WHEW!

Well, I officially survived my first road trip "alone" with the girls. I set what I believe to be very reasonable expectations and they were quickly exceeded. Of course the promise of two days at the Hot Springs and time with Daddy helped!

My Friend

So I have this friend who, even though she knew she was leaving early on Thursday morning to take a little trip, did nothing all week long to prepare for said trip. No real cleaning, some light laundry, but that's about it. Now it's Wednesday evening and she's in a total panic. She has a car to clean, clothes to pack, a house to straighten, and maybe even sleeping to do if there is any left over time. All of this on top of the fact that she has 4 little girls and a husband who works out of town. I just shake my head, she brought this all on herself. If it were me.........

Better

Today was better. When I woke up, first thing, I checked the laundry in the dryer. As soon as I opened the dryer door a dollar bill fell out. If that's not good luck I don't know what is. While it really was a better day, I still didn't get much accomplished. We went to the library and Chiggie's T-ball game but that's about it. I'm beginning to think that I need a new routine for my house chores as this whole "trashed house" thing seems to be a re-occuring theme in my life. Just like weight loss it's the maintainance thing that I struggle with. Tomorrow I vow to be more productive in that department. I also need to clean the car. I better get to bed, I'm gonna need all the sleep I can get....

Frazzled

It's been one of those days.....

• The house is trashed. For everything I straighten, something gets messed. It's the whole one step forward two steps back tango that I have become very used to.
• I spent 30 minutes vacuuming the pool this morning only to have it start raining the second the kids got in. The cover then blew into the dirt, meaning I will spend at least 30 minutes vacuuming it tomorrow.
• I didn't sleep good at all last night and haven't been for a while. No reason in particular. I have Goldilocks Syndrome. The bed is too hard or too soft. It's hot so I turn on the cooler and it gets to cold. I could go on and on....
• My neck is sore and I have been getting headaches. I think I might need my back and neck adjusted.
• I got a notice from my car insurance that my rates are going up significantly. I hit a car in a parking lot and got a speeding ticket in the same month. Both were my first offences.
• This morning I was on the phone trying to book a hotel for the mini-vacation we're taking this week and my kids behaved like wild animals. I had to lock myself on the porch just to finish the call.
• I need to go to the store and get some more soda. I might not survive without caffeine.

The weather today matches my mood. Gray and gloomy. Tomorrow's another day right?

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Benefits

One of the major benefits of being a little sister is getting to tag along when your big sister has fun outings. Today was the end of the year party for the Daisies. We went to Build-a-Bear and had a blast. The girls all picked super cute animals and even Boo got one this time!

Good Stuff

I'm quite certain that everyone gets tired of hearing about how much I love summer, but you'll appreciate it come January.....

Time

There just never seems to be enough. I have a ton of things and pictures that I want to blog about just not enough time. Lately I have been spending my old "blogging" time doing things like laundry, sweeping, and other random household chores. I know, the horror! Summer is treating us very nicely and I must say it's living up to my expectations so far. Despite the fact that I sunscreen them from head to toe every morning, the girls look like we live in the tropics. The pool is their oasis and I often have to remind them that I am not the cabana girl. Chiggie will lay on a float with her sunglasses on shouting out demands to the other girls. I can't wait until she turns 16 (typed with much sarcasm). Hope everyone is having fun in the sun as well!

Sleepover

The sleepover was a complete success. The girls enjoyed playing at McDonald's last night and then staying up way too late playing Wii. Today we spent most of our time outside swimming with a few trips indoors to play a little more Hannah Montana World Tour. Good times I tell ya....

Accomplished

That's how I feel today. I was more productive today than I have been in a very long time. I got the house cleaned from top to bottom, took the older girls to gymnastics, and my little sisters are having a sleepover. The kids were super cooperative and really helped get all the housework done. Plus we all slept in until 10 a.m. Now it's nice to just sit here in the quiet and enjoy it!

Worn Out

Birthdays, Cake, and T-Ball Oh My

Seven

7 years ago today I became a mother. What an amazing ride it has been! Chiggie had a great birthday and we're all exhausted. Party pictures tomorrow, I promise!

Time Flies

June 5th 1999

Catch the Reading Bug

This is the theme for our Library's Summer Reading Program this year. Today was the kickoff and it was a perfect afternoon to spend at the library. The weather is cooler and rainy. So instead of swimming, which they have done everyday since Saturday, today we went and got signed up. The girls checked out several books a piece and colored their butterflies for the display. This is Midge's first year participating and she is very excited. Chiggie also got her own card which she is very proud of. It's nice to have something to do on those hot or rainy days, and I love watching them devour books!

The Power of 10

I was tagged by Elizabeth for this meme. Here goes:

10 years ago I was 17 years old, dating the King, and working a part time job at Target. I was trying to decide where to go to college.

10 months ago I was Adjusting to life with 4 kids. Boo was brand new and Chiggie was getting ready to start Kindergarten. For the first time in my parenting journey I was feeling a little "overwhelmed." I didn't know it at the time but I was also dealing with postpartum thyroiditis.

10 weeks ago I was getting ready for our Spring Break trip to GJ. It was the first time I took a trip with all four girls by myself. I was also in the middle of a fairly significant weight loss.

10 days ago I was Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend at Cutty's Resort with the King and the girls. It was our first camping trip with all four girls. We had a blast.

10 hours ago I was on my hands and knees mopping the bathroom floor. Darned cats and their cat litter everywhere. Sheesh.

10 minutes ago I was Drying Tea with a bath towel and helping her into her jammies.

10 minutes from now I will be Taking Midge up to bed and hurrying back down to play Carnival Games on the Wii with the older girls.

10 hours from now I will be Still sleeping I hope. The girls have been sleeping in so far this summer.

10 days from now I will be Getting ready for a very busy weekend including VBS, T-ball pictures, and Father's Day.

10 months from now I will be The Mom of an almost 2nd grader! Hopefully sitting on new furniture and admiring my new hardwood floors. Dream big I say!

10 years from now I will be Mom to an almost 17 year old, almost 14 year old, almost 11 year old, and a 12 year old. The King and I will have been married for 19 years.

Thrill of the Ride

As I mentioned previously, the girls absolutely love the new bike trailer. We have used it multiple times already. Today the weather was cool enough in the morning that we took a ride to the park. I love the freedom of just being able to ride with the older girls knowing the littles are being safely pulled along.

It's great for recreation, but just last week we had to use it in what I would call an "emergency." It was Wednesday and it happened to be the night of Chiggie's first t-ball practice this year. I pushed it until the last second, got everybody loaded in the car, and turned the ignition. Nothing. Complete silence. Uh-oh. The lights had been left on. The battery was very obviously dead. I tried calling a few people for help but no one was home. My neighbors were all still at work. Her practice was at a different school than the one she attends. Too far to walk. I had to make a quick decision. I loaded all three little girls into the trailer and got out Chiggie's bike. Then we rode all the way, uphill I must add, to her practice. I rode through a few puddles and was sprayed with mud. My flip flops broke, so I was shoe less. And we were 20 minutes late. But we got there. All thanks to the bike trailer!

On a different note, our roses are gorgeous this year. I have never made secret the fact that I do not have a green thumb. These bushes just grow and bloom all on their own. My favorites are the pink and yellow.

We are also loving the gorgeous weather that we have been having. We got our new pool set up just in time. The little girls are not really that into it at this point, it's still a bit chilly. They do love to watch though.
The older girls are enjoying it immensely. It's nice that we can all get in and play at the same time. Now if I can just get all the chemicals and what not figured out...............

The girls would also like to extend a Happy Birthday wish to Grandma Dixie!