Happy Birthday, Dayce!!!

It's my nephew's birthday tomorrow.  He will be six years old.  He is best good friends with Logan because they are two peas in the electronic pod.  I am his godmother.  :)  Here is my godson's acrostic.

D- little DEVIL  ;)  Dayce is an absolute sweetheart, but sometimes he gets this little look about him and you know to watch out.  He's about to do something not nice.  It was crazy to watch when he was younger.  I didn't see it happen last time I saw him, but I'm sure it's still there.  So maybe not little Devil but a little devilish, but isn't every kid?  I just wish you could see the look I'm talking about.  It's like a young Jack Nicholson with his eyes.
A- ATTACHED/ANIMATED  There's always that one kid that has a bit of a harder time letting go of mom or dad.  Dayce is my sister's.  I was there for him sitting in on a kindergarten class last year.  It wasn't as bad as my sister thought, but it wasn't effortless either.  It helps having an older unattached brother I think to smooth things a bit too.  I wish you could see this kid's expressions.  He has eyes that draw you in, intimidate you, melt you, and make you smile...all at once.  
Y- Y does there have to be a Y in his name?!  I've racked my brain for a "y" adjective or even a word that has "y" in it.  I can't, so I'll just do whatever adjective I want.  How about sweetheart? I just love this little boy so much, and dream of the day he lives next-door.  Hint.  Hint.  Ri?  Kevin?
C- CHECKER  I'm throwing out hockey terms for this one.  Dayce is definitely an enforcer.  His brother plays the game well, but Dayce is the checker.  He has the little devilish streak, remember?  He can definitely take care of himself.
E- ENERGETIC  I know this can be said about pretty much any kid, but Dayce breaks the mold.  I normally roll my eyes when people say, "If I could bottle that energy..."  I actually agree when it comes to Dayce.  He plays hockey, soccer, lacrosse, probably all on the same day.  ;)  

Happy Birthday, Daycer!  We love you!!!!

What's Happening, Hot Stuff?

I saw a quote on Pinterest that says, "I speak in movie lines."  This fits me.  This title doesn't really work without an asian accent.  It's from Sixteen Candles.  Long Duck Dong says it.  Just saying that name makes me smile.  Try it.  ;)

Here are some happenings with me.  I know I just did a daybook post, but so what.  Here we go...

• I am thinking about quitting Thirty-One.  I said it.  I'm waiting for God to give me a burning bush answer on this one, but so far nada.  It's gotten to the point where I have to care about my numbers.  It's not fun when it becomes about numbers.  I've tried turning it around, and it's not working.  I have a party coming up that I'm hoping will be successful.  I'm hoping that will spark something again.  It pains me to be thinking about this because I've gained SO MUCH from it.  Plus, the lady I'm under doesn't benefit from me quitting either.  She needs my numbers, and we have become really good friends.  It just S.U.C.K.S.
• I am thinking about quitting Carmel.  Well, not quitting but not joining when the time comes.  I don't know what it is.  I feel like we've had a lot of things throw at us these past couple of years and I need to regroup and focus on the family.  Considering that I'm supposed to be discerning Carmel, I guess I'm right where I'm supposed to be with it.
• Chemo is starting up this week.  I got another grant that will keep me on the schedule the doc wanted me on to begin with...the one we couldn't afford, so this grant helps.  I don't know how I feel about it yet.  I kind of don't want to do it at all anymore.  Then again, if it's going to help...
• I'm sick of being sick.  I have other issues happening where I'm having to think about another surgery.  This one would be elective to a point.  I'm not ready to talk about it, but if you ever find yourself in a praying mood, I'd appreciate whatever you could throw my way.  For Nora!
• No one warned me about the terrible tens.  I had only ever heard about the terrible twos.  I'm worried about Rory.  I'm hearing her emotional state and everything going on with her is normal for her age, but no one's telling me how to get through it.  I don't remember being this way at ten.  I waited until I was twelve.  :D
• I really hate feeling like a parenting failure every day of my life.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Is it just me?  I think I need to start implementing my counselor's ABC method.

