Planning, Weekend plans, and my children.

Planning so much this week. Today I am going to finish our taxes online and push enter! We should have them back by Friday. One thing I will never do is pay someone to do my taxes. Taxes are way too easy to pay someone to do. All you do is put in the numbers in the corresponding squares. We should see over 5 grand this year. That is even without the earned income credit which we never qualify for and probably never will. We make way too much money. Which is fine. I cannot wait to write Corbin's name down next year! I cannot wait to include him in our taxes. Not for the money but we will have him!

Speaking of planning, his room is about to undergo a huge make over. We are keeping the current color. It goes perfect with the bedding. We are re-doing the baseboards, door frame, repainting the ceiling and touching up all the paint. Randy is going to get started on my crib and dresser changing table combo. I have since last I talked about it changed the design. He has the plans and is all ready. I am going to add rocket openers to it. Then I am going to find a rocket name vinyl and add it to his wall. Not to mention the walls are going to be covered in space theme items. So excited to get started.

My baby celebration is being planned too. May 28th I am having a bbq to welcome Corbin. I am making a cake similar to the pictures above. I might do a small cake with cupcakes or a huge cake. It is not a baby shower but I am not turning away any gifts if people want to give them to me. I am having a boy after two girls and I have nothing for a boy. I am so excited about having a boy I can still hardly believe it. I cannot wait to jump in and start planning this get together.

Weekend plans, well I am hoping to go with Randy to a wood working convention in Columbus. I am hoping to make a date out of it and go out to eat. Hopefully Randy's mother would like to watch the kids for me.  Hopefully get the wood and get started on his crib and other items. Re doing the girls whole room next year when they start sharing. They want a dolphin theme so I am starting to get items for that too. Having three kids is going to be a blast!


I have to say having children is my greatest joy. I love being a mom so much. One of the hardest things I am having to come to terms with is never having anymore children. Just the thought of that makes me sad. Never being pregnant again and never having another baby around. I know I have to think about my other children and their needs too. Three is plenty I know. Closing that chapter of my life is hard. I will never get how women go get fixed without making sure it is what they really want. How can you make the decision before you even have your baby? I know plenty of women in my cafemom group that have schedule surgeries to get their tubes tied. I cannot and will not make that decision yet. I just can't. Randy is the one getting fixed anyhow because it is easier for him and it is easily reversed if I change my mind I do not have a date in mind however. I have no plans of him getting fixed anytime soon. Mainly because I do not know if I am truly done. I am not sure when I will know that. I guess maybe after I experience three kids. Maybe college will convince me. I just do not know. I just know that I am on the fence and do not know when I will know. I am waiting for the feeling of completion. Will that feeling ever come?  I hope so. I hate feeling so torn.

LIfe

The weeks are flying by now that I am working again. So happy to see my pay stub in the mail and it was a nice check. Glad they are finally rolling in again. Means we can pay our mortgage on time maybe even early. Not that we are late but I was afraid we might be if I only got paid for one day. We would have made things work. Things always seem to.

Friday is pizza night! Thinking about heading to Cis Cis to eat with Randy's parents. I was going to have my sister come so I can give her the baby stuff I bought her but she had other plans. Made me kind of upset because she told me any day and time was fine. Then she would not even set a day or time. Made her seem very ungrateful   for the things I have bought her.Oh well I am not going to let it ruin my night. Even if Randy's parents do not want to go we are still going as a family. A night out will do us some good. It's been a long week and I have a long weekend in front of me. I am working 12 hour shifts. Gotta keep it rolling in.


Hopefully next week I have my w2 after loosing it. I cannot wait to file and get it over with. Buy my baby stuff and pay some medical bills. I need to get a tire for my car because I have a broken belt on one side. Now the saving for maternity leave begins. Hopefully I save enough so my family does not experience any hardship while Randy is on shut down, and I am on maternity leave. It's going to be nice though to all be together at home swimming and having a good time. Corbin will be here. Life is going to be wonderful. I cannot wait for that time.

What does next week bring? Well I have a doctors appointment on Wednesday and I only work two days next week. I have the weekend off and we are still planning what to get into. There is a wood working show in Columbus Randy would like to go to. He is getting all excited about starting on two projects soon. Corbin's crib and Corbin's changing table dresser combo. Thursday is library night and Friday pizza night. Nothing will change there. Big breakfast on the weekends and whatever we get into. That's our life pretty much. Working planning activities with the kids and paying bills.

Why the word step is not used in my family

It's a word I hate hearing. I cannot stand the stereotype people have put on it. Not only that but I know people that treat their step kids like shit. They want nothing to do with them and their mere present irradiates them.

