Working through the night

It is 3 am and I am at work!! This weekend was my call weekend. YUCK.
Yesterday was Super Saturday for baseball. Both boys had games, so we spent the majority of the day at the park watching games, playing games, and jumping on jumpers. The kids had fun. For me, it was a bit hot and windy. My poor baby has a little sunburn. I put three layers of sunscreen all over her white body, but somehow she still ended up with a sunburn. It makes me feel so bad.
Then yesterday evening we went to a fellowship for our Sunday School class. We ate and played games. It was a great day until I got called in to work. I got the warning call about 10pm. Then I was called at 1230 to come on in. During that call I found out that there would be another case following this one. Yippee. So I have been here for 2 1/2 hours and I am fighting to stay awake. I have at least another 1 1/2 - 2 hours left. Hope I make it........

Chess tournament

Yesterday was the annual chess tournament for GT students. Ethan won first place among fifth graders!! He's brilliant (I am sooo biased). Anyway we are very proud of him. His first two years he placed 2nd and 3rd, but the last two years, he hasn't placed. Then this year he won it all!!!! He was quite pleased with himself as well.

Whew! What a day!!

Okay so today isn't going to make my top 3,000,000. :) It started off well and then went in a downward spiral rather quickly.

I got a voicemail from babysitter telling me that Friday (yes two days from now) would be her last day. What kind of notice is that?? I mean I am on waiting lists at all sorts of daycares, so she knew it would be impossible to find someone with two days notice. Then she says that her nerves can't handle my "screaming child" anymore. So, I sent Dustin to pick her up. Meanwhile I was stressing and in tears that someone would say that about my child who is happy most of the time when she's with me. She may be a little spoiled but I don't sit around and hold her all the time. I mean I have FOUR kids for crying out loud. Like I have the time to just sit and hold her. I wish!

Anyway, during all this drama I get a call from the school. I cringe every time I see that number mostly because I know that it means trouble. Sure enough, Ethan had gotten into a fight and was suspended. Great. So he is in big trouble and may quite possible be grounded the remainder of his 5th grade year. Tomorrow he gets to spend the day working his fingers to the bone with Dustin. I hope and pray that he cuts him no slack.

Man when it rains it poors......

I am holding the God's word close as He promises not to give us more than we can handle. He must have more faith in me than I do myself. Keep us in prayer.

Work struggles

I have really been struggling with my job for the last year or so. Some days are great while others are horrible. I can't ever recall with any other job (I have had 3-4 my whole life) dreading work the next day. By Thursday I am okay because I know the weekend is near, but then come Saturday night I start feeling the dread of going back on Monday. I mean we all get the "I don't want to go to work tomorrow", but this is a nagging dread that ruins my whole mood. Anyway, I am thinking and praying about looking for another job. I don't want to leave the hospital because I am comfortable there, but there are no positions that I am interested in at the moment, so this could mean leaving the hospital. I am not good with change. It took me a year to work up the nerve to transfer departments three years ago. Anyway that's my story for the day.

I just got home from Ethan's baseball game. I had to leave early to get the little ones home and in bed, but the game was not going well. We were losing like 10 to 0. YIKES! Our team has been pretty good, so I don't know what was going on tonight. Maybe they came back after I left.... we shall see when Dustin and Ethan get home.

Easter

Well I haven't blogged in awhile so I thought I would catch up really quick.

The boys started baseball two weeks ago. They are doing great. Ethan has been catching and pitching mostly. This is the first year he has caught consistently. He typically plays short stop and pitcher. He has a different coach this year, so we are excited to see how he grows and progresses this year. All his games are at 8:00 pm so we typically have a babysitter for the other 3 since that is their bedtime. I hate messing with their routines any more than I have to (a little obsessive, I know).

Peyton is playing T-ball and loving it. He has improved so much since last year. It is great watching these little guys play. Many of them run the wrong way or fight over the ball, but somehow watching the innocence is refreshing (unlike Ethan's very competitive games). :)

Baylee had a program for school last week and did great. She spotted that microphone and as she was walking off the stage she had to blurt something into it. Then she was snapping her fingers in it. She HAS to take after her dad...... I would never do anything like that.

