JCPenney Spring Portraits

When we went for the kids Christmas pictures to JCPenney's there was a special we didn't know about and received a FREE $50 certifcate to use there between December and March 31, 2011. So we decided we'd do spring pictures. I specified that I wanted our family portrait done first and then the kids together and go from there....because......with my kids they get to a certain point and they're tired of the whole photo session. So we did sucessfully get family and just kids together....Owen's were good too, but then Lydia decided since she was in a dress and there were lights that should could be a dancing queen, I guess. ha ha ha. She's truly a GIRLY GIRL! But holds her own. YAY!! Below are the photos. Some we got and some we didn't get. Enjoy!!!

Our Family Picture (LOVE)

The Kiddos (LOVE)

The Kids being kids (LOVE)

Lydia 3 yrs old

Owen 5 years old

Our Enhancement we got for our special frame

Cute. But didn't get

What a ham (didn't get)

Cute (didn't like myself in this)

What are they going to get into next? kinda look (didnt get)

daddy's nto a fan of b&w

BUSY BUSY BUSY

We've been extremely busy lately. I'm sure that you'd like something other than pictures to know what we've been up to. The last 3 weeks Ive been working 2-3 days a week with my mother-in-law keeping kids. I think she's worn out. We're also preparing for the Mercer-Northwest Guernsey Breeders Banquet this coming Saturday. Which Troy & Marlyn work on the power point presentation, Marlyn and I work on invitations, gifts, name tags and anything crafty she can get me to do. (on a side note I truly think we've gotten our $188.00 worth of my cricut!!!!) I get frustrated cutting all this stuff because it doesn't allow me time to do my stuff  (being a mom, wife, cleaning, cooking, crafting of my own). But I do also know that years to come I won't get to complain how much it bugs me to cut for her, and I love her dearly. Some times I just get too burnt out. But that's life. And I do enjoy paper crafting. I'll try to get a picture of the invites on here....they're super cute!! OF course they have a cow on them too.

We had Savanna one night last week. When I picked her up we headed to get pizza, then it was time for home. Before I got her Id had 3 appointments, so I was exhausted. Counseling, new appointment with a new eye doctor and a follow up with the chiropractor. Whew! Well I do not know if I am sold on the contacts, they just feel different, dry and uncomfortable by 4pm ish. I'm set in my ways I guess with glasses. The back is getting much better and was advised to return to Zumba and follow up in 2-3 weeks. AND Savanna had a BLAST with us!!! We didn't sleep well, but we never do when were someplace different or have company over. She was very excited to go with me to get Owen from school that day. So special .She's truly changing in many of ways and I am thankful for my dad for caring for her.

Below are two cards I made recently. Soccer card is my nephew's birthday card from the beginning of March and the pink card is a bridal shower card for Abbey (we know her through church). I'm also working on thank you cards for a girl I work with. She's getting married April 30, and I told her that I would make her her thank you cards as her wedding gift. Her colors are pastel, so I have a variety I am going to make for her. She's invited me to her bachlorette party!!! Ive NEVER been to a bachlorette party.

Chuck e Cheese Birthday Party

Owen was invited to a Birthday party in Butler this past weekend. I was very hesitant on saying YES. First they wanted to just take him, I said politely "Owen does not go without his parents" and they nicely invited Lydia to come as well. I was also leery about driving to Butler alone with 2 kids. So Troy took the afternoon off and we went. All 4 of us as a family. The kids had a great time. But man that was the smallest CC Ive ever been in. AND it was a weekend , which meant it was VERY busy. Also there were 6 Birthday Parties going on at the same time. here are some photos: Also some of Owen's card for the Birthday girl and writing his card out.

ENJOY

Leprechaun visit # 1

Well in honor of St.Patrick's Day and something fun to do.....I decided to copy my bff (just not as creative as her). But our leprechaun toilet paper'd our doorways last night. Owen thought this was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They each were left a prize: kite, small container of bubbles and a coloring book ($2.25/kid). Tonight I'm unsure what I'll do. thought about pushing the couches together (but my back hurts), or leaving green ribbon all over, or maybe do something silly along those lines. Tonight he has work books and flashcards to leave. (again $2/kid).