Where I come from it is not about dna its about how you feel about the child in your heart. To Randy Christina is his daughter. He has taken care of her since she was 4 years old. He has been there for her every important day of her life since then. Christina is not like most children. Her father only sees her once a year because he lives in Las Vegas (by choice). So the only father she really knows is Randy. He helps her with her homework and unless you know the situation you would never know he is not her father. He pays for her more than her own father does. He taught her how to ride without training wheels and how to tie her shoe. My ex was no where to be found.

I know deep in my heart that if my husband had a child I would be the same way. I hate to say it but I am glad he doesn't. We have enough drama dealing with my ex without having it on his side.I would treat that child like my own because I love Randy and every part of him. I do not get why more people do not have this thinking. I guess women might be a little territorial. They are afraid they will loose the attention. Those women need to grow up. It is a child. The child did not choose for his parents not to be together. I do not get why you would nick pick at a child's every move to try to keep them out of their father's life. I never will either. I was not raised that way. I was raised that everyone matters even if they do not have the same dna as you. They are family. Family matters. Family is family it does not need a title such as step.


So I guess what I am trying to get at is that a title does not matter. Dna does not matter. What matters is the relationship and how you feel about the person. If you feel like the child is your child then it is. If you feel like your step dad is your father, then he is. Why put a title on it? It is what it is. I do not have to have all my children by the same man to have a family. We already feel like we belong together. And to tell you the truth that is real love. When you can love someone outside of your own dna. Makes my family a little more challenging once a year but all the other days in the year my family is whole.

Christina belongs with Randy. He is her father in every way that counts. I think he even has more of a connection with her then her bio dad. They have history. Something her bio dad cannot give her. They have deep memories. They love each other. So Randy is my daughter's Daddy. Because it takes more than sperm to be one. It takes being there every single day.


That is why step is not used in my family. There is no such thing. We are all connected to each other by much more than dna.

When will you grow the hell up?

My family is seriously the most immature people I know. My sister is 17, and due any day. Her boyfriends family knows he is having problem but yet they insist on causing drama. They call and tell her Cory,(her boyfriend) is cheating on her with his ex. Well the shit hit the fan. My family thinks that they now have to buy everything so they start telling her if she wants things for her baby then she needs to stay away from him. Wow all of that is "HELPING" the situation. So everyone is fighting and arguing over who can be at the hospital. My poor sister is confused and very hurt. Nobody seems to care about what she is gong through. I am trying to be there for her but it is hard. I have been through all of this and learned but she is not where I am right now. She is still learning.

My mother of course is being so helpful NOT! She is trying to hold baby items over my sister's head if she talks to her ex boyfriend. He is the father of the baby! Hello people! She will be 18 in six months! What does controlling her do? This is her child. She needs to learn to grow up and make good decisions for her daughter. I had to learn it and so will she. My sister is not sure what to believe or what to do. She is damned if she does and if she doesn't. If the child is in danger then people should jump in. But everyone is being really stupid and not considering the child at all. They are using her as a pawn in a chess game.The child deserves to know both sides of the family. The child also needs things and BOTH sides need to be held responsible for these things. His parents and my sister's Not only that but my sister and her boyfriend need to buy things with the money they have. 

Why can't we all get along for the sake of Raelyn? I love my sister and I am here for her no matter what she chooses to do. She can count on me. I am not sure these other people really love her. They all love drama. Drama is much more important than the baby! I am so sick of this already! I predict my sister will have her baby early due to all this stress!

Things are going to change soon. Randy's career goals. and my future.

My husband has always been well liked and a hard worker. He has been working since he was 15. He has held a job a whirlpool for eight years now. He is two grade five workers back ups. He is very well respected at his job and everyone seems to like him. He can get overtime whenever he wants it and has in the past. People there just think he has what it takes to do practically any job there. He can. 

Recently, he has been thinking about taking it to another level. He is going to sign up for the apprenticeship program. Where not only will he get to go to college but he will be learning a trade at Whirlpool and he will be making alot more money. The con of all of this is time. Randy will be home less and maybe working an off shift. I am fine with that. I can take care of all three kids by myself. Hell I have taken care of 8 toddlers at a time when I worked at the daycare. I am capable. I am not one of those moms that cannot handle the children on my own. I have a car and I have a great routine with my children the nights I am not working. 

Speaking of me I plan on continuing to work. I am hoping to go to a state college online at some point. Once Randy becomes an engineer and we have our ducks in a row. I do not want to do too much at once. I am more than okay with how my life is now at my job. I work part-time helping people then I come home and take care of my house and kids. Nothing wrong with that.

