How am I Doing? **Oh** and Day 7

Let me start with a HaPpY BiRtHdAy to my newly 17 year old!  He'll never read this . . . but it has to be said.

Every year on the children's birthdays, I think about my pregnancies and their births.  The wicked heart burn and strange rash.  All of the baking and weight gain and weird hair colors.  I won't rehash it here - I actually probably already have, several times.  I would like to say though, that I am proud of my eldest.  He is nutty and has a ridiculous sense of humor, but he also has a kind heart and understands how to be a good person.

Today's challenge is to start a new family tradition.  In almost 20 years of marriage, we have started a lot of them.

1) We (like many other families) open pajamas on Christmas Eve and then take silly pictures.
2) We have sleep overs in our bedroom with the kids and watch movies or DVR'd episodes.
3) Family meals for birthdays - birthday person's choice - no matter what.
4) Fall photos in our yard or on our driveway.
6) Painted or silly socks for Grandpa - been doing that since I was in college :)
7) We use the very first baby cradle that Mr.'s grandpa built and we lend it out to whomever needs it - then carve the babies names & birth dates in the wood.
8) Holiday cookies (duh)
9) Star on the tree on Christmas Eve
10) Cutting down a Christmas tree with family and then up to Mimi & Bob's for treats! **One of our newest, most treasured traditions.
11)
12)
. . .

There is always room for a new tradition.  Test the waters.  See what fits - and stop doing the things that are draining the life out you and your family.  Traditions should hold meaning along with memories.  There is no reason to hold onto a tradition that no one likes, like brussels sprouts at Thanksgiving that no one eats.

Write a (kind) Note!

Oh, I wrote a note today, alright . . . then stopped myself from writing the second one.

Note 1) Please excuse J's tardy.  Thank you. RDonald

For crying out loud, ya think you could make it in time for in-school suspension?  C'mon now kid.  Oh, and you need me to start your car?  Oh order you new shoes?   

**how do I write that spitty sound one makes when sticking out the tongue and spitting?**

Note 2 would have been "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT PLUGGING THIS INTERNET BACK IN!"

A house of 8 can quickly buzz through allotted Internet time.  It is disturbing.  You've got 4 on phones -  2 on ipods, and 2 on tablets - then there are 2 of those using x-box live.  3 Others streaming Netflix.  1 is a you tube fanatic.  Two days shy of the new month and they couldn't hold back.  Tack on another bajillion dollars for that one.

On a serious note (see what I did there?)  I love note writing.  I write notes to the kids every so often throughout the year and put them into their baby books.   I love the idea of  them finding the notes when they least expect it.  J's bday is Wednesday and I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of note writing for that one.  He will be 17.  WHAAAAAATTT?  How crazy is that?  He also has a really big hockey game this week.  It decides if his team will attend the state tournament in Anchorage or not.  We haven't been this close to attending state in aeons, and there are only 4 teams in our district.  Seriously.

Oh the notes I could write right now . . . if I had a tad more time - but back to work I go.

I'll leave you all with this -

If you're going to blow you Internet usage outta the water - make it useful - check out Leverage on Netflix  :)

Ah, a sweet thought.  She even added ideas to do this when you are a bit strapped for cash.

Let me start by saying that I full heartily agree with the things in this challenge so far . . . but I cannot curb my sarcasm (maybe that is why my home isn't so happy 24/7 - or maybe that is because I'm human)  My how this challenge is morphing.

So - since CJ just txt me he is leaving school and heading to a wrestling tournament that we said he couldn't go to - I'm not sure I'll be feeling very cozy toward him tonight.

J got written up again today for "insubordination" and he has a hockey game in Polar Ice (seriously - it's the name) - he won't be feelin' the love either.  He stopped texting me when I told him to get his ass up to the teacher and apologize.

C was a tyrant 13 yr old last night with uncontrollable emotions - she probably needs the love & coziness . . . but instead I said she isn't babysitting and she will have to do all of her homework - 

No love there.

M is not feeling well - welcome to the club honey - everyone in my house is SICK, SICK, SICK.

**thank you flu shot - I'm feeling fine thx**

But I really do like cleaning up before MR gets home on Saturdays and lighting scented candles.  I like to dust and vacuum and make a good dinner.  Those things are always appreciated by the mr, and usually by everyone else.

So, this weekend I will do a few touches to make the house feel like a home and then we will get ready for the birthday party (mr is calling it a super bowl party) on Sunday.

M turns 15 on Saturday and J turns 17 on the 5th.

