Today......

*Today my daughter cried herself to sleep. Why? you may ask. Well she was fighting with her brother and would not let it go so I suggested she say our night time prayers and thank her Heavenly Father for her brother. After a very snotty comment about it being Dad's responsibility to call on someone for the prayer, he asked her to say the prayer. 2 prayers later and she had not thanked Heavenly Father for her brother, Rob told her to try again which resulted in much wailing and gnashing of teeth until she finally gave in. And then she ran to her room, buried herself in her covers, and cried herself to sleep. Oh teenagers, they are like toddlers with better vocabularies.

*Today is Wednesday, not my favorite day of the week, in fact I am always so tired on Wednesday. BUT, I think the 3 day weekend was in my favor and it really wasn't too bad.

*Today I mopped part of my floor, did all the laundry, ran kids to various activities, and picked up Rob's medication. I love when I can get a lot accomplished when there is a lot going on.

*Today Rob suggested we go to the taco place for dinner, we love that little hole in the wall place. So we dropped Hunter off at football, picked up dinner, and headed back to eat and watch his game. Don't feel too bad for Hunter though, he doesn't like the taco place so he ate a PB and Honey sandwich before the game.

*Today I decided to just start writing, whatever came to my head, this is what I ended up with. I need to remember to do things for me. We are so busy with everything that I feel like I am running myself ragged some days. So here I am working on something I think is important to me, recording our life. Now I just need to remember to pull out the camera.

Control, Or The Lack There Of

My girls have been fighting a lot lately, it is driving me crazy, I swear they can not be near each other without one of them being mean to the other. I finally had enough and decided it would be a great idea to make them share a room until they can learn to love each other.

I came home from work and immediately started pulling apart the day bed in Hannah's room. It is falling apart and needed to be taken out so this was a great excuse to get it done. I had made room for both twin mattresses on the floor and it was all ready for when they got home from school.

I told them what was going to happen and Hannah started cheering while Samantha cried.

How is that a fair punishment, I thought, when one of them is being rewarded?!?!?!

So I scratched that idea and instead gave them chores they would have to do together, with a clear understanding that every time they were fighting with each other they would be given more chores to do together.

In the last 5 minutes I have added baseboards onto the doors they are already scrubbing.

I am frustrated, life feels like it is spinning out of control and I am helpless to stop it. Every move I make feels wrong and I don't know which direction I am supposed to go next. I am stumbling around blindly all day trying to regain some of our normal and it is a feeling I do not like.

Three weeks ago life was great, we were making plans for the summer, we were going to pay off the last of our debt, start saving money, build our food storage, and start working on the back yard. It was like a huge weight was being lifted off of our shoulders, we were finally to our goal....

And then in an instant life changes and everything we have been working towards is unreachable again.

I think that is why I feel so helpless and lost lately, and sometimes angry. And every time I get angry I stop and wonder who exactly I am angry at. I am not angry at us, we have done the best we could, and I am certainly not angry with Heavenly Father. How coule I be mad at him when I know that he has been watching over and blessing our little family all through these very scary last few weeks? How do I be angry when I know he has a plan for us, and valuable lessons to learn if we just have faith?

So maybe I am not so much angry as I am scared because our path is not clear and it feels hard to keep moving forward uncertain of what lies ahead.

I don't think I ever realized how much of a control freak I was until I couldn't control anything.

My Mom said I need to learn to take things one day at a time, but I love to set goals, I love to plan, I love to be in charge of my life and my future. I keep looking at the goals I set for my birthday and part of me wants to rip the paper to shreds while the other part tells me to keep trying and not give up.

Thankfully I am stubborn enough to not give up on those goals, and hopefully wise enough to know even if it doesn't happen in the next year, they will eventually happen.

I have always had a plan for our future, and the thought of not having a plan is scary, but I am stepping onto an unknown path and submitting myself and my family to the plan that Heavenly Father has for our future with as much faith as I have.

I only hope it is enough.

Right Now...

... I am sitting on my bedroom floor eating cold cereal. My bathroom is clean and I am taking a break before I tackle the smaller bathroom. I am also loving not having to work today and being able to putter, I love puttering.

My other plans for today: completing Samantha's blanket and maybe starting on Hannah's and making Hunter a pillow.

*********************************

...My kids are goofing off, I am not sure if they think this procrastinating will some how get them out of cleaning their bathroom and doing their other chores, but they are in for a rude awakening.