Randy's mother is being awesome about all the changes coming. She said she is there no matter what the time is.I really hope he gets in. I don't see why he wouldn't. He is very well respected at work. He has great attendance. He never calls off and last I checked has not been written up for anything in a very long time. I know about two years ago he woke up late and got written up but has not had the problem since. I am so lucky to have a man that supports our family and is always trying to help our financial status Men working is rare in the area I live in. I know a women I work with that cannot get her husband to work for nothing. She has to work two jobs just to make ends meet. I feel bad for her. Nothing worse than a needy man. What I think is even worse is a needy women. I know plenty of those. They don't work and depend on their husband for everything. I am more than capable to work and to take the kids where they need to go while he works hard for our family. He never has to worry. I think that is why he does so well at work. He knows I am at home taking care of the house and making sure his kids have what they need.

I am very anxious about all the changes starting and seeing my husband happy. He has been happy but not at his job. He has felt like he has been cutting himself short.  Time for that to end and for him to start the next five years toward his great future. He is going to be an awesome engineer. Randy works hard at everything he does. His family and his career. I am so proud of him. I support him every inch of the way. Can't wait for this to get started!

Update!
Randy may not get into the program til next year. Oh well might be another year but he can still change his major and go to class. This may not be the final answer there are rumors that they are taking more people. He just has to find the right person to talk to.  

My family day at Cosi!

Last year we wanted to get something fun for the kids to do all year round. We came to the conclusion that Cosi is always changing and it always is open. So we got a year membership there. Since then we have seen the Dolphins and Whales in 3D, and the Mysteries of the Great Lakes on the biggest screen in Ohio. It was worth every penny. So this weekend since we had not been in awhile and we heard the geckos where there we decided to make a day of it. Keep in mind I am almost five months pregnant at this point and there is alot of walking. I have been so tired but I made myself do it for the girls. One thing I love about Cosi is you learn something new every time you go there. It is not like the zoo where you see the same animals each time and you might get lucky and touch one. There are so many hands on science activities that spending a day is usually not enough.   

We went into the adventure exhibit where you look for clues and try to find the treasure. It was dark and was like a cave in there. Avanelle is scared of the dark so that was not for her. We had to leave. Which sucked. But that is life. Next time I plan on taking her to kids space so that she can play while Tina and Randy enjoy the exhibit. 

We then headed to Ocean, and life. In ocean the kids got to play in water, go into a submarine, and do some hands on science project with water.They got wet but had a ball! Life we got to see how big Corbin is. He is about six inches long which we discovered by looking at the model that is about the size of our hand. Then we even got to see other models that showed us month to month what the baby looks like. The kids loved that. As we were walking around in that exhibit we ran into a video showing a C-section. Christina was not able to watch it. I thought it was not age appropriate anyway.We later set her down and explained what she did see. 

We then found ourselves in the space exhibit. The kids love the little optical illusion of you walking through space. It is so much fun. Then we looked at the inside of a real space ship and seen the food they eat in space. We also got to see the toilet found on a space ship. We had to explain why you have to be strapped in. We walking around the other parts and then went to see the Gecko. 

We went and seen the Geckos and Progress. The gecko exhibit is self explanatory I am not going to really talk much about it. We seen geckos from all over the world and even one that disguised it's self as a dead leaf. We seen large ones and small ones. The kids loved it. Progress we seen a town progress through time. We seen old cars and old shops. So much fun. 


Before we knew it time was up. Time to go see the movie on the big screen. We seen a movie about the animals and history of the great lakes. The screen is so big that it made you feel like you were there. It talked about eagle and sergeants. The girls loved seeing them up close. Ava said this was her favorite part of the trip. I cried when the sergeants returned because it was because the people were trying to bring them back after almost being extinct. It was so powerful to see people take an active role in their environment. I hope my children learned something from it. I know I did. 


After the movie, we left. We went to Big Boy for dinner. By this time I am starving. I had fish, chips and two sides. One side was baked apples and the other was a huge salad. I ate it up. I was so hungry. Randy had some wraps and the girls had chicken strips and fries. It was nice to sit down together for a meal outside the house. We talked about our favorite parts of Cosi and about the up coming exhibits we want to see. Dinosaurs are coming in March and so is a new movie. We started planning another trip. We always seem to do this after we leave the place. We love Cosi! I plan on renewing our membership early with income tax money because my kids love it and they have a whole area for babies that I cannot wait to take Corbin to.

 

We are a great family! Whatever!

Those words you can never say about my family. They drink, do drugs and act like fools 99.9% of the time. I refuse to be around people like that. I also refuse to have my children around that. If that makes me a bad person well so bed it! The drama and arguing is just unbearable. The trying to control you and tell you have to live your life is the same. The mental abuse and physical abuse I have suffered due to my mother is something that she can never change or even erase. So if I seem a little anti extended family you know why.