J asked for a stereo for his can and sub woofers - so I barked in a deep voice.  I guess that isn't funny.  Now, if I can just find a barking card to give him I'll be happy.

We are at a loss as to what to get M.  We have a ton of idea, but haven't been able to narrow it down.  I didn't get the order in on time for what we finally did decide . . . so it is off to search for it around town.  Cross your fingers folks!  

So, I'll let you all know if I manage to spruce up my home and make it cozy.  Maybe I'll pick up some sugar cookie scented room spray - everyone loves cookies.

Day 4: Stop Seeking Praise . . . Hello? FB? Can You Hear Me?

Of course we don't do this . . .no way.  We don't put ourselves down hoping someone else will lift us up in praise.  HA!  Have you been on FB lately?  Everyone wants reassurance that they are doing it right, that they look right, that they are parenting right . . . 

You know how to tell? 

Did you succeed?  

If you didn't did you learn from it and try again?

How did it go?

Oh look, you were able to figure that out on your own.  Congratulations.

Okay, that is probably not what was meant by this challenge.  I should not seek praise.  Does that mean I shouldn't expect a thank you for a good dinner?  Or does it mean I should make a good dinner and not expect anyone to comment on it's deliciousness?  I guess this challenge can be confusing because I have seen real praise seekers, like the junkies of FB whose posts are only there to gain self esteem and assurance.  

I am one of the first to be annoyed.  I always want to comment things like, "My mom died too, but you don't see me whining about it on FB every day."  Or "Hey, I got a new dish towel, but you don't see a photo of it on here."    And who are those people that constantly buy into it and comment back exactly what the poster wants to hear?  "Oh, it's okay.  Be strong.  You're a great person!"  Blech.  How about, "Get over it! Move on!"

So, as annoyed as I get at the praise seekers . . . I really hope I'm not one.  

{i wonder if someone will comment that i'm not so i feel better about myself}hehe  

Just Say Yes!

Okay, I'm not seeing how this is going to apply to me . . . it is like I need to just say "no" at home.  A few years ago, I did apply this concept.  I thought, "why am I saying NO?  It's just painting (or whatever the little joy is my children wanted to partake in)."  It really did make for a more relaxing mommy.  Sure they could paint, but let's use a mat.  You want to make a fort?  Of course, but we also have to put things away.  It is certainly more fun to be a yes SAHM than a no.  Now that the kids are older, saying yes can really get me into trouble.  You say yes to one, you better be saying yes to all of 'em.  It better all be equal. . . at least according to them it should be.  I say, I am the mom and I if CJ vacuums and wants TV time, sure!  Or if CJ is fighting with C and C wants to escape to my room for a movie- Go! Run!  Hide!

So, if you find that you are predominantly saying no because of this or that . . . take a minute to really ask why you did.  Sometimes, that yes will really free everyone!

Day 2

 . . . I've been stuck at day 2.  I've been playing referee and it is driving me crazy.  Hard not to be snarky to the kids when they pulled each other's strings on their impromptu 3-day weekend due to freezing rain.

25 Days, day 2

Don’t interrupt your husband.
Don’t criticize your husband.
Don’t snap at your kids.
Don’t make fun of anyone in your family.
Speak softly and in soothing tones to your family.
Say three kind things to everyone in your home today.

I am pretty sure this one will be a piece of cake.  

No, not really.  I am a sarcastic person and feel free to do so in my house.  Poking fun at my family is something I do in light - never malicious.  I can take some time and change that though.  Hopefully, the kids will make a few of their own changes in the way they treat each other.

Now - on to the rules about how to treat your mr.  I think that specifying that those are not ways to treat your mr. is silly - you shouldn't interrupt anyone or criticize anyone.  I'll be adapting those two.

http://pintsizedtreasures.com/2013/11/26/super-challenge-25-days-to-a-happier-home-day-2/

25 Days

http://pintsizedtreasures.com/2013/11/25/super-challenge-25-days-to-a-happier-home-day-1/

Taking the Challenge, though it will take me far more than 25 days because I will constantly forget to log in and see what day is next. . .

maybe I should make myself a calendar.  

So, day 1 is Count your Blessings.

That is something I have been thinking a lot about lately.  A few things have been going on in our lives that has made me question 17 years of parenting skills.  I know that you are wondering what my children did - but the answer is "Nothing."  For some reason or another we have begun to be judged and it has become a topic of conversations among people we know and family.

But judging is reserved for God & Karma.

We raise our children to give to others before self & family.  Where we (mr & I) may not always be treated like king & queen of the house . . .as long as our children are putting others before themselves, we considered things a success.