Their plans for the day: have a Harry Potter movie marathon, which is so not happening without clean bathrooms and finished chores. 

Monday (or a post about cleaning bathrooms).

A funny thing happened on Monday: we survived school, full days of work, and we got all the bathrooms cleaned.

A miracle if I have ever seen one.

Friday I got a text asking if I could cover the front desk on Monday. I have been covering the front desk a lot lately and it doubles the hours I work in a day. Some days it is not so bad, but other days it is awful because I can't accomplish what I need to at home.

And when I cover on Monday I miss bathroom day which seems to throw off the entire week.

I agreed thinking I would just clean it Sunday night after the kids were in bed like I have done before, but the day was so wonderful I didn't want to ruin it, so the bathroom didn't get cleaned.

The dreaded Monday morning came and I got up and got ready, got the kids and Rob up and moving and proceeded through the morning. The morning was surprisingly calm, we got the morning chores done, lunches packed, and calmly walked out the door.

The kids were dropped off at school and I headed into work for a very quiet and uneventful day, which never seems to happen when I am working at the front.

I picked the kids up after school and we came home and they immediately got to work, and so did I. We whipped out their homework, bathrooms and the smaller bathroom with time to spare before Rob got home from work.

Rob came home and made dinner, cause it is pancake night and he is the best pancake maker in the family, and I helped a little. I would be lying if I didn't say I took the chance to do a lot of sitting and observing.

After dinner the kids got to work cleaning the kitchen while I got started on my bathroom.

Amazingly by 7 everything was done and we had a wonderful Family Home Evening.

I was in charge of the treat and kind of forgot. Never have I been so grateful for a box of pudding in the pantry and the can of whipping cream in the fridge.

Before bed we turned on "Can't Touch This" and did the Hammer dance on the way to bed with everyone smiling and laughing.

I can't stop thinking the day would have been entirely different if I had approached it with a different attitude. I was determined today to not grumble, and to instead count my blessings, there were many prayers said throughout the day to help me keep this focus.

As we were crawling into bed I started listing all the good things that had happened that day.

"So you are counting your blessings" Rob asked

"I guess I am" I told him, "and it is making all the difference."

Keep Your Head Up

 October has been a challenging month, don't get me wrong there have been some great days, but there have also been a lot of hard challenges mixed in. I would be lying if I didn't say I was ready to give this month a big fat kiss goodbye, which is sad because I love October.

October is filled with pumpkins, soup, beautiful fall weather, gorgeous changing leaves, sweaters and boots, football, and so many fun activities. In my opinion it is one of the best months of the year.

So why then October, when I love you so much, do you always seem to be filled with the most challenges??

This morning was rough, I woke up feeling bad and I swear so did everyone in this house. Maybe the saying is true: "when momma a'int happy, a'int no one happy". I tried so hard to turn it around but we ended up late for school with one child in tears. I was feeling defeated, sometimes it feels like the harder I try the worse things become.

I started driving away from the drop off line at school and my attention turned to the song on the radio:

This is just a journey
Drop your worries
You're gonna turn out fine.
Oh, you'll turn out fine.
Fine, oh, you'll turn out fine.

But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
You gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.

I know it's hard, know it's hard,
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.

It seemed to be the answer I was looking for, a feeling of peace came over me and I couldn't help but smile, As much as we don't like them, we need these bad days to appreciate the good.

So here's to you Wednesday, and October, you will not get the best of me.

Dear Moms,

Please allow me to step onto my soap box and get something off of my chest.

STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER MOMS, RIGHT NOW, JUST STOP!!

and

STOP PUTTING OTHER MOM'S DOWN BECAUSE THEY DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN YOU DO!!

There is an article from last year that is once again making the rounds on Facebook about how Moms need to take holidays down a notch because it is making everyone have to go all out like they are so they don't look bad.

And my question is who is making you? Who says you have to be as "over the top" as Suzy Homemaker down the road? Who is this person making you do this? Because you need to tell them to shut up and go away!!

If your answer is your kids maybe don't say exactly that, but instead use one of my favorite phases, something my kids hear All. The. Time.

"That is great that [insert friends name]'s family does that. But, in our family we do/don't [insert whatever child is whining about/or alternative]"

A couple years ago my kids were really excited about making a leprechaun trap and their Dad thought it sounded like fun so he helped them make it. Thinking they would enjoy it I ran to the bank to get a few gold dollars to leave with our traditional Lucky charms and green shirts.

