I swear I'm going to go insane trying to figure out if I should quit daycare sooner than my April 1st deadline. Is everyone sick of hearing about this yet...??? I am.
After Friday, I am down to 4 kids. I am planning on keeping Elle since she is part time and a friend of the family.....I don't mind watching her 2 - 3 days a week. So technically, I'm doing daycare for the income I get from the other 3 kids. Add to that the fact that I am losing money by not working more hours at the shop and you have me down to about 1 kid that I am making money from (extra money). That. is. not. worth. it!
UGH!!!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Turkey Weekend
Happy Day after Thanksgiving! It's Black Friday and we are in Illinios with my in-laws for the weekend. We had a really nice Thanksgiving yesterday. Stayed at the house and everyone came over for way too much turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes. I got so full.....twice. I couldn't seem to learn from the first meal that I should take it easy on the second...reheat at 8pm...meal. Jason and my father in law were in charge of the turkey. They deep fried it! It was fondue for a 22 pound bird. Oh my gosh! I took pictures and a video of Jay lowering it in the vat of oil. It was pretty cool actually....I got a bit nervous about the kids being out in the garage around it though. They had strict instructions to stay away! It was so yummy!
I was looking through the ads yesterday to see if there were any "can't do without" items worth getting up at 3am for. There were a few and I was seriously considering going to Toys R' Us at midnight when they opened......but decided it wasn't worth it. I just remember last year when Amy and I went there......Oh. My. Lord! What a zoo! Instead, Jay and I got up at 8am, had some breakfast and took our time getting to the places we wanted to. First Walmart where I had one ad item I was really hoping for. I can't say here what it was, but let's just say it was in the electronics section and I was holding out NO hope that they would actually have any left. There was an employee in the area asking everyone if they needed help finding things.....I figured...what the heck, can't hurt to ask. I did and, as expected, he said they were gone first thing this morning. But wait......he reached behind himself into a cart of odds and ends things that had to be put away and pulled one out! I couldn't believe it. A woman next to us got excited and asked if there was another one...yep, one more. What luck was that!!
Today we'll play some pinnacle and eat some leftovers. Tomorrow it's off to see Jay's grandma Mary and then to his cousins house at night. The boys are pretty excited about seeing their cousins......they love all the new stuff they have there to play with.
All in all, having a good time! I only wish I could sleep in a bit....I've been up before 8am each morning so far. I think I miss my bed.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Lemonheads
I was looking for pictures last night for my Sunday post and came across a short video I had taken. It was from Feb. 2006 when Tanner was just a year old. I had forgotten all about it until I watched it....and then watched it again.....and then called Jason over to watch it with me. It's so adorable! The best part is in the middle with Tony. He is 2 1/2 yrs. old and too stinkin' cute!! Oh my gosh, that voice. I just had to share.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday Snapshot
I've been neglecting my blog this week, so what better way to get back on board than to brag about one of the boys....an easy thing to do. ;)
This week's Sunday Snapshot is Tanner (So far, I've done Tyler and Tony) Tanner Bananner....my Tanner baby. He's going to be 5 in January and yet he is still my baby. Seems weird that when Tyler was 5, he was already a big brother to 2 others. I suppose though that it's normal to mooch on the youngest for just a bit longer.
Tanner was our big surprise baby. Everyone's gotta have one a those, huh? I had 4 boys already between the ages of 9mos. and 6 when I found out about this new little one. I was a tad overwhelmed to say the least. I will remember always that evening when I got home from work and was going to tell Jay. I sat him down and barely had to say a thing.....he knew. He always knew....he was a pro at it, in fact. I remember I started to cry. Not because I was upset....never could I be upset about the news of a new life. But I was a busy mama with 4 crazy boys and not a ton o' dough...so you get the picture. He said the sweetest things to me and made me feel a ton better. Nine mos. later, there he was....and oh my goodness, we were in love.
Since then, Tanner has been such a joy. He is a total daddy's boy....Jason's heart melts for that kid. He's a moosher for his mom....aren't all boys. And he has managed to be the one brother that none of the others ever get mad at. Seems no matter what he does to annoy, bother, distract, or bug....they take it and laugh. His brothers get as big a kick outta him as we do.
He talks with this expression on his face...his eyes moving and opening wide as he tells you something and his mouth exaggerating it's pronunciations as though every word it so vital and important....you just have to listen. It's the cutest thing and so often I find myself just grabbing him mid-sentence to pull him in for a squeeze.
