Lots of updates

Let's see

Jeff got laid off at the end of October from Ideal Disposal. He is working with his friend Jim right now a million hours because he can't find work. Kids are going on healthy kids because we also have no insurance.

I had Rachael's kids for the past three days as she went to Florida for school. We had so much fun. We took them ice skating and did a lot of horsing around. I got the house back to normal last night.



My mom bought Brady a big boy bed for Christmas from my friend Cathy. We set this up yesterday and will be painting his room this weekend. I just love the new set up of his room. It really looks great.

I was trying to look in the mirror in the bathroom on Saturday and went to get down stool slipped. I went flying and nailed my head on the shelving attached to the wall giving myself a concussion. I can finally open my jaw today and I am less irratable so I think I am finally on the mend.

We are going to mom & dad's for Thanksgiving. I can't wait to have the family together for the holiday. I am so looking forward to this Christmas. I have not looked forward to the past couple. For some reason though I am such in the Christmas spirit this year.

I went and picked up Brady's pictures today and got the cars inspected.

The boy's are getting ready for their Christmas concerts: Colby for Sax and Austin for chorus.

Stealing this one from Rachael

Rachael peaked my curiosity about whom the Town of Beford voted for in the presidential elections that were just held.


Well since I can't seem to copy and paste it. I am proud to say

For Obama: 5,115
For McCain: 7,442

I am very curious as to how the other towns in NH voted. So far that is 2 for 2 for McCain.

Well I will be back later I have a ton to update you all on. So much has happened in a month. But no time right this second.

Not much going on

Well things have relatively quiet. Never a bad thing. We are getting ready for Sean and Tiffanys baby shower coming up in a couple of weeks. That should be fun.

The kids are anxiously awaiting halloween. However, I think we will not be buying costumes this year. The older boys are getting old enough to become creative. I am thinking they can go as baseball players. I am also pretty sure one of the costumes that Brady got last year and didn't wear will fit him this year. So that is turning a new leaf for myself. I always in the past have spent quite a bit on their costumes but the times have changed. I thought last year things were tight money wise well it turns out this year is even tighter financially.

Things have been a little less stressing and I am not so wound up so that is a good thing. So I guess that is it for now. Talk to you all later.

Interesting week

Well what a week it has been. First I get a call from Rachael in the late evening and I knew it couldn't be good. It turns out Chris Purdy passed away from a heartattack at the age of 37. I feel so badly for Shayna what a horrible loss. What a shock and I feel for them so much.
Then we have some kind of random stomach bug, running rampid through this house.




Austin was sick Monday night into Tuesday. Brady was sick Wednesday night into Thursday. I was sick Thursday night into Friday. Then Austin was sick again last night and is still recouperating.

Then Rachael currently is celebrating her 35th birthday as we speak. We through a surprise party for her at Tammy's Friday night. The gang was all there and she was quite surprised.

Rough Week

As much as I love me family more than myself most days. They have all been stressing me out. 1st Colby's sax, then the attitude, then his grades started to slip. Austin lost his spelling book that we now need to replace, his attitude, the sheer laziness. Brady just his 2 yr old antics.

This week has been a test of my will not to beat them all. I feel all I do lately is yell and fight with them. I am not sure when we crossed the line from loving to have them around and missing them so much while they were at school to dreading 4 pm because I know I will hear the bus any second. Everything has become a fight of colossal proportions. From dinner, to homework, to cleaning there own messes and room. They are nasty to each other and everyone else around them. I know this is par for the course but I am running on reserve power and I feel like it is about to shut down.

I think Jeff knows that I am hanging on by a thread so he offered to take the two older boys tonight and go do something with them so I can go out with my girls. I am not sure if they realize how much they have been the glue that is holding me together lately. Jen helped so much last week by rocking Brady to sleep as he was on my last nerve and she did it not even knowing how much she helped advert a potential snapping moment. Liz she has been the humor in my life lately that I have seemed to have lost and boy do I appreciate it. Tammy is the respect in my life that somehow no one in this house can seem to muster. Rachael where do I even begin she is the silent wall that I have been leaning against to hold me up and get me through these trying days. She doesn't need to say a word but I always know she is a phone call away if I were to need her to lean against. Never in all my days did I realize in my life that I could be so blessed to have friends that are as incredible as the girls I have in my life. I must have done something right somewhere along the line because I have been sooo blessed and they are the glimmers of light that have been getting me through.

So you all have done such minor things that have made such a major impact and all it required was all of you being yourselves. You are all amazing and I am incredibly honored to have you all as my friends.

