Busy Busy

Whew have I been busy!  Last week I managed to clean the garage, the girls room and closet, little man's room, do tons of dishes and even more laundry plus the numerous errands and every day stuff.  Needless to say I was exhausted!

This week my goals are:
* Clean little man's closet
* Clear out little man's dresser drawers (I def do not have clothes in there he outgrew 3 years ago!)
* Finish up my bedroom
* Clean out under my sink (HELP!!!)
* Finish up the last loads of laundry and get them all put away
* Get rid of numerous towels (I am sure we don't need 50 of them..ok I have no clue how many we actually have but its a lot!)

I am sure there will be more stuff popping up but this way I can look back and see how much I have accomplished!  We still have to clear out our shed, kitchen stuff, storage, etc but at least progress is being made!

Too much stuff!

Yesterday the girls and I spent the day cleaning their room and getting rid of obvious stuff that they don't want.  My word they have too much stuff and I haven't even touched their closet yet!  I am actually dreading the day where we have to actually sit down and decide item by item what they want to keep or get rid of.  "A" is actually excited about picking out what she is going to sell in the yard sale we are having here soon so that makes it a bit easier.  "M" and "V" on the other hand are going to fight me tooth and nail I think.  Its a good thing that "S" doesn't really get a choice in the matter!  I just can't wait to have The Hubby home for a consistent amount of time so I can have another pair of hands to help with all of this mess.

Anyone out there have any tips/tricks on how to make the sorting process easier?  Or how to get kids to be more willing to get rid of things that you know they don't want or need?

Five Question Friday

So glad to be back and joining in again!  Head on over to My Little Life to read some great answers to her 5 Question Friday!  

1. Who mows your grass?  We have a lawn service since I am severely allergic to grass and The Hubby isn't always home. 

2. Do you have a picture wall or picture gallery in your house (show us! <--- my addition to the question)?  We did until we painted.  We were just about to hang everything up when we found out we were moving so now I have to wait until we get all settled to enjoy them again.  :(  

3. What book has influenced your thinking the most? Or, what blog? (I want to read what gets people thinking!)  I read for fun really.  I like murder mystery so I don't think anyone wants those inspiring me to do much!  As far as blogs?  I like reading CleanMama to give me ideas on cleaning.  She has so many ways to make cleaning go faster which with kids is a bonus!  

4. Do you have allergies? If so, how do you handle it this time of year? Yep horrible ones!  My main allergy is to grass, trees, & weeds so yep I am miserable right now!  The Rx med I was taking is not made anymore so I swapped to another one and so far so good.  I am also allergic to fruits but those I just avoid eating.  :) 

5. What's your go to meal to cook in an hurry? HMM Spaghetti or BBQ beef cups.  Those are some of the favorites around here that are quick to make.

Have a great weekend!  

So much has happened

Whoa!  So I thought I would get back to blogging but wow so much has happened lately.  The hubby has been on several training courses, we went to Las Vegas and had the most wonderful time, took a trip to TX and AL to visit family over Spring Break and more!

The biggest thing is we are most likely having to move!!  Holy cow we have been fortunate enough to be stationed in the same place for 12 years now so moving will be an experience for everyone.  The biggest being that we have never PCS'd as a family.  When the Hubby and I moved here we had a newborn, ourselves, and a itty bitty bit of furniture (maybe 2 rooms worth!).  This time we are moving 12 years of furniture, clothes, toys, etc!  Hmm maybe we can fit everything in under our weight limit.

Right now we are in the middle of purging tons of stuff.  So far the master closet and dresser have been tackled and I am going to work on S's stuff tomorrow and then the girls will be hopefully tackled this weekend and next week.  Then the garage, storage and the shed still need to be done..ugh.  At least it will all be worth it in the end and I will have gotten rid of tons of stuff and when we get the new house unpacked everything will be in its own place!  Bonus is blogging about it will give me motivation to actually get off my duff and get something accomplished.

I will try to be back with pictures of our trips if I can get the pictures to work right!  Hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

Back to blogging???