He has a blankie that started out as a soft minty green receiving blanket when he was an infant. It is now an unrecognizable fraction of it's former self. It's torn and tattered....barely a fourth the size it once was. It's color is now a dirty, dingy, light-light-hardly-green-at-all color. But oh, how he loves that thing. Just the mere threat of taking it away for the day will get that kid to do just about anything for you. Frankly, I couldn't care less if he hid it away in his suitcase and brought it with him to college.......problem is, he sucks his thumb whenever it's in his hands. So, as much as I hate to.....we're going to have to "lose" it.....soon. His dentist is threatening metal contraptions and electric shock therapy if we don't break the habit. What can I say, I told you he was our baby.
He started preschool this year and has a love-hate thing going on with it. He enjoys it while he's there, but still wants to tell me every morning he goes that he'd rather not. He says he misses me too much while he's there....now, THERE is a good reason to not want to go to school. ;)
He's got a quiet nature around new people and surroundings. He can be a little unsure of himself if he's out of his comfort zone. But when he's at home....he's all boy and quiet is not even an option.
He has dimples for days........
He LOVES Cars. Cars, the movie....matchbox cars....convertibles he sees outside....anything to do with cars and he's a happy camper.
It will be really interesting to see how he is as a big brother. I know he'll be a good one, but it will be a whole new world for him. He'll lose his 'baby' position. Well.....I'm sure I can still keep him my Tanner baby.
This week's Sunday Snapshot is Tanner (So far, I've done Tyler and Tony) Tanner Bananner....my Tanner baby. He's going to be 5 in January and yet he is still my baby. Seems weird that when Tyler was 5, he was already a big brother to 2 others. I suppose though that it's normal to mooch on the youngest for just a bit longer.
Tanner was our big surprise baby. Everyone's gotta have one a those, huh? I had 4 boys already between the ages of 9mos. and 6 when I found out about this new little one. I was a tad overwhelmed to say the least. I will remember always that evening when I got home from work and was going to tell Jay. I sat him down and barely had to say a thing.....he knew. He always knew....he was a pro at it, in fact. I remember I started to cry. Not because I was upset....never could I be upset about the news of a new life. But I was a busy mama with 4 crazy boys and not a ton o' dough...so you get the picture. He said the sweetest things to me and made me feel a ton better. Nine mos. later, there he was....and oh my goodness, we were in love.
Since then, Tanner has been such a joy. He is a total daddy's boy....Jason's heart melts for that kid. He's a moosher for his mom....aren't all boys. And he has managed to be the one brother that none of the others ever get mad at. Seems no matter what he does to annoy, bother, distract, or bug....they take it and laugh. His brothers get as big a kick outta him as we do.
He talks with this expression on his face...his eyes moving and opening wide as he tells you something and his mouth exaggerating it's pronunciations as though every word it so vital and important....you just have to listen. It's the cutest thing and so often I find myself just grabbing him mid-sentence to pull him in for a squeeze.
He has a blankie that started out as a soft minty green receiving blanket when he was an infant. It is now an unrecognizable fraction of it's former self. It's torn and tattered....barely a fourth the size it once was. It's color is now a dirty, dingy, light-light-hardly-green-at-all color. But oh, how he loves that thing. Just the mere threat of taking it away for the day will get that kid to do just about anything for you. Frankly, I couldn't care less if he hid it away in his suitcase and brought it with him to college.......problem is, he sucks his thumb whenever it's in his hands. So, as much as I hate to.....we're going to have to "lose" it.....soon. His dentist is threatening metal contraptions and electric shock therapy if we don't break the habit. What can I say, I told you he was our baby.
He started preschool this year and has a love-hate thing going on with it. He enjoys it while he's there, but still wants to tell me every morning he goes that he'd rather not. He says he misses me too much while he's there....now, THERE is a good reason to not want to go to school. ;)
He's got a quiet nature around new people and surroundings. He can be a little unsure of himself if he's out of his comfort zone. But when he's at home....he's all boy and quiet is not even an option.
He has dimples for days........
He LOVES Cars. Cars, the movie....matchbox cars....convertibles he sees outside....anything to do with cars and he's a happy camper.