The morning came and our kids ran to the leprechaun trap to see if they had caught one only to throw the biggest fit because the leprechaun was supposed to leave them more gold. Apparently they were convinced they were going to be rich.

I broke the news to my kids that Leprechauns were not real and we would never be making Leprechaun traps again, if they wanted to do it in their classes that was their teachers choice, but in our house it would not be happening.

I sent them to their rooms, pocketed their gold dollars, and then went to McDonald's to get me some breakfast and a Diet Coke.

True Story.

It was right then and there I swore we would only do the holiday traditions that worked for our family and not try to do something because teachers or friends told them that is what they were supposed to do. I would only do something if I enjoyed it, I was not going to add extra stress or make myself miserable just so I could "keep up" with the other Moms.

Which is where that sweet little phrase I mentioned earlier comes in very handy. It doesn't always stop them from throwing tantrums, they are kids after all, but that is why they have rooms where they can throw their tantrum and I don't have to listen.

So Moms, stop thinking you are any less then another Mom because you didn't go all out for a minor holiday. Because honestly, that Mom who did go all out doesn't think any less of you because you didn't. Just like you shouldn't think any less of her because she did.

So let's support one another and cheer one another on, because we all know this Motherhood gig is hard and we can all use as much support as we can get.

And so I say:

To the Mom who forgot it was St. Patrick's day and didn't dress you kids in green, you my friend are an amazing Mom, your kids are lucky to have you!!

To the Mom who only dressed your kids in green and didn't do anything else, you my friend are an amazing Mom, your kids are lucky to have you!!

To the Mom who dressed your kids in green and made some fun green food, you my friend are an amazing Mom, your kids are lucky to have you!!

And to the Mom who went all out over the top for St. Patrick's Day, you my friend are an amazing Mom, your kids are lucky to have you!!

You all love your kids, you do your best, and you are exactly the Mom your kids need. So hold your head high because you, that's right I'm looking at you, are the best Mom in the world for your kids and don't let anyone tell you any different!!

Love,
Your Fellow Mom

It's A Beautiful Life

I was having a tough day, I had forgotten just how beautiful my life is, and decided I was in desperate need of an attitude change. I walked into my office and finished a bracelet I had tucked away in my drawer, I loved that it was yellow, just what I needed to help put a smile on my face. I also kept my camera close by determined I was going to use it to capture this beautiful life of mine.

I would like to think the beautiful sunset that night was just for me. We spent a good hour on our deck taking pictures trying to capture the beauty before coming in and making breakfast for dinner again.

Today...

* I will start by apologizing now if 3 billion posts show up in whatever feed reader you use, I got the wild hair to move all of our blog posts here so everything is all together, which is close to 800 posts. I started today, let's see how long it will take me to finish this project.

* We are almost moved in, there is one box needing to be unpacked and a little bit more floor to scrub and then I can move onto the fun stuff, decorating and making this house our home.

* I have been thinking about how awesome we used to be, you know before we decided to build a house, here's to hoping I can get some of that awesomeness back and also remember how to document it along the way.

* I have been cussing painters as I scrub little spots of paint off of my tile. I have been working on it since Monday and will hopefully finish tomorrow. My knees hurt and my arm has started going numb, it is really lovely.

* I have been thinking about how much I have alienated people the last few months. I am sorry I have been cranky, it was the stress, not that that is a good excuse. I am sorry we haven't had time to do anything, and I am sorry I was so absorbed in this house. I promise to be better!!
Although I do reserve the right to one week every month that I can't be fully blamed for my cranky behavior. I try hard to keep the hormones under control, but honestly sometimes I loose the power struggle and they get their way.

* I have enjoyed reading through some of our old posts, I am realizing how far I have come in the last three years, but that is a post all its own.

* Has been one of many busy nights this week, it is either feast or famine for activity free nights. This week is famine. Hannah was out cold by 8:15, she crawled onto Rob's lap and was out, so adorable.

And with that list I say goodnight Internets, tomorrow is another day full of scrubbing tile and running kids to various activities, I think that means it is time for bed!!

Life is Messy

Right now I am sitting on the floor of my bedroom watching So You Think You Can Dance, my favorite, the rest of my family is downstairs playing Minecraft, not my favorite.