Then we started hearing about how we were raising our children with the wrong values. . . 

We raise them to live by Karma. She is a mythical creature that we tease the kids about being in our home and keeping track of their every move waiting to attack for selfish behavior in the inbetweens of the world.

They know the story it is a joke - but that Karma is real.

Sacrifice is the key . . .and we must all do it for others.

I am grateful I have a hard working husband who values what I do.

I am grateful that my oldest son who has a deep love of poetry and poetry in music.

I am grateful that my daughter is so powerful in her mind that she can accomplish anything.

I am grateful that my youngest dreams big (and sings to me).

I am grateful for the extra years I have been given with my dad.

I am grateful for my uncle who can find a song in anything we say.  

I am grateful that my brother and SIL are both practical and dreamers.

I am grateful for sisters who share values and see incredible journeys in life and books.

I am grateful for those who are not blood, but are family.

I am blessed with so many gifts in my life I couldn't possibly count them all.

finals - No, not mine!

Well, it's finals week in North Pole.  3 out of 4 kids are cramming and finishing projects (the 6th grader is either getting off scott free or lying . . . jury is out).

It has been nuts at my house. I have had no more than 5 hours of sleep for DAYS!  It's rough I tell ya.  My head is constantly aching and my neck is sore from crouching over the laptop editing (or writing) papers.

Let me tell you about my daughter's "group" project.  For weeks she has been bustin' her hump (Wednesday reference :) tying to get everything caught up from being sick.  She slipped a little on her We are the Peopl project.  Her group has been a bunch of grumps and mad because she is behind - well, who do they look to when they aren't done?  Yep, us.  She was google drived their final speeches to look over and one was not even on the right subject!!!  It had to be re-written.  For goodness sake.  Parents!  Check up on your kids and their homework!  We promplty went to fixing the speech and then printed out copies for everyone.  What a mess though. The entire paper was not capitalized, not even phrases like Articles of Confederation.  

If their teacher had seen that he would have flipped a lid for sure.

Oldest was a mess in his own way - So down on himself for being "stupid" but then not working his ass off like he ought to be.  He needed a ton of hand holding and we still have 2 more days of tests.  UGH!

I'll let you know if I've got some hair left after this week.

I like. . .

Lists!

I have been listing . . . really.  Just not on here.

Today my list will be - 

"If I had $1,000.00 to spend by tomorrow, I would spend it on . . . "

1. Some Danskos for work!

             2. a sound system for the living room to enjoy Walking Dead

     3.  I would buy my youngest a new ceiling fan

                     4.  I would get some heating fuel and pellets for the stove 

5.  I would totally go onto ebay and get my family new jeans . . . that's right - I ebay their jeans.

            6.  I'd go Etsy crazy and get ceramic mugs for me and my favorite girls.

       7.  I'd buy the newest babies in our families some sweet goodies.

                 8. socks socks socks and maybe one more pair of socks

9. New Uggs for my daughter

         10.  I could easily spend $1,000.00 in one night by paying hockey bills.

Frosty spa

A Frosty Spa

Yep, makes me smile.

What is on the agenda today?  Sick and cranky kids.  Nurse says she is fine . . . teachers want her outta there . . . I'm at work with no possible way to get outta here so 16yo gets to leave school early to go get her.  Feelin' like I totally lost the battle today.  Poo

Two of our Christmas decorations this year.  I had some fun sewing paper snowflakes into garland.  I also make paper envelopes with Advent treats inside and hung them from fabric garland I had made eons ago.  I can't wait until next year's calendar!

I know I can . . .

First things first, some lovies for the eyes.  Well, my eyes anyway.  I adore turquoise and you should too.
It seriously does not feel like a week since I blogged.  I feel like it was, ya know, like just last week.

Turkey day almost went off w out a hitch.  Food was awesome - people incredible - baby to play with - loved ones to chat with -  any hitch really didn't involve me EXCEPT getting in the car.
No, Really.

My family cannot manage to get into a car.  No, we all want to get into several cars at our own pace and make anyone around us scream in furry.  It's kind of our thing.

The rules were simple.  Send family to relatives early so I could finish my portion of cooking and clean up after myself.
1) 16 yo doesn't get up until its time to get into the car.
2) daughter doesn't feel good
3) youngest doesn't want to go early
4) youngest wants to be with 16 yo
5) niece decides not to go to grandpas AND doesn't want to go early
6) husband is annoyed because he can't go early without looking like an ass and leaving me with 4 kids.
7) ham begins to dry out
8) food successfully made, packed and ready to load in car
9) husband convinces boys to go with him
10) husband is ready to go and oldest runs off to brush his teeth
11) I'm ready to go!
12) daughter decides to do her hair
13) daughter decides to get dressed
14) What?!

sigh*

I ♥ life.

