A day in the life

I can't believe Spring Break is over and school starts tomorrow. Somebody asked me today if I had any big plans for the week and I said no just the normal craziness that is involved.

My mornings are crazy! Tyler has to be at school by 7:55. He is old enough to walk but when the weather is nasty, I like to take him. If Bill is in town, he can take him if not, it's me and the 3 younger boys who take him. Then it is back home to quickly finish getting the other kids ready because Jacob has to be at school by 8:35 and Joshua by 8:45. Jacob has to be picked up at 11:40 so by the time I get back from Joshua's school, Isaiah and I have about 2 and 1/2 hours to ourselves. I usually get a load of laundry in, an episode (or two) of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and maybe a chance to finish my coffee before it's time to go again. We leave to get Jacob and we have to get home because Joshua's bus drops him off at 12:30. Then it's lunch, dishes, naps, more laundry, maybe dust or sweep, the bathroom needs touched up, the dog needs to go out, did I make my bed yet? What is for dinner? When can I check "facebook" or write a blog? I have given up on ever catching up with "The Young and the Restless" Oh, wait 3 o'clock time to pick up Tyler (unless he walks)! Then it's time to start dinner, break up a few "wrestling" matches, don't forget talking on the phone and taking Isaiah to the bathroom. By now, if Bill is coming home, he is walking in the door. Time for dinner, more wrestling, put the clothes away, give kids baths, get them off to bed. Finally, it's 8:30/9 o'clock, shower for me? No, Tyler first, he has school in the morning. Now, I take my shower, watch the Cavs game, American Idol, CSI, or maybe Criminal Minds with Bill for a little while then it's off to bed because 6:30 comes early.

This is just a brief example of a day in my life. Of course, I left out a few things...errands, commitments, kids sporting events, appointments, etc. Tyler has informed us that he wants to try out for football (I am not crazy about it because I don't want him to get hurt, but I will support him), that starts Monday afternoon and lasts through the summer into next school year.

As crazy as it seems...I love it. I love the opportunity to spend time with my husband and kids, to be able to see them grow, everyday is something new. Sure, I have been known to complain and I often need a break but I find it an honor to be called "mom." Some day they will not be as needy, maybe then I will take time for myself ,but I doubt it. I will be too busy missing days when I didn't even have time to comb my hair!

What a week...

and it's only Wednesday! I have a very busy schedule this week. It is Spring Break for the kids and of course we have typical Ohio weather, crummy. My mom took this week off so we have spent some time with her. So, Monday, she decided to have "Breakfast at Grandmas" we were there by 8 and afterwards we thought we would do some Goodwill shopping, no good finds, so back to grandmas we went. After spending the afternoon there, it was back home to make dinner for my family. Tuesday, we went to lunch with Bill and back out shopping, this time to Walmart, got a few things we needed. I had an appointment to get my hair done that night. And, boy, did it need cut. Today, we went to the West Side Market in Cleveland. We found a bunch of great deals. That is the place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. For 6 dollars, I bought 4lbs. red grapes, 2 pints of strawberries, and a 3lb bag of apples. $2.25 bought a 5lb bag of carrots, lemons 4 for a dollar, cilantro 50 cents a bunch...okay, I'm sure you understand. Back to my week, after the market, we had lunch at my house and I took my mom home and we stayed for dinner. I came home in time to watch the Cavs, of course. Tomorrow, I am not sure what we are going to do but I do have to go craft shopping with Julie in the evening. Friday, I must find a way to clean my house, bake, and prep some food for Saturday. And find time to watch the Cavs game! And that brings me to Saturday when I am hosting a women's get together of about 10-15 ladies in the morning. That night Bill and I are getting our picture taken for our anniversary and going out to dinner to celebrate 8 years of bliss! Sunday, we are having a luncheon at church and I am making lasagna. The Cavs are on at one, (gotta make sure it is recording). That pretty much brings us to Monday...back to school and my normal crazy week. Spring break doesn't feel like much of a "break" this year.

What happens in the hot tub...

stays in the hot tub!

That is what the sign on the fence says.

(I wonder if the water from the squirt guns stayed "in the tub?")

This is how Bill spends some of his Saturday mornings. It is a great idea because he does it so I can sleep in. His intentions are there. The problem is the hot tub is right outside our bedroom window and the kids are not happy until the whole neighborhood is awake.

Back when I knew it all...

A funny thing happened to me last night, I was driving home from my mom and dad's house thinking about life and all that has been thrown my way. I turned up the radio and there was a song playing called "Back when I knew it all." I love country music (not everyone in my life shares that same passion but they have adjusted).

