Well kids.....

I'm off on vacation tomorrow morning. I'll be gone until July 8 so no more posts until then. Unfortunately I will have no internet access while I'm gone. I'm not sure what I'm going to do without it. I'm addicted ya know. LOL

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2 weeks and don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone. I'll post pics and give you all the relaxing beachy details when I return. ;-)

Whew!!

Well Dawg fans, we will be getting one more year of the great Larry Munson. The AJC (that's the Atlanta Journal Constitution for those who don't know) is reporting that Munson will call home games only this season. I'm afraid that this indicates he will be retiring at the end of the season though. Only those of you who have been listening to him for years can understand the sadness this causes. I am, however, thankful that he will at least give us home games this year. We need to make it a fantastic year for his send off! I hope my boys understand that! ;-)

Struggling students?

Is your child struggling in school? Many children struggle. What some parents don't know is that there is help out there. Sometimes teachers and parents can't do it alone. Some children need the one on one attention that they may not be able to get at school. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to get your child the help he or she needs. Check out the tutors at Innovative Tutor to see what they offer struggling students. It could just be the push that opens up a whole new world of learning for your child.

More Pacman Jones news

Well, according to ESPN, Pacman faces felony charges in the Las Vegas incident. Kinda figured this was going to happen. So now what? Do you think the NFL will kick him out? Will the Titans cut him? I guess only time will tell.

Quiet time....easy enough, right?

Not in my house. I swear Joshua does not know the meaning of the word "quiet." He no longer takes a nap (most days), but he has a quiet time movie in his room while Ari takes her nap. Today he can't seem to remember that he is supposed to be quiet. He is yelling for me, yelling his answers to Dora when she asks questions on the video, playing with his Weeble Wobble Castle which is incredibly loud! I'm about ready to turn off his tv and make him take a nap too. If he wakes his sister from her nap before she is ready it is going to be ugly around here until bedtime. UGH!!!!!

I need a vacation

Being a mom of two very young kids, a wife, and a teacher there are times when all I can think about is getting away. Sometimes I don't have a destination in mind. I just want to get away from my responsibilities for a couple of days. I have learned that it is important to take time out for myself to re-energize in order to be a better mom, wife, and teacher.

As important as it is for me to get that "me" time it is equally important that I get some quality time with my husband. When we want a nice relaxing weekend we like to go to a nice bed and breakfast in the mountains. A place were we can relax, go hiking or horseback riding, and if we are lucky get in some fishing (okay, the fishing is just for me. LOL).

How do I find my oasis of peace? I look online at Cheap Hotels. If I don't have a particular destination in mind already I can go on this site and search for cities by drive time. You can book an entire vacation package on one site. You can book a cruise, flights and rental cars too.

When you click on a particular city/cruise the available packages and their prices come up on the first page. You can compare prices without clicking on each individual one. It's great! You can make your reservations online or by calling an agent, whichever you are most comfortable doing. You can save up to 70% on your get away. They even offer incentives!! They offer up to a $100 rebate for a 12 night vacation and you can get a gas rebate of $30. Can't beat that with gas prices what they are these days.

So, if you are ready for a vacation just click and start relaxing.

I'm impatient. I know this.

I hate waiting on anything. Whether it's waiting on something I ordered to come in or waiting on approval for something. Even waiting on my kids to get dressed by themselves (I know I could get it done faster. LOL) and my classroom kids to finish their work so we can move on. I'm trying to work on it. It's hard to change that though. Anyone have any tips on gaining more patience?

Say it ain't so...............PLEASE!!!

Larry Munson (you know, the guy who calls the UGA games) is 50-50 on whether he is coming back this season!! I can't even begin to imagine listening to a game without him! He brings the games to life for me. When my mom wouldn't let me watch UGA games on tv I turned to radio and that is where I first heard Munson call a game. I was enthralled. After that I would watch on tv and listen to him whenever possible. I've missed listening to him since I moved to TN. Kinda ticks me off that I can't listen to him up here. I can listen in Jacksonville. Last year I got to listen to him call the game against Tech. Christian was with me and got to hear him for the first time. He really enjoyed it. He was amazed at how well Munson pulls the emotion out of the fans. You are listening, but it's almost like you are there. I think that is because Munson loves the Dawgs as much as we do and he feels what we are feeling at any given moment. It will be a sad day for the Dawgs and the Dawg Nation when Larry Munson steps down. He is the best in the business. Please Larry, don't retire yet. My kids haven't had a chance to appreciate what you do yet.

