I'm BACK!

I am back and ready to blog. Lots of things have changed in life and I'm excited to share it with everyone!

Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkin Patch

This last weekend my whole family checked out our local pumpkin patch-Tweite's, it was pretty fun...up until naptime was approaching. Here are a few pics. First is edited as my WW pick. :)

Here are the others.





I swear...my kids won't sit still for anything-especially this one.

I just have to say...

I am getting so anxious for Christmas. Yes Halloween is coming soon...and then Thanksgiving, but my favorite time of the year is Christmas. I have already started shopping for family and can not wait for a couple big checks to come in to get some MAJOR shopping done! :) Here's my awesome ticker so you can always know how soon it is until Christmas.

Family Wish List

Brandon & Jackie
Cash
Gift Cards (Target, Walmart, Super America, Kwik Trip, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Walgreens, Infinity)
--If any of those gift cards came with a babysitter-(date night)-that'd be pretty awesome. :)
Kitchen Table with 4-6 chairs
Facebook-The Shop Around the Block-(Family Name block sets)
Kitchen Cutlery Set
Friction Belt Loop-$3.99
Scroll Letter Holder and Key Rack
Dog Leash Hook-Dog House-$11.99
Target Hom Compact Clothes Drying Rack White-$13.99
These books are great.-$14.95
(Great for mom/dad/sister/honey/daughter/son)
Mainstays 27' Drying Rack-$18
Linea Magazine Rack-Espresso-$45.99
Metal Baker's Rack-$49
Rose 3-Piece Bistro Patio Set-$79
Sonoma Cubbie Bench-$108.99

Jackie
Digital Camera
Sterling Ball Chain from the Vintage Pearl (18 inch)-$15
Precious Moments-range from $15-$75
Gift Card to www.organize.com-$25,$50,$100 available

Brandon
Shirts-XXXL
Watch
Gorilla Box
Gaming chair:
Video Rocker SE Sound Chair, Blue-$79.00
BoomChair Gaming Chair-Black and Blue-$132.99 Sale Price-$114.99
X Rocker Pro Series Pedestal, Black-$149.88

Matt
Any clothes for Matthew, size 4T (winter) and 4T or 5T (spring).
Anything from this section would be great.
Cars Pop-up toy chest-$9.50
Circo® Construction Rug-52x66"-$29.99
New bed:
Mates Double Bed in Solid New Zealand Pine-$427.81
South Shore Imagine 3-Piece Loft Bed Set-Cherry-$599.99

Maddie
Any clothes for Maddie, size 24 months (winter) or 2T (winter/spring).
Tinkerbell pop-up toy box-$9.50
Jewelery Holder:
Metal M Jewelry Holder-$12.00
Wired for Jewelry Holder-$14.00
Just Right Jewelry Holder-$16.00
Deployment baby onesie-16.99
Fort Knox Love-$19.99
Tiddliwinks Raspberry Garden Rug-$22.99
Bracelet:
"Lil' Miss Priss"-$31.95+
Pinky Promise baby bracelet-$87.00
New Bed:
Disney Princess Toddler Bed with canopy-$69.00
Dream On Me, Toddler Day Bed with Storage Drawer, Cherry-$99.00
Disney-Princess Room in a Box-$119.88
(this includes a Toddler bed, toy box and table/chairs set)

Both Kids
Toys"R"Us Wishlist
Facebook:
The Shop Around the Block-(Custom Name Blocks-Children Sets)
Growth Charts-
Matt Blue Star-$48 / Dinosaurs-$59
Pink Polka Dots-$48 / Flowers-$59

Wordless Wednesday: Big Island Rendezvous

One of those days...

Today has just been one of those days when things seem to get going good-then crash.