My bff has a leprechaun trap. She gets creative! Green footprints w/washable able finger paint on doors, green milk, green bread for her son's sandwich, etc. i'll find out more....

I had thought about getting green and yellow streamer and stringing around, yellow and green feathers and a pile of glitter, those gold coins w/chocolate in them.....I dont have energy to do any of those this time. Im having some back issues. I went to the chiropractor Tuesday, he said I was out 3 places, am doing stretches and ice, and no zumba until he clears me. I return next Tuesday for a check up.

Owen The Big Boy...with bad attitude :-(

Yesterday we took Owen to the pediatric dentist.....he did fantastic. (course it was just a consult). Daddy went back with him and they were back out within 10 minutes. Owen's interpretation of the visit:
"Good. He looked at me teeth. With a little telescope. I did not get a refill. I picked out my own prize, a ball! Next time I come back, Ima breath through those noses. He told me which one I can pick myself. He told me dat. He just looked at my tooth. And I have no lose tooths. He was lookin at my teeth, and that's all he did!"  I said whats going to happen when you go back next? he said "im gonna breath through those noses, and that's all"  HAAAHAAAAA

Anyways....he goes back the beginning of April for a filling (or a refill he calls it). They'll give him "laughing gas", so they can get the filling filled. Nothing to eat or drink 3 hrs prior, so we're going to a morning appt, so we'll only have to worry about a small time frame. Thank goodness that appointment went well.

One we were done....we decided to browse Ollie's. Troy & Lydia went one way and Owen and I went the other. He was literally bouncing off the walls! Just kept talking and rattling of nonsense things. Sure wasn't acting like himself. Then we ate. After we ate, instantly almost he got MEAN and demanding. The rest of the evening went down hill and ended in tears. I don't like when that happens. I will not have a mouthy child. It's rude and ignorant!

Today I went and picked up his form for Kindergarten registration and made our appointment to return with our paperwork complete. YAY. June we'll find out what bus he'll ride, what time it'll pick him up and who his homeroom teacher will be. In August we go for a time where we meet the teacher and see the classroom. What an EXCITING thing!!!!!

Now tonight, since Ive worked and the kids were with grandma all day, they're tired, I'm tired and he's mouthy, demanding and bantering out ultimatums. I think it's when he's tired. But he won't nap unless he's really exhausted or going for a car ride. He sleeps well for me and goes to bed with no hassle much anymore. I hope we can smoothly transition into an even better bedtime/morning routine before September comes (even though he most likely starts 3rd week of August).

Please pray for us as we deal with this bad phase in not listening, bantering orders and being mean. Also pray for Molly, he's constantly teasing her and driving me nuts!!!

Lydia's well....I'll blog about her tomorrow.

Annoying things.....

THIS TIME CHANGE IS ON THE TOP LIST OF ANNOYANCES RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's 11:50 p.m. on Sunday night....a school night. My kids are still WIDE awake and in my bedroom. Really?!?! YES!!!! Daddy's off to milk. Friday and Saturday night's we've been having daddy at home at night with us. IT's both good and bad!! But back to the annoyance. The time change. I didn't predict what it's affect was going to be on us, because I was afraid of thinking it was going to be bad! Which it was.

The kids were up around 10:30 a.m. (new time) , my clock still said 9:30 a.m. so I thought we've got plenty of time to get ready for 10:55a.m. church. YEAH RIGHT. I wish my bed just had the ability to spit me out of it so we could get moving. Owen was very upset we missed church. We were going to really got his week. coats, shoes, all clothing, brush,etc. Were all laid out for us to go. :-( Maybe next week. We're having a real trouble going to church because Troy doesn't like the kids behavior while were in church, so he doesn't want to go. And I don't want to go alone! So no one wins. I know God wants me there and I know I myself need to be there. So sad.

ok annoyance #2 today: My eye glasses need adjusted. But I am going on the 22nd to a new eye doctor for an exam and new eye glasses. Maybe they'll be able to adjust them then. I feel like it's a bad thing to go to my old eye doctor, knowing well in hand I'll be seeing a new one in a week and a half. Guess I just suffer. When you have glasses, and know what Im talking about, you understand. My nose pieces just aren't right, so they feel like daggers sticking into the sides of my nose. we have family pictures Friday and I don't like the thoughts of wearing glasses for them, but you can tell that I've had my glasses on because of the eye pads on my nose. So I dont win :-(   I know why do I go on about thsi....it's my blog, if you dont like then don't read and it's something that is bothering me.

