2010 Wrap Up

OK so here are the highlights....good and bad of 2010........

1. Chelsea turns 16
2. Chelsea moves back in with me
3. Keith and I are officially seperated...waiting on day 365 to get divorced
4. Dad passes away March 25th
5. Dad's burial April 25th
6. Chelsea was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and hospitalized
7. Chelsea moves back to Texas
8. Kaitlyn is in 3rd gd,Kase is 2nd, Coby is in 1st...and Chelsea is a Junior
9. Kase had pneumonia for 2 weeks...should have been hospitalized
10. Lost my job...but started a new one....
11. boys start Cub Scouts, and Kaitlyn starts girl scouts

The Last Day....of 2010

OMG...where did the year go....it started off sooo slow...but then like warp speed it left. This year has brought me so much pain, heartache, knowledge, and clarity. I want to experience LIFE...and all that GOD has in store for me in 2011!! A new year for new beginings.... (maybe even go back to school)



So until next year......(love saying that)......

Christmas

Christmas has came and went....the kids got wayyy too much from everyone...including Santa!! Speaking of Santa....here the kids are visiting him at our annual trip to see Santa at Bass Pro! I just love this picture!!



Here is the night before Christmas...none of the kids wanted to go to bed.....after about an hour telling Coby Santa was watching....and that he was going to pass our house...he finally fell asleep in MY bed with me next to him!! :)



Feeding Santa's reindeer.....

A snack for Santa....

Christmas morning.....

Santa brought Nintendo DS's to all 3...pink for KK, blue for Coby and red for Kase; along with other goodies.......

A bike for Kaitlyn and Kase...and Coby a scooter......along with other stuff from me and Keith.....

...of course it didnt stop there...they still had Keith's family to visit....and we will do Christmas with mine when we get to go to Texas.....

....but for this year...it is OVER....another year gone....another year older, wiser....and richer....LOL...yeah that's richer in LOVE....not MONEY....LOL

Christmas Parties at School

Kase watched Polar Express and hung out..then everyone swapped candy.....

Kaityn...watched a movie on Friday...but on Thursday....went from classroom to classroom...from all the 3rd grade teachers and made several different crafts.....

Coby had a big class party......

....of course they brought home lots of goodies....too much....and each student along with their teachers received a reindeer jingle bell necklace! (Kase has his on in the picture above)

Parade and Cub Scout Awards

OK...so here lately I have really sucked at keeping up my blog....I have all the intentions to...and then something else comes up. I really tried spending more time with the kids when I have them....or cleaning/decorating when they are with Keith...instead of spending soooo much time on the internet. (guess I should have asked Santa for a laptop..LOL)... Anyway...all is well...work is going good...a few bumps getting used to things...but with the holidays behind...I am ready to focus more on the kids, their troups...and get back to scrapping.

The boys were suppose to march in the Christmas parade here in Loranger with their pack...but rain and other issues cancelled it for them...but we still went and they had a great time. They got lots of compliments from the police officers and firefighters...seeing them in their uniforms. ( I have to admit...they are too cute)

We had awards night for the boys in Cub Scouts....the boys each were awarded their Bobcat Patch....showing they know the scout promise and law...and then each one received a few other little awards for projects they do with the pack. (Kaitlyn is now in girl scouts..and will start after the 1st of the year)

Reflection Advent ~Day 7~

~Love~

....strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties


....I love my children, my family..my friends....

Reflection Advent ~ Day 6~

~Honesty~

..... devotion to telling the truth

Something I take pride in doing. I am no saint~LOL!! ...but I do tell the truth!! I do not believe in lying...nothing good ever comes of it...it usually consumes the person and then becomes their life. I try my hardest to teach the kids this moral. To teach them that this basis of truth telling is a foundation that once started...they will want to be on the right side...because once the trust is gone...its hard to restore it. Kaitlyn has been bring home books from class....some were given to her...some were not...but Kaitlyn has been telling everyone that they were. Well she confessed and had to learn a life lesson in honesty....and what stealing really means....!!

Reflection Advent ~Day 5~

~Cherish~

....to hold dear : feel or show affection for

I have tried to cherish moments with my kids more....sure I take the pictures...and make the scrapbook pages....but now I try to take the time....I try to include them more in the cooking...the cleaning...the daily things that I have to do...just to be with them...we play games....we make crafts together....or we just talk...or read....I know that one day they will not need me to do things for them....so I am trying to cherish these days right now since they still do!!