Who Knew

Who knew that one child's mistake could be so costly and time consuming. Colby accidently set his saxophone down at the bus stop last Tuesday and forgot to grab it when he got on the bus. Well someone pulled up and stole his saxophone. We have been desperately searching to buy a replacement. I finally gave up after searching for almost a week with no saxophone even within financial reach for us. I finally realized our only option was going to have to be to rent one. We went over to Hebert's Music on Elm St. and they do a credit check. They wanted $500 down in order to RENT ONE!!!! Yeah not happening so I went on line and got almost the same deal slightly more expensive but without the credit check and the only difference is when he is finished we have to send it back for $20 shipping. But at $42 a month when we owned his other one outright is insanity. I am pissed at the kid please don't get me wrong. However, the person who stole his other one when his name, address and phone # were right on the front and all they had to do was walk it across the street makes me sick. Karma will get them I know it deep down in my heart.

On a lighter note we had . What a blast as always. Here are a few photos.







I hope this turns into maybe a monthly or bi-monthly event. I know speaking for myself as a mother it realives so much stress and makes me a better mother and wife. Just to get away and have a blast with my girls makes it all better, even if only for a little while.

Sick:-(

Well I finally came down with the bug the Rachel & Colby had. I couldn't even work yesterday I was so ill. I am finally better but have fever blisters on both corners of my mouth. UGH!!

Colby lost his Saxaphone. He left it at the bus stop yesterday morning and someone took it. He has always been my most reasponsible kid, yeah well not lately. Reminds me of a totally different kid. Not one I am overly proud of I might add. Hopefully this phase goes away extremly quickly.

Getting ready for girls night at Rachael's on Friday. Should be fun. Also Rachael just sold us 80 gallons of home heating oil for a $1 a gallon. That totally rocks that should get us through half the winter. Oh yes what a total blessing. Now to figure out how to get it from her tank to ours.

What a month

Things have been wonderfully crazy lately. I had Friday night at Rachael's 2 weeks ago.

Then we had an end of the year BBQ at Rachael's a week ago Sunday. Rachael, Jen and Scott were the gracious hosts.



Then we had Austin's B-day party from 1-4pm then turned it into audlt Margarita night at my house this past Saturday. Oh my gosh what a blast. These are some wonderful memories with my frieds. I also had the pleasure of meeting a great new gal Liz. She is so cool.






So then I guess Rachael we figured we needed one more to go out with a bang this summer. So we are having another this coming Friday. So more pictures to follow.

Wow is really already September

When I was little my mom always said enjoy the time you have now because it will fly by and you will miss it when you are older. I gwafed at such a thought and prayed to be older. Well my prayers where answered and wouldn't you know my mother was oh but to right as usual. The time is flying by way to fast and I am at a loss as to how to slow it down. I want to savour the days and enjoy the kids youth. However, I blink my eyes and it seems gone in an instant. Years seem to flash by in seconds. Wish I could go back to when the kids were younger and not be in such a rush for them to walk, talk and be older and appreciate the days a little bit more. I am trying very hard to absorb every moment I have and just enjoy it because I am afraid if I blink once again it will be a distant memory.

Well the kids summer is already gone. It was a whirlwind of a summer and I wish it didn't have to be that way. Colby started 6th grade and Austin 5th. They really seem to be enjoying it as much as you can enjoy school at that age anyway. I am seeing a bit more maturity in Colby this year, if I could only get rid of that occasional chip on his shoulder I would be much happier. Austin is going to be 10 in another week and I am telling you it is another age that is not my favorite. He is challenging and oh so difficult, as he tries to find the delicate balance of exerting his independence while still obeying his parents. He will figure it out I am sure, just the sooner the better.

We are getting ready to say goodbye to the last of the warmer weather with a few big parties. Sunday we will be having a party at Rachael's hosted by Jen & Rach. Then a big b-day party for Austin on the 13th. Then we are turning it into an adult margarita party afterwards. This will probably be the biggest party we have ever hosted. I am just praying that everyone has a great time and it doesn't rain.

We have to go help my parents tomorrow stack a cord of wood they just purchased for the winter. So I am praying it doesn't rain all day and maybe just a few showers here and there.

So for the next few weekends I am just going to enjoy every moment I have with family and friends. Relish every second I have with them all and be thankful I have such an amazing family and some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for.

Wish I had photos to share.

I got the most unexpected phone call last night around 6:30ish. It was Rachael asking me if I wanted to go with them to get the boys ears pierced and Megan's belly button pierced. The tried to convince Colby and I to get piercing's as well since Austin already had his ear pierced. They wanted Colby to get his ear pierced and me my belly button. Yeah we were not convinced. However, we did decide to attend for moral support. It was a hoot. They all went through with it and they look amazing, especially Megan. That girl is growing up way to fast. Rachael also got a new belly button ring it was for breast cancer awareness (very cool).

Then after our unexpected outing we came back here and had a few drinks and just hung for a few hours. It was rather amusing and even Jeff joined us. It ended up being a long evening as it was 11pm when Rach left and Brady was still up. Then the older ones (I kept Rach's kids) didn't settle down until around 1 am. Boy it was hard getting up this morning but SOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it.

These moments are far to rare in our hectic lives that sometimes you just have to make the time for. If you don't when you die you don't want to be known only for working so hard. These rare moments are something that will remain with us in our memories forever.