Things have been so crazy around here with trying to build the house. I knew when we signed up for this that it would be my top priority and every thing else would happen when and if I had the time. Plans have been rearranged or canceled more times than they have actually happened, the house we currently live in is normally a disaster, and my kids have played way too much Minecraft this summer.

I am trying to let it go, I am trying to realize that I am doing my best, and I am trying not to feel guilty for this being the lamest summer in Morris Family history.

I know in a few months we will have a house, we will plant roots, and it will all be worth it.

But, this last week has tested every ounce of my resolve, I have had to let go of so many expectations, and just go with the flow and tackle what needed to get done.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we were at the house working until past dark. Wednesday and Thursday we were up before the crack of dawn and at the house trying to get as much done as possible before Rob had to go to work. When we realized it wasn't going to get done on time Rob took Thursday afternoon off and we worked all afternoon to finally get it under control.

It was such a great feeling when we pulled away from the house that night at 6:30 pm.

To complicate things even more, Thursday was the first day of school. We did our best, we made it on time, and we even squeezed in a few pictures on our future front porch.

I am feeling so grateful we actually able to accomplish all that.

When I dropped the kids off at school I was covered in dirt and I am sure I didn't smell very good either. I told Rob I was just setting everyone's expectations really low, to which he laughed and asked if I was even wearing a bra, nope sure wasn't.

Today has been a little more relaxed, I only stopped at the house for a few minutes after I picked up the kids from school to make sure it was not full of water after it poured last night and all the windows were left open. Thankfully we only had one tiny puddle in the dining room, something I could handle.

Tomorrow we will be back out at the house to tackle some more projects. We need to place a vent for the oven exhaust, wire up all the low voltage wires, and do some MAJOR cleaning.

And then MAYBE next week will be a lot calmer and I can work on catching up on some things around our current house. Fingers crossed!!!

Today

You know those days when you just want to cry "Uncle" and crawl back in bed, today is one of those days.

We had such a fun Memorial day weekend, we drove to St. George and the weather was beautiful. We hiked, went swimming, spent time with family and relaxed. It was AMAZING!!

And then today when I tried to return to normal life, life decided to reach out and sucker punch me.

Anything and everything that could go wrong has. I have been snappy, my kids are tired and cranky, tasks seem to take forever, and everything seems to be breaking, or choosing not to work properly.

So yes, I am ready to put this miserable day behind me and it is only 4:30.

It is also raining, but right now that seems to be a bright spot in my rough day because ball games will be canceled, which means I will be able to find the time to go get a new phone, because mine is dead and I have realized just how much I rely on that stupid thing.

I have shed many frustrated tears today but I have also been reminded of something I read in a really great book:

"Resistance, a kind of feeling that comes against you when you point toward a distant horizon, is a sure sign that you are supposed to do the thing in the first place. The harder the resistance, the more important the task must be." - Donald Miller (A Million Miles in a Thousand Years)

So through all the resistance life is giving me today I am trying to keep going, because stopping now would just be a waste of how hard I have worked to get this far.

Here's to Wednesday, may it be a lot easier than Tuesday was.

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone, the last couple of days feel like they have flown by, I keep willing them to slow down so we can enjoy them before school begins again next week, but so far no luck.

Christmas we were lazy all day, just enjoying the day, our gifts, and time together. It was heavenly. To make things even better the snow has not stopped falling since Monday.

We made a big turkey dinner for Christmas day and loved having Rob's sister and her family join us.

Rob surprised me with a Kindle Fire, but the real miracle is that I let him surprise me, it was hard not to check the order history on Amazon to see what he bought, but I did it.

The first book I downloaded was Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project and I am really enjoying it.
I am taking notes and I am excited to start on my 2013 resolutions.

Yesterday Rob took Hunter and Samantha to Sundance to ski while Hannah and I stayed home. She painted  and I brought some order to the mess left from Christmas. Samantha later left to sleep over at her cousins while Rob, Hunter, Hannah and I made Rice Krispie trains and watched Brave.

I have enjoyed not having to go anywhere or do anything these last couple of days, hopefully January will have many more days like these. I feel like I have been running since the first of November and it is great to have all of my obligations out of the way and a clear calendar ahead.

The plan for the next two days looks about the same, the snow is still falling and we don't have to go anywhere. We are going to snuggle up inside, watch movies, make turkey noodle soup, and I am going to catch up on all the unedited pictures on the computer.