Yesterday I get a call. It was from my Grandmother who has refused to talk to me since she got angry and moved out of my house. No problem. The one time she tried to talk to me was at a funeral and all she wanted to do was tell me that I need to watch my daughter better. Well anyway she calls me, she figures out that it is me and acts like she has the wrong number! Wow! You could not even try to get along with me? I have tried talking to you and all you wanted to do was yell about me about someone calling your phone number for me. I attempted to engage in a conversation. I told her how my girls are doing and how Randy was in an accident. She did not seem to care! I now can say I have tried. She is still being stubborn. She does nothing wrong. She never over steps the line. She never tried to hijack my life! Ugh! I do not get her. She really needs to get in an AA program and get sober! She really needs counseling too. Because something is not working right. Even when you are mad at your family you still are decent to them. 

I am so glad I am teaching my children better than all of this. I am so glad they are not around all the drugs and alcohol that consume my family members. All the domestic violence and  mental abuse. If me protecting my children from seeing this makes me a bad mom so be it! These people have been told what needs to be done for them to be around my children. If they choose not to do it then that is on them. I do not have a drug problem and I do not have an alcohol problem. In fact I rarely drink. I want BETTER for my children. I want them to see that mothers and fathers do not hit each other. I want them to see you do not have to drink or do drugs to have a good time. I want them to see that their mother and father can argue but love each other at the end of the day. I want a stable home for my children. I want them to know that violence is never ok. That you use your words not your fists. I want them to know that we do not separate and get back together. They can count on us to be together. We love each other. Once again if this makes me a bad person for wanting this for my children then so be it. 

All of this also goes for my husband's side. I was not being treated right, therefore we do not go around a selected few. It is never ok to bring up someone's past or family just because you are mad at them! I do not play the throw insult game. It is not allowed in my home! If a selected few do not welcome my whole family then they loose out. My family is a packaged deal! 

Yes all of this hurts me but I know that I have my own family now and it matters more than some extended family and all their drama. I cannot and will not take anymore abuse from either side. Life is too short to be unhappy.

My take on reality shows, video games, and sexually explicit music.

I hate to admit it. I really do. But when it comes to entertainment I am pretty conservative. While I believe in the first amendment I really think that it is our job as parents to protect our children from explicit material. We either need to be monitoring them or not letting them listen, play or watch at all.

My first grip is reality shows. There are way too many of them on the air. I have to admit I watch a few like, Teen Mom, and 16 and pregnant (two of my guilty pleasures). I actually for the most part think that they are ok shows. If anything they bring some dialog into the home about teen pregnancy and sex. I never watch them while my kids are awake because they are far too young for talking about teen pregnancy. If my child was 13 or older I probably would encourage them to watch it so we could later discuss it. I think this show gives an open dialog to parents. Where they might feel uncomfortable talking about it. It even shows how teen relationships are just that teen relationships. They hardly ever end up in marriage or a successful relationship. Also very good examples of what to do and what not to do in a relationship. So overall I think these shows are ok for older teens. 

Shows like Bad Girls club is trash! I am sorry but who the hell cares about a bunch of girls partying all the time and getting drunk? I do not want my kids seeing this no matter what age they are. When they buy their own tv set then they are free to watch that trash! Not in my house! If I want to watch drama I will go to my local Walmart or my family reunion. Seriously!

So for me reality shows are hit and miss. It has to be educational and it has to be entertaining. People fighting or getting drunk does not hit either of those for me. One could argue that it could be a good lesson of how not to act. Well for me and my family we know that getting drunk and fighting is wrong. My kids are never exposed to that kind of behavior. My family is full of pregnant teens though. So that lesson is a good one to talk about with my girls. 

So now we get to the topic of video games. Yes I gave in and bought Tina a DS for Christmas. But it is limited and she is to do her homework before picking it up. Avanelle has a leapster 2 and it it educational. My girls do not have a Wii or any other system. My husband and I do not stay on a game system all night long. We have nights like library night. Reading is a big activity in my house. And is used for most of the entertainment. My husband and I believe adults are adults. It's okay to have fun and play a game. But being on it 24/ 7 is an addiction. We know far too many adults that would rather play a video game then be with their kids. We would rather have family time then to even own one. Randy is a man not a child and he wants to act like one and I want to be married to one. So rather than put money on something like that we have a summer of fun activities. Money better spent. Children should be doing homework and playing outside when it is nice. Not one a game system. 


Music is big in my house. But it too is not without limitations. There are songs that I change the radio if they come on. If they talk about sex or talk about love being sex then it is off my radio. I have two girls that love to sing. The last thing I need is them singing something they have no clue at what it means. I try to stick to songs that are not sexual. I mostly listen to pop and country. But I have been known to get on Pandora and let my girls listen to some jazz classics. i want them to be well rounded when it comes to music. Randy will even turn the station and listen to his music. Once again with limitations. If there is something we want to listen to that may not be for the children , we wait til they are asleep. 


