Asking for help for my daughter's friend who has Cancer.

Today was kind of sad, we found out that my daughter Dennise's friend who has cancer got some bad news, but we all know that if it is in God's plan that there are miracles to be done, they will happen. With that being said I am going to leave a link to a page where you can help her family out with good tidings, or a donation. Here it is Team Brianna Leukemia Warrior, you can read about her journey this is her second at Caring Bridge. She use to come and spend time with Dennise all of the time till she got sick. We haven't had her over in a long long time, and once you are apart of our family you are always a part of our family, which means she has a place in our hearts forever. Please take time to check out the sites and if you can help out please do and please pass the Team Brianna link onto others so that everyone can make a difference. Like I said if they can raise 500,000 plus dollars for a lady who was picked on by kids on a bus then we should be able to raise money for this girls family so that they can get her back and forth to her Dr.'s appointments, which is way more important, at least in my opinion. Thank you.

Summer is half way over.

Wow it has been just over a month since I last updated although I did find a draft in here that I started but trashed it so I could do this one. Things have been moving along here with Samantha putting every check away for a vehicle as well as Dennis working every overtime he can get so we can but a another vehicle ourselves.

It is hard to believe that in a little more then a month school will be back in session. Since I last updated Samantha did buy that running stroller and uses it too. The only other thing she spent money on was her shoes for work, and some new bras. If she keeps losing weight like she is she will need a whole new wardrobe soon.

Dennise has also took up running and is loving it just as much as Samantha, when she gets home she rushes through her chores so that she can get out there for her run. Sometimes she takes Deanna. Deanna will be running more for soccer this year so it is good for her, somedays they even take Dorothy but she can't run as far or as fast as them so they only take her when they all go so that they can spread out and make sure everyone has a running partner. I am so very proud of my girls.

Running is something I could never do and something the Dr.'s said I shouldn't do, something to do with my kidneys. Either way I am doing good with my weight loss, down a bit more this week. Whoot whoot every little bit helps.

Deanna finally learned to ride her bike without training wheels and now I can't keep her off of it unless of course she is running, or swimming. I am so proud of her. She really hasn't been able to ride her bike all that often and this is really the first year that she was able to get some riding in, so this is a big acheievement for her. Yeah Deanna. P.S. Dennis bought Deanna a new bike so that when she learned she would have a surprise, can't wait to see her face when he springs it on her. He also bought Dorothy one she has been wanting one for a long time, and her dreams and wishes are about to come true. I will be sure to post pictures when he finally gives them their surprise.

This is the last week of summer school for Deanna, and Dorothy until school starts back up, as well as the last week for Dennise volunteering at the school. I was told they were glad to have her and what a great help she was to the program. I am so proud of her.

My son ordered his first professional T-shirts for his Magic career. We ordered 7 alone for our house. Can't wait to wear mine. I think we will order from the same company when we order our shirts that Dennis will design. He also landed a much better paying job. The one he should have had last year but things didn't work out. I guess it wasn't in God's plan last year so now he won't have to scrimp as much as he was.

Lilly is going great. She is talking up a storm, and is just as cute as my own kids were, she is just a little extra special because she is my grand daughter. I love being able to see her every day. I know when my parents were alive they either saw my kids every day or we called them. I have always wanted my kids to have a close bond with their grandparents. I was able to succeed with my own but it is still a work in progress with my husband's side. Oh well keep trying we will until they kids decide they have had enough.

I guess that is the short version of catching up. Hope you are all having a great summer.

A quite Saturday.

Today was a quiet summer day. Dennis worked this morning, the kids slept in. I got the laundry done, some folded, dishes washed, kitchen clean, dinner prepared, you know the regular mom things. I also got a few blogs up over on one of my other pages here, before Dennis got home. He was up for a little bit before he headed off to bed because he has another shift tonight. The girls went swimming, we had dinner, did baths, and soon enough it was time for Dennis to get up for work.

Samantha is also working tonight as well, her first week of work and she scored some overtime which she will be using to get a jogging stroller so she can run with Lilly more often. Her regular stroller just can't handle it, and the new stroller will be so much better for hiking, which we use to do when Deanna and Dorothy were little. Those strollers are great for all kinds of terrain.

Once Dennis was up we did our snuggles and stories as well as Deanna's reading time. I am bound and determined that she will go back to school in the fall reading better then when she left for the summer. I am sure summer school will also help with that, but so far she is doing well, and even looks forward to our reading time. It is just Deanna and Mommy time, so she loves it. Last night because we went shopping so late, we didn't get to it and she came in to the room and said "Mommy when are we going to read again?", I told her we would do it today which we did, so I am very proud of her. Usually when you say it is reading time she doesn't want anything to do with it but with taking the time and setting a time where it is just her and I really turned things around instead of doing all of their homework at the same time like we have in the past.

We have always spent one on one time with each of the kids, as well as taking sets, all of them, and even alone time just for Dennis and I, but this little bit of extra time has really made al of the difference in the world. I am so proud of her accomplishments already and we still have the rest of the summer to go.

I have started Dorothy reading just the letters while we are reading. It is coming slow, I don't know what they did all year in Head Start but she doesn't know her letters as strongly as I think she should but then again the rest of the kids were 5 when they started kindergarten, not 4 like she will be in the fall.

The girls and I all started a weight loss challenge with Run with Jess which we are doing pretty good at but then again it is only 2 weeks into the 13 weeks of the program but have that blog over at Pam's fight to lose weight if you would like to take a look.

Ok time for me to watch a little Fringe before turning in for the night, unless I get my second wind then maybe I will poke around the internet a bit or read. Hope you are all having a great summer so far.

Samantha's Graduation

Today marked another special day here in Marksville. Last year when Samantha told us she might be pregnant, we sat down and had a talk about what her furture could be like. First thing she said was that she didn't want to be like her Aunt. I do have to say that made me very proud in deed. She sure has the determination of a Graham in her.

Abortion and Adoption were NEVER an option, quitting school was not in the cards, leaving us just to figure out what our choices were after this. Now years ago when Dennis and I decided to have 6 kids, we knew there was a chance that we would have a child go through teen pregnancy and planned on how we would deal with it, so we already had a plan in motion if we ever needed it. This I would encourage you to do if you already haven't think ahead about what might happen and plan accordingly. Of course with that said we still made plenty of mistakes over the years raising our kids, but so far they aren't that bad, and are making their way in life.

One of the first things I did was contact Samantha's teacher's and the rest of the staff, telling them she was pregnant, would be staying in school, and that no one was to speak ill of her pregnancy. I did find out one of the staff had talked another student in getting an abortion. I told that staff person right out that if I even had a wiff that they said anything but positive things to my daughter that I would make sure they not only lost their job, but could never work in their field again. A teen mother can have a positive experience if given the right support network.

