Slacking

So I've been slacking at the blogging thing, just been too busy lately. The year has already been a bit of a struggle, but I'm hoping to get all of the bad out of the way, and in with the good soon. So, lots of new things going on. Still working on the house, groan, it always takes longer than expected especially when you don't have much time on your hands, but it will get done. I'm liking the new floors and the paint. Very nice, now I just really wish we could hurry and get started on the bathroom. We have all the stuff, just little to no time. New tile floors, new countertop, sigh.

So the kids are having a bit of a tough time so far. Elena had always been so healthy and didn't even really get sick until she got Strep on her bottom around 10 months. Then it was on to RSV and an ear infection, and now it's Staph, on her cute little tushie. It's clearing though, but I still feel bad for her. Then it was falling at MDO, a nice little bruise on her face, and the very next day, a fall off the bed, bad mommy, and a nice bruise on the same side of her face, above her eye.

Next was Jackson. We went to the Preds game the other night, I got his coat on as we were about to leave, and went to put Elena's hat on, he ran for the door to open it for us and the rug was rumpled up, he tripped ( he's got my grace, lol) and face first into the door. John saw it, I ddin't, and apparently he's lucky he didn't break his nose. Off to the medical station, where they bandaged his eye which was cut, and said he didn't break his nose, but would have a shiner. Fortunately he didn't have one the next day, but he's still a little banged up. Poor kids!!!

I am loving working from home!!! Although, because of the kids being sick, etc, I haven't really had a full day of just working from home, but it's great!!! Elena sleeps so much better and I really cherish being at home with her, as I know soon enough she will be in daycare, probably full time, boo. She really is just the sweetest thing, and I really enjoy having her. I didn't appreciate Jackson as much as a baby, because I really like the toddler stage more and was looking forward to that, but since she is my last I really savor every moment. I also just really love their differences. They couldn't be more different, other than being so darn cute! She's so quiet, and has a really good sense of humor ( Jackson still hasn't quite learned that) and she loves her music, dances at everything and I tell you, the girl has rhythm ( she definitely gets that from Dad). Jackson on the other hand, is so smart, verbal ( yes, that's a nice way of saying he never shuts up) and he's just never been into music. They are like night and day, and I love it!!! Who wants to have a clone of the same kid??? I love their differences and they are both just the most awesome kids!!! I genuinely like my kids. Of course you're gonna love them, but sometimes you might not like them, but at this stage, I both like and love them. I really am blessed!!

As for me, I've joined a gym, and am trying to get into shape. I really struggle with eating right, but the working out is nice. I worry about Elena in their daycare, but I have to start taking time for me and my health, if I want to be a better parent. She likes it in there, but I worry. I worry about the cleanliness and if she will get hurt, germs, etc. , but I'm taking time for myself and I know my little girl will be okay, she's a tough little cookie.

Speaking of which, reminds me of a few days ago. Jackson was whining about Elena not getting off him, hurting him, etc ( it's a horrible thing we're going through right now with the whining) and I hear John tell him how to push her off him. So I'm listening and thinking there is so much wrong with this scenario. First my husband is showing my 4 yr old son how to shove his sister off of him, but also that my son can't get her off and she's a 1 yr old GIRL!!! So funny. I always thought having a son who's older than my daughter would be a good thing for protection, but I'm thinking it might be the other way around, lol. Did I say how much I LOVE my kids????

A New Year

Things have been so crazy busy lately that I have just completely forgotten about posting. We made it through Christmas. It was really nice. It seems like it just kind of snuck up on me, so we didn't do as many Christmas tradition type things I would have liked, but we did watch Grinch and Rudolph. Listened and sang some Christmas carols, decorated the tree together, and made cookies and reindeer food. Left a key out for Santa, since we have a ventless fireplace, Santa's gotta have a way to get in, lol. The kids were so cute and sweet Christmas day. They got entirely too much stuff, but it was fun watching them play with everything. Then it was off to Dickson to see my Mom and family.

The kids had a blast, they always do at Mom's. They absolutely loved the new safari wagon she bought, now we just need the weather to get a little nicer to take them to the zoo in it. It was a nice day, good food, and good company. What more can you ask for?

A few days after Christmas Mom took the kids for a couple of days so that John and I could install new flooring and paint. We got the bedroom and living room floors in, and painted the bedroom. Now we just have to paint the bedroom. A friend helped me pick out the paint, I so don't trust myself picking out from all of those colors, and she's got such great taste that I knew she would steer me in the right direction. Thanks once again Monica!!!

John's carpal tunnel got really bad from all of the work we did, so I'm hoping he'll heal soon so we can finish these projects. I have to toot my own horn just a little. I actually installed a lot of the flooring myself, which is not something I would have thought I could have done, but I did. Go me!!!

So 2007 is now past, and we're on to 2008. The past year has been difficult for us, and I can only hope this year is better. I didn't necessarily make a New Year's resolution, they're so easy to break, but I am hoping to really improve myself and my life. I really struggle with my negative attitude, and stress especially. So far, being more positive and trying not to stress is going better than I thought, but it certainly is difficult for me. I'm always amazed by those people who don't fret, stress, worry, and are always so positive. I would love to be one of those people. But, I am myself, and I have to be the best me I can be, so that is what I will try. It ain't gonna be easy, but then again, nothing in life that is worth anything is easy. Wish me luck and I hope you all have a very blessed 2008!

What a week!