My only regret is that I don't have a camera that works so although Rach has a ton of pictures I was unable to take any. So sorry for no pictures of my unexpected awesome evening.

Vacation

we just returned from camping on Sunday other than the torrential downpours as you can see here these where all taken by our tent, during one of the last storms Friday night. Shortly after these were taken my camera couldn't handle the moisture anymore and died.





However, there were certainly moments of sheer fun with the kids. Here are a few photos.







However, somehow I think I need a vaca from my vaca. I have been so tired since we have returned home. My house is trashed and I am just trying to get a handle on all of it. Oh well the price you pay for playing hard.

Talk to you all later.

Nice Break

Well I got a nice break from the boys yesterday afternoon. Rachael took or should I say got coerced into taking Colby & Austin for the afternoon. They had a great afternoon of swimming and playing pool. I on the otherhand got a wonderful afternoon of peace and quiet. The little ones were all down for nap and I got sometime getting some cleaning done and just sometime with myself.

These times are rare and far between so I enjoyed the time. It may have only been for 4 hours but sometimes that is all you need.

I picked up the boys and then headed to Jeff's softball game at Derryfield. I always love going the boys amuse themselves and I just get to hang out with friends. Steph and Nancy met me their to pick up the twins and hang out for awhile. They have a way of making me laugh.

So all in all a pretty good day.

Summer is flying by

Wow I can't believe it is the middle almost end of July already. Where has the summer gone. Just give me more time, more time.

Well we went camping last weekend. Other than being a little muggy we had beautiful weather. We also went camping with some fun people which always makes the time a lot more enjoyable. We are planning to go again the first week in August. However, we will have to see about money.

We will have to see about money because abruptly Tuesday night I got a call from Heather saying that she was on maternity leave effective immediately so I would no longer have Kaleb any longer. I am saddened by this since I never even got to say good bye. Plus with no notice given to me I had to preparation in preparing for the financial loss weekly. The only good thing is I will no longer have to deal with the Heather and Shane. No animosity here.

Also managing to get over lovely posion ivy that my husband decided to not so nicely share with me. Ugh I have never had this before in my life and I don't ever want it again.

Okay well that's it for now.

What a weekend!!!

Wow what an incredible few days. Thursday I took Austin, Tyler, Brady, Rachael & Logan to the town pool. Colby sadly was unable to attend due to his behavior. So as Rachael can attest to he threw quite the crying hysterical fit. Oh well hopefully he learned a very valuable lesson.

Friday we attended the Wall family 4th of July extravaganza. What an incredible party and time. The kids as well as Jeff and I had a BLAST!!! They even lit off an amazing display of fireworks that I have seen. I also finally ordered some 4th of July scrapbooking items so I looked forward to all the photo opp's. Here are a few as mine are already out being developed.





Saturday we went down to Plymouth MA to my cousin Terry's for a lobster and clam bake. She lives about 3 miles from Cape Cod. Her house overlooks Cape Cod Bay. Yeah can we say gorgeous. We had an awesome time but whew what a ride 2 hrs one way. So we stopped at our friend Brian's on the way back to let the kids have a break and go swimming. Then we were almost home literally pulled onto our street and my dear child Austin who notoriously gets car sick throws up all over Colby and I mean all over his head. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! I emptied the car and Jeff took it too the car wash where he vacuumed, washed and fragrances the whole car.

Then on Sunday we got up and headed to Clough State Park. We had amazing weather and such a great time. We don't usually get family days like these often. We managed to soak up every available moment. However, my less than brilliant husband gave the woman a $20 to get in, it cost $10 and only got $2 change and didn't notice she shorted us $8 change until after we had left.








Well as you can see it has been a whirlwind of a few days but we have made some wonderful memories and I wish we could have more long weekends like this one. So awesome. Hope all of yours were equally as good.

Not a nerd are you?

UGGGHH!! You won't believe this one!!!

I am sitting here it is around 11pm and all of a sudden, I hear a noise and notice the bushes move outside. The cats have jumped a mile. I run to the window and their are 3 girls outside EGGING MY HOUSE!!! Now I had to have the windows replaced in November because they broke my windows doing this. My bedroom window was egged around aprilish. Now I am sitting right here and they are brazen enough to do it just about in front of me. The previous 2x's we believe we were not at home. I had the windows open and all the lights on. COME ON PEOPLE!!! They were wearing white hoodies.

So Jeff jumps out of bed as I yell for him and runs out the door in search of them. I call the police and have them come out. They take a report and without 100% positive ID they really couldn't do much. However, they did search about and promised to do repeated patrols up and down the street tonight. We went over to Mobil and they said 3 girls in sweartshirts came in about 10mins before my house was egged buying a dozen eggs. They have them on survaillence. So I call the police back and give them this information. However, they can't really do much because Mobil in technically in Manchester and out of their juristiction. Come on why does this juristiction thing always effect me when a crime occurs against me. Some of you may recall approx 8 1/2 yrs ago when we got scammed in the Machester appt. scandel. We also got screwed because of juristiction issues. We are about 90% postitive it is the two girls down the street.

