Monday, December 9, 2013

Happily Ever After... a figment of the imagination?

Happily Ever After Sign. 
When you're little, you dream about your future, the way your life is going to happen.  The reality is that people come, people go, only leaving an imprint on your life, a shadow of the place they once stood. Time goes by so fast, we are all just going through the motions that life guides us through, until one day, we are able to finally reflect on those events and come to the realization that while life is good today, tomorrow we might endure yet another struggle, another hurdle to overcome.  We just do it, going through the motions of life, hoping for an easier ride, praying for peace of mind and for a better day tomorrow. 

I doubt the Cinderella deals with the Prince and his differing ways of raising children, or the argument that occurs when your washer and dryer are uprooted to your kitchen for a week and you have laundry coming out of your ears and he just doesn't understand. 

I have been with my Hubby for over twelve years now and while we still have more good days than bad, it is always a journey.  I can't say that I honestly expected my life to be the way it is, and I in no way, shape or form mean that in a negative way. I can remember looking at the future and imaging a life of me taking care of the kids, acting goofy, eating dinner as a family with silly faces and lots of giggles, busting out Cosby style in a reenactment of RESPECT and just laughing more than anything else. 
This is NOT my reality!  Hubby expects kids to eat at the table, no talking, no laughing, no milk bubbles.  He doesn't understand girls are sensitive, even when my 4 YO says she cant stop crying he still wants to scream and yell at her to STOP.  I am a protector.  The root of alot of our problems.  We are not on the same team.  He doesn't think I discipline and i spoil rather than teach.  I think that he is grumpy and treats them like they are a burden, instead of a joyful blessing.  I have my moments, I never ignore that, but I do have patience and when I am at my breaking point it is due to the fact that I am with them 17 hours a day.  I honestly can't remember the last time Hubby was with them for even 8 hours a day.  I have told him, crying, that I don't want them to remember their childhood being afraid of him or Dad always yelling.  It scared the shit out of me.  I also don't want them to remember em like that either and when i get to that point I verbalize the fact that i am getting very upset and I am not joking. 
Funny how we waited so long to have kids and when we do, it is an uphill struggle.  But, as I said above, I just hold true to the belief that tomorrow will be better.  

Our relationship is good otherwise.  We are adjusting to not seeing each other, but it is what it is at this time in our lives.  We both HAVE to work right now. I pray that my day is coming where I can be at home with my girls.  I feel like i am missing so much of Kamee's Pre-K years, not being able to take her or pick her up, meet her teachers or participate in school parent volunteer activities.  I try to be realistic though and realize that staying at home might not be in my cards.   

Hubby and I are the best of friends, just wish we could be a parent team.  Maybe someday, like when they are over 18- LOL! 

Right now, I am thankful for my Hubby.  He has given us this house, his blood, sweat and tears.  I love this house, I love my family being in this house and although I am still praying to God for patience on its completion, I am thankful for the construction and creativity that this house has given us, even though the roads have been less than easy. (luckily it hasn't been with hubby, we remained a team through it all!)

Tonight, I am feeling very lonely, more so than usual.  I am burnt out with my girls and a little pissed off at Hubby, because, to be frank, he just doesn't get it.  
Yesterday I asked if I could run to the grocery store (Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards are bare! And our darn Milk Curdled- GROSS!)  and you would have thought I asked him for a million dollars.  I got a song and dance act about how much he has to do and how dare I ask him that.  I just wanted some peace and quiet.  I walked away, he tried to confront, I told him to leave it be, I wasn't arguing with him, he told me I don't talk to him about anything and to find someone else to talk to... I kept my mouth shut!  This is so hard for me, but I am getting SO good at getting 'picking my battles!'

I thought about it last night, crying in the shower (don't know what the deal is with crying in the shower, but seems to be my MO!) - I chose this life,  I chose to be a Mom, and while I love it and could NOT imaging my life without my girls, Home girl needs to break sometimes, right? 

