Testing a new kind of post

Wow, it's been a year

This time last year I would come home from work and have the girls sit outside while I picked nits out of there hair. It was this time last year that they came up here infested with lice. Thankfully, we haven't had any issues since then.

The kids originally just came up for the summer, as planned and this was the summer that was going to be a game-changer in the long run. This was going to be the first time that I was going to be more of the mother figure and less of a "step" mom. I was going to have to figure out exactly what it was going to be like to be a full-time working mom of two kids.

You might be wondering why I mention this.

Last night we had orientation for 6th grade. Ya'll next Friday I will no longer have 2 kids in elementary school. I will have a child in middle school. HOLY MOLEY YA'LL!!!

But this morning I was helping Tracey get ready for school, I asked if she was in a grumpy mood. Her face was all crinkled and pouty lips out. She said no that school made her tired. I had to laugh. I told her that work made me tired, school made me tired, being a parent made me exhausted......but I wouldn't change that last one for the world. She didn't say much, but the crinkled nose relaxed a bit and I think I may have seen a small smile pop out.

This is getting real y'all

Dustin and I have been together for 3.5 years. 3.5 absolutely wonderful years. We've been engaged since November.

We've been living together for 3 years. We moved in four months after we started dating. We've had the girls full time for a year (custody since August).

This past weekend we bought a new fridge, a new fridge ya'll. A new appliance feels like we are actually becoming the future married couple. I dont know what about appliances makes me feel like this engagement is real, but it is!

We spent the weekend painting the kitchen and bathrooms. And our new fridge arrived today. Can I just say it is a beauty. I never thought I would love a fridge, but this shiny new appliance is pretty fabulous.

Where is you

I'm in a conundrum. Not sure what to do say or feel.

I loved my Mother's Day presents and card from my inlaws and family.  But I still feel as though there are some people who don't consider me a parent. I mean what classifies you as a parent? Birthing a child? Nurturing a child? 

I've been reading blogs about stepmoms who feel like they get the shaft on Mother's Day. Which from their viewpoint is true. This is another commercialized holiday that when created the norm wasn't to celebrate the joys of step-parenting. Go into any store and try to find a card for step-parents. Not an easy task. Does it mean that we are any less of parents? Does it mean that we shouldn't be validated? No. It just means that we, as parents, are that special that we don't need a stinkin hallmark card telling the world something we already know. That we are awesome. 

While I, in the generalized step-parent population, may be awesome, I would also like to have that acknowledgment from the nay-sayers. True I did not push for hours trying to squeeze a watermelon out of my pee hole, but I have had to take a crash course into being a parent. That, in my opinion, is not an easy thing to do. 

Say what you will and think what you do, being a step parent is NOT a job for the faint of heart. 

 

My first donation

I have officially faced a fear that I have been dreading for YEARS. I donated blood for the first time ever. Honestly I have no idea what I was so afraid of. Maybe it was just the idea of having something sucking blood out of my arm.

I made an appointment during our most recent blood drive. I was more nervous walking in to the building than I was waiting. But I couldn't back out. I signed in, drank a bottle of water and tried to calm my nerves. I was still nervous because my blood pressure was a wee high, not high to be concerning but it definitely reflected the nerves.

I had to have proof that I went through with it. 

I went through the rest of the mini physical with flying colors. They got a bed for me and started prepping my arm. They almost couldn't find a vein in either arm. They had to do every thing possible for a little guy to pop up, but one finally did. As I'm laying on the table I wanted to check things out, you know cause that's what I do. I'm inquisitive. I have to know what's going on to get a better understanding. If I was allowed to I probably would have asked to have a hands on demonstration. The nurse was laughing at me because I was taking pictures of my arm while laying on the bed.

After I was done, they had me sit up on the side of the bed and asked how I felt. Believe it or not I felt fabulous. Better than I did before I went in. I didn't want the pizza that they were offering,
but I did get cookies and apple juice (so yum).

