It’s back to school day for us, and since I haven’t updated my blog in…um…FOREVER…I thought today would be the perfect day to jump back in. I started back to classes last week. The boys have been both excited and apprehensive about going back. Alex was up a bit before I got up at 6 this morning. He was snuggled up on Brian’s side of the bed and as soon as my alarm went off and I discovered he was there, he excitedly whispered “I can’t believe it’s my first day of first grade! I’m so excited!” His brothers, on the other hand, were not so enthusiastic. Ryan was a bit more cheerful when he discovered one of the boys in our complex, who was in his class last year, has the same teacher this year. Actually, they both (Ryan and his friend) seemed a bit relieved. Zach wasn’t able to find anyone at the bus stop in his class, but he’s guaranteed to have 3 from his class last year, so I know he’ll be ok. Alex has Ryan’s teacher from last year, so he had absolutely no apprehension about going to school today!

As for me, well, I’m still falling into a routine. Today is my late day on campus; I have a class from 6-9 pm. Other than that, I’m faring well. I’m staying ahead of the readings, which is good. I hope I can maintain that for the entire semester. I need to do well this semester and next to solidify my grad school entry. Speaking of readings…I must go do some of that now, before my next class. Since I left my dinner at home today (the coffee pot being dead this morning should have been a sign…I also forgot to brush my teeth!), I must figure out what to do for dinner during my 3 hour break this evening. It will probably consist of eating in the Union, even though it’s super expensive. But at least it leaves me plenty of study time!

The Family, blogging, going back to college, life, school, the kids | No Comments »

Oy, I have been in a funk, lately, as it relates to the blog. Don’t know why, but I just have not wanted to blog/have not had anything to say. I am trying to rededicate myself to blogging at least semi-regularly. Even if it isn’t anything anyone wants to read but me, I guess that’s ok. I’m also going to try NaBloPoMo again for July. This month’s theme ought to be easier for me, since it’s routine. I have that down pat, that’s for sure. Even if our routine is mundane, it’s a routine, nonetheless.

The boys are finally out of school. They finished last Wed. and it was a heck of a day for the twins. They were bawling by the time they got off the bus. They so didn’t want to leave their school, and I can’t blame them. It’s such a wonderful school, and I will miss it for them. Alex will be there 2 more years yet, so we aren’t totally done with it. And I suppose it’s harder for them because their only experience with a new school was when we moved here; they knew no one but each other. They feel, at least a bit, like that’s the same experience they will have this time around (for those who don’t know, they are leaving the primary school, which is K-2, and heading to the elementary school, which is 3-5). Especially Ryan, which is not uncommon with PDD/ASD kids.

So, part of our daily routine has become talking about their new school and reminding them that they will still have their friends with them. They’ve been in the same class, with the same teacher/students since they started (A great idea for the primary school, I think. Whomever Alex has next year will travel with him to second grade, as well.). While they won’t have the exact same students, they will be placed together in groups of 4, so that each student knows at least 3 others on the first day of school. I also remind them that all of their friends are also going. They’ll all be on the bus together, albeit a different bus than before.

So, such is the start of our summer. More tomorrow on the summer reading challenges the boys and I are involved in…

blogging, life, the kids | 1 Comment »

I’ve decided to dive in and take part in this month’s nablopomo theme. I’ve neglected my blog for far too long and it’s high time I start giving it some love. May’s theme is sweet. I can’t say I’ll be posting on the theme every day, but I’ll try. Today, though, I guess I’ll just give a big, huge update. We’ve been super busy this last month and May isn’t looking any less busy. We had my sister-in-law’s wedding the first weekend in April, which was fun, but exhausting all the same. I’ll post pics at a later date, once I get them all re-sized and blog friendly I stayed in Indiana for the following week to finally meet my niece for the first time. She’s SUCH a cutie! So sweet and chubby! I’ll post pics of her, too! Then we had Easter and our wedding anniversary. Then my father-in-law was in town, and then we had Ryan and Zach’s birthday this past Tuesday. April was a fully-loaded month for us and I’m glad the spinning has finally stopped!

This weekend, I think we might be going to the circus. I remember going as a kid and loved it. I would love to take the boys. I think every kid should experience the circus just once in their life. Then on Sunday, the twins and I are walking in March for Babies. I’m only abt halfway to my goal (which I ended up lowering). You can sponsor us, if you’d like. You can also read our story there.

After that, next weekend we’re taking the boys to Day Out With Thomas. That was our birthday gift to the twins. I can’t wait to see the look on their faces, either! I’ll definitely be posting pics of that for all to see! We took them to Red Robin Tuesday night for dinner. and I’ll get those pics up, too. I’m going to work on resizing them tonight/tomorrow. I promise to get them up by Monday.

A great accomplishment happened this week in our house…Brian received his NWA seal of approval! We’re celebrating tonight with yummy dessert and a movie (or back-logged dvr’d svu’s, lol).

We’ve also joined a photo challenge over at PhotoChallenge.org. They have a daily challenge and a monthly challenge. Until now, I’ve only been doing the daily challenge. But I think I’m going to start the monthly challenge this month. It gives me a way to hone my photography skills, anyway

For now, I’m heading out side to enjoy the beautiful weather. I hope you do the same!

Charities, March Of Dimes, blogging, life | 1 Comment »

You know that age-old question we all ask ourselves after doing laundry: Why am I missing socks? Where did they go? It appears, the majority of them go to Narnia!

see more Funny Graphs

blogging, fun | 1 Comment »

Not much new around here lately. Just the same old work-home routine. We finally got a computer set up for the boys after theirs crashed awhile back. We’re trying out the kid browser Kidzui. So far, I think it looks pretty neat. The kids haven’t been on it yet, so we’ll see how easy it is for them to use. It looks pretty easy. We tested it out by typing in some non-kid friendly search terms and found that no websites came up, which we really liked. It’s loaded with something like a million websites approved for kids by teachers and parents. There area TON of websites for just about every topic a kid could want. I’m excited to try it out. If we like it, we may pay for the membership, which is really, really reasonable.

