Wednesday's Playdate

Caitlin and Tanis

Caitlin, Tanis, Luke, and Tyler

It is always wise to have a superhero or two around! Jakob, Johnny, Caitlin, and Tanis

Jakob, Andrew, Johnny, Caitlin, Luke, Tyler, and Zay

Too much fun for Gretchen!

We had a playdate to celebrate Thanksgiving last Wednesday. I am trying to bring healthier snacks, as Luke's weight is really getting out of control. We had fruit and cheese kabobs, which the kids seemed to love, Kellie and Tanis made muffin letters and Lura made homemade rolls. They had a good time playing together and we enjoyed spending grown up time also. I think that we even managed to be a little helpful in getting Victoria prepared for Thanksgiving at her house. Enjoy the pics of our day!

Haircuts

Why oh why would I think taking the kids by myself to get haircuts was a good idea? Let alone taking them to the local beauty school to save a few bucks. Caitlin, Gabe, and Johnny were perfect and look fantastic. Luke still looks the same. I was mortified and never plan on going back again!
He refused to get in the chair and screamed when I told him to. So I got him calmed down and told him they would only use scissors, not clippers. He was okay with that so he climbed up in the chair. They tried to put a paper around his neck and he ripped it off twice and then grabbed the comb out of the ladies hand. Oh boy.
Then I took him out of the chair and I told him he was being disrespectful and would not be getting a haircut. He started screaming at the top of his lungs. I took him to the chair by the door and stood there with him. I had 3 papers to fill out for the others and he began kicking off his shoes. So I took them. Then he started kicking up the carpet, standing in the chair, knocking in to the wall and banging the gumball machine. I grabbed him several times to make him stop and at one point he screamed at the top of his lungs "Stop it You are hurting me!!!!" The nice gentleman across from Luke received several apologies and shot me several "Your life is pathetic" glances.
I didn't know what to do. I was trying to hold him while taking care of the others and he was screaming at the top of his lungs so I asked if they would mind if we stood outside where I could see through the window. He dropped to the floor kicking and screaming and I had to drag him outside.
I was mortified.
I sat him down hard on the porch and told him he had better stop with the screaming which made it worse. So I remembered I had Sean's phone and I called my mom to see if she could come and get Luke so I could be with the others.
When she got there and he was still screaming, I went in and apologized to everyone there and thanked them for the fantastic haircuts the other 3 got. They look wonderful!!!
My mom took Luke so I could take the 3 to the dollar tree to choose something and then we traded. I brought Luke home to sit in time out for a long time and she took the others to McDonalds. Luke will be eating a peanut butter sandwich.
What should I have done differently? I was at a loss. I know what I would have done if it had been just him, but I had 3 others there. I couldn't go and sit in the car and leave the others and I certainly couldn't leave Luke in the car alone. I also couldn't let the others leave mid haircut.
I had no one available to go with me, and I should not have had to take anyone.
I just want to crawl under the covers and cry. I am mortified beyond belief by this whole thing.

Stuff

1. We finally shelled out the big bucks and got a new printer/scanner/copier. $30.00 at Big Lots. We go for quality at this house! :) So far it is working well. I needed it for school papers and when we saw it was only 30, we snagged one. I don't do photo printing or anything, so it should last us awhile.

2. Conferences are over and I only cried at one! That was Gabe's. He is just having such a rough time and I feel so bad for him. I know that it will get better, I just have to be patient and understanding. Easier said than done!

3. Luke almost burned down the house, I burned my finger, and got scalded by hot water. I guess we should stay away from all Hot things here! But how can I stay away from myself? ha!

4. I made a pretty yummy cake for Saturday's get together at Rhonda's. Our next one is December 5th and it is going to be pretty big. We are actually getting a sitter this year so we can enjoy ourselves. Usually the kids are hanging all over us and acting like wild maniacs, so we are going to enjoy ourselves this year!

5. The baby shower went well for my niece. Unfortunately I couldn't find my camera, so there are no pictures to prove I went to a shower. You are just going to have to take my word for it.She is due December 31st and is having a midwife instead of a dr. It should be interesting as I think she is doing a whirlpool labor and possible delivery.

6. I am steaming away at my schoolwork. Right now I am learning the joys of coding. I can't wait to be done and get a job.

