Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Time to get to work...

That's right you read it right WORK...
Talk about being completely excited...Month's ago a friend mentioned a company called "West @ Home". Of course I was skeptical at first and looked it up online and she even said one of her friends worked for them for years. So I applied, couldn't hurt right? I would work from the privacy of my OWN office, on my computer, and using the phone. I would be contracted out to fortune 400 companies and do customer service basically. I get to select my OWN hours, not to mention I dont have to get out of my pajama's if I don't want to and when Elora starts Kindergarten it will be the PERFECT job for me.
I got the acceptance email Christmas morning and can't wait to get started. Back to some much desired extra cash and help build some in savings. Couldn't be happier about it!

Survival of the fitest...

::Whew::
As you can see we made it there and back in ONE piece. The drive to AR was a long and grueling 13 hr drive which let me tell you, you couldn't PAY me enough to live in Alabama...talk about BACK woods man...you can hear the song from deliverance in the background.
Our visit went fine.
The great grandparents ::LOVED:: seeing everyone and we are glad it made their time. We were there from December 20th until December 29th. The drive home was much better and a bit shorter since we didn't go through the long haul of Alabama...
We survived the cold temp that only occured ONE night which honestly was quite laughable. It got to 17 and then most of the time was in the mid 60's to low 70's talk about disappointment in the weather.
The kids were nice and happy. Santa brought them lots of toys and fun goodies to play with and keep them occupied while we were there. We also got to visit with a couple of Mark's high school buddies that we still keep in touch with which was really great and we thank them profusely for their hospitality.
I have TONS of pictures to go through and actually filled up my memory card and didn't bring the 4 G with me lol. I am currently going through 256 pictures and rotating and all that and will post some of Christmas day ect.
Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and have a happy and safe New Year!!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

December is in the air

It is definately getting closer to Christmas and almost in a state of panic! Still haven't finished Christmas shopping, thank goodness my cards were made back in Oct or I would of said forget it and sent regular cards haha. Two more weeks and we're off to Arkansas (eek) to spend a week with Mark's Grandparents, the children's GREAT grandparents. This should be interesting to say the least. The last time we saw Papa was summer 2005 so it's been a while. We wanted to make sure we saw him in good spirits while there was still time left. This next week should breeze on by I know this past week sure did.
Did great on some Ebay listings, much better than I had originally anticipated. That will be a nice cushion for us on our trip and we are planning to go to Tampa when we get home. I am so excited about Tampa. We've never been there before and it will be our first time going to the Busch Gardens Africa there. We will take a few days and do Tampa for a day, drive into Orlando (think it is an hour away or less) check into our hotel, then go to Sea World and come home. Island Adventure which is the water park in Tampa isn't open right now which blows my mind being in Decemnber its 90's out there! Crazyness!
Next friday the kids have their "holiday dance" too cute. Both boys want to go so they are doing that. On the 9th Elora's class will be singing for the base during one of the holiday festivals. Thursday they took pictures with "Santa" at Elora's Ballet studio and those pictures will be in on the 16th.
The kids get out of school for winter break starting the 19th of December and we are leaving the 20th.
A bit of an update on school reports...Caleb made honor roll which we are extremely proud of him. He had 2 B+'s and an A and got awards for good citizenship and grades. Well we just got another progress report this past week for his 2nd 9 weeks and he has pulled one of his B+'s into an A!! He is on his way to making the straight A honor roll which we couldn't be any prouder of him! He is doing awesome! He is one of the best readers in her class and thriving on his learning enviroment. Andrew's first report card didn't do too well but he has brought his grades up and with help from Mom and Dad, his teacher and trying to get him more services on his IEP we are working on improving his grades and getting him the attention he needs.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Where did November go?

