November 1

Start of a new month!  My little girl is very excited about November for some reason.  I don't know if she realizes how close Christmas is? or just that the end of the year is near? which is pretty big for a 6 year old.

Halloween 2010



Colleen - Patrick - Daniel

 Photos from Halloween!  Kids had a really good time

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1) Started a new part time job at Ohio State - Accounting Lab Instructor.  So far it is going well.

2) Took Colleen up to Cleveland for her annual Cranio-Facial clinics.  She did great!  The did recommend OT and Speech assessments so we will start down that path.  But considering all that could be wrong that was great news.

3) Kept up with laundry!  did not think I would ever get through it but I did!

Bonus:  (1) Tony & I went to the OSU v. Purdue game and Tony found a photo that you can see us in.  Very exciting... here is the link ohio-state-purdue-panorama

Now it is your turn.....

Small Successes - October 14

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

It has been so long since I have done this or least it feels that way:

1)  Decided to put my goals into words for all the world to see.  I think this will make me accountable to myself and my family

2) Finishing up my Screamfree Parenting Online Coaching Package.  I really like the book and this workshop is very helpful

3) Scheduled the bi-annual family portrait for Saturday.  It will be at a State Park.  It will be our first one taken outdoors usually we do studio shorts.  Hopefully it stays dry!

Verbalization

I have read that if you put down in words - verbalize - what you would like in life it will open the doors that you have closed to these gifts.  So here it goes:

1) I would like a new job.  The job that I currently have is a good job, however I don't see us being open this time next year.  So I would like to find something so we do not have to worry about being without my income.
2) We have started a new venture:  Advocare  What Adovcare is an approach to nutrition, lifestyle, and wellness.  I use the supplements daily! and by using the products I have lost over 20 lbs. and a lot of inches.  Clothes that were too tight last year now fit! and are on there way to being loose.  Tony uses it also and nearly all his clothes look like they are about to fall off of him any minute.
3) We would like to move to Glen Arbor MI.  We would like to move there in the next 5 years.  We just love that area - we plan to take the kids up there this winter.

Now I am accountable for all of this since it is out there for the world to see.

I love a give away

Dont' you????  Over at Be Creative  Deena is giving away Bic Mark-It pens.  I know that my kiddos would love these pens.  How about yours?

Tuesdays....

Ever have a day where you just want to curl up and drink hot tea and watch TV or read a book.  Today is that day for me.  It is cold here 50F.  It is supposed to rain.  Work is work so I really do not want to be here.  But what can I do - I have to be here.  I need this paycheck (mind you did not say job) to pay the tuition at school, pay our student loans, and pay for the kids acitivites. 

Here is my top three (I am not ambitious enough to do ten) items:

1) black boots to wear with skirts and pants.  found a great Clarks pair here
2) like the stretch flannel suits at Talbots.  I need to visit the store and check them out
3) cool weather - I was able to put my flannel sheets on the family beds!  Now I need to find my electric blanket.

Why I love my hubby....

Why I love my husband.... is very plain and simple.  He is a great dad!  He is willing to forgo for himself for his children and me!  I wish I was more like him!

Love you!

A need to reconnect

My DH and I need to have a weekend or even an evening alone without kids, family, work, school, etc.   I can not tell you the last time we had a conversation that did not involve the kids in one way or another. 

We have tried and failed to sign up for the Marriage Encounter through church - seems always to be on a weekend we have something going on.

We have to make US a priority - but the question is how?

Small Successes - September 16

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.



My successes for the week are:

1. Took the kids to my brother's home for a camp out.  It is a 90 minute drive each way but well worth the 3 total hours in the car for their enjoyment.  Sometimes it is about the kids.
2. Visited the Sorrowful Mother Shrine on Sunday.  Was able to celebrate Mass.  It was cool to do Mass in the outdoors.  Will have to take the kids there soon.
3. Called the repairman to fix the dryer.  $200 worth of part - well worth it! 

Time to share your success!!!

Weekend in Review

This weekend was fun and busy!  I like those type of weekend even if they go by way to fast.

On Friday I did not work --- which is always great!  I worked out.  I started this part of the weeks laundry and discovered that our dryer is not drying clothes.  Started towels before I worked out and when I got home 90 minutes later the towels were still wet.  NOT GOOD!!  Tony looked at the dryer and the ignite element was working but no flame.  So we called the repair man and he should be able to fix it today! 

