Sunday Grains of Gratitude......

Another week down, and soon it will be March - crazy stuff! Sorry I haven't been blogging much, Brady's school situation kind of has me in a tizzy and I'm so frustrated and discouraged and I'm just trying to regroup and find the best way to move forward. I wish things were different, I wish attitudes were different. I'm so grateful to others who blazed the trail before me, because just from my small experience this year, I can tell you, trail blazing is hard, and there are so many obstacles to overcome that sometimes you just want to sit down in the middle of the path and just give up. Of course, that wouldn't be fair to Brady, nor would be being a good mom to do so - so - we will forge ahead. Can we do it? YES we CAN!!!

This week I'm grateful....

that Brady is feeling a little bit better. He was home sick Wednesday through the end of the week, but seems to be less goupy and coughy than before. All these little viruses this year are really hitting him hard.

that the kids could go to the "reward" party for getting enough cans for the foodbank at Christmas. They showed KungFu Panda on the big screen in the auditorium at a local highschool. The kids have seen it a million times, but the draw of free - free movie, free popcorn, free candy was too much and they HAD to go :) I'm grateful the hubs took them, as I was taking dinner to a girl in our ward who just had a baby, and they had a good time. Brady loved it and was quoting lines left and right and cracking up - he loves that movie ;)

that I got Brady and Little K's rooms cleaned out yesterday. I love it when things are dejunked - hate the process, but love the result ;) Now to tackle the boy's room later this week - that will be an adventure!

that I got to spend some time with the big girls and their friends yesterday. C and a friend were here doing homework - for forever, and Big K and a friend came over and tye dyed shirts. It's always fun to listen to their conversations, they are such fun and funny girls :)

that the hubs and J got to go night skiing. The YM were going for YM's and needed an extra driver, so the hubs went. J wasn't too sure he wanted to go, it was his first time skiing, but I think he really enjoyed it. Both he and the hubs were sore yesterday, but they had lots of fun :)

that H and I could do a lunch date. He was the only one home on Friday night, and we were carless/glassesless, so I promised him we could do something fun on Saturday. It was fun to go out with him - he's such a nice boy and I love him to pieces :)

that the hubs was home all week - no business trips - I loved it!!! And, as an added bonus - his car seems to be working just fine again. He thinks the problem is some floaties that clog the fuel line occasionally. We had a repair a few years ago and a coupling had disintegrated and some of the pieces had fallen into the tank/reservoir whatever car thingie it is and they said that every so often they could float up and block the whatever other car thingie. So, the hubs thinks that is what is happening when the car bucks - so - not so reliable for long trips or anything, but it's okay for just around town - that is a blessing!!! The kids are happy too, cause now we don't have to car shuffle and carpool quite as much - it was getting a bit tricky!!!

that Big K got into her college of choice - I know I mentioned that before, but we are really grateful :)

What are YOU grateful for today???

What Internet Slang are you????

You Are LOL

The internet is always cracking you up. You could waste the day away finding things to laugh at. You're usually the first one to find a new funny video, picture, or website. You're always up for wasting time online, even if (especially if) you're at work. You also tend to spend a lot of time chatting, especially with people who make you laugh out loud.

What Internet Slang Are You?

6 things that make me happy......

I'm borrowing this from my friend at Joyful Days, cause I really need to think about some things that make me happy, instead of all the crap at Brady's school that is making me CRAZY!!!!!

So - here goes.....

The rules for the tag are simple.Link to the person who has tagged you.Write down six things that make you happy. Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it. Then tell the person when your entry is complete.


1. My family. I just love my family - all of it - my brother and sister, my parents, my kids. They are just the most important thing in this world to me. They make me crazy, but they also make me so happy.

2. The scriptures and feeling the spirit. I love the guidance and wisdom I get from reading my scriptures daily. Sometimes there don't seem to be any little gems that come from our morning sleepy scripture study, but sometimes the spirit is overwhelming and really speaks to my heart. It makes me happy to know that I can learn from and read the words our Heavenly Father wants us to know.

3. Chocolate - what more can I say - it just makes me happy.

4. Hugs - from Brady, from my kids, from a friend who knows I'm feeling down, or frustrated, or out of my mind :)

5. Sleep. I love sleep! Having been born tired, sleep just makes me happy!

6. A hot bubble bath with a good book.

What makes YOU happy???

I tag anyone who wants to play - link back though - so I can read what really makes your heart sing!

Sunday Grains of Gratitude......