Now I know this is really just teenage pranks but this is just not funny anymore and frankly I am pretty f*ckin pissed off about this. Jeff and I are intending to go speak to their parents tomorrow. I will update you all as to how this goes.

DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA!!! This is what my life consists of.

Nice but busy weekend

It was really such a nice weekend. The wedding was more fun then I had had in a long time. Your DJ really makes your wedding and I will tell you this lady was so funny. I had never laughed so hard.

Sunday I got to go out to breakfast with my mom. What a nice time, we rarely get time just the two of us and I really enjoyed the time. I only wish it could have been longer.

I then went to Canobie Lake Park for my Mother's Day. It was a beautiful day and kids had a great time. I met up with Rachael and her family their. It was nice although it is interesting as all the kids get older. They want to go off with their friends and parents aren't quite as needed. It is interesting trying to find your role in their lives as they begin to grow up and exert their independence. I realize how much older they are all getting and what great kids they really are becoming.

The day really wore them all out Brady fell asleep in the car and woke up at 8:30am the next morning, Austin fell asleep on the couch at about quarter of 7 and woke up for school the next morning. Guess they all had as busy of a weekend as I did.

Okay well day is in full swing so I will talk to you all later.

So irratated!!

Go to drop Colby off at baseball practice and I notice their are no kids from his team their. So we ask nope no more practices just games. Great was his idiotic coach going to e-mail us this? This was after racing to get him from band practice, rush home do homework and dinner and back out the door only to find out it was for nothing.

On a positive note. Colby has had two games so far and they have won both. Go Pizza Mia!!

Austin will have his first game this Saturday and sadly will miss it because I have a wedding to go to and he will be with Nana and Papa.

Sunday is Mother's Day and I am going to breakfast with mom and then picking up the boys and we are going to Canobie Lake Park for the day. We will be meeting up with Rachael and her family their.

We have Brady's birthday party next Saturday. Wow where did the time go!! I have yet to plan anything out. Next thing on the agenda to do.

Friday night is my brother's rehearsal dinner.

Then the following Saturday is my brother's wedding wow that came up amazingly fast. I can't wait because my sister Kim will be coming up with my brother in law and little nephew. I really miss them so can't wait.

So needless to say may not be around much in the next few weeks. Will try and stay in touch though.

Talk to you all later.

Well been a way for a while again

I think I haven't written for a bit because things have been sad in my circle of closest friends.

My friend Lesley found out she had breast cancer. So far things are going well but we will see how she does once chemo and radiation begin.

Another close friend is having difficulties with teenagers. Rachael is having difficulties with paying for schooling and I am just heartbroken over this possibility.

Then Colby and Austin are going back and forth about not doing what they are suppose to in school. Their schedules are getting more hectic by the second. I have a toddler that is out of control.

Colby has band, baseball practice and 2 games a week.
Austin has baseball practice and a game each week. Jeff is also the coach for his team.
Then don't forget homework and school everyday. Plus we have been taking Colby to the ear specialist so I have our meeting with them next week to see how this goes.

Brady oh where do I start with this one. Colors on my new $1,000 furniture, slices my new window screens with scissors, starts the microwave with random things that he found to put in it, broke my cell phone, ripped down my blinds, ran away and almost had to call 911 because I couldn't find him, managed to get a children's tylenol bottle open and luckily decided to fill it with water rather than drink it. These are just the things that I can think of for the moment I am pretty sure there may be about a thousand other interesting things he has managed to do. Now mind you this is not me not watching him this is me trying to do dishes, wash laundry or cook dinner. So my housework is having to now wait until late in the evening after he goes to bed or while he is napping. If not what I do manage to accomplish pales in comparison to what he has managed to destroy in those few moments. This child is certainly an entity all to his own.

Stephanie had a hysterectomy and had 25 staples. So I had Rachel and Logan for 2 weeks sometimes overnight, or I would bring them home around 7-7:30pm, So needless to say this was interesting. I suddenly became a family of 7 overnight. Wow not ready for that.

My friend Rachael and Tracy have both had deaths in their families this year.

Tracy's brother was in a life threatening accident. He broke his pelvis, arm and knee. This is so crazy.

I feel that everyones life is spiraling out of control and I am not sure how to stop it all from happening. Usually one of us will have an issue and we get through it relatively okay. This year though I don't know everyone is having major things happen and I am at a loss as to how to fix, help or make things better. Not to mention I am having a mommy meltdown and need a break from my own kids. I haven't been away from them since last October for my friend Tracy's wedding.


In the next month I have 2 weddings and 2 birthday parties.

Okay I am going to go I am making myself crazy thinking of all this stuff.

