November 13, 2008
November Already?
Wow time flys by faster the older I get. We have been caught up in the routine of daily life. Madi is in swimming lessons two nights a week and she loves it. Hopefully she will be a great swimmer by summer. I am planning on keeping her in the lessons/on the team until spring. Halloween was very fun. Bubba had a blast banging on people's doors and getting candy. Madi had a best friend come out from Portland to trick-or-treat with and have a sleep over. The adults had a bonfire in the yard later that night. Good time had by all. Mitchell just had 2 days off so we spur of the moment packed up and went to Portland for 2 nights. Typical time of trying to squeeze in seeing as many people as possible in about 24 hrs. Stressful but worth it. We will be back in two weeks for Thanksgiving. The kids and I will get to stay for almost 2 weeks while Mitchell sadly has to work. I have been thinking about trying to find a job and go back to work but the daycare situation in Pendleton is very weak. Not sure I could find somewhere for Bubba to go. Plus we only have one car. That continues to be very annoying. The whole idea is that we really hate this house and it doesn't feel like home. We want to move. At the same time I would love to move back to portland but not sure if Mitchell could transfer his job. Its just hard being far away from family and friends. I would definitely have to work again if we moved back to portland but I think it would be worth it. So day by day we continue to struggle. Mitchell was almost in the Army a few weeks ago but backed out and I think he finally decide against joining. Seems like life has been on hold and up in the air for a while for me. I just keep trying to keep the kids busy and get my homework done. Its getting harder and harder as time goes by. This little mini 2 day trip to portland was actually very nice. A good break from the aloneness I feel out here somedays.
October 1, 2008
Camping
After years of borrowing equipment from my parents we finally made the commitment to purchase our own camping essentials. Tent, stove, lantern ,etc. Madi does not remember camping, she was about 2 last time we took her. Bubba went at the age of 6 months. We decided not to buy sleeping bags for the adults since walmart carries pretty basic, cheap ones. We would rather hit up Gi Joes or something for a good quality sleeping bag that will last many years. However, we did buy the kids some cheap bags to have for sleepovers, etc. You think having a Chevy Tahoe is a huge car until you pack it up for a camping trip for a family of four. Good thing we are not planning on having any more kids!
The kids were so excited it was like a non-stop sugar rush the entire night. Mitchell and I got the tent up very easily(I guess we picked a good one!) and got the car unpacked while the kids ran around exploring. Oh forgot to mention the black bear warnings posted all over the campsite. But we were there so we were not going to turn around! The entire time Mitchell was a little on edge and kept his gun nearby. Note: we never saw any.
Since we did not purchase sleeping bags we packed bedding and the air mattress. Thinking the down comforter would keep us warm, along with several blankets. Too bad we left the down comforter on the couch at home. Needless to saw it was a VERY cold night. So cold that we decided to leave the next day. It was pretty much the most miserable night I have spent in probably 8 or 9 years.
The next morning while getting the fire going and thinking about breakfast three deer came into our site. They snuck up behind Mitchell which caused him to think it was a bear. One of the deer put her head down and took a few steps towards Bubba. This caused Mitchell to act quickly on scaring them out of the campsite.
Overall though, Jubilee Lake is fantastic with huge campsites and a beautiful lake with a path the whole way around it. The kids loved smores, exploring, the whole experiance. We can't wait to go again, but with good, warm sleeping bags!
The kids were so excited it was like a non-stop sugar rush the entire night. Mitchell and I got the tent up very easily(I guess we picked a good one!) and got the car unpacked while the kids ran around exploring. Oh forgot to mention the black bear warnings posted all over the campsite. But we were there so we were not going to turn around! The entire time Mitchell was a little on edge and kept his gun nearby. Note: we never saw any.
Since we did not purchase sleeping bags we packed bedding and the air mattress. Thinking the down comforter would keep us warm, along with several blankets. Too bad we left the down comforter on the couch at home. Needless to saw it was a VERY cold night. So cold that we decided to leave the next day. It was pretty much the most miserable night I have spent in probably 8 or 9 years.
The next morning while getting the fire going and thinking about breakfast three deer came into our site. They snuck up behind Mitchell which caused him to think it was a bear. One of the deer put her head down and took a few steps towards Bubba. This caused Mitchell to act quickly on scaring them out of the campsite.
Overall though, Jubilee Lake is fantastic with huge campsites and a beautiful lake with a path the whole way around it. The kids loved smores, exploring, the whole experiance. We can't wait to go again, but with good, warm sleeping bags!
