Just a few days until Christmas

and I am feeling really overwhelmed. I tried making a list of what I still have to do but it doesn't seem that bad. Jim and the boys are going to take care of a little more wrapping, then I will have a few of their things after they go to bed. They are also going to make a few cookies for Santa. I have to make a quick trip to Wally world on the way home from work and voila, we are ready to go. What am I missing and why do I feel this way? It's like I am being crushed by the pressure of everything going on in my life.
I do know that I am going down to 20 hours after the new year. It will be nice having days off, but I will miss the money. I am also going to miss Jim. He will basically be gone dawn to dusk Monday and Wednesday, and plus part of Thursday and 9-5ish on Friday. My 20 hours will probably be opposite of his, so we will have more time away from each other than ever. It's going to be new for us.

Rule #1, never shoot at girls.

My boys got their first ever Nerf guns today. They are just small ones with the little suction cup at the end. The boys are so cute running around acting like little secret agents. I told them the #1 rule of Guns is never shoot at girls. Jim added not shooting anyone in the face. The boys asked if they are aloud to shoot the baby. I made him fair game. He's the youngest of three boys, he has to toughen up some time right? I am sure this is just one of many "boy things" that are going to come into our house now that they are school aged. They grow so fast.

Falling into place.

We are finally starting to get the hang of me working and the boys being home with Marge and Jim. For the first 2 weeks of my new job, the stomach flu ran through the entire house. We are finally all feeling better from all of that.
Last week, one of my husband's half brothers died. It was awkward and sad, because he wasn't someone we were close to. Jim and I went to the calling hours and I got to meet members of his family that I hadn't been able to meet before. They all seemed very nice.
Landon has stopped nursing which is kind of sad for me. It's a little hard knowing that my last baby isn't a baby anymore. So he nursed in the middle of the night a few nights about and just a little today because we both kind of forgot that we had stopped. I know my awesome nursing boobs are going to be gone any day.
Work is going great. We are finally are talking to women and I feel like we are making a difference. I just a little worried that I will get to attached to these girls.

What a week,

It is snowing like crazy out there! I hope it sticks around until Christmas. With the new job, I just wish things would be "normal" and on a normal schedule so we could all get used to me working, Marge watching the boys, and all that goes with it.
Today, the boys were on a snow day. We are getting snow right now at about an inch an hour. It looks like there may be another snow day tomorrow. It doesn't look like the snow is slowing any time soon. Luckily, Jim was able to stay home with the boys in the morning and only had to go to his evening class.
So, we had an expensive select comfort mattress. It basically has air chambers in it instead of springs. Well, my side had been leaking air and I was laying on no air by morning. Jim tried to fix it and it got worse. Jim and Nathan spend there morning downgrading us to queen sized mattress. I really like it, I just hope Jim doesn't push me off! We are used to so much more space. I had been wanting a new bed for a while though, so I am pretty happy to get one.
Our Dryer isn't working either. Luckily, it's still under warranty. They will be coming on Wednesday to fix it. In the mean time, the clothes are piling up.
I will go on about it more later.

New Job.

In February, I was contacted about a job for a breastfeeding support person. At the time, I was under the impression I would get a cell phone and if people had questions, they would call and I would do my best to answer. It was months before I heard about it again.
In probably May, I got a letter telling me about the peer helper program at WIC and inviting me to a group informational interview. So in Julyish, I went to the interview with about 13 other woman. I felt so good about it, and I really thought I had nailed it. I told my husband that I had gotten it for sure. I was confident and friendly. The director came up to me before we all left and got my name. A lot of time went by and just when I thought all hope was lost, I got an interview, then a second "peer interview". I was called and offered the job. I had to jump through a few more hoops like a 4 hour physical and tests and then finally on November 29th, I had a 8.5 hour orientation at St. E's. I am now a breastfeeding peer helper.

Eventually I will be a 20 hour part time employee. Right now I am pretty much full time and going through a lot of training. I am really proud that I have a job that I can be proud of. I can't wait to help a mom feed her new baby and hopefully make positive impact in the lives of the woman I talk to.

Nathan and Kameron are nuts today. They are being loud, blowing bubbles, running around. I think I am going to send them outside.
Landon hates sleep. He wouldn't go to bed until 10:30. He gets up several times during the night and never wants to nap. And when he is up, he wants help 24/7.
Bad day.

Me, a few years ago *almost* at my goal weight.

I think I am on to something...

