On the Road again...

I can't believe the time has come to say goodbye.. This new journey is going to be tough but I think it will benefit our family in the long run. Things in my life these past two years have been tough. I don't know why, but I have to make this trip. I hate to leave Mr. Wonderful and take the kids to a new place. I just feel that right now that is the best solution to our problems. I could be wrong, and I usually am but I think it is important to realize the different aspects of each possible outcome. I really want this to be our last move, but I have a feeling it will not be. I have told Mr. Wonderful that I am only willing to move one more time.. lets say within the next 10 years.

Well, here we are on the start of our journey. Needless to say, these two crazy kids will not make it any easier...

Pray for us! :)
Here are some pictures from our journey so far.


...Packing

More Packing...

Driving Pictures...

Sunny Bear admiring the decor in the hotel room! 

Biggie looking handsome!

He is always in constant motion, I can never get a really good picture of him :(

Reflection

I felt a little nostalgic when I finally left Pennsylvania.  I really hated that place but it is where I had Biggie and lived for the past two years.  Things are changing and there is never really any way to know if it is a good thing or if it will be in the best interest of my entire family.  I can only hope that things will work out and that we can all be together again soon.

For the past five years, we have constantly moved.  These moves have always been the result of Mr. Wonderful's Oil and Gas Pipeline jobs.  Once he is done with his work, we always moved on.  With one kid it was always an adventure.  We had a passion for moving and seeing the United States.  For me, it was a break from the life I had lived 20 years. 

Since Biggie came a long two years ago, our focus changed.  We want to provide our children with sometime of stability.  If it was a given that we would always live somewhere for 2-4 years I don't think we would have a problem continuing on that road.  But in this business it is never a given and you are constantly fearing for another move.  This is the main reason I decided to bring my kids home.  I never made any real friends in Pennsylvania, so I was always in a depressed funk.  Yesterday I weighed myself, and over the course of 6 months I have gained 10 pounds.  I just can't believe that this is how everything has worked out. 

I'm sitting here with my happy and healthy kids that miss their daddy now and I am on a diet.

Does a Taser look like a gun?

Why do all our vacations/moves have a crazy story?  This trip was not any different.  For the Fourth of July weekend we decided to go about an hour away and stay at a hotel.  We have season passes to a small water/roller coaster park here.  With another imminent move we thought it would be a nice outing for the kids before the chaos began.

The usual conversations took place on the way.  Things like "I'm hungry" and "I have to pee"…nothing really out of the ordinary.  Driving a long though, I did notice Mr. Wonderful was flying past all these cars.  I proceeded to tell him "you need to slow down".  Not even 5 minutes after the words exited my mouth a blue light special appeared in our mirror.  Mr. Wonderful went straight into denial "He's not after me, I wasn't speeding".

Needless to say, Mr. Wonderful got a lovely ticket for going 19 mph over the speed limit.  After that really nice officer let us go, Sunny Bear proceeded to ask, "Does a Taser look like a gun?"  

You mean to tell me the whole time we were sitting there this 5 year old was wondering if her daddy was going to get tasered or not? Is it me or does she watch too much Cops?  

After that incident we were all in a somewhat bad mood.  What a way to damper a nice weekend away...  Unfortunately it seemed to spiral downward.  Every week we use a small credit card for things like gas, food and such.  It is a credit card we have had for about 4-5 years.  Every week it was always the same thing, I'd pay it and we'd use it. No big deal right?  Well, this particular week they decided to hold our funds for 10 days, meaning the funds were taken from our bank account and no applied to the credit card.  Mr. Wonderful proceeded to call and received the run-around about where the money actually was, and how we were loyal customers but there was nothing they could do.  

Needless to say, my theory is that they were mad because they didn't make any interest on our card because we were constantly paying it off.  They decided to hold our money to make us suffer.  We no longer have this card it was cancelled that day.

