about the move and the dogs

Moving is not a fun chore.  Moving while having a cold that your child passed to you and your husband is brutal.  Yuck.  I'm on the mend, but I was miserable!

Lily threw up in the middle of the night last night.  It was all watery foam. AND A ROCK.  Since moving a few days ago Lily eats everything in sight. Sticks, rocks, twigs.  You name it and she munches on it.  Sorry about talking about dog vomit, but I couldn't believe it.  She's a wild pooch.

We have been moving and organizing and un-packing for 4 days.  4 days and I still don't think I've put a dent in our stuff.  GAhhh!  Moving is not fun and when you are overwhelmed with 'stuff' you just wanna toss everything in sight.  Including your cheerleader pom poms from high school and all the pictures your parents passed down to you.  Unpacking even makes you want to throw away all the toys in the world.  Although I must say our kids don't have as many toys as we do "keepsakes."  But, what is it with me and blankets and comforters?  I moved to Ohio and felt like I would need lots of blankets.  I mean seriously....there are heaters here.  Yes, it is cold, but the heater works.  I'm saying goodbye to many many things over the next month or so.

Gary and I installed a PetSafe in-ground fence at our new house.  It rocks.  It took us several hours and about 12 bottles of beer, but together we did it.  He dug the small trench and I buried the wire.  I was on my hands and knees sticking that wire in the grass which explains about half of those beers.  I am sore, but it is soooo worth it.  Lily is loving the freedom.  Daisy doesn't like the collar at all.  She got a little close to the border one time and she didn't like the feeling of the collar, so she will barely get off the porch now.  I know she will be fine with time, but I wish she loved it as much as Lily.  We thought about getting the wireless system, but we are happy with the choice we made.  I'm hoping to devote an entire post to our PetSafe install!

This blog post is courtesy of At&t.  We haven't had access to internet since we moved until today.  I am so happy to be connected again.  I am sitting on my back porch watching the kids play.  I am so happy!  I'd be happier if I was all unpacked and this sinus mess was gone, but hey...that will all work itself out!!

The things that happen when Gary travels

Do you remember back a few years ago when I wrote about how things go crazy when Gary is out of town?  Just because it is true and unbelievable read that post if you haven't.  Guess what?  Gary is out of town and the past day has been wild and crazy.  I may go into too much detail about a few things, so feel free to skip over the TMI parts.

Yesterday started out as a normal day.  Hayden and I headed to my Zumba class and I was feeling a little stuffy, but I assumed it was just allergies the wind blew in on Tuesday when it was 61 degrees and windy.  I knew Zumba would be a challenge with a stuffy nose, but I pushed through it.  Hayden on the other hand sneezed 500 times and was a snotty mess.  I decided to keep him home from school because he just looked so pitiful.

Hayden and I lounged around and used half a box of tissues.  I rested because Lily hasn't been sleeping through the night yet.  I have to take her outside during the night, so I'm a little drained from no sleep.  I have to say it is worth it though, because she is a sweet girl.  She is the best Valentine's day gift ever and the puppy/potty training phase will be over so fast.  I don't mind a few weeks of random sleep.

We picked Layla up from school in the snow.  I was shocked to see it was snowing when I looked out the window.  The snowflakes were the biggest I've ever seen.  

Once we got home from school we all had a snack and then Layla said her stomach started to hurt. Turns out she has a stomach virus that hit right about bed time.  Bedtime can get hectic around here and with Gary gone and a puppy too ... I was already struggling to get clean sheets on Hayden's bed.  Then Layla got sick all over the living room, kitchen and downstairs bathroom.  I literally thought I was going to die.

I needed a towel around my face to clean it up.  

Meanwhile Hayden was so stuffy he couldn't sleep or breathe.

I had him sitting in a chair near the window breathing in cool air.  Daisy was scarred to death hiding somewhere and Lily had to be crated due to all the commotion   It was like in the movies.  haha!  I was in an action packed sick house and even though I was stuffy I still struggled with cleaning barf.  IT was everywhere.  Bless Layla's heart.  I don't think she has thrown up in YEARS.  I don't think she knew what was going on.  I remember when I was a kid and I couldn't make it to the bathroom.  It's just so sad.

Layla's night was very rough and she is sad about missing school today on Valentine's day.  She still isn't 100% comfortable at her new school and for her to be excited to go made me happy.  After she got sick she was so upset to be missing school.  It's just so sad.

Hayden and Daisy have been resting today.  He isn't going to school again today because I am so tired.  I can't imagine getting Layla into the car to drop him off at school.  AND as bad as this stomach virus is, I don't want him eating a bunch of junk if he gets sick today.  I hope Hayden and I are spared, but I feel like I may be feverish.  Layla has fever, and I was with her all night last night.  I hope I don't get sick, but the rumor is going around that this bug is brutal.

