Christmas.. time.... is fast approaching- have you made your lists yet?

I can not believe how fast the month of November is moving!  I was freaking out last night because I have no idea what to get some people in my life, and by no means is my list long!

I think my hardest decisions are going to be for my little misses.  My 4 1/2 yo wants everything in all 4 toy books- and I mean everything.  I sat down with her to circle things of interest last week and she asked half way through if she could just X through everything she didn't want!
My youngest cant hold her attention long enough to go through the books seriously-so it is just up to me- oh joy!  They play with all the same stuff, so basically, it is just pick something and split it down the middle.  They each have their own *favorite princess- the 4yo loves Rapunzel and Ariel, the 2 yo loves Belle and Sophia is a split between the 2!

I know that Hubby was looking at the Doc McStuffins station to put all the medical tools from the kit- that is going to be a joint present.

Last year we put John Cena under the tree- wrapped up and gave it to our then 3 yo to open first.  Her reaction was the BEST!  She threw him, that is how mad she was.  We asked her if maybe Santa gave her all boy toys- she was scared to open another present!  (Are we cruel parents?) 

Our 1 yo at the time LOVED him!  She was carrying him around, hitting him so he would say OOH, UGH.. lol.  I finally put him away a few months after the holidays- only to find him here, at our new house.  I was like, seriously- a needle in a haystack, anyone !

Well, as if that year weren't cruel enough, Hubby thinks that John needs to show up again this year- but maybe inside a wrapped toy?  I am so twisted that I like it!

John Cena Tradition, anyone!

I haven't started on the girls and have no idea when I will.  I have a bad habit of wanting to give them anything awesome I get - so it takes some control!

I have, however, finished presents for my Big Ones Teachers and the girls at work! GO ME!

11-16-13- A GREAT DAY to go Shopping!

I just LOVE a little retail therapy and a day to connect with my Mom.

We have been trying to rebuild our relationship, slowly, and by taking a step back, I feel like it has brought out the old Mom, who I have missed for the past two years- since Gray Gables!

There were some, I believe, CONTROL issues going on.  This is my side of the story, that is.  Words had to be said, time had to be given and,  most importantly, SPACE!

Anywhoo- its been a little bit of time and I feel like we might be back on the right path to rebuilding the great relationship we used to have, at one time.

So, today, I had asked if she wanted to go shopping with me and the girls- I have Christmas pictures coming up next weekend (If you book before the 19th at JCP, you get the CD for $49.99- this is great day because it is usually $150!!- I am that crazy person who NEEDS to have our pics) so, we stopped at McD's for chicken nuggets and headed over today.  When I get there, my Dad volunteered to take the little Ladies- so we got a free day! (Which Mom and I now owe my Dad! LOL)

Carter's has some great deals going on- in store and online!  I got $40 dresses for my girlie's for $20 and I was able to use the 20% coupon from their email also!  I also had to get PJ's (yes, everything is matching with this kids!)

Then it was a Bath & Body Works run- because they are right there, after all!  Trying Merry Marshmallow this time. I am so disappointed- no more Love, Love, Love... That was my GO TO scent!

Then hit TJ Max (again, right there!) and picked up a cute lighted Christmas bird house for my mantel! My Mom also got me a MOOSE - I frickin LOVE Moose!! Great deals there!

We then HAD to go to Sam's Club.  I hate being out of Pepsi!

It was a great day. Thank you Mom for the great memory!

Kids: Elf on the Shelf

Our family is pretty new to Elf on the Shelf- as we just started the tradition last christmas.  Our little Elf is always up to no good.  His name is ELFRICK- my oldest named him.  He was all over our old house last year, hanging from the light fixtures, hidden in the tree, partying with Barbie and the DIsney Princesses. 

This year, Elfrick appeared shortly after we moved.  Our new house has a massive fireplace- something our old house didnt have.  Can you believe that Santa used to use the back door.  Luckily Mom and Dad would leave a key outside for him every year. (Yes, these are the questions that my oldest was asking at age 2 and 3!!)  Elfrick came to chill until his magic arrives.  He is sitting on the mantel watching my girls and at night he sneaks through the chimnea, back to the North Pole to give Santa his report.

Well, I got a copy of Elfrick's schedule for this year and boy oh boy is he a busy little elf who is up to all kinds of NO GOOD!

