Resolutions

Am I already talking about resolutions?  YES. 

2011 has been a challenging year for me.  I am so glad to see it go.  I cannot wait to start fresh and new.  There is always that magical feeling on January first that makes you feel like you can just start over.   This year January first is on a Sunday...New year and new week too!  That is a sign.   A sign for me to start again with Weight Watchers.  For years I have been off and on trying to do it on my own.  I don't think I have actually been to a meeting since Allie was one years old.  I know that I can be successful with joining.....because I will be held accountable weighing in front of someone every week.  So, I have decided that even if I think I can't afford to go every week, that I will join.  I have to do something.  I am at the highest weight I have ever been.  It does not feel good.  I feel heavy.  I feel tired all the time.  I feel depressed.  I feel weak.  I feel bloated.  I feel bad.  I don't want to feel like that anymore. 

My second resolution is to save money and pay off bills.   The bills just keep adding up more and more.  Life with 4 kids is not cheap.   Just a trip to Subway for dinner today cost me $33. Ervin and I have already splurged for a trip to Cancun this coming March 2012......and I think that will be my only splurge for the year.  We probably shouldn't have even planned this trip because we cannot afford it.  But, I figured it was an investment in our marriage.   A time we need to reconnect.   We never really had a honeymoon.   Anyway, I definitely want to pay off some bills and commit to saving money in all aspects of my life.  Gotta stop using credit cards,  use coupons, shop thrift stores.  I am almost to the point of cutting our cable.   Our fridge died on us this week so I just bought a brand new one (after spending $140 to repair it ourselves) from Best Buy.  They had 18 months sames as cash.  So there is an additional expense.  I swear.....that fridge was only 8 years old.  I guess they only make fridges to last 10 years.   If that is the case...this one better last 12.  

Ervin just called me to tell me he won a trip to the Bahamas.  I am quite skeptical of it all.  The guy on the phone is like...Hello?  You guys just won!  You don't sound excited enough.  Sound like a scam to me.   Guess I will find out sooner or later! 

Good luck to all of you and your new years resolutions! 

Oh the Holidays!

All of these snowmen are from Hallmark....I started collecting these a few years back...when Allie was a baby. Every year they come out with a new one. I love them. They sing and dance. The little girls love them too. They are all over the house everyday!

I think my computer hates my blog. It won't let me publish my posts...and for some reason I couldn't even start writing at the top....I had to start here? Weird.

Anyway...I thought I would post some holiday pics. These are a few shots of getting the Christmas tree up. There is also a pic of Allie in the town holiday festival.

Jacob trimming the tree! Jacob is 9 years old this Christmas. He is getting so big. I am proud of him. Even though he loves to torture the girls....he is a good big brother....that is what brothers are for anyway right???

Tree trimming with the girls.

Allie is 7 this Christmas....and I am sad to say that she no longer believes in Santa! Sad times!

My beautiful Maddie! Madelyn is 3 this Christmas. She loves the Christmas tree. She also says she likes Santa....but will not go near the guy. Every year we get a new "family" ornament made at the mall with all of our names on it. Well, for the first time....the term "you break it you buy it" referred to us this year. Maddie broke a picture frame there...and I felt so bad...I bought it.

Gracie is one and a half this Christmas. She loves the Christmas tree. She LOVES to take all of the ornaments off. If you notice most of the ornaments are up top. She has broken a few...and everyday I find another one in the kitchen. She can't help it!

Cruise Pics!

all I can say is....ahhhhhh....I miss that place!

Back from Paradise

I had an awesome 4 nights and 5 days off! Off from work, off from everyday life, off from wifely duties, off from mom duties.....IT WAS GREAT!

It started at 3am when I left the house to get to the airport. My mom and sister picked me up so I didn't have to wake the kids so early. It was really nice to spend time with those two ... even at 3 am....

I flew to Chicago then to Miami. I met my BFF, Laura there at the Miami airport. It was pretty funny trying to find each other there. The airport was huge and of course....our airline terminals were at opposite ends!

We took a taxi to our hotel which let us check in early at noon! Score! then we ate lunch and laid on the beach! The beach was soooo wonderful. I fell asleep under the sun....it was truly amazing. I can't remember the last time that happened. I am usually chasing after children or something. After that fabulous day on the beach we got dressed up and went to a fancy restaurant called "The Forge". It was really nice...great atmosphere and the food was good too.

Next day we had a yummy breakfast at the hotel, laid on the beach again....then boarded the ship around 2 pm. No one told me that when you go on the cruise, you have to attend a very annoying emergency instructional. Well, I think I would have been okay....but it was hot and we were the first ones there.....waiting for people for 45 minutes! Okay...I am a being a brat for complaining!

Anyway, first night on the ship was good. We had dinner, walked around the ship, and went to a dance party. It was pretty funny watching people dance.


Next day, we went to the island, Cococay. The island is owned by Royal Caribbean. We rented these floating mats and floated on the ocean for hours. We had Cocoloco's on the beach and read our books and just relaxed. Late afternoon, we went back to the ship and got ready for dinner. Before dinner we had "drinks" and I had some shots....then I puked in a trashcan before dinner. It was pretty funny. I asked Laura if anyone saw me....she says.....well what do you think? Ha! Ha! After dinner we relaxed in our cabin, took a nap...then went to the nightly dance party. It was again fun to watch people dance......I actually joined in on the dancing this time.