The rest of our vacation was pretty much uneventful.  There were, however, 50 million people and their kids, mommas, brothers, uncles there.  And here is my proof....

It's really sad when there are more people in the pool than water.

Peek-a-boo.. Here I am!

Kids, fun and family have made time in my world fly lately.  The kids have been exhausted and exhausting at the same time.  We were able to sneak away for a couple of weeks on Memorial Day weekend (one of the many reasons you have not heard from me lately).  The kids had an awesome time, even if it did wear me out.  It is always nice to see and spend time with family. 

Memorial Day weekend we stopped off at Mr. Wonderful’s family’s house.  We were able to ride 4-wheeler, swim, eat, and play.  After that we headed to our hometown and enjoyed a week of fun with friends and family. 

The funny thing about the whole trip was that my family really didn’t believe it when I said Biggie was a handful.  They have now seen it first hand and will no longer deny anything I have to say about it. 

He screams at the top of his lungs anytime something he doesn’t want to go on..goes on.  He has also resorted to stalking me.  Anytime I am out of visual range he walks around crying or chanting “momma”.  I really hate taking a shower with a child hysterically crying and beating on the door.  To look at the bright side though, at least he isn’t sticking metal objects into the electrical sockets…yet. 

I think this phase and potty training have got to be the worse things known to man, and unfortunately for me they seem to come back to back. 

Back to what I was saying..

Being home was wonderful, it reminded me about all the things I miss about the south.  Let me count them…

·      Beaches

·      Sweet Tea..EVERYWHERE

·      Fried Food..EVERYWHERE

·      Friends

·      Momma

·      Mr. Wonderful’s Momma

·      Going out with friends

·      Marsh

·      Sweet Tea

·      Sweet Tea

·      Beaches

I think that about covers it!

One thing I do not miss is the heat.  I really hate when people up here in Pennsylvania complain, “it is sooo hot whiney whiney whine whine”.  I just want to tell them they have no idea what the hell hot is… hot is when your pool feels like a nice hot bath, or your shoe melts to the concrete in the WalMart parking lot.. That is hot!!

So glad to be back in my own space with all my stuff I love so dearly.  Can’t wait to head back again soon.  Hoping it may be permanent. 

Oh, and I graduated..:)

Coming soon...

I can't believe that it has been over a month since my last blog..  What have we been up to you ask?  Well here is a look at the stories coming soon!! 

P.S. I graduate college this week. :)

Body Art..

Biggie has recently started to deface objects, somewhat like his sister.  Just the other day Mr. Wonderful caught him seconds from writing on the wall with a marker.

They both have been so destructive lately, that even though we needed a new kitchen table because one of the chairs came apart, we have decided to hang on to this one for a while longer.  This table is so bad that the actual seat part has come completely off.  Mr. Wonderful displayed his "handiness" and nailed it back together but I am pretty sure it will not last another year.

Biggie is like a stealth when it comes to getting a pen, pencil or marker.  Even though we think they are out of his reach he builds these intricate ladders when we are not looking and grabs the most permanent thing he can find.

Yesterday was not any different.  I had some markers on the table and was supervising Sunny Bear as she made mother's day cards.  Apparently Biggie got ahold of some invisibilty spray and somehow obtained one of these markers.

Pink looks lovely on him.  Disregard the cookie face.

I think he also felt that one of his favorite toys needed a facelift as well.

A word to the wise.. if you have a child under the age of 5 and the house is suddenly quiet, there is something wrong.

A new pet..

I am terrified of things that crawl.. the creepy things.  Mr. Wonderful recently took Sunny to a pet store and there she fell in love with something of the creepy sort.

A few days later, Mr. Wonderful went back to the store to obtain this pet but they had already sold it.  I silently cheered inside when I heard this news.

On Monday this new pet was bought from another pet store and now calls our home..Home.  This brings our tally to..

1 dog
1 cat
1 turtle
4 fish

and a...

SNAKE!!!  AHHHH!!!!