September 9, 2008
Its Round Up Time!
This is our second Round Up and I wished I would have planned things better this year. I would have loved to actually go to the PBR and some of the rodeo events, even Happy Canyon, but once again that thing called money seems to be non existant in my household this summer. At least extra money for fun stuff like this. So last night I got to enjoy seeing the lights, explosions, and cheers of the PBR from my front lawn. One of the benefits of living at the top of the south hill, I do have a great view of town.
Last night was another joyous motherly experiance when my toddler puked all over my bed at about 2am. Didn't really get much sleep after that for fear he was going to puke again. I do have to admit that this morning was nice and quiet as Madi was at Kindergarten and Bubba slept from 9am to noon. A little bummed I missed the Round Up Field Trip with Madi's class but she didn't seem to mind of course. And then my quiet morning turned back to normal when she got home and was hungry for lunch and Bubba woke up and puked on the hallway carpet. Nice. Back to reality! Hopefully he feels better soon so we can enjoy the downtown festivites for the week.
Oh and here is a picture from Madi's first day of kinder.
September 3, 2008
Summer Fun
We spent a week at Wallowa Lake. It was great weather, there was lots to do, and we loved it. The kids were tuckered out every day and that was with naps too! Mitchell and I even had a date night! That's an impressive feat all together. But throw in hiking, fishing, playing lakeside, and a tram ride, and we had one fun filled week.
Then I spent 2 weeks in Portland alone with the kids. Mitchell had work training and traveling. Better me be staying at my dad's house with a car to use then stuck in Pendleton. This was another highlight of the summer. Everyday we had plans and play dates. I saw all my friends and family. Met some new babies that have been born since we moved away and just honestly enjoyed being with my kids. It was actually a very blissful time. Madi even got to attend a church camp. It was fun to almost pretend we had a different life for two weeks. Nice, huge house in Forest heights and an Acura for the week. No minimum wage job to report too at 5am. But then Mitchell came out to Portland at the end of about 2 and half weeks to pick us up and bring us back to reality. It was a struggle I will admit to adjusting from being single to married again. Those first few days were not very fun. But no one every said being married was easy. I think in the end though being away from each other did us good and made us realize that we do really love eachother and we truly missed one another.
Then I spent 2 weeks in Portland alone with the kids. Mitchell had work training and traveling. Better me be staying at my dad's house with a car to use then stuck in Pendleton. This was another highlight of the summer. Everyday we had plans and play dates. I saw all my friends and family. Met some new babies that have been born since we moved away and just honestly enjoyed being with my kids. It was actually a very blissful time. Madi even got to attend a church camp. It was fun to almost pretend we had a different life for two weeks. Nice, huge house in Forest heights and an Acura for the week. No minimum wage job to report too at 5am. But then Mitchell came out to Portland at the end of about 2 and half weeks to pick us up and bring us back to reality. It was a struggle I will admit to adjusting from being single to married again. Those first few days were not very fun. But no one every said being married was easy. I think in the end though being away from each other did us good and made us realize that we do really love eachother and we truly missed one another.
We have entered School Age
I still don't feel old enough to have a child in kindergarten. Madilynn finished her second day today and so far its a success. Maybe it will hit me the hardest when Bubba starts school. He still has 3 more years to go. Suddenly that seems so far off. It will probably be nice once they are both in school all day! Think of the savings on daycare I will have at that point.
The First Day:
Scared to let her ride the bus alone, for fear that she would not find her classroom, we both drove her down to school. We probably looked like typical cheesy family, all four of us walking to the classroom on the first day. Yes, I took tons of pictures that morning. Not just of Madi standing with her backpack but also of her getting ready, eating breakfast, etc. But no I did not take the camera to the school, I am not that bad. Madi's been in preschool and there were a couple years of her being in full time daycare but something about big kid school just makes me tear up a little. Even though its only AM kindergarten which is 8:15-10:55. I think her preschool was actually longer than this. But oh well thats what we get with the under financed school systems. At least her teacher is lovely and I am very excited for this year.
Madi rode the bus home that first day and she loved that more than actually being in class. Go figure.