I cannot believe it has been so long since I have been here!  I had to take a break for me in all honesty.  I am sorry I left so abruptly.  I am going to give this a whirl again so please feel free to come back anytime!

So many things have happened!  The wonderful hubby returned from a year long deployment and we are fully adjusted to the whole family life now.  The kiddos are growing every single day by leaps and bounds and just continue to shock me.  M is now in 6th grade and doing AWESOME!  She is in the band and plays the flute.  That's our artsy girl.  V is in 4th grade and is soaring.  Our itty bitty A started Kindergarten...WHAT??!!! She loves it and learns more and more all the time.  She does get upset that she can't read signs everywhere like her big sisters though but she will get there!  S is in a half day preschool program which is totally needed by both him and I.  There were many days at the beginning where I wondered if I made the right decision b/c  pretty much everyday was a "not good" day per his teacher but we pushed on and he has more good days than "not good" days now!  He just needs structure and I am completely not a structured person!  

Many home improvements have been made around here by way of paint, paint, paint oh and some knick knacks and new furniture around the house.  Next up is cabinets being redone (maybe painted?), floors, new pictures hung, etc!  Hopefully by the time we get ready to leave this wonderful (but far outgrown by us) house we will have everything done.  Hey I said hopefully!  

So enough about me what has everyone else been up to??

Mamarazzi Monday-Pool time fun

 Summertime is in full swing!!

Who would have thought I could go from this....

and this.....

to this! This little boy does not like water at all.

Not even a hug from his little cousin would work this time!

Favorite phrase of the day? "Get me out!"

PS..."M" was impossible to get good pictures of b/c she was always under water!!! 

This post has been linked to Mamarazzi Monday over on Household 6 Diva! Head on over to see what other amazing Mamarazzi's have captured!

Getting to know YOU Sunday

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my wonderful husband!  We love you so very much.

Its Sunday which means its time for another round of Getting to know You over at MannLand5!  Head on over and see all the other wonderful people's answers.

1. While at the beach, pool, etc..Do you cover up your assets or show them off?  UMM If I had any assets I would sure show them off!  Well I take that back...one year long ago when my stomach was flat I did wear a bikini but now its a tankini all the way!



2. Road trips or Plane trips?  Road trips!  Nothing is more fun to me than loading everyone in the car and making impromptu stops along the way just to see what you can find.


3. I can't stand it when...?  My kids scream at each other.


4. Have you ever gone topless at the beach?  Nope no way no how!


5. How many blog carnivals do you do a week?  3 or 4?  Some days I just cant get my brain to function so a carnival is the way to go!


6. My favorite thing about the weekend is...?  Sleeping in and most weekends no dance!


7. Pancakes or waffles?  Waffles.  Gotta love the syrup hanging out in all the squares :)


8. Water Park or Amusement Park?  Geez since I havent been to either in forever I will say water park. 

Too Funny

And yet so true!!!

A friend of mine sent me this link on Facebook and I just thought it was too funny not to share!  Brenna over at Suburban Snapshots is sure to keep you smiling, laughing, etc for a while so head on over and see what else she has to offer.  So without further ado...

Why having a toddler is like being at a Frat party:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.


9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.



8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.



7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.



6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.



5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.



3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.



2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.



1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

Wordless Wednesday

Who can resist these shots?? 

So sweet....

My beautiful ballerina!

This post has been linked to Wordless Wednesday

Tiny bit scared

Just a small post to get my thoughts and feeling out and hopefully forgotten! 

I am going in tomorrow for an outpatient surgery. I have never been put to sleep or had any kind of surgery other than having my wisdom teeth removed!  At first I was kind of freaked out over the fact of being put to sleep. Then it turned into being intubated.  That thought didn't hit me until I was doing my pre-op information and they mentioned it.  UMM guess I never thought about the fact that when you are put to sleep you would have to be intubated..haha!  Now the fears run anywhere from "What if the anesthesia doesn't work and I can feel everything?" to the typical "What if I don't wake up!"  I know these are general fears before any type of surgery so I am dealing with it. 