I have been eating better the last few days. Drinking lots of water- not snacking late. So today it is back to the gym. I have lost a bunch of weight before, only to gain most of it back do to a surgery followed closely by a pregnancy and most recently I have been blaming it on birth control and not getting any sleep because of a new born. Well, I was looking back at old pictures and I think I looked awesome when I and lost all of that weight. I am getting more sleep and I am determined again. The last few nights I have felt hungry, and I have went for small healthier snacks rather than a "fourth meal" or something awful. *fingers crossed*

Long time, no post.

Surprise, surprise, I lost touch. I feel like I was a zombie for the 8 months because the baby had me up all night every night. So in the beginning of July,he moved to his own room and he is sleeping so much better. He only gets up once a night, after sleeping 6 hours, then he sleeps another 4. The older boys are sharing a room now and we are all so much happier and better rested.

Ok. I didn't keep up with the diet and exercise. I worked at it for a few weeks and nothing came of it. I haven't weighed myself, but I am sure there is a gain. I have been lazy and not eating well AT ALL. So this morning, I have started over on that. I drank two tall glasses of water before I ate anything, then I had half a bagel with cream cheese. I know it wasn't the best choice for breakfast, but I bought a bunch from Panera the other day and no way was I letting the last one go to waste =). I have been chewing gum and I haven't really thought about food. So after I type this, I am going to have a reasonable lunch. We have a birthday party this afternoon and I am going to skip the cake!!!

The boys are getting big. Nathan lost his first tooth the other day. He wouldn't pull it and it got super loose and he swallowed it. Poor Kid. We let the tooth fairy know and she still brought him $1. Yeah-for a first tooth, our tooth fairy is cheap.lol He is also doing Tae Kwon Do and he loves it. His Sensi is very pleased with how fast he is catching on and advancing. He learned his karate creed, got his Gi and learned to tie his first belt is just a few weeks. Soccer starts Monday!

Kameron is 90% potty trained. He pees in the potty almost every time and he stays dry in undies most nights. He has a poop accident once or twice a week. Not bad for 2 1/2. Although if you ask him, he is at least 5, sometimes 7. He is no longer shy and has taken to being the life of the party.

Landon is hardly a baby anymore. He is pulling himself up on everything and scooting around a little. Plus he babbles constantly, and he loves to eat just about everything.I can't believe he is growing up. It's hard to see my last baby growing up, but I am proud of him.

Jim is taking human anatomy and studies 24/7. He stands in the kitchen with his book open practicing his movements. His nose is in a book all the time. I can't wait for this class to be over. So much info for him to take in in a short summer class.

Ok, so I am caught up a little.

Gain? 2lbs+

Ok. I have been drinking lots of water, working out hard at least three times a week, not eating as many desserts, basically I have started making small changes. So what is with the weight gain? I am starting to wonder if it has to do with my birth control? I got an IUD about a month ago and I was told it is a very low dose of hormones. Maybe that is making it so hard for me to lose? Or, I have read a few places maybe it is related my gall bladder out. It's all hear say, but I am looking for any answers right now. I have had my thyroid checked recently, and my meds were adjusted to a LOWER dose. So I am getting enough. I am nursing- that should be helping. I can't see how I am eating to much, because I am always hungry! It's not that I am thirsty, because I am drinking lots and lots of water..
So- i guess today I am going to try writing down everything I eat.
=(

Vacation, all I ever wanted!

We have money saved away for a vacation, but we are having a hard time picking when and where. Here is one of our choices- I will add more later.

Disney
End of August, we would drive down.
Plus-
Kameron would still be 2, no ticket for him
My sister can get the rest of us in free, we might have to by one ticket for Nate.
Super cheap for a Disney vacations because of awesome deal from my sister.
Getting to see my sister!
Minus-
Driving there.
Even though we are getting a good deal, still a little more than we had planned for a vacation this year.

No change

So I went to the gym 4 times last week and Yesterday. 7 days a weeks is just to hard with three young kids. We went yesterday too, and today I mall walked. The eating right is the hardest part. I need to menu plan. No weight change so far though...

3 days straight

We have been to the gym 3 days in a row! I have been drinking a ton more water and going to bed early. No weight change yet, but it will come. Baby steps, right? I have a wedding to go to on the 29th and I want to lose around 10lbs before then. Jim and I are trying to go to the gym every day for 2 weeks. then we will probably cut back to every other day.

I have read things that say it's hard to lose weight after you have your gall bladder out, but it was all hearsay from people and nothing scientific. I hope it's not true!!

I will weigh myself again on Friday and hope for a weight change.

Weight loss time.