I know as you are reading this you probably are thinking that I shelter my children. I know someday they will be other places where some of these things are allowed. I know someday they will be teens and that is the hardest age group to deal with these issues. I just take it one day at a time. if I can stop them from growing up too fast I will. They have tons of time to be an adult. They do not have to start today. The media wants them to grow up. But I am their parent and it is my job to make sure they don't

Your children can have values and morales and not attend church.

My husband and I are Atheist. We do not believe in god at all. Does this mean our children can't no I will support them with whatever decision they make. But I do believe that they can learn morales and values without religion. I believe just because your child goes to church does not make them more morale or even have more values than my children do. Going to church does not make you some saint. Most serial killers in jail went to church. That did not make them less likely to kill did it? Christians did not invent morality or values. To tell you the truth most of the crap in the bible I would not want my children doing or to even be exposed to. Stoning someone to death is not morale in my book. 


What are some of my families Morales and values. Well here is a short list and I guarantee you will find that some might be the same as people that go to church or are religious. This is all being taught at home through personal experience.


1. Education. 
2. Reason
3. Hard work
4. Empathy
5. Compassion
6. Helping your neighbor when you can
7. Trust worthness
8. Listening to others
9. Respect
10. Love for others and yourself
11. Treat people the way you want to be treated
12. And one of the biggest ones Thinking For Yourself! Not believing everything you read or hear Investigating and finding truth for yourself.
13. Being Positive
10. Pride- Working for what you want not taking hand outs when you can be working
11. Thrifty not spending your money on stuff you do not need. Getting used and cheap when it is good in value and can save you money
12. Saving and not overspending. Both Children have savings accounts.
13. Gratefulness
14. Selfless
15. Common Sense
16. Family- What it means and when do turn away because of abuse and mistreatment
17. Using your words not your fist
18. Violence is never ok
19. Throwing things up in someone's face during arguments is wrong and does not solve problems
20. Basic conflict resolution
And I could go on and on. I DOUBT the bible teaches most of this. Actually I have read the bible cover to cover. I KNOW it does not teach half of that.


Why I do not teach my children to go to church. 


I feel every individual needs to make this personal decision for themselves. I believe if you make your child go very young then you are brainwashing them. They are not making their own choice because they were never actually gave one. Every child is a clean slate when born. What you teach them is how they are programmed as an adult. By the time they are old enough they either are much too brain washed to make their own decision or they totally fight against it and make an uneducated decision. I believe a person should be allowed to think for themselves. That is how I am raising my children. I want them to read and take in all the information out there before making their very personal decision. I believe everyone must walk their own path. I do not keep them from religion around Christmas time I give them the story about the virgin birth. As they get older I will ask them what they think about the story. I will give them materials to learn and decide what they think happened. I in no way want them to believe the way I do. Christina made up her own religion for awhile and I totally supported her. She is getting to the age where she cannot be brainwashed and soon she can decide if she would like to go to church. I think 12-13 is a good age to start exploring religion. I want her to explore and decide for herself. If she takes my path great if not well I respect her decision. 


So can my children be morale I have to say yes. They are taught young that actions have consequences. They are taught to own their actions. The only difference for my family and a Christian one is I do not teach them they will suffer eternity in hell if they do not listen to a book. I teach them instead they will go to jail and spend the one life they have very unhappy. I let them be kids and explore. I want them to be who they are going to be. I try to teach them to be a good person to think of others and to above all be true to themselves. My children are very well behaved and Christina has been praised by every teacher she has. Avanelle is still learning the basics but before long she will be in school and I will get wonderful reports about her. I do this all without god. We do not need an imaginary man in the sky to be happy, morale or even successful. We do it on our own.

Palin, Don't you think it is time to own it?

 

I was watching the news last night at work. Imagine that Palin is still defending herself! Are you kidding me? I mean when is the women going to be a women and admit some wrong doing? In the words of my very wise fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Fields, "own it and deal with the consequences". Will she ever do that? No! She is Sarah Palin. There is always an excuse or message that she needs to get across.She is always the victem of the media or the liberals. Boo Hooo Sarah!


I have to say the worst part of her interview with Hannity had to be when she starting on a tangent about censorship. Really after the tragedy in Arizona she really does not think that the rhetoric needs some censorship. She also does not think her map with cross hairs was inappropriate. I have to say I would have actually been able to find some respect for the women if she would actually admit some sort of wrong doing.But no Sarah never does anything wrong. 

I do not think Sarah will ever be anything but an annoying celebrity that will not go away. Kind of like the Kardashians  I doubt she will ever hold any political office. The way she has dealt with a tragedy is what sealed the deal. She lacks class and common sense.I actually feel bad for her. She must have very low self-esteem. She feels the need to explain everything. I think she did herself the most dis service by continuing to talk! The more she opens that big mouth the more she digs her political career in the grave it should have. I expect to see more reality shows from her in the future and more books. The women is trying to be a millionaire not a politician. Good Riddance! Hopefully after this she goes away!