I know I know I know

Somehow I always do great the first few months and then I plumet as far as updates. I think it has something to do with the fact that finally spring has sprung. We have been outside as much as humanly possibly after the absurd winter we had. Jeff, I and the boys have already completed all the yard work already. We were all so desperate for the outdoors that we raced to get out their. We have never ever been done this early before.

It also may have something to do with the fact that my so called best friend Rachael had the gall to invite me to join this little so called site called Facebook. Little did I know that it was more addicting than nicotine. I wake up in the morning and race to turn on the computer. I struggle all day long to get any housework accomplished instead of being on the computer. Then to top it all off I was always a poor sleeper but now I can't kick myself off at night and the lack of any sleep is catching up very very quickly. I have managed to fall 4x's in a little over a week. I came slamming down on Rachael's kitchen floor and fell on my front steps both last Saturday. On Friday fell down my kitchen stairs and then fell again on the stupid kitchen stairs tonight. Ugh!!

As far as the whole falling thing. I know that I am joking about being tired but I am slightly becoming concerned. I am really thinking of calling the doctor and getting checked out. I never had a great sense of balance to begin with but even this is over the top for me. I don't feel funny but I seem to be really losing my footing a lot lately when their is really no reason too.

Colby started baseball. His first practice was this evening. This should be interesting. I hope the team improves by about 100% they are all pretty bad. They only thing that stinks is Austin and Colby are on two seperate teams and I don't even know yet which team Austin is even on.

My close friend Stephanie goes in tomorrow morning for surgery. I will have her kids for a few days until she gets out of the hospital. All my thoughts and prayers are with her as she recoups.

Brady's 2nd birthday is right around the corner. I can't believe my baby is turning 2 already. Where in heavens name did the time go.

Okay well talk to you all later.

Sick & Tired of kids being sick

Well we have now had the last of the latest battle. It is officially over as long as Jeff & I don't get it. A stomach bug went through and one by one the boys contracted it.

Since Feb one or more have been perpetually ill. Now mind you I am not a dirty person. I have cleaned and disinfected the bathroom, kitchen. Have washed all floors on my hands and knees. Have washed all sheets and blankets numerous times in hot water. Have made sure no towel is used more than once so there is no cross contamination. Have lysoled every available area and toy in this house. However, somehow this is not enough. Also because I do daycare all of those kids have had the stomach bugs, viruses and colds also. Actually one of them also had an ear infection. So it seems magnified because I am adding 4 more kids into the mix.

We have had:

ear infections
walking pneumonia
stomach bugs
colds
nasty virus with fever and body aches that lasted a good week per person(I also got this one)

Here was my life from the Thursday before Easter until Easter evening.

Thurs night basement flooded. Jeff had already left for Canada and I hence was left to rip up rugs, wet and dry vac

Sat on my way out the door to getting Colby down to Tracy and Dave's so they could take him to Museum of Science twins mom calls to say her Jeff's check bounced to me. (Should have know right their this was going to be a rough day.) Realize Austin needs to go to Dtr call in rte. to Tracy's house and have to race back to Bedford for 10:30 am appt. It is 10 am now and I am in Salem, NH. Then off to the drug store to fill all the prescriptions. (This has been the 3rd appt in 2 wks). Race home get Austin settled put Brady in for nap go grocery shopping. Brady gets up and drops a dzn eggs on my floor. (Thank you so much to Tracy for getting me more.) Have to dye eggs with the boys and try and bake for mom's on Sun.

Sun Easter at mom's Colby has massive asthma attack to the pt almost had to call 911. We finally get him settled and Brady starts throwing up all over the place because of all the candy. Get that taken care of and again he is sick all over himself and my mom's. So much for all the money I just spent on suits.
Leave mom's think I forget my wallet go all the way back to mom's and realize nope it is in the diaper bag and I finally get home around 7:30 pm.
I go to get Brady out of the car and Brady has gotten sick all over the car. So now have to clean the entire car.
I get in the house and kids are like okay mom we need to have dinner now. I just pick up the phone and call Rachael so I can have a good cry. I was so utterly frazzled and spent. I know Jeff doesn't do much but what he does help me out with, certainly helps and I needed him so desperately by Monday it wasn't even funny.

This has been my life lately. FRAZZLED IN BEDFORD!!!


Then Jeff's van is down. It is having transmission issues and that leaves us with one vehicle.

So needless to say this is why I haven't updated in a while plus feel a little guilty with Lesley going through everything she is going through I feel I shouldn't complain. I am so blessed with the things I have but somehow can't help complaining just a little. By the way my kids have been so absolutely wonderful through all this. They have been really a joy other than getting sick all the time it seems.

Rough begining to the year

It is starting off to be a rough begining to the year. I by chance called Tracy to inform her Austin made play off's for basketball. Well she said you didn't get my e-mail I said no I didn't. Friends of the family who have lived next to her mom and have been friends with her mom for the last 45 years. Well they were out walking there dog and Red kept saying I don't feel good. Well they got back and he said I really don't feel good call 911. Bev turned around to grab the phone and Red hit the floor. His left ventricle blew out of his heart and he died before he hit the floor. He was only 60.