Hopefully my girls are good and Santa will give them wonderful presents, instead of coal!

Attached you will see the copy of our Elf, Elfricks' schedule!  I cant let the kids see- surprise is the purpose, but I cant wait to try to captrue these moments.  I sure do hope that Elfrick get's his magic on the 1st!!

Let the Holiday madness begin- tune in tomorrow for my topic of Christmas Presents!!!  Our lists are LONG in this house this year.

~til then~

Relationships: Passing by with just a HI!

This week has been filled with ups and downs for me. Tonight was no exception.

My Hubby has been working 10 hour days, 6 days a week for a while now.  His shift starts at 5 pm- but he leaves at 415 or so.  This makes it challenging!  I work at 5 am and get home with the kids around 3 pm- so we are kind of just passing each other- with a little hello in the morning- when he gets home at 4 am.

I think the most important thing is that we are MAKING it work.  It is not easy, but I am very proud of hubby for stepping up to the plate and, even through I have a full time job outside of the house, he is the bread winner.  I am sure it makes him feel good too.

But, (yea, we all knew one was coming, right!) nothing is getting done in the remodeled mess we are living in. I am kind of going crazy, but, being the good wife I am, I just act like I am not bothered and keep my lips sealed.  I tried to get the desk together in our room- unsuccessfully! It is sitting in the middle of the room and driving me MAD! That was Monday... It is still sitting where it was and its Friday.. Me, not so happy about this..

The couch in the living room was sitting on the floor and VERY uncomfortable.  We had talked about putting the feet on it weeks ago.  Yet, a month and a half later, guess what- still no feet. So, last night, as sick as I was, I had the help of a 4 year old- and got those darn feet on that heavy couch! GO ME! (toot toot!)

I also had a rug for the living room- a BIG rug at that, that I was able to get down, finally, right!

I am taking on so many responsibilities and while I appreciate Jason for making that paper- I am still in need of his help to get stuff done.  I am itching for a stove- reasonably so, I think.  But, I am choosing to "PICK MY BATTLES" - because a) life is to short and b) time is precious!

Our life is good, don't get me wrong.  We are handling everything just fine, we are making it work.  It is not always easy as a couple, but I think that we are seeing everything in a different light. 


Hubby and I are unique, in that, we are able to connect and be 'in-tune' even when we are not together.  There is also text-messaging- thank goodness!

So, as I close on this Friday eve, this week has been especially rough- with sicknesses and lack of sleep and crazy kids- but, we are communicating just fine and that is enough for this week.  Next week hopefully we will be bringing sexy back! LOL

 

Interesting Read- WILL COUPLE BE JAILED FOR RETURNING ADOPTED SON AFTER 9 YRS- wtih my opinion!

This article is about a family from Ohio that adopted a boy 9 years ago and now, after 9 years, they want to give him back because of his behavioral issues, stating that he is aggressive.

I am a Mother- stating this, how can anyone, being in a Parental role, not PARENT!  These people have raised this little boy from infancy, and what is their reason for his behavior- a family history of aggressive behavior? Based on what?  As a parent, this would only mean that the methods you are using are not working- so try something new.

Jail time though?  I don't know.  I think they need mandatory counciling for both them and the poor boy. How horrible of an outcome for him- I don't know the circumstances of his adoption, but that can play a huge role on self esteem issues within him.  I am still mind-blown here!  I think they should NOT be able to put him back into the system- shame on them.

The more I keep writing, the more infuriated I am getting.. C'mon people- grow up!!! 


http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/will-couple-be-jailed-for-returning-adopted-son-after-nine-years--194054370.html

Sick...Ugh

The sickness has arrived, and Mommy is DOWN! 
I was not feeling well last night, so no blogging- instead it was nighttime meds and sleepy time for me!

I had to do work today- so despite my clogged head, I had to muster through my workload. I hate being sick! This is crappy sick too!  Sore throat, cough and lots of SNOT! Yea... 

SO, here I am, letting the world know that my house is under attack, but were fighting! Thank you Tylnol.

Now I am ready for my night time dose and la la land! 

Hopefully tomorrow will be better, I have a lot to talk about!!  Like, I am really having Baby Blues- but we are DONE- no more babies here.  So stay tuned...

A BAD Mommy Day!