My husband and I have been expecting some cash recently and it finally arrived today...boy was I relieved. We were falling behind on bills and things just weren't working out and them BAM-it arrived. I paid a crap ton of bills and things were looking up. The only downfall was my kids. My husband was away at school all day today (11am-430pm) and our kids were not listening worth a hoot. I am trying to log into our bank account to check on the progress of payments, while going from site to site to see how much we can afford to pay off on each different bill. I swear I never knew someone could have 20 different bills until we moved to our current city/house. So I am switching from site to site-then going into this spreadsheet where I have a list of all the bills and typing in the amount I'd like to pay to see what our ending cash value would be. While I am doing this is started out okay...then it went to one kid (little) over the toybox (which is in between our couch and end table) and into the other room, then the other following to a place I can't see either.

It wasn't too bad at first, because I could hear them down a floor (split level house) playing in the dining room. Then I heard them down on the 3rd floor in one of the kids' room. I heard Little whining so I told her to come upstairs, because I knew her big brother was picking on her. She never came. I then have Big coming up here and Little following a while later. From this point on-I have kids going over the toybox and disappearing and then coming back-and disappearing again. It was very frustrating when I'm trying to do all of this stuff and they would not cooperate at all...not one little bit! I told my 3 year old probably 20 times to stay in the room and he did not listen. Eventually I just give up. I am too tired most days to deal with his crap. I feel like I have just gotten to the point of giving up on him. He knows what buttons to push on me, and he knows eventually they will work and I'll give up. I can only tell him "No" "stop it" and "come here" a million times before I just stop saying it.

After I was finally done paying bills I was fed up with the way the kids were acting, so I decided to drive across town to Cub Foods and get a few things. This now was a bad experience. Before I even get to the store there is this road construction (mind you-the road is done and dry-for at least a couple weeks...but they still feel the need to keep those dumb cones out) where half the people are in the wrong lane. I watch this car completely switch lanes and run a red light. These poor people in front of me had been waiting for however long until finally someone triggered the light. I had to have been waiting there at least 10 minutes for the light to change. I got to the store and had my shopping done, so I went to the self checkout. I rang a few things up-and both of the kids start acting up. We had one of those carts that have the car thing attached to the front and both of them were climbing out and just not listening. I hear this guy talking about what if she falls out-and look over to Little, who is half standing up in the cart (I had to move her from the car part). Like really guy? You weren't going to say anything to me, the mom, who was obviously stressed out enough... but you'll mention it to your co-worker...awesome. So finally I get things dealt with and start with my coupons. There was one that was supposed to save me like $8+...well it said -0.60. I'm like really? 60 cents? So I push the help button. The lady comes and says she seen on her screen it rang out okay and discount was applied (only to find out later part of it was...) and I kept on with my coupons. I am finally done and start searching for my debit card. Of course...my day couldn't get any worse right? Nope wrong. I forgot it at home. What the heck am I supposed to do now?

I push the help button again and the lady's like "do you need something else" all snotty. Well no dummy, I pushed the button for fun. So I explained to her how I forgot my card and I would have to come back to pick up my items. I was so completely embarrassed. Not only had my kids acted up the whole time I was checking out, but I had also forgotten my way of paying for the groceries. At this time it was around 4:20pm. I had plans on going to surprise my husband all happy-go-lucky after finally getting some extra money and paying off bills, etc-to see if he wanted to go out for supper...well obviously after this experience that wasn't how the greeting was going to go. I pull up to the college and look in the parking lot for his truck...no luck. I get to thinking and remember he had mentioned that on one of the weekdays he moves the truck to a different part of the lot. I go to check there-and see his front lights on already. Now I had already called this man and left a message for him to call me before leaving school (obviously because I was close by) and he was about to leave without calling. I parked directly behind his truck and wave. He gets out and at this point my smirk turned into crying. I started bawling and told him I needed a smoke. I had left mine at home. I didn't see a point in bringing them with really...boy was I dumb. So we both pulled to the side of the parking lot and had a cigarette. I told him how extremely naughty both of our kids were at the store and how completely embarrassed I was at how many people were staring at us. It was seriously one of the worst days of my life.

