The things that really matter

Sometimes we get so caught up in all the things that are really just busy work. I love the things I'm involved with and I was worried about letting people down since for the last two weeks I haven't been able to do much. We've had a lot of sick kids in the house that require my attention. I am more concerned with cuddling them and making sure they are as comfortable as they can be while sick. The adults that I was worried about letting down are grown-ups that should understand that my 1st priority is to my children that depend on me to meet their physical and mental needs, then to my husband who I promised to summit to and serve to the best of my ability. Then it is to my parents and grandma because with out them nothing we have been working towards would even be a thought. There is many things I love to devote my time and energy to, but we must place our priorities according to importance and learn to say no without stress or guilt. I love all the blessings God has given me even through the struggles such as this deployment.

A year and a half later

Hello ya'll it has been a long busy time. This little guy here is Thomas David and he just turned 8 months old. He is the newest addition to our family. So for the record we currently have 5 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and a horse currently here in Kentucky with us. We also have 2 cows and several chickens at the farm in Texas with plans for another cow, meat rabbits, and if I get my way dairy goats. Life has been crazy! Several months ago my love deployed so it has just been me and the kids and the deployment grimlens and they have been naughty little boogers. However, lets not be negative here let us look at the positive things that have come to our lives since the last time we spoke. We finally have a plan! We have a goal as to what we are going to do at the end of our Army tunnel. I am scared and insecure about the future, but determind to make it work and find joy in it all. I am working on getting my vet tech certification and auto mechanic certificate at the same time! How cool is that! My oldest, Sara, is in girl scouts and we ARE homeschooling everyone next year. Boy am I excited about that! Michael, my love, will be working two jobs when he gets back if everything pans out. We need it so we can save up to pay for our house and his training for life in the civilian world. It will be here before we know it and we are really in the crunch time now.  I started an at home business selling jewelry and will be having my 1st product party on the 1st of March! I am really hoping it takes off. We really need it to work out for us. I know God will make a way for us. Hope ya'll have been well! Keep on smiling.

It finally happened!

Today marks the death of my Grandfather. He was a truel wonderful man and loved us all very much. Even at a young age he taught us many things and how to love nature and push through tough situations. I love and miss you very much Papa. I sometimes sit and wonder if he was sitting up in heaven watching the things going on in my life. Was he there when my kids were born, was he there at my wedding, during deployments, during the happy times. Was he whispering in my ear when I was doing wrong. Was he there with God when we were in danger. No one from my extended family went to my graduation (4years late) but I know he would have been proud of my either way. He would have loved me when I was a disappointment to everyone. He was a great man. (ok going to stop before I start balling)

I am so proud of my Kayley Bug. She went to the big girl potty today... TWICE! I think she was just as proud of herself as I was of her. She grabbed her daddy's arm right after dinner telling him "dada batrmm" It was so cute.

Michael Wayne finally took a bath without crying which is a big plus. I learned he doesnt like running water on his feet or laying in water on his back. He did chase his bath frog around the bath tub.

Sara came back with her attitude today... It seems like when we finally get her out of the attitude its time for school again.

I am very excited! I finally got everything squared away with my military benifits and got enrolled in my classes. I start my veterinary assistant courses September 1st, but my books should be here before then. I can not wait to start. Even if it doesnt much help me find a job I can use it for our own personal gain when we get back to Texas.

I am still not sure what I am going to do next year during deployment. Basicly all my options are still open... I just dont know.

It has been a while

It is good to be back. We were without internet for a while.

My oldest son, Logan, will be turning 4 years old next week. We are both very excited about it, but it makes me feel extremely old. He also starts preschool tomorrow morning. He is more excited about that then me. He is an amazingly sweet boy and has overcome so much in his short life. From birth defects to bad situations. He is my miracle child, they all really are very special to me. This picture is him and me when I finally graduated high school in August 2009.

Sara, my oldest, started school last week. She tells me that she has not learned anything yet. The teachers assure me that the first week is used to set up classroom proceedure and review. Im not feeling very good about putting them back into public education when they could be using their time to advance their education and not standing still in it. However, my husband thinks it is vital to my health that I work on improving my health issues and not stressing over lesson plans teaching and tests. I hope that changes before next year.

Kayley is talking alot more but is still very protective over her baby bother. I am happy that she loves him, but she will sit out playing with unfamilar kids to watch and play with him. However if he isnt present she is more then happy to join in on the fun.

Michael Wayne is running every where in his walker, just as fast as he can. He has two teeth now and wants to eat everything he can get his hands on. He still isnt sleeping through the night. I havent slept a full night through in a very long time. Even on Saturdays when Michael gets up with him I am still waken by the smallest whimper even from across the house.

I should be back in Texas next summer for a year. It is very bitter sweet. I will be glad to be in Texas but not very fond of being alone again and this time with more kids. I am going to spend the summer with my parents getting some work experiance and then the rest of the year probably with my grandparents (in laws). I am not positive yet though. I have alot to think about with that.