Ka-Wowza

Has it been that long?

Yup.  I went back to school to finally get my teaching certificate.  It only took a year - awesome!
But now I sell paper and paper products . . .boo

It's all good though - food on the table for a family of 6 seems a bit more important than that whole "follow your dreams" things people rave about.

 . . . besides that ~ people seem to get their scarves in bunch when you blog about things they don't want to admit.  SO ~ I just quit blogging a while and lived.

What did I miss?  Cleverly using words instead of politely using them.

words = happiness

♥ & prose, 
Becky

Back, guess whose back . . .

It's autumn and beautiful.
We are all back in school - even me - and already we feel as though we are slipping slipping slipping behind.
Hockey is in full swing with Jason playing U18 as a 15yr old.  Best part?  Well 1) way cheaper than U16 and 2) everyone is mature and they don't create drama!  Games start next week!
Maybe I'll use my phone to jot things down here n there - I stay away fro the computer unless I have homework. . . Which is like, ALWAYS!
💜

Meatballs again

Yes, the time is coming for another Meatball Friday.  Its been awhile since we had one . . . its been nice.  Don't get me wrong . . . I love the house full of food and folk, but it is so expensive.  This time we got a little help from the North Pole Baseball team with the supplies.  Someone provided us with Moose Meat ~yay!~  and we are getting help with napkins and plate, then someone pitched in money for more of the meat.  The veal and pork are expensive - 6$+ a pound and we'll need 4lbs each.  Then we half to add to that all of the rolls we'll need and all of the gas used in shopping for all of this.  Whoa, I'm exhausted just thinking about it and all of the cleaning that goes with it - and I hate being reminded to clean . . .

Today was Carly's honor roll ceremony.  For third quarter she made the B honor roll again.  It is always such a great thing because I know how hard she works to overcome her learning disability and succeed.  She is continuously looking for recognition from her teachers about this.  They give out awards at the end of the ceremony for kids they feel are the best in some way.  Oh, how I'd like her to earn this based on how hard she works through her struggles in order to get her B's.  They don't seem to see it that way though and they give the reward to the same ELP straight A students as always.  If your child has ever struggled, you know what I'm talking about.

Easter was fantastic.  Haanah and Phil grilled a prime rib - ohhhhh my was that amazing.  Hopefully we will have many more years of beef for Easter!  mmmmmmmm

My eyes are getting sleepy and I'm ready to drift off . . .
nitey nite folks!

Oh April

Birthdays ~ Spring ~ Easter!!!

This year I decided AGAINST baskets. They always sit around full of candy no one will eat for months after Easter.
This year I went with jars full of gum, jelly beans, peanutbutter M&Ms, and Recess.  Even the grass was edible!

               
           

Caden after he found his Jar and new movie.  Simplicity at its finest!

Carly and her jar with We Bought A Zoo!  She looks so sleepy but didn't wake up till almost 10!

"Caden stay right there!  Wait . . . Right There . . . I want a picture."
We were playing Hot and Cold while he tried to find his special egg.  He had NO clue he was holding it.

The vein-y egg.  We had fun cracking the hard boiled eggs and then dying them in plastic baggies with veggie oil and dye.  Fun Fun Fun!

 

Morning Birthday Girl 4/2/2012!

Our animal print lanterns that hung from the ceiling with lights inside for her birthday party.

The fun animal print cake I made for Carly.  It was a  pink lemonade cake with cotton candy icing between the layers finished off by some sugar sheets and million year old piping I had in the cupboard.

Her party crew of 14 for the party . . . 

. . . 10 spent the night.

Enjoy it

It doesn't matter what it is - enjoy it!  If you don't like it and it is making you increasingly unhappy - STOP IT!

That's my soap box for today.

I really am into enjoying things!  I totally enjoyed coloring eggs on my own this year!  We eat a ton of hard boiled eggs so I started putting dye in the water after they cook just so we can enjoy sweetly colored eggs!

PROBLEM:  the blue wouldn't stick, hmmmm

So that is when I decided to add a bit of food coloring and vegetable oil (thanks Pinterest) to baggies and drop in my eggs 1, 2, or 3 at a time.  TOTAL SUCCESS!  THANK YOU!  No mess and pretty eggs to enjoy - YAY!