I know that I am blessed with family that is going with me, friends that are helping with the kids, friends and family that are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers, and friends and family that are stopping by to check on me.  Who could ask for anything better?

I think the hardest part so far has been putting my kids to sleep tonight and knowing that tomorrow I will not be able to pick my kiddos up to give them their good night hugs and kisses or put my son in his crib.  At least I will be able to have them sit in my lap (depending on pain level) and I can love on them that way! 

Now comes the fun part...staying up late(r) so I can eat something tonight!!  I don't go in until late in the morning and I still can't eat anything after midnight!  WHAT????  Do they not realize that one of the first things I do in the morning is have my caffeine?  How in the world am I supposed to function when I can't do that?  Hopefully the nerves and anxiety will counteract the hunger and thirst! 

Ok that is all.  Now I am off to stuff my face so I won't starve in the morning!

Getting to know YOU Sunday

Its Sunday again which means another dose of Getting to know YOU with Kelly over at MannLand5!!

1. If you could have one of Superman's, powers which one would you want? Superhuman strength..Flight..Superhuman speed..X-Ray vision..etc    Probably strength so I can lug my kids and all their stuff around without getting tired!!

  
2. The best thing I ever won is....?  HMM No clue!!  Is that sad??


3. Have you ever skyped with a bloggy friend?  Nope havent had the chance yet!


4. What is your favorite Summer month?  I guess I would say June b/c we always get to head to Gatlinburg as a family.  Even though its for dance it still a great vacation for us!


5. Pool, Lake, or Ocean?  Pool for sure!!  I don't like not being able to see what is beneath my feet!


6. One of my favorite Summer memories is.....?  Sitting at the country club pool with my sister every single day in the summer when we were growing up. 


7. What's your favorite secret bargain? Dollar spot at Target.  We rarely head over there b/c its on the other side of town but when we do the kiddos love taking their own money and buying something.  Bargain for me b/c I dont have to spend my money..haha!


8. Do you plan on or have you been watching the World Cup?  Not a chance.  Sports are almost never watched in our house.  The only time I think we have had anyting sports related on the TV is for the Superbowl or the Olympics. 

Fake Phone Calls

Most people I know will have Santa or the Easter Bunny call their kids and remind them to behave but me?  Nope I just call Bebop (grandpa)!  Heck I can even pretend to call him by dialing the numbers and hitting the end button instead of send and they will usually straighten right up. If that doesnt work then I can make a real call and he will tell them he is coming on over to check on them later.  Works every single time! **Disclaimer.  This is only on those really bad days where you feel like you wanna pull your hair out! Not a daily basis. I am thankful to have family that will stand up and help when its needed!**

Case in point.  "M" and "V" have been fighting with me lately on cleaning the house.  So today we had to stop by and drop some stuff off at Grandma and Bebop's house so Bebop told them he was going for a haircut later on and would stop by to check on them.  Every 20-30 mins or so "V" would ask me "Is he here yet?"  My answer was always "I have no clue when he is stopping by but we better get to work before he shows up."  I really didnt and come to find out he didn't go and get a hair cut so he isnt coming by but hey their chores are done for the most part! 

So tell me.  Do you have a "trick" of making your kids behave when they just don't want to listen to you?

5 Question Friday

Its Friday!  Oh wait that means I have to have another yard sale.  This will be my 4th and last for the Summer and I will resume in the Fall with all the winter stuff.  Well since its Friday that means its time for 5 Question Friday with Mama M!!  Head on over and read some other wonderful bloggers answers.

1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship? Someone who is willing to listen to you complain, vent, cry, etc without expecting something in return.  Someone you can be yourself with and not worry they are going to think bad of you for not dressing to the nines everyday, having your house spotless, or anything else.  I love the friends I do have b/c they could care less who or what I am as long as I am there for them when they need it and when they dont.


2. What is the last thing you bought & later regretted?  Nothing big really but I guess it would be the last case of coke I bought.  I am trying really hard to limit the drinks I have but they just keep calling my name!  I have lowered it from an ungodly amount down to around 2 per day (some days) so we are making some progress!

