Cha-cha-cha-changes

So as I sit here in front of my laptop I can't help but think about all the changes we've gone through in the past 12 months. Some are good, some are bad. I've lost some very good friends, my kids are growing up and finished their pre-k, second grade, and 7th grade years. My daughter has lost her first tooth. My 13 year old is beginning puberty (ugh.) My 8 year old is gaining leaps and bounds on the drums. My husband turned 40 and coincidentally got laid off on the same day. We face the unknown in careers for the second time in our marriage. He has an interview in Northern CA that may or may not lead to anything. Some really good friends are moving to Hawaii and we will miss them tremendously. And the list goes on and on. It's hard to believe, sometimes, how life can throw you some really terrible curve balls. But I also can't help but think how lucky I am to have the wonderful husband and children I have. I worry about what's to come, but at the same time I know and I have faith that the Lord has our back. He will provide for us like he always does. We may have some bumps and bruises along the way, but I know we will survive.

I will miss my 5 year old being in Pre-K and the cute things she brought home to me this year. On the other hand, she will bring home equally cute things from Kindergarten. I will miss my 8 year old being in the best number at the Christmas Pageant this year, but there will be another Christmas pageant and I will be just as proud. I will miss my 13 year old's "baby" years as he now enters the realm of adulthood. I know our relationship will change as he grows older, but he will still always be my first baby. And, if my hubby gets a job in Northern CA, I will miss our life here in Vegas, but I know there will be great things to come no matter where we end up.

He's out of his mind!!!

So, as I was folding laundry today, Stephen had on CNN. The president was speaking in North Carolina (could have been south, wasn't paying close attention to the location.) Anyway, apparently that state has at least a 9% unemployment rate. So, the President's big idea was to start a program to get people trained as Engineers so that they can get hired in the private industry or start their own. Hello? Stephen's an Engineer and he hasn't been hired yet, so now he's going to have to compete with a whole bunch of people that are suddenly going to flood the Engineering job market? How is that fair? HIRE HIM!!! Don't give those jobs to new people!!! Anyway, it pissed me off that the President thinks that's a great solution to the joblessness of the American people, meanwhile my Engineer Husband still sits here unemployed!!!!

Summertime

Well, It's officially summer vacation for my beebles and I have to admit, I have no idea what we are going to do with our days to keep us busy. Since it's still hard to make any plans for anything, we have decided to take things day by day. I know we will go to the library weekly, we have some things we can bake, we have a sprinkler to play in in the back yard and there's the Video games they desperately want to play from morning till night (which isn't going to happen because I believe in exercise and imaginative play and NOT gluing themselves to the TV and the video games.) Although I look forward to summer vacations because I like to sleep in and not be committed to anything, at the same time I feel like it's not a vacation since I'll have to find ways to keep all 3 busy and happy. I will also be trying to keep them out of Stephen's hair so he can continue his job hunt. So, what to do? I guess enjoy my time with them, relax when I can and do my best to make them as happy as can be. Wish me luck!!!

Changing nutrition

Since I'm working out about every day and trying my hardest (with the exception of this week) to eat better and lose weight, I thought I'd share an article that I thought was brilliant. They've changed the food pyramid to the icon of the plate with all the healthy foods you should eat. I love it. It makes sense and I hope I can incorporate this into my diet. Here's the link to the article. Give it a quick read and see what you think. New Food Plate

Summing up the School year

So, today my blog is very "kid" involved. First off, Meganne has her first loose tooth. She's so very excited about it. She has been asking me since last summer when she was going to lose a tooth. Well, now's the time. Compared to the boys, she's late. They lost 4 teeth by the time they were 5 1/2 and she's just now losing her first! Anyway, the tooth fairy will be finding her way back to our house very soon.

Secondly, Meganne's last week of school is this week. Pre K gets out earlier than the rest. I can't believe this is the last year of having Mrs. Boleky as a teacher. We loved Mrs. Boleky. She's very calm, quiet and loving and I will be sad that my kids won't have her again. She will have a special loving place in our hearts though. Meganne will have a little graduation ceremony next Tuesday, and that's it. Summer break for her. Then I will have a KINDERGARTNER for the last time! Yikes! Like Andrew, she wants to start kindergarten right away. It's so very cute.

Next, my Andrew will be ending the 2nd grade. A lot has happened for him this school year. Most importantly (and not only for us, but for him since he called it the best day of his life) was his first Communion. I just can't believe he will be entering the 3rd grade in the Fall. Wow, that time flew. He will also be training to be an Altar Server in a few weeks. He's afraid to do it, but I think he will enjoy it in the end. Especially if he feels like it's an important job. (Which it is for the kids.)

Then there's my Alexander, who just this year turned 13. I'm not old enough to have a teenager! Really, I'm not. LOL. Anyway, equally hard to believe is that he will be entering the 8TH grade in the fall. High school is just a hop, skip and a jump away and I'm so not ready to go there! I'm especially not ready for him to drive, since he's eligible to do that in 3 short years. I keep telling him he has to wait until he's 18. We'll see how long he lets me get away with that I guess.

So, now I have to come up with some ideas to keep them busy during the summer that doesn't involve 12 hour long days of Video games. I would like to enroll them in Swim lessons again, but I don't see that happening...I know we'll do library days, and maybe swimming at my Aunt's house. I know we have a few possible play dates at a friend's house that also involves swimming, but otherwise...Ugh! Sprinklers, water balloons, child labor (having them clean the house with me), baking and, reading will have to occupy us. 

All that being said, I'm looking forward most to not having to pack lunchboxes and getting to sleep in. (Unless, of course, I have to get a job, which I'm still considering for myself.) Happy almost summer to all of you! And keep us in your prayers!! Thanks!

Not challenging the Universe

Ok, I know things are supposed to come in 3's but I'm hoping that we will be the exception to the rule. So far, since March, Stephen has been laid off and today he was involved in a car accident that tied up the 95 for about an hour. Luckily he and Alexander, who was with him because he'd just been picked up from school, were not at all injured. Apparently the driver that hit Stephen blew a tire, hit the guard rail and slid across the freeway right into Stephen's passenger side. Stephen saw the whole thing happen and slowed down as much as he could before the guy hit, but alas, he couldn't avoid the collision. Stephen thinks he was only going about 10mph at the time and the guy slammed the guard rail at at least 65 and therefore was going way too fast, even sliding, to avoid hitting Stephen. Anyway, now we have to go through getting the car into the shop, possibly getting a rental, and awaiting the repairs. It's all just a huge pain in the ass now. But if this was 2 of our 3....well, I'm not even going to entertain that notion. I'm going to remain positive that from here on out it will be rainbows, blue skies and puppies for us. I have faith that everything will be fine with the car and that Stephen will find out in the next 2 weeks that his "Dream Job" wants him. I keep praying for this and I know God has our back.

My summer sewing

My summer sewing projects have begun. I have now made Meganne 2 skirts that she can wear in the warm weather and I love them. I'm so excited to make some more things. I may even spoil myself and make myself something cute to wear in the warm weather. Sewing is getting a little less scary for me and a lot more fun. I even found a tutor that is willing to help me out. My plans you ask? I will make some shorts for the boys and maybe a pair for Meganne, a skirt for myself and maybe a sun dress as well. I will even try to get a head start on some winter flannels for Stephen and the kids, but that we will have to see. It's also my goal to get some crocheting done and make some Christmas presents for everyone so I don't have to cram it all in in November. Anyway, "sew" can't wait to get some projects done!