A great day for a walk..

I know it has almost been a week since I last posted.  School and transporting the kids has kept me busy this past week.  Biggie has been sick but is doing much better thank goodness.  Other then that, it has been the usual array of cleaning, poop, cleaning poop, feeding, chaos, mummified chicken nuggets and snot!  The only thing new in my world is the contemplation of summer events and the fact that Sunny has decided she wants a snake.  -more on that later-

After freezing temperatures last night today shaped up to be a very nice day.  When Mr. Wonderful came home from work we loaded up the kiddos, a bike and a wagon and headed to the park.  We parked about a half mile from our favorite park and walked/rode to the park.  I have really missed doing things like this.  I have always been a very active person but when we lived in the dungeon (old house) I really was not myself.  I feel happier everyday!!

Anyways, I was able to shoot some nice pictures of the kiddos!

Sunny getting ready for our journey.

Fun at the park!

Biggie and his usual face.  He somewhat resembles a Pug when he makes this face.  Am I wrong?

A better picture.

Beautiful babies:)

On the way back to the car Sunny was tired and hungry.

When we arrived home they were playing by a light pole.  They posed for one picture for me.  I have a really hard time getting a picture with both of them looking.  This is very rare.

Did you have a case of the Mondays?

Biggie is sick yet again!  It seems like when the temperature drops to under 50 degrees he always gets a wicked snot and a double ear infection.  Yesterday was his follow-up appointment from the ear infection he had two weeks ago.  TAA DAA he now has an Upper Respiratory Infection along with a double ear infection.  Not to mention, he screamed in my ear the entire time the doctor was checking him out.

Needless to say, that was only the start of my manic monday.

Since the move, I have to drive 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic) to take Sunny to her preschool.  I do this because there is only a month left and she has been with these kids for  almost two years now.  I wouldn't want to take that away.  I'll let summer vacation and Kindergarden do that.

Back to what I was saying!  The doctor is near her school, so I thought "wow this will be perfect!" Biggie's appointment was at 10:30 and her school is at 12:30.  Two birds with one stone!  I forgot that anything that involves kids is never that easy.

So we did the doctor thing and then I went over to the drive-thru pharmacy and dropped off the prescription.  I try to avoid taking the two kids out of the car whenever possible.  Afterward I head over to the gas station and wow the gas pump will not take my credit card.  So, I have to take the two kids out of the car and into the store in order to be able to pump $34.80 of gas!  I tell the cashier that the credit card machine on that pump is not working and she snidely says " I know".  Thanks for the heads up lady..

Now, your probably wondering why I just didn't go to another pump.  Well that would be simple but this gas station has lines..LONG LINES and you have to wait for you turn behind 4 other cars.  I only go there in a crappy attempt to save a little money.

While I was pumping gas, I started having massive heartburn.  I do get heartburn occasionally but it is usually after I eat.  Not right before I am supposed to eat.  I had nothing with me and I was literally about to ralph in a parking lot somewhere so I drug the two kids out of the car and into Target.  GREAT!  As I was combing the aisles for relief Sunny Bear graces me with her "I have to pee NOW!"  Everything with a child is instant.  There is no reasoning with this fact.  There is no asking a child "well why didn't you tell me when we were actually near a bathroom?" This is because the only answer you will ever get is "I don't know!"

Thank god for my friend that lets Biggie and I hang out while our girls are at preschool.  He did manage an hour nap but remained pretty mad at the world for the rest of the day.  Poor guy is sick.. so what can I do except bake him some cookies right?

I had this thought in my mind when I was finally able to return home close to 5pm.  The house was a mess, I was angry, Mr. Wonderful had a bad day, the kids were hungry, and I was just ready to crawl into bed.

I worked for about 2 hours and was finally ready to make cookies when I noticed I did not have a cookie sheet.  I had two in the old house. What in the world?  So, at 7:20pm I ran to the store for a cookie sheet.  All because I thought cookies would make Biggie feel better!