Madilynn is growing so fast. She coos, smiles, and laughs all the time. She is rolling over and is very active.

Today, for Easter, we went to church and then came home to relax for a bit. We then went to my parents for dinner and egg hunting. The kids looked beautiful and had a great day. Enjoy the pictures. I didn't want to post ALL of them....too many for one day. :)

First food

Today Madilynn got to eat cereal for the first time. She really seemed to like it. She didn't spit it out like my other children did. She was a pro! She is growing so fast. 

Ethan's 11th birthday

Saturday we took Ethan and some of his friends to play paintball for the first time. He decided to do this in lieu of a "party". They had a blast. None of the boys had ever played except Dustin, so they thought he was the "pro". It was so funny. There were no tears although they all said it does hurt to get hit with paintballs. :) My parents, Peyton, Baylee, Madilynn and I watched from afar. It sounds too painful to me. Anyway that evening we had hamburgers and hotdogs for him at my parents with more friends and family. 

Today was his 11th birthday. I just can't believe how quickly the time has gone. He is growing up so fast. Poor guy is sick (strep throat) and had to get a shot ON his birthday. That stinks. He was a trooper though. Then tonight he had baseball tryouts and tomorrow is TAKS. Yuck! HE will do great, I have no doubts. 

Anyway enjoy the pictures.

Weekend

Well Dustin is busy with DNOW this weekend, so I spent last night with the kids. We played basketball and I watched them ride their bikes. We went to get dinner and ice cream. Then Ethan, Peyton, and Baylee ditched me for Nana and Papa. They spent the night with my parents.

Today both boys had basketball games and then we went to Midland to go to Barnes and Nobles to get books for everyone. After that my dad took us all out to eat. When we got back to Odessa I realized that I had locked myself out of the house so I had to go track down my husband to get the house keys. In the meantime I was able to hear the band performing at DNOW. They were great and it was nice to be able to hear so many teenagers worshipping. Too bad I wasn't able to stay and hear the message. 

Now I'm just enjoying some quiet "ME" time. I think I will start reading my new Twilight book. I have heard so many people say what a great series it is. My curiosity got the best of me so I will begin reading that book tonight.

Dance

Today was parent visitation at dance, so I was able to watch Baylee practice. Typically she won't participate when I am there watching (silly girl), but this time she did. At first she acted silly and made faces as you will see in the pictures. Towards the end of class she participated and did much better. 

This weekend the boys will have their last basketball games and then the awards ceremony. I am on call, but I am hoping to be able to make it to all their activities. Dustin is going to be busy all weekend with the DNOW. So.....I will be a single mom this weekend. :)

Thieves!!!

Well Ethan had a basketball game tonight and while we were all there watching, someone stole my dad's (the company's) covered trailer full of lawn equipment. It was at least $10,000 worth of stuff. They just pulled up in front of their house and loaded the trailer and took off....some nerve! Apparently mom and dad got home about 15-20 minutes after that because the neighbor had just been outside and the trailer was there. It just makes me so angry. That is my dad and my husband's business. Now because someone was so greedy, we have to start all over. I am hoping and praying the police find it tonight with all the equipment still intact. AAAAHHHHH!!!!

Valentines week

It has been a few days since I have written so I will quickly update you on the events of the week/weekend. 

I was able to be off Friday, so Dustin, Madi, and I went to the boys' Valentine's day parties (we missed Baylee's because Madilynn fell asleep). We went to Peyton's classroom first. He had a great time eating lots of sugar!!! Then we went to Ethan's. They had a substitute all week. I think it should be against the rules to have a party when the teacher is out....poor substitute. That classroom was full of "tweenagers" bouncing off the walls. We didn't stay there long because apparently in the 5th grade it is no longer cool to have your parents at your school parties. :( We spent the rest of the day preparing for my mother-in-law's visit. 

She came in Friday night and spent the weekend with us. Saturday we went to Peyton's basketball game. After his game we went to breakfast with my in-laws. Then my mother-in-law and I went shopping. Dustin got to watch ALL 4 kids! Then it was time for Ethan's game. Dustin and I went on a date that evening. We went to eat and then we shopped. I really enjoyed spending some alone time with my hubby. My mother- and father-in-law (and his wife) took the kids to Gattiland. Whew! I hate that place, but the kids love it so they had a blast!