Still waiting on my superpowers

I don't feel this amazing overwhelming awesomeness that people say they feel after donating for the first time. I feel normal. I still have a small mark from the needle, but overall I had a fantastic experience and I will probably be a repeat donor.

Time ticks slowly

SO!

Their mom came through.....which shocked the world. Did you feel that small earthquake. That was my jaw dropping to the ground when we saw the car at Kroger.

Dustin and I went home afterwards and I really have no idea what we did before we had custody of them. The house is eerily way to quiet and it just feels really off not having our "routine." I hope that they have a good time and enjoy spending some qt with their mom.

In the meantime, what are two parents supposed to do without the kids until Sunday?!?

A new bar has been set

We drove all to the meeting lot so that we could drop the kids off with their mom.

We were a few minutes late because we had to stop so we could get their bellies full before they left. Not sure as to whether or not they were going to get a full meal until next weekend, and we leave them knowing that they are full.

We sit, and watch the time pass. 430, 445,450, 455....nothing. No show. No call. A very pissed off stepmomma and one INSANELY pissed the f off dad. She did not show.  It's one thing to not pick up the phone and call your kids, but to not follow through to pick them up. So they can see you. At the time that I'm writing this I'm beyond words. I have nothing more to say. She has really put a sour taste in their mouths. They didn't even want to call her when we got back home.

I'm not sure what is going to happen in the future.

Tracey feels like she's lied to her classmates and teacher. Friday they were asked what they were going to do over spring break. She told them that she was going to go to their moms. She got home and told us that since she wasn't going that she told a lie. I told her that she didn't tell a lie, but her mom lied. Meagan was heartbroken. Completely heartbroken. She would just stare out the window watching and waiting. Every white car that passed she waited to see if it was her mom pulling into the parking lot. Every car that passed was not her. Every minute that passed was one more minute that she realized that she wasn't going to show.

We finally had to leave at 515. On our way back, her husband Jerry called. They were still in Somerset. His mom, whom they live with and borrowed the car from, said that they had left at three, which would have put them getting to the meeting spot at 415. When Dustin talked to Jerry he said that they left after 4. Again if they left at 4 they would have gotten there by 515.  At 530 they were still in Somerset.

It's going to be  long week I'm sure as the kids filter through the emotions. Right now they are in the pissed off stage. Not sure what to expect next, but I'm sure it'll be a roller coaster.

Will this ever get easier?

We are packing up the kids for a week so that they can spend some time with their mom. I've been on a laundry marathon to get all of their clothes that they can take with them packed. The kids are undoubtedly excited while Dustin and I are dreading this. We aren't keeping them from seeing her, we just know the conditions that they are going to be staying in.

One thing that we are also making sure of is that they aren't taking any nice things down there with them. No new clothes, no earrings, no nice shoes. All of that has to stay up here. Why? We don't trust the people that hang around their mom. You see when you are addicted you will go to any lengths to get the money for that next fix. Even if it means taking nice things from your own kids.....yes it's happened to our kids.

I'm having a hard time with all of this right now. I have a pit in my stomach, and I am dreading that phone call from her saying that she was able to get a car. When we get that call that means that it's time to pack up the car and head to the meeting point.

I'm going to make the best of the day and drink another cup of coffee and finish preparing. It's going to be a quiet week here. So I may be posting more than usual.....it's so I don't go crazy since I won't get to hear from my kids until the day we pick them up. I'm going to need some added strength this week and lots of sprinkled doughnuts.

Battle in the bluegrass-Friday edition

Smell that?
That right there is March Madness in it's finest most exhilarating monumental match-ups in the state.

Today the University of Louisville is matched up against the University of Kentucky once again in the road to the final four. Today is the day where families and friends for one day become disgusted with each other, officemates trash talk all day at work, and the world only sees blue and red.