But, I sacrifice, take one for the team, again and sucked it up, only to run to the store today.  I not only worked (I leave for work so early in the morning) I picked up my girls and headed to the chaotic world of grocery!  I tried to keep everyone cool, calm and focused.  I had a whooper of a list too!  Got it done, loaded my car in 29* weather- freezing, with lovely, cold wind. Then, home I am, to unload it all, while two children sit on the couch screaming for a snack!  Then it was putting it all away and since it was too late by then, bundled up the girls and ran to McDonald's for a quick dinner. the best part was pulling into the driveway as "All I want for Christmas" came over the radio- in which my two ladies and I sang at the top or our lungs.  Its true, all I want for Christmas is you, baby!  (that goes to my girls and of course, my hubby!- at the end of the day I still could not imaging myself with ANYONE else)  My life is so interesting, isn't it!

I'm living a dream here.   Its not a bad life by any means, it is just like any other life, its chaotic, its ridiculous at times, trying, happy, sad, crazy and full of drama. I guess this is my Happily Ever After, after all.  I just need to help it along a little.    



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Well, I have been M I A a lot this week.  Call it a funk, if you will.  I have been busy with preparations for Christmas, kids, life and overall just a FUNK.  I was getting over the...Plague.. seems to fit right!  I have been racking my brain on what to buy for whom and all that fun stuff and asking Hubby if I can run to the store, sans kids, only to get a song and dance act..from him!

Oh and my Mom-Van was down, needing some TLC.  Thank GOD my Hubby is a Mechanic- but his time is sparse as is and trying to fit in my "Hoe" was based on HIS TIME- oh frickin JOY!

Good news is that I got a Girls day on Saturday.  We took off to Auburn Hills with my 4 YO and had a wonderful day!  Of all people to run into, an hour and a half away from home, I run into my Boss.  CRAZY, right!

My 2 YO got left behind with her Papa while Hubby worked on our laundry room and my truck in the COLD.  It has arrived, snow and cold temperatures, and all that!  But, we arrived home around eight, got my little ladies to bed and fell asleep on the couch, on hubby!  Hells Bells- you would think that I would want to spend some time with Hubby, who I only get one night with a week, but inside my own personal funk all I want to do is sleep.

I also have been staying away from my Blog world because I have recently been thinking about reformatting.  I want to be an author and Life at Gray Gables is supposed to be about me as a whole. I started this blog to share a part of the real me, unfiltered and also to document our life for my children. A part of that real me I am trying to be, lies a girl who writes, a lot!

But, with that being said, I feel like I am being uplifted and trying to come back to my blog real world!

So here is to dedication and keeping it REAL! Kelley style at least!

Does this mean RA is calling out to the Harem Ladies? Cause I am totally ready to answer.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Its ALL about An American Girl.. named Ruthie?

Oh, the time has come for our family to be introduced to Ruthie, an American Girl Doll and Kit's BFF.  Hubby is not thrilled, but Mom is Super Excited!  Ms 4 YO picked Ruthie in her catalog and it was a HUGE decision for me to try to incorporate this gift in our Christmas.  The plus is that we started a tradition with our kids in which they get a few gifts from Mom and Dad.  Well, 4 YO is getting AG and 2 YO is getting a Barbie Jeep Power Wheels car (only because 4 YO has a power wheel 4 wheeler and a power wheel dune car thing and 2 YO cant reach the pedals on either). 

I fully intended to get the doll- but, due to it being Cyber Monday, I ended up getting the doll, some clothes, a braid headband and a bed for this dang blasted doll.

So, I went through this process of debating whether to get the girl at Christmas or for 4 YO's bday, which is in February.  My idea was to take her to AG for her 5th birthday.  The store in Ohio is about a hour and a half away and they have an Afternoon Tea that she would die at a chance to attend!

After some talks with the elders of the family, it was a go.  One of my cousins recommended I call soon because they book up FAST!  So, today was the day.  I sat at my desk in my blue cube, taking notes from the website to make my BIG call!

