

Me and my ramblings

2010-06-28T08:17:00.001-04:00

Okay so it has been sometime since I last put my thoughts here. It seems that Summer has been a bit on the busy side. With the boys home my house has became a disaster area. I clean one room to go back and find more things out. It is a never ending cycle! No wonder someone once said, "A mother's work is never done!" It sure is the TRUTH!

A MOTHER'S LOVE

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

I realize some day the boys will be grown and get married. I sure hope they end up with kids just like them! LOL =-) Although that is wishing something on their wives! oops

I joined the YMCA last week. I began my workouts on Thursday and had a great time. I rode the bike for a mile, walked the treadmill for 10 minutes, and rowed for 10 minutes. I did about a 30 minute workout. I am proud of myself. On Friday I did aerobics and I have to say I am much better on the machines! I feel like I am finally accomplishing something for myself. With my disabilities from my accident, things are hard for me to do, but I am trying to overcome my obstacles slowly. I am hoping by December to down in weight by 60 lbs. That would be TOTALLY awesome!! Here is the link of the YMCA I go to. Tri-county YMCA Every time I think of YMCA it brings back the memory of the 80's song....

Well it is time for me to go to the "Y"!!

Isaiah has turned 3!!!

2010-06-03T09:41:00.000-04:00

I can't believe my baby is now 3. It is just so hard to imagine this for me. He is a beautiful little boy and talking up the storm. So lovable and loves to sing and pray. What a joy he has been. I am so glad we decided to have him. I would do it all over again in a hearbeat even though it was so hard on me. Even though he came 3 weeks early. Even though he was in NICU for a week. Even though I was in so much pain. It was ALL well worth it. He came into the world weighing 8 lbs 12 ounces and at 3 he weighs 35 lbs. Isaiah you are so special to me, I love you!!

I wonder what CoLoR my thumb is?

2010-05-25T19:36:00.000-04:00

In the past I have had gardens and they have did rather well. We just got our garden planted this year, yesterday. Zack did the plowing. He plowed with our big tiller like a man. He sure is growing up on me. It is hard to believe he will be 13 in December. (crying tissues please) Logan and Isaiah did the planting as well as Zack. We had to go back and fix a few rows, but it was nice watching them work together.

As I sat there watching and talking with Brian. I was anticpating all the harvest. I love canning our bounty. Seeing the rows of canned food, makes my heart leap with joy. The happiness that it brings to my family to have home cooked meals. To see my family eat heartly on what we grew in our ground. It makes my mouth water. I love knowing what we are eating is healthy and all the ingredients is organic.

We planted zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, egg plant, green peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, and green beans. I would like to plant some turnips and carrots too. Not sure just yet though. I intend on making my salsa and spaghetti sauce so we planted extra tomatoes this year. The salsa went FAST!!! I am wanting to find another spaghetti sauce recipe so if any of my readers know of one, please send it my way!! My family will thank you! The one I used was okay, but not what I was looking for.

On another note, the other day I made the best pumpkin cake ever!! It was so moist and oh so delicious!!

Pumpkin cake

1 15 oz can pumpkin

3 cups self rising flour

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs

Mix well and put in a 9 x 13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for about 1 hr until toothpick comes out clean. Cool and ice,

I made a glaze icing for this cake.

1/2 powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoon melted butter

Mix well and pour over cooled cake.

Things going through this head of mine

2010-05-13T23:03:00.000-04:00

The other day I was outside filling up my hummingbird feeder and as I looked up I was staring in the eyes of a beautiful ruby throated hummer. It was as if he was saying okay lady hurry up, I have no time to wait. He flew to a nearby branch of my Rose of Sharon and waited some more, but I suppose I was not fast enough for him. As I finished and walked into the house, I looked out the living room window and he had came to eat. It reminded me of the rabbit on Alice in Wonderland.

How curious, I am thinking to myself!!! Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures, but oh so fast that you have to carefully watch or before you know it they are GONE!

On another note, I have discovered that I am missing silverware. When Zack and Logan were younger they would take my spoons outside to dig with and my lovely lawnmower would greet the spoon with a clankity clank sound and I knew what I had hit! Nothing left to save!

I realize I still have another little guy among the house, but he won't go anywhere unless I am with him. Isaiah is truly a Mommy's boy! I am thinking I must have a Stuart Little in the house. I can picture a hole in behind my cabinet stuffed full of amazing gadgets and my silverware. I can see Stuart sleeping in a sardine can and a nightstand made out of a spool of thread. Not sure how my silverware could be used since it would be so big, but alas I know he must have them!! I have not found any droppings, so he must even have a tiny outhouse! This has to be the logical reason behind my missing silverware. I even bet during the night he gets inside one of Isaiahs toy trucks and burns rubber on my kitchen floor!