Hello Again

I know I've been gone a while again. This time it has been because my computer was acting up and I had to have someone do a total restore on it for me. For some reason I was having troubles doing it on my own even though I've done it in the past. After that I still had to download other things and updates to it. Hopefully I worked out all the kinks in it. :) Come tax time when we get our money I am going to get a new computer hopefully. Nothing too expensive but something that isn't as slow as this one can be LOL.

The boys had a very bad cold also in the time of my absence. It wasn't the flu but they felt miserable just the same. Coughing, sore throat and headache never feel very good. But they are both fine now thankfully. Also I am happy to report that I did not get sick! I washed my hands vigilantly while I took care of them. I wasn't sure if that would help or not since they did breath on me a few times LOL. All in all though I have remained healthy.

In other news I was contacted by the higher ups (International) of the MOMS Club and they asked if I wanted to be a Big Sister and I have accepted. Basically I would keep track of eight chapters of MOMS Club and what they are doing (from reports they send me) and then I would make a combination report and send it to some people from International. I would also answer questions to these chapters if they have any. I would also get their newsletters and I would review them to make sure everything is just right. The newsletters are only once a month so that won't be too big of a deal and I am on the computer a lot anyway with different things so answering questions won't be too hard either. It's too bad I don't get paid for any of it though (LOL) since it's a non-profit organization. But on the upside I can put all this on a resume if I ever do have to go back to work.

Hubby is looking into a new job. The job he is at now isn't one that he will be able to move up in. From what he's heard there are people that have been there 20 years and still making the same pay he is now! But this new job opportunity he should have a chance at moving up in. It starts at 25 cents less than what he is making now but they work more hours (45-50 hrs a week.) and it will be days. Which is what he wants anyway (he works later afternoons now 4:30 P.M.-1:00 A.M. and a lot of times till 3:00 A.M.) so he can spend more time with the boys.

He went today for an interview and they said they might set up a tour of the plant on Friday for him and then he would take the drug test. After all that he would start working there. I guess it starts off like a contract job but after so many months (or so) they hire you and the pay goes up a bit then too. So we shall see how that goes. He's grateful to have the job he has now but it isn't what he had hoped it would be. Granted this new job might not either but hopefully it's at least a step up. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that he makes the right choice about this job.

Anyway I hope everyone is doing well. Hopefully I will be blogging more again without any more computer problems! I've missed it!

Imperfect Family

I try not to complain too much on this blog but man today was a rough day. I don't know if it's just me (maybe I am being grouchy or what) but the kids really drove me nuts today. I love being a stay at home/homeschool mom 99% of the time (well ok more or less) but there are moments I feel like ripping my hair out.

For some reason today I had to repeat myself more than twice to get them to settle down or do something. Then of course they wanted to whine about doing their school work. It just seemed like they had to push my buttons.Now I guess I really shouldn't complain because they really are great kids. They hardly ever argue and usually (notice the word usually) behave and listen to me. Today wasn't one of those days though.

Nobody seems to believe that the boys can act up. I have friends tell me all the time oh your kids are so well behaved. All the moms in my chapter of MOMS Club also love the boys and they get invited places all the time. Don't get me wrong I am glad they are well behaved and glad people like them but it feels so weird when they compliment our parenting skills LOL. Because they do misbehave at times or make wrong decisions. I don't want people to think we are all perfect. I am far from Mrs. Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver or any other family show of that era and my family isn't perfect either.

My oldest is at that stage where he thinks he knows everything and will argue with me (or at least try to ) about anything and everything even if I know better. Either that or he gets very sarcastic and even though he isn't trying to can come off like he is disrespecting me. So I have to try and correct him in that area. Don't get me wrong he is a very loving and compassionate person. He would do anything to help anyone out. There are times though that he and I butt heads.

My youngest....well he is likes to be clingy and whiny at times and though he's gotten better in the whiny area but when he gets tired it comes back with a vengeance. He is also a very loving compassionate person but sometimes (especially with his school work) he likes to be so clingy and wanting me to do everything for him or with him.

Then there is me who sometimes gets moody and no matter what anyone does it seems to be wrong LOL. Sometimes I can be the biggest kid in the room. I want it done my way and even then it might not be good enough. I too have a big heart and a compassion for people and would do anything for family and friends. But there is another side of me that isn't so nice and very hormonal. I call her Mrs. Dragon and when she comes around it's safer for everyone if she stays in her room by herself till she gets over herself.

My husband...well anyone who has a husband knows there are things you can complain about a husband. From not putting their dirty laundry in the hamper to not helping out more with the kids. But I digress. My husband is a a good man and does more than a lot of husbands but he isn't perfect either.