****I rinsed the dye and oil off each egg when I took it out of the bag (after only about 8 seconds after they were in bag) - I didn't have messy fingers or messy anything****

I have also enjoyed getting Carly's birthday party ready.  We had family over Monday night and did cake-n-ice cream along with a breakfast burrito bar.  It was totally hectic and I didn't plan enough time to finish wrapping her gifts, but I had a great time!  We got Carly her yearly Converse . . . that girl just LOVES them.  I'm not sure she has ever NOT had a pair or two hanging around. EVER!

Friday night she is having a party in Grandpa and Granny Theresa's basement.  She wanted lighted lanterns but I just couldn't justify buying them - for it to look cool, we'd have had to spend 50-80 dollars on them.  Not an option!  We made hanging lanterns out of a 10$ pack of animal print scrap-booking paper!  I had lights left over from a wedding shower and we hung them inside the lanterns.  I'll get some pictures when everything is all set up.  I still need to get Totino's pizzas, drinks, chips, animal print curtains, a table cloth, cover the windows, place the signs at the roads and then shuttle kids form their school dance to the party.  hmmmmm - I am sure I will enjoy it but will be missing my sis - I know she'd love it too!

So hey ya'll -  find something today and enjoy it to the fullest!  Even if its listening to Fleetwood Mac while you dance around the kitchen putting away your dishes!

Love and miles of smiles!

Eat Pray Love

Okay, I haven't watched the whole movie - that costs $ or good timing which I have neither of.  Funny to me.
This movie is FULL of quotables.  I love it.

  I'm very lonely since my sister and niece left.  So are my kids.

Having my house full of people fills my heart.

High school baseball has begun and Jason squeezed onto the team . . . not because of talent, but his grades were holding him back.  Ugh that boy.  Just do the work and turn it in.  Participate in class - don't sleep.  Just conform a little bit - its no big deal.  You're not conforming in your heart, just your actions.  Its okay.

Deep inside, I am wondering if letting him home school wouldn't be best for him.  He wants it so he can spend more time in the winters playing hockey and sleeping.  I think he should be enjoying the high school experience though.  Chat in the halls, go to a party, date . . . but those things aren't on his priority list.  He talks about wanting to hang out with friends but rarely does.  I've observed that his friends are team mates of whatever sport he is playing.   Its how we raised him - but I often wonder if he is missing out on something and I think that is why I want him to stay in school.  

I see the value in homeschooling though.  Giving him the educational tools he needs and letting him LIVE outside of school and sports. Maybe get a job when he isn't skating.  

Gosh - I think back on how many times I said I'd never consider this - letting him make hockey his everything.  He is doing it all on his own though.  It is his everything and I had nothing to do it.  I wish he could understand that without good grades, he will be completely overlooked by all of the right coaches though.

Why do I let this child consume me?

Carly is doing amazing for a 6 grade girl.  DRAMA of course and her language deficit certainly makes the drama worse, but boy is she amazing.  She pulled off honor roll for the third time this year.  She is determined to do well and I love that love that love that!  She turns 12 in a few days and we are so financially strapped that I don't know what to get her.  She has planned an unbelievable party - she didn't clear the time with me and now I've got to chaperon kids from 4:30 to 10?!!!!!?  WTF?  She has no idea how long that really is.

She and I are going shopping today for a birthday gift for her friend.  Maybe I'll get some good ideas that way. 

Speaking of . . . I'd better go.  Will catch you up on Caden next time.

Love -n- smiles from the heart!

Waiting to blog . . .

I feel as though I've always got something to say and not enough time to say it.  I was totally thrilled about spring break and the chance to catch up on here.

Then I got sick and now I don't want to do anything.  Nothing.  I don't want to move!  I haven't been sick with a head cold in - like - forever!  I am totally not enjoying it.  I feel like my left cheek is going to explode right off of my face!

That said . . . wow have we had quite a few weeks.
Arctic Winter Games 2012 have came and went.  We sent Jason off on his way Friday afternoon with 4 buses of kids and chaperons from the Fairbanks area.  Pass Port in hand, he headed off to Canada!

We packed and headed out at 4 a.m. Sunday morning.  I, of course, slept all of the time!  Its just what I do.  I don't mean to.  I just have issues staying awake in a car.  Poor J having to put up with me and my sleep noises.

We made it to Whitehorse Canada in 9 hours . . . in plenty of time to enjoy opening ceremonies!  They were fantastic and just perfect for a Nickelodeon watching crowd.  Kid speakers, singers, bands and dancers.  Like I said, totally Nickelodeon!

Having total and complete sneezing fits so going to run now!  Will write more later on the games!  So much to say!