I am so H-A-P-P-Y

And I'll tell you why
I know that my God loves me
'Cause he shows me all the time!!

This is one of the songs the kids learned at VBS this week...and on Sunday they'll be getting up on stage (God willing) and doing it for everyone. I have a hard time seeing DJ actually being willing to go up on stage. Samantha, now that's a different story! She LOVES being up on stage! BUT her class isn't part of the group on stage. Yes, I'll be sure to get pix!

This morning didn't go quite as planned....there was no time for breakfast, so I lost some "mom" points and gave the kids plain donuts for the ride to church...no different than a piece of toast with jam...or a sugar cereal...right!?!?! In any case, we were a couple minutes late...and Samantha took off with a gallop as soon as she got in her room...not even a glance back at me! DJ and I headed in with the rest of the gang for the video and songs.

The day itself flew by!! We kept our kids so busy before we knew it was time to send them home! And for me to pick up  my own kids! From here we went across the highway to the Fairgrounds to drop off a new Avon book to a potential client who was a vendor at some horse show. Then we headed to the shed to learn my new responsibility....taking the cast off books we don't want to the library or Goodwill. Whew, that's a chore! Today we had 18 boxes of books...heavy work too!

From there we went to Freddy's to finish up the grocery shopping...without a list even!!! I hate that!! But I have NO clue where it ended up either! I did okay, only went over by 10.00....coulda been worse!

Then we finally got to come home!! OH its been a long day!! And to top it off, Miss Samantha was napless once again...so she was punchy and quite fragile....makes for a lot of fun! So, while DJ was outside playing with the boys next door, she and I read all 9 books we got from the library...she liked that!!! I also decided since both of them were overtired, we'd skip bath tonite and have one tomorrow morning...I had run out of patience...long ago!

They were both in bed by 7:57 and I" willing to bet they were both sound asleep by 8:00!!! There was not one peep from either one of them! I needed the quiet too! In fact, I sat there and read the local paper front to back (I see ya smiling mom!!!) and just enjoyed the silence! It was during this silence I realized I was missing a cat....so I went looking for her, and no sign....then I head outside calling for her and nothing. As I'm out watering the garden Howie came home! So I spent time with him while getting some laundry going and tidying up. We had a good chat! Love those times! Then he ditched me for the bed and sleep!

Which is where I'm headed!! Please Lord, let my children sleep in tomorrow!! Amen! 

Oh, my wonderful husband recorded SYTYCD for me last nite without me even asking!! So, I got to see the end which is most important anyway...and the tri-fecta is as I called it!! Shoulda put money on it! Next week should be interesting!!!

Oh, and I changed the words to the kids' song:

I'm so T-I-R-E-D
And I'll tell you why
Its been two whole days
Without a nap in sight!!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Movie Date with the Girls

This morning I tried to shake up the morning routine..didn't help! Not one bit! In fact, we were actually late this morning by 5 minutes!!! Won't be doing that again! I thought if I got them their breakfast and while they were eating I'd go get ready....might have worked if I'd gotten my breakfast ready at the same time...oh well, live and learn!

Samantha did FANTASTIC this morning when I dropped her off!! Fanfreakintastic!! Not even a whimper or a pout in sight!! One of the helpers asked her if she wanted to colour and she was off! Love it!! Tomorrow I bet I won't even get a kiss goodbye! lol  She really has come a long way in 4 days! I even went to check on her at one point and she saw me thru the glass and just kept on eating her snack! Totally indifferent!!

DJ has learned that when its missions time he's in my class and therefore in my lap! We watched the same video as Tuesday and DJ was excited to bring in our stuff for the Christmas box we're making in our classes. So fun when they learn giving!

After VBS we went to the co-op to get dog food and then to costco to go shopping and of course, eat lunch! Since it was so nice out, we brought our food back outside to the tables they have...SO busy inside!! I also started the Christmas shopping...got SamSam her pj's and two 2pc outfits!! LOVE that Carter's is in costco and I don't have to go to the store physically and end up spending a fortune!

Sam chose NOT to take her nap on the way home...much to my chagrin! So she was superduper cranky when we finally made it home, such a joy! I couldn't wait for Howie to come home and enjoy it with me!!! He did and I snuck away to have a much needed cold shower!! All that running around had me sweaty!!! blech! Best thing I did all day was that shower!! Worst thing was stepping out...started sweating all over again!!! Man, it was hot today!

