Spring Break day 1

I woke up exhausted as anyone should be after a nap instead of a night sleep.  4 hours was all I got and I am dragging (Remember I had to write a paper last night and did not start it till after dinner).  It is also overcast today and I miss the motivating sunshine.  I moved like a snail around the house today.  I curled up on the couch trying to go back to sleep sense the tiny team was still asleep thanks to the time change but the pot of coffee I had drank while getting the older boys off was preventing me from doing so.  I watched the announcement on the TODAY show that the oldest Duggar boy and his wife are now expecting there 3rd child, at 24.  Not much a surprise or news, but congratulations to them!!



What a beautiful family.  As I mentioned before he is from a large conservative christian family of 19 kids and she the same but her "small family" only had 8 children.  I laughed when she called her family of 10 small.  They are so young I wonder how far there family will grow.

Speaking of babies.... no I am not pregnant.  Quite the opposite   I have decided to spring clean my house this week and one of the things I have been doing is {gulp} getting rid of all my itty bitty baby stuff.  It is not easy.  Gracie is our last planned baby.  She is the best baby in the world and I love our family the way it is.  But that still does not make it any easier.  I have been giving away baby stuff, selling some and donating others.  Anything under 9 months of age in clothes, baby swings, bouncers and seats has been moving out of the house.  It surprisingly does not only affect me but I told Jay what I was doing and his face dropped.  He agreed it is sad.  We love babies.  But we also love our big kids and it is time we move on.

I never got my motivation.  I went out to play with everyone and that did not work.  I took all the snow clothes to the shed and packed up baby's horse in the car, {double gulp} that was the cutest bouncer!  She loved it and I loved watching her in it. But now that she can crawl and climb she wants nothing to do with it.



I am going to miss that and faith running around yelling ye-haw.

The insurance company called.  It went about as well as anyone would have expected.  The lady laughed at me and said what do you want us to do for you that's not our problem.  It became hers.  I called many other people and told them about the horrible attitudes and help I had been receiving and continued to get more calls it was frustrating and not resolved but it looks as if they are not going to take responsibility for an accident in their parking lot. More to come on this situation.

So spring break day 1 not to much success.  It is late again and I had wanted to go to bed a lot earlier.  But stayed up a bit sorting through more clothes and listening to the wind storm, whoa.

Hi lights and low lights

What a day!  Glad it is over.  I am glad we lost that hour today because I do not want to spend another hour in today.  Lets go over the recap...

Hi light- everyone slept in till 8:30!!!
Low light- it was really 7:30 and they were up late because I was trying to let them stay up and fall asleep watching the goodnight show in efforts not to wake their dad with the you have to sleep in your bed tonight ruckus there would be since he was home and had to work day shift.
Low light- he was restless through the night, barely slept, bothering me, and kept me awake.
Low light- waking up at 8:30  we missed church.

Hi light- Gregory cam home!!!
Low light- he was wearing the same clothes I dropped him off in eww!  But not as bad as when he went camping presidents day weekend and wore the SAME socks and underwear without showering the whole time, UGH, boys!  I even sent him complete outfits separated in bags for all the days and nights he would be gone (in both cases) and it does not matter.
Hi light- he had a great time and behaved well.



We heat our house with two sources of primary heat a pellet stove and a propane fireplace.  We are almost out of pellets 7 bags left so I needed to get more and I had received a coupon from Tractor Supply Company for 10% my entire purchase I took it a blessing. I figured I would run by there and pick up Gregory in the same trip.  Plus Tractor Supply Company has the baby chicks in now and my kids love that time of year.