I really hope no one thinks we are a perfect family. If they were to come in our  home they would be so sadly disappointed. They would see kids and parents that argue sometimes and do things not all that great too. I am really ok with being imperfect (well if you asked Mrs. Dragon you might get a different answer LOL) and I don't judge anyone else for their imperfectness either. We all have our issues and that is ok. Thank goodness God loves us anyway LOL.

How I went from complaining about my kids to imperfectness I don't know. I told you I am a rambler and tend to write all over the place. A writer I will never be LOL. Good thing I just write a blog for myself and not for anyone else. If you read it I thank you and hope I don't confuse you too much with my many twist and turns. If no one reads it then hey at least I have my own little diary LOL.

Always Busy

Boy did this weekend go by so fast! Then again we were busy. It was a good kind of busy though. Sat. I went to the local parade/craft show(we weren't in the parade) to get MOMS Club® advertised. What was cool about that though was that we were inside the high school. It was the school my husband went to when he was teenager. What else was neat was that we were kiddie corner to the wall (every year Seniors of that year painted a wall) that hubby and his friend painted for their senior year. Let me tell you even though I didn't go to that school it brought back memories when hubby and I were teenagers! It really doesn't seem like it's been 17 years since we started dating (12 years of marriage). It was very nice to have those memories again.

After I got home from that and after lunch we left to go to another parade where my sister-in-law and brother-in-law lived. It was so cold but we watched it and the boys got more of what they (think) need....candy! LOL. It was fun though. I have to say I am so grateful for the family we have. Hubby's family has always felt like my family too. I love them as much as I love my own family.

Speaking of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law please keep them in your prayers. They are going through something right now (nothing bad :) ) and could use some prayers. I don't want to get into it too much so I am just going to ask for prayers for them. Thank you.

Sunday, we didn't go to church. Poor hubby didn't sleep well the night before and the boys ended up sleeping in. I think they needed the sleep anyway. So instead we went to visit my mom. We had a nice dinner together and enjoyed each other's company.

Today I had to get to the board meeting for MOMS Club® to make sure all the business is taking care of. We also started to talk about our end of the year banquet we have. It's not till June but we want to discuss ideas and stuff for it. It is the best time for us moms of the club! We get to dress up and feel pretty and really enjoy ourselves. I can't wait to see what we plan. It's all a surprise to the members till we sent out the invites and what not!

After the meeting I ran and did grocery shopping and came home and spent some time with the family and made an early dinner. Since hubby works afternoons now we have a pretty early dinner so he can eat with us. I feel it's important for us to eat together.

Oh and between that I of course did school with the boys. I swear I need some clones of myself LOL. Anyway I wanted to get to the Library today but I didn't get a chance to. Maybe tomorrow after I go to the Laundromat to do our laundry.

As you can see not too much has changed for me LOL. I am still as busy as ever. Maybe one day I will slow down. I do get some downtime but I notice if I am stationary too long I become antsy and irritable LOL. So maybe that is just how I am supposed to be. I love being involved in things. I am slowly learning to take breaks here and there though LOL.

Sorry I know I rambled on through this but just like my life I tend to rush through things....It is who I am I guess. Hopefully you understand what I wrote LOL. Thanks for listening to me LOL.

More About Me and MOMS Club®

Here is another little update about me. I have been a part of MOMS Club® for almost six years now(in June) and I have been Secretary two of those times. This past year I decided that I would run (we have an election every year) for President and lo' and behold I was elected! It was between the founder of the club and I. I heard it was a close race but it was a secret ballot so I don't know how close it really was.

It is something I never would have thought about doing before. When I first joined I was just a member and planned to stay that way. But then I had a friend within the club that pushes me (nicely pushed) into being a  coordinator for Create & Play. Even though I didn't think I could do it (because me crafty? no way!) I tried it anyway and found I loved it. I also got to know someone within the club that at first didn't particularly care for and soon we became best of friends! (Let me tell you it was a God thing for sure :) )

After a while I got in the groove of things and thought ok I can do this but I would never be on the board! Well about four years later I had another friend (my now best friend) really (again nicely) pushed me into going for Secretary. Well no one ran against me so I got it! I realized I really liked doing it! Never thought I would like to take notes (hated to in school) and being organized (in my real life I am so not an organized person though I wish I was.).

So I ran again the next year but this time I didn't get it. I was ok with that though. After all I should give other's a chance to do it. Well a few monthly later the person who got it had to return to work so she had to step down. No, one else was volunteering for it so I took it over once again. Again I loved it.