Daniel did good at school - got a green!  That was great.  I know he can do it - he just has to try. Patrick & Colleen has good days. We ended up staying at home for dinner since it is the end of the pay period.  I made Cream Chicken and rice for dinner.  It was good eats!

Saturday we headed North for my nephews birthday party.  I started the day with a migraine.  Thank goodness for Relpax!   About 30 minutes later I was headache/migraine free!  We drove to the birthday party and stopped at a roadside stand and bought the first apples of the season (gala).    The party was fun!  the kids enjoyed themselves.  We enjoyed the party.  Afterwards Tony & I went out to dinner (the kids spend the night).  We had a good time.  Nice to be just us.  We got home and both crashed - very romantic if you ask me.

Sunday - Tony & I went to Mass at The Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue Ohio.  It was Italian Day and there were a whole bunch of older Italian people with their picnic lunches/breakfasts/dinners enjoying themselves.  It was funny during Mass the volume from the people started to get louder and louder.  It got to a breaking point during communion.  Father had to stop the communion to ask people to be quiet.  It was funny.  At first I thought the noise was from people processing outside the open church but then we realized that it was in the open church and people were just talking to one another.  The Shrine was beautiful.  I want to go back to check it all out.  I wonder if the kids would want to go.  After Mass we picked the kids up from my brothers.  They were not happy to leave but they were all so tired they slept the whole way home.

Now it is time to go back to work...

Small Successes - Sept 9

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

My successes for the week are:

1. Visited the pediatrician regarding Daniel (Sept 7 post).  Unfortunately no tests were ordered, no suggestions made, just forms for us to fill out and to decide if we want to see this doctor or another doctor.
2. Did so much laundry but it is all done - how can three kids who wear uniforms daily create more laundry now then during the summer?????
3. Baked my hubby a Red Velvet cake with Cream Cheese frosting for his birthday.   I usually make the kids chocolate cake but this was my first attempt at Red Velvet.

What were your successes????

Start of the school year reflection

The kids started school 2 weeks ago ---  it has been such a bumpy ride! so far.  We have had more downs than ups - or at least that is what I hear from teachers.

Colleen is doing great!  She is loving 1st grade and is having fun with reading and math.  I hope this keeps up.

Daniel is struggling - no academically but behaviorally and socially.  He is doing great with his tests, homework, and class work but the rest is just plain awful.  We have been in school 10 days so far and he has 2 reds, 6 yellows, and 2 greens.  One more red and he is in detention - not good for third grade.  He is working his way to be the classroom trouble maker.  Part of me wonders if something is chemically off and this is causing the behavior, part of me thinks he is being picked on (since some of the things are very nit-picky), part of me thinks that he is trying to push the envelope to be paid attention to, and part of me thinks he is just not challenged at his school and he is done with his work and this is how he acts when he is bored.  We have a doctor's appointment set for Wednesday to see if it is #1.  A big part of me hopes that this is what is going on since then it may be easier to fix than the others.

Patrick is hit or miss --- he is sitting with his best buddy and they talk which gets him trouble.  School work wise is is doing OK - his big problem is his need to do things as quickly as possible and this leads to mistakes.  His writing is also very very sloppy and that is causing negative marks on his papers which otherwise should be positive. 

Each kid is having their struggles but they are also enjoying being back in school.  I think that they enjoy the interacting with friends and learning new things. 

My school year goals are:
1) Daily  pray a Rosary for the kids
2) Get myself up and running so we are not getting to school at the first bell
3) REMEMBER to Praise the good of the day before focusing on the negative

My favorite photo from the first day of school
 August 23, 2010

Small Successes - Sept 2

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.

1. Took the kids to the Indians game on Sunday.  To do this we needed to go to Mass on Saturday (which is tricky for our family) - but we did it!
2. Scheduled a hair appointment for the end of the month.  The new haircut will not allow me to go 3 months without a haircut.
3. did so much laundry this past week I am shocked I kept up!  Why do the kids want to play outside more since school started then they did all summer
4. Bonus:  Signed the boys up for flag football - we dropped the ball on soccer so I am glad we did this one!