The line rang and a voice comes over, super nice, walking me through the process.  I was interested in learning more about the Birthday Package vs. the Tea.  Well, the Tea was right for my 4 yo- BUT, of course, it is only available for 4!!  Well, there is 4 YO, 2 YO, Me, Mom and Grandma- um, that's 5 YO!

So, I booked it for her BIG day- but has some talking to do with the elders.

We were interested in the Birthday Party but that would mean the Men would have to come.  I talked it over with Hubby and was not so nicely greeted with a HELL NO, I am not going to a doll store to have an expensive party for a girl and her doll.  Way to take on for the team Daddy-o.

Oh, well.  We are going to try to find another way! I think that this is going to be the best, most memorable 5th Birthday that I can give her.

I just can't wait to get the dang doll!  She should be here any day.  Ruthie is super cute with her long brown hair and gray eyes, much like my Ms. 4 YO.

I am SO Excited!

XOXO ~K
American Girl Ruthie - American Girl

Christmas pictures on display 2013

These are just the ones I put on my desk. More to come later!!!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The great DEBATE- Pepsi -or- Coke?

Pepsi vs. Coke


I can't help but laugh at this, because this is SO me!  I HAVE to have Pepsi.  Coke just is NOT Pepsi- hands down.  I grew up drinking Pepsi- I don't really know if my Parents made the conscience decision based on taste or branding- but it was always the BLUE can in my house growing up.

Hubby grew up on Coke.  To this day, my FIL will ONLY drink COKE!  This is crazy because during the 12 years that Hubby and I have been together, he drinks PEPSI.  YES - the proof is in the pudding- people!

To me, its TASTE.  I think the Coke tastes Flat.  I like my bubbles!!  I am what I like to call a "Hard Core" Pepsi -aholic.  I don't drink alcohol.  Actually, true story here... I turned 21 - and I came, I saw, I tried, I picked an ice cold Pepsi to a Cranberry Vodka- and yes, this is me being absolutely SERIOUS!

I drank Pepsi all through my 1st Pregnancy- OMG- call the Pop Preggo Police on my butt!  She came out perfectly healthy people.  I actually cut back when I found out I was pregnant with #2- and by the end of my pregnancy I had cut it out completely.  Again, another healthy girl.  

I actually only drank 1 can there after I had #2- slowly switching out of Pepsi to Diet Mountain Dew- um, MISTAKE!  I had ZERO cavities and when I went to the Dentist this year (after a year of Dt Dew) I have 12- WTF!  Now, after hundreds of unnecessary dollars (Thank you Diet Dew) I am back on my Pepsi kick.  I will take the 150 calories - never had cavities before this crap and yes I am an OCD person who HAS to brush, gargle twice a day. 

So, that being said, I crave my Pepsi.  I love my Pepsi.  I wish I didn't drink Pop at all- but I do and for me it HAS TO BE A PEPSI!!!

Kind of curious how Coke and Pepsi weight in to others.. .One of those questions that I don't NEED to know but am just curious.

Pepsi RULES!

Coke vs. Pepsi: The Story Behind the Never-ending 'Cola Wars'









Gearing up for Kindergarten...my Baby will be 5 in February- EEK!

kindergarten2

As the realization starts to hit me that my Big Girl will be 5 in TWO SHORT MONTHS- I have to re access where we are at in her learning in order for her to be prepared for her school days.

She is currently in Pre-K and frankly, she is bored out of her mind.  She is only attending two days a week and basically we are paying for socialization at this point.  It is good for her to have "friends" but has left me feeling pretty guilty for NOT testing her for Kindergarten this school year.

She is smart as a whip- although I am kind of bias because she is my kiddo!  She pays attention (OK, sometimes) and comprehends.  This past year we lost our two pets, a few months apart, and its so hard to explain and understand being an adult.  This kid is asking me all sorts of questions about heaven and death and what happens to our body when we die and our souls- what 4 year old knows about a soul?

Since she has been born, we have joked that she has been 'here' before.  Most days I truly believe this!

So, gearing up for Kindergarten time - here is the list (and a SPECIAL Thank You to www.ICanTeachMyChild.com who I am sharing this from!)