Today

Today I decided I needed to clear my schedule and focus on my family. For some reason life has been busy, I felt like my kids needs were not being met, and I decided today that would change. So I emailed the teacher I was scheduled to help and sent a text to the group of ladies I was supposed to go to dinner with and let them know something had come up and I wouldn't be able to make it.

Instead of feeling guilty like I thought I would, I felt like I had done the right thing.

I spent the morning finishing the last few projects others were needing from me so when Hannah got home we could spend the afternoon together, and then when Samantha and Hunter came home they would have my full attention.

When Hannah came home we ate lunch and then put on our pajamas. I promised her that morning if she would get dressed and go to school, when she got home she could change back into her pajamas.

That girl would live in her pajamas if I let her.

We pulled out the pearler beads and spent the afternoon sorting our new beads and creating unicorns and cupcakes. When Hunter and Samantha came home they immediately joined in.

The best part is when my kids are all gathered around doing projects they start talking and I hear all about their day instead of the "good" answer I normally get.

And then to top the night off, we all sat down at the table to eat dinner together. I was thinking how sad it is I can't remember the last time that happened.

The kids, for the most part, were happy and got along with each other. I also noticed a lack of fights at bedtime, instead Samantha actually told me she was tired and ready for bed. It was lovely.

Thankfully it is the weekend and ours is commitment free, something I am looking forward to.

Hello

You know what's fun, when you have an entire blog post typed up and ready to go but your stupid internet will not allow you to upload the pictures. Everything else is working just fine, but that not so much. So maybe tomorrow you will get the sad story of the death of our willow tree, if the internet ever decides to cooperate, or Rob calls and complains, whichever comes first.

Hope your Wednesday is great!! I am going to go and pick a turkey now for soup because I am avoiding the  billions of wrestling pictures I need to edit before Thanksgiving.

All Is Well

Last night was rough, I had hoped for a different outcome, and was actually fairly certain it would be different. But we all have our agency and our freedom to vote how we choose. And while that is a tough pill to swallow, I am so very thankful to live in a country founded on these principles.

I woke up around 3am and checked my phone hoping things had changed, no luck. I laid there wide awake wondering how this would affect the dreams we had for our family, and what the future had in store for us.

It was then that the answer came, the reason for the peaceful feeling I had all day (that made me certain there would be a different outcome), the Lord is always in charge, and as long as we are doing what we are supposed to he will bless us.

That doesn't mean things will be easy, they never are, but he will be there for us and the blessings will be there.

President Monson said "The future is as bright as your faith".

I can't change what happens to our country now, I can only make the best of it.
I can sit and sulk or I can go to work.

I resolved this morning to focus on my family, to teach my children correct moral principles, teach them to rise above the challenges we are given, and teach them to be kind, tolerant, and good citizens.

After all the greatest work I can do is within the walls of my own home.

And I will not fail, because I have the Lord on my side.

A few people have shared this quote from Elder Holland, and it is so true.

"The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team's jersey we want to wear!"

So chin up everyone, All Is Well!!!    

Dinner

Rob had left to pick Samantha up from dance, Hunter and Hannah were playing in the back yard, and I was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner so we could eat a decent meal before we had to run out the door again for wrestling practice.

It had been a busier than normal day and we were not done yet.

For just that moment though time seemed to slow down and everything seemed perfect, calm even. I smiled as I set the table and put all the food on so when Rob and Samantha were back home we could eat. I thought about how grateful I was for a moment of peace among a storm of activities and obligations that day.

 I wish I could have enjoyed that moment a bit longer but before I knew it dinner was over and we were rushing out the door again for practice.

I keep hoping things will slow down, and that we will not have as may obligations, but as the kids get older there seems to be more and more activities and obligations to meet. I am starting to accept this is what happens when your children grow, and instead of fighting against it, learn to really cherish the small moments of peace, calm, and normal I have throughout the day.

Right Now

Last night we carved pumpkins, today I decided to roast the pumpkin seeds, it was my first time and holy crow they are tasty. I was standing there eating them by the handful and decided I better find something else to do so there is some left for my sweet children.

I decided to blog.

Life is crazy pants busy right now, somehow I got roped into being the 1st grade room Mom. No one else would do it, which should have been a hint that it would be difficult finding parents to help with class parties. I even emailed and called telling them they didn't have to do anything but help run the game or the craft project, all the prep was done, still nothing.