This week hasn't been a bad week, I'm just really super happy that it's the weekend.

Let's see if I can re-cap the events of the week......
The kids started girl scouts last friday and tomorrow they will be going on their first gs outing. They get to get involved and Dustin and I will have a couple of hours of "our time."

Monday I had a brilliant idea to get Meagan involved in my workouts. I'm not sure if that was a brilliant idea after not being able to walk without a waddle for most of the week. She loves it though. We go to the loop about 2 miles from our house and walk on the path. Every quarter mile (they are marked with posts) she tells me what to do which is included in the walk. For example, she told me to do 35 jumping jacks. NO PROBLEM I said, 45 toe touches SURE! 20 push-ups..................................................She is really excited about getting to work out with me. I hate the soreness that accompanies it right now, but she gets a kick out of it.

Another win for the week is that I started jogging. If there was an award for worlds slowest jogger I would be a top recipient. I think there are grannies in south Florida who power walk faster than I jog. I'm doing it though and maybe one of these years I'll actually be able to run a quarter of a mile.

It's been pretty quiet here otherwise. I hope you all have a great week and I'll check back in next Friday.

I can make this public now.....

My family and fb friends have seen the announcement already, but I got the ok to be able to announce it to the public.

I was nominated last month for an outstanding staff member for an adult learner award and I won. It's a huge honor and I'm beyond excited to have been nominated. There is an awards ceremony next week where I will be given the award. I just couldn't contain my enthusiasm and just all around thrilled.

They need to have a manual for this

It seems like right now I can't do or say anything remotely right to please the kids these days. I'm sure it's due to a lack of ability to go out and play like they want to.

Between bouts of sickness, polar vortex 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, winter storms (speaking of those-when did they start getting names?) time outside has been very limited.

M especially has been very short with me. If I tell her no she gets mad or breaks down. T has been bossy more so than the pre-teen (premadonna) backtalk. We have been through fighting with each other over a belt, having MAJOR meltdowns because her hair wasn't the way she wanted it to lay. I was even thrown under the bus for disciplining and now I treat one better than the other.

I'm trying so hard to keep my cool and take a step back but sometimes it gets underneath my skin so bad.

I'm just feeling like the underdog right now in the mom world. I know what's wrong, but I can't rectify this problem. I can't force a person to step up and be the mom that she is supposed to be. I hate to say this but sometimes I wish she would just sign over her rights or OD. That way the kids would have some closure. But then would they be even more angry or would they pick up and move on?

They get so disappointed when they don't hear from her, and when they get in touch with her its an emotional rush and then a free fall to the bottom when she repeats. Not to mention the lies and the broken promises that are ongoing. I'm trying to stay positive and nurturing, but I really do just want to curl up in a corner some days and just cry.

I feel like they take turns and tag team each other on who's going to get yelled at when. Delana looks like she's had a bad day, smart off to her today and tomorrow I won't listen worth a damn.

They are "supposed" to go down to her house for spring break, but they haven't spoken to her in two weeks. I guess we will have to make alternate plans, just in case she doesn't doesn't follow through, which is quite likely. I'm thinking I might take a day or two off so they aren't stuck at home with a babysitter all week.

Fabulous Friday

Yesterday marked the first day of spring. WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I'm excited that the calendar says that we are one step closer to saying good-bye to the cold, snow, blah days.....now if Mother Nature would take her midol and get on board things will be a wonderful utopia.

Last Saturday was pretty fabulous. It was sunny and 78 and made for a perfect day to get outdoors and procrastinate on any kind of household chores. I took advantage of the day and the fact that Dustin and the kids had taken a mini-vacation to Somerset for the weekend and had some mom/daughter time with Maddie. Yes, she is my child (especially when she gets in trouble....funny how that works.) Since the weather was pretty superb we heading to the walking trail and walked four miles.

Maddie walking like a big girl in her harness.

One tired pup after four miles of walking. She was begging me to stop walking. 