After narrowly escaping with my life in the parking lot (after two disgruntled women went at it all over a parking place).  I made it home and I made cookies.

Everyone enjoyed them and we all lived happily ever after.

Biggie is doing much better today.  He is climbing again.. and into everything.  I am just exhausted thinking about keeping up with him.

Yesterday was not my first nor my last hard day, but I will take it.  My children are taken care of and I can cuddle with them any time I want too!

It just seems like lately all the chaos falls on a Monday.  I never really cared about Mondays, especially since I haven't worked in 4 and half years!

My kids are so sweet when they do not feel good, they love to cuddle.  Here are some pictures I caught of Sunny and Biggie snuggling.  I do plan on using these for blackmail one day when they can not stand each other.

So tired..

We are in love with out new place.  Things have been pretty crazy this past week.  The in-laws joined us last friday to help with the move and Boy was I spoiled with all the help.  I forget how much family can help when it comes to the kids.  Sunny really enjoyed all the attention and ever since they left on Tuesday she has been whining from the massive decline in the amount of attention.

Biggie now enjoys free reign of the house.  I figured out quickly that we have to keep him out of the bathrooms.  He climbs the toilet then straddles the toilet paper holder and climbs into the sink.  He then has access to an array of kid friendly items including mouthwash, contact solution, and face wash.

Anyways, we had a mishap with Biggie's crib during the move.  So the decision was made to move him into a bed.  So, last night was his first night in the bed and that went really well.  He looks so grown and cute sleeping in a "big boy" bed.

Mr. Wonderful snuck in and took a picture..all the while I was telling him "if you wake him up you are dealing with him."

Today was a different story though.  I put him in for a nap and he was up.  He would walk to and from the door and I would hear him on the monitor talking and riding his rocking horse.

I put him into bed 4 different times and then moments later I found this:

That is him on the floor cuddled up with his blanket..asleep!

He takes after his momma.  We both like to sleep and we can pretty much do it anywhere.

Absent

I am sorry.  I have not been around in a few days.  We moved on Saturday and I have just been completely exhausted.  I was going to blog on Monday, and Tuesday but I was just so tired and no amount of Red Bull would have changed that.  

So here is what has been going on in my world..Mr. Wonderful's mom, aunt and brother came last Friday and helped us move.  It was very nice to have the help, we usually have no help or we hire help.  Well, Mr. Wonderful and his brother packed the U-haul but at the last minute decided that they didn't want to move it into our new THIRD FLOOR apartment.  I do not blame them.. I would not want to either.  So we paid two guys to do our dirty work!

I would have taken pictures but I misplaced my camera during the move, as well as, my sanity.  The camera has been found but my sanity has yet to return.  I think it will be a few more weeks years until that happens.

As for Biggie's sleeping patterns (I was worried that he wouldn't sleep in a new place), he has been fine.  He did wake up last night for the first time, but I grabbed him and we cuddled until we fell asleep on the LoveSac.

I will work on taking some pictures today and tomorrow to post.  I just wanted to update really quick before I make the 19 mile drive to take Sunny to school.  Something new and exciting I get to partake in until the end of May.

That is all I have for now.. I will write more later:)

Spring Break in 1500 words or less..

I was standing in the shower; the water pouring down on me like rain.  I enjoy these little times to myself.  Today, however, is different.  All I hear is screaming.   It is in these instances that I wish I drank something stronger than sweet tea.

I guess I should start from the beginning.  It has been a long winter in our household and now that spring is here it has been really nice to finally get the kids out the house.  This past week (Wednesday to  Wednesday) has been Sunny Bear’s spring break from school.  The only word to really describe this past week is exhausting. 

I am in no way a perfect mother, I have my flaws but this past week was not good.  I feel that it is only a prelude to the summer when Sunny has no school at all. 