One of the first things we found out is that they didn't have a Physical Education Program for pregnant mom's. The school's way of dealing with it was to have them sit it out on the sidelines. Samantha's Dr. agreed with me, that this just was not right, and since Samantha wanted to stay active, remember she is a runner, I had to make call after call so that they provided Samantha with things that were appropriate for each stage of her pregnancy. They did O.K, but really Samantha was not the first teen pregnancy, and certainly won't be the last and that I know of they still don't have a plan B, but only did this for her because we pushed so much.

As Samantha's pregnancy continued she had the support from most of her friends and family the whole time, oh there were those who thought she would quit once she had the baby, and some that even thought she would quit before the baby even came, but she didn't. When she went on maternity leave from school we had a great tutor, that was very supportive of her, and made sure she had all of her work done and turned in on time, even getting ahead so when she went in labor she wouldn't fall behind.













The time came and Lilly was born, she continued with her Tutor, while learning to nurse Lilly, and even went to the school to take her exams, even though she was offered to hold off on some of them till the next year. When last school year was over for some reason some thought she wouldn't return in the fall. Well guess what? She did.



Breastfeeding was something I did, and had hoped Samantha would do but it was her choice. When she was little when her friends were feeding their baby dolls bottles, she was lifing up her shirt and breastfeeding hers. With that being said she took to it like water and was determined to see it through, sore nipples and all.





She was the first teenager to enter our school needing a breastfeeding room, which they did not have, so she spent most of the school year in a room off of the nurses office. At first the nurse didn't really talk to her, and when she told the nurse she needed to come twice a day, because Lilly needed more milk, she wasn't happy at all, but by May when Samantha was weaning Lilly, they were talking and getting along.

Now back before this year began we got a call wondering if Samantha was returning to school, in which we said yes, and when we also told them she was going on the Senior Trip we got a surprised look. Samantha and I worked really hard to get her into as many Senior activities as we could to earn her points to go to Washington D.C. with her class. Money got tight and we didn't see how we could come up with enough to pay our share but we made some payments. News came that Samantha's whole trip had been paid for by a generous donation, and we even got 50.00 back which we sent with Samantha on her trip.

She had a great time and Lilly did awesome. When she returned she had gifts for everyone. The year was coming to an end quickly, and she was doing great.

So here we are Graduation day. Am I proud of Samantha? You bet I am, she continued school, seeing it through. Sure she heard rumors and whispers, but she didn't let it stop her from going for her goals. Graduating, getting a job, buying a car, getting her license, and going to college.

She graduated today, starts her job on Monday, has her permit, and starts college in the fall. Looks like 4 out of 5 so far. Being a teen mom has not held her back as much as some would think. My daughter is a Awesome mom, fantastic daughter, and growing up more and more each and every day.

They talked about two students today one who never missed a day since Kindergarten, and another who took quite a few years to graduate. Yes I thought it might be Samantha they would talk about, but we all know they can't do that, they can't tell anyone about a teenage mother who is making her dreams come true. A teen who had the support of friends, family, and community. It might lead to an outbreak of teen pregnancies. Oh well. All I can say is that she made everyone in Marksville very proud today with her accomplishments.

Samantha on stage with her rose.

Papa showing Lilly where Mommy is.
Lilly making her rounds, yeah she is holding her hands out for Nana.















Here is the Taconic Hills Class of 2012.



Here is Samantha and Daddy balling their eyes out.


Don't care how old my kids are, they will never be too old for hugs and kisses.









Marksville from left to right.
Paul, Samantha holding Lilly, Taylor, Buke, Deanna in front, Dennise in back, Dorothy in front, Me, and Dennis. The only one missing is Bryan who we were missing very much today.



Samantha did it.



Yeah that is right Marksville style like only we can do it. Love you Samantha. So very proud of you. You are AWESOME!








A little side note here. I wasn't able to get pictures of Grandma Marks, and Grandpa George because they took off, right after the graduation. They told Dennis to take his time and they would be waiting by the cars. Well we rushed Samantha through the pictures, leaving her without getting many of the ones she wanted with her friends so that we could get back to the cars to get pictures with her Grandparents.

When we got back to the cars all we found was a card that had been left in the van. Let's just say that Dennis was not happy at all, and to make amends to Samantha for his mother again letting his kids down he whispered to me we were going out for lunch. Who are we kidding she didn't come to Buke's graduation at all, didn't even get him a gift. Sure that 100.00 was nice that Grandma gave Samantha but it was not the hug and pictures she wanted, or the time she wanted to spend with her on her special day. Yeah we had to see the sadness in her eyes again.

As it is when Dennis called his mother last night to tell her that we were not going out to eat that Samantha had chose to have a Party instead before he even got to tell her she already had an excuse to not go and eat with us. Like I said before every time the kids have graduated from Middle school on up we have invited them out to eat and every time they have an excuse not to attend. This time it was that a client had coughed or spit in her mouth who had Hepatitis C, so she had to go to the hospital for tests or a shot or something.

Dennis thinks it might be just an excuse, a good one to bail out this time on her grandkids, but then again if it did happen then we sure hope she doesn't get it, you know it takes decades to get really bad, and that she will be ok. Either way I hope she takes the time to come to her party, or Samantha just may be done too. My parents were greatly missed today, and even though they are in Heaven, we still felt their love, as well as the many memories of time spent with the kids, that will never be forgotten.

Thinking back over the years.

Today was a quite day here which was nice as we have been so busy lately, and much needed before the busy week a head. Only a few short weeks and Samantha will be graduating and then starting her summer job, before she goes off to college. Time sure flies by.

Speaking of time flying by I just saw a picture online of a grown man, who I used to babysit for when he was a baby. I used to change his diapers. It is funny because that family was my first paying job to do baby sitting for and I really enjoyed helping them out with their kids. Before this I helped watch my brother's kids when they went out for a bit, but I don't ever remember being paid to do it.

I have always enjoyed watching kids, so I suppose it was only natural that I open my own child care once I got older. Back when Dennise was born I started working for several people and found out for years I was watching way to many kids then our state allowed you to do. Sure I was lucky and didn't have any problems but I am thankful to God for that one. It didn't take long to settle on a name for our business "Marks Child Care". What is harder to believe is that is has been over 15 years that I have had my business with a few years off when Deanna was born due to me working outside of the home.