After a cheating dinner from costco....I left the crankies in care of Daddy and went to meet up with some girlfriends to watch Eclipse! Oh, I've been looking forward to this for a while now!!! With waiting a while to go see it, the theater was far less crowded! AND we got to sit wherever we wanted instead of the 3rd row like last year when we went to see New Moon. I'd guess there were 30 people in there...not bad for a Thursday nite!

I have to say....they did a FABULOUS job translating this book into a movie!!! Hit all the key points...had a few humourous moments that had me chuckling. And of course the cinematography was stunning!!!! I will say, the only negative thing I'd have to say is...going from an indoor scene to this outdoor snow scene was blinding!!! Glad I had my sunglasses in my hair! Probably the only nerd in there with them on, but it helped!

After yakkin outside after for a half hour, I left the girls and headed home! Now, its time to go to dreamland....


Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

It's a small world after all

Since attending VBS for the past 3 days, our world has gotten a bit smaller!! While I'm busy minding my children, apparently, they're making their own impression on other church members. Not sure yet if this is a good thing, or a bad thing....guess time will tell!

This morning was much easier...still not as smooth as I'd like it to be, but that was my fault! I think SamSam read my blog yesterday about how difficult she was going to be to wake in her school years....she was up shortly after 7 this morning!!! Raring to go!! She asked if she could watch tv, and came out to the living room. Got it all going to! DJ was surprised! Pleasantly so!

And with both of them happily watching 'toons, I dozed til just before 8 and woke up in a panic!!! In the end, we arrived at church at exactly 9 am! Whew!! Samantha did fabulous today too! I calmed her down before I left, and then did the bathroom trick again. No tears when I left....and when I checked in on her 10 mins later, she was playing away! YAY!!!!!! I'm starting to remember the schedule a bit better now too! Not to mention the kids' names that are in my class!

After VBS we went to Staples to get a few things for our mission box on Friday...DJ especially enjoyed that and then showing it all off to Daddy when he got home! After lunch, Sam went right down for her nap and DJ went outside to swim! I was watching him....he's almost fearless now! Jumping right in from the get go! So proud of how far he's come in such a short time!

The evening was quite normal....dinner, play time, bed time for the kids and then Howie and I relaxed watching SYTYCD til he went to bed. Then I worked on the grocery list for tomorrow...and frogged the scarf I started....didn't like the way the pattern was shaping up. So, now I've created my own pattern....sorta! May frog it too...we'll see! Thankfully Christmas is still 4 months way!!!

As for SYTYCD...I dislike how the judges put "thoughts" into the voter's minds about who should be in the final....telling Adechike he's "tired" or "exhausted" doesn't play fair. Mind you...Kent was spectacular!!!!! Robert did amazing!!!!!! and Lauren was divine as usual!!! So those are my pick for the finale! I do think Adechike is better than Robert...but Robert proved why he should be in the finale with his dancing tonite!!! And that's my .02!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Dear Somebody

Dear 8am...you suck! 'nuff said!

Dear Pillows, I'm so sorry I had to leave your comfy goodness so early, but the kids wanted to get to VBS....well DJ did...Sam was enjoying her crib just as much as I was enjoying my bed. I can see many mornings in our future where she'll be the one dragging us down in the race to school!

Dear VBS, why must you start so early!?!? My friend in N.C. says hers doesn't start til 6:30 pm!!! I could live with that, altho to be fair, with it ending at 8:30, not sure I'd let my kids actually join with that time frame...catch 22 really!

Dear DJ, when you think I'm not watching you....I AM!! I'm your mother and I'll always be watching you! Get used to it!! Your behaviour this morning in church was atrocious!! Laying all over the pew, standing on it, unacceptable!! Tomorrow, please do better!! I will say tho, I have thoroughly enjoyed every rendition of the Happy song!! And that you know all the actions too! Sorry you fell down outside and scraped up your knew...but kool green bandage!

Dear Samantha, I promise you that you'll enjoy VBS! But crying for 45 minutes is no way to make friends!! Getting yourself all worked up for nothing is sad! But, on the flip side, after you calmed down, thanks for letting me go to the "bathroom" and settling down enough to enjoy the rest of your day! I saw you playing with your friends! Sorry you fell down walking outside...you got your mum's clumsiness!!