That term was running out and then this time all on my own I decided I would run for President. I decided that I've had people push me into things and I ended up liking it and hey it was time for me to step out of my box without having to have someone push me into it. So I ran and was elected! My term will be over June 30th but so far, even though there has been some bumps in the road, I have enjoyed it.

I really believe God has put me in these situations to help me grow and go outside my comfort zone. Sure it was uncomfortable and hard at times but I am not doing things I never would have thought about doing. I don't know what He has prepared for me but I am willing to follow where ever He takes me.

Next year I don't plan on running for anything and just be a member for a while (maybe a coordinator) but who knows maybe God will have other things planned. I just have to wait and see.

Busy, Busy and Thoughts and Prayers Please :).

It’s been a busy few days here.  Friday was the MOMS Club® meeting.  It went pretty well.  I was a big surprised.  Usually it’s a little more chaotic but this time it wasn’t.  It was nice :).

Saturday I had a headache for most of the day but eventually it went away and I went to a friends house where she was hosting a craft night and I learned a little bit about scrapbooking and she and another friend gave me some stuff to use :).  I’d like to get more into it but man it can be expensive *sigh*.  It was a lot of fun!

Sunday was Church of course and the rest of the day was pretty lazy.  I went to bed late on Saturday night so I was tired most of the day Sunday.  I even took a nap and still went to bed early!  I was that tired LOL.

Today was really busy.  First I didn’t realize till last minute I had a meeting within MOMS Club® for something we are doing on April 25th.  So I had to rush to get out the door to get to that but it was nice.  I got to talk with some friends too and that’s always nice.

After that we came home and hubby went and took some Library books back for me and then we were all off to the Laundromat to do laundry.  Which is never really fun when you have a husband and two children along LOL.  Especially when said husband is in a rush ugh!

Why was hubby in a rush?  Because he wanted to get new tires put on our jeep.  He had to get there (he called them earlier) before 4:00 p.m. to get them put on and balanced and what not.  So he was a bit impatient at the Laundromat.  Sorry honey I can’t force the dryers to dry faster LOL. 

Just when I think things are not so busy something happens and we are out the door.  That’s ok though because I’d think I’d be board without all the running we do LOL.

Hubby has his job interview tomorrow.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers that he can get this job.  It might start off part-time and low pay but with it being a State Job it will get better.  We will just have to tighten our belts more than we have already but I know we will get through till then.  Thanks for the support everyone :).

Hello

Hello Everyone,  I know I have been gone a LONG, LONG time and I am sorry.  We have just had a lot going on.  We have had our fair share of illnesses and been busy with school. Seems we get really busy this same time of year every year with doing things. 

I have been spending a lot of time with my camera :).  A friend of mine in Feb. took me and the boys to take pictures of this one park that had flooded and then iced over.  I got some really great pics :). 

The boys with their friend 

bridge near the park

I have many more cool pics of this park but maybe I will show those another time :)

Also in Feb. the boys had Science Club within the MOMS Club®

Then of course we have been doing school work as you can see it’s not the most fun thing for the boys LOL.

Then in March I played more with my camera….

Can you tell they are getting sick of me taking pics?

Also in March we went to the Natural History Museum.  The boys had a lot of fun looking at everything!

View Full Album

Then this past weekend (March 21) we had a birthday party for both boys.  Since Jarod’s birthday falls so close after Christmas (Jan. 3) we decided to have a combined party for both boys.  Poor Jarod has never had a birthday party because where his birthday falls and we just don’t have the money at that time.  But he and Chord had a lot of fun this year with it!  They had it at our local bowling alley! My Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law bought the cake but decorated it themselves (aren’t they awesome?!)

View Full Album

 

Then today was Chord’s official birthday!  Can you believe he is nine years old now?!  I still can’t figure out where the time went.  Anyway we took the boys to the Zoo today.  It was a bit chilly but so worth it because there was hardly anyone there :).  So we didn’t have to rush through it like in the summer months.  We also got to hear an elephant trumpet a little and one of the Lions roared at us LOL.  Well I wouldn’t say roar exactly it was more like it was calling or something.  It scared Jarod though LOL.  But it was the coolest thing to hear.  Usually they are sleeping on the other side of the Rock so we can’t see them but this time one of them made an appearance.  I only wish I took a video of it instead of just pictures.  Anyway here are some zoo pictures!

View Full Album

 

In other news, Harlow has decided to not continue with the schooling.  He was having a rough time with it and it wasn’t making him happy and his negative attitude about it was rubbing off our family as well.  So he is now not going to school but still getting unemployment and actively looking for a job.  Even if he has to start from the bottom he is willing to do it.