This week has been a fun week at the kids school with them fundraising for the Crusade for Children. Each day they have been able to bring in donations and either have gotten to wear a non-uniform shirt, dress down, etc. Yesterday was wear a hat to school day. Both girls got to pick out a hat that they liked and really were excited to be able to wear it to school. They even had to get Maddie involved before we left. 

Last night I forgot to turn our heat back on. It got warm enough outside yesterday that I kicked the heater off while the kids were running around and I was prepping dinner. Since it dropped down into the 40's last night and I made the mistake of not turning the heat back on I was cold. Normally Dustin doesn't let me cuddle with him for more than five minutes because he gets too hot. Well at some point I nuzzled next to him so I could get warm. I didn't hear him get up this morning for work and started to cuddle next to him again. To my sleepy surprise he wasn't there. I put my arm across the body laying next to me and it definitely was NOT Dustin. I sleep with my phone next to my head so I can hear my alarm so I grabbed it and flipped on the light. This is the face that I woke up to this morning. Adorable yes, but definitely NOT the face I was expecting.

 We have a local place that serves the best fried fish I think I have ever had. I don't think I have eaten anything bad there. It's one of those places that is a guilty pleasure and you can't eat there but a couple of times a year because it's fried food and you don't want to eat a lot of that. I hadn't been in a couple of years, but last Saturday my stepdaddy took me out to lunch. I was amazed at the gorgeous wood sculptures that have taken residence there. I love ornate stuff like this and it's so organic and just amazing. 

I dont think we have much on tap as far as plans go for this weekend. I'm hoping that we can catch up on some sleep and enjoy some time together. We are finally getting rid of the sickness and everyone is on the mend so we should be able to get out and actually enjoy some time away from the house. 

Life on a piece of paper

I feel like this right here validates the hard work that I put into what I do. It may not always seem like what I do matters, but I love working in higher education! 

Have to versus get to....

I'm at a professional development today for work, and I admit I wasn't too keen on the idea because it was advertised as "emotionally" evoking and setting a positive atmosphere for the workplace. Joy. However, to my surprise, the morning sessions have been extremely powerful. I think the speaker that really got to me was Mrs. Denise Taylor.

I always try to find some way to relate to any speaker. It's just how I'm programmed. What I didn't know was what she had to say was so meaningful and meant a lot to me!

Words to live by.....

While my story and her story don't sync up in terms of cancer, she has made me really stop and reflect about this journey that I'm going through. She calls it "Life's Surprise Party" and seriously that is pretty spot on. Every day that I wake up life gives me new surprises. Whether they are little hiccups or they are joyous, momentous occasions I am loving this journey.

I think her words, "Instead of saying I have to, say I GET TO" really stopped me in my tracks. I often complain about "having to do something," but I never really stop to think about what I'm saying. I have to do laundry for four people, I have to cook dinner, I have clean, etc." Those words sounds like I'm ungrateful and not appreciative of what I have been given. I have the opportunity to be a mom, and I GET to show them what life is without drug use, I GET to be there for both girls when they have a heartache, I GET to be the punching dummy and I GET to be yelled at. And I'll take those moments and I will enjoy this party called life.

It's not easy being part of this party, but I'm going to have fun with it. I'm going to take those little hiccups and celebrate them. I am going to throw confetti for the moments that require some extra attention.

So if you read this blog today, take this with you.....you have a choice of what you do. You GET to do something.

It's a bloody hell.

Ok moms. More specifically moms with pre-teen/teenage daughters!!!!

I need you. I need you like a sprinkle needs a chocolate covered doughnut. It's that bad. I'm not exaggerating.

My sweet sweet quiet little 11 year old I believe is getting ready to have the change. You know what I'm talking about. Crossing that rainbow bridge over into becoming a little lady.