I have no idea where this month went! We got report cards last Friday...We had seen progress reports so no surprises there. Caleb made honor roll for having an A/B report card so he will be mentioned at the ceremony tomorrow!! We're excited to see him get his award. Andrew is still struggling even more so since now he has 7 teachers. He is in an inclusion class and it isn't helping him at all. I have a meeting Dec 1st to get some things taken care of. I think it is just too much for someone like Andrew to deal with 3 teacher's amongst his other teachers for art, gym, and music not to mention his speech teacher. Well they didn't want to help until after the 9 weeks and until he was failing well guess what both has passed. He is failing the two classes that he switches to when it should be 1 teacher and he has admitted he is scared of both of them and it is showing. So I have some things to discuss with his home room teacher. I have been helping him as much as I can and his tests are coming up to A's and B's so hopefully we're pulling his grades up.

Tomorrow "twilight" comes out. I really want to see this but it might have to wait until Sunday *sigh*. I was going to go in the afternoon but then I was informed that Caleb's ceremony was going on and Mark's flight leaves at 7:55 pm so Im not sure how much time I have inbetween lol. He has to be at the airport probably around 6:30 ish. He is going to AR to visit his friend Lewis and Saturday they are going to the Metallica concert and then Sunday he is flying home early in the morning lol.

Can't believe that next Thursday is Thanksgiving already. Ever since moving here it feels like I blink and time just lapses so quickly. I've got SOME Christmas shopping done but not all. Not getting too much since we have to haul it to Dermott, AR. Hopefully things go as planned.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Feels like Fall Finally

Took some pictures and the lighting seemed gracious and enabled me to get some great pics of the kiddos.






























November already

Wow! November already. Seems ever since we moved here to Jacksonville the time just wiz's on by so quickly. Already in November, we've lived here 4 months which seems like a life time away already. Guess you guys can tell we like it here rather than counting down our days till we move like we did in VA lmfao. Halloween was fun. I passed out Candy until we ran out and the kids and Mark walked around the neighborhood trick or treating. Unfortunately I think I caught a cold rather than some ghouls.
Mark had duty this weekend but unlike what we are used to he only had to go in if he had a watch and he did this morning from 12 am until 7:30 am and now he is home sleeping lol. Our plans seems definately for xmas now. We are traveling the 6+ hours to Dermott AR and spending a little less than 2 weeks there at Mark's grandparents house. It may very well be the last time we see his grandfather alive. Mark thinks that us visiting is the only thing keeping his grandfather alive. It is very sad to think that way but we also must prepare ourselves as well. Thankfully the therapist Mark dragged us to agree's that we don't need his Mother, sister, and niece there this round being things are still very tense and nasty between us (meaning them and me). I wasn't looking forward to going with them being there and me having to hold my temper to not ruin our potential last days with his grandfather.

So starting to get ideas for Christmas presents and need to get a tote and try and fit it all in there and hide it away so the kids don't find anything they aren't supposed to. That might be tricky but Im sure I can conceal it hehehe.

Here are some photo's of Halloween:


The children ready to go T0T


mark dressed up too this year

Halloween 2008



Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Finished!

Well that didn't take long now did it lol. I'm finished reading "Twilight" eager to see the movie and thirsty for more to come...Tomorrow I will be buying the rest of the books so I can go on with out inturruption! I can't wait. A book hasn't made me feel like this in a very long time. I felt completely addicted and consumed by Edward and Bella, hoping for more, not being able to rest until I've read the last page with high anticipation for what is to come.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Monday, Monday

Well it's here...Monday that is. Surprisingly enough after going to bed probably well past midnight I got up at 7:30 and just couldn't go back to bed :( So here I now sit at 8:49 am trying to get motivated to showe and get ready for the day. Mark took the boys to school, Miss Elora doesn't have school and is sleeping, and I'm dying to go get my new book! That's right I finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I can see why people were so angry when the movie came out. The movie twists who said what a little bit and leads us to believe Neville's parents are dead when in fact they weren't. But anyhow I can start book 6 (Half blood prince) now. But I wanted to get the book Twilight and read that first...So that is my goal today is to get that book and start in on it! Can't wait.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Saturday October 11th 2008