Now that we are settled I have been open officially for almost a year, and I really enjoy it. I love it now that some of the kids are grown that they still remember me and have no problem coming up hugging me, or asking how I am doing and if I am still watching little ones. I do have to say though that I did turn down the church in helping out with the little ones because all of my other days including church days in the past I was looking after kids and it was my few hours away from takaing care of children, giving me a break and time to praise the Lord, without someone under foot.

I am just ever thankful that I am able to be a positive role model for the children I have helped raise over the years and that I made such an impression on their little lives that they still take the time to stop chat and of course give hugs. This really shows to me that I did my job well. Getting a child care worker that will treat your chidlren like there own is so important to their well being, and a parents sanity, that their kids are safe and well taken care of.

We have had kids that have had no father figure in their life really become attached to Dennis, as well as kids that did many of their firsts with us. Going to the store, going out to eat, movie theaters, museums, the many activities I came up with to keep their days busy and full of excitement, the lessons they learned that my parents passed down to me, as well as being a part of our family for holidays when their parent or parents had to work, and even some calling my parents grandma and grandpa because they were such a big part of their life.

I guess if there is one thing I can be thankful for is a loving heart that I can share with everyone including the little ones, and seeing them grow up and making good choices in their adulthood really makes me feel proud that I too was a part of their lives no matter how small or big a part I played in it. So to all of the little children who were apart of "Marks Child Care" or even before we had a name, we are proud of all of your accomplishments.

Another Busy Update

We have been quite busy here in Marksville the last few months leaving me only enough time to keep a few of my blogs updated at any given time. If you see some of my other blogs here you will see I have been doing some more reviews, as well as getting my first sponsored give a way which was really nice. I hope to get a few more now that I am getting better at getting my blogs up.

Today was a easy quite day. Although I didn't get  the clothes folded, I did get the noise the van was making fixed and it didn't cost us a thing. The Dealer just had to make right what they should have to begin with. I do have to say I was sweating because with only a few dollars in the bank I wouldn't have been able to pay them if I wanted too. I also took care of a few things on line and even got to chat with one of my Gather friends on the phone.

We recently paid off a big bill and are well on our way to paying off yet another bill, which is really nice. A few weekends ago we took Samantha to get her Prom Dress, and accessories, then last week we took Dennise out to get some much needed clothes, not that Samantha doesn't need new clothes she just picked her Prom Dress over getting some new clothes. Her 18th Birthday is coming up in a few days and she will be getting her permit to drive. She is also hoping to land a real nice job this summer to start saving up for some wheels of her own. Dennis and I both worked for our first set of wheels so we expect our kids to do the same.

Deanna has been busy with her after school programs, while Dorothy will be getting ready for kindergarten round up pretty soon. I actually got  the papers in the mail today. Bryan just had his 15th Birthday and we hope to be able to go up and visit him soon. Dennis has been putting in as much overtime as he can so we can pay down our bills that much faster, so we haven't really had time to go up to do a family meeting with his counselor which has changed yet again in a very long time. Their schedule and ours just don't see eye to eye.

Buke and Taylor have moved into a new apartment which is much bigger and they don't have to hide their cat anymore. Her name is Sable and she has her very own room. Unless they decide to have kids Sable is all I am getting, and I won't even see great grand children from her as they got her fixed...bummer. Buke is working on his magic for his next set of shows, so he has been busy with that as well as Taylor deciding to work full time until she changes college's and goes back to her original dream of  being a Chef.

My human grand daughter Lilly will soon be one year old and is just the cutest thing. She reminds me so much of her mother, and she is so well behaved, much like my kids were. She just makes me so proud each and every day as well as Samantha she is doing a great job raising Lilly.

Dennise is so busy with all of the things she is doing in school we just need to keep track of what thing she is doing and where she needs to be. She has several concerts coming up, as well as the play, and what ever else she decides to get involved with. She is a great helper and doesn't mind volunteering for different activities.

As for me I recently saw the Surgeon for my Neck and once I see the next set of Dr.s and they set up a time, I will be getting the lump in my neck removed. The surgeon wants it out, so that is what we are going to do. Until we went to that visit Dennis wasn't too worried about it. For a few days after he was very easily upset by things and dealt with them the only way he knows how which is by being angry at everyone and everything. Of course that week was full of surprises so that didn't help things one little bit with his anger, but they say everyone deals with emotions in different ways and this is how he does it. Even though I am a bit worried about what the future holds I will trust in God to see Marksville through, he is always there for us, always leading us.

I hope to be back again soon to fill you in on some other things that Marksville has been working on. There are not many days we are not busy, and believe me busy is good for us. Have a great night everyone, and don't be afraid to comment.

Busy Busy Marksville

Marksville has been very busy so I apologise for the delay in posting an update. First I would love to invite you over to my other blog site Pam's Place To Win A Give A Way, and enter my very first sponsored give a way for Print Runner. This will be a quick post as Buke is coming over to visit for a while. He doesn't get over half as much as I would like him to visit. I think we visit him more, but out schedules keeps us from doing it as often as we would like.

I have a appointment with the Surgeon for my neck next week, and Dennis starts Physical Therapy for his knee. On top of that we have a bunch of Birthdays and school functions coming up in the next month along with Easter. Some how we have managed to never have an Easter Egg hunt, but this year Dorothy and Deanna asked so they are going to have one. We will have to get a little something for the older ones too, they like chocolate too.

I know the kids are excited about the upcoming Easter Egg hunt at the Park and being able to have a chance to find the Golden Easter Egg as well as getting pictures with the Easter Bunny. I picked up some new stories about Jesus and his resurrection so they have that to go with their Easter Flicks. In past years we have just had a big dinner on Easter, some chocolate, while most importantly reminding the kids that the day was really about Jesus and what he gave for us, rather then the Easter Bunny, with tons of candy, and toys. Not that we don't love candy because we do, but I wanted my kids to understand what it means for their faith.

This year I am making the long awaited Easter baskets I have been wanting to make for years. The one that I have been telling everyone about but haven't made them myself. Should be fun and Dorothy and Deanna will be surprised too. I think I might even make Lilly a little one just for her too. Well my son should be here any minute so I want to get the camera ready so we can get some nice pictures. So with that you have pictures of the baskets, and of course the visit with my son coming up, for a future post. Have a great day everyone and hope to update you again really soon.

I just redeemed 1000 Superpoints for a $10 Cash in Paypal!

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Update and Those Darn Kids

It has been quite a while since I last posted, all of the kids went through the 24 hours stomach bug, and of course not at the same time, so that was a pretty exciting week on top of me already being sick. That weekend Deanna and I both went to the Dr.'s she had a ear infection which happens to swell her face up, and I ended up with a diagnosis of an acute bronchitis. I am feeling better now and I have been getting things done around the house again. I never know when I will get sick again so I try to get as much done when I am feeling healthy as I can so when I am sick the house doesn't get too bad, but with being sick for about a month things were behind even with me doing the minimal. The kids and Dennis were helping out but they were getting tired of doing the things I do everyday, and the kids had started fighting over who was to do what.