So we had to attend yet another wake last night. It was very sad. The line was out the door and inside. It weaved itself in and out of the other rooms because he was so well known in the city of Methuen. It was crazy.

On a better note we seem to be finally hitting the end of this nasty nasty virus that attacked this family. Colby had to get picked up at school on Friday with an ear infection. I started feeling human yesterday 6 days after coming down with this. You would think you were doing better and the next day you were down for the count again. It was one of the worst and nastiest virus's I have seen probably ever. Glad it's over.

Okay that's it for now.

Another week down in this crazy month

Okay well between the weather and just my crazy life. This has been one busy month. We had the family party at my parents last weekend. Sadly Colby couldn't attend because he was sick, the next day Austin gets this nasty virus. Low grade fever, funny nose, cough. However, it lasts for a good 5-7 days.

This past Thursday I get sick. I am still really sick. Friday night was Colby's real birthday so we took him out to eat. Saturday Austin had his play off game for basketball. YEAH THEY WON!!! Now they have one more next week and if they win this game they play immediately in the Championship game. Then Jeff ran him over to his friend Skylar's house. Colby had 4 of his friends come over for a guitar hero party. They made their own pizza's and played video games for the afternoon. They were all wonderfully behaved it was a great day. Other than the fact I really wanted to be in my bed.

We started taking in water last night due to all the rain so needless to say another 3 am night for me and with the time change it led to another 3 1/2 hr night of sleep. This is not helping in my recovery at all.

Austin managed to rope his friend Skylar's mom into letting him sleep over so I need to drag myself to go get ready to go get him.

Talk to you all soon.

Crazy Week

Well it is officially vacation week for all the kids. Not only do I have the kids home but the snow just won't quit.

We have had a busy week with the kids being on vacation. I also get Julia Ben's sister and I had Rachael's boys on Tues and Thurs. So a couple days I had up to 8 kids. I am not complaining this week has flown by. I can't believe it is Friday tomorrow already.

Colby got a fun day. On Tuesday he got to go snow tubing at Pat's Peak with Julia, Stephanie and Rich. They were so great to offer to take him. Austin had the opportunity to go as well but opted to stay home and hang with his buddies Dane and Dylan. I was really impressed with him. Although I think he had more fun without his brother here to argue with.

Saturday I have to go to my Mom's for all the Feb and March birthday's since their are a ton of them. Here goes the list mine Feb 21, My sister and brother in law in Florida Feb 24, and Feb 25, My dad's March 1, Colby's March 8, Kelly March 19 and My uncle's March 22. Whew!!! Guess we all like this time of year. No one wanted to spread out. Just hope we can end up making it since we are supposed to get 3-6+ inches of snow not suppose to end until around noon time. Yeah that will be a nice commute. NOT!!! The weather just said possibly up to 9" of snow. UGH!!!!

Then on Saturday evening I am having Rachel and Logan over for a sleep over. I offered to give Stephanie a break. She is really stressed so time to give her a night out without having to worry about the kids.

All my friends are stressing me out too. Rachael with her blood pressure not under control. I am so worried about her that I am even dreaming at night about her because I am so nervous that something will happen that I can't get her out of my thoughts. Stephanie will be going in for surgery soon for a hysterectomy because she has fibroids so badly that their is no other alternative. But because she had had several surgeries in the past they can not go vaginally they will have to cut her open pretty good. The recuperation time will be a minimum of 4 weeks possibly 6 weeks. YIKES!!!! Her husband is not being very supportive either. He is acting like it will just be another day not that she is going in for major surgery. SMACK!!! MEN!!

Okay need to go to bed.

Talk to you all later.

Not such a good nights sleep

Well okay it is now Febuary and I am totally over the snow thing already. Not only did we get another storm last night but are do for more today and more on Friday.

We get home from dinner and Jeff snowblows our driveway and the neighbors hence the intro to my story. The boys and I sit down and play a game. Jeff works again on his laptop that keeps acting stupid and shutting down my conection with Comcast. Jeff goes to bed, the boys and I go back out and shovel around 9:30pm until about 10 pm. I finally get my computer back up and running and get enthralled on the computer until 1:30 am.

Next thing I know I here Jeff talking to himself and pacing back and forth. I look at the clock it is 4:30am. I ask him what is the matter? He says I lost my keys I have already been up and down the street. He looked at our neighbors, his car the house. GONE!!! When he was snowblowing last night we believe they fell out of his sweatshirt and are now either buried under the snow or the snowplow took it when they plowed the street all night.

Oh crap now what do we do. Well what we do is Jeff calls work let's them know and we call a locksmith. Well that's a no go because they need the pass key code from Ford. It will be $30 for a key with the code or $175 without the code. Okay well Ford won't give it to us without proof of ownership. But we can't get their because Jeff's van is blocking my van. Well here comes Jeff Wall to the rescue once again. He drives Jeff to the Ford Dealership and they cut him two keys for $20.