3. Have you ever had a prank played on you? Pranks..hmmm.  The only thing I can think of is the time Daddy came up behind me and scared the bejeezus out of me.  I was in the laundry room and he came up behind me and screamed BOO.  I literally turned around and blacked out for a second it scared me so much!  Guess I wouldnt be much good if someone broke into my house..haha!

4. What is your favorite theme park?  I have only been to Disney World and that was when I was around the age of 6-8.  I do remember I loved every minute of it then so I am super excited when we get to go and take the kids!  That is our goal for next year or the year after.

5. Have you ever seen someone else give birth?  I have and it was amazing!!  One of our good friends needed someone to support her as the father was in Iraq and she asked me!  I was pregnant with "A" at the time and was due in a couple of months so it was neat to see what I hadn't been able to see during my other 2 births. 

2 Weeks??

Seriously? Has it really been that long since I have had time to sit down and post! You may ask what has been keeping me so busy. Well actually you may not but I will share it with you anyway! After the girls last day of school rectial week started. This consisted of many (too many) late nights with super sleepy kids. My sister came up to visit and help me with the kids during the recital. Recital ended the Sunday before Memorial Day and one would think "Great she got to relax" right? UMM nope! This woman ended up with a horrible case of strep throat and had to be seen twice in order to get it resolved. These 2 visits to the doctors ended up with me getting two shots in the booty too. Yippie!  (PSST...Toradol is a wonderful drug and if I ever need another anti-inflammatory I will be asking for it!)

Summer dance classes are in full swing and Nationals are just around the corner! I am ready for just a week of relaxation. After Nationals we have a little break until mid-July when dance camp starts. I am sure there will be a soccer camp or 2 thrown in there sometime as well. Who said summers were lazy?

I am having a small out-patient surgery next week which scares the crud out of me. I have never been put to sleep or had any kind of surgery so its definitely a new experience. Hopefully the recovery is quick and pain-free. I am so thankful that my In-laws are taking the kiddos for a couple of days and then my sister is coming up for the rest of the recovery. So everyone keep your fingers crossed things go well and I am back to my normal, crazy, chaotic self soon!

See even posting this has taken me several days b/c things have been so crazy around here! Here are a few (seriously a few seeing as I took over 6500!!!) pictures I snapped from recital. Enjoy!

Schools Out For Summer!

So today was the girls last day of school!  I officially have a 3rd grader and a 5th grader.   UMM this means I am super duper close to having a middle schooler!!   When the heck did that happen???  I mean I am not possibly old enough to have one child close to middle school, one child more than 1/2 way through elementary school, a preschooler and a newly toddler!  Its just not possible I tell ya. 

In honor of it being summer the first thing that popped into my head was this song.  Maybe that tells my age (not that I was born when it was played but hey thats neither here nor there!) but I am not old enough to have kids growing up this fast!

Getting to know YOU Sunday

Its Sunday which means its time for another round of Getting to know YOU from MannLand5! 

1. Do you have a fetish?  Nope cant say I do! 


2. Do you sing in the shower?  No way!  I would probably scare everyone in the house if I did.  I will keep singing to the times I am alone in the car (which is almost never) so I dont have to torture anyone.

3. Who was your first crush?  Oh geez...I guess it would have to be the boy who lived down the road from my Papaw.  He was actually my first kiss too! Guess the crush worked both ways. 

4. What do you think is the best manly trait a guy could have?  To be caring yet not too sensitive.  I think men think that showing some sensitivity is feminine but when you look at a loving, caring, sensitive man it shows how strong and manly he really is.  He isnt ashamed to show it either!

5. Do you sleep naked?  Sometimes.  When Daddy is home mostly but when he is gone no way!  I end up with too many kids in my bed randomly so its easier to have some clothing on then!

6. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? Depending on the situation I make faces at them, chew on my cheek, pick the wedgies, oh I am sure there are many more!