After I had my second son, I was scared into getting healthy because of a health issue he had. I lost over 60lbs. I was eating right and exercising all of the time. I loved being healthy and loved the way I looked. Then in January 2009, I had my gall bladder out. I was in so much pain that I couldn't exercise for a few weeks. Then in February, I got preggo with #3. I was so tired and hungry all of the time, I gained 40lbs back will I was pregnant. The baby is 6 months old and I haven't lost any of that weight. In fact- I may have gained a few lbs. I am sick of it. TIME TO GET MY LIFE BACK. I have a wedding to go to in 3 weeks. goal #1- lose 12lbs by the wedding. We are going to the gym every day this week. I am limiting my Dr. Pepper to one a day and I'm going to drink water like crazy. I am going to snack on carrots and bananas. *Fingers crossed* I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. here goes nothing.....

Summer fun fund.

We are hoping to do lots of fun things this summer on a budget. Today at breakfast, I asked each member of my family to say one fun thing they could like to do this summer. Nathan said that he would like to go to his friend Samuel's house. Jim said he would like to visit some flea markets that we have never been to and hit lots of garage sales. Kameron would like to go to David's house to ride Cinnamon, fish, and MAYBE swim in the pond. I said I would like to take a mini vacation camping on lake Erie.

I'm sure we can do a lot of these things on a budget, and find lots of free and cheap things to do. We decided to start a coin jar and label it Summer Fun Fund. Whenever the boys are caught being good or do extra chores, Jim or I can give them a coin or two. Whenever we want to do something, we will count up our change and hit the road. I am hoping it teaches them some responsibility and the value of money too!

Summer fun, here we come.

WE WON!

It seems like all of my recent posts have been about the egg drop, and here is another!

Saturday at the egg drop, they were giving really awesome prizes. They have away Wii, PSP, DSI, IPODs, and 42" TVs in all three age groups. After Kameron's hunt, they kept announcing that nobody had claimed the egg for his age group, please look through your eggs again to see if there is anything "strange" in your egg. Finally they even said look for a little foam red heart. We looked, and we looked again. No heart.

Saturday night, I had a Dove Tasting party, so I wasn't home. When I called Jim to say I was on my way home, he said, "Guess what Kameron was playing with? A little foam red heart!" We were so excited, but worried that they wouldn't give it to us because we didn't claim it at the egg drop.

Jim called them late Saturday and then again a million times on Sunday. We didn't hear back from them so we figured that was it... no TV for us. BUT WAIT! While the boys and I were at a friend's house, Jim got a call. COME PICK UP FOR 42" 1080P TV NOW!!!!!! I was over the moon Excited. We went and picked it up yesterday.

We decided since we already have a 42" HDTV, we would all benefit from selling it. We listed it on craigslist and got a few serious offers and some crazy trade offers. We finally sold it to a friend and we are dropping it off later today.

Leave comments with what we should do with the money! We have a few ideas, but we haven't really decided yet.

Helicopter Egg Drop!

We are on our way to an Easter egg hunt. They are going to drop 20,000 eggs from a helicopter. Wish is luck and I will post pictures later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three day weekends.

No school for Nathan tomorrow! so three day weekend, 4 day week next week, then another 4 day weekend for Easter. I hope he handles it well. It seems like whenever is schedule is messed up, it throws off his week. I don't know what I am going to do when he has the summer off. He needs the structure and the schedule..

We are going to try to potty train Kams soon. I have been trying to talk him into wearing underwear, but he doesn't want to. So we are going to plan on staying home for a few days and naked training him. Wish us luck!

Landon is nearly sitting up on his own. He will be 5 months old on the 1st! I want him to stay a baby forever.. I think it's just knowing that he is our last baby and I don't want him to grow up.

Jim is off for spring break next week, and I am doing pretty well with my businesses. I have a fitting for a sling tomorrow and a Dove party on Saturday. Here's hoping to make the big bucks!

Easter egg hunts!

This Saturday at Boardman high school.


Grab your kids, your neighbor's kids, your neices, your nephews and head to the Crossroads Church Egg Drop on Saturday, March 27th at Boardman High School. They will be dropping 20,000 Eggs from a Helicopter!

You don't want to miss this awesome event!

Registration begins at 10am. Three hunts will take place throughout the morning.

Inflatables, prizes such as Wii's, XBox's, HDTV's, IPod's and much more.

Rain or Snow it will go on.

10:00 am - Registration begins

11:00 am - Ages 3-5 Hunt

11:30 am - Grades K - 2nd Egg Drop

12:15 pm - Grades 3-5 Egg Drop


If you know of any cool Easter events, post them in the comments.

 

Info on the Re-sale.

Come see me! I will have candy bars for Nathan's t-ball team!


Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 10:30am-3:30pm
Place: Youngstown Saxon Club
710 Meridian Rd
Austintown, Ohio, 44509
Gently used baby and children’s clothing, furniture, baby gear, toys and more for sale!
Come for the bargains! There will be a bake sale, refreshments, and raffle.
Admission will be charged to the public the day of the sale.
Early bird admission-$5 from 10:30-11:30 am and general admission-$1 from 11:30-3:30
Please email kidsresale@yahoo.com / 330 979-3288 with any questions.

Taking our slings to the kids resale.

 
Saturday is the kids resale and it will be our first real attempt at selling our ring slings. I am also going to try to sell some things that I don't need for Landon. It will be the first time that I got rid of baby things. What a big weekend for me. I hope it all works out and I make lots of money.

Busy weekend

Krista is coming over to help with finishing touches on the slings tomorrow. Then for the rest of the day, I have to get ready for the resale. Friday I have to go set up for the sale, Saturday is the sale. Sunday, Jim and I are being Baptized, then I have a meeting for my dove stuff. I have a feeling I'm not going to get much time to rest.

Full manic mode.

First day of daylight savings. The kids went to bed late last night and still Nathan woke up in full force at 7am. Instead of sleeping from 8pm to 7:30am, He slept from 9pm until the new 7am, so he missed out on about 2 1/2 hours of sleep- and so did I. Of coarse he is up running around and screaming and had to get Kameron up. On top of that, I'm not letting him have any TV until his room is clean. He made a deal with his dad that he would do his home work as soon as he got home from school, keep his room clean, and go to bed without a fight and in return he is aloud to watch TV. But guess who has been keeping the room clean? Some days me, some days, no one. I am sitting here with Nathan on one side yelling please! Please clean it! and Kameron on the other side with a clock. What time is it mommy, what time is it. Jim and Landon are sleeping. All during the week he gets up with Nathan for school, so I don't mind him sleeping in a little today. I just wish I would have gotten more than 6 hours of sleep broken up by nursing every few hours. I can feel my full manic mode coming on in a little while. I wonder where he gets it from? =)

While I attempted to read over this, Nathan read most of it too. I can't believe how big he is getting....

Bargains/First Dove party

We went out in search of church shoes for the boys. We love the come as you are style of the church we go to, but we still like to look nice. First, we stopped at a relay for life "garage sale". All of the clothes were 25 cents a pc and we spent $1.50. a few of the things we got had tags on them. Then we went out to the Village thrift store and found shoes for Kameron. They were like new and only $1.50. We also got a few pairs for Landon which were like new, but will be for when he is a little bigger. I found a few other things too.

My total for the day:
3 pairs of pants
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of swim trunks
3 pairs of shoes
1 romper
1 sweat shirt

All for only ... $8!

So we have $12 left to get shoes for Nathan. Not sure what I am going to do for Easter clothes yet.

Tomorrow is my first Dove party! check it out at http://www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/sites/stephaniemarlowe

These pants were left of the Kitchen floor because they were "to muddy" and had to be changed


I tried to catch some of the mud with an old towel.


Kam going down the muddy steps


Nate digging for worms


He found some good ones!

What a beautiful day.

Nathan has been pretty wild this week. Jim and I can usually tell how he was at school by how fast he runs in from the bus. Every day this week: super fast-not a good sign. But he has been on green every day this week. Even today he was on green even though he was sent to the principal's office. "Mrs. C, T***** said Funkin ass whole." Yeah, pretty bad. But he learned it there, not here. "I was just telling on him mom. I wasn't trying to say it the first time. I was really surprised Mrs. C. didn't switch my card, she must have forgot."

So now they are playing outside. There is a trail of mud going from the back porch through the kitchen and into the living room. They are out there digging for worms and the whole yard is just a big pit. Maybe I will add pictures. Although I am sad that he got in trouble at school, I am in such a great mood. The fans are on and the doors are open and I can hear birds singing. They must be as happy as I am.

Spring rocks. I am going to post so pictures of the mess too.

Back to it.

Ok, I completely abandoned this over a year ago. I am going to give it a shot again. Nathan is 6, Kameron is 2, and Landon is 4 months old. As if that isn't enough to take up my time, I have 3 business type things working and at this point I would just love one of them to work out. Dove chocolate is amazing, but not cheap. I wonder how much of it I am going to be able to sale and part of me feels like it's ok if I just break even then I could just sell it to my friends at a discount. I feel really good about the ring slings, and it's fun making them. The one I really want though, I can't really speak about yet because I don't want to jinx it. MMM, Praying. I really hope it works out. It feels like it fell into my lap at just the right time.

Other than that, we have found a new church that we are in love with. I had lunch with the pastor's wife today. She is amazing and we have tons in common. I love the come as you are style of the church. I was pleasantly surprised to see women in jeans. Now that's my kind of place. =)