Anyway, Here’s a Manic Monday meme for today.

Do you screen your phone calls?
Yes, I do.

When was the last time you lost your temper? If we’re talking the last time I really blew my top, as opposed to the last time I got mad at the kids, it’s been awhile. I’m not easily ruffled, I guess, because I’m so laid back.

When you’re lost, do you ask for directions? I usually look at a map and try to figure it out myself first (if I’m alone). If I can’t, then I’ll ask for directions. I’m directionally challenged, so I usually always take hand-written directions with me so I don’t end up getting lost in the first place!

Family, Internet, Media, blogging, memes, the kids | No Comments »

Over at Skimbaco lifestyle’s blog, you can register to win an iPod touch! What a sweet Valentine gift for your sweetie (or for you!).

Holidays, Valentine's Day, blogging | No Comments »

I almost missed it! Thanks to Teena in Toronto, though, I was reminded

Today, my blog (in this format, as my own domain) is 3 years old! In total, I’ve been blogging for, I think, about 5 years. Blogging has taken a back seat to school and work lately, but I still really enjoy it! My goal for 2009, in terms of my blog, is to blog more. Probably not every day, but definitely more than I have been lately

So, anyway, happy blogoversary to me!

blogging | No Comments »

I don’t know what it is about Monday’s. There must be some unwritten rule about how you must be tired on Monday. It just never fails. If it’s a Monday, I’m super tired…much more so than any other day of the week. But I am looking forward to this week, at least I hope. I am hoping to be able to switch hours with someone at work and go back to Indiana later this week to meet my new niece. She’s 4 months old now (or will be on Saturday) and I have yet to see her any other way than webcam or Facebook pictures!

She’s getting SO BIG! When she was first born, I thought she looked a lot like our mom, which I guess would mean she looked a lot like my sister. Now, though, I think she looks like my bil. She’s so cute! I want someone to invent a way to reach through a computer screen and grab what’s on the other side and bring it back to you. I would likely never give her back, though If I can’t somehow get rid of my hours this weekend, I’ll have to wait until April…when she’ll be almost 7 months old! Such is life when you don’t live near family, I suppose. We make the best of it. It just makes it that much more special when we do actually get to see our families.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Family, Heather, blogging, life | 1 Comment »

Once again, it’s been far too long since I have blogged. I find it much harder to even be in the mood to blog now-a-days. It isn’t that I don’t want to, I’m just not motivated enough to think of something to blog about, lol. Not to mention that for the last two weeks, I’ve been studying for midterms. I did very well on my midterms. I have two A’s, a B and a C.

Life has been crazy around here lately. I’ve found balancing it all a very hard thing to do. I think I’ve just finally figured out how. At least most day. School is getting a bit easier and work, well, it’s work. I love working in a cafe. Reminds me of college (the first time around, lol). The extra income is very helpful, too. We’ve managed to pay off quite a bit of debt and should be pretty well set for Christmas and the start of the new year. I’m looking forward to having two and a half months off, too

We’re getting into the busy part of the year. Halloween then Thanksgiving, two birthdays, Christmas, Matt & Jennifer’s wedding, then my birthday (see my previous post for my thoughts on that) then it’s back to school and everything the spring semester brings.

We bought Halloween costumes for the boys over the weekend. Zach wanted to be Indiana Jones, but since we found no Indy costumes (which surprised me), he settled for Anakin Skywalker. Ryan decided on a skeleton. Alex wanted to be Frankenstein’s monster, but we couldn’t find anything at Target so he originally settled on being Tony Stewart. However, when we went to WalMart, they had a Frankenstein costume, so that’s what he’s going to be. It will be the first year without at least one homemade costume. But, I suppose that’s ok. Maybe next year

I have a few new pics to share, too. Here goes

First day of school for the twins:

First day of kindy for Alex:

Alex’s first bus ride:

My beautiful new niece, who is a month old now!

Alex’s first lost tooth:

Other random kidness:

Ryan playing checkers with his friend:

Ryan’s monarch butterfly painting at school:

So, if I don’t blog for the rest of the week (or month!), have a great week (or rest of October!).

Family, Halloween, Holidays, blogging, going back to college, life, pictures, the kids | 1 Comment »

Sadly, this came in a while ago. I just have been so busy with school and work I haven’t had a chance to participate yet! I was tagged by Melissa over atMultitasking Mama to list 6 random things about me that you all may not know. So, here goes!

1. I have a fear of public restrooms. I’ll use them if I have to, I just don’t like to. They completely gross me out.
2. I am not a very good housekeeper. The house isn’t dirty, per se, it just is a bit cluttered. I guess that could be attributed to the lack of storage space, but I’ll take responsibility for it.
3. I love books. Ok, probably not that random, but I really do. I just love the look and feel of them. Even if I don’t read them. Although, I’m an avid reader, too.
4. I am dreading turning 29 in January. It’s far too close to 30, and that scares me to death!
5. I am not an organized person by nature. It drives dh CRAZY because he is organized by nature. I try, and may stay organized for a couple of weeks, but I can’t make it stick for good. I’m trying, though.
6. I love to cook and bake. I am much more likely to bake a treat or birthday cake, for the kids or anyone, than I am to buy it.

Here are the people I’m tagging. I’m supposed to tag 6 people, but sadly, I don’t have that many people in my blog arsenal…So, I did 2 instead : Heather and LeeAndra.

blogging, fun, memes | 2 Comments »