Tuesday's Thanks

1- I took the training wheels off of Grace's bike tonight -- finally. She did GREAT! She fell off once, but really did WAY better than I was expecting!

2- Finished baby shower invitations today. Got some of them handed out already.

3- woke up with one killer of a headache -- which I am NOT thankful for. But I am very thankful that it was gone by about 1430 this afternoon so I was able to have an alright night!

4- I am SO thankful I don't have to pay for electricity... Because I took three very long, very hot showers today. (I always feel a bit better in the shower when I have a bad headache -- goes back to the saying that water can heal everything)

5- Sam took the last shower with me this morning. There is something about a baby wanting to hug you that just makes everything a bit better.

6- I'm not trying to dwell on the headache, but it did take up much of my day. I had to get out of bed this morning so I could watch Sam. So, I crawled out of bed and curled up on the couch. Our living room is baby proofed as much as I can make it -- so I don't have to be right on top of Sam all of the time. Anyway, Josh came over and said "I know your head hurts, so here's a blankie" and covered me! Then he asked if he could get in his spot (in the crook of my arm as I lay on my side). He stayed quiet and still -- SO sweet!

Weird Night

Does anybody else have paranoid nights? I only have them when Rob is deployed -- or on a field problem. But last night, at about 1am, I heard a noise. If Raleigh had not been on my chest, I would have said it was the cat. But he was, so I knew it wasn't him. So.. what do I do? Panic. While holding my phone in my hand, I looked around the upstairs. I was NOT brave enough to go downstairs. When I saw nothing, I laid back down, but couldn't get settled. So... what did I do next? Make pallets on the floor, get all four of my children into my room and locked the door. Sam was not a happy camper. He was on the bed with me and kept hitting me. Not happy.

I made it until 5:30 this morning. I was being pushed off of the bed by Sam scooting over and Josh deciding he was going to get onto my bed and sleep SIDEWAYS. I couldn't take anymore. So, I put Sam back in his crib -- much to his displeasure. I get in the bed and hear the same noise again. What was it?!? It was Sam kicking his crib rails. Why did it sound SO menacing just four and a half hours earlier?!?

Needless to say, it was a rough night. We all lounged (not slept, but stayed pretty low key) until 9:45!

New Song...

Heard this song on the way home from Walmart tonight. Incredible. AWESOME Song!!

Thursday's Thanks

1- I have finally gotten our laundry situation under control. I had over 6 loads to do at one point! How did I let it get that out of control?!? I think the only reason I realized it was that bad is that Josh had started asking to wear pajama pants! oops...

2- A couple of days ago, I went over 200 miles walked since Rob left. collectively, the kids and I have just over 850 miles!

3- Deadliest Catch is on again tonight :-) I missed the end of it on Tuesday, so I get to make up for it tonight

4- I got a cable splitter today at Walmart. Why had it taken me so long to get that $3 thing?!? Our cable modem (and the wireless router attached to it) is now in the living room -- in the same room as the new (desktop) computer. Holy moly. What a difference! I had it in the back room, which made it out of the way, but it was a cement room -- so the angles had to be *just right* to have it work well. Now... no angle issues. It just works! Yippee!!

5- Filled the fish tank back up. It had gotten SO loud! I don't know why I let it get so low (well, only 5 gallons low). I think that is a theme of tonight -- how did I let it get so bad... Once the kids start school again (in 10 days...) I will hopefully get back into a good routine that will keep the "why did I let..." occurrence lower :-p

Sunday's Thanks

So, I have been SUCH a slacker this week. I'll try to make my thankfuls for tonight good ones :-)

1- I really like the church that we've been visiting. I think that Rob would actually like it too -- if he could get past the fact that it is HUGE.

2- For some reason yesterday I felt that I had to ... no, needed to... make banana bread. I don't really know why since the bananas weren't quite as "soft" as I usually wait to make the bread. I'm not saying it was some sort of divine intervention, but I had a gut feeling that I was going to need it. Well, last night, my neighbor needed to go to the ER -- nothing serious, but she needed to get checked out. So, I became Melissa Plus Eight (that is right ... another four kids in the house). When the neighbor came back, it was around 1:30am. I was able to give her enough banana bread so she wouldn't have to make breakfast this morning. Plus I didn't have to cook/fix/make breakfast for my own kids this morning :-) I really think people should listen to their guts a little more often.