It will be really interesting to see how he is as a big brother. I know he'll be a good one, but it will be a whole new world for him. He'll lose his 'baby' position. Well.....I'm sure I can still keep him my Tanner baby.
Monday, November 16, 2009
What a week
Busy, busy, busy! There just never seems to be enough hours in the day. I thought yesterday would be a good day to clean, relax, do my 'snapshot sunday' post....but I opted to spend some money instead. Ha! I called my sis in law and we headed to Ikea. I had only been there one other time, years ago, and really wasn't crazy about it. Well, I don't know if my tastes have changed or what, but I could have gone pretty nutso in that place. I was looking for stuff for Christmas, (can't say what yet on here cuz I have a certain son who just might see this) but I can tell you afterwards. Let me just say that I am SOOOO excited for Christmas and the huge surprise we have for one of our kiddos. When I'm done doing daycare and we can maybe focus on re-doing and updating some of our house, that will be the place I go first. I haven't mentioned to Jay yet what I spent there....hey, he hasn't asked. It was not bad considering what I got and besides....I feel like I got it all for free. I had the chance to make a little extra cash on Sat. night. I'm not saying how.....all I'll say is "thank you, John the dealer, for all those blackjacks". That's all I'm saying, nothing else. My brothers are such a bad influence on me (I'm blaming them......).
I just told a daycare parent this morning that I would not be able to watch her son any longer. She told me a few weeks ago that her husband was getting a new job that would have him home Monday through Thursday, so could I just watch him on Friday. I said yes before giving it any thought. It wasn't until a couple days later that it occurred to me he would be here until 5pm on those Fridays. Um..no. I'm getting spoiled with everyone else being gone by 3:45 and having only this boy until 4:30. But NOW....if he's only here on Fridays and until even later, it's just not worth it to me, and that's just what I said to her. I was really dreading it actually. I really like his parents and he's a nice kid too, but for the $10 I get on the days he's got Kindergarten (every other Friday) it is not worth him being here over an hour longer than any other. She was pretty disappointed. She said she just hates to take him out of my care because she feels so relaxed with me watching him and totally trusts me with him. A nice compliment from a mom. She even asked if I would reconsider if she was able to find a way to pick him up by 3:45. I told her I would 'consider' it. I didn't want to make the same mistake as before and answer to quickly. So, we'll see.
I just told a daycare parent this morning that I would not be able to watch her son any longer. She told me a few weeks ago that her husband was getting a new job that would have him home Monday through Thursday, so could I just watch him on Friday. I said yes before giving it any thought. It wasn't until a couple days later that it occurred to me he would be here until 5pm on those Fridays. Um..no. I'm getting spoiled with everyone else being gone by 3:45 and having only this boy until 4:30. But NOW....if he's only here on Fridays and until even later, it's just not worth it to me, and that's just what I said to her. I was really dreading it actually. I really like his parents and he's a nice kid too, but for the $10 I get on the days he's got Kindergarten (every other Friday) it is not worth him being here over an hour longer than any other. She was pretty disappointed. She said she just hates to take him out of my care because she feels so relaxed with me watching him and totally trusts me with him. A nice compliment from a mom. She even asked if I would reconsider if she was able to find a way to pick him up by 3:45. I told her I would 'consider' it. I didn't want to make the same mistake as before and answer to quickly. So, we'll see.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans Day
On this Veteran's Day I am feeling a bit more patriotic and emotional than usual. Maybe it's because my heart has been with the 13 soldiers who were killed last week by someone they should have been able to trust. Maybe it's because I honked and waved to an older vet today who was waving a flag on the highway overpass. Maybe because our country is at such a time of turmoil and uncertainty....where many have really forgotten what has made this country great.
To all the military members...past and present...and their family who sacrifice along side of them. God bless and Thank you.
Saying goodbye for a long time....
Sending dad our hugs....
Two Marine Corps Birthday Balls.....
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag....
God Bless America!
To all the military members...past and present...and their family who sacrifice along side of them. God bless and Thank you.
Saying goodbye for a long time....
Sending dad our hugs....
Two Marine Corps Birthday Balls.....
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag....
God Bless America!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sunday Snapshot
You may remember that last week I started something called Sunday Snapshot. Well, this week, I'm gonna brag about Tyler. Hey, if a mom can't brag about her kiddo, who can.