Please pray that he can get into a Rest Area which would be a State Job.  His friends brother works there and he told Harlow there will be an opening there soon.  So pray that there is an opening and that he does get the job. Even if he starts off at a low wage it’s a state job so it will have good benefits and in the long run he will make better money down the road.  So please keep thinking of us :). 

I am sorry I have been gone so long.  I also wanted to thank all of you who have commented or emailed me wondering how I have been.  I really appreciate it :).  At least I know I was missed a little LOL.  I hope everyone is doing well!!!

Been a Little Busy

Yesterday was a pretty good day.  I was originally supposed to have a board meeting (don't I sound so important? LOL NOT) with the other board members of MOMS Club® at our house but because of the weather (we got 5 more inches of snow!) only a couple of them showed up so instead we just had some girl talk while the kids played :). 

It was nice because I got to vent some things out and felt better when I wasn't the only one who felt the way I did about a certain situation.  Nothing horrible just something that has been bothering me.  Well that and I have been PMSing anyway so it was nice to have other women to talk to lol.  No matter how hard he tries my hubby just doesn't understand LOL.  The poor guy :).  LOL.

They got here around 9:30 a.m. and stayed still almost 1 p.m. LOL.  It was really nice to have some friends over.  It's been a while since I just sat and talked with some friends.

Today was a pretty busy day.  Did some schooling early this morning and then off to one of the other moms, that was over here yesterdays, house for a new member breakfast with some newer members of the MOMS Club®.  So again I got to just be with friends and this time I didn't have anything to vent about LOL. Just  a nice time.

After leaving my friends house we were off to get our taxes done.  We were pleasantly surprised about just how much we are getting back.  Much needed but surprised all the same.  I can get everything I wanted for next years curriculum for the boys.  I thought I would have to really tighten the belt on that but I can spend what I normally do.  Not that I am going to spend loads on it but I can spend more than I thought on it anyway.  After we got home from that I finished up school work with the boys.

Tomorrow is the MOMS Club® monthly meeting so after making dinner today I had to get things around for the meeting.  I had to get the sign-up sheets up and printed and get things around to send to the higher-ups (it's an International club). 

Later tomorrow we are going to my brother-in-law and sister-in-laws home.  My sister-in-law just found out she has lupus but the good news is that it's not the systemic lupus which is the bad one but it's the Discoid Lupus Erythematosus which generally just effects the skin. It can turn to the other kind but she will have to go and get tests every so often so they can keep an eye on things but otherwise she is in good health!  So we will be visiting them tomorrow as well.

I am not going to complain on how busy I have been the last few days LOL.  It's been a while since I've had a lot going on so it was all good.  So what have you been up to lately? 

Laundry, Bunk Beds and Stress

Not much going on today.  Hubby went with us today to the Laundromat because he had to go to Michigan Works to update a few things so he can get his extension on Unemployment. 

While I was folding laundry he helped with school work by having Jarod read to him.  Jarod did really well.  He's really coming along in his reading.

When we got home we finished up school work and cleaned the boy's top bunk.  See we don't have a lot of room and the boys don't have a closet in their room.  So some of their big "Star War" ships were up there.  The boys have shared the bottom bunk for a while now.  Even when it wasn't all full of stuff they liked to sleep in the same bad. 

Hubby bought an extra bin to put at least most of them in and the rest on top of them (these are big ships.  Got them on E-bay :) ).  So now they have the top bunk again.  They were really excited about it now though.  I think they are getting older and need their own space.  I am glad we cleaned it up for them. 

Jarod is now sleeping on the top (he really wanted to LOL) and Chord is sleeping on the bottom bunk (Which he prefers anyway).  Besides they are both getting to big to share one twin sized bunk LOL.  Nice to have a little more room too I think.

Friday is the MOMS Club® Membership Meeting so once again I am having to get the Newsletter ready for print.  We are still working on it but this month I am not getting stressed out about it.  I figure I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.  So if it doesn't get done they can't really blame me for it :P.  I am learning not to stress the small stuff (really trying anyway LOL). 

So how about you?  Do you get stressed easily? (Oh I sure can on certain things). What is something that really stresses you out? What do you do to chill out? LOL.  I was just curious to see if I am alone or not LOL.

MOMS Club® Breakfast and Homeschool Ramblings.

Well today was a good day.  We didn't do much other than school work but after the last few days it was nice not having to run around.  Tomorrow morning it's off to my friends house.  Boys will come with me.  We are having a board and new member breakfast for MOMS Club®.  We are starting with the new members since Jan. 2008.  I think this will be a good way to get people to mingle with each other and feel more comfortable.