This morning at church we had a Baby Dedication service. It was very nice. 

These are pictures from the Valentines' parties and the baby dedication. I haven't figured out to place them correctly, sorry. Enjoy anyway!

 

Open House

Well after a long day at work, I get to my mom's house at 6:05 to pick the kids up and Ethan practically meets me at the door to tell me that I HAVE to go to Open House tonight so he can get a homework pass. The catch was that it started at 6, so I left the kids with my mom and headed to the school. 

Only one of Ethan's three teachers was there. She told me that Ethan "drives her crazy"....not quite the answer I expected after asking "How's Ethan doing?" After the shock wore off, I was able to listen a little more closely. She told me how Ethan talks out and is disruptive. It's always nice to hear all the negative things about your child especially with other parents and children standing right beside you listening. Anyways, in the 15 minutes I talked to her she never said anything positive...."like he is so smart and creative"or "he has straight A's". What's wrong with people?? Don't get me wrong, by no means do I think my son is a saint and I need to know what his behavior is like at school, BUT is that the appropriate way to say it??? If his behavior is so bad, why am I just now hearing about it?? Anyway enough about that!!

Then I went to Peyton's class. He has gotten his name on the board two times all year. He was heart broken when he got in trouble for the first time. I mean he cried BIG alligator tears for about 30 minutes. He is doing great academically too. My boys are so smart!!

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What's up with the blue still being there?

Pictures!!!

I finally learned how to put pictures on this thing. These are pictures of the boys at their basketball game (there are two of Peyton by mistake-I don't know how to delete). I had to add some of the girls too because they are so darn cute!! :)

Catching up

Well since my last post, I have gone back to work and gotten back into our normal routine we call life. The first week back at work was really hard, but it has gotten better. Don't get me wrong, I am still overwhelmed by the guilt of leaving my baby all day, but what's a girl to do? :)

Ethan and Peyton are still playing basketball. I really enjoy watching them. It's Peyton's first year to play. At his last game, he got really aggressive. It was quite comical. He was making mean faces and snatching the ball from everyone. It was so cute. He is typically the smallest one on the court, so seeing him try to be the "tough guy" had us laughing hysterically. Ethan's team was doing really well, but they have lost the last few games. They played hard, but still came out a bit short. Last night, for the first time, he went skating at the skating rink with some friends. When I found out that there wasn't going to be any parents there I kinda freaked out but my husband told me it would be okay and I just had to let him grow up. I know that, but he is still so young to me. Then today he wanted to go to the mall with his friends and I had to put my foot down on that one. What are three 11 year old boys going to do at the mall?? Get in trouble, run, and act like fools. Nope, not gonna let him do that. He DESPISES shopping, so really in my opinion he has no business going to the mall. :) 

Baylee.....what can I say about her? She's hilarious. I would post some of her recent quotes, but they are not G-rated. She learns ALOT at school. Most of it is stuff I would rather her not learn. How is that she can remember all the bad words and songs kids teach her but she has such a hard time remembering what the teacher is teaching?? That girl! 

Madilynn continues to be a joy in our life as well. She's growing so quickly. She smiles and coos. It is great! I can't believe she is 3 months already. Time flies!!! She seems to be a little sick right now. She has cold-type symptoms---runny nose, cough and "leaky, crusty eyes". She looks pitiful. There's not much you can do for such a young one.

We had our 4th annual youth Valentine's banquet tonight. It went well, I think. We served gourmet burgers-made to order. We played a game of trulywed (as opposed to newlywed since most of our couples have been married for years and years). The turnout was great! IT was such a blessing to see so many people supporting the youth group. 

Well I am completely exhausted, so I better head to bed. I will post pictures when I learn how to. :)

Back to work

Well today it was back to work for me. It was so hard to go back after having 12 weeks off. I had a hard time leaving Madilynn for the first time. I just wanted to sit and hold her this evening but with three others, that is impossible. We both survived, but I can't say I didn't feel guilty all day and wish I was home with her. She was all smiles when Dustin brought her home. I am slightly frustrated with my job, but hopefully it will get better with time. Well I better get to bed, so I can get up early for work again tomorrow.