The kids have regular chores they do, and when one child is not here the rest have to do that job, and it sometimes turns into they always do the job at least from their point of view instead of wondering how it gets done when they aren't here. I suppose someday they will get that. Everything usually works out for the best, but when they are arguing over it, it can get kind of heated. I never had a sibling to fight with, my brothers were all off starting their own families and my bio siblings I didn't meet till years later, so to me this is a whole new part of parenting.

The girls mainly fight over clothes and jewelry, and they like to borrow my things without asking. I don't have much jewelry don't really wear it all that much, but the few pieces I do have they take and use and don't put back so when I do go to wear it they can't remember what they did with it. Samantha also likes to borrow my tops, and I usually don't see those until I find them in the wash on the off chance that she hasn't gotten to them first. I guess I should be happy that my teen daughter thinks my clothes are nice enough to wear around her friends, and for special occasions. I must have a good fashion sense, although most of the time I just wear leggings, tutlenecks and a sweater or sweat shirt.

In the end I love them all very much, and I am proud to be their mom. I just hope they realize all we do for them each and every day. I guess that is about it for updates from our neck of the woods. Will go into more about Deanna and her basketball games in a different post. Hope you have a great weekend.

The Last Two Days

Yesterday went by in a blur, I didn't get on the computer until late after noon, as I was folding clothes, and then took Deanna to her Basketball game. She played against her cousin's team this week, they didn't win but they have yet to have a practice, so doing as well as they did is a great accomplishment. I hope they get their practice in this week. Next week is pictures so I have to take a bit from our budget for that . Not to expensive anyways. We just get a team picture and and a eight by ten single photo. Most everyone can see the kids online when we post the pictures anyways.

When we got home we had dinner, then retired to bed early as the heater is still not fixed, they said they will be here tomorrow. I sure hope so. We have been lucky to have mild weather but I sure don't want to deal with frozen pipes, although really we have only had that problem once in the whole time we have been on our own so I guess I can't really complain and the one time it did happen nothing busted so all was good. We should have our fuel delivery before the end of the week as well. Then we should make it through the winter if we are lucky.

Besides calling the landlord this morning to get someone in here to fix the heater, I was able to get some things done around the house, and some much needed computer work done. My desk is still a mess but it almost always is due to the papers from everyone else. Samantha and Dennis have mid-terms so sometimes they will be in school the other times they will be home. So it is very nice to have them home to watch Lilly so I can get other things done.

I don't really have much more to report as it has been quite here, soon enough spring time will be here and with that comes the Birthdays, income tax, shopping, and end of the year stuff for school. A very busy time ahead, but until then I will take the quite and concentrate on getting our bills paid off, which is going ok. Wish it could go quicker but it takes time. Well until my next update I guess this is it. Sure hope you all have a great week. Good night everyone.

Internet flucuations

With the Internet going in and out the last few nights I am just getting to this blog now. It seems to work find during the day and then at night go in and out. I hope to either get this up before it starts to act up or it has run its course and it will be fine for a while again. I am still not feeling well, but it could always be worse. I am upright, and I can talk. Even though I get tired a bit more then usual I am still moving, and breathing. What more can you ask for?

My meeting with Samantha's Senior advisor went well and everything is a go for her Senior Trip. We did our shopping and pretty much stayed within budget. I went 10.00 over but will have to cut that out of next weeks spending some how. My van takes a bit more gas then my husband's did to run back and forth to work, which doesn't make sense. It is newer so you would think it would be better on gas. My van also takes 26 gallons to fill from empty so when you fill it you are spending over 100.00. We have only been putting in 50.00 a week and we have just been scrapping by.

Dennise had a friend over who went home today not feeling well. We also got some snow, not sure if it is still snowing or not but it is nice to see the white stuff finally covering the ground. We also had our Glad party for House Party, have to get that blog up tomorrow or Monday sometime. Deanna and Dennis had fun with one of her Christmas gifts today, which was nice. I did get a blog up about that which you can see on my Gather site.

I came up early to take a nice hot bath but one of the girls took a shower upstairs which they are not allowed to do. They have the downstairs bathroom, so now the tub is clogged. I do not know how someone who takes showers almost everyday can clog the tub each time they use it. So since the water is still in the tub and will probably take more then one day to go down, I got online to get this up quick.

We also had the toilet overflow and come through the kitchen ceiling. Figures they just put up all new stuff and it overflows. It has been so long since it has done it. One of the older girls keeps using the toilet and clogging it too. What a pain in the neck it is. We did however have a great dinner and a yummy dessert. That is pretty much it, so I am going to leave you with that and spend some time with my sweetie. Have a good night everyone.

Nice and short.

Well today was pretty much just like yesterday. Still fighting being sick. Dorothy did stay home today though and gave me a run for the money. She likes to help with Lilly but her way is not my way so we butt heads. Dinner was horrible, won't do that recipe again, but on a good note it is snowing, at least that is what the kids say. Will ask Dennis how it is out when he comes up to check on me. I tried to get some sleep but the coughing is keeping me awake.

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the week unless they close down for the day. This weekend we have basket ball practice, the game, and sometime between that will be shopping. Not much still staying on that budget. So far so good. I have like a 1.oo something in the bank but hey it is something and better then nothing. Well short and sweet for tonight. See you all tomorrow.

Our day

I made it to my meeting today and was able to stay up all day without a nap. Although I am in bed right now trying to rest the kids are still up so I can't go to sleep all of the way. I was able to watch a movie to add to one of the goals I am doing this year which is to watch 26 movies each beginning with a letter of the alphabet I haven't watched yet. So far so good. I think X will be the hardest to get done but who knows will be updating that from time to time here or you can catch it over on my Gather profile.

Dennise has been such a big help since I have been sick. Dennis has noticed too and when we have a little leeway in the finaicial part we are going to take her out to dinner with us. Probably one of the buffets but she will enjoy the time with us and eating of course. I think all of the kids love to eat at the buffets.

Friday I have a meeting with one of Samantha's teachers about the senior trip. We are working really hard so she can go. They cashed the check so that is always a good sign that everything is a go. Dennise noticed the 2015 sweatshirts were in. I didn't get a chance to order her one yet and hope they can still get hers in when I have the money available. She does so well in school and works so hard it, I think she deserves one.