Oh the past few days have been raging and emotional. Life is unfair, I'm unfair, dad is unfair. And the yelling then the tears and yelling while in tears. Plus the constant belly aches and headaches. I'm afraid I'm going to go bald with frustration!

So mom's out there I need advice for the following:
1. How do you talk to your (step)daughter about the changes?

2. How do you survive this without you, yourself, losing your mind?

I don't have a clever title for this post

I didn't get the job that I had a phone interview for.

I'm not down about it.I went into the interview knowing that I had a lot of competition.The response that I got was actually very pleasant as well.

I was more upset over not getting an interview for a position within my office and not being told anything. This time around they not only gave me the opportunity to interview, but they also notified of not getting the job.

I've applied for some other positions and I hope to hear something from those within the next couple of weeks. Just have to keep on, keeping on.

Growth spurts.....

I've had an inkling that Tracey was getting ready to hit a growth spurt. She is already tall and super skinny. This morning it seems as though she grew three inches overnight. We bought her pants for school back in november and this morning when she put them on she had flood pants. Not just a little, but her pants didn't even touch her shoes. I had to laugh a bit because well as a mom I find it funny that all of her pants are now starting to look like this. So tonight we will be on the hunt for some longer pants.

Feeling deflated and defeated

I love my kids. I do.

I love being a (step)mom.

What I don't love is the fact that my daughters cannot pick up the phone and call their mom when they want to talk to her. I have an amazing relationship with my mom. We talk a couple times a week and we text almost daily. But my girls don't have that relationship with their mom.

While I try to step up and feel that void from a mom not being there, I'm sometimes the root of the backlash from it as well.

A relationship between a mother and daughter isn't the same relationship that a stepmother has with her stepdaughter. There just isn't. There's that unique bond between a mother and daughter that words can't begin to describe. While I know that I will never have that unique bond, I am trying my hardest to have some kind of maternal bond with my daughters.

However, it kills me on the inside whenever they get so excited about something that reminds them of their mom, (a piece of clothing that they have held on to, a phone number so that they can call, or a text message that they ran across in their phone) only to be harshly reminded that they don't have a way to get in touch with their mom.

This past weekend while Meagan was cleaning her room she came across a book of emergency phone numbers that I had made the girls for when they go to other people's homes and they need to call us. Their mom wrote down her number (at that time) and Meagan got really excited because she could finally be able to talk to her mom. This excitement quickly fizzled when we realized that the number that she had given them was not a current number and had been disconnected for quite some time. Even the newest number that we have isn't a number to get in touch with her.

The heartbreak that I see in my child's eyes when she can't have those few minutes of bonding with her child eats me up.

When we ask Tracey how she feels about it, she just says that she's so used to it that it doesn't phase her anymore. That this is something that she expects. What child should think like that?

When we hit rough patches like these I find myself over-exerting myself to give the girls an extra boost. I'm not trying to buy their love, but I guess it's more of keeping them occupied so they won't be filled with so much sadness. It's my way of building that bond that will hopefully give them the memories to fill those that aren't happy.

I constantly worry that I'm not a good mom. Everyday I have to remind myself that I am. It's a tough road coming into someone's life and step up to be a parental figure. It's not an easy job. But it's a job that I wouldn't trade anything for. Some people are meant to have kids from conception. I'm not that person. I'm meant to be a mom to two girls, whether it's through birth or through marriage, I will always be their mom.

It's been rough butting heads with my youngest because of this. Conversations become tense and emotions are on 10. When we get to this point I panic and I freak out. I question myself and if I'm really meant to be a parent. There are days where I just have to scream and let it out and then there are days where I just have to be brought back down to reality.

I love my kids.

 I love being a mom. It gives me a sense of pride and something that I can brag about. What's even better is I can brag about something that not everyone can relate to. It makes my story unique.

Every day isn't going to be roses and it isn't going to be hugs and kisses and I love yous all the time. There will be the days where there are the I hate you, the screaming, and the tears. But that's all a part of being a parent.