My husband and I had decided to go back to Cub Foods and he would run in to get our groceries (which by the way are still in the van...long day I tell you) and then we would go to Pizza Hut. We got to pizza hut and everything went fairly well. A couple times Little was whining that she wanted something and we got a couple looks...but all in all-they were pretty good there. The plan was to go home after supper, but my husband decided to go pick up a bottle of wine for the two of us (which here it is 3am and it hasn't been opened yet...guess he wanted it pretty bad *sarcasm*) after the kids went to bed. We watch an episode of Wonder Pets and I put Little to bed. Big stays up with dad to watch another episode. It finally comes time for him to go to bed and he gets all upset because we told him he couldn't have a movie at bedtime. He had had PLENTY of warnings during the day that if he didn't straighten out he wouldn't have a movie at bedtime. Well after explaining to him several times why he didn't get a movie I decided to stay with him for a while, rubbing his head and singing a little to see if he'd calm down to the point of falling asleep. He didn't while I was there, but about 15 minutes after I left he did. He then wakes up around 2:15am asking for milk...which he has had one time during bedtime. I told him he can only have water and he seemed to be okay with it, and was back to bed. I haven't heard a peep since. After he went to bed, hubbs and I spent some time together watching a couple episodes of The First 48 and then went to do our own thing-computer time for me and Gears of War for him. The night ended well...but what the heck am I going to do about my son's misbehaving. I am so lost. He will listen to everyone but me. Any suggestions?

Wordless Wednesday: Pigtails

Baby Girl's first pigtails. :)

My son is pretty awesome

     So the other day my husband was at work and I try to get my butt in gear once he's gone to get some housework done. Well I had already vacuumed the upstairs(3rd floor) living room (Our house is split level-so when you walk in you're on the 2nd floor-there is one above it and one below...also a basement too-so cleaning and keeping the house clean is tough-to say the least) and was on the 2nd floor vacuuming the kitchen floor when my son(3) comes up to me. He tells me he cleaned the toys off of the living room floor (for the 2nd time this day) and he was so proud. I told him to go back upstairs and I would give him a treat when I was done cleaning. Then I was like "...better yet, why don't you go clean your room. It would make mom really happy." Well then as I'm in the dining room I notice my daughter(1) has disappeared. I then notice my son is also gone-and not upstairs. I turned the vacuum off and yelled for Matt telling him to come upstairs. He yells back "I can't." So I asked him why not. He then tells me "I'm busy mom." So then I get a thought "oh my gosh-is he really cleaning his room?". I go to his bedroom to get Maddie and he goes "Look mom, I'm cleaning my room." I'm like "yes you are Matt, you're doing a really good job...I'm going to take Maddie back upstairs". He tells me okay and keeps on going. For only being 3 years old, he did a dang good job if you ask me.

Wordless Wednesday: Photoshop Fun

Okay, I've been a little new to photoshop. Honestly I got it in 2008 and have been "practicing" ever since. It's difficult for me to stick to one hobby at a time. But-most of my Wordless wednesdays (most will be posted past midnight due to family life) will be done on photoshop, seeing as I only have a phone camera to take pictures. Here is what I did this week...since my kids are usually not in sync with each other-getting a good picture of the two is completely difficult. So I merged the pictures together.

I merged these two...


into this! :)

Peg Perego Aria Twin 60 40 Double Stroller Review + Giveaway

Mama to 4 Blessings is having an awesome giveaway for a Peg Perego Aria Twin 60 40 Double Stroller giveaway!


Product Features:
~ Travel System compatible – "60" side accommodates a car seat, and "40" side is perfect for an older child.
~ As children grow, older sibling can sit in the "60" side and younger one can use the "40" seat.
~ Large, individual hoods are independently adjustable and ratcheting.
~ Individual child trays independently open and remove for easy access to each child.
~ Stands alone when folded.
~ Hood with loop to dangle baby's favorite toy.

Click Here To Enter!
This Giveaway ends 10/31/11 at 11:59 PM

Life...Your Way Printables--personalized solutions for intentional living

I recently came across this website from an email I received. I absolutely love it. It has over 100 printables. I usually just download ones I like and save them to my computer later on. They are great! They have all of this listed.


Right now they have some awesome fall/holiday printables. Lots for Christmas and some for Thanksgiving also. Their list of printables can be found here.