Good times.

I also signed up to take the wrestling pictures, easy enough right, plus I will make enough to buy the lens I have been eyeing. Only they are doing things very different this year and it will probably take at least 3 nights to get all the teams to the same gym to have pictures done, or I will have to travel to a few different locations.

Super Awesome.

And it is almost November, and you know what that means, we will blink and it will be December. That's how this all works. So I have been planning the activities we want to do (so I can budget and do what I want to do) and starting to Christmas shop (so I can budget some more). I want everything done before Thanksgiving so I can sail on through the holiday's enjoying myself.

It will be a miracle if it happens, but we are holding out hope!!

Thankfully, I have passed enough time to keep me out of the pumpkin seeds and instead get ready to start running for the rest of the night. Gotta get the youngest ready for her Halloween party at dance class, come home get the oldest ready for her party, and then home to eat dinner before we head to wrestling practice for the night.

Is it Thursday yet? I need a nap.

October 1st

Happy October 1st, how did this happen so fast? Although I am in no way complaining, it is my favorite time of the year!! Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, so much magic crammed in 3 short months.

This weekend I put our Halloween countdown together, bought Hannah's costume, and planned out what we are buying the kids for Christmas.

Still to do: Put together Samantha's costume, buy the last piece for Hunter's costume, pull out my decorations, plan our Halloween dinner, and get Hunter's class party in order.

One of my friends posted on Facebook that she had all of her menus and grocery lists planned out for the next three months and I decided that was a great idea, we will see if I end up with time to get that done.

Maybe I should just get October's done instead.

As for today we are cleaning the house and getting the laundry done, try not to be jealous!!

Picnics In The Mountain

Last week I was feeling off and Wednesday was pretty rough. To make things worse the beans I had put in the crockpot for dinner were no where near done when we were ready to eat.

Rob suggested we make a run to KFC and pick up some dinner and then drive up the canyon to have a picnic. We called Rob's sister and invited them to come with us.

The weather was perfect, there was no one else around, KFC was delicious, and we got to sit and relax while the kids played with their cousins.

I can't say enough how lucky I am to have Rob around to step in when I am having a rough day, or week, I sure love that guy.

It was so nice I keep trying to find a way to make it happen again.

Free Time and Blogging

Written on my planner every night is the word BLOG, but every night I find something better to do, like curl up with Rob and fall asleep almost immediately.

Maybe if I picked up the computer to try and blog I would actually stay awake past 9 pm.

Rob would probably be thankful, or maybe he likes getting full control of the TV while I sleep.

The point, because I think I have one, is that my life was supposed to slow down a bit, I was supposed to have ALL this free time once all my kids were in school.

But I am telling you now this is all a lie!!

I feel like I am even busier now trying to get everything done while they are at school, because it is my goal to be present and fully focused on them when they walk in the door every afternoon.

What happened to eating bon-bons and watching soaps all day?

This is what I was promised people.

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + + - + - + - + - + - + 

My SD card is full of fun things we have been doing waiting to be edited and then blogged.

But not today, because Samantha and I drove to St. George yesterday to see Aladdin for my Mom's birthday. We stayed up late and then woke up early so we could drive all the way back home before Hannah got out of school.

So yeah I need a nap, which isn't going to happen, but I can see an early bedtime in my future.

Sorry Babe!!

TGIF

Four days into school and I am tired, although that has more to do with the fact my husband has been out of town since Tuesday and I don't sleep when he isn't home.

But we are settling into our routine and it is wonderful!!

Sunday night I posted a new chore chart, we have been doing it anyway, but now it is all on paper so I don't have to think too hard about who is doing what, and they have been great about getting everything done before they leave. Which means my house does not look like a tornado has blown through every day, and it is easier to complete jobs, which leads to less complaining.

Unless they are on toilet duty, then there is usually a lot of complaining.

Hannah is super excited to start school on Tuesday, but I also think she loves being the only kid home. She has full control over what is on TV, her brother doesn't try to crowd in on her fort making, and she gets a lot of attention.

I don't know about anyone else but I am thankful it is the weekend!! Rob is home, I may actually get to sleep in on Saturday, Rob and I are going to get a date night, we are not leaving town, and we have a fun family activity planned for Saturday.

Any fun plans for your weekend?