Personal and Social Development

Approach to learning
  • Shows eagerness and curiosity as a learner
  • Persists in task and seeks help when encountering a problem
  • Is generally pleasant and cooperative
Self-Control
  • Follows rules and routines
  • Manages transitions (going from one activity to the next)
  • Demonstrates normal activity level

Interactions with Others
  • Interacts easily with one or more children
  • Interacts easily with familiar adults
  • Participates in group activities
  • Plays well with others
  • Takes turns and shares
  • Cleans up after play
Conflict Resolution
  • Seeks adult help when needed to resolve conflicts
  • Uses words to resolve conflicts
Language and Literacy
Listening
  • Listens with understanding to directions and conversations
  • Follows one-step directions
  • Follows two-step directions
Speaking
  • Speaks clearly enough to be understood without contextual clues
  • Relates experiences with some understanding of sequences of events
Literature and Reading
  • Listens with interest to stories read aloud
  • Shows interest in reading-related activities
  • Retells information from a story
  • Sequences three pictures to tell a logical story
Writing
  • Uses pictures to communicate ideas
  • Uses scribbles, shapes, and letter-like symbols to write words or ideas
Alphabet Knowledge
  • Recites/sings alphabet
  • Matches upper-case letters
  • Matches lower-case letters
  • Identifies upper-case letters
  • Identifies lower-case letters
Mathematical Thinking
Patterns and Relationships
  • Sorts by color, shape, and size
  • Orders or separates several objects on the basis of one attribute
  • Recognizes simple patterns and duplicates them

Number concept and operations

  • Counts to 20
  • Counts objects with meaning to 10
  • Matches numerals
  • Identifies by naming, numerals 0-10

Geometry and spatial relations

  • Identifies 4 shapes- circle, square, rectangle, triangle
  • Demonstrates concepts of positional/directional concepts (up/down, over/under, in/out, behind/in front of, beside/between, top/bottom, inside/outside, above/below, high/low, right/left, off/on, first/last, far/near, go/stop).

Measurement

  • Shows understanding of and uses comparative words (big/little, large/small, short/long, tall/short, slow/fast, few/many, empty/full, less/more.
Physical Development
Gross-Motor Skills
  • Pedals and steers a tricycle
  • Jumps in place, landing on two feet
  • Jumps consecutively- 7 jumps
  • Balances on one foot for 5 seconds
  • Hops on one foot 2-3 hops
  • Hops on one foot- 6 ft.
  • Throws a ball with direction- 5 ft.
  • Catches a thrown ball with arms and body
  • Climbs a playground ladder
  • Skips smoothly for 20 feet

Fine-Motor Skills
  • Stacks 10, one-inch blocks
  • Strings 4 1/2″ beads in two minutes
  • Completes a seven piece interlocking puzzle
  • Makes a pancake, snake, and ball from play dough
  • Grasps pencil correctly
  • Copies:  vertical line, horizontal line, circle, cross, square, V, triangle
  • Copies first name
  • Prints first name without a model
  • Grasps scissors correctly
  • Cuts within 1/4″ of a 6″ straight line on construction paper
  • Cuts out a 3″ square on construction paper
  • Cuts out a 3″ triangle on construction paper
  • Cuts out a 3″ circle on construction paper
  • Uses a glue stick appropriately
  • Uses appropriate amount of glue for tasks

The Arts
Creative Arts
  • Identifies 10 colors:  red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, black, white, brown, pink
  • Uses a variety of art materials for tactile experience and exploration

Music/Movement
  • Participates in group music experiences
  • Participates in creative movement/dance
Creative Dramatics
  • Makes believe with objects
  • Takes on pretend roles and situations

The good news is, as of this day- we are right on target!  Go Girl!

Now my nerves for the big day and all my anxiousness because working full time I am going to miss it!  It already sucks that i am missing SO much of Pre-K.  Hopefully these little ladies know that everything we do is for them!

Bring on Kindergarten, she is READY!








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