Okay, okay - I know I'm a little late here. But hey - it was a holiday weekend, I have an excuse - right??? I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day and President's Day weekend :) I know I did :)

This week I'm grateful.....

that we got to go on vacation and visit with my parents and brother and his family :) We missed having Big K with us, but the rest of us were together. And, while it wasn't exactly hot and balmy, it was nicer than at home and staying in a hotel and being away from chores and the same-old, same-old was nice ;) I'm grateful we traveled safely, as there was a 22 car and 6 semi-truck pile-up on the way down (that we were detoured around), and the roads were terrible. I'm grateful we made it home before the next winter storm hit - I am not loving the snow on my porch this morning!!! Thanks mom and dad, we had a great time :)

that Big K got accepted to her University of choice - yayyyyy! Now to see about housing and scholarships - hoping that both will come through ;) Keeping my fingers crossed and praying :)

that Big K was safe and had fun while we were gone :) I mean, I wish she'd missed us more, but I remember what it was like to be 18 :) LOL

that my friend Karen's kids were not seriously injured in the terrible accident that they were in. Still praying for Karen and hoping that she will be out of ICU soon and that she recovers well.

that I had a fun Valentine's day with my kids and hubby :) The chocolates were yummy and going out for dinner and relaxing while the kids swam in the pool was GREAT!!!! Thanks for dinner and the date, Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks for babysitting J and C (at different times). Thanks for the company Brant and Marilyn and family :) Thanks for a fun time shopping, Mom :) Thanks for a great vacation!!!

Now it's back to real life - sighhhhhh.......

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.......

Another week down, almost half-way through February - who can believe it. And, what a crazy week it was. The hubs was out of town in Boston all week and it was a crazy busy one with several things each night! But, I survived and it always strengthens my appreciation for the hubs and all he does when he's not here to help go in three different directions :) It also increases my admiration for all the single moms I know who do this on a regular basis, with a full time job, and do it well - they're amazing.

This week I'm grateful....

well - that I made it through the week :) That in itself was a feat :)

that my sister came to visit :) It was fun to see her and spend time with her :) Hope your hotel plans etc... go well, Leslie and that I get to see you in June :) She's a busy lady - so I appreciate her taking the time to just hang out with her little sis :)

that the nasty, painful stomach bug that's going through our family only lasts a couple days. 4 down, 4 to go......

that parent teacher conferences are over, that I managed to make it through Brady's without slugging his teacher. I swear his IQ drops when he walks into that classroom - sighhhh. I went to a meeting at the charter school I have my kids in the lottery for, and while I really don't want to take them out of their neighborhood school, I can think of some bonuses this school would offer, including having Brady have more time to go to the same school as his siblings (it goes through 9th grade). Apparently we have a 50% chance of getting in with having a child going into 7th grade, so I'm leaving it in the Lord's hands, if He wants the kids there, then He'll get them in ;) None of them are very thrilled about the uniform thing, and really I am a total advocate for public education (not that a charter school isn't public, because it is publicly funded, but it's a little different), but something has to change. I can't deal with the school OT anymore, he's a jerk, I am appalled at some of the statements that Brady's special education teacher made and her vision of inclusion and my vision of inclusion are two totally different things. I don't know that the charter school has all the answers either, but I am tired of fighting the same battles, and I'm beginning to think maybe a change of venue could give me a different perspective - we'll see. I keep praying to know what is best for them....

that the kids got to go to C's Pink Panther 2 fundraiser. I knew they wanted to see the movie - so I'm grateful that the hubs was willing to take them - at midnight.... Brady and I stayed home and slept like babies :) I am hoping that next time C will really do more fund raising from OTHER people, instead of just her family - how is it that we're always buying her extra tickets....

that I survived my first speaking engagement at a Pack meeting for my unit commissioner job ;) I'm sure there will be more. I forget how excited little boys get about cub scouts - they really are so cute :)

that we've completed all our eye appointments - one more thing checked off the list :) So happy about that ;) C, the hubs and I are all getting new glasses. C picked some frames with a little bling - so like her. The hubs wanted some outrageously expensive Gucci frames, but his frugal nature won out and he got something a little more budget friendly ;) And me, I just went with the same old, same old. The hubs mentioned they looked just like my OLD glasses (that H sat on and broke ages ago....) What can I say, at least I'm consistent ;)

that Big K got accepted to one of the Universities she applied to. It's not her first choice, but probably where she will end up to finish her pharmacy program anyway. She is still waiting to hear from her first choice - hopefully soon!!!! But, at least we know she can go to college next year ;) WTG Big K!!!

that Monday was a professional day last week and that we have President's Day coming up - I LOVE days off of school :)

What are YOU grateful for this week???