Day #2
Mitchell walked both kids to the bus stop and Madi was eagerly awaiting the chance to ride to school with the big kids in the morning. Bubba tripped hard being his goofy self and went hands first into prickly bushes. Mitchell spent the next 10 minutes trying to pick out the owees while Bubba sobbed on his lap. At least Daddy, the hero, was there. When they came back to the house sans Madi, Bubba even let him pick at his hands with tweezers. Why does he let Daddy do this and not Mommy? If I were to pull the tweezers out in front of him he would yell "No I hate it!" and run to hide. Yes you can thank big sister for that vocabulary. After the short couple of hours of quiet in the house and serving my toddler three different breakfasts we drove to the school to get Madi. I wanted to talk to her teacher. What do I get in response to her not taking the bus home? Glares and a pouty face. While other kids run yelling "Mommy!!!" I get "I don't want you to pick me up, I want to take the bus!". Okay then. We proceed to a local park so the kids can get their energy out. But of course all my kids ever want to do is swing. Seriously, go PLAY. Run, jump, climb, get the wiggles out so you are too tired to fight once we get home. Madilynn proceeds to fall HARD off the swing and get barkdust down her shirt and pants, in her hair, and scrapes her elbows. She sobbs for ten minutes and doesn't seem to want to stop so we leave. Now I have both crying, Bubba because he wants to play and Madi because her head hurts. At least after lunch its naptime! And the daily school routine proceeds tomorrow.
The First Day:
Scared to let her ride the bus alone, for fear that she would not find her classroom, we both drove her down to school. We probably looked like typical cheesy family, all four of us walking to the classroom on the first day. Yes, I took tons of pictures that morning. Not just of Madi standing with her backpack but also of her getting ready, eating breakfast, etc. But no I did not take the camera to the school, I am not that bad. Madi's been in preschool and there were a couple years of her being in full time daycare but something about big kid school just makes me tear up a little. Even though its only AM kindergarten which is 8:15-10:55. I think her preschool was actually longer than this. But oh well thats what we get with the under financed school systems. At least her teacher is lovely and I am very excited for this year.
Madi rode the bus home that first day and she loved that more than actually being in class. Go figure.
Day #2
Mitchell walked both kids to the bus stop and Madi was eagerly awaiting the chance to ride to school with the big kids in the morning. Bubba tripped hard being his goofy self and went hands first into prickly bushes. Mitchell spent the next 10 minutes trying to pick out the owees while Bubba sobbed on his lap. At least Daddy, the hero, was there. When they came back to the house sans Madi, Bubba even let him pick at his hands with tweezers. Why does he let Daddy do this and not Mommy? If I were to pull the tweezers out in front of him he would yell "No I hate it!" and run to hide. Yes you can thank big sister for that vocabulary. After the short couple of hours of quiet in the house and serving my toddler three different breakfasts we drove to the school to get Madi. I wanted to talk to her teacher. What do I get in response to her not taking the bus home? Glares and a pouty face. While other kids run yelling "Mommy!!!" I get "I don't want you to pick me up, I want to take the bus!". Okay then. We proceed to a local park so the kids can get their energy out. But of course all my kids ever want to do is swing. Seriously, go PLAY. Run, jump, climb, get the wiggles out so you are too tired to fight once we get home. Madilynn proceeds to fall HARD off the swing and get barkdust down her shirt and pants, in her hair, and scrapes her elbows. She sobbs for ten minutes and doesn't seem to want to stop so we leave. Now I have both crying, Bubba because he wants to play and Madi because her head hurts. At least after lunch its naptime! And the daily school routine proceeds tomorrow.
July 26, 2008
Weekend Alone With the Kids
So my husband has his first little business trip. Pretty cool for us since we are 26 and have never experienced anything like this before. So although the hotel is just a holiday inn express and he is only given $25/day for food, its still exciting. But it leaves me home alone with no car. Surprisingly it has not been bad! I am really mellow and just taking it easy. I think it has worn off on the kids because they have been very well behaved. Plus they each got a new toy for the weekend. Bubba got a city rug for his cars and Madi picked out Blendy Pens. I have all weekend to clean and so far the house looks nice! Plus I am almost caught up with laundry and already read one book! In two days we are leaving for Wallowa Lake for 5 days. This will be the only vacation we get this year and its thanks to my parents for renting a big lake house. I hope the kids will be good. I think they will love it. We have not taken any kind of vacation since Bubba has been old enough to participate in things and interact so it should be a blast.
We spent the last week talking about trying for baby #3. We got so excited I stopped taking the pill for two days before I freaked out and started them again. We can't have another one now. As much I want to, they would all be 3 years apart and that sounds perfect, we really need to think logically and be responsible for once. I have one year left until I finish my bachelors and that would be real hard to do pregnant and with a newborn. Plus, if Mitchell joins the Army sometime in the next year that would be rough too. Not to mention the economy and financial status of ourselves. So...maybe in the future. Although I guess I can't complain that I have a healthy boy and a healthy girl. One of each may just be perfect.