My kids don't get fancy cars, or the newest electrical gadgets. No fancy jewlery, or expensive clothes. They have a few luxerys but most of the time they just have what is needed and not much more. I am glad that they are not money hungry or even materilistic. I think Dennis and I have raised some pretty bright kids that know the difference between what is needed and what is a want in life.

Nothing special today

So today I really didn't feel much better then I did yesterday. The kids had school, not even a delay. I did sleep in for about a hour and then I was up. I did a few things around the house, watched Lilly and got a few posts up over at Gather. Dennis went to work early before I remembered we needed the van so Samantha could cash her WIC checks. We literally lost out on a whole months worth. Just hope our milk will hold out till the next set are ready to go. I haven't had a WIC check go unused since I worked outside of the home.

Tomorrow I have a parent meeting which is why I am getting my blog done so early. With not getting much sleep last night because of coughing I wanted to get all the rest I can for tomorrow. Other then the above nothing much has really happend to report about so I will leave you with this real short update and will get to getting some rest. Hope you are all in good health, and have a good nights rest.

Extra day off

Since today was Religious Freedom Day the kids had a day off from school. Not that I wouldn't mind them having another day off. Since most of us have post nasal drip and we had problems with the furnace we didn't really get all that much done today. I know we have all been upstairs for quite some time now. Of course when Dennis is almost ready to get home the Older girls decide to go downstairs again. I sure hope they don't make a mess. He hates it when they do, and then they try to say it wasn't them.

All of a sudden Samantha wants to eat and Dennise wants to be on the computer, with that they woke up Deanna and Dorothy so now I have to start all over again with getting them into bed. They may be older but they could do things a lot more quite then they are. I love my kids but they can sure push your buttons when they want too. It is getting quite again so I am going to go and try to take my bath until Dennis gets home for the night.

I know he is coming home and going right to sleep because the shoe truck is coming tomorrow and he needs new shoes for work. He is so lucky to have a job that pays for their shoes they have to wear, up to a certain amount of course. He plans on getting two pairs and having them take the rest out of his check for the next few weeks. it shouldn't be much over what he is allowed, as the one pair he got last year just didn't quite make it so two pair should get him through the year with no problem. I know I was once told you should change out your shoes every three months just like you do with your toothbrush.

Well off I go for the night wish you all sweet dreams. I am going to take my bath while it is nice and quite. Bubbles here I come.

First Basketball Game and a Surprise

Our family got a bit busy yesterday once I got home and soon enough I was ready for bed. As the evening comes my chest fills up and it is harder to breath. I thought I was feeling better yet again, and then after 8pm it was right back. I did get in a very short bath and then went right to bed no movie or anything. In the morning Dennis slept in to nurse his knee, so Dennise, Dorothy, Deanna, and I went to Deanna's first basketball game. When we got there we had to find our coach, but before we found the coach another Mom I know helped us get a shirt for her which was huge on her so we had to tie it in the back. While we were trying to get the shirt situated my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law came out to the concession stand I think, and said hello and asked when Deanna's game was. We told them and they went on their way. We headed into the gym where we were waiting for the other game to end, and my Mother-in-law came back over to us and asked if she could get a ride home with us, if there was enough room in the van for her, then she could stay and see Deanna's game. One I was flabbergasted, two I was very happy for Deanna, and three I was proud of Mother-in-Law. I don't think she has been able to view one of Deanna's game ever and when the other kids played sports they didn't live in the same area as we did so I don't think she made it to theirs either, so this was a great surprise. We all said yes right away to her riding with us.

We found most of her team and her coach, and settled in. He asked if we had a shirt, which she had on. It was huge and he had extras so we found one that fit her much better and she changed her shirt once again and we gave the other back to him to use for another player if they needed it. She sat with her team mates for a little while then came up to me and we watched the last bit of the game together with her asking me about the moves. So since she loves soccer which she calls football. I told her you pretty much play it the same way except you use your hands and not your feet. She thinks that is so funny. Now she did play 2 years ago and didn't even know how to dribble the ball but by the end of the season she was dribbling and making a basket or two, and the coach even said a special speech about her. Sadly she even after all the praise she didn't want to play last year. So this year when Soccer was almost over and she asked to do Basketball too it was a shock, but we said yes right away. Anything that keeps Deanna busy is good for her. It helps get rid of all of her energy and she sleeps better at night.

The game ended and my Mother-in-law moved on over to sit by us. Dennise and Dorothy were sitting on the top. Dorothy had brought in her baby doll and some things to play with so she would be occupied. My mother-in -law and I chatted while the game was going. It was really nice. So sorry Dennis missed out, he does enjoy when his mom comes over to visit and he would have enjoyed seeing her watch the game too. I only had to pause a moment to catch a stray ball and return it to the Coach or referee once during the game. Nice to see my reflexes are still good. The kids were all over the floor and surprise Deanna's team won with 3-0. Not bad at all. To be honest I didn't' even know they had won until we got home and Samantha had told us we won. Her friends brother was on the other team and he was bummed that they lost. Soccer I am a bit more competitive with but it was still nice that they did well. Next week we will see how they do.

We packed up and out into the freezing cold we went to get into the van. We drove my Mother-in-law home. Dennise and Deanna gave her hugs and Dorothy got upset because she was in her car seat and couldn't 't get out. We told her she could give Grandma a super big hug next time she sees her which made her happy and she subsided. When we got home Deanna couldn't wait to tell Samantha that Grandma had stayed to see her game. She was ear to ear grinning, and Samantha was surprised too. I do have to say that before this year my mother-in-law worked weekends so she wasn't able to see them too often in their sports, but came to most of the kids school events when she could. Now she works all week and misses their school performances but can fit in their sports and weekend activities. For the last few years she has come to very few of our kids things, and slowly she has been coming over more often and taking a interest in the kids. Which makes them happy, Dennis happy, and me happy. I have tried my whole marriage to keep the kids connected to their extended family, with Dennis not understanding why I tried so hard. He understood when my parents both died with in 2 or so years apart how important my parents were to the kids, but it didn't hit home for him until his own father had died.

Before it was always me making the time to see his family, calling, inviting, trying to take the kids to see her, always being told they were sick, had other plans and such. It wasn't until we moved back closer to his mother that he noticed his mom never came except for Holidays, Birthdays. She only seemed to come to school when his sister's kids were present, hardly taking notice to his kids, and it started to sink in how differently he and his kids were treated. Something I always saw from the beginning but never let onto, but as the kids got older they saw for themselves and they started losing the excitement of seeing Grandma. It was a little over a year ago that Dennis took a stack of blogs written by his sister to his mother. A last resort for him but his sister had pushed him to the edge, and it was either give her the papers and she would see or he was giving up all together.