There was a time in life when I thought I knew it all. I knew more than everyone from the time I was 15 or 16 to probably 26, I was right and no one was going to tell me any different. But I think that I am "smarter" now than I ever was. I don't mean "book" smart I mean "real life" smart. As a kid, I remember my mom always trying to protect us from everything. If she had her way nothing would ever be hard for us. Now, that I am a mom I find myself protecting my kids but not to the point where they don't learn that life is hard and there are consequences for actions. As a kid you just think your parents are overbearing and they "don't understand" (I know, another song). When you got grounded it was the end of the world. But life lessons really start when you get out in the real world. When you loose someone you love, when you or someone close to you gets bad news about their health, when your marriage starts to fall apart, when your kids get involved in things they shouldn't, that is when you learn. You learn that there are two ways to handle every situation. You can either crumble or you can find a way to stand up and walk through it. I say all this because lately I have been dealing with some things in my life. I am seeing people make the wrong decisions and not wanting to accept the consequences for it. I try to make the right decisions today so that tomorrow I don't have the consequence sometimes I fail but I am still learning.

I am not that same little girl who hated being punished for doing wrong because I know now my parents were teaching me about real life. I just hope that I am teaching my kids life lessons. I pray they grow up to be responsible men and make right decisions. I also hope they never think they are to smart to learn.

Afternoon at the park

Before I forget..

I wanted to show you a picture (or three) of Bill's birthday cake...

It was almost gone the next day! With all the time it took me to make it, I figured a picture would last a lot longer.

Why I keep everything up...

Yesterday morning when I walked into the kitchen there was a minipad open and stuck to the door of the cupboard. Isaiah had gotten into my purse and opened it and stuck it there. When I walked in he said "Yook mom bandegg!" Oh, that kid!! To make it a little funnier, last night my parents came over to go out to dinner with us and I was telling them the story. Tyler opened the refrigerator and on one of the shelves was my rolling pin, we all just laughed because I have found stranger things in stranger places.
I really need to get ready for church but I just thought I'd share some Sunday morning humor before I go.

Can I just say...

HOW ABOUT THEM CAVS???

I'm gonna miss what?

The other day Isaiah did something that made me so mad (so mad that right now I don't even remember what it was). Anyway, it started the "you're gonna to miss this" conversation. I have to tell you, there are things I am sure I am not gonna miss. Locks on every door, shampoo dumped down the drain, the bickering, puberty, cleaning the toilet everyday, these are things I probably won't miss.

But things like this...

I am gonna miss!!!

Pizza with a little "insanity"

Yesterday, we went for pizza at the mall and then off to "Inflatable Insanity." What a perfect name because as a parent, I was insane. The kids all scattered in different directions, so it was divide and conquer. Tyler, Bill and I were each in charge of one of the little ones.

Joshua heading up a "ladder" to go down the slide.
As if they don't fight enough, you have to let them "joust."
Isaiah at the bottom of the slide.
Joshua doing some driving.
More jousting
A motorcycle ride. Bill joining in the action.
I am not sure what Jacob is pointing at.
Isaiah going through the tube.

The kids had a blast. We were probably just as wore out as they were from chasing them all night.

A mini update...

...Joshua has strep. Isn't that nice? Tell me in a house full of kids who play together....what's the chances of the rest of them not getting it!!
...Isaiah is doing great on the toilet training, I think we have success (I hope I didn't just jinx it).
...The Cavs clinched a play off spot (that means extra basketball season for me, yeah!)
...Bill has made a sale (and set a company record of fastest sale ever made).
...Speaking of my husband, I have a good one and I am thankful for him!

This is is no particular order just some random stuff that I thought I'd share, Now, I think I am going to go take advantage of the weather and take a walk to get Jacob from school.

Last night...

We were sitting here visiting with Jon and watching the Cavs. Bill asked when I planned on putting kids to bed, I told him at halftime. It was 8:30ish and then I wouldn't have to miss any of the game...right? Well, about 50 seconds before halftime Isaiah comes down the stairs with his blankets and pillow (like he does everyday) but this time he slips on the second to last step. He falls backwards and hits his head on the edge of the hardwood step. He is screaming and you can see the bump on the back of his head getting bigger. I am about to pass out because I am no good with this kind of stuff (something tells me I need to toughen up). Anyway, I get the rest of the kids in bed and Bill starts the car to go to hospital because I am freaking out. In the meantime, Isaiah calms down. He took some Tylenol and held ice on his head for a little while. We decided against the hospital when he got up and was acting like his normal self (like nothing ever happened). We kept him up for a long time to make sure he was okay. Thank God he is fine. Having a house full of boys there is a lot of wrestling and horseplay, I get so mad because they do not realize how fast someone can get hurt. Accidents happen so quick.
This morning, I wanted to check the bump out and he got so mad at me and said "Don't touch it, it doesn't hurt anymore!" So, I think he is going to be just fine.

At least with all the excitement, the Cavs ended up winning!

Check it out...

Tyler's school was voted this weeks "FOX8 Cool School."

Thursday morning between 7 and 8am they will be featured on the local news. Today they had a pep rally and everyone received coupons for Chick-fil-A. The news crew was at the school this morning to record the Thursday segment. Kenny Crumpton (a feature reporter for the channel 8 news) and the Chick-fil-A cows were also there.