Hi light- I got another ton of pellets and a discount of 10% off, more than enough for the rest of the year
Hi light- I had cash to pay for it.
Hi light/low light- I had all 5 with me and though it is a reality it led to a few problems
Hi light- they loved the baby chicks
Low light- they cried when I would not bring any home, even Gregory.  10 years of disappointment and not bringing them home apparently has still not prepared him for the fact that we still are not going to bring them home.
Low light- I said lets pick out a gift for pepa which they heard has everybody run to different corners of the store and pick out the most random expensive crap he would not want or use and continue running as mom tries to round everyone up.
Low light- Faith lost, maybe ate pieces to a screwdriver set he would not wanted anyways.
Hi light- Evan got a new hat he really likes
Hi light- he is not ending up with their choices of gifts, be thankful

And the biggest low of the day.  When I walked out to the truck to put everyone in I quickly noticed someone had hit it while we were in the store!  It is minor  damage but some small indents that could be popped and a lot of deep scraping in yellow and blue pain on my white truck that was in perfect condition.  I was upset and frustrated.  Collecting all the kids back from the store was hard enough and their constant advice of where to go for lunch was annoying.

Hi light- No one was hurt, no one was in the vehicle.  And you can tell by the marks no one was hurt in the other car either.
Low light- the other car was no where in sight.  I looked through the whole parking lot and they had left.  It was a hit and run.
Low light- they scrapes are deep enough it is more than cosmetic I have to get it fixed so it does not rust.
Low light- I only carry lilabilty on the truck since we rarely drive it.  But even if I had it fully insured my deductible would possibly be more than the pain work needed.
Low light- it is not like it is just on a bumper but the side/ whole bed of the truck is one whole piece how much will this going to cost me?

I went and got the store manager and filled a complaint with their insurance company, lets see how this goes.

Low light- I had to call the police too.  For something pretty little.  Hopefully no one was having a real emergency at the time.



Low light- surprise the manager was not that helpful
Low light- I had 5 hungry kids in the truck complaining and crying the whole time
Low light- it took over an hour
Low light- I was actually hulling more than my truck is registered for, not uncapable of but not registered for, and I called the police out to me
Hi light- he could have cared less.  He did not even notice.  He just tried to do everything as quick as he could so I could feed my kids.
Hi light- the weather was again beautiful in the 60's.  It could have been cold or raining but standing in the warmth was not to bad.
Hi light- it took up so much time I stopped and got the kids pizza for lunch from our favorite place Franks.  They were happy again, for a minute.

After lunch and once we got home with the weather being so nice I kicked everyone outside.

Hi light- it was wonderful weather!
Low light- lots of complaints from the boys who just wanted to play computer and wii
Low light- they NEVER stopped complaining hours later. I caved in when I needed to make dinner.
Hi light- the girls had fun outside
Hi light- I let Gracie experience and crawl in the grass for the first time ever.  It was amazing for me and Gregory to watch and play with her as she experienced so many firsts
Low light- the neighbors in the rental property behind me have a BIG dog a St. Bernard and they tied him up outside and he barked the whole time.  They bark loud.
Hi light- it is nice to play with the kids
Hi light- I got to read a chapter out of my book Decision Points and I love that book it is so good and such an easy quick read.  Mom it is your next after I finish it.



Low light- I had a test still to take today and a paper to write!
Hi light- I did and finished both
Low light- I got a B on the test
Low light- The paper could have been a lot better if I had more time
Hi light- now that both are done I an on SPRING BREAK!!!!!  There is such freedom in that.



Lets just end it on that note yay for spring break.  Although I wish I was like a normal college student and could be spending it on the beach.  I am tossing around the idea of going to the zoo this week though.  Exciting, I know.  It is also my birthday this week.

Well today is now over its tomorrow the kids will be up sooner than I wish.  The older two are going to the theater tomorrow, how amazingly fun.  I have to still get their clothes ready.  They are going to see Charlotte's Web.



Goodnight, thankfully goodnight.

This is the.....

No not Wal Mart face!
I am not tired mom face.
I wanted that toy face.
We do have candy face I no you are hiding it.
I will not walk you carry me face.
I am almost 2 face!



The face I love no matter what the expression or what the temperament.