My long weekend......... Blah work!

What a long weekend! I am so glad it is over! I loved working with the ladies and helping them get things done. I had to go grocery shopping for the first time since I have been sick and it was harder than I remembered. I took the ladies grocery money and went to Save-Alot so I could stock them back up on meats and boxed foods. I also got so many can goods that the cabinet is overflowing. I hope this keeps them good for awhile.

I am just exhausted though but I will do anything for my family. Plus working gives me a sense of need. I know my girls need me but the women at work need me too. Nice to be needed at a job. To know that you make a difference everyday you work. The ladies at work are like my family. I have three extra Grandmas. Not to mention I get paid to do what I love. Helping people. Helping them get around and live normal lives that they would not get to live if I did not help them. The pay is not much but it gets my family by.

Speaking of my family, we have been doing great! I cannot believe that my sickness is over and I am back to normal. So is my family. Things are coming together as they always do. Funny thing is I do not have to believe in a higher power for that to happen. I make that happen myself.

Next, month with our taxes which I cannot wait to file. Randy plans on getting the wood for my crib and changing table. I am going to order my travel system, bouncer and baby swing. Probably get the paint in the room touched up and decorated. Before you know it I will have my little boy! Things might be tight but Randy and I have one of the strongest marriages I have ever seen. Nothing breaks us. Nothing ever comes close. We never argue because we agree most of the time. If we do not agree both of us are willing to listen to the other. I swear that man reads my mind. I could be thinking about how I want some orange juice but I forgot to tell him. He always comes back with it. Even though I did not tell him. I remember when we were painting the bathroom and I told him to go to Lowes and pick out the color that I am sure I will love it. He came back with the exact color I was thinking and I never once told him. That is how our marriage is. We listen to each other and we love each other. We both work hard. I am sure nobody believes me but I don't really care. If you could only be a fly on our wall you would see it. Our family always comes first and we always seem to land on top. I think it is because there are  two people in my marriage working toward the same exact thing. We have the same goals. There is never anything to question because we both already know what direction we are going in. Most of the time we don't even have to talk about it. The song "When you say nothing at all" comes to mind. Most of the time there are no words spoken. We both just know. I believe that is what a soul mate is like. Randy is that for me. He is the other half of my potato (inside joke).

Well enough about my marriage. I hate to make people sick lol. What am I up to today? Well I am home with my girls til I go to work. Randy is working today and will be home at 4. My MIL will be here to watch my girls til he gets home. Tomorrow I am off work. I only work Wednesday this week and then I am off til next Monday. Looking forward to taking the kids to Cosi and eating out for lunch on Saturday. Sunday we are going to go winter hiking or sledding at High Banks. Hell we might end up doing both. I really would love some fresh air and some activity. I might be pregnant but I am not handicap. Exercise is good for me.

The picture above is a picture of my husband and I when we were first dating. I look so happy there. I still am that happy just a little fatter and with more children.

Let me sleep!!!

Yesterday was a crazy day! I woke up tired as usual. I took Christina to school. I got home and I barely sat down when my sister called. She needs me to pick her up. Then my boss called. I need to fill out an incident report. Ugh! I was hoping to rest two days before I start my 12 hour shifts this weekend. Well I decided to buy lunch for my sister and me. We eat together talking about having our babies and I got to see all her new baby stuff. I am getting excited!! Anyway I get a text from my boss that she would like me to work Friday. I am normally off. So I agreed and got my friend Char at work to come in for me at 3 because I have to pick up Tina early. She has prime time today. So I go in at 4 get off at 11 pm then wake up and go back in at 9. I am going to be exhausted! Then Sunday I go in from 9 to 9. I guess I have to push myself we need the money. 

Why do people call off work? I mean I do not get why you would not want to work. I am so tired already of the other second shift staff member calling off. Tuesday she calls off because she now lives in Columbus and it is too snowy! I was asleep when I got her text. Everyone has to drive in snow in winter it is a part of life! Then she calls off Friday for who the hell knows what reason. I have a feeling she is going to end up fired before long. This is becoming an every week thing and an every day I am off thing. This is the first and last time I am covering for her. She needs to get her shit together!  I noticed most 21 year olds have no work ethic. Oh well I guess that will be her problem.

After this month I have to start saving for maternity leave. I am hoping to take 6 weeks off to get breastfeeding started and to stock up on milk while I work. Randy and I still have not got a plan for saving yet. I have some ideas but I have to get a chance to talk to him about it. To talk to him I would have to be able to stay awake which we know is not going to happen. So I guess I will just do what I need to do and fill him in. If he has a better idea we will go from there. But the thing is we will be ready!

