Bells will be Ringin

Summer is Over, where did it go?

School Officially started for us the week of Aug 15.  It has been a real adventure getting back into the grove of waking up early in the morning.  With my new job I am only able to run them to school in the morning and Daddy handles the rest of the running around while I am in my office hard at work.  The little girls are working on their 1st full week of school and since they are returning to the same school they attended last year they are all good.  My oldest has had a few issue here and there but mostly with scheduling or should I say over scheduling herself.  She decided to join the Volleyball team  this year on top of being on the Knowledge bowl team, house captain, and oh yes there is her academic schedule to deal with on top of looking for colleges.  Its been a really storm of paperwork and last minute supply runs but all in all so far so good.  My husband and I decided to keep the 4 year old home one last year and skip preschool, she has enough social skills already.  We have registered her and our 2 year old son for ABCMouse.com and they both love it.  I feel like we could save the money for her tuition this year and apply it to her tuition next year.  It also gives my husband some time to spend with her before she heads off to school next year.

This years biggest challenge is with my husband being home full time and me working full time.  He is going to have to deal with the wacky schedules and the never ending phone calls from teachers, coaches, and school nurses.  He will also be handing the doctors appointments for our ADHD child and its a little nerve racking but I am trying to let him handle things in his own way.  Working from home does allow me to assist in the housework every morning before i hit the phones and it also allows me to have lunch and dinner with them.  It has also allowed me to load and unload the washer/dryer while on break.  Also starting in September on top of working I will also be retuning to school full time to finally finish my BA, with my husband home I should not have any excuse as to why I can not finish.  So with another school year ahead of us we are prepared to handle what ever comes our way and hopefully this year things will run a little smother now that I finally have some help.

The Re Begining

This has been the summer of new beginnings for all in my house.  This week my teenager got her summer packets for school, they are for Pre Cal, AP History, and AP World History.  She is actually very excited and although I have to buy actual books (no kindle versions allowed) I am also excited to see her read a few classic.  My husband, has returned to the world of the working and although the 12 hour shifts are not easy to deal with for either of us we are glad to have a bigger income supporting our family.  I have put in my two weeks notice, I am currently training someone to take over my job and believe me I am relieved, excited and glad that my job is coming to an end. 

My husband and I have done the math over and over again and it just doesn't add up because of childcare, gas, and of course the manic schedules that we have. Just running our house on an average day is crazy, but add in doctors appointments, school plays, dropping off and picking up from school, grocery shopping, and of course many other thing that are impossible to do when I am not here.  Unlike many people, I do not have a mother or a mother in law available to watch the children or shuttle them back and forth for me. 
We are also officially moving next weekend and that in itself is another set of issue that need me at home to deal with.  I am at this moment shopping for school uniforms for the 3 girls who will be attending private school next year and hoping to have all of it done weeks before school starts so that I can start on Christmas shopping. 

I have a large family, I am the mother of many children, and I have to accept and embrace that my life is always in mid spin, in a tornado of chaos and always noisy.  I love the insanity that is our life and although I will miss the income, I know that its a benefit for me and a blessing that I will be able to spend this time with my children. 

Now, if I could just get back into a good rhythm with my school work all would be right with the world. 

Are you enjoying your summer?
What did you get your husband for Father's Day

Terrible, Terrible 2's

Things at our house have been kind of interesting lately and its only getting worst.  A new baby is one thing, but a busy 2 year old is another.  She has taken on a new persona since dear "Baby Logan" has come home.  Scream and crying is now her new art form and believe me she has super human lungs that will disturb your nerves in only minutes.  Adding a new person to a family is never easy and adding a new person to a 2 year old life is also full of issues. 

She is a beautiful child who is ready to take on the world or at least take it apart.  L3 has been the baby for 2 years now and she played her part well.  Right now we are dealing with the terrible 2's as well as the need to be the center of attention sprinkled with the desire to be potty trained.  Its a hard cocktail to swallow, but its what is being served at house all day everyday.  I find myself losing patients with her because her Independence is unnerving to say the least during the time of shift to our family. 

L3 can be super helpful and down right dangerous in the same moment.  We decided while I was pregnant that she would never be alone with the baby at any point.  So far she has done minimal damage, but not without trying.  More and more everyday she amazes me with her ability to be the strangest, cutest, and silliest child around.  2 is a hard year for not only the adults but also the other children, she has worn out her sibling as well.  We have all decided that we will give her the chance to turn 3.  Yes she will continue to grow and change and amaze us and surprise us each day, but we hope that she will run out of some of her energy soon before we are all completely exhausted and unable to keep up with her. 

Loving, learning and looking forward to growing with her.

Too Many Kids

This was the first week back to school and I learned a few things this week. I am not ready to do mommy and me class with both my 1 year old and my 3 year old its just really a lot of work for my pregnant self. I am the least patient person when I am dealing with my husband and my children on the same level in a 24 hour period. If I don't get out of this house with out them at least once a day for at least a few minutes heads will role. Its a lot of work to keep the house running and not lose my sanity but I miss my husband and what help he did give when he was home from work.
I can concede to the fact that being pregnant and having to run after 2 small children is not going to be easy and I might have to ask for help. My biggest lesson learned is that I am not going to be perfect at this and I will have to let some of the things I hold dear to me go. It will not kill anyone if we have pancakes for dinner once in a while. Its OK if the laundry only gets done on the weekend when I have a few people in the house to help watch the kids. Its no big deal if I clean late at night and early in the morning when I can put on my headphones and just go at it like a crazy women.
I want to enjoy my time home with my kids and realizing that if I don't take care of me I can't take care of them is a lesson that every mommy has to not only learn but actually put into practice.