Spring has Sprung!

Wow- I am starting to feel the pressure of taking care of the house, yard, kids, and bills on my own. Not only is it stressful- but totally time consuming. Eric usually took care of the yard so I am taking on that task now. I have to admit that it is very therapeutic. I sprayed all the multiplying weeds with weed killer a couple days ago- so today I went around digging and pulling them all up. I swear there were at least 20 lbs of weed in just my postage stamp front yard and on the side of the house. Phew. I already know how to mow- but I have learned how to rethread the weed wacker. Something I thought I would never figure out. We planted seed flowers in the front yard and they are starting to come up. I also have more seed flowers that need to get planted in our planters. I hope they work because 10 dollars for seeds bets 100 dollars for grown flowers anyday! I need to plant some more grass seed in the bare spots (from weeds and our lovely dog), and then fertilize the lawn after I get the rest of the weeds pulled in the back yard.

Now I have laundry and dishes staring at me. Ugh. But I love having a home to call my own. I pray the Lord will help me be able to keep it- and keep it up!

Ginger Snaps

We were having dinner at Mom's tonight and for whatever reason she had Ginger Snap cookies. I couldn't wait to taste one! My Grama Ione (Dad's mom) always had her cookie jar full of these when I was a kid. As I tasted it I was back in Grama's kitchen... with it's yellow cupboards trimmed in pink. I can still see their giant console TV. The decorative mirrors on the living room wall. It was always HOT in their house. They kept the temp about 80 degrees it seemed. The pink bedroom was much cooler being in the back of the house. I loved to play in there- it was much more girly than the rest of the house. The deep U shaped gutters that had soft green moss flowing- so fun to swish your toes in!! The just for looks well in the backyard- and the swing for two. Grampa whistling, and Grama's smile. Ah memories, and all brought back by a cookie.

We bought Sierra her dress that she will wear for the Drill Team Showcase and 9th grade promotion. My hell she looks like a lady, all grown up. We tried putting her in all kinds of dresses- but she ended up with a dress that needed a few alterations for modesty. She looked absolutely beautiful in it and it fit her perfectly. It's black with turquoise embroidery all over the front and a corset type tie deal on the back. Grama Laura was able to sew some straps on and I think I will still get her a shrug to cover up a bit more. But she will look absolutely beautiful.

Montana is finally getting her act together for her solo on Friday. I am so nervous for her. But I keep telling her just get out there and do it. Have fun and it doesn't matter what place you get. What matters right now is that you don't give up. Finish what you started and just do your best. I think it will be a good experience for her. So often she gives up on herself because she thinks she can't do things, or that she won't do them well enough. I want her to feel a sense of accomplishment. So keep her in your thoughts. She will do great.

Justice is struggling a bit. He doesn't seem to want to do much of anything these days except play his Wii and watch tv. Getting him to school, church, karate, even going to friends houses is a big tug o war. He just wants to hang around the house- even if I make him do chores. We are always fighting about him getting ready to go somewhere- he can never find his clothes- or he's too tired- or he doesn't feel good. Mmmm hmmm. Well this week he has to earn his video/tv time. He starts the day with 0 minutes and then will earn minutes for accomplishments through out the day. I hope this will help snap him out of it.

I hope my kids will have memories someday of something special, like Ginger Snaps. I always wonder what I do that they hate- and the things that they will remember fondly- or remember at all. Hopefully they will cherish the fun and bonding times we have had- and forget the rest.

Finally!

Finally I have a job interview on Monday. It's just for a part time gig. So we will see. I have been turned down for so many- I am starting to get anxious. But I am being patient and waiting for THE job. If I can work it around my babysitting I would love it! Skyler is such an angel and so easy to take care of- I would hate to loose that! Anyhoo-everyone keeps asking how things are going. So there you go. I will let you know if it works out or not.

We have a super busy weekend coming up. Parties, Drill Team Fundraisers all day Fri & Sat. & squeezing in some exercise on our new toy the WII! Have a great weekend!

Working hard is worth it!!

A few months ago I started a task chart for each of the kids. It's a list of things they should accomplish each day. We started using the website www.handipoints.com to help keep track of points and rewards. A few months ago Tana earned her cellphone, Sierra has earned lots of spending money & friend dates, and Justice just accomplished a goal he has been working on for MONTHS! He had to earn 1500 points for a Wii system. And he did it!! We picked it up last night and he was in 7th heaven today. We got the Fit board to go with it. I was able to get it on KSL.com for a great price. It was actually brand new & still in the boxes and original packaging. He is really good at push-ups, and the hula hoop game. They didn't have much time this morning to figure out all the games-but I am sure it won't take long. I will post some pics and possibly video of him shakin' those hips. It is hilarious. Where did he learn to move his hips like that?? So fun to see him so excited!!