Since then she has come around more often to see her Grandchildren and Dennis. I blog openly about our lives and you might catch things from time to time, either good or bad about people but it never changes the love that we feel for our family and friends, it is just a way to work through them in words, to help me through it all. Well that is all for our Sunday. Hope you all had a good nights rest and if you have today off enjoy your extra day and do something fun with your family or friends.

Sicky poo Saturday

I felt sicky poo anyways. I made it through most of the day but as evening came on swallowing was getting worse. I did manage to get the dishes done after Dennis had to fix the sink because the landlord's men never came back. We also had to clean up the mess they left behind which took some time, and to think they still have to come and seal the sink because Dennis didn't have anything for that. When I had come back from picking up my newspapers, and some potatoes, I found him working on the sink. It now sits better. the cabinet isn't pulled away from the wall, the sprayer come out more then 3 inches, and the faucet is set even instead of being half on the seal and half off. Dennis can't fix the big chips they left in the counter top but he did what he could so that the sink wasn't going to hurt anyone although he did caution me to be very careful that I don't cut myself.

We just had hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner, as I wasn't feeling all that well. Dennise did most of the cooking while I rested a bit, although the kids bickered a lot today, which really got me going to. It is like a virus that takes over, except I wasn't feeling good so they got away with a bit more then they are used to, kind of taking advantage. I just hope if I get sick they can pull together to keep the house in order. I thought I would be feeling better by now. Deanna's first basketball game is tomorrow and I don't want to miss. I hope if I am not feeling well Dennis will take her to her game for me. I can hope he will.

The kids all had their baths and showers are and getting to bed a little later tonight then usual but they did sleep in a bit too, so I shouldn't complain. I just got done with my bath and wanted to get this up before I watch a movie and turn in for the night myself. I hope you all have a great nights sleep. Good night.

Quick post.

I will try to make this quick. We started out this morning nice and early so we could get home in time for the landlord's men to finnish the sink. We got a few things at the store, took the old van off the road, and put gas in mine. We headed home to heat up the pizza I got for free from winning a online give a way. Samantha had stayed home to take care of Lilly since she hadn't been feeling well, and the men hadn't come yet. Of course once we got settled and I did all of the dishes, I waited, and they never showed up. So my table was full of the things that need to be under the sink, which had to be put away before we could serve dinner, just like we did last night.

So right now the water can pretty much just run right under the sink and in the cabinet below if I am not careful. The worse thing is I got a disturbing call from my landlord this evening which I missed because one of the kids were on the phone so I called back and left a message on his. I sure hope what he said isn't true, but if it is I will need some major prayers. He takes years to fix things and now that things were finally getting fixed he tells me this bad news, I sure hope something works out. I will get into it more at another time though as even though I felt ok earlier in the day my chest is again hurting, and my headache is back. Dennis left for work a while ago and has wrapped his knee again because it was bothering him. I am glad he has the next two days off to let it rest a bit.

Tomorrow I just have to run out and get my coupons and some potatos, then home to get some things done arond here. Sunday is Deanna's first basketball game that I hope Dennis is up to going to, and that is all we really have planned for now. Just a quite weekend at home with the kids. Ok I am off to do one more update if I even do that tonight and then I am going to bed so I can get some rest hoping I will be feelling better by morning. Goodnight everyone.

Kind of good, a little bad.

Besides feeling lik crap today, it wasn't too bad. The landlord's men finally came to put the ceiling in they never finnished after repairing the roof, they put in most of the porch windows, having one more they have to make by hand,and believe it or not started the sink, which looks nice but what a hack job they did and they still have to come back and finnish it tomorrow.

We are suppose to take the van off the road so they are coming in the afternoon. I am not sure if I am up to even venturing out much less be up tomorrow long enough for them to get their job done. I am writing now because I feel what ever is coming on getting worse and sure hope I don't end up needing to see a Dr. or needing meds. We really don't have the money for that. I just need to make it through tomorrow and then Saturday Dennis can always pick up my papers for the coupons, and then Sunday is Deanna's first Basketball game.

Paul came by to visit today which was really nice. We have been missing having him around. He visited for a while with Samantha and the family. At the time Samantha's friend Katie and her boyfriend were over. Samantha ended up making baked Mac & Cheese for dinner with hamburgers, as I was not feeling up to eating at all. I actually felt really sick to my stomach this morning, with a horrible headache. Almost feels like a migraine but not. I have a cough and my throat hurts too, I was thinking post nasal drip, but as the day has progressed it has gotten worse.

I did perk up a bit when I was able to cash out at crowdtap for 35.00 in Amazon gift codes. Most of my friends over at Gather know I am trying to make a 1000.00 online this year. So far so good although crowdtap does owe me 14.72 from another cash out I had back on the 8th which is suppose to come in my email. Hope it comes soon will add it right to my other money so I can let iit grow into a nice nest egg for Christmas. I was able to do almost all of my shopping with my online money this year. Not that we had much more then that to spend. Dennis had taken his overtime and bought the girls their presents, I did most of mine online for the little ones, then of course Black Friday shopping which I could have used a bunch more to get all I wanted too, then we picked up stocking stuffers to go with things I had already gotten over the year. This year I plan to do alot more with my online accounts, and less with what my husband makes although we will be setting a bit aside each month for that purpose for things that we can get at a brick and morter store for a good bargain.

Well the kids are all in bed and I am ready to get my other blogs done so I can get some rest hoping I will be able to make it through tomorrow. Have a good night everyone and see you on the flip side.

Snuggles and Stories

You will hear from time to time me talk about Snuggles and Stories. That is our families way of saying it is time to snuggle with Mommy or who ever might be reading the stories, and settling down for bed. I know my kids and most of the children I have done child care for have really enjoyed these times, and some still remember these moments. You would be surprised at how many people do not read to their kids, let alone snuggle with them. For me this is a must and something I enjoyed with my Father growing up. I know some of the kids I did child care for didn't even have a book to call their own, and quite often got their first book from me as a gift.

I remember reading to one particular little girl and she told me she wished I was her Mommy because I took time to do things with her. It brought tears to my eyes, but of course this little girl did not understand that her Mommy had to work to be able to take care of her. It wouldn't be the first time I would hear this, that is why when I had kids I read and snuggled with them too. Now I won't lie and say we do it every night. There are days that there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done, or we run super late and have to rush the kids off to be. They always get their hugs and kisses, but sometimes they don't always get the full Snuggles and Stories experience.

As 2011 was coming to an end I wanted to instill in our family that Snuggles and Stories were very important and so far they have had them every night, and they seem to be sleeping better. If you are reading this feeling guilty, don't just grab a book, your child, and snuggle for a while. Once you feel how good you both feel you will find yourself looking forward to these times together. Remember kids grow up and once they reach the teen years they don't want to snuggle and read with you anymore. I want to instill in my children the love and closeness I felt with my Father, so they can pass it on to their children.