Annoyance #3 finding jeans for my son. He's got 5 prs, 1 good and the other 4 we got for school....their knees are worn. Not completely out, just the material's a lighter color. I guess having a boy, this si something that I need to get used to. It's hard to find pants for him. He's husky, but not too husky and still loves elastic wasit. So today we go to JCPenney's (one of my fav stores) to look for pants for Owen. 1 little section of jeans for Sz.4-8 and 1 HUGE wall and many of racks for boys 8-20. So the 2 pair he did try, of course didn't fit! We did find 2 prs (khaki and a dark charcoal color), they were originally priced $11.99, on clearance for $7.99 and with my 2 coupons I had I ended up paying $5.23 for each pair!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I guess for 2 more pair of pants, it was worth it. Just Owen and I went into the store until the end (paying time). He did fantastic. I was looking for a shirt for our picture and happened to find a dress,too. (I needed a dress/or nice outfit for a seminar that I play "susie hostess"for in April and a handful of other events I need something nice, that actually fits and that's nice on me. It was originally marked $60.00, on sale for $39.99 now down with coupons for $23.00 HOLY SMOLEY. A dress and 2 pr of pants for $33.00 I thought I did pretty awesome. (<--see I get carried away, what happened to the annoyance?? lol).

I think they're are only 3. Well this one always bugs me......a week with something I HAVE to do every single day. As usual we have school MWF. But this week, we have a few extra appointments, get together with a cousin, pick up registration packet for Owen for Kindergarten, clean my sister-in-laws, bible study and hopefully Zumba. I have to make at least 3 phone calls tomorrow before I can go to a meeting in the morning about cleaning a house to make some extra money.

So...here's to yet another week of running around. I guess I should feel blessed I am physically able to do all the "running around", right?

So I ask you to pray for us this week as we travel around for all these thigns we must take care of. And I reflect on. Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" and he generally does give me the strength. Even though I am exhausted at the end of each day. I am thankful he gives me teh strength.

Time Change

Tonight we SPRING forward 1 hour in time. It always is so interesting to me about the time change, how it affects people/animals/etc. When the kids were infants it always seemed to cure a getting to sleep or sleeping longer rut that we were in. Well I don't have any prediction what the time change is going to do with the kids this Spring. But I do know when it stays day light longer-it's going to really disrupt us. When it's dark out, Lydia's well aware that that is "pajama time". AWESOME!!!! AND they also both know that NO juice once it's dark outside. YAY for milk time. However, at 7am when it's daylight-Lydia and Owen (More so Owen).....thinks (well definitely knows) that it's time to get up for the day. Some day's that is great and some days I just want to sleep in.

We definitely need to start getting into a morning routine. We've been slowing getting bedtime down to a science, SLOWLY. I can't seem to keep Lydia in her own bed all night. Owen will only sleep in their bedroom if she's there, so then he's dragging his fold out couch, comforter, pillow and blue blankie to my room. GRRR. They've both got brand new beds from Aunt Joanne, awesome bedding (Handy Manny & Tinker Bell).....what more could a kid ask for....and to help them fall asleep....a tv, dvd player, a lightening McQueen Lamp and a swimming fish lamp.

I mean we have come a long ways from not being sleeping until well after 10/11 pm. To most school nights being sleeping by at least 830-9pm. My goal is to have them sleeping by 8pm all of August so school time at the end of August will be a smoother adjustment, we'll get up and easily get ready in the mornings and have a few moments to chat/snack/eat something before we depart for school. I'm anxiously awaiting the news on what time Owen will catch the bus, how long the bus ride will be,etc. But that won't come until early August, Ive heard.

So....here's to hoping the time change doesn't totally screw us up. And to a BUSY BUSY next 2 WEEKS.

updates/snow/free entertainment

I really never know what to pick as a blog title, because i don't really know what specifically I'm going to tell you about until I just start rambling on and on.