It's the little things.

Work has been rough lately. It's been bringing me down, but today was different.

My kids are out of school again. THANK YOU MOTHER FREAKIN' NATURE! I unfortunately couldn't take off and wasn't off all day, so I left my kids at the house. We have a family friend, who is more like a relative, who works with the secondary schools and the girls just love him to bits. As I was leaving this morning to make the trek across the ice covered roads, the kids were calling Don to see what his plans were for the day. When the three of them are all out of school they tend to go on "adventures." Some how Don can make running errands the best darn time of your life. He's just cool like that. They've been to the Patton Museum and have ran all over Louisville. They get lunch and and of course spoils them like grandkids. They talk for days about how much fun they have.

Today was like all their other adventures, except....today they made a special visit. They won't realize how this visit put a smile on my face when I really needed one, but I haven't stopped since.

I'm sitting here working and I hear a squeaky, "hey." I look up and there are these two heads giggling while looking into my office. Man I needed to see those faces. They had been out and running around at Chuck E Cheese's and made a pit stop at my office. Before they left they each gave me a hug and a kiss and an I love you.

They didn't stay long, but that didn't matter. It was the fact that they stopped during their adventure and saw me.

Sitting, waiting, wishing, hoping

The interview went well....I guess. It was about 4-5 questions and it lasted about 15 minutes. I don't remember much about what I said. It feels like a blur to be frank.

I was incredibly nervous. I actually apologized for saying "um" which I had to laugh at myself for doing.

I'm supposed to hear something over the course of this week as to whether or not I am going to be offered a face to face interview. I was pretty excited about just having the opportunity to have a phone interview, I'll be over the moon if I am one of the top two or three picks for a face-to-face.

I would be a HUGE confidence booster for me, and that is something that I could use right now. I'm feeling pretty beat down and out with things right now. So, all I can do is wait (im)patiently by my phone and hope that the impending weather doesn't postpone this call for too long.

What's done is done and I hope that the first impression of me, although over the phone, was a lasting one. I hope that my nerves didn't get the best of me.

Phone interview

I need help.

I have a phone interview on Friday. This is the first phone interview that I have ever had. Not only that, but it's the first interview that I have had in over 6 years. I'm undoubtedly nervous.

If you have ever given an interview over the phone or recently had an interview what are some questions that you thought stuck out the most?

I would like to try and prepare myself for this, so I don't ramble and make myself look like a fool.

Holy crap where did January go?

Since we have been in the house for almost a month now it's hard to believe that we are already at the end of January. Seriously like where did this month go? Maybe along with my paycheck to warmer climates. Le sigh.

I guess I'm going to take a few minutes out of today and reflect how the first month of 2014 started off. It wasn't bad, just cold.

New insurance kicked in on January 1. Not a fan of this new plan. My co-pay for therapy is now $89. I gag a little every time that I see that. I've been told it will get better, but wow that number hurts.

Shortly after we moved in we were hit with the first round of a polar vortex. I'm sure everyone is tired of me endlessly complaining about how cold it is. I with it were acceptable to be wrapped up like this while I'm at work.

 The first week or two have been scrubbing and cleaning and cleaning and scrubbing and hell you get the point. It seems like no matter how much we clean right now, there is always going to be SOMETHING else that we come across that needs to be fixed. Like yesterday our valve intakes on the washer has a leak, add that to the to-do list of the already growing list of things that we have to do.

Bathroom floor before 

Bathroom floor after

The kids have told me that I'm an embarrassment sometimes in the morning when we wait for the bus. I don't see why. I only jam and car dance when a really really really awesome song comes on and well that just happens to be right around the time that their bus pulls up. I think my new name should be STOP! Because that's what I hear as they jump out and sprint to the bus. 