Homeschooling has been going well with the boys.  Chord is having problems a bit with subtracting when you have to borrow.  It's not really that he can't do it but I think he get's impatient and just does it without doing it and getting it wrong.  Then of course he has to go back and redo them.  When I tell him he has to borrow he does great and gets them all right.  It's just he doesn't want to do it I think LOL.  He can add (Carry over and all) and multiply the smaller numbers just fine though.  He's actually starting to learn a little bit of Pre-Algebra so I don't know why he just doesn't like to subtract with borrowing.

Jarod is really doing well with learning to read.  He took another Phonic test today and aced it!! I thought he would be harder to teach Phonic but I almost think he was easier than teaching Chord.  I don't know if it's because when I was teaching Chord we were newbie homeschoolers and  I was just getting frustrated.  Or if it's just easier LOL.  Chord is an excellent reader now but I just remember thinking he's never going to learn to read LOL.  I guess I am more relaxed with teaching it since we have now been homeschooling for four years though.

I think I am going to have to really go over the memorization facts of adding and subtracting.  He can do them but it he has to really think about them.  I was horrible in math so I really would like to see them understand it better than I ever did.  I think I will make a game of it though so it doesn't become more "work". 

Everything else they are doing really well in.  I love that now that we have been doing it for a while that we have our own flow of things.  Sometimes we start off at the same time but I am not really talking about time but we have a natural way we do things.  We are comfortable with each other and it's not a big fight to get through the school work.  I know we have our little school room but it's more for us a place to relax without distraction and really learn together.  Sometimes we get sidetracked with something else and it's ok.  I never feel rushed or that we need to catch up.  I know they will learn things when they are ready.  Not when I am ready :).

When we first started homeschooling I was a typical newbie LOL.  Not saying all new homescoolers are like this but a lot are.  I was making school at home instead of homeschooling.  Boy was that a hard first year LOL.  The longer we homeschool the more relaxed I have become and realizing just how much they learn without me having to do a whole lot.  I am more of an observer and helper, than I am a teacher.  I never really realized how much they can teach themselves.  Sure I am there to help them along the way but they can do a lot on their own.  They are becoming so independent as I watch them.

Well I have probably board you to tears reading this.  That is if anyone reads it LOL.  Thank you fore reading it though if you did :).  I hope you are having a great week!!!

My Babbling's

It has been a busy couple of days.  Yesterday was Bible Study with the MOMS Club®.  We are still studying Joel Osteen's book Become a Better You .  Bible Study was canceled for one reason  or another the last couple of months.  So it was nice getting back into it.  I love our discussions too.   I always fell energized after having fellowship with other Christians!  Boys went with me too so they could play with their friends!  So  it was good for them too.

The friend that took us to Bible Study also took some of the toys (actually quite a lot) that I went through and was going to give away. So that is one less thing I have to worry about yea!!!

Anyway after Bible Study we went to the Library.  Me being goofy forgot it was Columbus Day so the Library was closed.  Thankfully I wasn't the only one who forgot though LOL.  So I just dropped our books in the drop box and I took the boys to play at the park right next to the Library for a while.  They had fun and immediately made friends with a couple of other kids there LOL.  They get along with everyone.  It really amazes me on how quickly they become friends with other children.  They don't care how old you are or what you look like.  All they care about is if you will play and talk with them LOL.  I remember being so painfully shy growing up.  I had a hard time making friends.  I don't know if that was because we moved around so much or because I got picked on a lot.  Maybe a combination of both.  I am just so thankful the boys aren't as bashful and shy as I was.

Anyway I got off track again LOL.  That was my day yesterday.  I don't think I actually got to sit down much till after five p.m. so I was pretty tired last night.  Thus the reason I didn't blog yesterday.

Today was Laundry Day.  This time I had quite a bit too since going through all the boys clothes and getting out all the fall/winter clothing and putting away all the summer clothes.  Surprisingly I didn't spend as much as I thought I would.  The washers work great there so they aren't too wet when they get to the dryer.

After going to the Laundromat we finished up school work and went back to the Library because I had to pick up a few books.  Chord wants to learn a bit about architecture and he picked out a few books to read.  He asked me how many he could get LOL. Like I was going to tell him he can only read a few books LOL.  He ended up getting four.  He wants me to read one or two to them too though.  So it's all good.  He has started reading the Magic Tree House books and he is really liking them.  He was reading the Andrew Lost books but he has read just about all of them now.  I am so glad he likes reading as much as I do. 

