Where have we been?

We have been busy, busy. But who isn't these days? Soccer, making jewelry, running, swimming, biking, work trips, races, school, dance, piano and reading.
With work with the kids both in school during the day. I have been able to go to work earlier and so that I am able to go to bed earlier. Plus to be able to see Mike a few more minutes during the day, since our minutes on work days are 4min. The kids are doing great in school. They love going to school. Phoenix is ready to go to school by 10 am but he has school at 12. So I spend most of my time telling him that it isn't time for school just yet.
Jersey is doing well too. She is becoming a great reader. We were told that she was asked to be in a reading program that gives extra help to kids called S.T.A.R. She was in this program last year and I was really upset that she was in it. (my pride, that she needed help) But the program really helped her progress. Because of cut backs in the district, the program this year is more of take home project. Mike and I have the chance to sit down and help her with the program. Since, I struggled with reading as a kid, I don't want Jersey to go through the same thing.
Speaking of reading, Mike was reading Hunger Games. He kept telling me that I should read it but I was like No I don't want to read some sci-fi read. I don't like future books (1984). I think they are silly. But since Mike and my SIL and some of my friends had been reading them I thought I would give it a try. Last Monday I sat in bed all day while finishing the first book. I got the second one but I'm nervous about opening because I know that I won't put it down for anything. My kids even made themselves breakfast and lunch last week because I couldn't stop. 
Something else that is fun. Is I got a real bike. I haven't had my own bike since I was in 2nd grade. Well I take that back a little I had a beach cruiser, it was fun to ride but it was really hard to ride up hills around the neighborhood. But this bike is one of those fancy road bikes that is super light and fast. I rode it to work once but since the kids are off track that isn't really easy to do right now. I love taking it for a spin. I would like to do one more Triathlon before it gets really cold just to see how I would do because I have a new bike.

Back to Life,

Back to reality! So this week marks the first month of my new loan for my house. We refinanced our house so that we could finish our basement. It has been nice not having a house payment. We saved a little and spent much. Of course we had to eat out and without the reality of paying bills, well a major one, I felt like I was living the good life. But was it really the good life? I have always thought that if I spent money that it would make me feel better about myself, how I look or make more family united. We did eat out more as a family, people at Lowe's are on a first name basis with us, the children are more spoiled and dressed a little nicer. But it didn't take away anything that I have always thought it would take away. I use to think that my depression would go away if I was able to spend more money. Not so. These last few months have been nice to remember that money isn't everything. I like the feeling of contentment. The feeling that I don't have to go shopping for the latest trends, I like have my bills paid and when that is done trying to save a little. I'm still not the greatest at this concept but with this month having to pay my first payment, I realize that it's OK to just relax about money and I don't have always buy something. My kids will grow out of the clothes, they won't eat all the found I buy that it fast food. It's nice to have the sense of reality back. I was getting a little lost in my alter universe.

The month is almost over. Or is the wait it is?

We have been working on our basement. The first week we were so excited for drywall to come. He came and then didn't show up the following week to finish. We said it's OK he will finish not much longer. Then he started coming at 10:30am and then leaving at 5pm. It felt like that we weren't moving along. Then he didn't show up one morning. Then said the following day that he was going to work late. But then left at 5:00pm. ( not late in my book) Then today with the finish line in sight he said I will be come early on Saturday to finish. Well then 10:30am rolls around that is when he starts so I thought he is on his way. NOPE I call and leave a mean message saying I don't want to wait around all day for him to finish. So he doesn't show up until a quarter till 12pm. So yet another day wasted waiting around for him. I wanted to start painting this weekend and he hasn't even sprayed yet. Now he is saying that he will be back on Monday. Oh the anxiety.
I don't have a deadline for this process except the one in my head that just wants everything done. We can't finish until he is done. It's irritating beyond belief. I know I should be grateful that this is even happening but it's hard to feel it when the frustration and annoyance come into play.
On a better happy update. We scored a fabulous deal on couches at Sam's club and a mini fridge deal at Target all for the basement and new carpet has been purchased for the basement and upstairs. We have bought our paint, we need to figure out what we are going to do for a tile design, re-staining cabinets and buying new ones. Along with buying a new desk for the computer. We are going to have a new house before we know it and it will be so fun to enjoy when the madness ends.
Along with basement woes. I found out on Thursday that I have gallstones and that most likely I will have to get my gall bladder out soon. Yeah for me! Or it could be an Ulcer but I highly doubt that one.

Tricks are for Kids...

This lovely post is from Mike:

On Sunday, Rhiannon forced us to go take some photos as a family, you know for posterity and all that jazz. So we got dressed up just how mom wanted and headed for the hills to find that perfect spot. Of course we were about two weeks too late for the spectacular colors that the local spot normally has and we were missing one other important element: a skilled photog (I think that is the cool, hip slang for photographer. I heard Rhi use it once). So manned with my dads D70 and its handy-dandy remote we set up a tripod and snapped some photos. I wanted to post some of the goodies but I am not going to spoil the surprise of the anticipated Christmas card. The photos you see are just to tease and excite you.

On a side note: thanks for all the love. I think it is fun to see how many people visit Rhiannon's blog. She tries really hard to keep it updated for those that visit frequently. Make sure to show her love this week for her 3-0 Birthday.

blogging

How can I describe the constant nagging feeling that I get from Mike because I haven't blogged today. Yes, I know it's been like almost a week that I haven't said anything. Well how can I follow such sweet words from Mike? I don't know.

 I suppose I will go ahead and say a few words about this week. Other than our Anniversary on Monday, our week was pretty much routine. A few highlights, I found out who Jersey's teacher will be. Her name is Kimberlie Peterson, she sounds cute. I can't really remember what she was like since the Kindergarten Orientation was in April and now it's July. So I hope I will like her. Jersey has been crazy sassy telling me that she just has to get on the computer, to pbskids.org is her website of choice. I have to now watch how long she is on there because if I would let her she would be on it all day. But it's educational so it's OK right? Um I don't think so. 

Phoenix has been his crazy self. I thought that when he got his cool, new, race car bed that he would actually sleep in it. But for some reason in the middle of the night I find a large lump at my feet. I feel bad when I kick that lump and it's not the cats, it's my baby. He loves that I call him my baby. I should stop though because he is telling me that he can't give up bottles or diapers. I'm trying to potty train him. With no success though. He went 3 hours dry, the other day, I kept on him asking him if he needed to go or taking him to the toilet. No luck as soon as he was relaxing he went. Then he was exclaiming "mom I'm wet!" 

Another miss happen yesterday that is totally blog worthy but to feel the full effect of the moment you will have to close your eyes and imagine. Jersey was on the computer, Phoenix was watching his sister and I was on the phone. All of sudden I hear "mom come quick" I didn't hear a crash or any crying so I'm thinking I can't listen to Super Why anymore. I walk into my room and see Phoenix on the floor waving his arms all around, the small filing cabinet that is in my room was on top of Phoenix. All round him was some scrapbook pages and scrapbooks that were on top of the cabinet. Now it might not sound like it's funny but that is why you have to imagine because even while I'm writing it's making me laugh. He was fine I think it just scared him. A side note about the cabinet it's very touchy and if you eve touch it, it will open up. The filing cabinet is old and to full.