A.  Awareness (I'm getting really good at this one)
B. Breathe (Really trying to focus on this)

C. Choose (Making a choice is the hard part.  We're so conditioned in certain ways of reacting.  It's really hard to break that cycle.)  

Let me give you an example of how this all works.

Kaelyn asks me to go somewhere or do something.  She has not completed the chores that need done before she leaves.  I am aware of my heart palpitating and my breathing getting shallow.  Hey!  There's the breathing part and I didn't even realize it.  Here is where I would focus on my breathing and try to regulate it to stop my adrenaline.  Then I make a conscious choice to not engage but simply explain what needs to be done in order for her to go.  When she backtalks and disrespects to try and get her way, I'm aware of it, breathe through it and calmly repeat what's required for her to go.  Rinse and repeat.

And that's how I would like it to go.  I normally don't get to the breathing part because she triggers me with her disrespect.  I think it's because when I was growing up, you didn't even THINK about disrespecting your parents.  And it's hard not to feel like a failure of a parent when your kids disrespect you.  Aren't you supposed to be teaching them not to do that?  So obviously I've dropped that ball along with the back talk one.  *sigh*  Then after I engage in the fight and think about it, I decide that I'm going to be compassionate and forgiving like Jesus because then it will teach her compassion and forgiveness, but really all it does is make me feel like a doormat.  And that is a long ramble on my daily struggle.  On that crazy note...here's a picture to divert your attention from my uneasiness.

I can't make this go right side up.  It makes more sense sideways though after this post, doesn't it?

Finishing Daybook

Sorry about that, folks.  It was a doozy, and I apologize for just runnin' out on ya.  Here's the rest of my Daybook.

Around the house...
We are getting things done.  I have a friend from the gym telling me how to design our living room.  It's slow going trying to search out deals and such.  I have hope that it's going to look wonderful.  I just want a "grown up" (AKA no toys), family living room. Somewhere that doesn't make me nervous when someone comes over.  

One of my favorite things...
Carnation Instant Breakfast Drinks.  I LOVE these things.  I think I've mentioned it before.  I got some for my birthday but I only have four left, so I'm not drinking any of them.  Oh, but how I love them!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
swimming, gym, T-ball, cookouts...Happy early Memorial Day!

A picture thought...

A Spring Daybook

Outside my window...
dark and warm.  It's supposed to be in the 80's for the next couple of days.  Ugh.

I am thankful for...
perspective.  I am learning a lot in this past little bit. I don't know what God has in store, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was apprehensive about it.  

I am thinking about...
summer.  I hate sweating.  Days at the pool, bugs, sunscreen, sticking to seats, sticky hands from popsicles, bugs, etc.

In the schoolroom...
We had our second review of the year, and we're doing something different next year (stay tuned), so I'm trying really hard not to throw in the towel now.  ;)  I think we'll have to do reading and math throughout the summer, but I do want to finish some things before then.

From the kitchen...
I really want to start eating healthier things...less processed stuff.  We're going to look at a farm nearby that sells poultry, beef, and veggies grown there and organically.  We might have the budget if that's all we're buying.

I am creating...
a homestead.  It's time to start focusing on my home and family.  We've had so many distractions.  I need to start while there's a break in the crazy.

I am working on...
my healthy eating.  I'm getting into a groove.  I think it all has to do with stopping the Diet Pepsi.  Once I have one I want another, and cookies, and chocolate, and something fried.  It's a death spiral for any healthy eating agenda.  I told myself I'd get a dollar a day for every day I don't have a soda.  I don't think I'll ever see the money, but it helps with the motivation.

I am reading...
my Carmelite prayers still.  I'm looking into a couple of books.  I read a trilogy on temperaments, the one God gave me, Kevin, and the kids.  It's a series by Art and Laraine Bennett.  It was pretty interesting, and I understand some things about how I handle arguments with the kids and Kevin from it.  