Oh yeah, did y'all know that Larry and I share a birthday? ;-)

This CBS News story made me cry

We don't really hear much about the good things our soldiers are doing in Iraq. I don't get into the politics of it all because it just isn't my personality to talk politics. This story wasn't about the war though. It was about children. Orphaned special needs children being mistreated/neglected by the people who were supposed to be caring for them. A group of soldiers came across the orphanage and at first thought that the small bodes they saw lying around were dead. They soon found out that they were not. Click here to see the rest of the story and what our soldiers did to help these defenseless children. It was incredibly heartbreaking to see this. I don't understand how anyone could treat children this way. I'm so glad that these soldiers found them and then did something about it.

I'm feeling somewhat better today

It's been a good month for tips so we have a little extra and now that I am "taking control" of the money I feel better. We are still struggling, but now that I feel more in control I feel like we can do this. KWIM? It really does make you feel better when you know exactly where your money is going. I'm determined to get us out of this hole and then keep us out! I'm sure I'll have more down days (like yesterday), but it will happen and we will make it. I just have to stick to the budget and keep my eye on the goal. If I'm writing it all down I can see more clearly how we are crawling out. It's a slow process, but as long as I can see it happen then I think I'll be able to keep motivated.

I've done really well with groceries the last 2 weeks. I have been spending $130 and sometimes more, but last week I spent $46 for the entire week and I think Michael only had to pick up another loaf of bread (I'm gonna have to start buying 2 loaves). This week I spent $76 and I had to buy a few extras that I don't normally have to buy weekly. I am going to have to sit down and plan out our menus especially when school starts back and I'm packing lunches for me and the kids. I think I'm going to cut out the SmartOnes meals and such and just go with sandwiches or left overs. It will be cheaper. No eating in the school cafeteria either.

Our power bill was a lot less this month too. Not sure how that happened though. Usually it runs around $130 (I have a problem with this since our house in Murfreesboro didn't go that high except in the coldest and hottest months.........we are in an apartment now and it is consistently that high.). This month it was only $95. So that was more money that I was able to put towards a different bill. I like it when that happens. :-)

Well, here we go again

Looks like Pacman is in trouble (possibly) again. This time in Atlanta. Apparently he was at another strip club and there was another shooting. Right now it is just a possibility, but just the fact that he was there disappoints me. This shows that he isn't even trying to change his image. If he were trying he wouldn't be in these situations. That and I think the guy needs to find a new set of friends. The ones he has, well....................

I know a lot of people wanted him gone. I was one who rode the fence. He is such a talent that I hated to see him go, but then he was trouble with a capital T on and off the field. I've fallen off the fence now to the side that wants to see him go. If he can't straighten his act up and get with the program (so to speak) then he needs to go. The Titans don't need these kinds of distractions. They have a Super Bowl to win! ;-)

UPDATE:
Now they are saying that he wasn't involved with the shooting and wasn't around when it happened, but he "may" know some of his entourage who where involved. Whatever. He still shouldn't have been in that damn strip club. He is supposed to be cleaning up his act. He needs to start visiting different establishments considering that he tends to get into trouble at strip clubs. (I really need a rolly eyed emoticon on this blog.)

I'm so disappointed

Tonight my favorite Titan, Frank Wycheck, became a professional wrestler. Now I'm just hoping that it was a one time thing. I just can't see him doing this. It's gross! Even just seeing him in the ring on a sports highlight was enough to turn my stomach. I'm going to be incredibly disappointed if he continues this. *sigh*

I'm in a pissy mood today (or depressed.....can't tell which)

I hate everything and my house is a mess. I just want to go lie in my bed forever. I'm even listening to the new Bon Jovi CD and it isn't helping. *sigh*

I should be feeling good. I spent less than my goal amount at the grocery store and I even had to buy a couple extra things that I don't buy on a weekly basis. This is 2 weeks in row that I've spent less than I planned on. I guess that's good for the new budget I'm trying to implement, right? I won't have to go next week because we leave for FL on Friday. Granted I will be spending more than grocery money, but that is budgeted too. I'm even packing our lunch and drinks for the trip. No stopping at fast food places this time. I'm excited about that. LOL It's the little things, huh?

Today is just one of those days I guess. Not real sure why I'm feeling this way. Just have to find a way to get through the day.

Finally home!!

He's finally home!! Ari and I went to get Joshua today. He doesn't look much different, just a few more scrapes and bruises. LOL He didn't get excited when we got there or anything. I had to go give him a hug, but he did go give Ari one all on his own. You see how high I rate on his list. He had a great time and he even rode the 4-wheeler with my dad. Up until this trip he has always been afraid to get on it. He LOVED it, of course. LOL My dad threw him in the pool (with is wings on) and he went under. He came up screaming and crying. He was so mad at my dad and wouldn't even walk anywhere close to him. Swimming lessons should be fun..........NOT!! He hates to get his face wet.