I also got a couple books for Jarod to read.  Well I help him but he's been doing well and I don't have to help him as much as I have had too.  I hope he learns to love reading too :).  I can't imagine not loving to read hehe. 

I also picked up a couple books on some history topics we are going to learn about.  With their History we mostly just read together about whatever it is we want to learn about.  I figure this way they will be more interested in what they are learning.  I remember being board to death in History/Civics classes.  Now I love learning about the past.  So far the boys like hearing about the past too so I hope this helps them really love to learn.

I guess I have babbled on enough and sorry if I have board you to death LOL.  I hope everyone is having a good week so far!!

A Little of This and a Little of That.

Well I still have more cleaning to do but I haven't done any since Friday LOL.  I am wore out.  I will get to the rest probably either tomorrow or Tuesday depending what all I have to do.

Last night I went on a MOMS Night out with MOMS Club® mom's.  It was a bonfire at one of the mom's homes.  It was really nice to just hang out with friends with no worries.  I really needed it and glad my other friend talked me into going.

Today we went to church but have not other plans for today.  I plan on being pretty lazy LOL.  My body is still sore from all the cleaning (and hey I have exercising too with my Shimmy DVD LOL).  It will be nice just to sit and relax for a day. :)

Tomorrow I have Bible Study with the MOMS Club® moms.  I have another friend coming to pick me up so we don't have to worry about gas.  She lives in the town next to mine and has to come through this way anyway.  So that will be nice. I love these monthly gatherings :). 

For the rest of the week besides Friday I don't have much of anything planned but that may change too never know.  Friday is just a breakfast with new members with the MOMS Club®.  Nothing elaborate just a breakfast at another board members home.  Just away for the new members to feel welcomed.  So do you have any plans for the week?

Sorry I know I haven't blogged since Thursday. It's been a busy weekend. Friday I had a MOMS Club® Calendar Planning meeting in the mid morning for next months Calendar. After that we just spend time together and then hubby had to go to band practice. I just didn't get a chance to blog. I also had to type up a few things for the Calendar.

Saturday, we went to my BIL's house for his birthday. His birthday was actually Thursday but we celebrated it on Saturday. The boys had a great time at their cousins (as they always do LOL) and we had a good time too. had a cook out and all. All though we ate in doors because it was a bit chilly. The kids did get to go out and play for a bit though later.

Sunday, was Church of course and then right afterwards I had to take the boys to a birthday party of their friends. (Same friend we did the Shimmy dancing at :D ) The boys had a blast there too. She had a lot of fun games for the kids to play. Like racing, tug of war, water balloon catch and other fun games like that. It was a nice laid back party and I know all the kids had so much fun and so did the moms! Afterwards I and another friend helped her clean up a bit before we left. I know how over whelming that can be with a lot of kids in the house LOL.

Today, was a Board Meeting with the MOMS Club® to finalize the Calendar and talk about our Agenda for Nov. It went pretty well. I think we are getting in the grove of things. Now I just pray the Newsletter goes smoothly. After the meeting I came home finished up schooling with the boys (started before I left) and typed up and sent the minutes to the other board members and fixed parts of the Calendar that needed to be fixed.

Tomorrow is just laundry day. So the boys and I will go to the Laundromat and get the laundry done and then come home and chill. So the next two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) I don't have much planned. At least not at the moment. Then Thursday just going to my friends house to do some Shimmy (Belly Dancing) with her and just hang out for a bit. Later we will go grocery shopping. Friday, as of yet no plans. I hope we don't do too much because I am already tired LOL. I know this post is just one big blur but I am tired but I am tired and just wanted to tell you all what I have been up to LOL. Please forgive my babbling. So how was your weekend and have any plans for the rest of the week?

Today was fun. Went to my friends house for a MOMS Club® gathering for us moms to exercise with Shimmy :). My friend has the DVDs too so we just went to her house and danced together. It was a lot of fun. Normally I wouldn't dance in front of everyone but since I do it everyday and it's with friends I was ok with it LOL. Next week I am going back to her house and her and I are going to do it again together.

My friend and I always have a good time when we are together. We are ok with being goofy and silly. Neither one of us cares if people think we are nuts LOL. It's funny that when her and I first met we had some miscommunication so we didn't really talk to each other. We both though the other one didn't like the other. Then one day I was going to call her because I felt in my heart I should reach out to her (a God moment I say LOL) and she ended up calling me before I got a chance too. So we talked and have been friends every since. I am so glad we did because she is a good friend now and we have so much in common.