I am praying for...
myself and my family.  We also have a list of priests to pray for daily...one a day, from our Diocese.  I explained to the kids that whenever they don't get something they want or they get hurt, they're to shout, "For Father Michael!"  That's the priest we prayed for today.  We just started, so I'm hoping to follow through with it and get them in the habit.

I am hearing...
master procrastinator, Kaelyn, chipping away at a hardened clay sculpture outside.  It's 10p and hopefully our neighbors won't mind us making noise for once.  This project is due tomorrow.  She didn't figure out that a spoon wouldn't work until 15 minutes into her start AT NINE O'CLOCK!  *sigh*  I think I should add Kaelyn out of school to my short list of pros about summer.

Around the house...
I don't know.  I just got into a fight with Kaelyn, so I'm going to call it a night.  Sorry.

A Tale of Two Curls

Here's a little secret...I hate my hair.  I always have.  Remember that picture of me when I was younger with my sister?  

Curls...even back then.  I'll have to get the picture of my pixie cut.  When my mom didn't know what to do with it anymore, she hacked it all off.  I understand her frustration now!  

I went an hour away to go to a curly hair specialist.  It was less of a haircut and more of a schooling in curls.  I, Nora, am ready to embrace my curls...maybe.  I have to change a lot of things, but I think it's going to be fine.  She took my ponytail holders from me.  :O  I am not allowed to do a braid or bun anymore.  It's not good for the curls.  

Here's what it looked like after the salon.

 Embrace the curls.  Embrace the curls.  Embrace the curls.

If I wasn't allowed to do buns, what about the gym?  She told me to bend over and gather my hair on top of my head and put it in a ponytail.  I asked her if she was kidding.  She wasn't.  I kind of liked it.  Completely different for me.  The people at the gym didn't recognize me.  :)

After the gym was a completely different story.  I had sweat it up and the frizz showed up, just like it always does.

We'll see how long this new venture lasts.  I'm digging the ponytail.  Old habits die hard.

Wordless Wednesday

School Stuff

Haven't had one of these posts in a while, and there's not much to this one either.  We have on and off days.  I've been sick or someone has.  Rory's birthday threw us off schedule some and a little bit of this and that.  Anyway, here is some "fun" school we did.

You start with designing something in glue on paper.  I should've used black construction paper, but it was our first time, and I didn't know such things yet.  Then you pour salt over the glue design.  When you go to shake of excess salt, it will just stick to the glue so no worries.

Then you take some watercolors and start painting your salt/glue design.  The sale/glue soaks up the color.  It was a lot of fun watching it.  Here are some pics.

This was mine.  ;)

Logan's

Rory's

On to science...

Logan got a science kit for his birthday last year that had a couple of experiments in it.  We bring it out whenever they remember.  

Here's some color palettes in milk.

After this picture was taken, we put some Dawn dish soap on a Q-Tip and it was awesome!  It made everything run.  I know some people reading this are thinking, "DUH!" but this is the first time we've done it.

Kaelyn has to make a mask for school.  This is a wire frame that she paper mached and painted.  She found out it wasn't due until this week, so she's doing it over because it's not good enough.  I have yet to see her start, so even though she was given another week, it'll be a last minute thing again.  *sigh*

Right Now

I saw this idea on another blog and thought I'd try it.  I'm unoriginal that way.  

SHE:

• Has two more weeks left of her first year of college.  I never knew what people meant when they told me that time flies until I had kids.  So many things are not understood until one has kids.  I should write a book on it.
• Dropped her phone in the sink two nights ago.  We have not had a chance to get anywhere to get it fixed.  It's like watching someone in detox.  I have to wake her up in the morning in 10 minute increments because that's how she sets the alarm on her phone.  I don't HAVE to but I want her to actually finish her last two weeks of school.  ;)
• Didn't remember where she parked at school today and wandered aimlessly searching for it.
• Is a master procrastinator and fully embraces it.  I found a quote on Pinterest the other day that said, "I save all of my homework until the last minute because then I'll be older, therefore more wise."
• Fights being an artist, but is so amazing at it that I wonder if she'll win.
• Is dreading the coming cicadas.