Anyway, I'm glad he's home. We leave on Friday going to FL. He is already saying he wants to go see his cousins and uncle and Namma in FL. Heck, I just got him home and he's ready to go again. LOL

I hate being broke!

I'm so sick of being broke. I'm tired of trying to stretch money that isn't there to cover everything that needs to be covered. I'm tired of my husband feeling responsible when in truth if I managed our money a little better we wouldn't be in this mess. I feel guilty. He feels guilty. It accomplishes nothing. Now comes the brainstorming on how to make some extra cash. I wish I could have a huge yard sale and sell most of the stuff we have in storage, but living in an apartment makes that impossible. I guess I can list it on eBay and Craigslist. I am rolling all the coins around the house. I'm taking clothes to consignment (Lord knows I have enough to spare). I'm even thinking of doing the whole "Pay-per-Post" thing on my blog. I really don't want to do that, but I have to get some more money coming in here. Anyone have any other ideas? I guess I could sell my body, but I don't think my husband would approve. LOL I don't think I'd get much anyway. LOL

Bon Jovi's Lost Highway sneak peek!

I have a link to the new Bon Jovi album, Lost Highway. It comes out on June 19, but you can listen to the entire thing here! It is a great album! I've already listened to it twice tonight. I can't wait to have it in my car too. I really like Make a Memory, We Got it Going On, Any Other Day, and......oh heck who am I kidding? I love them all!

Go check it out!

I want an iPod

Okay, I've never really cared if I had one or not, but the last week or so has found me drooling over one. I just want the Shuffle. Nothing big. I can't justify the expense for one right now however, so I guess I'll be drooling over them for awhile longer. *sigh*

Joshua funny

So, you know that he is at my dad's house this week. My brother lives right next door with his son (6 years old). Today my dad took the 2 of them (the boys) to pick up some stuff at the store. On the way home they start arguing. Apparently my son can hold his own against his older cousin. My dad says he has a come back for anything Colin says. LOL

The funniest of the conversations.

Colin: PaPaw, I wish you didn't bring him here. I don't want him to stay all week.

Joshua: Ha! I'm here and I'm staying!

I can just see his little face as he said it too. My dad said he lost it. It was too funny. I can imagine. I would have been laughing too. It's good to know that Joshua will stand up for himself. LOL

I give up

After 2 days with no naps, 5 nights of going to bed really really late, not sleeping well, and then up at her normal time I just give up. She can have the paci. I'll try again in a couple months or so to get rid of it. I gave it to her and within minutes she was asleep. When I gave it to her, she went straight to her blanket and burp cloth on the couch to lie down. She is so tired.

It's gone in the car though and she can't have it unless she is sleeping which was always the case.

So, now that we are paci free

Someone please tell me how to keep her fingers out of her mouth. Ugh!!! Every time you look at her she has her fingers in her mouth or a toy. How do we stop this one? Last night she went to sleep sucking her thumb. This is definitely not something we want her to do. *sigh*

Morning #1 without my first born

It seems weird to wake up without having Joshua jumping on our bed. I am sitting in the living room with Ari watching Dora (no Star Wars this week). She hasn't mentioned Joshua yet. I wonder how long it will take her to ask about him? It's very quiet around here without the 3 year old though. One side effect of him being gone is that Ari has stuck really really close. Since he left yesterday she has been sitting right beside me in the recliner if not in my lap. I'm not sure what that is all about. I do know, however, if she keeps it up I'm going to go nuts. It's almost like she doesn't know how to play by herself or is nervous since he isn't here to play with (annoy) her.

I kinda miss the little rascal really. I haven't called him yet. I'm sure I will at some point today to see if he is having fun. I'm sure he is. I bet as soon as he got up this morning he wanted to go outside. LOL

Well, my first born leaves me for a week today.

My dad is coming to get him and should be here around lunchtime. I've gone away on my girls' weekends before, but either he stayed home with Michael or my mom came to our house to keep him. Those were only weekends too. This time he is going away and I am staying home. He is going to be gone for a week. I'm sure he will have a great time swimming, fishing, and riding the 4-wheeler, but I am going to miss him terribly. Yes, even though he has been a royal pain in the a$$ this last week. LOL I bet Ari is going to miss him too. He is so excited right now waiting on PaPaw to get here. He keeps asking me when he is going to come get him. I'm not sure how I am going to handle him leaving though. He has gone over there without me one other time and Daddy came to get him from school. We had a funeral to go to and so my dad kept him for a couple days. I cried when they left. I probably will today too. *sigh*

UPDATE:
They got here around 3pm. Joshua was ready to go! LOL When they left at 3:30 Joshua was blowing kisses and grinning hugely. Ari, however, was crying. I'm not sure if she was crying because they were taking her brother or because they were not taking her too. I didn't cry. I think the only reason I wasn't crying is because he wasn't. He was just too excited. They have called me twice already. I thought I would be the one calling. LOL They just wanted to assure me that he was okay and to check on Ari. The last time they called he was outside playing on the swing set. If they encounter any problems it will be at bedtime, but I think if Daddy goes in with him until he is asleep he will do fine. Heck, he may fall asleep in Daddy's lap watching Star Wars. LOL

Now, what to do tomorrow with only one kid? It is going to feel very weird having to chase after only one.