He calls back work and they don't need him. Great another unpaid day off. *sigh* This turned out to be an expensive mental health day.

Furniture

Okay well Thursday was my birthday let's just say it was interesting at best. We bought the new furniture. It is gorgeous. However, whoever built this house is stupid. You can't fit anything in with the narrow angles of the doorways. So we take out our brand new window in the livingroom to try and fit it in. Guess what it doesn't fit!!!! Okay this is getting bad Jeff is swearing and kicking anything and everything across our lawn. So I get on the phone and try and find anyone that can help. Finally Jeff Wall comes over and they take a saw to the casings of the window and cut them out. Okay we have now been at this for many hours the window came out at 6:30 pm and it is the middle of winter. It was a balmy 54 degrees in here.

Oh did I mention that I had an extremely sick child in all this mix and he won't let me even set him down. The poor thing was running a 103 degree fever and was pure misery. This is the day my darling husband decides to get this new furniture.

Well my birthday may have gotton shot and I may have had a sick child. However, it was worth it once the furniture was in and my house was put back together. It is gorgeous and perfect. It matches everything so perfectly.

Now if I could only find an entertainment center we could afford it would all be complete.

Okay I am off it is school vacation week so I have a few more kids than normal. Colby the lucky duck got to go snow tubing today so I am a little jealous.

Well rough weekend

Okay so we get the new tables. Let's just say they look beautiful but for what we paid for them they are crap. I will not buy furniture from Target again. Just glad they don't look like they are CRAP!!!

Then Austin misplaced his game shirt. We searched for HOURS!!!! So he refused to go to his skills competition because he didn't have his shirt. I wish he didn't care what everyone else thought about him so much. *sigh* I just hope he stands up for himself when it really counts.

Brady and I have come down with a slight headcold. So that makes it a rough day.

The older boys room finally came to a head and their was way to much drama and tears over the cleaning of this room. It is not completed but it is way better. It needs to be completed by Sunday at 3 pm or Jeff and I go down with trashbags. Hope they take us seriously.

Okay talk to you all later

Not much to report

Not a whole lot to report. We bought our end tables for the livingroom last night. Jeff will build them sometime tomorrow. Here is a sneak peak as to what they look like. I just love them.

Hmmmm well we also bought a chest freezer. Buying for a family of 5 and only having 1 fridge just wasn't cutting it for us. We were constantly cramming stuff in their and praying it could hold just one more item. Then we took our life in our hands trying to get something out. So we decided to break down and buy the freezer. It is nice because now we can buy in bulk. We went to BJ's today and it was awesome. Now we will only have to go to the grocery store for the basics. we spent only about $50 more than we would have at the store and got so much it will last at least 2 weeks worth of items.

Colby had his tryouts for baseball today. From what I heard it went pretty well. We will hear more about were they placed in the next few weeks. Anxious to see what our schedules will be like. Also anxious to see who their coaches are.

Tomorrow Austin has his basketball skills competition so that will be a few hours in the early afternoon. That seems to be about it for the weekend other than putting the house back together.

Okay guess that is it for now.

It is a good Friday

Well this Friday goes down as a really good Friday.

Our taxes hit this morning so finally we can finish up our livingroom. I am itching to finish it all and call it complete. We bought the end tables this evening, just one more thing to check off the list.

Then we finally got digital cable, phone and internet. So no more dial up for me. Yee Haa.

Brady climbed out of his crib for the first time today. Oh great!!! I am really hoping that it was a one time event. At least for a little longer. I hear a huge thud and then out comes Brady with blankie and all. All I need is for this child to get any more bumps and bruises. This is from his collision with the wall in December. He still has slight swelling to this day. He hit it so hard. As you see from the smile this was several hours after the accident.







Okay hope everyone else had a great Friday.

Talk to you all later.

Snow snow and more stinkin' snow

Okay I really loved the snow in December and didn't mind it in January. February rolled around and getting very very tired of it. It is messy and dangerous with the ice. Spring has to be around the corner RIGHT??

Well my brother's wedding is turning into a fiasco. You just got to love disorganized people. We found out yesterday the shower is in 3 weeks. The wedding is in May and they don't even have a church yet. This is getting ridiculous. The reception was more important than the wedding and they planned that before securing a church. Love him to death but really would love to dope slap him. Plus he has put all his emphasis on his friends and all the family is just a guest. We have no part in the planning part of this wedding or are included in this wedding at all. Never thought my brother would be like this.








Last Saturday we went to Kaleb's birthday and they had Max their from the Monarchs as you can see from Brady's face he wasn't so thrilled. But at least he didn't howl like Rachel.









Austin had baseball tryouts last Saturday and this Saturday Colby has his tryouts. Austin also has his first playoff game for basketball this Saturday and the skills competition for basketball this Sunday. Another on the go weekend.