We spent the last week talking about trying for baby #3. We got so excited I stopped taking the pill for two days before I freaked out and started them again. We can't have another one now. As much I want to, they would all be 3 years apart and that sounds perfect, we really need to think logically and be responsible for once. I have one year left until I finish my bachelors and that would be real hard to do pregnant and with a newborn. Plus, if Mitchell joins the Army sometime in the next year that would be rough too. Not to mention the economy and financial status of ourselves. So...maybe in the future. Although I guess I can't complain that I have a healthy boy and a healthy girl. One of each may just be perfect.
July 16, 2008
A Tuesday
Yesterday seemed like the longest day ever. So in my frustration I am going outlay the events of the day.
4:15am Wake up and take a shower to get ready for work
4:30am Realize the children were woken up by the shower(the water pipes run through their room and are exposed, not hidden in the walls like they normally should be!)
4:45 Leave for work hoping they fall asleep for my husband's sake. He got home from work at 1:30am so there was not much sleep for him
5am-11:15am Work nonstop running around and trying to handle a very busy Tuesday morning at my Starbucks
11:15am Get off work and at the request of my husband "get home immediately" oh but don't forget coffee and a smoothie for him first
11:30am Arrive home to hungry husband and children who have of course been fighting all morning and driving their father nuts
2pm Husband leaves for work, grumpy, tired, and irritated that the kids never really went back to sleep and they have been tearing the house apart all day. I try to get the 5 year old to take a nap which never happens, at the least the 2 year old goes down.
The rest of the day is hot and boring and there is scarce food in the house to keep them happy with. Trying to keep them entertained is something I have about given up on since today seems to be the ultimate sibling bashing day. They will not leave each other alone! I don't know if its entertaining or annoying that my son at 2 years old knows how to perfectly annoy his big sister. I think I can add referee to my resume after raising children. Madilynn has found comfort away from Bubba in the tree fort that is in the front yard. However, does she remember to wear shoes? No she wants to be like Mogli in the Jungle Book and be barefoot. So everytime she wants down I of course must be ready to help.
Thinking the children will go to bed easy tonight since they were up at the crack of dawn, we do bed time routine at 7:15 and by 7:45 they are in the beds with books and lights off. Oh I forgot, Madi lost her 2nd tooth this afternoon so its constant questions and excitement about the tooth fairy.
9:36pm Finally get to sit down and put my feet up. Geez 2 hrs really? Just to get the little buggers to actually fall asleep. That's ridiculous, I check all the clocks to make sure, yes, its true. Nice. What a great evening. At least I am comforted by the fact that when I am finally done I am home alone. Nothing makes me more irritated than coming out of the room once the children are asleep and realizing that my husband has spent the last several hours on the PS3. I strain myself to stay awake until 11ish when the hubby walks in the door from work. I am sooo tired having been up since 4:15am but I feel like I never saw him today and it would be nice to watch tv or something, if I can keep my eyes open. Good thinking for him to bring home a tall can of Coors light but nothing for me. A glass of wine sounds like heaven right now. Oh well. At least its that time of the month so I have a good excuse for not giving in to you know what...Now can I go to bed?
2am Bubba wakes up crying and wants me to lay with him. Apparently they were both awake for whatever reason and Mitchell was trying to handle it(sweet, really) but they wanted mommy(of course). I lay down next to Bubba to cuddle, its a tight squeeze in his toddler bed but hey, its soft and I am tired. Madi is rolling back over to fall asleep when she remembers that her tooth was left for the tooth fairy. Oh crap! Tooth Fairy...I hope Mitchell has cash! I reassure Madi that I am sure she will be here later, its still night time, etc. Wait for her to fall asleep again before I leave the money. $2.60 for one tooth. I remember getting a dollar but I bet with inflation and the current prices of things, I should really leave like $10. Yah right, I think I need that more than Mattel does! Besides at 5 she is still confused on the fact that paper money is worth more than the silver pieces. Worst part is I probably WILL end up spending $10 by the time we pay for the gas to get to the store and help her buy something since $2.60 is not going to get her anything! Ohh maybe the Dollar Store will be a good choice...Okay now good night!
4:15am Wake up and take a shower to get ready for work
4:30am Realize the children were woken up by the shower(the water pipes run through their room and are exposed, not hidden in the walls like they normally should be!)