Winter Wonderland in Marion Ohio!

I hate winter but my kids enjoy playing in the snow so much! I kept Tina home today due to the weather getting bad. Sure enough her school was let out early and thank goodness I did not send her or I would have been driving in it. Both girls just loved the show. They were making snow castles, cleaning my car off, shoveling, going down the snow covered slide, and just being my crazy girls. Ava I think had quite a bit of snow. I hope none of it was yellow snow lol. No it was clean. They probably played for a good 30 minutes or so. I let them play when it was really coming down so they could try to catch some in their mouths. I loved doing that as a kid. I cannot wait til I have a crazy boy bouncing around in the snow too. I so love being a mother.

On a whole another note, I think I am getting my first pregnancy cold. My head is killing me and my nose has so much pressure. I slept for awhile. I feel find sitting up but one cannot sleep like that. !8 weeks tomorrow! Almost half-way done!

Mommy is tired!!!!

All the time a matter of fact. I have no idea how I am doing it. Working, taking care of two kids and being pregnant. I am so tired all the time! I could sleep for days! Hopefully tonight goes fast at work. I have to do some running with one of my clients but after we get done I plan on chilling and being pretty much done for the evening. Hopefully Char has things knocked out for the most part. No idea how shopping is gong to go. Especially when I can barely keep my eyes open at 7 pm. Tomorow I plan on taking it easy and making an easy day for myself. Probably clean a little but lay down and watch tv with Ava. I really need to make sure I am taking down time. I don't want my legs to start hurting. Hopefully soon I can take some vitamins more often. Well I guess that is what being a Mommy is all about!

Sledding and Lite Brite.

Yesterday we had a very fun day. Well I guess it did not start out too fun. I made the girls clean their rooms before I would let them go sledding. Yeah I am a mean mom. Then we got all bundled up and headed out to the Harding Memorial. There is a little hill right behind it. Tina is old enough to go up and down the hill by herself. Avanelle I do not feel comfortable with her doing it yet. Randy pulled her and her sled up and down the hill. She loved it. It was bitter cold though so we were not there too long. After going up and down the hill about 6 times we got in our car and went home.

When we got home we got out the Lite Brites! I loved mine as a kid and when I was shopping for Christmas I had to get the kids one. They loved it. Avanelle had no problem figuring out how the letters correspond with the color pegs. She caught on and did the birthday cake picture by herself. Tina loved it too. She just got her's done so fast. I was happy to share a childhood toy with my girls. I cannot wait til Randy has the bonding time with the boy we are going to have in five months. I know he has so much to share with him. Things that Mommy's don't know how to do. Family is great!!! My life is great and I am happy for each one of my family members everyday. 

Weekend plans........

If we keep getting snow like they say we are going to, 1/2 inches every two hours. I am going to head to High Banks or the Harding Memorial to take my kids sledding. I think they would really enjoy that. I know last year Avanelle just loved it. Christina was a pro! So if the weather cooperates and it is not too bitterly cold that is the plan. I have a better camera this year so I should get freakin awesome pictures.

Sometime this weekend I thnk Randy and I are going to get on the baby's room. We will probably get new baseboard and door frame put in. Hopefully touch up the room with paint. I am keeping it the same color as with Ava because that blue goes so well with the colors of the bedding I bought. We will see we have alot of bills too might have to wait til next check. I have to start saving for February's mortgage due to me only getting one check this month. Going to use my child support and save it back. We will be fine though. We always figure it out. Plus, everyone goes through a bump every now and again. I guess this is our time. Means we have to tighten up the belt and wait til income tax for baby stuff no big deal it that is what happens. I have plenty of time. Plus I am working now and that will make all the difference. Life is what you make of it I tell myself that everyday. I try to make my very happy. I have to say I am doing a great job!

Wacky Wednesday.

Last night I had to take my unisom. Yesterday was not such a good day. I threw up and was nauseated most of the day. Even after taking zofran. I ate a little dinner and then took my unisom shortly after. I had a hard time getting up this morning because of the sleeping pill. I woke up not nauseated and ready to eat and drink. So much better from yesterday. I felt on edge all day long. Ate a bagel, orange and yogurt for breakfast. Feeling much better!

Now I have to get off my butt and get a shower for my doctors appointment today. I am 17 weeks today. I also have to work today. So it is going to be a busy morning. I have to get Ava ready to go to my appointment. Since Randy's mother has her own appointment, she will not be able to sit with Ava during my appointment. That is fine because i am gong to pack a bag of goodies to keep her busy. After that I think we might swing through McDonald. I am going to need something to drink and eat. I am going to go home eat and get ready for work. I am off then the rest of the week. One day work week yippee! Next week I work two days and the whole weekend. I have missed work! So glad I am back on it. So glad I make money to support my family.