Tyler is my oldest, my first born, the one who made me a mama. He was our only one not born in Minnesota. We were stationed in North Carolina, so New Bern is his birthplace. Jason was deployed to Italy when he was 2 mos. and was gone until he was 9 mos. old, missing his very first Christmas.
Tyler turned 12 this year and has started 7th grade. As always, he is doing so well. He's the sort of kid who has to study very minimally to get A's and B's in school. His teachers always comment on what a nice kid he is......this year, his new Language teacher told me that she's the sort of kid she could take home. What a nice compliment that was.
He's played the trumpet for 3 yrs now and absolutely loves it. His band directer says he has a natural gift.
He just finished his 2nd year of football and really enjoys playing. He had a bit of a rough time this year, but is not going to quit....just switch teams next year. He loves it.
He opted out of wrestling this year. His season doesn't start until January so I'm really hoping he reconsiders.
Tyler loves to fish and really wants to learn the ins and outs of golfing. We went camping a lot this year and he would be happy just standing on a dock fishing all day. That is so his nature.
He's such a kind heart. He's not too old...yet....to come up and give me a hug and ask how I'm doing today. Sometimes he'll even come up behind me on the couch and play with my hair and ask if there's anything I need. Gosh, I love that boy.
He's anxious to get his own room, something we've promised him is coming when I'm done doing daycare, and having some privacy from his little brother.
He's a great big brother to his 4 younger ones and he is so completely excited to have a little sister.
This summer he was having a really hard time with me doing daycare. He was frustrated and tired of it....I know how he feels.....so we went to the park, let the kids play, and sat down to talk.
I told him we were going to make a pros and cons list. We started with the cons to having me do daycare. He came up with things like....They get into my stuff, I have to share mom, mom gets tired easier, we are stuck at the house all summer, mom can't chaperone field trips.....fifteen things in all that I have always done, but can't for the last year because of doing daycare. Then the pros list. It had only one thing on it. Three words, to be exact. Getting a sister. We then looked at the list.....heavily weighed in favor of me quitting daycare....and I asked him. If I told you I could quit doing daycare, but then we would not be able to adopt....would you be happy about that? He said no. I want you to finish. I want a little sister.
She'll be lucky to have you, sweetie.
Tyler is my oldest, my first born, the one who made me a mama. He was our only one not born in Minnesota. We were stationed in North Carolina, so New Bern is his birthplace. Jason was deployed to Italy when he was 2 mos. and was gone until he was 9 mos. old, missing his very first Christmas.
Tyler turned 12 this year and has started 7th grade. As always, he is doing so well. He's the sort of kid who has to study very minimally to get A's and B's in school. His teachers always comment on what a nice kid he is......this year, his new Language teacher told me that she's the sort of kid she could take home. What a nice compliment that was.
He's played the trumpet for 3 yrs now and absolutely loves it. His band directer says he has a natural gift.
He just finished his 2nd year of football and really enjoys playing. He had a bit of a rough time this year, but is not going to quit....just switch teams next year. He loves it.
He opted out of wrestling this year. His season doesn't start until January so I'm really hoping he reconsiders.
Tyler loves to fish and really wants to learn the ins and outs of golfing. We went camping a lot this year and he would be happy just standing on a dock fishing all day. That is so his nature.
He's such a kind heart. He's not too old...yet....to come up and give me a hug and ask how I'm doing today. Sometimes he'll even come up behind me on the couch and play with my hair and ask if there's anything I need. Gosh, I love that boy.
He's anxious to get his own room, something we've promised him is coming when I'm done doing daycare, and having some privacy from his little brother.
He's a great big brother to his 4 younger ones and he is so completely excited to have a little sister.
This summer he was having a really hard time with me doing daycare. He was frustrated and tired of it....I know how he feels.....so we went to the park, let the kids play, and sat down to talk.
I told him we were going to make a pros and cons list. We started with the cons to having me do daycare. He came up with things like....They get into my stuff, I have to share mom, mom gets tired easier, we are stuck at the house all summer, mom can't chaperone field trips.....fifteen things in all that I have always done, but can't for the last year because of doing daycare. Then the pros list. It had only one thing on it. Three words, to be exact. Getting a sister. We then looked at the list.....heavily weighed in favor of me quitting daycare....and I asked him. If I told you I could quit doing daycare, but then we would not be able to adopt....would you be happy about that? He said no. I want you to finish. I want a little sister.
She'll be lucky to have you, sweetie.
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