Dear Howie...thank you for stopping at Albertsons tonite to get the sauce I ran out of time trying to get...and went to the wrong store for...and for getting YUMMY corn on the cob for dinner! Thanks for bbq'ing perfect pork chops too!!! Always be my number 1 bbq'er!!! I hope you start feeling better soon!! I love you!

Dear Pillows (yes, again) I'm on my way back to you...get ready!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

She was a mama's girl today!!!

This morning was our first ever VBS day...we'd been talking about it since yesterday when I found out they could go, even at their ages! And Sam was all "me too" about it...until crunch time!!

We arrived just at 9am...so not too terrible when you think about the fact that I abhor mornings! They had just taken the pre K kids in the church as we were signing DJ up....so he took off as soon as possible!! Kissed me good bye and off he went with a smile on his face!!!

Samantha on the other hand...wanted NOTHING to do with the lady who was ready to walk her to her room...I think it might have been the sunglasses!! Quite possibly due to sensitivity to light...they looked more heavy duty than regular sunglasses. So, I walked with her and should have just dropped her off and walked away...but I didn't! I hesitated and she picked up on that and latched on!!!! Would NOT let me go for anything!!!

Since they were good on volunteers, it was okay that I stay with her in her room....even tho they had 4 people already! HA! and only 6 kids! She did let go of me to play with magnets, but made sure I was in arms length!! After playing for a bit we made our way to the music room....and she did good strumming on Miss Fran's guitar for the welcome song. And finally loosened up enough to do the motions for another song. And then as we were grabbing handkerchiefs on the rope (it's a cowboy themed VBS!) she didn't even look for me!! So I snuck off to the bathroom and when I checked on her she was sitting (and sniveling a bit) with one of the other girls!! Not crying, just pouting! Til the cookies came out...then she was fine! ha!

So I went and found the director and got assigned to the kindergartners room...they had more kids than originally planned so needed one more adult! I was also able to leave the room and go check on SamSam whenever I wanted!! I did so as we were transitioning from room to room...she was doing great!!! They'd let her go in with the baby babies and she got all motherly trying to give them toys! Then I saw her back with her group playing outside with no qualms! My class was out there for snack and I made sure she didn't see me and get all distraught again.

It was during my class' music time that I saw DJ out in the hall coming in from snack/rec time and I got to watch him without him noticing me for a bit. SO odd to watch your child while he's so unaware of you!! He did finally spot me tho and waved! but was having too much fun. A little while later our groups merged to watch a missions video and he was excited to come see me and then went back to his friends!

By the time it was over (12:20) Samantha was ready for me and in the hall looking for me (in the arms of a worker) and almost jumped to me! We quickly found DJ and headed to Freddy's to drop off another Avon order!! Then we hurried home as Howie was going in to work early and we weren't going to get an hour with him like planned! It was a whirlwind of hellos/goodbyes/guesswhats....and then it was me and the kiddos! The afternoon was spent watching Underdog...again!! which, sadly, DJ deleted without realizing what he was doing! So I'll have to check and see if its airing again soon. Or, find something else!

When Sam got up they played VERY well together!! No screaming, no fighting, just nice!! Talk about awesome!!! Then they got hungry for dinner and the crankies came out! After dinner they again played well til bedtime. Which allowed me the chance to make Howie his caramel corn! Whew!

Once the kids were in bed I got to sit n knit while watching hte finale of B'ette...I was watching it so intensely too! Looking for any kind of clue to see who Ali would pick...I found it too! The moment she walked in to Chris' place for their last date she didn't have his bracelet on!! I knew right then and there she was dumpin him!! Goshdarnit! Such a sweetheart!! To be fair tho...so is Roberto!

The after the rose special explained something to me too! She never really felt it with Chris I don't think....if Frank hadn't taken the coward's way out, it would have been Frank and Roberto as the final two. Interesting!!! I would have been rooting for Roberto if that was the case!! I wish them well! Glad they're not letting grass grow under their feet in the living arrangements!!!!! And I hope they learn from Jake...don't take on another reality show right after!!!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

Swing Shift has its pluses

And its minuses!!!