So let me break it all down so that you (the readers) have a better understanding about what made this week tough exhausting.

Thursday started out just fine and dandy.  It was actually a good day.  Sunny was able to play with her friend from next-door most of the day so she wasn’t too bad.  Biggie on the other hand was a total mess.  He screamed for me every moment that I was not in the same room as him.  He kicked, threw fits and hit me. 

He also threw blocks at Sunny Bear when he did not get his way.  I had no idea such a little sweet boy could have such a temper.  To top that all off, he didn’t eat his dinner and only wanted to eat snack food all day. 

I was so happy that Thursday was not my “bath night”.  Biggie once again left presents in the bathtub for Mr. Wonderful.

Friday, I took the kids out to run some much needed errands.  The entire trip around town consisted of, “I want to play.” “Can we go to the mall?” “I am hungry, can we eat McDonalds?” “I need a toy.” “Waa, Waa, Waa!” “Why does Biggie get to play with that toy?” “You don’t know my life!” “Mommy, will you paint my nails?”

I have come to the conclusion that I need earplugs for the car.  The sound of nagging and whining in a car is by far the worst noise I have ever heard in my entire life.  The thought of this makes me want to hide!

Saturday, I really enjoyed the day by taking Biggie out for a nice day at Wal-Mart.  This, however, started the biggest balloon catastrophe ever.  When I take Biggie out, I like to pretend he is my only child.  This is only because he never has been and never will be.  I like to treat him like I treated Sunny before he came along. 

So there we were, in the party section at Wally World and Biggie begins pointing and saying “booon”.  So how could I resist that face, and that voice.  So I look around and found the perfect Toy Story balloon.  He hugged the “booon” and loved on it the whole entire trip in and around Wal-Mart and the trip home.  The “booon” was his best friend.

This is when disaster strikes.  As soon as we were home, Sunny was at the door.  “Where is my balloon?” “Why didn’t I get anything?” “I need a balloon!!!”  It really sucks when you try and do something nice for one child and the other freaks out about it!  Anyways, not even 5 minutes after we arrived home, Biggie popped the balloon on the side of Sunny’s dollhouse.  He gave me the saddest puppy dog face ever and cried like someone had stolen his blankie. 

I felt so bad for him that I made Mr. Wonderful head out on a balloon mission.  He came back with two different balloons.  One had a happy face and the other was a ballon with different balls (football, baseball and basketball) on it.  Needless to say, Biggie likes Sunny’s ballon the best.  So, Sunny and I headed back to the store for her a new ballon because I had “no idea how hard her life is”.  I do not know where she comes up with this stuff lately but it is really dramatic. 

I can picture it now Sunny becoming an actress and appearing in a movie called “You don’t know my Life”.  She wins and Oscar for the best lead actress in a Drama. 

Anyways, we sorted out all the balloon drama and enjoyed a nice Easter Sunday!

It was a beautiful day, so we spent most of it outside.  Sunny and I did manage to go to the movies and it was a pretty enjoyable day.

Monday and Tuesday were not good though.  Every time I left the room Biggie cried.  He cried all day both days it seems like.  So this did not help my attempts at packing. On top of that, Sunny really wanted to go to the park, but our busy moving schedule and the fact that it rained had made it impossible.  There was more of the same whining from her.  All this whining has made me decide to put her in Summer Day camp.  She just makes me feel really overwhelmed when I cannot satisfy her every need.  She needs more than I can offer.  

If you know Sunny, you know she is full of life and very smart.  Currently, she is not being challenged to her full potential and this is causing her to be bored.  Biggie is much the same.  Lately, if we are not doing something with either one of them 24/7 they are whining or crying. 

On Tuesday, while Biggie was napping, Sunny opened the door and screamed.  This scream was shrill and the top of her lungs.  I jumped up and ran over to her, thinking she was hurt, but she was not.  I asked her what was wrong and she says “bee”.  I said..”where”.  Can you guess where..?  OUTSIDE!  She screamed because there was a bee outside the glass door.  Is that necessary?  When I asked this question, she then replied with the answer every 5 year old give their parents, "I don't know".