Ok totally changing the subject but I have another Jarod funny moment to tell LOL. We were watching a rerun of Nanny 911 (Chord actually wanted to watch it LOL) and of course the kids were throwing their fits (on TV not my boys LOL) and I looked over at Jarod and asked. "What if you had kids and they acted like that what would you do?" Jarod without missing a beat says, "I would call 911 and say my kid has gone crazy!" LOL how a six year old comes up with these things I will never know LOL. I hope everyone is having a good week.

Warning This Post Contains a Vent

Well today has been a busy day. Laundry day of course but I also had to work on our Newsletter and calendar for the MOMS Club®. I was supposed to go get copies made but the President of the club and I had to revise it. So now I have to wait till Thursday to go get them copied. I could go tomorrow but I don't want to waste any more gas in our Jeep then we already have to. Thursday we are going grocery shopping anyway so we will be in town for me to go do that. Then our meeting is on Friday. So it's cutting it close. Ugh, I was hoping this month would run smoother than the last few months did but it's not.

The board and I tried to set a deadline so when I go to do laundry on Tuesday's I can just get the copies made then too. So I was supposed to get the final daft yesterday. Well I didn't get it till after I was already in bed sleeping so I woke up and found mistakes and what not. So I emailed our President (it was early morning so I didn't want to call her) and she didn't get my emails till later. So I had to get to the Laundromat to do our laundry because frankly I am not putting things I need to do on hold for a job I am not even getting paid for you know?! So now it will have to wait till Thursday.

I am not the most organized person I admit but I like some what of a routine. I hate not knowing when something will happen. Of course life is like that but with a club you would think it would be a little more routine right? I don't know maybe I am just frustrated with some other things that have been going on since I got into the board. Lets just say that some people are being a bit petty. Oh well I guess I should just let it go. Not let it get to me too much. One thing I won't do is let it effect my family life. If it gets to that point I might have to bow out. Ok I am done with my rant LOL. Sorry if this board you all. I just needed to get it off my chest.

Don't have anything much to blog about. Had a pretty laid back weekend. Still trying not to use too much gas. The place we went to this weekend was Church. Oh and hubby went with his friend to Musicians Friend so he (his friend) could pick something up. That was about it for us. Today was much the same. Only difference is we did schooling LOL.

Tomorrow I am going to a Pot Luck within the MOMS Club®. It's a Mexican themed and we all get to bring one ingredient to it. Which is good for me because I am really awful on knowing what to bring or make for a pot luck LOL. This time I am bringing the shredded cheese LOL. So it should be a good time.

The rest of the week we aren't doing anything till Friday. That's when (if weather permits) hubby drops us off at my friends house (she homeschool's too) and then we head for the Zoo. We got a membership before hubby was laid off so as long as we pack our lunches we won't have to pay for anything :).

Tomorrow is also laundry day so I am going to go to the Laundromat (with boys and their school work) head to the store for a couple things and then to the Pot Luck. Then on Thursday we will probably do a bit of grocery shopping. So that is our week planned out. Pretty boring huh? LOL. How was your weekend?

I am feeling much better than I have been feeling. I actually feel human!! For a while there I was wondering LOL. Still not 100% but am up to 90% better now. Ugh it's nice to feel well again. I don't what it was but it hit me hard!

Anyway yesterday I had a Calendar Planning meeting with the MOMS Club® at a park. I didn't take the boys with me though because even though they haven't gotten what I had so far I didn't want to chance that they would spread it to the other kids. I have been a nurses aid before and I seen how fast an illness can spread. So I am really picky when it comes to spreading germs. I have to carry hand sanitizer with me because if we go to stores and touch a cart I have to use it to not only clean my hands but I even put some on the cart handle LOL. Then I use it again on my hands when I park the cart LOL. Anyway I am getting off track LOL. So I spent a couple hours there planning next months calendar and chatting with the other moms.

After coming home we didn't do too much. Just had the boys finish up some school work that we didn't get to before I had left. Other than that we didn't do anything. Which is good since I was still not feeling all that well. Today has been much the same. Only I didn't go any where. Harlow actually did grocery shopping for me while I stayed home and schooled the boys.

Tomorrow I am going to return some books to the Library and take the boys too so they can pick out some books and have a chance to play around there. Well other than that not much going on. I am just trying to feel 100%. How is your week been?

Zoo Day

Today was an eventful day. My friend and her little boy came and picked us up to go to the Zoo. We have a membership pass for the Zoo so we didn't have to use any money :) (good when your hubby doesn't have a job at the moment). I packed us some lunch too. We got to the zoo and met the other MOMS Club® moms and had a great time. We got there just after 10 a.m. and we didn't get going home till after 4 p.m.