 We adopted our first dog as a family. Duke was an interesting character. He was a pretty dog, and as I have said before he was super smart. Shed hair like crazy. We are still cleaning hair up from the week that he spent at our house. I know that there will be a forever home in his near future. A home where he can run and won't get in trouble for laying his head on the kitchen table while we eat dinner.

Mums and I had mum/daughter date night and watched Sister Act. Holy moley that show was absolutely HILARIOUS! I have never laughed so hard in my life. My stomach hurt from laughing through the entire show. If you haven't seen it and it's in a town near you, it's a definite MUST. Take my word on it. 

 Last weekend we started the painting process for the house. We started on the kids room. As you can see they had the green room which had a duck border on the top. Not really all that girly. Dustin and I spent the weekend taking border down, patching holes, sanding, painting, all in one weekend. Shoooo my shoulders were screaming. But the end result was a win in the kids book. They absolutely love their room and the vinyl stickers that I got. I just need to find the perfect curtains for their room and they will have one heck of a girls space. 

The second round of the polar vortex must have shrunken my brain capacity. Last week I went out and purchased my first pair of skinny jeans. I'm late getting on the train I know, but let me tell you.....sometimes big girls dont need to be flaunting their curves in skinny jeans. These actually fit me fairly well and I didn't feel like I was a stuffed sausage, so I guess it's a win in my book. 

This past weekend after we week of having the house really quiet, I convinced Dustin to go to the Kentucky Humane Society with me. Work has been super crappy on days, I thought that some puppy kisses would be the trick to brighten my spirits. The day after we took Duke back there was a rescue of 43 dogs from a puppy mill a couple of hours away. That also meant that the space in the KHS was becoming limited so it was important that the current residents find homes. 

On Jan. 24th we went, JUST TO LOOK, and she stole our hearts. There was a toss up between her and another sweet girl Alex. However, Maddie's calm disposition and sweet personality was just what we wanted. She seems to be settling in her new home just fine and I am looking forward to building our bond with all of the family. 

 Yesterday there was a nice break from the cold weather and it actually got up to 53. HEAT WAVE!!!! The kids went out to my parents so they could get some sled time in. You know they have hills out in the country and all. So Dustin and I packed up our third child and heading over the river and through the woods, too mimi's house. It was a lovely afternoon with my family.

So here we are. January 27, 2014. It's back to being bitter cold. This month has gone by so quickly I dont know what to expect with February. I guess I'll head out and get some more stuff and things done since it's a slow day here at work.

Meet maddie Mae

Polar vortex 2.0

I HATE WINTER
I LOATHE WINTER

The news stations have been counting down to the first day of spring......54 days and counting. I seriously hope that spring decides to come early and not dilly dally until middle of April.

The kids this week have either A) been out of school for crappy road conditions or B) on a two hour delay because of this lovely weather that we are having.

Plus we woke up to MORE snow this morning; I'm not a fan. Not at all. I'm not cut out for cold temps. I'm not cut out for snow. I just need to move to the tropics, open up a tiki hut and sell coconuts for a living.

With all of these days off and delays my vacation time is slowly eating away. I'm very particular about how much time I keep in my vacation bank. This week has taken around 3 days out of that. Granted I still have over a week of time, its not to the point where I'm comfortable having it at this point in the year.

C'mon mother nature, work with me here.

Monday we had to return Duke back to the Humane Society because we was aggressive and snapped at T. Not hard enough to break skin, but it was enough to scare us. He was a BIG dog and with having so many kids running around, we didn't want to take the liability of having him snap again if they were playing with his rope or he was chewing on his bone and decided to take a lunge at someone. He was a German Shepherd and lab mix, so he had a lot of protective instincts.

I admit it really upset me that we had to take him back. But I have to think of my kids first. We've been looking at a new fur baby and we have a couple of prospective pups that we are going back to look at today. Who knows I may have some news to share later this afternoon. I just hope this one works out for us if we do find one.

Weekend warriors

The painting has begun. Thankfully the weather is freezing again and we have a really good excuse to stay inside.