Honestly I don't know where to start about this site. There are so many great resources here to a better organized life. Reading her story I can understand why you would need organization in her household. Here we are a family of four where my husband works 4 days a week and also goes to school 4 days a week, so here his schedule is pretty well planned. But, with me, the kids and I have a tough time finding things to do as well as time for me to clean the house with them two home all day long. I need a little organization in my life to get by. I still have yet to find it as seen in this post. This site has come in handy for great starting steps to where I would like to be. Now I just seen to find something and stick to it.

Okay-I have to admit. While trying to type this out to post I have found myself searching through the site and found so so many great resources. There are tons of great ideas on the site to better your life and make it easier.


Check this amazing site out! and
Also check out their facebook page.

Wordless Wednesdays!

October 2011
Pumpkin Patch
Big Island Rendezvous
September 2011
Pigtails
My Kiddos
Photoshop Fun

Wordless Wednesday: *My Kiddos*

Most of my Wordless Wednesdays might be Thursday mornings...I'm a late nighter.

Giveaway Link-Master Kitz (Ends 9/11/11)

Two Boys, One Girl and a Crazy Mom is having a giveaway for a Master Kitz Paint Kit from TheNewToy Company.
Click here to enter
but hurry-it ends 9/11/11 @ 11:59PM EST

Blog Hops

Most recent will be first.

#5


I am #28.
9/19/11




#4


I am #17
Ends 9/15/11




#3

 

I am #30
Ends 9/17/11




#2

I am #33.
Ends 9/14/11

#1

I am #28.
Ends 9/12/11

My Life

Wordless Wednesdays!

2011
10/15 I just have to say...
09/30 One of those days...
09/27 My son is pretty awesome
09/09 What's your schedule?-(Long Post)
09/09 Please Help Me by Voting-voting ends 9/15/11
08/31 Quick Post
08/04 About My Family
08/03 Welcome to My Blog

What's your schedule?-(long post)

Starting out-I thought this might be a couple paragraphs long...but then I really wanted readers to put themselves in my shoes and learn where I'm really coming from. Please take the time to read, and also to comment here with any suggestions you have. It's truly appreciated.

How does one organize their life? How do you do it? I know there are many people out there with much harder schedules to follow than my family, but I find it so hard on a daily basis without some sort of structure. Since my son was around 14 months old (mind you, he just turned 3 in June) I have been trying to get my family on a schedule. The hardest part, then, was that my husband was in the Army and his schedule was always different. No excuse, I know. As a military wife, you need to learn the ways of life without your spouse around and get on a schedule on your own, for it to work when hubby is there or gone.

Well now, when my son was born it was fairly easy. Husband was gone (deployment) and I lived with my parents still. For the most part, my son and I did not have a schedule. Most times getting a baby on a schedule is easy, but I was here and there & trying to do web chats with hubby (14 hr difference in time), so it was hard for me as Mama to get on a schedule for my little man. I didn't want to get him on one, then sleep in and screw it up for him. Well bounce forward til he is around 14 months old. By this time-husband is home from deployment and we had moved to his second duty station, my first. I had never lived out of state, so this was a big shocker for me. Anyway, hubby had finally went back to work-which was never a guarantee what the hours were going to be...and I tried to sit down with a notebook and make a schedule. I failed...and when I say I failed, I failed horribly. I failed so bad I practically gave up. I tried to list when Brandon (hubby) would be home, what we would do those hours-then also what Matt and I would do on our own time when Brandon was gone. It got to be too much and I gave up. It wasn't until almost a year later I started thinking again, that we really needed some sort of family schedule.