We are still struggling a little with some issues (who in life doesnt?) but I am pretty satisfied with the way everything is going in my family, marriage, and future. I will be starting a course for veternary assistant in the next couple weeks. That is pretty exciting. Even if I can not find a job with the training I can still use it for ourselves on the farm.

Out of touch

Sorry everyone for being out of touch recently. We had a death in the family, made a trip to Texas, picked up my two little sister in laws, and been dealing with a few struggles since we've arrived back in Kentucky.

We've been busy getting everything fixed up since we left in a hurry to go to Texas. Finally getting some breathing room, sort of.

It was nice to get back to church on Sunday. I don't know if I'll make it to tonight's service with everything going on but I hope.

Sara's attitude is still an issue, but she's doing some what better. We got another VCR and within two days broken again.

Hopefully this next pay check we can get caught up on bills again.

I hope we move to a bigger place on post soon. We are all on top of each other here.

Just about a year from now we will be working on our house on the farm finally. How nice it will be to get out of the city. I am hoping to be able to get my great grandma's bedroom set for the house at the farm. We are going to try to do the whole house in heirlooms and antiques. Have a large garden and a small" orchard". I am very much looking forward to it. Been dreaming and praying.

Prepping

Good morning everyone. Those of y'all that actually read my blog.

Recently I have started working on how to save our family some more money being that I am starting college in July and going to need a little extra for gas. Second week in July, every Thursday afternoon at 6 for just over a year. That will get me most of my core credits so I can mover to an online program.

I am working on couponing and seem to have a decent Start, but I guess we will know if I truly do starting pay day. Hopefully my coupon trading efforts will be profitable for everyone involved, if not I know I have atleast one faithful trader.

The church picnic is Monday, crossing my fingers we can make it.

Lots going on this coming week. I have to get my house clean and set up for my little sister in laws, pack for Logan and my overnight trip to Arkansas. Wednesday I have to go grocery shopping with all the kids and then go to my appt with the college at 5:30pm. Thursday bible study. Friday make sure everything is set up for company and packed for the trip. Saturday Logan and I head to Arkansas. I pray the weather is good and everyone behaves.

I am very excited to see my dear friend Sandra and her beautiful place. She is a great friend and a mentor to me.I also get to pick up the girls and have them with us for all of June.

Still working on getting stuff together for homeschooling and stressing out about things with my daughter. Some days I just feel lost.

Y'all be blessed!

Scattered Thoughts

We really need to get a better budget put together very soon, not to mention a better schedule. A few of my long distance friends of mine (pen pals) are trying to help me with the budgeting portion, and with my homeschooling efforts with my kids.

Anyone have scheduling ideas? With a house to maintain, four kids between 5 months and 5 years old, meals to cook, chores, bed times, naps, schooling, and trying to maintain my own personal sanity can be frustrating.

Budgeting is just as frustrating. We have 6 people and a dog to feed on lower enlisted pay. We have managed to pay all the bills, food, and gas, but their is no extra money after that at all, and its always a close call. I am not complaining; I have definitely been worse off before. There just has to be a better way to do this, and save money. It would be nice to be able to get out from under some of the debt.

It was a nice weekend. We got to spend sometime outside in the sunshine. Half of this week is suppose to be raining and overcast. Several kids with alot of bottled up energy is no fun for mommy. I sure hope it in nice weather when Logan and I make our trip to Arkansas to pick up my sister in laws and see one of my close friends the first weekend in June.

I've been having a hard time choosing which of my older two kids I was going to take with me and which one was going to stay with my husband. Kayley and Michael Wayne are too young to make the trip, unless it is necessary. I know Sara is going to be upset that I didn't take her, but I think it will be more of a benefit to Logan to go. Michael Wayne is to young to really play with Logan, Michael works alot, Logan's real father isn't much in his life, and I am simply not all that great at being a boy. My friend in Arkansas has a little boy that is about a year and a half older then Logan, plus alot of property for them to play on. He doesn't get to much male interaction, his age or older. He is doing alot better now that Michael is in our life's compared to when it was just Sara and me. I am sure it will get better as he gets older and his little bother can play with him too. I try to do boy things with him. We play in the mud, do construction sites, and play with trucks, but he sometimes says "Mommy you can't do that, you're not a boy" well he's right, but I do try to not feminis him.

My husband, Michael, wants to start teaching the kids and my sister in laws about the outdoors before we go camping this summer. I think it will be a good way to take our learning outdoors. Which is important to me. I don't want my kids sitting in front of books getting bored with education. What would be some good ways to make learning smooth and natural?

Recipe of the day:
Cranberry Pudding-

Ingredients: 1/2 c. Butter, 1 c. Sugar, 3 eggs, 3 1/2 c. Flour, 1 1/4 tablespoon Baking Power, 1/2 c. Milk, 1 1/2c. Cranberry.

Instructions: mix ingredients by conventional method, add egg yolks and whites, beat til smooth, put into molds and steam.

Side note- some of these recipes may need a little tinkering and be vage. Most of them come from my Great Grandmother's recipe box or our own personal box.

Enjoy and y'all be blessed :)