Gary is heading home tomorrow and I hope he doesn't get sick.  Valentine's day is not at all what I expected and I am thankful we didn't have big plans today.  We would have missed them for sure.  I still can't believe all this happened once again while Gary is gone.  Hey, at least we don't have a bee hive the size of my head in the backyard! ;)  Things can always be worse right?!

random ramblings...

Gary and I aren't really into Valentine's day.  We do fun stuff for the kids, but I don't usually expect flowers and chocolates for myself.   I love all the red and pink and all the fun things for kids.  I love the candy, but I like to sample a piece of candy from the heart shaped box and put it back if I don't like it.  Yucky huh?  My family won't share candy with me.  I'm not a big chocolate fan, so if it tastes weird I put it back.  I don't waste calories on something that doesn't taste good.  Oh .... I know I am pathetic!

I've been addicted to the show Pretty Little Lairs.  I finally caught up on all 3 seasons.  It is a girlie show and honestly I don't think it is appropriate for ABC family, but whatever.  I usually let Layla watch most shows on that channel, but Pretty Little Liars is a little scary at times.  She won't be viewing it any time soon.  I can't wait to watch the episode recording right now on my DVR.

It has been warm the past few days here in Ohio.  When I say warm I mean it was 61 degrees yesterday and very windy.  Today it was in the 50's and still nice outside.  The weather makes me very excited about springtime!!  I can't wait to see all the trees green.  There are so many trees in our new state!  I wish our yard was bigger.

In previous posts (especially back in TX)  I have mentioned Hayden having asthma and needing an inhaler for daily breathing treatments.  Since getting his daily doses of medicine he hasn't really shown signs of asthma attacks.  We moved to Ohio and he hasn't needed allergy medicine or his inhaler.  We have stopped all medications all together. I am so happy for him!!! Even his eczema has pretty much gone away.  (crossing my fingers it stays away!)  Here I am hoping for springtime and in that hoping I also hope Hayden's allergies and asthma don't come back. Who knows what will happen when all the trees bud and the grass turns green. Also we don't have carpet in our house.  I wonder if that is helping him too.  We'll see how he does since we got a new puppy.  I hope he isn't allergic to Lily.

Lily is doing great.  She let me trim her toenails tonight.  She is so sweet and very vocal.  She grunts and groans and barks.  She is just so sweet and I love her little face!


Today I was late picking Hayden up from school.  I had to mail a few things and I got stuck at the post office.  It never fails when I go to the post office I get stuck in a line of at least 10 people.  I have all my items all packaged up and ready to mail and the post office clerk tells me I've used the wrong box.  Today was no different.   I wanted to crawl into the post office drop box just to get away from the frustration.  My lovely friend Erin picked up Hayden from school because I was late.  When I finally got him and got home we headed out to the backyard to let Lily do her business.  Hayden shut the backdoor and we quickly found out the door locked.  We were locked out of the house.  This is the second time this has happened to me since moving here.  I'm going to make a few spare keys tomorrow.  I ended up having to call a locksmith to come let me in.  It's just a ridiculous expense.  I'm thankful for the man who broke into my house, but it sure hurt handing over my credit card number.  At least this time the weather was nice.  Last time I locked myself out it was cold and pouring down rain.

Tomorrow is the first of our Valentine's parties. Hayden has one party on Wednesday and one on Thursday.  Layla has her party on Thursday and then we are doing our family stuff on Friday.  It will be a fun few days of celebrating 'RED and PINK'

Now I am off to watch some PLL!   Momma needs to watch some drama that isn't hers!!

just one of those days

Today was one of those days where I was bummed out by noon and ready to call it a day.  Our heater was producing a weird smell.  It the same smell we have smelled before and it comes from Layla's room.  It was almost like a smoky smell, so I was paranoid it was some sort of electrical issue.  This funky smell plus some other extended-family issues had me in a tizzy.  

After I took Hayden to school at 12:30 I decided to grab a few things at the grocery store.  I knew I would somehow turn my frown upside down.  I got all my goodies and headed for the check out line.  While I was checking out I questioned the cashier about a price and she almost bit my head off.  I said, "Well, I am new here and I didn't understand!"  RUDE lady.  Any other day and I would have blown her off, but since my day was already bad she rubbed me the wrong way.  Instead of telling her what I thought I tucked my chin to my chest and dashed to the car.

I had to mail a letter so I headed to the post office.  It was my first time to visit the post office here, so I had a bit of a hard time finding it.  Once I got there I parked and opened my door and a van drove by me at lightning fast speed.   He then had the nerve to honk at me.  Really?!  What in the world.  All I did was get out of my car.  He needed to watch out!!  Don't mess with this cranky lady today mister.