So it is going to be a busy day but so worth it! I will update my pregnancy blog with my appointment info.

Life goes back to normal...........

Randy has gone back to work. I am back on my feet. I am taking Tina to school and taking care of Ava all on my own again. I go back to work on Wednesday and start my routine again. Monday we start going back to story time. I wanted to today but I did not have a car seat. Randy's mom has mine and Randy has the other. Two car seats and I do not have one. Sucks! But not everything goes right everyday. You just have to flow right through it.

Ava and I stay busy. I always try to do a letter activity, coloring activity and a art activity with Ava. Today we are doing the letter N, making a puppet, coloring a mitten and having cutting practice. She should get her new letters in the mail and her dry erase board for practicing She loves learning about letters. She loves this game we have where we match the lower case and upper case letters. I never seen a child besides Tina that loves to learn. I cannot wait til Corbin gets here. He is going to be the same way. The love for learning is in the genes and so it being intelligent.

Next week, we are going to start using a magnetic calendar. I want to teach her the days of the week. Going to sing the Days of the week song and talk about the weather. Like you do in school. I did the same with Tina though I did not buy a magnetic calendar I made it out of construction paper. It was really crappy but it worked. We are also going to do some snow art projects.

Tuesday is library night at my house. Tonight everyone is going to the library to pick out a book. I even would like a new novel to read or a pregnancy book. Right now Avanelle and I are reading books about babies. So I might try to find one for her. I bought four off amazon recently and she loves them. Christina wants to get some Lois Duncan books. I might order some for her since I get free two day shipping from Amazon now. I love deals!

Well Avanelle is yelling "Mommy lets color and make my puppet now". So I better get to it!

Work related blog. I really need to vent!

Well I thought I had my job back. I just do not know right now! I do not know whether to scream or to cry. I tried to get a hold of my boss during the weekend via text message to find out when I start back. She never got back to me. I tried calling her after I went to the home only to see the person replacing me there and working. I want my job back! I want my life back! I was only gone for eight weeks! I am sorry for that but I was very sick and was put on a zofran pump. What else was I to do? I could barely eat and drink. I could not take care of myself along someone else. I wish someone would let me know what is going on. That is all I ask. When do I start work again and where would be a good place to start. Obviously the women replacing me has not been talked to. She is still working my shifts. Which is confusing because I was talked to about when I can start. Ugh why can't people communicate! That is all it takes. Communication!

He did it!!!!! What a nice job!!!

He did it!! I am so proud of Randy he built his first baby item!! What a beautiful piece of furniture. Bigger than I thought but wow! I am so going to pass this down to my girls! I cannot wait to have a family heirloom.

Had a day mostly to myself!

Today I decided to relazs and do some digiscrapbooking. When we got a new computer I was not able to save all the work I had started. So I have to start over but this time I am backing everything up. My favorite one is the one I made for Corbin. I am going to try to keep up on it this time around. I work too so it is going to be hard. Starting tomorrow life gets back to normal which will leave me with even less time. I am determined to do it. I am going have Randy get down the big box of memories so I can get started on Tina's I have to scan all her baby pictures and first paintings. No idea what I am going to put them in. I have been working on that idea for years. They will not go in a regular scrabook because the paper will be too small. I am still working on that little problem. I think with income tax I will work on finding what I need and start printing them out. I love working with graphics and editing pictures. It is one of my favorite things to do. Makes me relax and gets my creative juices flowing. I just need to keep on it.

New Years Eve!!!!!!

w,
New years eve was a fun night. We ordered pizza from pizza hut. we played games ,made gilitterly crowns, got all hyper with white grape juice and had a ball. Mommy started feeling sick though and had to take some zofran and sleep. I felt bad but Ava did not make it either. She was sound asleep on the other side of the couch. Randy and Tina stayed up and watched the fireworks the neighbors were doing. Yeah their kids tell us all the time they do not have water or electric but man they sure can afford fireworks! I guess that is Marion for you. Priorities in this town are backwards. Anyway, I had a fun night. Just think I am now in the year I will have my baby boy! So excited to meet Corbin. Randy and I will be outnumbered lol! So excited for another great year with my family.

Today we are doing puzzles and watching movies. I am making bbq ribs in the crock pot and making a nice New Years Day dinner. I am thinking about making ivory soap snowmen today or tomorrow. I just have to find small things for the girls to put on them. They make the house smell so nice! I love making them with them every year. it is kind of our thing. I know Corbin will love it when he gets older too. I cannot wait to have a messy boy around. So many infant sensory activities planned. We are going to feel bark and so many other things outside when he is born. I cannot wait. May family will be complete. Nobody will be missing.