3- I got to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Friday night. I liked it... though I have a bit of worries about the movies about #7. Seems to me that they left things out that are VERY important in the story line of the last book.

4- I'm still loving Skype :-)

5- The girls had camp this past week. I think it gave Grace the break she needed from a summer of nothing but mama! We have been a bit more tolerant of each other -- though she can still talk a person deaf.

6- watched a new reality show tonight -- like I need another to watch -- called Whale Wars on Animal Planet. Very strange.

7- I asked Josh tonight (while outside) if he needed to go potty. He said no. I told him that if he needed to, then he could do it behind our big bush. He immediately ran over and peed behind the bush. I said to him -- "I thought you didn't have to go". He said -- "well, you didn't tell me I could go behind the bush!" Boys will be boys!!
** just for clarification purposes, I am not one to let my children pee anywhere. Josh, though, isn't quite tall enough to reach and open our front door. Since he waits until the last possible minute to go potty, he usually has an accident before he gets to the toilet because he has to wait for somebody to open the door for him. I just wasn't going to be right there at the door tonight -- that's why I gave him the bush option.

Tuesday's Thanks

1- another great day for the girls at camp. Grace went to the water park with her program (which made this mama a bit nervous) and had a great time. She is a bit more confident in her abilities than I am...

2- missed our walk tonight -- which isn't a good thing, but missing it because I have chatty neighbors (as much as I am anyway) is great. Sometimes our street feels like my dorm in college -- only we have kids -- we just kind of drop in and talk to whoever is out :-)

3- made another pillowcase dress. This one out of ACU material with yellow ribbons. Very cute!

4- Deadliest Catch tonight -- though it made me cry

5- Finished a great book yesterday. The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chavelier -- same author who wrote Girl with a Pearl Earring. Really liked it. Very easy, not too long. Quite good. I recommend it to anybody who wants a quick, easy read.

Saturday's Thanks

1- We got up early and were outside before 9am! I thought it was supposed to storm this afternoon and wanted to make sure we got our outside time in :-)

2- Ate lunch with some neighbors

3- naps this afternoon while watching the Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family :-) I love Harry Potter weekends

4- 3.5 mile walk tonight with minimal drama

5- Popcorn and mom's slush after the kids went to bed

6- got to talk with Rob today -- hoping he is back at his home away from home tonight!

7- I think I found the serger that I'm going to buy. Rob said it was okay to go ahead and get it, as long as I'll use it :-) Yay!!

8- got ACU fabric for 50% off yesterday to make some more dresses. They will be SO cute with their little yellow ribbons!! And it should take half the time with the serger :-)))))

Tuesday's Thanks

1- Today is Sam's 11 month birthday -- I can't believe that it has been 11 months!!

2- Josh did day 2 of Bug Camp today and had a blast -- though I don't know how much he is learning about bugs, but he is having fun :-)

3- Deadliest Catch -- I love this show

4- Made a dress for Grace today!

5- Had an FRG Steering Committee meeting tonight -- that means I don't have another one for a whole month! Yippee!! I could SO do without those!

6- Talked with my neighbor outside today for about 2 hours! Got a bit sunburned, but it was nice to yap that long :-) Can you tell I had sunglasses on?!? PS -- I did put sunscreen on this morning, but apparently it had worn off!!

6- Got the bushes in front our yard were removed today. Makes for an ugly yard, but I can see the kids outside now!

Sunday's Thanks

1- We all slept late today -- I'm not thrilled we missed church, but it sure was nice to wake up at 9:30

2- It rained here today. During the downpour, we all hunkered down and watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

3- Our TV remote has been MIA since about four moves ago... not something we worried too much about until we watch a "dark" movie (you know... one that has night scenes, etc). The brightness was WAY too low, but without the remote I couldn't figure out how to change it. Went to Walmart today and got a universal remote in hopes it would help. Nope. Finally figured it out just fiddling with the TV itself. Now, we can actually SEE the fight scenes in Prince Caspian -- and the kids are watching it now, like it is a brand new movie! I can't wait to watch Twilight on it :-) Now to figure out how to use it with the DVD player too...