Reflection Advent ~ Day 4~

~Tolerance~


...inclined to tolerate especially marked by forbearance or endurance

.....this one is really implying to my kids. They say as you get older...you have less patience and tolerance....but I don't like being....'the norm'...so I have been trying really hard to take a deep breath before I react....and to realize that kids scream out for no apparent reason.....and little boys make gross noises for fun....and eating with your hands is 'normal' for kids their age.... and that saying 'mom' a hundred times before I get a chance to answer, was not to annoy me...but to get my attention.... :0

Reflection Advent ~Day 3~

~Hope~

.......to desire with expectation of obtainment

Well I have been desiring for several things this year. I was hopeful that I wouldnt loose my job...and they closed...but I hopeful that I would get another...and I did. In my financial areas of life....I have been hopeful of good outcomes...and I can't complain....I havent won the lottery....or met a millionaire....but I am hopeful....LOL

Reflection Advent ~Day 2~

~FAITH~

...is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen....Hebrew 11:1


....I have always felt as though my faith was strong...I wouldn't say unbreakable...but strong enough to endure alot....until dad died. I find myself questioning alot these days....I know what I have read.....or been told about when we die...but I don't find solace with it anymore. I have always been scared of dying.....that I won't get to see my kids grow up....but I am an adult...and it hasnt made it any easier to loose a parent. I guess we will always have that need....that connection to our parents no matter how old we get.

Reflection Advent ~Day 1~

~BELIEVE~

from Philippians 4:13

...I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me.....

I have had many challenges this year....filing for divorce, the loss of my dad, hardship with work, bills piling up, chelsea becoming ill, then chelsea moving back to Texas....sometimes believing that things will turn out ok...is really hard for me. I try not to doubt.....but I still do. I am a person of logic....of answers. I think that every problem has a solution...and that all solutions are ones that we create. ...I am learning to believe...that I have to let go and believe that it will be ok......that my dad is in a better place, that Chelsea will still be that awesome kid even though I am not there to see her through it......I am realizing that believing is knowing in your heart what your mind can't say outloud..........

Our Advent Calendars

wow...time flies by when you work, take care of kids, a home...and all the other misc stuff that goes on in my crazy life. Well Thanksgiving went well....I ate at Cracker Barrel....wasnt really up for the whole eat as a family thing with Keith and his family.....never really felt like I was family even when we were together...so the air is a bit chillier now....! Anyway...all went well...got to pick up some presents at awesome prices. I went to bed early and headed out to the black friday sales...so that was a treat...I have been in a few years. I would have loooved to have sat at my computer and NOT fight the mass of people or the thunderstorms that ponded down on me the whole day,.....but it all turned out ok.

December has begun....and the kids have been helping me decorate the house. We have the tree up....decorated...by them....and I have up most of the other decorations. They want some outside decorations...but I am not sure if I will get around to it. I am going to try to at least put up a wreath and maybe some garland...but thats a big ' IF '!! We have been doing an advent calendar for the last few years....just moving the stick to count down the days...but this year...I have started 2 more...one for them...and one for me.

The one for them....acts as a little mini present for the day....I placed different items in bags...labled them ....and each day the kids take turns opening the bags to get the suprise. It's been great....except I have found that they all seem to want the same item....I made sure to put 3 seperate ones in the bag....but they seem to want the same one....so a mental note for next year is to make all the items identical...LOL !! The items are nothing big....so far its been christmas socks, suckers, christmas pencils and erasers....and a few others are games, coloring books, christmas silly bands....and things like that. I only bought items that contained multiples in the pack so it was cost efficient too. I could have just stuck with candy...like most advent calendars...but with Halloween...and Christmas parties coming up.... I chose to limit the candy.

The one for me....is more of a reflection advent calendar. I have written down 25 action words to define for each day leading up to christmas. Each word is written on a piece of paper...then put into a jar...each day I draw one out. I have decided that I will make a reflection scrapbook or binder that I will bring out each year....and each year start a new book. I have listed the definition either through the bible or a dictionary.....and then my own thoughts or feelings of the word...and its reflection on my life. It's so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holidays...the shopping...buying...traveling that I decided to take time each day to reflect.....to enjoy the moments and the time I have with my family!

So thats about it for us....the boys have a parade this weekend that they will be in for cub scouts, then they have class parties on the 17th...and are out for the holidays...this year has just flown by....it will soon be 2011!!

~20 Days of Gratitude~ Day #3

There's nothing better than drying off with a fresh clean towel when you get out of the shower....or fresh clean sheets as you get into bed at night. Its so hard to believe that this little luxury hasn't always been there. That at one time.....life as I know it...didn't exist. So today I thankful for CLEAN CLOTHES!! Oh I can smell that fresh cent now.....

~20 Days of Gratitude~ Day #2

I know that sounds sooo corny...but I am. I am thankful for having a job. Being able to provide. Being able to pay bills. Buy food. I love what I do....so for me its a WIN WIN situation. Being a nurse is sooo much more than a paycheck....its self satisfaction knowing that you make a difference in someone's life. Its not allways sugar and cream....but the good times certainly outway the bad ones. I am THANKFUL to be a nurse!!!