Fuddruckers

Today was a bit different than most.  It is kinda weird and for more than just the fact we are going to mysteriously lose an hour tonight. I tried to explain it to my 8 year old he does not get it at all.  I sorta get it but I think it is stupid.  Ad how do all states not participate in it?

Today my oldest son was leaving for the weekend.  Headed up to a local ski resort with some friends, there are many around here.  Two under an hour and handfuls just over an hour.  But the crazy part is there are no mountains here. There are small hills.  They the call everything mountain though.  I guess when people started settling out here they named it mountain because they had not made it out west yet.  I live in a town called mountain and it is as flat as can be, and  only 800 ft above sea level.  But my son left and was so very happy about it.  He has been looking forward to this weekend away for months.

I had to drop him off at his friends to go up there and I had a ton of errands to do today, with gas prices so high and time so valuable I was going to try to get most of it done in the same outing.  But I had no idea the crowds that would be out today.  I pulled into target and the whole shopping center looked like the holidays!  Cars filled the parking lot from front to the last spaces.  I couldn't believe it.  I guess eveyone wanted to get out today.  It was such a nice day the weather was a warm 60 the sun was shinny bright.  Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer.  Crazy since Wednesday we had over 6 inches of snow, Friday a dusting.  As my kids were running around in t-shirts jacketless there is still a few inches of snow in the shady areas, mud everywhere else, including on them and my floors.  

I took Gregory with me since I had to drop him off and I took Faith because she is awaesome.  But she is so attached to me she would have cried if I left her and her choice is to always be with momma, however she is good about the school seperation times.  We got our first couple of stops done right away.  I decided to take them to Fuddruckers for lunch.  I love it and Jay never wants to go so it has been a long time since I was there last.  

It was a blast taking my oldest son and oldest daughter out.  They each have very dominant personalities, they both are goof balls and so cute.  I love them with all my heart and they love each other he same way.  I don't think I had ever been out with just the two of them.

Gregory loved Fuddruckers.  He thought it was a great burger and bun, that is very important.

Faithy loved it too and she had a salad though as she is a salad freak.  Don't even have one near her and not expect to share it with her.  But she was also into her lemon from her water.

We have been through this senerio a few times but  she repeats it often.  Faith it is sour remember?

Oh Yeah...

It taste better in the water.  

We sat the for almost an hour laughing and having a good time.  What made me smile is when Gregory said mom we should do this every Saturday for lunch.

It was a nice time with the oldest ones.  And makes me remember how important and special it is to have alone time with each kid or mix up the dynamics a bit.

However with Gregory gone and just the other 4 running around it does not feel right.  Throughout the day his presence was missed.  It was very noticeable to me because Evan was here.  Those two are usually not separated, maybe under a handful of times in their lives.  Which is having Evan now tired moping around saying somethings not right mom, somethings off, I can't sleep.

He is no doubt having a great time.  

Snow

Well Wednesday we got snow.  We woke up to the outside blanked in more than 6 inches of snow.



More snow fell but as it was laying it was also melting.  The day before we had been running around to blue skys in our light jackets.  Thurday and today have not been cold either around 50 but there is a cold wind blowing.  This was a spring snow.  And the kids finally had off for a snow day, a real one.

I took Gracie our as I wanted to get a snow angel picture of her.



Ah my little baby girl. We did not stay out to long so she did not mind it.  I was not sure I was going to be able to get a picture of her.  I though she might ball once I put her in the snow but she did real well.



Everything was pretty much closed that day I think we all took it as a day off, a day to stay inside and most importantly a day to say goodbye winter!



Our town square borrowed from the newspaper.

Evan Is 8

Evan turned 8!  And celebrated for two days.  My kids always seem to have dragged out birthdays.  But this year his real birthday was on a Monday so he celebrated then at home and school and the day before at Mema and Pepa's house.