When I burned my hand on the oven wrack and dropped an egg while mixing up cheesecake I just laughed it off.  I just knew things would continue to be wonky.  It was just how the day played out.  Hayden and Layla both told me during dinner that they too had bad days today.  I think they were just trying to make me feel better.  It worked, but I don't really think their days were bad.

I think bad days are good sometimes.  I don't really think I have that many bad days, but bad days remind me of how good I usually have it.  This bad day ended with a good dessert.  I have been thinking about making a cheesecake for a few weeks.  Today was the day!  I made a delicious cheesecake and the kids and I each had a piece after dinner.  It made our bad day much better!  I may have another piece while I watch Grey's tonight!

Cheesecake is the cure all for me! :)

i don't even know why i'm telling you this...

I like for everything to be symmetrical.  In my own way it needs to be balanced.  The pillows on the couch should be in the same spot on opposite sides of the couch. The mantle should be balanced.  I appreciate the same concept in flower beds.


When I can't understand something and I am scrambling for advice or help I turn to reading.  I love to read and I feel like reading can help me through anything.  This can be in all aspects of life, parenting, cooking and even finding patience.  In my older age I am reading the Bible more.  I think it helps me feel better and I understand more now that I am more mature.  Well, I think I'm more mature.


I wish I could clean a room at a time every day in my house.   Does that make sense?  But I can't.  I feel like I need to clean the entire house on one day.  Then I can sit down and enjoy it if it's all done and complete.


I can't stand it if there are numbers on my apps on my iPhone.  If I had 3 missed calls or 41 emails, I'd flip out.  I have to read the emails as they come and call people back as soon as I can.  One time I read a group of text messages and forgot to respond to a few.  I felt bad, but I had to read them to get the number off my home screen.


In the summertime I have to put 1 cube of ice in my glass of red wine.  It is too hot in the summer to drink room temp wine.


One of the reasons I am looking forward to moving to Ohio is because I want a house with a porch.    In a perfect world, my house would have a porch all the way around.


Enough of my random thoughts for the night....

Peace out!

our week in pictures

The kiddos had a dentist appointment and  

Hayden got to watch Layla get her teeth cleaned.  He thought is was the coolest thing ever.

He watch her go right after he had already gotten his cleaned.  It was fun for him to see what he just had done.

"Mommy, she is going to clean dem!"

Layla was so brave.  She looks nervous, but these kids have trips to the dentist dialed in.  

We are happy to report, NO CAVITIES and two very cooperative kids.

Subway!

Mmmmm!  The kids ordered salami sandwiches.  I was shocked, but they ate every bite!

This is Gary's handwriting.  Yes, meal planning has rubbed off on him.  I am so proud!

Some nights I actually set the table fun for us.  I'm cheesy, but Layla and I love dining fancy some nights!

I hadn't made chicken spaghetti in months.  You know why?  Because I could eat the whole pan.  Ahhhh.  I love it and it was such a delicious treat!

The kids are getting really good at Mario Cart.  I am really terrible at this game.  I try not to act disappointed.  Maybe one night I'll sneak in there and practice while every one is in bed.  I'm just so stinkin' competitive.  I don't wanna lose.

I took a picture of Mr. Yellow Grasshopper.  He was just hanging out outside the garage. 

I was enjoying rest-time with the kids.  I'm laying on the Dora couch and my Twizzlers pillow.  Daisy decided to jump on me and then make herself at home all sprawled out on her back.  She is one spoiled rotten dog and I wouldn't have it any other way.

We got the best watermelon at Kroger.  Oh my it is so delicious.  

Watermelon is one of my favorite parts of summer. 

I have no words.  Hayden falls for her tricks every time.  They both made me laugh so hard.  They were trying to walk on the tile floor.  They were clanking around and tripping.  Goodness gracious.  They think they are so funny!  I'm just thankful for no broken bones.

One of my favorite summer dinners.  Tostadas.  They are so easy and light after a hot summer day.

The ingredient for these pictured above:  tostada shells, pinto beans smushed into 're-fried' beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and salsa and sour cream for dipping.  This meal would have been perfect with guacamole.

I saved the funniest picture for last.  Sweet Hayden has cleaned his plate all week long at dinner time.  I'm so proud because usually we beg him to eat a few bites.  But after dinner on this particular night he said he felt like he was growing and we needed to measure him!

That is our week in pictures ... I hope you have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Holiday Picture Outtakes

(If we are FaceBook friends, sorry for the duplicate [I posted these there yesterday] 

They are just too funny to NOT share)