SHE:

• Is coming into her new age with hormones swingin'!  We tried to have a talk about it today.  TRIED.
• Is one of the best helpers when said hormones are not in full swing.  
• Has new glasses that she has to wear whenever we go out.  Her eyes have gotten worse.
• Is still a mystery with her belly aches and not eating.  I'm toying with the idea of just making her gluten free and seeing what happens.
• Wants to have a green thumb so bad that it really makes Kevin and I sad that plants come here to die.
• Is dreading the coming cicadas.

HE:

• Took his little sister's hand at Mass last Sunday and led her to the children's liturgy in the back of the church WITHOUT Rory.  They have never gone without Rory.  Logan, up to this point, has needed to have someone with him at all times (VBS, co-ops, the bathroom, etc.).  Kevin and I both got a little teary-eyed at it.
• Is the most laid back of them all.  He has moments, but compared to his three sisters, he's a walk in the park (make that a ride, where you're being pushed, and it's all downhill, on a lovely day, while you're eating ice cream).
• Gets along best with Marley.  They are partners in crime and thick as thieves.  I always dreamed of a big brother little sister combo.  I always wanted it growing up, someone to protect me and watch out for me.
• Wants to be wherever dad is.  That's not surprising being the only other boy in the family.  Kevin helped coach his T-Ball tonight, and Logan told him how much he liked his dad for a coach.  It was pretty sweet.
• Has a great sense of humor and laid back common sense.  I can't explain it, but I think he gets it from me.  :D
• Is thoroughly excited about the coming cicadas!

SHE:

• Is the youngest child in the fullest sense of the birth order philosophy.  Nuff said.
• Got new glasses today with flex frames, so they are kinder to the sensitive skin behind her ears.  They are, of course, purple.
• Is so gosh darn cute it's really hard disciplining sometimes.  
• Looks up to all her older sisters and brother, but again, Logan stands out the most.  She plays with each differently, has a way with each of them.
• Is fearless, driven, stubborn, loud, energetic, and soft.  The epitome of the phrase "sugar and spice" or "hot mess" (take your pick). 
• Is DREADING the coming cicadas.  She seems to be the most worried about them, and she's the one I'm worried about most regarding them.  It should be interesting, which with Marley, life always is.

   

 

   

 

Weekend House Work

We did some work this weekend.  Some doesn't seem like quite the right word.  We started off with a T-Ball game.  It was nice because the sun was shining, and it wasn't overly warm.  It was actually quite cool, good for running.  There are no winners in T-Ball at this age.  

We stopped by Walmart on the way home to get sand and gravel to redo the front porch.  The pavers were falling in due to a groundhog that's been residing under our porch.  Hopefully he got out before we sealed up all three of his entrances/exits.

Kevin laid the gravel and redid the bricks in two different spots while Rory and I weeded.   It looks real good and safe.  I feel a lot better about it.  There's something to be said about curb appeal.  Kevin also put some boarding up around the side of the house so the groundhog can't get back in.

We had to go back to Walmart for something...I can't remember what.  While we were there, we started looking at shutter paint.  We got some and Kevin got started on the shutters.  The paint can wouldn't spray, so back to Walmart he went.  He got another couple cans and came back and sprayed the shutters.  
Rory and I were still weeding at this point.  Kevin got the shutters done red, and they look amazing.  We came inside and Kevin headed downstairs to plastic wrap the laundry room.  It's unfinished and has insulation hanging exposed through the ceiling.  He got it all covered.  