Tuesday night, I received a whole 5 hours of sleep thanks to Biggie getting up at 6:00am so Wednesday was already a rough day for me.  If you know me, you know I need about 10 hours of sleep.  Seriously.  I have been sick for the past week and a half so that makes me even more tired. 

So, I was standing in the shower getting ready to take Sunny to school.  I was enjoying the water and the fact that I would have 3 hours to myself when Sunny was at school and Biggie napped.  I enjoy those times.  Apparently, while I was in my makeshift world, Sunny sprayed herself in the eyes with Body Spray. 

Mr. Wonderful proceeded to help her rinse her eyes out but she screamed even louder. 

I just want to let you know, that Sunny is okay.  She survived the attack of the Body Spray and full vision has returned to her right eye but I have lost my hearing in my right ear.  Biggie has also calmed down some too.  Spring is hear, another reason to be thankful!

How was your spring break?

(Philippians 4:13) 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Pictures Pictures and More Pictures..

I know I'm a little behind on the bloggin' these days.  This weekend is rapidly approaching and our move is almost here *yay*.  Even though I am in no way packed, I am ready!!!

Anyways, I hope you all had a nice Easter.  We did.  It was quiet and the kids had a blast outside because it was an absolutely gorgeous day!  Biggie wasn't really down for hunting eggs, but Sunny had a blast.  I really hate that she had to do it by herself this year.  We usually are able to go home, but with the move it is not possible right now.

Here are my favorite pictures from our little family Easter at home.

Notice the dye is far far away from Biggie!

With help, he was able to get in on the action!

So pretty!! Sunny did a great job!

Sunny was on a mission!

Biggie was on his own mission!

Pretty smiles from Sunny!  I wish she was always smiling!

Biggie looking all cute and stuff even though he was probably up to no good!

After the hunt, Sunny and Mr. Wonderful decided to destroy all the eggs.  I remember when I was young the Adults would eat the eggs after the hunting was over.  That is so gross to me now.  *no offense to anyone that does this*  I am just not a boiled egg eater. 

I really tried to get a nice picture of the two of them together but Biggie does not cooperate ever!  So, I was able to snap one picture and this is how it turned out..

How was your Easter?

The 13th time is the charm..

Well the big day is coming up quite rapidly.  I can’t believe that there are only 9 more days until we move a ….let me count….13^th time in 5 years!!! We I decided we should move somewhere that is better suited for our family.  I do not like the house that we currently live in, nor will I keep that information to myself.  The driveway is Mount Rushmore and requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle in the winter.  The front yard is not any better.  The house is old, and smells like old people.  It just does not and has not ever felt like a home to me! 

So, today I was packing.  I have been sick, and really not wanting to do anything lately except take a hit of Biggie's bubble gum flavored antibiotics.  Too bad I’m allergic.   *yum*

Back to the packing, I was in the attic and I realized that we have a lot of crap.  In the past month I have thrown away about 13 garbage bags full of crap.  I have also donated 3 bags of clothes and sold some things at a consignment shop. 

What in the heck have I been doing this last year and a half?  It looks as if I am stockpiling useless crap for the apocalypse.  We have everything you could possibly need including; Barbie heads, 0-3 month baby clothes, old pregnancy magazines, old wallets, purses, shoes, mummified chicken nuggets, a Barbie head that sings, VHS tapes, about 27 1/2 scarves, hats and gloves and  finally more stuffed animals than any one person should own in an entire lifetime.

Can someone please explain the use of 10,001 stuffed animals?  I mean really.  I throw them away and they multiply.  I have run out of places to put them.  

I really do look forward to moving.  It keeps me busy and allows me to clean out the crap that I am too lazy to get rid of any other time.  Maybe I should call Hoarders?