Ok. Here's one.....LAUGHTER.....I am continually laughing at my daughter's sense of style already. AND SHE IS ONLY 3! Here's a few of her latest. Mismatched and all. I'm sure they're will be many of more laughing about wardrobe choices to come with years.

Lydia with her princess crown and nightgown

Dress shoes, heart shaped skirt and striped shirt

New Easter shoes w/her night gown and shades.

Here's Owen's update on being a goof ball at times. He's truly tired of his mother taking pictures of him. While getting dressed for school on this wintery morning, I asked him to practice smiling for the camera lady at school, as it was picture day! I did hear he was first to volunteer to get his done.

I hope this year he behaved, smiled nice and looked okay in the white cap & gown they were given to wear. He'll 'graduate' from preschool. So they're 'graduation' pictures. We didn't order very many, as we're getting family portraits done next week. AND the prices were outrageous. 4- 3x5's $9.00 and 1 8x10 class composite $13. WOW!!!!  We received a FREE $50 gift certificate when we got the kids Christmas pictures, and that expires 3/31. So we're taking advantage and having a family portrait done. I'm excited. But wished I looked a little bit better, but it didn't take me a few weeks to get this weight on, it's going to take a whole lot longer to get it off of me.

Today we were slammed with another snow storm. I really miss driving the tracker during the snowy months. It seemed I did okay last year in the Torrent, but this year I don't know why I can't get around easier. Or in other words "I don't know how to drive!" Men they're ridiculous.

So here's the car STUCK in the driveway!!!

So, in frustration I begged Troy to take me to do a few errands after we got Owen from school. So we headed to "town". We grabbed lunch, which the kids were loud and not wanting to sit still. :-(  Then headed to Tractor Supply Co. to exchange Troy's boots and let the kids see the chicks and ducks. Every spring they get them in and I take advantage of FREE entertainment for the kids. They enjoy it so much. I didn't take my camera, but had my cell to take pictures....here are a few:  (we do plan to go back)

Tested

I'm not in school, so I'm confused why I'm constantly being tested....by my children?!?!?!? It's the most frustrated thing ever! Yesterday was a very testing day. From the moment both kids feet hit the floor-it was a run around day. I sent Owen w/his dad to deliver a load of hay-thinking this would calm him down before our haircuts. NOPE! I swear I took myself a different child to get our hair cut last night. I apologized to our hairdresser, she politely smiled and said it's OK. I just feel like such a donkey when my kids act up when we're out, especially the 5 yr old who knows better. :-(  OH well life will go on and I am sure there are many more moments like these that will come. I keep telling myself KINDERGARTEN registration is right around the corner, and Monday I registered Lydia for preschool.

We've been up to.......


We discovered we're getting a new FREE channel on our DISH. STARZ!!! So we've recently recorded: planet 51, the frog and the princess, open season 2 and.....Lydia's favorite "MEATBALLS" Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. She LOVES this movie. Thank goodness. And I can't wait for it to get warmer-the kids have cabin fever so bad. I wish we could afford to take them to Chucke e cheese or Olympic Fun Center to run off some of their energy.

I cleaned the kids room yesterday. Went through their drawers, packed away too small clothes and rotated clothes in their closets-wow Lydia's growing so fast lately. She's about growing out of her 3T clothes. Owen's wearing his Sz.6 pant knees out!!! I'm trying to debate what size shorts they'll both wear. We don't need to worry about length, which I usually have to. Both kids fell asleep in their nice clean room, freshly made beds last night by 8:15p.m. YAY! I thought that was great. But Lydia didn't sleep well. She fussed through the night. But then that would save me all the effort getting myself ready.

I work this week. YAY Monday and Thursday, just 6 hrs each day, but that's better than nothing. We're going to start our process for scanning. I'm excited. And am praying this brings more hours for me to work. I've got the rest of my part of the condo to pay for, bills and my shower to finish paying off. good Lord, please bless me with more hours.