Things never turned out as planned

Well okay I think my luck may be slightly jinxed. We get to Rachael's for what I anticipate to be a really fun evening. Well it started off that way but shortly after we arrived Austin started looking a little funny and started to complain his stomach hurt. UGH!! Okay well he didn't want to leave so I kind of forgot and went on with my night. When all of a sudden Rachael starts not looking so good. Well off to the bathroom she goes. Then Austin states we need to leave and he is really looking bad. So my awesome evening was cut short and off I went with a sick kid in tow. He is on the couch finally sleeping with a fever. I have already called him in to school for tomorrow.

OHHHHH and to top it all off the Patriots lose with only 39 seconds left on the clock. WHAT KIND OF SH*T IS THIS!!!! Hats off to the Giants they earned it. Patriots just didn't bring their game. Still love them just sad they lost.

On a brighter note my livingroom walls are completely painted. They look amazing and all my new black outlet covers and light switches are stunning. The trim and ceiling are not yet completed. I simply can't wait for it all to be finished. Then for an added bonus. My dad built an end table in high school. I was given this table by my grandmother when I moved into my first apt. It meant so much since my dad died when I was 14. Well it was never finished and since we were doing all the accent pieces in the room black. I didn't want to leave it out and wanted to incorporate it into the room somehow. Well I went back and forth wether I wanted to paint it or not. I decided we should paint it black to match everything. It looks incredible. I love it!!! It looks like we bought it new from the store. YEAH!!!!

Okay well getting late talk to you all later.

Wow what a month

Well if anyone read Rachael's post New Year's Eve didn't quite turn out as planned. Rachael's dad past away and it turned out to be a very sad day indeed. Our thoughts and prayers are still with them in this very trying and difficult time.

Rachael's new school schedule has led to more time with her as she now, spends a couple of hours hanging with me on Tuesday's and Thursday's inbetween classes. This works adult conversation is always a rare event in this house.

Austin's basketball team is now 5-2 they are now tied for 1st place. GO AUSTIN!!! Next week is the last game of the regular season and then start playoff's.

Report cards came home. Let's just say it was not my kid's shining moment. Not horrible but certainly not their best. So my kid waiting for Christmas feeling came crashing down. UGH!! Well they still have two quarters to get butts in high gear.

Okay well we are going to try for a superbowl party at Rachael's tonight. I am imagining this will be a nail biter for sure. 19-0 and 1 more to go!!!!! GO PATS!!!!

OH!!! Almost forgot the renovations are now underway the major undertaking of the living room has begun. Let me just have the strength to get through it all.

Okay well talk to you later.

Rain Rain

Okay well not much to report. We have had some amazing weather. A January heat wave so we have been enjoying the warm weather. However, what comes with the warm weather is rain. Wow did it rain today. Total bummer on a Friday.

Well grades for the boys close next week with report cards coming out on the 25th. I can not wait. I am like a kid waiting for Christmas.

Tomorrow Austin has a basketball game and then we head over to Rachael's house for our New Year's Eve. I can't wait should be a total blast.

Okay well talk to you later.

Hello

Okay well let's see. This year we are just enjoying having a true New England winter with loads of snow. We have taken the boys sledding numerious times. They are taking every available opportunity to sled as often as possible since who knows when we will have another winter like this one. The baby is just loving it as well. We took him to the sledding hill and he couldn't get enough sledding with his daddy and big brothers. I stayed at the bottom and video taped them all. It was so fun to watch.

Colby this quarter in school is just excelling. I am so proud as a mother for him. As well he is equally as proud. GO COLBY!!!

Austin on the other hand is going through quite the cycle at the moment. He is challanging Jeff and I at every turn. He doesn't get his way and he throws crying, storming off fits. He thinks they give him to much work at school and I feel doesn't try his best. This has to end soon right????

Brady is a clever, smart little boy. I have to watch him every second of every day because he watchs and mimics everything we do. Example: put on the oven mit tonight and tried to open the hot oven door. Because mommy and daddy do it. Is very interested in the potty at the moment and wants to sit on it all the time. He doesn't do anything yet but hey can't hurt to sit him on it and get him used to it. Still is my ham and loves to make everyone laugh.

We had a rough spell their for a while with our vehicles. My alternater went then a few days later Jeff's battery died. It was such an inconvience and expense.

I am hoping we have turned a corner and things will be wonderful from here. I can't wait until taxes come back so I can redo our livingroom. The only thing I plan on keeping in here is the blinds, and electronics. I plan on doing the walls Autumn Terracotta, cream trim and all black accents such as black computer desk, entertainment center, end tables, and curtain rods etc. The furniture I plan on getting are sofa and loveseat that are cranberry. OH I am so excited and I can't wait.

Well we are finally going to have our New Years Eve this Saturday at Rach's since ours got cancelled due to the snow. So I will be back soon.