So here I sit on a Saturday evening, listening to the sound of the movie "the Magic School bus: Human Bodies" on the boys bedroom TV wondering to myself "why is it so loud??" so I get up and make sure they are all tucked into bed, kiss them good night, and close the door I sit here thinking of all the things that didn't get done, that should of got done, and just reflect that it really isn't that important. It is just stuff that will always be there to be done anyhow.
I think we really need to take time out of our busy lives and just be greatful for all the things we have. I am greatful for healthy, beautiful, smart children whom I adore with all my heart, body, and soul. I'm greatful for a loving, caring, husband who is a wonderful Father to our children. He provides for us in not only the material sense but the emotional sense as well. Even though I may sometimes feel not so lovingly towards him it will never mean I don't love him. I'm greatful that he is MINE to fight with and to make up with. Out of all the things that could of gone wrong this relationship everyone was sure to think it would fail. We have been married 9 yrs. Not in a single one of those years has there been cheating, physical abuse, or verbal abuse. Sure we have had our fights but hello did you not see the 9 yrs part! I am still IN love with him and it grows stronger every single day.
I look at where our lives have taken us and it hasn't been easy but we always make it through it.
It's hard being away from all our family and most of our friends. All my childhood friends are still in Cali and all his childhood friends are still in AR. We've made great friends along the way.
Today the boys went to the Youth Center and had a good time. We went to the Army,Navy, outdoors store and picked up a few more Cubscout things...they run low quickly so it might be a while before we have everything we need...Caleb got his first badge last week and was soooooooo proud. Andrew should be getting his first badge this week since he didn't have a meeting last week.
Well I just felt like blogging away. Hope everyone has a good night.

Christmas plans in the making

I am not sure what is going on right this minuet but there are talks of us spending our Christmas break up in Dermott AR...
Apparently Mark had talked to his grandfather (father figure) and he was crying cause he wasn't sure if he could make it to see the kids ever again. He realizes he is getting sicker as the season's go by and isn't going to make it much longer. This of course has left a guilt trip on Mark unintentially and he brought up going to AR to see them for Christmas. But with getting use to less pay, all the activities, and of course Holidays we have to talk and plan NOW or else it won't happen. This week I'm going to start putting a few things on layaway for christmas just incase we do go up there. Mark would have to talk to his chief and tell her the circumstances and alter his leave period some. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this cause I'm sure if we go up there his Mom (insert eye roll here) and his sister and her "family" will go too and visit and I'm really not ready to be in their presence with out pumulling somone nearly to death and letting them know what douch bags I think they are. BLAH. I will update more on this later I'm sure.

Books

I'm so excited I started finally making time to read books for ME. It has been a long time since I picked out a book I wanted to read and sat down and spent an hour or two engrossed in the fictional lives of others. Currently I'm reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I know it sounds silly that a 29 yr old woman is reading Harry Potter but you know I'm a kid at heart and of course the books are always much better and detailed than the movie. The Harry Potter series is something I enjoy with my children and I've read them all up until this book which I'm actually proud of LMFAO. Although I'm almost done (couple more days worth of reading) with the order of the phoenix I want to take a break from the series and venture into the first book of the Vampire series Twilight! I had been wanting to read the book before I heard of the movie and for the first time seen the movie trailer today. So my goal is to read the entire 1st book before the movie comes out and then read Harry Potter and the half blood prince and finish that of course before the movie comes out lol.
I wish everyone found more time to read. I've found it extremely relaxing, especially on a rainy day like today to curl up on the sofa with a blanket, drink, snack, and get lost in a book. We've started having reading sessions for all the kids through out the day on the weekened and then they read for an hour before lights out for bed which has been working very well and haven't as many nightmares from the little princess at night which makes for much better sleeping for everyone! It is also weaning them off the tv at night for a source of light which they haven't really complained about. Well off to finish my book (with any luck today will be the day).
Happy reading everyone!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Just Rambling