Harley's visiting

Thursday evening our house added an extra dog for a few days. Boy it's interesting, but fun. My cousin Sarah (Peanut) and her boyfriend went away for the weekend. So, we volunteered to keep Harley while they were gone. That way he didn't have to go to the kennel. Harley is a black 2 year old cocker spaniel and boy is he BIG! (course anything compared to Molly is big). It's a bit different because we just let Molly out the front door, she does her business and back she comes. Harley on the other hand.....he's on a retractable leash. Guess it's for the best. His mommy brought his dish, food, blankets, toys and his cage. We're doing alright with him. Molly seems to want to play when he wants to sleep.

Owen has been fevering since Thursday morning. :-( This mornining again at 530am he woke up screaming, and hot as all get out. Troy decided it wasn't a good idea for him to go to school. And Owen said at that point he didn't feel like it. BUT 8am he was WIDE awake!!! At 930am he asked when I was taking him to school. I felt bad at that point, his temp seemed to be going down then, but still has an awful snotty nose and isn't the best at covering his mouth when he coughs or getting a tissue-what boy is? lol. So Mommy pushed back a few errands an hour or so and had daddy go with us. He used all the adult cold medicine last week, so it was mommy's turn to get some more, and Id forgotten Owen needed stuff for snack at school Monday. (after I got home I realized it is the following Monday-guess Im prepared now). We actually all took a nap this afternoon-thank goodness. My head, ears and throat are hurting. Awakened to Lydia crying-she'd slept so hard she wet my bed. So you can guess where my bedding is right now-yep washing machines are a great thing!

The dogs just started playing and it's hilarious!!!! I wish i could do flix on my cell-but it doesn't do that.

The "cold bug" has hit the Hill House!!!

It's true....the cold bug as hit our house. Daddy became sick last week once we returned from D.C. Slept seriously I swear 3days, took 1 whole box of dayqual and finished a box of nyqual. THEN the kids starting coughing through the night over the weekend.....and now they're snotty nosed, coughing and Owen's fevering. :-( Ive been feeling weaker and weaker, sore throat and coughing for a day now. Hope it gets outta our house quickly. Am hoping for naps today to sleep some of this off.

Lydia's being a stinker as usual. She's quick too. Last evening she in 5 minutes managed to make a disgusting mess that took me 15-20 minutes to clean and disinfect the bathroom and the result of all this .... A CLOGGED TOILET! What a disaster! Daddy was in D.C. last night, so we plunged and plunged and plunged. I get hysterical when things around the house don't work when they're supposed to and I have no one around to help.

Owen fell asleep at 6pm while meem was still here, woke up at 8pm to get pj's on and in bed, and Lydia was pj'd, medicine and sleeping by 830pm. YAY! or so I thought...I get myself so excited that they fall asleep early that I can't get to sleep. It was well after 11:30pm. boooooo. At 520am Owen woke up crying his throat hurt and he was burning up, we changed our wet clothes, got a dose of Tylenol and back to sleep we went til they were both WIDE awake at 7am. That's early for mommy. They're going on spurts today of arguing-but not as bad as the last few days.

Yesterday aunt Mary came to visit. She helps with the kids, and they LOVE having her. We got my little sewing machine out Mom got me for Christmas when I was pregnant with Lydia. I've got tooth fairy pillows to make for the kids and a gift to make for my best friend. I also would like to make sleep shorts for Owen this summer and dresses for Lydia. Meem brought a roast and we made that with mashed potatoes, noodles and corn. Owen wasn't too interested in eating, but Lydia polished off her plate and half of Owen's. She's such a good eater. I got the kitchen all cleaned up but the floor while meem played on the computer and we talked. Was nice having someone here to talk to while I did housework. But it was getting dark and Meem and Lacie decided to hit the road :-( i hate when visits come to an end.

Today we're just lounging around. I don't think I have the energy for Zumba tonight, but I am going to try bible study. Here's the link to the bible study I have been doing. It's very interesting and makes yout think.
http://madetocrave.org/

Troy's on his way from another Farm Bureau meeting, thank goodness meetings are done for a while.
Harley's coming over until Sunday. We're babysitting for Peanut (my cousin). Harley's a 2 yr old black cocker spaniel. He's so big and adorable!!! We're excited to have him.

Praying we get better real soon.