Today and tomorrow Howie is on swing shift...3-11 to try and cover some gaps in scheduling....so the plus was that we got to wake up together...and with two munchkins in bed with us! DJ came in early and went back to sleep beside me....and then Sam came in, so I hauled her up between Howie and I....she tried talking, but realized no one was talking back to her, so she just lay there playing with her hair and her baby boy...too cute really! By 8:30 we were all up!

Even tho we had a great head start on the day...we still just barely made it to church! The kids had NO problem getting their name tags on and just walking in to the play room. And with it being a regular service, compared to the service we attended two weeks ago. Howie and I were both impressed with the sermon....they're studying Mark...and today was about chapter 4's last parable. It was good! We both enjoyed it! I just wish I'd stop yawning and being SO sleepy while in there!! What's up with that!??!! I think I saw one older lady who was asleep, but for the most part, the ages of the people in this church are all over the board. I did get to meet a fellow gleaner too...she was in the room where our kids were!

We came home after to have lunch together since dinner was going to be just me and the kids. That was nice! After tho, Howie went and got ready for work...and then Rick came over to borrow the boat...aka Howie's baby!! I think he's got time off this week and wants to go fishing when Howie can't obviously. They all left around 2 and SamSam went down for her nap as soon as they left. DJ's movie of the week is Underdog...which, after watching some of it, I think it's over his head, but he likes the talking dog. If he tries to get Snickers to talk, I'll delete it! lol

The bat phone rang twice this aft!! Got one more order and left a voice mail for another Safeway book customer! SWEET!!! Before Sam woke up, I took off for the shed while Michaela watched the kids to do my hour of cleaning and sorting and then unloading as the run came in while I was there. The book run came in this morning too, so it looks like the shed threw up books everywhere! I didn't have time to look them thru...but none jumped out at me either.

When I got back the kids wanted dinner...with all the suggestions I made, they chose mac n cheese...the Toy Story kind...so we had that! With roasted garlic bread, bananas and a cookie. SO nutritious...ha! After dinner was bath time...so once again, they smell good AND look good!! DJ has figured out how to make the remote put is movie on, so he watched that while I bathed Sam, and then she went out and watched it while it was his turn. Just before bed it was ending, so we watched the last of it together and then they both went to bed. No fuss either!! Perfect! Sam was still singing to herself for a bit after, but when I got out of the shower she was sound asleep!

While I waited for Howie to come home I did some knitting and watched tv. I really do like Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives! And one of my little known shows is back on...My Boys! Always good for  laugh! Howie got home shortly after midnite and has already gone to bed....so I'm finishing up here and going to join him!

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!

She's found her voice

I think SamSam has lost a bit of her shyness....today while she was out Avoning with me, she did awesome!!!! Very polite, and talked to whoever we were with! Darling!!!

Lunch was with my g/f Joanne and Sam was SO happy to be there...even let Joanne pick her up from hello and bring her inside! Then she migrated downstairs to where her hubby was, and she hung out down there with him getting into everything she probably shouldn't! They gave her a stuffed SeaWorld dolphin...which she's now sleeping with!

I also got to chance to catch up with my g/f Shirah  at my old stomping ground...Joann's Fabric store....oh it was SO nice to walk around the aisles!! We lost Shirah for a couple minutes and Samantha starting singing her name while calling out for her...it was precious!!! It was also the perfect break in our day!!!

We then had two more stops and then home!!! Laura was home for a quick visit, at which point Sam was blowing kisses to her, but my next stop wasn't home, so we hit the highway and headed home ourselves.

Tonite we'd been invited to dine next door...so, does one enter the back door, or the front door when living next door!??!! Neither! We just stayed on their back porch!!! Another family was invited (our mutual hair dresser) and with 8 kids running around it was fun!! We hardly saw our own kids....they just made themselves at home! Dinner was fabulous!! Ribs n beans!! And we brought over the last of our freezer crab...and some fudge! :)  It was close to 10 by the time we herded the kids home for bed! Sam was still dancing around while I was trying to get pj's on her!!  She'd only had one nap...and that was at 10:30 thanks to her getting up at 6:30!!! Silly girl!!

Speaking of sleep....

Til next time...pray for safety for all troops!