4- Bubba starts "Bug Camp" in the morning. I am making all of the kids go to bed at a normal time tonight -- means that I will hopefully be in bed before 2am... hopefully. He has to be next door (at CDC) at 0830 -- dressed and breakfasted! That is a bit earlier than our normal summer routine has us all presentable :-)

5- Got some fabric today to try and make pillowcase dresses for the girls. I didn't really know how expensive fabric is... well, the good stuff. Luckily, there was a sale going on today :-)

4th of July Thanks

1- I am thankful to live in the United States of America -- yes, I may have some complaints, but I have the right to voice those complaints without fear of imprisonment or harm.

2- I am thankful that my children will be given the same rights because of the men and women who are willing to be away on holidays defending our rights.

3- I am thankful for Rob :-} and for all of my children.

4- I am thankful for friends who know that sometimes we don't need to be by ourselves on holidays and who will bring side dishes and make the sad days a celebration :-) I am thankful that some people really do understand because they are living the SAME THINGS!

5- I am thankful that I live in a house with a basement where the kids can go play while the adults can have their own conversations!

6- I am thankful that my brisket turned out good even though I didn't get the best cut (I was fooled, dang it, fooled)

7- I am thankful that today is over -- another day down and less than 300 to go!

PS -- I don't have any pictures because I forgot to charge my camera. Hope to have some "borrowed" by tomorrow :-)

Thankful Friday

1- I still {heart} Skype. Got to talk with Rob and mom today -- and more importantly, the kids did too. Sam has started recognizing Rob and will sometimes mutter a "dada" when looking at him -- too softly for Rob to hear, but I hear it and it makes me feel good that he won't think the phone is "dada" like Josh did.

2- Got my cupcakes made and iced for our picnic tomorrow night. I just really hope it doesn't storm!

3- Got Rob's sheets and snacks in the mail before the post office took its half day off. I had forgotten they were closing at noon! Luckily I wanted to get going this morning so didn't put it off until after lunch (which I usually do).

4- Inflatable jumping houses + fireworks = sleepy kids

5- Just about ready for our picnic tomorrow night. I think I've gotten most everything done that I could do ahead of time. I do still have to do some cleaning in the morning, but as long as the rain holds off, it doesn't have to be spotless because we won't be inside. Please, please don't let it storm.

Thursday's Thanks

1- took an hour and a half nap with Bub in my arms and Faith on my legs -- while Grace was snuggled with Dixie and Sam was snug in his crib. Guess we all needed a bit of a nap :-)

2- got Bub's immunization records today for his school registration packet. He is missing one shot, but the clinic agreed to let him get it when he comes in for his 4 year shots. They don't like giving shots more than necessary and one time of upsetting Josh will be enough for all of us!

3- On the same note, Josh's packet is almost finished. Just have to find that pesky birth certificate! I am 90% sure where it is...

4- Finally got the sheet sets for Rob washed and dried. They are in a package ready to be sent.

5- Walked our 3.5 mile loop tonight to help the kids get tired since we did have the big nap :-)

PS. Why does blogger spell check sometimes pick words that aren't spelled wrong? The suggestion given is the exact same word -- it wasn't misspelled!!

Wednesday's Thanks

1- a WONDERFUL day at the zoo today. A great friend went with us and made the day even better! I don't think the girls were ever out of arms reach of Jessica, except for the bathroom.

2- I made a craft that my girls like -- Faithers likes the bigger :-) It is harder to see Grace's, but it is about half the diameter of Faith's.

3- Though I missed hearing from Rob during the day today, I did get to see his face (via Skype) this morning. I {heart} Skype!

4- Yapped with my neighbors yet again tonight. I really like my neighborhood -- most of the time!

5- Hmm... quite tired tonight. Hard to think of another. I guess I am thankful that it is only 2320 and I am heading to bed!! Goodnight!