Tonight I am praying to the Lord for forgiveness!  I am having a ROUGH night, again, for the third night in a row. Tonight is different though because I have finally exploded!
Right now I have a two year old who is napping for, on average, two hours in the afternoon, sleeping, when she does sleep, for twelve SOLID hours and when she wakes from nap she is a whine MESS! And screaming that she is TIRED and WANTS ME... Then I have a four years old who is coming home from school today and has a sassy mouth, once again! LORD HELP ME!
I am trying to find my calm, only after a screaming match with MISS SASSY PANTS HERSELF!

So, we get home, Kait is whining, as usual! She goes into her fit.  Kam is talking back to me.  I asked her to take a stool back to the kitchen where she got it since she was done with it and it turned into, "No Mom, you do it. I dont have to. I just want to do what I want to do, do you hear me, DO YOU HEAR ME.."  Yes, there was yelling in this sentence.  I was like, Kam, please dont talk to me like that.  Reply: "I will talk to you how I want, I do what I want, do you hear me MOM."  I told her to stop sassing and she told me NO.  This is where I grab my trustee wooden spoon, of which I rarely have to use- its more of a bargaining chip. Well, she kept it up and kept it up- finally getting her Dad involved- where she got a swat on her bottom, and was told to sit on the couch for time out- she choose to tell him NO, and profess how he couldnt do that to her and blah blah blah.  This is FOUR people!  WTF.  I am losing my mind and we are not against spanking, we are not against soap in the mouth- but it doesnt work with this kid.  I havent figured out what does work yet- AH, the joy of parenting.  He mangaed to reason with her little sassy butt and she ended up doing fifteen minutes in her room, crying for every minute.

My thoughts at this point- God its gonig to be a LONG night!

So, then before Hubby went off to work we had a full fledged MELT DOWN from Kait- aka Miss Whiner! Yea, starting the rest of my night off right- NOT!

So, after a half an hour of her crying fit, nothing calming her down or distracting her, or making her Happy- I finally sat everyone down for dinner- with the help of a cookie for snack!  We did bath time- all our usual routine.  Then they played- Kait screaming for the duration of the time- Mommy trying to stay calm and gently say, knock it off!

Then, all hell broke loose.  I HATE BEDTIME! Both girls are TIRED. There day started at 7 AM  - Kam had school so she was basically running on fumes.  I got Kait settled in her bed- yes, she is still in the crib- grr.  We are working on potty training and the big transition to the big girl bed- so far neither are going well.  (feeling like a failure of a MOM here!)
Kam on the other hand was catching a second wind from her fumes.  I watched something random on Disney Jr- then asked if she were ready for me to pat her back.  She said YES- but I knew it wasnt going to go well.  Screamining and yelling- lots of sassing and forty five minutes later.  I want to cry- I feel like i should cry in front of her so that she knows what her behavior does when  she asks so mean.  But instead I stick to my guns- stay strong and tell her that it is bedtime and she needs to get rest.  Why does she sass so much! Its so frustrating.  I am trying to be respectful of all the changes we are going through- but damn! This is crazy.  Finally she tells me to say sorry and follows up with if you dont say sorry I wont go to bed.  Where does she get this from?  I dont talk to her in any way, shape or form, like this.  I ask her if she thinks it is ok to talk to me like that, she tells me no, and I ask her how she would feel if when she is a Mommy, her kids talked to her like that, she said Not good... I asked her to think about that when she talks to me- and explained my JOB as a Mommy.  She said she understands, but then she got back out of bed and ran around the house yelling and acting crazy!  She woke up her sister and I just told her to get in her bed NOW! I meant it too!!!  God has to give me strength, because I am afraid I am going to lose it!  I need a MOMMY TIME OUT! Please!!

I will survive, I will do this all over again tomorrow and hope for a better night, I will love my kid unconditionally- but I will NOT put up with her behavior.  The next stop for her is she will get her room cleaned out- which has happened before, when she was 3.  We joke because we swear that she is an OLD SOUL- like she has been here before.  I dont doubt it -she is well older than four, but it does not excuse disrespect and I will not encourage disrespect- especially since i have been trying to teach respect since birth. 

To top it all off- we have the desk  - kind of put together-  in our room.  I have been waiting since Sunday to have it put together and yet, here it sits, still not together.  I decided to try to handle it myself- without any luck. Throw me a bone, please!

Onto tomorrow... Hump Day... Bring it!!!