7. I went to Walmart tonight for a few groceries. The pancake mix was on the bottom shelf and pushed all the way to the back. So I got down on my hands and knees and crawled on the shelf to get a box. It went fine until I tried to stand up, stood on the bottom of my coat and then fell on my face. I am fine, just embarrassed!

2 hot 2 be 4 gotten

Isn't he just the cutest???

My nephew, Jacob, is second from the right in the front row. He was a kindergartener when Sean and I got married and this is from his Senior homecoming last month. Time flies. Jacob is one of the sweetest kids you could ever hope to meet. Actually all my nieces and nephews are. I am so proud of them all!

Random Things

1.) I went to Toys R Us today and got Gabe Ghostbusters for his Nintendo DS. He will be so excited. My little one turns eleven tomorrow. I still remember his birth like it was yesterday! I'll post about that tomorrow.
2.) If I were to die today, I would want somebody to put together a slide show for my funeral of random photos from my life - and the people important and special to me, and have a recording of the song "Sunny Side Up" from the movie the Big Green. I absolutely love that song. I would also like the song "Smile" by Uncle Kracker. I don't plan on dying anytime soon, I just want to make sure that would be done! :)
3.) Everyday I love life a little more. Even on the worst days I can still find something to smile about. Sometimes it isn't until my head hits the pillow and my eyes are half closed, but I still do. It is important to never go to bed angry!!
4.) I have been making an effort to get more organized. It is amazing how nice it is to study in my room or read a book when I am not surrounded by clutter! I wish my kids would keep things organized!!
5.) I am so excited for Christmas. I have been working hard on presents and can't wait to give them away. I love making things for people - year round - but especially at Christmas.
6.) I am trying to get better at letter writing and card sending again. It brings a smile to my face when I get mail, so I like to do that for other people.
7.) I love the way my boys look with no front teeth! They are so sweet and have the cutest lisps!
8.) I am looking forward to a weekend full of family and friends. Two parties and a baby shower. :)
9.) My mom called and invited the kids and I as well as my sister and her girls to dinner last night. (Scott and Sean were working) We actually had a really nice time and the kids behaved pretty well!
10.) I only got stuck in the stall at Kohl's briefly while using the restroom. They should not make the doors open in!!! Thankfully no one else was in there!

This is the sea horse that one of the kids attached to my purse strap. I grocery shopped with it this morning and had no clue it was there. It is about 14 inches long....a little hard to miss! I wondered why I got so many smiles. I thought I just looked extra friendly this morning!

:o)

I am blessed everyday. I have a wonderful family, better friends than anyone could ask for, a husband who loves me despite my many flaws, sticky kisses from my kids, etc. Every morning when I wake up I should count all the blessings before I get out of bed. Blessings aren't always material items as my list shows, but today I was blessed with a wonderful gift. A friend of my mom's sent over a beautiful red London Fog trench coat for me. She had bought it and never worn it.
Now coats are so hard for me to find. My monkey arms never fit the sleeves, the coat is usually to short and the shoulder span not ample. The woman who sent this coat is shorter than me and thinner, so I thought there was no prayer. It fit perfect in every way. It is beautiful!!
This is neat for a couple of reasons. For the past few years I have worn an old jacket of my dad's during the winter. It is not a winter coat, just a rain jacket, but it is all I had that fit. Plus I like wearing it because it reminds me of my dad. But it was not warm or stylish - not that I minded because it was dad's. Sean always felt bad on Sunday mornings because I had to wear it to church. I didn't mind, but he wanted me to have something pretty. Second, when my aunt Pat died I started wearing a red car coat of hers. I loved it and wore it until everything ripped and could no longer be sewn. I hated getting rid of it, but it was too worn to save. I have not found a red coat since then that fit or that I liked.
I am so tickled and I immediately sent a thank you note to her for her kindness. Her timing couldn't have been better! God does provide!!!

Well.....here it is

Here is a horrible full body shot. I am the one in the blue, the tall one - not the one with the yellow sleeves or the grey hood.

I hate this. I never thought I would gain the weight back, but I did. I can only blame steroids a little, they started the gain, but poor food choices, lack of excercise, and depression continued it. I have little willpower and this picture shows it.

The top picture shows the weight I want to be again, the bottom picture shows the weight I never want to be again.

I have a long way to go, but hopefully will get there.

I need support, I need accountability, but I need to believe in myself!