It was a perfect day for the zoo. There was overcast but no rain so it wasn't hot either. Perfect!! A lot of the animals were out and about too since it wasn't so hot. All accept the cat animals LOL. Actually though the Tigers were out and about but the Lions, Cheetahs and the Snow Leopard were all laying down sleeping. Must be a cat thing (other than the tigers LOL.). I have some pics of the boys but it was group photo's with the MOMS Club® so I can't show you those pics (don't think the moms want their kids on the Internet LOL). But I will share with you the animal pics I got (not a lot though seeing as we go to the Zoo a lot and having 100 pics of an animal we just don't need LOL.)

The tigers were the only cats that weren't sleeping lol.

These Meerkat's were fighting. One of the moms said they must be siblings LOL.

Found out that these Ape's are actually Monogamous and when the female finds a mate she shows she is loyal to him by turning from black and white to all white. How cool is that?

I was surprised with these sharks. Usually they stay up top more and I can never get a good pic of them. This time I did :).

The boys and I found this interesting. It's called a Zebra Mantis Shrimp. The boys remarked on how much it did look like the praying mantis except with more legs LOL.

Busy, Busy (So what's new LOL)

Today has been one busy day.  Woke-up at my new 6:00 A.M. time and did my exercises (after a couple cups of coffee of course LOL).  Then the boys got up and I fed them breakfast.  Afterwards I got stuff ready and we did some school work. 

Then it was off to the MOMS Club® Membership Meeting.  It ended up being a long meeting because we had a vote on some money issues.  Any time there is money issues you can guarantee it's going to be a long meeting.  Then afterwards some of the other board members and I talked.  Hopefully things will run smoothly in a few months.  We are all new to the board so we are working out the kinks LOL.

After the meeting we came home had lunch and finished some school work.  So after that I had to type up minutes from the meeting and send out a few emails on different things (sign-up sheets to the right coordinator's).  Then of course after all that it was dinner time. 

Tomorrow is Laundry day so I will be up and having to run again tomorrow.  I will take some school work with us to the Laundromat so the boys can do that while I do laundry. 

Wednesday nothing planned (yeah!!) but then on Thursday morning a mom from the MOMS Club® is going to pick the boys and I up and we are going to the Zoo.  I wouldn't have gone because of gas prices but she offered to come pick us up.  So glad we  have a membership though.  That's one less expense and I will just pack the boys and I a lunch. Then on Friday nothing but grocery shopping planned.  All in all this will be a busy week.  I hope everyone had a good Monday :).

Well it's been feeling more like August here in Michigan with it's high humidity. We didn't do a darn thing today because it was so humid. Even now at 8:24 p.m. it's humid. Times like this I really wish we had a yard for a pool LOL.

The only thing I really did today was run to Staples to make copies of the MOMS Club® Newsletter, Calendar, and Agenda. I really don't like those machines ugh. I think I might have to find a better way of going about it or something.

Other than that though it was just too hot to do much. I hope everyone else had a cooler day today. I have to say though even with the humidity I still don't wish for Michigan winters LOL.

Well we didn't end up going to church this morning. Last night hubby went to his brother's house along with his other brothers and friends. Well some how things go heated and Harlow was there most of the night trying to calm everyone down. He didn't get home till after three a.m. Then he woke me up of course to tell me about it. So I had a hard time (and he did too of course) going back to sleep. There was some drinking there and that is probably the reason for it all to have started in the first place with miscommunication. Makes me so glad hubby doesn't drink! I am glad he was there to help everyone settle down though. My poor hubby. Him and his brother's and sister have been through so much and I also think that's part of the problem too. Please pray for them all.

I got up early but then went back to sleep after feeding the boys because I was just too tired. About 9 a.m. I woke-up and got the boys ready and hubby, boys and I went to a friend from my MOMS Club® group where I helped with a fundraiser. We were having like a Carnival at her house. She had a bunch of cool games like Plinko, and other games and you won prizes (little dollar store prizes but they were so cool :) ). She even made something like elephant ears and ice cones. I helped run a few games as did others. It was a lot of fun. I just wish more people would have shown up. I know my boys had a great time!!!

Oh and I don't think I had posted an update about the neighbors did I? Hubby had went over there and apologized for his part in the argument and she apologized for hers. So I pray there will be no more drama with neighbors or anyone else. For me I would prefer a quiet, peaceful life than a drama filled one. I have had enough drama in my life for a life time LOL. So pray that drama doesn't come in three's and we have seen the last of it ugh. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!