Whine..........whine...........whine

My children are driving me nuts!! Is it just a week into summer? Geez!!!! I don't know if I can make it if they continue to act like this. To make matters worse, neither one of them took a nap today. That and the last 3 nights Ari has not gone to sleep until 11:30 or later and she is still getting up at her normal time. She is really starting to show the lack of sleep. Every little thing Joshua does causes major tears from her. Granted some of the things were legitimate today. He bit her finger and he threw a toy and hit her in the head. I think it is a very good thing that my daddy is coming to get Joshua tomorrow and keep him for a week.

Edited:
Oh, it continues. He has now made "puddles" of chocolate milk on the kitchen floor. He has taken a stool into our room and gotten the lone paci (you know the ones we are trying to get rid of) for Ari. He tried to get the scissors to cut the tag out of his underwear. Lord save me.........or him!

I've been tagged

Johnh over at Salem's Lots has tagged me. I am to write 7 random thoughts and then tag 7 people to do the same. So, here goes.

1. One in service down. Only 6 more to go.

2. My house is a wreck. I must clean it before tomorrow when my daddy comes to pick up my 3 year old for the week.

3. Why is breaking the pacifier habit so hard on ME? LOL

4. You know you 've watched Pirates of the Caribbean too many time when you dream about them and you are one of the characters.

5. I wish we would have a good steady rain. The grass and trees are beginning to show their thirst.

6. I'm so glad it's summer. I don't know if I could have handled much more school drama this year. I hope next year is better.

7. I need to update my blogroll. I have a few links that have changed.

Now, I tag Aisby, Beth, Peachsz, Leesa, Lisa, Gina, and Breazy.

My munchkins are too silly!

Ari loves to play princess dress up and Joshua just likes to be silly. Do you like his bowl hat?

No more paci (we hope)

Night 1:

At bedtime we have 45 minutes of crying, "I want my paci." "I want my daddy to give me my paci." "I don't want you lie down with me anymore, go to living room by yourself." I'd say she was mad at me. LOL I left her room and went to the living room. She comes in and we rock for awhile. She finally went to sleep, but woke up in the transfer. I let her lie on the couch for awhile. At 10:30pm we went back to her bed. She stayed awake until about 11:30pm, crying most of the time. She woke up again a little later crying. I gave in and gave her the paci because I had to be up early to help at school with registration.

Night 2:

I let her stay up a little later thinking she would be so tired she would go right off to sleep. Didn't happen. We laid in her bed from around 10pm until Michael got home around 11:30pm. She was wide awake. No crying this time though. She did ask for it a couple times, but she never cried. We came into the living room and rocked again. Again, she went to sleep this time around midnight and woke up in the transfer. I stayed with her and we both went to sleep. I got up at a little after 1am and went to bed. She woke up around 1:45 crying for her paci and me. Michael told her he would get me. As he was leaving her room she rolled over and went back to sleep. She slept the rest of the night.

I'm hoping she goes to bed earlier tonight not only because she needs the sleep, but because I have an in-service in the morning. Really, she is doing better than I thought she would do. I never expected the staying up so late though. I'm tired. LOL

Night 3:

Well, she finally went to sleep at 10:50pm. It was a struggle. She didn't cry the entire time, but off and on. This staying up thing is really going to have to end. We both need our sleep. She is still getting up at her regular time no matter what time she goes to sleep. Maybe I should cut out the naps until she gets back on schedule? I hate to even think about that. Maybe I'll just make sure she goes down for a nap earlier than she has been.

We start our incentive chart tomorrow.

I've come to a point where I can't take the 3 year old behavior anymore. Timeouts don't seem to be working alone so I've decided to try positive reinforcement. I've made a chart with all of our rules we want him to follow. He can earn stickers for following these rules. If he is put into timeout for not following them he gets a sad face. At the end of the week (I'm trying to think of a good reward for each day too) if he has more stickers than sad faces then he gets to go out with mommy or daddy for ice cream. It will be just him and whichever one of us he chooses. (Umm, Michael doesn't know the reward yet.) I just hope this works. I'm tired of yelling. It makes me feel like a bad mom. Something has to change and soon. Keep your fingers crossed for us!