It doesn't feel like it could really have been twenty years ago....

twenty sounds like such a BIG number, and surely I'm not that old ;)

I had lunch yesterday with a friend from college that I haven't seen in at least 12 years. I have to admit, I was nervous. I mean, it's been 12 years and what seems like a lifetime of experiences that we've both had that are very separate :) She was always so amazing and talented and self-confident :) I was more on the shy side and definitely not as self-confident. And, as for talents - well - I'm a little short on talent, then AND now LOL And, honestly, 12 years and a bunch of kids later - well - the body is not exactly in prime condition anymore - with sags and bags and don't even get me started on the wrinkles and rolls :) But the desire to reconnect overcame all those misgivings, and I'm so glad it did :)

It was so nice - not weird or awkward, and being nervous was all for nothing ;) It was so fun to catch up and reconnect and find out what has happened in her life and the lives of her/our friends over the last 20 years. It doesn't seem like that long ago we were hanging out at the shaved ice place, sitting in French class, or giggling about the hot boys she knew (and boy did she know a lot of boys LOL). She had a huge impact on my life, showed me a lot of things that shaped how I wanted to be as a person, introduced me to other people who changed my life. I think the years that Lisa, Wanda and I hung out changed my life forever, and definitely for the good :) I'm grateful that we were friends then, and that we could reconnect now - past the yearly Christmas card :) I like the people we've become as we've grown up even more than the people we were when we were younger - and I think we were pretty great when we were younger - but the experiences that life has thrown at us - well dang, they sure look good on us ;)

So, Lisa, thanks for braving a broken car (glad it's fixed) and coming and meeting me - not to mention driving in my very messy/dirty van (did I mention we pretty much live in that thing and that the kids were SUPPOSED to clean it out on Saturday - but amazingly seemed to weasle out of that job..... Sooo embarassing - but hey - I'll get over it :) Lunch was yummy and catching up was great. It was fun to remember way back when, I really think that was the best summer of my "youth", and I'll be forever grateful for French 101 :)

Can't wait til we do lunch with Wanda - it'll be an adventure!

I am soooo tired......

it's my tag line. From as long as I can remember, I have been tired.....

Nothing's changed......

I am just exhausted from keeping up with my bunch. I must need to take more vitamins or something....

As for sleep - last night I let Brady stay in bed with Little K and kick her all night. I've got to get him back in for a repeat sleep study, he's just not sleeping well. I think his apnea is getting worse - or it could still just be from his sinuses. I think we'll be looking at a cpap in our future. That will be fun times!!!!

But, for the moment - there are a lot of exhausted people over here at Brady's bunch - pretty much everyone is still laying around, and on a school day. I just can't seem to get anyone moving.....

including myself........

What is your 80's Karaoke song???

Your 80s Song is "1999"

If you were transported back to the 80s, your life would be all about living large. You love the excess that the 80s represented, even if the party wasn't meant to last. You think of the 80s as a time of wild fashions, big money, and fast cars. And that's a world you wouldn't mind being a part of!

What's Your 80s Karaoke Song?

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.....

Can you believe that January is over? It usually just crawls on by, but it's gone - over - poof! I remember always thinking that January and February seemed like the longest months of the year. I swear the world is spinning faster, or something - gosh!!!

This week I'm grateful....

for my warm house. I've just been sooo cold and chilly this week and I'm grateful to be able to sit in front of the fireplace or turn up the heat and just be warm.

for our assistant principal. She is really great - I will miss her when she goes off to be a full time principal. She told me she's been called back for more interviews. She will be a fabulous principal, but our school won't be the same without her! She called to check up on Brady and see what we'd decided. She is committed to making things work for him. She is so great!

that I got Big K's scholarship info in. Apparently though, we were supposed to have filled out the the government FAFSA stuff well in advance. I didn't think we would qualify and didn't know it was required, so, ours didn't get submitted until yesterday, along with the comprehensive scholarship app. I hope she'll still be considered, but, who knows. Live and learn, live and learn....

that tomorrow is a professional day, so no school - yayyyyy!

that J got 100% on his map test. And, apparently they had to take the citizenship test and he's a well prepared American citizen ;) Maybe he should smuggle it out to me, cause I could sure use some prepping before I take it :) LOL

that today is my neice, Kristin's, birthday - Happy 19th Kristin!

that C passed her referee test and her classes are over - now to send in her registration fee and get her signed on to start working once soccer season starts :) A job for C - yayyyyy!

that Brady is feeling a lot better. Well - better enough to let J have it when he dared to drink some of Brady's pop ;) I'm not sure what all he said, but I could hear it in the tub in my bathroom and he was letting him have it in the kitchen. It was one LOUD lecture......

What are YOU grateful for today?????

p.s. sorry for the brevity and lack of levity, but I am still sick and my brain just isn't functioning on it's usual level - ughhhhhh!