My parents:
They were all excited to go down to there grandparents house.  They live WAY out in the backwoods country, no internet!  The kids were singing over the river and through the woods, which is actually very true, on the way down there.  They are so funny.  I wish I could have made a video.  But I can't imagine it would have been to safe to video and drive.



Evan had wanted a zombie birthday as he loves this new game called plants verses zombies   What a stupid game, all boy.  When we got there he saw plants near his presents and thought they were for him to through at stuff!  Crazy kid, he makes me laugh.  But he open a bunch of zombie stuff he has been playing with for days.  He got a computer game that the kids and I have all been playing, it is an I spy  game and I love those.

He also got lite brix.  A light up lego type of toy he wanted.



He loved it and made it right there.  It was a cool race car.  The lights go in different patterns they are neat.



He was doing a dance here over his finished project it was cute.  Again should have video taped it.



And there was cake.  He was not to happy about his sister helping blow out candles



But he was taking forever to blow out the relighting candles and she wanted cake.



cutie pie.

At School:
 He loves to celebrate with his friends he loves to be the center of attention.  I kinda feel bad for bringing the babies along because they take away from that attention but they were looking forward to going to the brothers school.  The could not wait.  Asking me every hour till we left can we go now?



His whole class was there and they were so happy to be interrupted with cupcakes and babies.  I had asked Evan when do you want me to come today?  He said Oh MoM you can come during work time that when we always celebrate.  HA!  I somehow don't think so.  I messaged one of his teachers (he has 3 for the 18 students, teacher gifts get expensive at holidays, and thank you you times.  Last year I got his plus his brothers teachers just because gifts from Penzey's spices and they were a HIT!  They were also on sale.  Even not on sale I would recommend it.) and she said come before lunch.  That worked out great for me and yes they were doing independent work when I came in.

Evan was so HAPPY!  I love his face in this picture.  Holding up the Earth.



Remember there birthdays are a bit different the birthday child holds the Earth and walks around the sun, a friend of their choseing, for each year they were alive.  And the class each time says in 200?  Evan was ____.  And Evan is my special birthday child he is my 3-4-5 baby.  Born March (3) 4, 2005.  I wish all the kids had easy to remember birthdays.

In that picture you can also see 4 of my kiddos.  If you look through the door window you see his brother my oldest Gregory.  That is how close they are all day long.  They can go see each other when ever they want as long as they are not in a lesson, and they frequently do.  Gregory was so happy to see the tiny team. He kept running over kissing them and showing off his siblings to his friends.

The cutest thing was my little guy Smiley he just loves Evan so much and wants to be like him.  He followed him around the son, Adison, as he would walk.



Faithy was there too but rather than hang out with the kids she had her eye on something else.



And now what has become the the annual dropping of the cupcakes did not happen seconds after this, LUCKILY.  The kids all ate and enjoyed there cupcakes.  The award this year goes to baby.  As we were home and had a dozen leftovers she was reaching for the box, got it, and it went tumbling.



I can't blame her she loves that cupcake goodness.  Lucky her there are many more birthdays coming up too.

At Home:
Later that night the kids and I did a small celebration at home.  Evan ran through the door ready to open his presents.



I bought him this big expensive gift he really wanted after Christmas on clearance.  I knew he would love it and did, sorta.



When I took it out of the package it was such cheap plastic.  I would have been upset if I would have paid full price.  I was up set when the stupid thing does not even work!  AGH, I will try to take it back.  Good thing he got Beyblades.  He loves them.



He got a destroyer dome from Mrs. Ginny that made him so very happy.  He had been asking for it for a long time and it made his day.

He wanted pizza for his dinner so I surprised him and made an 8.  He laughed and thought it was delicious.



Happy Birthday Evan you are a gre8 kid!

Chef Faith

Faithy made breakfast for her sister.



I love her you gotta be kidding me look.  Her faces are priceless.

Really mom, what am I supposed to do?



Dig in?





What an adventure they are.