Third day of the cruise we docked in Nassau. We laid on the beach again. I don't think that I could ever get tired of laying on a beach! We swam in the ocean.... it was paradise! We then went back to the ship for lunch, then off the ship for shopping, then back on the ship for dinner. Dinner every night was delicious. That night we attended all of the ships activities. I think I laughed for 4 hours straight. They had karaoke.....if you can just imagine a cute lady singing "Like a Virgin"... BADLY ....you can see how much fun we had. We also attended a comedy show and 2 "game show " like activities. The ship really knows how to entertain.

Last day, we got off the boat and had to say goodbye! Goodbye to our vacation, goodbye to each other. It was also Laura's birthday. It was bittersweet. I wanted to stay longer...but I knew I had sweet little babies at home missing me....and I missed them too.

I hung out at the airports most of the day. The highlight of waiting was eating Garretts popcorn in Chicago ...the Chicago style mix is delish....caramel and cheese mixed. It is so good. If you have never had Garretts popcorn you are missing out!

I flew in to town around 7 40 pm and spotted my peeps right away. They were waiting for me inside.....I came up behind Jacob and gave him a kiss. Gracie wasn't too sure about me. Maddie hugged my right away....and so did Allie. I picked Gracie up and she just hugged me all the way to the car. I swear.....4 nights away and they all grew like weeds! While I was gone, Allie scored her first goal! Maddie learned the phrase "Oh my gosh!" and Jacob...well he just grew like crazy.

It was a great break.....so happy I was able to take time out of my life for some "me" time...and for some time with my friend.....we have been friends since we were 11 years old.....we are now 32 ....well she is 33! Since we graduated high school, I think this is the most time I have had with her and it was really special to me! I missed her more than I knew! I wish her twin sister...my other BFF would have been able to go too....but she had mom duties....her baby is not quite a year old....but we will do this again! and hopefully, she will be able to go too!

Pics to come soon....

Momcation

In less than 24 hours I will be headed to Miami, then going here :

on a

I am beyond ecstatic! I will be leaving my kiddies and hubby at home and I will be on my own...meeting one of my best friends there. I already have some mommy guilt...but hopefully a few drinks with some rum in it will help me forget! I have had a rough summer.....so I am really looking forward to something fun and adventurous. I am so grateful to have a partner to stay home with my babies. He (husband) is very supportive.....I have to say...if the roles were reversed I think I would be so jealous that I wouldn't allow it! ha ha....Thank you God for allowing me to go on this trip. We scored a really great price...only $169 dollars for the cruise. We are going to have a blast. I will take a ton of pics...but probably won't be able to post them until I get a new laptop.... that will be the end of October! That is why my posts have been scarce.....I need a new laptop bad! But, I promise! I will post them some day!

First day of school

....well actually these pics were taken on the second day of school. I missed the first day because I had to work. I hate missing milestones like these! Anyway, we pretended that this was our first day. Allie wanted to pick out her own clothes. After arguing...I mean discussing what matches and what does not.....I decided to just give up and let her pick out whatever she wanted. At least she brushed her hair and brushed her teeth. That in itself is an accomplishment! She has on her new pretty converse shoes that she picked out at Target. Love that store. I swear they look too big on her. She says they fit fine. But she kind of reminded me of Ronald McDonald. But, she is still beautiful no matter what.

Allie with her friends, Makayla and Cheyenne

It took several times to wake up Jacob. He didn't go to bed until late last night......like almost 11 pm! I tried to get him to bed earlier starting at 9 but he just couldn't/wouldn't fall asleep. It will take some time to get him back into a routine. Yeah ,he is holding a check for lunch money. Man, lunch prices went up this year. I am still figuring out how I am going to pay for school fees! I guess I better pick up some extra hours at work! I am happy to announce that our school district is in the "Excellent with distinction" rating. Which I am surprised about because we can't pass a school levy around here. I am content to know that the kids are getting a good education. The school district I graduated from is on academic watch. Ouch! Makes a lot of sense if you think about it! ha ha....

I was so not ready for school to start. I loved having all the kids home...and waking up whenever we wanted ...no schedule to follow....but now that it has started....It sure is quiet around here...I mean...... I realize that maybe it will be good for us to get into more of a routine. I am not looking forward to homework....the deadly trio (Jacob, Mommy, and Homework) aahhh! But, I am looking forward to a wonderful new year.

Jacob

Gym

The Gym is good. I don't know why I resist to go so much. When I go, I feel wonderful. I get a break from my well disciplined, well behaved children and I finally get some ME time. So yeah, I don't know why I try my hardest to avoid the place. I have to get moving. I have been a sloth for weeks...months....I make excuses that I don't have the time....I gotta make the time. Period.

I got on the treadmill with the goal of just moving...and this thought got me through:




I ended up wogging 3 miles today. I think that is pretty awesome. I feel good.