Happy reading everyone.

Yesterday and today

I meant to get on yesterday but we had a few surprises pop up so I only got to one blog last night. On top of that it is that time of the month, so I was lucky I even made it through the day with out a nap. The short story is that my daughter Samantha broke up with her boyfriend and no one in this family was happy over it. We all like him and saw them going all the way, and he was great with Lilly. I think she is making a mistake but only time will tell how this all plays out, I just hope it plays out with not too many people getting hurt.

Today was a bit better, except for my headache, and the fact that my back is still hurting, I was still able to get quite a bit done. Dennis had done the dishes and a load of laundry, although when I went to check on it, there was a bad smell coming from them so I put them back through the washer with baking soda, and vinegar to kill what ever smell it was, which seemed to work. I had Lilly all day and she was a so good today, which is almost every day but sometimes she cries, and wants to be held non stop, but that doesn't happen too often. I was able to get a few bills paid and some online things done as well. Dennis and I even had a few minutes together this morning and this evening, before we traded spots.

I did our snuggles and stories and the kids are almost all out for the night. Dennis will be leaving for work, and I will get a few blogs done, and maybe even watch another movie tonight or at least finnish one I have been trying to watch. I have the laundry pretty much caught up so I just need to stay on top of it, if that is even possible, and get the folded ones put away in their dressers, but not before Deanna helps me clean up her room a bit. There is always somethiing to clean here, when you are working on one area there is always another waiting to be done next. Just when we get on top of it something comes along and shakes it up a bit, and then we start all over again.

Tomorrow I would like to get a few things done in the kitchen, and work on my desk a bit too. I am going to try to get either Dennise or Deanna to help me with the back bathroom as I promised another blog I would get pictures up of my back bathroom pantry. I might even post that or something like it here for anyone who might be intersted too. I hope you all had a good day, and that the rest of the week goes well for you.

Clean Sunday

It was nice to get something done for a change today. We had breakfast this morning, then started to fold clothes but realized it was really cold in the house, so we had to wake up Dennis so he could restart the heater again. He has had to do it the last few days. There is plenty of fuel so that isn't the problem, so I guess another call to the landlord to see if they can figure out what the problem is, as well as telling him that his men asked to borrow our hose and then didn't return it correctley and kinked the hose up, so Dennis wants a new one to replace it.

My mother in law and father in law stopped over today while we were in the middle of cleaning but that was ok, we just cleared a spot on the table, sat down and chatted for a while. Glad to see her up and moving around, as well as the good news that she should be returning to work at the end of the month. Great news on that anyways.

In the afternoon Samantha, Pual, and I ran up to the store to pick up some mushrooms as Dennis wanted to make stuffed mushrooms for dinner, to go with the pizza, and nachos. He even served roasted red peppers with dinner which I put on my pizza. I skipped the nachos because of the salt. I cracked my lip open the other day and it is still a bit sensitive. I don't like nachos all that much but once in a while I will have a few, other then that it is mostly Dennis and the kids who eat them.

One the kids had their showers, and I gave Dorothy her bath, I took my bath and soaked for a while, and even got some reading in for a change. We have been so busy I haven't really had the chance to read much so it was really nice to be able to tonight. So between laundry, shopping, dishes, baths, and putting clothes away I am bushed and really need to get some rest. I sure hope you all had a great weekend with your families, and a great week ahead. Good night all.

Shopping day.

Today started with putting clothes away, then folding more downstairs, sending some up, all while Dennis was resting and watchin a movie. When we finally got ready to go shopping, we decided to take Dorothy with us. Each time we go out we either do a date night with just ourselves, or we pick one or all of the kids to go along with us for a some time with Mommy and Daddy. Today happened to be a day we took Dorothy. We started out to shop stopping first to get my coupons, then gas, before we headed to Sam's club where we did most of our shopping.

Our next stop was Walmart, then out to eat for lunch. After eating our late lunch in which Dorothy was well behaved the whole time. Not unlike her but always nice to see our parenting is still on track. We then made our way to Panera bread where I picked up some goodies for everyone. Sure do love it there. Dorothy went in with me while Dennis stayed in the van, and she loved it in there too. We made our order, paid, and then back to the van we went, and onto the next store to pick up shrimp for a dinner Dennis has been wanting to make everyone.

We headed home where we found Lilly, Samantha, and surprise, Lilly's bio dad. I guess he had stopped by and even apologised for not being at court. He plans to be there the next time, and had a good visit with Lilly and Samantha. He even helped bring the groceries in, which was really nice since by the time we are done shopping, Dennis' knee has had about enough. Yes he is still having pain in it, but not as bad as before, or at least that is what he is telling me.

After we got the kids settled, and gave Deanna the brand new coat we bought her, at a great deal, they ate their pizza, played a bit, then got ready for bed. They are both sleeping, so it is my turn for a little internet time. I am still working on the schedule, but it is coming along. I was glad to find out that we don't have a basketball game tomorrow and the coaches should be calling tomorrow to let us know when our first official practice is. So tomorrow we can clean a bit more, relax, and maybe Grandma is feeling up to making a visit.

I know the kids have been wanting to see her since we didn't take them to the hospital with us when she was in for her operation. We have a big family and she was in a shared room there was hardly enough room for us, I couldn't imagine haveing 6 or more of us in there with her. We would have looked like sardines. Sure hope she is up to it. Time for me to go, hope you all have a restful night of sleep.

Court update.

I noticed I didn't let you know how court went yesterday. Just Samantha, Lilly, and I showed up. No bio father. They asked Samantha a lot of questions and pretty much made her feel bad that she didn't know where he was or had any contact with him. He has had all the time in the world to come over and see Lilly freely, and he has chose not to do so. His choice not ours. His choice when Samantha was for her to get a abortion, well that was not her choice so she had Lilly. The short story is that they are going to try and serve him papers again, and we have a court date for next month again. I will update as I get information of course.

Two days of catching up.

I have to say I am sorry I didn't make it on yesterday after the kids got home and Dennis and I got home from the store we cleaned up a bit around the house. We got into it so much I had forgotten all about Deanna's basketball practice. It was her first practice of the season, so I sure hope the coach calls and lets me know when her game is on Sunday. Sometimes that happens we get doing someting else and forget about other things. I tend to take advantage when I have the strength to do house work because usually I end up sick shortly after.