My sweetest guy ( Jackson) had a potty accident at school. He needed to potty before they went out to play, but the light was off and he couldn't reach it so he tried to hold it until they were going to come back in from playing. Poor guy couldn't make it. So we get a call that he didn't have spare clothes in his cubby. So I had to go to the store to get him something really quick, seeing as how we live in the middle of nowhere, it's easier and faster to go buy something, so I go look and conveniently got stuck in a long line and lots of traffic. The school said he only needed pants and undies. DH specifically asked about his shoes, no they were fine, supposedly. So I get there about 40-45 minutes later, ugh, and I start to clean him up, look in his cubby for wipes, and to my surprise, there are shorts and clean undies in there. Also to my surprise, his socks and shoes were soaked! The teacher ( who we've had LOTS of issues with) had supposedly checked the cubby and there weren't clothes in there and she didn't even notice his shoes and socks were wet, hence why she told them he only needed undies and pants. So I wasted all of this time, going to the store and him hanging around in school with wet pants, undies, socks and shoes, uncomfortable, dirty, and probably embarrassed for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON!!! I was livid to say the least. I chewed out the teacher and had a long talk with the director. The teacher also had the nerve to confront me the next day, in front of the assistant director, and I made her look like a total idiot. They have been informed this teacher is to never watch Jackson again, or I'm pulling him out of school. Like I said earlier, I had had plenty of issues with her before. This was my last straw. My poor sweet little guy!!! As if this wasn't bad enough for him, I took him to school today, he was all happy and a friend came up and gave him a hug, when another student runs up and starts choking him! OMG!!! Supposedly this boy has "issues" and his parents are looking into medications for him. What a hard week for my little man.

Elena has had a hard week as well. My poor little girl went in for her one year checkup today and she has RSV. Still has a slight fever that he thinks will be gone in a day or two, she's had the fever for almost a week now. Also she has her first ear infection, probably brought on by the congestion from the RSV. Poor little girl!!! I had no idea, she hasn't been tugging at it or anything. She's been happy, but very clingy and will cry unless I hold her. He said the cough could last up to a month. My poor little baby! I hope she is feeling much better by Christmas.

I did manage to at least get out my Christmas cards and Thank You's. I still have lots of wrapping to do, and we've got to work on getting started clearing out the bedroom. We're going to try to get the floors in the living room and bedroom done over Christmas break. Wish us luck, we're doing it ourselves. Mom's going to take the kids for a couple of days, if Elena is well by then.

Still here

Well, I made it through Elena's first birthday. Poor little girl ended up getting Jackson's cold and was so pitiful on her actual birthday. She did seem to perk up a little from her cake and presents though, lol. I'm proud of myself for not crying. I really thought I would be a wreck, but not too bad, although it is sad seeing my little girl growing up sometimes. We were supposed to go to the Preds game, but the kids weren't feeling well, so we stayed home. She did like her lamb cake though.

Friday John's dad and stepmom came into town. It was a nice little quick visit, but I wish Elena had been feeling better so they could have enjoyed her more. They still seemed to have a good time though. Now I've just got to get the house cleaned and back to normal and get through until Christmas. Wow, this year has really flown by!

The kids are still sick and now John and I are feeling a little ill as well, gosh I feel like we have been sick all year. Very frustrating! I'm still feeling the blues and guess I really just need to work harder on getting out of this rut and being more positive. I swear I get depressed at the drop of a hat, without any warning or cause. That's one reason I haven't blogged much is I just don't have much good to say, so why say anything?

I took Jackson to see Alvin and the Chipmunks today with his best friend. It was really cute, but I got a glimpse into the future when he doesn't want much to do with me and only wants to be around his friends, sigh. Depressing moment for a Mama's boy Mommy.

I still have to get thank you cards out, couldn't manage it since we've all been sick, and need to get out my Christmas cards. Gonna take the kids to see Santa Friday. I hope Elena does well.

It's almost over

I made it through Jackson's birthday and the kids birthday party, all I have to do is make it through Elena's first birthday. That will be tough.

So my little man turned 4 last Wednesday. We invited his best friend to McDonald's to play and they had a great time. We went home and did presents and he had a really good time. My MIL got into town Thursday, and the kids had a blast with her. They really love her. They all went to the game Thursday night, which was supposed to give me a night to relax, but I had last minute party favors to find and didn't get home until late, oh well.

So the party came and gone. Yes it was a pain getting all the stuff prepared, but it was fun, and the kids had a really great time. The turnout wasn't too bad, although we had a few last minute cancellations, and some people who I expected to show up, didn't. It was still nice, and the kids seemed to have a good time. I was late, ugh, yes, hard to believe I know, I was getting last minute party stuff and picking up ice cream, that I forgot to put out. lol Overall I guess it went pretty well.

Saturday night, my MIL watched the kids for us and we went to the game without them, very strange, but it was a nice flashback of the old days. When things were easy and stress free. We went to the game and then out to dinner. When we got home, Elena of course was asleep, but Jackson was wide awake and WIRED. It was 11:30 at night!!!! Needless to say we put him to bed. Sunday we went to The Avenue, to try more pics for the Christmas cards, I think they will work, now just setting it up. Then off to Target, where Elena proceeded to barf all over me. yay!!! yuck! So I thought I would just buy a new shirt, but then I figured the time it would take to try stuff on and find something I liked, I decided to just wash it in the bathroom and use those super powered hand dryers they have to dry it. It worked and off we went to TRU to use the kids gift cards they got from Geoffrey. Jackson got Pokemon cards, what a freaking waste of money and those things are expensive!!! Elena got a musical phone, much more practical. Then MIL took them home and off for a date. Yea!!!

We went to see Awake, which was pretty good. I couldn't for the life of me remember what it was supposed to be about, but remembered it had looked good. It was. Then we went to dinner at Logan's. It was really good too! Then home, and to visit with MIL before she left. Now I have a messy house to clean, a sick child, and lots of presents to go through and write thank yous. Oh and a first birthday Thursday. Wow, this year has really flown by.