So this week has been the typical busy week in our household. It all really started last weekend on Friday when the boys found out through some friends about "Star Wars" night at the Youth Center. We got them signed up and dropped them off from 7 pm until 11 pm and they had an absolute BLAST! Mark and I were so excited for them. We took Elora out and did a little shopping at Kmart since we needed some more out door power cords cause I got to do my Halloween decorating early that day. I found Andrew his Halloween costume which thankfully this year is the only one I had to buy. *YAY ME* We then proceeded to take her to get some ice cream and walk around a little bit. We picked up the boys at 11 pm and they were so excited showing us their paper light sabers and all the treats they got and talking about their laser tag and all that. They loved it. So Saturday we let them go to the youth center again for Open recreational services and again they had a great time. Sunday I had signed up to volunteer at the consignment sale and worked a 3 hour shift which seemed to go by sooooooo slowly lol. I felt a bit pointless being there really. But I did sign up to volunteer and it would of been rude not to go. So did that and that was the end to that weekend. Monday went and picked up my check from the consignment sale and my items and hung out with a friend for a little bit before Elora had to get out of school. Now why does pre-school seriously have to end at 11:30? UGH. Can't wait for full day lol. This week we had "family" night at the school for a book fair and PTA meeting. We bought the kids each one book they really wanted (since I bought from both scholastic orders previously with in the last month) and the school was serving dinner from Larry's Subs...so we stuck around and ate some and went home and got them all ready for bed. Other wise our week was full of cub scouts and dance.














Mark hasn't mentioned his friend again which I don't know if she has called him or not. She is supposed to be on the road to Oklahoma by now. We hope she got there safely and can move into military housing there. My heart really goes out to her and her daughter.














Caleb had his tiger cub meeting yesterday and earned his first badge. He was really excited about that. Andrew looked a bit disappointed but when it was explained to him that his meeting didn't happen this week he felt better cause he then understood that when the bears meet it will just be them and the weblos.














I'm quite annoyed that the pre-school has different days off than the elementary school. I do understand why though but it is still quite annoying. Elora has columbus day off and the boys have school and then the boys have the 24th off and she has school.














I haven't been stamping much in which feels like forever but in reality it's only been 2 weeks lol. Just haven't really been in the "mood" for it. Nothing good comes when I try to force my creativity out. I decided to sell my gymbucks which is going nicely so far. I've got the bid up to $15.51 and it still has until Sunday to redeem! So that makes me feel somewhat better bout selling them. They really don't have anything that I can't wait for. Starting to become addicted to the damn monopoly game from McD's @@. For the online game I only am missing one of almost each color to win something lol. For the collectible pieces I have one of the $100,000. pieces lol. I other pieces too of course but just one and I need the other 2 lol.














Here are some pics from the past week:













Some of our decorations






Future Jedi Knights







Elora enjoying her new ballerina jammies and showing us some of the moves lol



Thursday, October 2, 2008

Why?

We have this sense of false security, not aware of our surroundings, hoping that everything will be alright when you know life can change in an instance. For our friend not only did she have to live through the hatred of it happening to her once but twice and the second time she wasn't the only one involved :( Her life changed again and the life of her daughter altered. A 15 yr old girl who will never be able to forget that very tragic day for the rest of her life, innocence stolen from her by a piece of shit human being who has no regard for human life at all. My stomach twists in knots just thinking about it as I am told what has happened I can't help but get teary eyed and hug my children close. I'm in such pain for them and at the same time thanking our stars that we are safe and made more aware that life changes in the blink of an eye. What we once thought was secure, safe place to be is nothing but a place for broken and stolen realities. My heart goes out to them, aches for them, and mourns the loss of innocence stolen out of malicious intent. In a world filled with such horrible happenings why does it always happen to such good people?

Sunday, September 28, 2008

So it begins


So I was cleaning up the fridge cause the children stick all their art work on there and it was getting out of control and a pink post it note falls to the ground. So naturally I pick it up and it was a phone number? I was thinking I don't remember requesting a phone number and I look at it more closely and it is a GIRLS phone number written to CALEB!!! It is this little girl named Destiny lol. So I asked Caleb about it when he got home and he was like "UGH MOM!! She keeps following me around, she always sits next to me and stares at me with a smile, and she keeps slipping notes into my back pack", of course he says it with distain lol. I was slightly amuzed, Mark of course said " and this is only the beginning". I was a bit in shock too being Caleb is ONLY in the 1st grade. Man Im not ready for girls to be slipping their phone number to my babies!!! I'm going to have to check her out LMFAO.