In Sunday, we went to church and got started on painting the door to match the shutters.  Rory and I continued on the weeding.  We then turned our efforts inside and Kevin put the closet up in our new closet.  We had one of those wall hanging unit thingys.  I don't know the official name for it, but it's complicated and it's up.  MORE STORAGE!

We moved out dresser out of our room to our new closet.  We now have just our bed and two sidetables on either side.  This is major folks because I can't tell you how many bruises our knees have seen from trying to maneuver around that room with how small it was and with all that furniture in it.  Once we paint it, it will be done!

We have a good bit of downstairs cleaned up.  We're going yard sale shopping this weekend for a coffee table.  We're going to set up downstairs as a "school room" with a couch, desks and tables.  Upstairs will look more like a living room than a school room...hopefully.

The laundry room has shelving in it to become our pantry and holder of appliances we don't use as much.  Then the pantry closet became my Thirty-One storage closet.  Oh folks!  These changes make me so happy.  We are decluttering around here to get ready for a homeschool swap on Thursday too.

It feels good to get things done.   Here are pics of just the front of the house and walkway.  They're not very good, so sorry for the quality.

I blipped out our house numbers, so my mom didn't have a heart attack.  ;)  You can't really see the door done because of the shadow, but it all looks awesome! 

Happy Birthday, Rory!!!!!

Well, folks, Rory is 10 years old!  I can't believe it.  We have another double digit.  Here is Rory's birthday acrostic.

R- RELENTLESS  When Rory wants something, she goes after it.  Whether this means asking for something over and over again, to just doing something herself rather than waiting, even if it's something that requires help.  She's hard headed just like her daddy.  ;)
O- ORNERY  This might have to do with her daddy too.  HA!  While she is coming into her own "grownupness" there are times she is still the oddest kid I know.  For instance, some of the items on her birthday list are real doctor instruments (like a stethoscope or blood pressure gauge), a hand fan, and matching umbrella.  What?!  Ornery!
R- RELIANT  On the flip side of her ornery, you can rely on Rory for a lot of things.  She's a great helper!  She's always willing to help with the younger kids (even going overboard at times).  She's almost always willing to help around the house with chores, cooking, dishes, vacuuming, you name it.  If I've got a lot going on, I turn to Rory to help me with things.  She's great!
Y- YAPPY  Rory LOVES to talk.  The last time we got her hair done, she did NOT STOP TALKING.  She talked through her whole hair dryer drying even though the lady and I told her we couldn't hear her.  Ask her a design or fashion question and then prepare for a long option.  Those two topics normally get the longest response.  

I still can't believe she's 10.  It is crazy how time and hormones fly.  ;)  Happy Birthday, Rory!  I love you so much!

 

Quick Takes

1. Mayday!  Mayday! (Get it?  It's May!  Hahaha!) Rory is turning 10 next week.  How in the WORLD did that happen?  Double digits.  It's happening too fast.  We're almost to the point of irreparable damage.  Must.Stop.Yelling
2. There's a change of wind coming on the home school front.  I'll keep you updated.  
3. I have GOT to get my act together.  Normally I'm doing pretty well in one aspect of life and awful or just indifferent in others.  I don't even have the one going semi-well right now.  I haven't been feeling well, but I don't think that's all that's going on.  I don't know what it is.  I'm in a funk.
4. This weekend I am going to work on this house.  There are so many projects to be done that it's overwhelming deciding where to start.  I think we're going to tackle the front step first.  Since people will be here next week I can't have them falling into a sinkhole and hurting themselves.
5. I have an appt next week to chop my hair off.  I say chop because I always say I want to go short, but Kevin tells me that I told him to never let me do that.  Maybe because it's more work?  But I have a bit of time to do SOME sort of styling to my hair now. (did I just write that?)  
6. There are two yellowish paint tones on various walls in the living room.  I forgot painting will probably not be done this weekend, therefore it's going to look funny when people come next week.  OF COURSE!

 That's all for now.  Wish me luck!  Here's a pic for you, since mother's day is coming up and what not.