While we are on the subject of being sick, guess who woke up with a raging headache, a cough, sore ribs, and throat. You guessed it me. I did get the dishes done, clothes folded, laundry washed, the couches tidied, two picture blogs up, and dinner to the kids though today. I also watched after Lilly although Dennis helped a bit this morning.

Tonight Dennis traded hours with someone else so he is not here, but have no fear, Dorothy and Deanna are here to cuddle with mommy and keep her safe. It is like a little slumber party. He has been on days for so long because of his knee they aren't use to him working overnights anymore. It is also nice have Princess around to let us know if anyone is snooping around, which doesn't happen too often but I guess last week there was gas stolen from someone, and then the next night a mini van was stolen, so even in a little town like ours there are those who would take advantage of a situation.

I will have to be cutting this one short as I have a few more blogs to get too, and some other online things as well. I feel behind but I told myself this year I will take one step at a time, although having teenagers in the house it sure is hard to do sometimes. I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Court Tomorrow.

Just a quick update tonight as I need to get some sleep so I can take my Husband to work in the morning so I can have the van to take Samantha to court to see about child support. Something we never cared if we got, but since my daughter is only 17, is still in high school, and we can't add the baby to our medical she needs something and Social services is trying to get money from Lilly's bio dad. I am sure at some point he will have to pay something or he will either end up in jail or always running from the law. I don't want to see him go through that but I also don't think we should have to be drug to court ourselves because of these formalities. You know his lawyer is going to ask for paternity test which will just cost him more in the long run, they are going to have to give everyone lawyers as no one can afford one, and then reset a new date, in which we have to go back again, and again until they come to some kind of a agreement. I say let him just sign his rights away and we won't have to go through this anymore, but I hear in NY even if the father signs his rights away they still have to pay child support. I don't think this is right but I don't make the laws, I am just at the mercy of them. So look for a update tomorrow on how things are going. Have any of my readers been though anything like this? If you have please tell me if we should expect anything else?

Just a Normal Day

Pretty uneventful day here. The landlords men were suppose to redo our bathroom floor, but then came back and said they would be back tomorrow instead. We have been only waiting 2 years for them to fix it what is one more day. I got alot done today, some laundry, the dishes, towels folded, picked up some things at the store and even got some blogging done. Not too bad if you ask me. Of course I had Lilly too so I had to work that all in around her.

Samantha made dessert and dinner tonight which was really nice but then again she enjoys making her homemade chicken tenders. When they are on sale I pick up a bunch and of course Dennis separated them and when he saw how many were left over after dinner he realized he should have split them into 6 meals like I said instead of 5. What can I say I have been splitting the meals for years for the family, and of course my meat eating man thought he could put more in each bag, not knowing how little we needed for each meal.

That is ok it is one of the things you can cook one way and have the same or change it up a bit, serving it a totally different way another time for leftovers. Chicken salad anyone? Yep that is what I am going to make. Soup and Salad for tomorrow night. Well the kids are down for the night and I still have a few more things to get done. See you all tomorrow.

The Tree Came Down

Yes you read that right the tree came down. Dennise took the tree down, while the kids, and I put the ornaments away, and organized everything for next year. Dennis made me ornament holders for the totes we bought the other day, so they would be nice and safe. Then Dennis did his magic and fit the tree back into the box it came in. Then he and Samantha put the tree, decorations, and wrapping paper down in the basment all neat and tidy till next Christmas.

Other then that we organized a few other areas in the house, did a few loads of laundry, and ate our meals nothing to big or exciting. Although every time Samantha went to check the mail the doors were locked. Where the post offices closed today? I guesss we will find out tomorrow if they were or not. I look forward to mail, almost as much as blogging. Well it is that time for me to get to some of my other blogs before turning in for the night. Have a good one and hope that you too got your tree down.

2012

So here I am as promised with a update on how we are all doing. Since the name of this is blog is one mothers account of daily life I suppose I should be blogging each day on the goings on in our home. I haven't done that good of a job but plan to do much better this year. Yes kind of a resolution but more of a goal for me. Most of my blogging goes on over at Gather, and now even Word Press still playing with many sites to see where I like it best. They all seem to have their goods and bads with none being perfect. I refuse to pay for a better website, so I have to deal with what I can get for free. Free is a word I love to hear, and saves me tons of money that can be better spent elsewhere.

Getting to what our family did today. We pretty much just relaxed since Tuesday marks the kids going back to school after Christmas vacation. They only had a week off which was kind of a bummer I do enjoy having them home a bit longer, to not only snuggle with but to get a few extra days of helping out around the house so I can get other things done.

My husband had to put the belt on his van but waited till it was pretty much dark outside to do it, then got mad because things were not going his way. He came in and yelled a bit and then went out again to try. He got the belt back on, jump started it with my van, then while it was running Dennise came in and grabbed his wallet. The first thing that went through my mind is that he is going to turn it off at the gas station and it isn't going to start back up because it needed to run longer. They were not gone long before Dennis entered the house telling the exact thing I was saying so he is going to get gas in the morning instead. He said good thing too because he would have been at the gas station stranded with my set of keys in his pocket and no way for me to get to him.

We then has dinner, I had left overs while everyone else had hamburgers and french fries. Then we had ice cream for dessert and it was then time to get the little ones ready for bed. Deanna and Dorothy brushed their teeth, then Deanna went to bed with out a fuss. Dorothy ended up staying up a bit longer because she said her privates hurt. She is still learning to wipe and of course once we washed the area and put on clean underwear she too was more then ready for bed. One more day of playing with their new treasure from Christmas and back to school it is for them.

That does remind me that earlier today Dorothy brought her jewlery box to me that she got for Christmas because she couldn't open it, so after I tried to open it and couldn't, I asked for the box it came in hoping they hadn't thrown in away yet. It actually had instructions for how to pry it open in case it stopped opening. So we got it open and sure enough the special key to open it was tucked nice and safe inside the jewlery box. By the way this magical jewlery box is pretty neat if you ask me. A magical magnetic key is waved in front of this jewled heart. It starts to play a magical toon and then opens up. Very neat, she kept playing with it and the jewlery pretty much all day long, except for the little bit of time that Dorothy and Deanna were playing with their Barbies, and Polly pockets.

Samantha spent some time with her boyfriend and Lilly, cleaned her room, and did her work out. Other then that I don't think she did very much although she did change out the laundry for me and I hope she swept the kitchen floor after dinner. Each of the kids have a chore for Dinner but with the boys out of the house now it pretty much falls on the older girls because the younger ones are still learning. Every now and then you get a complaint from one of them but not as often as you might think. Well the kids are all off to sleep and my husband is snoring by myside so it is time to cut this update off and get to my other sites and get them updated. Good night all, I hope you have a great year ahead.