Monday

Back to the grind! The day did not get off to a good start, but I WILL make it a good day. I dropped the curtains/drapes off at the cleaners - on with my day. Hope to get the curtains/drapes down in the living room/T.V. room/ and bedroom today - we'll see. Never did get to that cabinet in the dining room I needed to clean out....

Is It Spring Yet?

I did a little "spring cleaning" today in preparation of my move off base and to the west side of town. I tossed out anything from the kitchen I had not used since we moved in, took down the curtains in the kitchen and the drapes in the dining room, set some dishes aside to give to my friend who lives in Juarez, decided to reupholster the dining room chairs and touch up some scratches on the table and chairs. Tomorrow I am going to clean out the cabinets in the dining room, hallway, and TV room. I am done with clutter - I am ready for clean and crisp - sign of spring I hope!

Dental Visits

Dental visits today - Christian no cavities, but does need some sealants - 9 to be exact AND he is ready for braces; Carson no cavities, no sealants, AND he is ready for braces - translation $$ small fortune $$ Ella Grace 2 small cavities - tech asked if she eats a lot of candy - what are they crazy? If they had ever seen EG on candy/sugar they would see why she doesn't eat it! She does however have apple juice 5 days a week for lunch - but we will be switching to milk per the dentist request and apple juice on Friday's.

Sometimes....

I wonder why it HAS to be so difficult!

Colleges....

So far Patrick has had offers from Balor University and Texas A&M - he also received (so far) a $20,000 scholarship. We are proud of him and thankful for the monies to help defray the cost.

Tooth Fairy

Okay, so today Ella and I are in the bathroom getting ready for the day and she says to me, "Mom, I am going to loose 10 more teeth. After I loose them I am going to be a tooth fairy. I am going to fly to all the kids who loose teeth. Yep, when I grow up I want to be a tooth fairy."

Happy Birthday Mama

Today is my Mama's birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU MOM!

On a date with Papa

Ella Grace with Papa before the ballet.

Hunting

House hunting - fun, challenging, stressful...

Some really nice ones out here...choices, choices, choices.

Update

Seem like a Monday today since yesterday was a "day off" for Veterans Day! To all our veterans and active duty - thank you for your service and for the sacrifices you have made, are making, or will make.

So far it has been a quiet week. Daddy Payne just came home from a trip to Korea and the kids (and I) are so thankful to have him home. I can remember when we were first married it was so hard to say "see ya later" when he would have a field problem (for weeks sometimes). As we grew wiser and more experienced it wasn't as difficult - until the deployment to Iraq. That was really difficult especially living overseas, but I was very fortunate to have wonderful friends and the ability to bring the children back to the U.S. to see their grandparents. Now, for some reason, just saying "see ya later" when he leaves for a trip seems more and more difficult. Sure we are able to put ourselves into a routine, but gosh it is so hard when he leaves. I pray God gives me the strength to support not only our children, but other families when he deploys again.

The kids are all doing well. Report cards came out - everyone is doing great! With the nest empty during the day (it was a hard adjustment) I was spending 3 hours shopping for groceries! Crazy! Crazy! I have since solved that issue.

I am working out regularly now - see improvements and enjoying "my time" during the day until the 3 little people come home...then I enjoy hearing everyone trying to talk at once and tell me about their day at school - BEFORE the arguing begins! LOL

Birthday's and Thanksgiving are right around the corner - I can't believe it!

We Are Safe....

First a HUGE thank you to all of you who sent emails or called wanting to know if we were okay. Yes, we are fine - we are stationed at Fort Bliss which is about 8 hours away from Fort Hood. While we are all physically okay, our Army Family is saddened by the tragic event at Fort Hood and ask that you pray for our extended family.

Still Sick

Christian is still sick. I took him to the SFMC today - thank you Dr. Yeary! He is now on antibiotics and a cough medicine. Hopefully, he will be feeling better in a couple of days.

No, it was not the swine flu!

A Beautiful Fall Day....

I love cool crisp mornings! Coffee outside and watching all the joggers go by - knowing I finished my workout at 0615 is so satisfying!

Christian still sick - I think he has the flu.

The Yuckies...

Christian is home with the yuckies today...

Hope he can sleep it off.

Say It Isn't So...

I did NOT accomplish my mission today. I fell short by a trip to the post, UPS and ToysRUS for a return. Oh well, I did manage to finish the grocery shopping to the tune of $391.78! I feel pretty good though - I saved $113.50 with 91 coupons bringing my total down to $277.50! Not bad for groceries in our house for 2 weeks - remember who I am feeding (3 growing boys, hubby, and Ella Grace who eats like a growing boy!). I wrapped up a few phone calls of the pending several and I picked Christian up from school early since he had a migraine.

On to tomorrow with a new list!

Ahhhhh Monday

Monday - again.

I am armed with my list and ready to go - I am going to fit all my errands into today so I can stay home and clean out closets, drawers, and cabinets this week.

First, groceries followed by Target, PetSmart, Phone Calls, and then dinner prep.

Change

The weather is changing and it is lovely!

Time for fall clean out! If it was not used it is gone...in the fall yard sale of course. Then, wipe it all down and rearrange it all.

Time for changing around of the furniture to. I have a difficult time leaving rooms the same for long periods of time - so if you hear me shuffling furniture around at 2:00 a.m. - go back to sleep!

Manic Monday

Would it be wrong to fit EVERYTHING into one day - today (Monday) so I could have the rest of the week off?

This weekend we caught up on some much needed family time. We also ran a few errands and bought a new family board game for "game night" before bed. The kids all bathed early and are ready for some hang out time, with the game on in the background (of course).

Have a great start to the work week everyone!

P.S. Carly, Ella Grace wanted you to know she bought some shorts like yours. She can't wear them to school unless they are under her dress - the teacher clued me in that her panties are showing during gym time. Guess with boys you don't have that issue!

Blogging More...

Okay, I am going be begin blogging more...

Should we begin with last week? I had a conference on Wednesday with Christian and Carson's teachers...outside of the tendency to "finish first" and turn their test quickly they are adjusting very well and enjoying their new school.
Ella Grace....my heart aches! The first week, someone pushed her down "my friend" she says and she has a "cut" on her forehead that requires stitches! These people in the ER know me by first name - something is wrong with that! Second week of school, is going great - on green (behavior indicator for parents) all is well and she seems happy. Third week of school - HOLY COW what happened!?!?! My sweet little girl is on ORANGE (not a good color) with remarks "not following direction and not listening." Then, I receive a call from the school - Ella Grace took her skort and panties off on the playground and tinkled....oops! When we ask her why she just says, "I not suppose to?" - I don't think she fully comprehends how to explain why she did or didn't do something. I am sure it will come in time, but she is just not there yet. I really wanted to say - be glad it wasn't number 2! So Friday, I was approached by her teaching staff (conference set for later in the week) that perhaps we should think about counseling for her.....WHAT?!?! She is 5 - she has a grasp of the English vocabulary, but it is still developing and this whole school thing is new to her - can we not give it a chance to work before we send the kid off to counseling?!?!? Come on bloggers, friends and family post your thoughts...