7. What's the first thing you do when you go online? Check my email. 

8. Summer is.....?  Hot, noisy, busy, relaxing, fun, crazy, and so on and so forth.  There are so many emotions that go with summer

5 Question Friday

Wait how did it get to be Friday already??  I completely missed most of this week.  Oh well if its Friday then that means its time for 5 Question Friday with Mama M over at My Little Life!! 

1. Do you have an iPhone and, if so, how do you get apps and what are your favorites?  Nope no Iphone for me!  I am now a Crackberry Blackberry user now.


2. What is your fondest memory of K-3rd grade?  Probably the most vivid memory is when I found out I had chicken pox.  I was in 3rd grade and it was my very first year at a new school so yep guess who was so completely embarrassed when 1/2 the class ended up with chicken pox in the next week or so!!  If you guessed me then you were absolutely correct.  If not then well sorry can't help you there. :)


3. What makes you cringe at the thought of touching? Someones feet. I love getting a pedicure but can't imagine how those people get over touching peoples feet!   They are just overall yucky to me!


4. If you could have any celebrity show up on your doorstep who would it be and why?  Oh as of this week it would have to be Supernanny.  My kiddos need an attitude adjustment.  Hopefully they wouldnt scare her away though!  If not here then it would have to be one of those organizational gurus, who cares which one!  As long as they will organize my house I will be forever grateful.


5. What would you say is your best physical feature?  Crud I have no clue!  If I had to guess I would say my eyes.  If you had asked this a couple of years ago I would have said my legs but they have decided to revolt on me along with my rear end, stomach, hips, etc!!  Darn this getting older thing.

Wordless Wednesday

Don't mess with the 3 year old!! 

Ok so I feel the need to explain this picture!  I saw this in my room and asked why her doll was standing there with tape on her mouth and "A" replied that she had thrown a toy and was in time out!  No clue where the tape comes into play b/c I certainly never put tape on the kids mouth!!

This post is linked to Wordless Wednesday

UMM YUCK!

I saw this picture on a friends Facebook page and it just made my stomach turn so I thought I would share it with all of you!  Makes you wonder now doesn't it??

After the weekend and so far week I have had I needed some humor.  I have had a very sick boy who was running a temp between 101-105.5!!  Talk about scaring a mommy senseless (I am short on that as is).  After a visit to the Doctor in which he threw up all over himself, the Dr (sorry Dr. J!) and the floor we were diagnosed with Strep Throat.  He is only running a low grade temp today but sure is grumpy.  I cannot wait for him to feel better.

Hope everyone is having a great day so far!

Getting to know YOU Sunday

Its Sunday which means Getting to know YOU over at MannLand5!   Head on over and get to know some other people.

1. The most expensive thing hanging in my closet is.....?  UMM does it have to be mine?? If not then it would be Daddy's uniforms!  If it has to be mine then I would say my ball gowns.  I definitely do not have expensive clothing or shoes.  Hello mother of 4 kiddos..haha!


2. Have you ever played a team sport? Yep I played softball way back in the day.  I loved it but decided I would rather ride horses instead so softball got kicked to the curb.


3. If you were a bug, what kind would you be?  HMM..maybe a ladybug?  My kids seem to love them so I know they would still love me if I had to be a bug!


4. Where on your body is the worst place to get sunburned?  The tushie for sure!!  Who would want to get burned on their tushie?  You wouldnt be able to sit down anywhere without hurting.  (And no I will not tell you how I know this!!)


5. Are you happy?  Most days yes.  I was letting the unhappiness take over a while back but have decided that I am the one who determines my happiness and I want to be happy so there you have it!


6. People are always abbreviating..are there any abbreviations that make your skin crawl when people use them?  OMG..yep typing it right then about killed me!  Everytime I see it all I can hear is some 16 yr old smart mouthed girl saying it and its like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.


7. Do you love where you live..or could you live anywhere?  I do love where I live but would love to venture to other places one day but cold places are not on my list!!


8. What, if any, extreme measures do you go to to keep yourself from overeating when you're full? I usually just set it to the side when I am full.  Some days I will go back and keep snacking on it depending on what it is but when I am full I am full and there is nothing else entering my mouth.