I have never been a video game fan- but I thought this might be a fun alternative. This will also be a good bribe for him to get his homework and chores done on a consistent basis. Hope his angelic attitude lasts! I was teasing him that he had been replaced by an alien version of himself because he has not argued with me in three days. He is helpful-courteous-and agreeable about everything. THIS IS NOT NORMAL- but I am not complaining. I know he was on his best behavior because he knew the Wii was coming in a couple days. So I hope now that we have it, it doesn't throw a wrench in his fantastic attitude adjustment!!

Our Busy, Beautiful Weekend!

The sun finally came out!!! It really is lifting our spirits! It feels like spring has been such a long time coming.

Friday night Montana had a couple of friends sleepover. They are cute girls. It's always fun to see Tana being silly and really letting her personality shine. They were going to stay up ALL NIGHT- which lasted til about 12:50 thankfully!

Saturday morning we had to get up bright and early and head to Clearfield for Sierra's dance competition. We were lucky because all of her dances were the first part of the day and we were out of there by 1:00. For the first time in our dance history we did not stay for awards- naughty- I know- but the sun was shining and the kids were stir crazy all ready. Sierra did a fabulous job and her team stole the show. They took first in all their events. Wahoo! She stayed with a friend and then they brought her home. That was really wonderful!

Sunday- church- and then we cleaned up the house and yard (first mow of the season) because I invited mom and dad over for dinner. We do not do this often because I am not much of a cook. But I decided to cook my very first pot roast. It turned out great and was actually super yummy! Justice was very excited to set the table up fancy. He really enjoys this for some reason- so he got out the candles, the silverware and shined everything up for me. What a helper.

All in all a very fun- and productive weekend. Now it's off to bed- Sierra has 5:30am drill practice in the morning. UGH!

TTFN

Sleepwalker?

This morning about 4:00am I hear this loud crash bang in the kitchen. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or not- so I sat up in bed, and listened for a minute. I could hear scurrying footsteps and then it was quiet. So completely freaked out, I assume the worst- someone is in the house! I tip toe up the stairs ready to clobber somebody with my roundhouse kick and realize the tv is on- strange. I see Montana on the couch covering her ears with her hands. I assess the situation- contents of kitchen cupboard are on the floor. I asked her what she was doing- she said "The wind is so loud"? Huh. I ask her a few more questions. She is not making any sense. Then she says- "I'm hungry, can I have some waffles?" So I rub my eyes- tell her she can have one eggo- then it's back to bed. I prepare said waffle, bring it to her- and she looks at me like I have three heads. "What's this?" I said it's the waffle you asked for. "But I wanted cereal." So I sit down on the couch with her and shake her a bit. Montana- are you awake? After a few more weird groggy minutes- she lays down on the couch and falls asleep.

I sat there scratching my head- what the heck just happened? I am chalking it up to sleepwalking. Hope this doesn't happen very often. My heart was still pumping with adrenaline- so here I am blogging in the wee hours of morning. Ahhh, the adventures of motherhood. Just when you think you've figured things out- BAM! they hit you with something new!

On the news & In Print

This morning Sierra and her school were on the news! Hope you got to see it. It was really fun. They were the cool school of the week on Fox 13. They had clips of all the different clubs at the school doing their thing. She was in the cheer and dance co. parts. We recorded the 3 hour news show and I will try to put together something to post- can you do that from a dvr? We will see! It was really fun to see their school being so proud of themselves. I bet that will do a lot for morale- although I don't think they needed that at all. She has totally loved her school from day one!

In other news, Justice and Montana have both started their own blog. I printed our blog into a book for Christmas, and it has proven to be one our prize possessions. Like a scrapbook & journal all in one. They want to make a book of their very own. They have both put a lot of thought into their entries and love adding onto them everyday. It is really cute. They are typing it themselves so you have to cypher most of it. But it has been fun to teach them about typing, what all the symbols mean, and navigating the website. They can just about do it on their own now. Kids are so dang smart nowadays. They are in my blog list if you want to just click on it. Here are the links: www.marvelousmontana.blogspot.com, www.justicenugent.blogspot.com