4:45 Leave for work hoping they fall asleep for my husband's sake. He got home from work at 1:30am so there was not much sleep for him
5am-11:15am Work nonstop running around and trying to handle a very busy Tuesday morning at my Starbucks
11:15am Get off work and at the request of my husband "get home immediately" oh but don't forget coffee and a smoothie for him first
11:30am Arrive home to hungry husband and children who have of course been fighting all morning and driving their father nuts
2pm Husband leaves for work, grumpy, tired, and irritated that the kids never really went back to sleep and they have been tearing the house apart all day. I try to get the 5 year old to take a nap which never happens, at the least the 2 year old goes down.
The rest of the day is hot and boring and there is scarce food in the house to keep them happy with. Trying to keep them entertained is something I have about given up on since today seems to be the ultimate sibling bashing day. They will not leave each other alone! I don't know if its entertaining or annoying that my son at 2 years old knows how to perfectly annoy his big sister. I think I can add referee to my resume after raising children. Madilynn has found comfort away from Bubba in the tree fort that is in the front yard. However, does she remember to wear shoes? No she wants to be like Mogli in the Jungle Book and be barefoot. So everytime she wants down I of course must be ready to help.
Thinking the children will go to bed easy tonight since they were up at the crack of dawn, we do bed time routine at 7:15 and by 7:45 they are in the beds with books and lights off. Oh I forgot, Madi lost her 2nd tooth this afternoon so its constant questions and excitement about the tooth fairy.
9:36pm Finally get to sit down and put my feet up. Geez 2 hrs really? Just to get the little buggers to actually fall asleep. That's ridiculous, I check all the clocks to make sure, yes, its true. Nice. What a great evening. At least I am comforted by the fact that when I am finally done I am home alone. Nothing makes me more irritated than coming out of the room once the children are asleep and realizing that my husband has spent the last several hours on the PS3. I strain myself to stay awake until 11ish when the hubby walks in the door from work. I am sooo tired having been up since 4:15am but I feel like I never saw him today and it would be nice to watch tv or something, if I can keep my eyes open. Good thinking for him to bring home a tall can of Coors light but nothing for me. A glass of wine sounds like heaven right now. Oh well. At least its that time of the month so I have a good excuse for not giving in to you know what...Now can I go to bed?
2am Bubba wakes up crying and wants me to lay with him. Apparently they were both awake for whatever reason and Mitchell was trying to handle it(sweet, really) but they wanted mommy(of course). I lay down next to Bubba to cuddle, its a tight squeeze in his toddler bed but hey, its soft and I am tired. Madi is rolling back over to fall asleep when she remembers that her tooth was left for the tooth fairy. Oh crap! Tooth Fairy...I hope Mitchell has cash! I reassure Madi that I am sure she will be here later, its still night time, etc. Wait for her to fall asleep again before I leave the money. $2.60 for one tooth. I remember getting a dollar but I bet with inflation and the current prices of things, I should really leave like $10. Yah right, I think I need that more than Mattel does! Besides at 5 she is still confused on the fact that paper money is worth more than the silver pieces. Worst part is I probably WILL end up spending $10 by the time we pay for the gas to get to the store and help her buy something since $2.60 is not going to get her anything! Ohh maybe the Dollar Store will be a good choice...Okay now good night!
July 14, 2008
Another Summer day
So its July 14th, a Monday. I am sitting here alone at night, kids are in bed, Mitchell is at work. My usual activity of finally getting a chance to put my feet up and watch tv or surf the net. Does anyone still call it surfing the net anymore? So I don't why but I randomly decided to start a blog. A lot has changed in our life over the past year and I think there is much more change to come in the next year so as much as I would love to write in a real journal like I did growing up, I long ago became a faster typer than writer. And maybe if others read this it will be my way to communicate since I can never get a moment on the phone alone. Something triggers my children to come whine for something as soon as that cell hits my ear. Although I must say, this morning I somehow was able to have a 2 hour conversation with Chrystina, my sister-in-law. Which was much needed since I had not spoken with her in probably a month, lucky girl was in Texas! :) Of course as soon as I got off my husband had a huge sigh of relief and asked about breakfast. It was 10:45am! Why are men sometimes so incapable of doing something simple?
So this blog will probably just be a normal, boring, sometimes crazy story of my daily life as a mom of two, wife of one, full time student and part time employee! Stay tuned!
So this blog will probably just be a normal, boring, sometimes crazy story of my daily life as a mom of two, wife of one, full time student and part time employee! Stay tuned!
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