In May 2010 a ton of changes came to our family. My husband was done with his term in the Army and he was going back to civilian life. This alone was a huge change. Also, we had the challenge of moving as well-back to our hometown. What ended up happening, was a couple weeks before we had planned on me heading back home (a 14 hour trip) the vehicle I was supposed to drive back, broke down. My family ended coming to pick us (Matthew & I) and my vehicle up and making the long trip home. My son and I had settled back in to Nana & Papa's house after about 2 weeks. Then my husband made his trip up. I had to leave early because I was in the last month of my pregnancy with baby #2 and my husband had to stay back to finish up ETSing. Six days after he made his appearance back at home, I gave birth to our daughter. The next night (while I was still in the hospital) my husband started online classes. Hectic? Totally. Adding a child to school, unemployment, plus having just moved-it was stressful. Not to mention, about 2 weeks later we had moved out of my parents house to our own house.

After a few months at this place my husband quit school. Not exactly by choice...the school he was going through, Kaplan University, decided they were not going to wait for their money from the VA (which should have been close to free schooling for my husband) and they threatened to turn him into collections. Needless to say-we would NEVER recommend that school to anyone-they are nothing but money hungry. My husband eventually got a great paying job at a chemical plant, which required 6 months of training. During this time-I had sat down, once again and decided to make a schedule. It probably took me around 8 weeks or so, after kids were in bed (along with other things-Facebook/email/etc) to actually finish it, but it finally got done. The night I finished it, I was so proud of myself I made a promise to print it first thing in the morning when the kids were still in bed so that I could go by it all day. Well, that day I followed the schedule very close to what I had printed out and was very proud of myself. Things were starting to go great. Well, my husband's schedule for work was 2 weeks of days (3on, 4off, 4on 3off) and then 2 weeks of nights (same schedule), all 12 hour shifts. I had gone with this awesome schedule for oh...close to a week probably, but when it came time to print out the next weeks schedule, I'd slack off. The next week came, and I'd print it half way through the week. Well-there goes the 2 weeks of days and then we'd go onto the 2 weeks of nights. Those were killer. I pretty much didn't even think about the schedule then-I was too worried about just keeping the house together, while I practically seen my husband for an hour or so before work everyday. His days off were completely unplanned and we did whatever came to mind.

Around 6 months later (after the job), there was no job. They were a very deceptive company and things just didn't work out. After that it was a sales job for my husband, honestly I don't even want to talk about that one-there was NO time for a schedule there. Let's come a little closer to now. Sales job has ended and school has now started for my husband again. He is going to a local campus for Nursing, with hopes to go farther. :) I am very proud of him.

As of now we have home life, school and work for my husband-mixed in with a bunch of other things. I am trying to find some sort of structure/plan for daily life that will help out. Our main downfalls are meal planning and house cleaning. I need a certain day/time to do certain deeds. I know there are plenty of printables out there-trust me, I have half of them saved to my computer, but I can never find one certain one that works the right way. We have a normal(ish) routine most days, but I'm still not happy with it. Keep in mind-class for hubby M-TH work SU-W, off most weekends-but homework time mixed with kid/family time, etc. and the occasional day of relaxing.

What is your family routine/schedule? And please, some suggestions on how to achieve this goal. :)

Please help me by Voting!!

Baby Center is having a photo contest titled "Grandparents and Me" going on right now. There are only 3 days(Ends the 12th at 11:59pm PDT) left to enter your picture. Here are the Official Rules for the contest. Please vote[>Love it] for my picture. It is of my Dad and my son Matthew. It is greatly appreciated, honestly!

Oh-one thing I did forget, is that you have to be a member of Baby Center in order to vote. Check out my short review of the website here. I love the site-and I'm sure you will too. :)

Here's the link. Voting ends on 9/15/11 at 11:59pm PDT.

Giveaway Link-Hearthsong giveaway at Life With My Littles(Ends 9/9/11)

Life With My Littles is having a giveaway from Hearthsong.

Hearthsong has generously offered one LWML follower a chance to win a $50.00 GC to Hearthsong.com

Click here to enter
but hurry-it ends 9/9/11 at 12:01 AM EST

Giveaway Link-Busy Body Book (Ends 9/9/11)

A Saving WOW is having a giveaway from BusyBodyBook.

The winner of this giveaway will receive a BusyBodyBook in the Cherry design. It is from August 2011 to August 2012 ($17.95 value).

Click here to enter
but hurry-it ends 9/9/11 at 12:01 AM EST