Busy, Busy, Busy Bee

Well let's see...As school progresses, fall came all to quickly, finding ourselves to be some busy busy bee's lol. My gosh October snuck up on us QUICKLY this year, even more so than it has in the previous years. I guess it feels like it especially being here since it is still quite warm here finally with a nice cool breeze ranging anywhere from the 75's -87's. Definately not the fall we're used to. No leaves are changing, feels like a nice summer day in Sunny Cali lol. So no wonder fall crept up on us so quickly.
The boys got their 1st 9 week progress report. I think Andrew is struggling with the whole switching teachers deal especially for being in the 3rd grade and his trust issues, hopefully with more tudoring on our part his grades in those classes will pull up *sigh*. I need to talk to his teacher bout getting him on track with his services at the school. Caleb had awesome grades so no worries there. His reading level is good, better than most the class (thankfully). His teacher is a ding bat though. That is a whole other rant lol. Elora is doing great in Pre-k. Ms Sue always stops me and tells me how wonderful Elora is and how good she is. Makes us feel good that's for sure.
After school activities are picking up. Elora is now in dance 2 times a week. She goes Tuesdays and Thursdays and LOVES it!! As her recent qoute goes "I love me some Ms Hollie" with attitude and all LOL. Hollie is great with the kids and I'm so glad Elora is loving it! We did a KNO (kids night out) this past Friday and at first the boys were like "NO" but they had a GREAT time and are begging to go back! So in Oct we're doing it again *YAY*
The boys are in Cub Scouts. They had their first meeting last Wednesday and loved it. Our scout Master is cool and works well with the parents and children. We had our first scout outting yesterday (Saturday) and went to Fort Caroline and picked up trash along what is left of their beach, then went hiking through their many trails and picked up trash if we saw any, then the rangers came out and talked to the boys (kids) and showed them artifacts from the 1500's and what the french and indians use... It was an interesting trip, the boys loved it and had a great time, and Mark and I got some excercise (a mile and a half hike plus whatever distance on the beach) lol. It was a good family day for sure.
Today (sunday) I have to get my consignment pieces ready for drop off, which I have been lagging on seriously. But I need to get my butt in gear! Today I'm going to get my tags printed and it will get done today! Hoping to drop off tomorrow.
Between the classes, meetings, keeping up with the house I'm and beginning to get worn OUT! The 29th we plan to eat at Chili's since their doing a donation for children with illnesses, your entire check goes to the hospital and we love us some chili's!!
Our school's book fair begins tomorrow and I'm all about the books. The consign sale is this coming week and not sure which cubscout events are going on for this weekend lol. And to think I wanted to add sports into the mix hahaha. We missed fall sign ups so we'll see in the spring if we can get used to this schedule or if it will beat us lol.

My first Blog

It's already the 28th of September! Where are the leaves changing? The cool crisp air? Oh that is right we're now in Florida!! Although I do miss the smells, colors, and feel of Fall I am looking forward to not feeling the cold chill of a VA winter, that wet cold that gets into your bones but has no snow to show for it. Yup many of you know the kind of winter I am talking about. I am looking forward to camping in November with out freezing my butt off all day long, wearing shorts and short sleeve for Halloween, and just a hoodie for Thanksgiving and Christmas! We moved here in July and made this our home until the Navy tells us otherwise. Things are going well. Kids are doing good in school, all three have activities all week long, and we feel more relaxed being here and exploring a bit. We've already done our first monthly trip to Orlando and visited Sea World and Aquatica. October is our month to visit Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island water park! We've been to St. Augustine and the beautiful light house and plan to go back to look around some more. Here are some pics from those recent trips!

The children at Sea World Orlando





St. Augustine Light house



Castillo De San Marcos