~20 days of Gratitude~ Day #1

I have been talking with the kids about being THANKFUL....for all that they have. Explaining that so many children out there have nothing. We sat down last Saturday and talked about ways we could show our gratitude....not just with money...but with service. I asked the kids what they each thought they could do to HELP someone else. We talked about selling items such as clothes, toys and things we don't use or need....and donating the money to a local animal shelter....or a foster home for children. We even talked about a bake sale...Kaitlyn 'really' loved this one. We talked about helping out at school in the library or classroom....and not getting a paw ticket (these tickets are rewards at school)...because it was a good deed and we werent doing it to get something back. We talk about volunteering....and though they are a little young....that being in the girl scouts and boy scouts....is all about 'helping' in the community. We talked about them earing money to buy gifts for others instead of themselves....because 'giving' is so much more rewarding that 'receiving'. I was really suprised at how they each offered ideas....such as Kase wanted to sell 2 of his nerf blasters...or give them to someone...(these are like GOLD to him)...and Coby...well he didnt really offer anything....but wanted to give his money to help the puppies an kittens. Kaitlyn....she was a litle more difficult in forth coming like the others....she doesnt like to part with ANYTHING....she is soo much like her Paw Paw Ken... :) ....and Keith's dad isnt much better.....but in the end...she did say she would love to volunteer.

Since November is the month for thanksgivings....I decided to post each day about what I am thankful for.... I want to reflect on the blessings in my life and all the things I over look each day. It's not often that I stop from the everyday rush to reflect....and I want to change that. I want to stop and smell the roses (so to speak)....I want to 'live' in the moments that are my life right now!!

So for today.....I am thankful for our veteran's. The life that I have....the freedom I have....is because of the MANY men and women who have went to war to protect me and those laws which allow me....to be ME. I can say whatever I want. I can live how I choose. I have so many options being here in the US.......because of those men and women. They are my protectors...and I am THANKFUL!!!

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day....a day to to be thankful for all the men and women who have dedicated their lives to fight for our country. Let us not forget those who serve.....today and eveyday......



....or those who have given their lives in the fight......




~THANK YOU~

7 months, 12 days, 15 hours.....

Daddy....I keep dreaming about you...either I re-live a childhood memory......or like last night....I am trying to talk you into having surgery.....to make your heart well again. Daddy...it was sooo real! Sometimes I wake up...and I am crying....tears cover my pillow. I miss you THAT much!! I still miss you THAT much!!

It been 7 months, 12 days, and 15 hours and I feel.... heartbroken, disappointed that my younger children won't know the Paw Paw Ken that Chelsea does or get to go fishing with you, guilty for not staying 1 more day in Feburary or calling more often, lost, content that you passed in your sleep free from pain, angry for not having more time with you, blessed to have been your daughter, sad, grateful that your faith in GOD brought you to heaven, scattered like I can't find my way, commited to telling your story, determined to enjoy life more, lonely, pacified knowing that this is all part of God's master plan......

....no hour, day, month, or year....will ever take you from my thoughts Daddy....I LOVE YOU!!

Halloween Pics

Well another Halloween successfully over....with WAYYYY too much candy....and lots of tired FEET from walking!! LOL Our community celebrated Halloween on the actual day... even though it was Sunday this year.....so we ate supper and headed to our usual area of choice. Lots and Lots of kids this year....we parked the car and walked through the first subdivision...since lots of kids and parents were already out walking when we got there...plus the weather was nice...so it wasnt too bad. We got out the car and low and behold...I get the "mom...I should have went to the bathroom before we left" comment from Kase.....uuummmmm ya think? Thats probably why I said....GO before we left....anyway....besides hearing him....say..."I have to pee" about a hundred times. It wasnt too bad. (I offered to leave and take him to the store....but he insisted on making the block before we went to the bathroom)!! I wish I could make the kids understand that it doesnt matter who goes first......EVERYONE gets candy.....!! This seems to be the tug-a-war between Kase and Kaitlyn....EVERY YEAR!!! ....but a much better year on listening and NOT running!! Kudos to them! We then left that subdivision...went to the store to potty...then headed to our next stop.....I drove this time...and just let them go to the door by themselves....letting them be more independent!! We then headed to Amy's and over to Mary Ann's.....it was a LOOOONG night...and a school night to boot. The kids went to sleep in record time....they were worn out!!

Kaitlyn was a Princess Vampira

Kase was a Vampire Hunter (this came about when KK decided she was a Vampira...)

Coby was Jango Fett from Star Wars II: The Clone Wars

Kase just had to attack KK....

All three Trick or Treating....

The Pumpkin Patch

We all went to Heather's Pumpkin Patch on Saturday.......there was lots to do. They had a petting zoo, face painting, a pillow jumper (like a blow up bounce), a horse zipper (the kids rode horses made out of tires down a wire), a hay maze, a cotton field and of course a pumpkin patch....and so much more!! The weather was nice....sunny but cool. We haven't been in a few years...and they added lots of new attractions. Coby enjoyed it the most...he woke up on Sunday ready to go back! :)