That's why they call it puppy love.

You all should know by now that my life is less than normal in the sense that there is never a quiet moment in my life.

 We've moved into our home and are now settling in quite nicely, if I do say so myself. The kiddos are making friends with the neighborhood kids and our "nosey" neighbors aren't as nosey as we thought they were. More like friendly observers to make sure the riff raff stays away. I can handle that.

Last week we made an addition to our family. No I'm not expecting, but we did adopt. A PUPPY!  Well...he's not so much a puppy.

We met him the week before Christmas and it was instant love with everyone in our family. He was big and excited and ever so sweet. When we stopped to see him we were still in the apartment so there was absolutely no way we could have taken him home with us THAT day, but I made a deal with him right before we left. I leaned over to his kennel and said, "if you act like a jackass for the next two weeks, I will promise you that you will have your forever home with us."

Guess what that dingbat did.....

He was an idiot. He learned how to turn doorknobs and get out of his kennel.

But the day arrived. We call it his "gotcha" day. Who is this guy?

Let me introduce you to Duke.

He's a 1 1/2 year old German Shepard/Yellow Lab mix. He's such a sweet boy and is super smart.

The day that we brought him home we took him to the backyard and he sprinted laps for a good 15 minutes without stopping.

He greets everyone with kisses and hugs everyday and loves to have his butt scratched. Every morning he will jump into my bed and curl up at my feet until it's time to get up and get the kids ready.

I can't wait until it's warmer so that we can really get out and get long walks in.

Hibernation

I may not move from my blanket and chair until the end of March. It is whopping -1 right now. The kids think they are invincible and don't want to wear the proper coat, scarf, mittens, hat, etc. Now if you'll excuse me I have more hibernation to tend to. 

Polar vortex....

It's cold. A high of 0 and wind chill of -25 does not suite me very well. 

I'm doing my happy dance that we moved when we did. While it was busy for the past 48 hours, I am so excited to say that our house is now a quaint little home. 

The weather Saturday was decent for a move. Sunny with a high in the mid 40's. Yesterday was rainy and reached the low 50's. Here is the break down of my weekend: 

Friday: 

therapy to talk about the pent up anxiety that I have had. 

Grab something for lunch and have a picnic in an empty living room. 

Go on a cleaning spree. Wall washing included. 

My mom offered to keep the kids overnight and part of the day Saturday so we could get things done quicker. 

Dustin and I couldn't sleep Friday night. We were both awake around 530 and started getting stuff together by 6. We had family and friends helping us all day and by 730 that night we were able to sit down and relax with some pizza. 

I will try and get some more pictures taken but after I get some more clutter cleaned up. Trying to get all of the boxes and bags emptied out. 

Future......unknown

Happy new year! 

That sounds/feels so weird to say. But as with each new year rolls new chapters to be written. New stories to be told. New memories to be made. 

My family and I had a fairly uneventful night. Unless you want to count Tracey running into the wall face first an event. Don't worry folks she's fine. It was just one of the most hilarious things I have seen in a LONG time. 

We spent this morning getting more things prepped for Saturday. My walls are officially nekked. My normal decor is now boxes. But that means we are one more days closer to a new beginning. We are going to be able to have a home that is uniquely ours. We will be able to add color and vibrancy to these walls. 

The kids room is completely disassembled and not much else is needing to be done. I can't wait for them to have the freedom to make their room their own special zone. 

I really hope that 2014 is a continuation of 2013. A lot of friends had rough moments last year, I wish them peace and happiness. 

I see a lot of people who make posts on social media about their New Year resolution, I haven't made one of those in years. I do know that I want to continue to work on being the best mom that I can be for my girls. That I continue to bring love to my fiancé. That my family and friends all know that I am greatful for everything that they do. 

I'm off of here for a few days while I get the rest of our old life packed up and prepped for our new life. 

Until next time!!!